Members of Knesset from across the political spectrum have appealed to President Reuven Rivlin to pardon a man incarcerated for murdering his rapist. Yonatan Heilo was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Yaron Ayalon, who had repeated beat, raped and blackmailed him over the course of several months. When the two met […]
MKs urge president to pardon man jailed for killing his rapist Read More »
Middle EastAs the controversy over the so-called “Mikveh Law” rages on, prominent Modern-Orthodox Rabbi Shlomo Riskin has weighed in, urging Israelis not to view non-Orthodox Jews – such as the Reform and Conservative movements – as their enemies. Instead of attempting to legislate against them, the Orthodox establishment needs to find a way to work with
Rabbi Riskin urges Israelis: End the ‘war’ on Reform Jews Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Monday that President Barack Obama sometimes “seems more in support of Muslims than Israel”. “For example the Iran deal, which was one of the worst deals in history, gave $150 billion dollars to a radical regime, which will allow them to fund terrorist activities as well as pursue
Trump: Sometimes Obama supports Muslims more than Israel Read More »
Middle East, USAA senior commander in Hamas’s elite commando unit has handed himself over to Israel, according to sources inside Gaza cited by Channel 2. Reports of his surrender to Israel have been circulating in Gaza ever since the commander – a member the elite “Nahba” unit of Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades –
Senior Hamas commander ‘defects to Israel’ Read More »
Middle EastWASHINGTON — The Orlando, Fla., massacre is unlikely to mean much change in how the Republican Party deals with gay rights. The Sunday shootings gave the GOP, long struggling to erase an image of intolerance, a big stage to show its support and sympathy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. But a day later
Orlando shootings unlikely to change GOP stance on gay rights issues Read More »
USAThe phenomenon of Arab, particularly Palestinian, public figures refusing to condemn terror attacks against Israelis is nothing new, but the experiences of those who do speak out suggests that the problem runs far deeper than just politicians. Ynet notes that a number of Arab journalists faced strong backlash for merely saying that shooting innocent civilians
‘Spit on you and your honor’ for caring about Israeli victims Read More »
Middle EastPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday lifted the ban on Knesset Members and cabinet ministers visiting the Temple Mount. The Likud”s newest MK, Rabbi Yehuda Glick, praised the Prime Minister”s decision, adding that he hopes Arab Knesset Members from the Joint List party won”t take advantage of the lifting of the ban to spread anti-Israel
Ban on MKs ascending Temple Mount lifted Read More »
Middle EastThe Ministerial Legislative Committee – that which determines whether the government will support or reject new legislation – has approved a bill designed to help “chained” women: If the recalcitrant husband is jailed for not giving a get (religious divorce), he will be prohibited from being served kosher l’mehadrin food, he will not be incarcerated
Bill: Jailed get-refusers to be banned from studying Torah Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
By Steve Kramer GOLAN HEIGHTS, Israel — With four friends, over the Shavuot holiday we got away to the Golan Heights for a long weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect: vivid blue skies, fluffy clouds, temperature just about 80 degrees F, and the clearest air I’ve ever seen in that area. On the way up
Touring the Golan and the Galilee Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It is a lot to process. Omar Mateen, the American-born son of Afghan parents, murdered 50 people and wounded scores of others in a gay nightclub Sunday. The first surprise is that it was not a surprise, especially to the FBI. Mateen was the subject of investigations in 2013 and
Orlando: An attack on all Americans Read More »
International, USATerrorism on American soil is not new. Nor are crimes of hate. Since at least the 19th Century, politically motivated citizens have used violence to kill for a purpose. What makes the horrible massacre in Orlando stand out is its connection to a more recent phenomenon: the murder of large numbers by a single attacker.
Jeremi Suri: Targeting Muslims diverts attention and creates more terrorists Read More »
International, USAUNITED NATIONS, New York (WJC) — The World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Tuesday welcomed the election of Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon to the chair the United Nations Sixth Committee, which deals with legal issues and terrorism among other things. It was the first time Israel was elected for the presidency of a permanent UN
For first time, Israeli will head U.N. committee Read More »
International, Middle East
By Chris and Ken Stone SAN DIEGO — Amid repeated cheers, Todd Gloria urged hundreds of fellow gays and lesbians Monday night to speak up on gun laws in the wake of the Orlando shooting, blasting the FBI for inaction. “This is not about a religion,” the San Diego councilman told a packed Hillcrest auditorium.
Gloria leads San Diego in Orlando mourning Read More »
Ken Stone, San Diego County, USAIsraeli lawmakers seek to institute limited public transportation on Shabbat (JNS.org) Members of Knesset Yael German, Karin Elharrar, and Yoel Razvozov (all from the Yesh Atid party) intend to put forth a bill that would allow local authorities to operate public transportation on Saturday in Israel. The bill would permit minibuses to run within each
Middle East Roundup: June 14, 2016 Read More »
Middle East