Netanyahu reportedly taps Dermer as next ambassador to U.S. (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint his close aide Ron Dermer as Israel’s next ambassador to the United States, Army Radio reported Friday. According to the report, Dermer’s candidacy as ambassador has been in question for some time, as he […]
JNS news briefs: June 28, 2013 Read More »
InternationalNetanyahu: peace ‘founded on security, not goodwill’ (JNS.org) On the day U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was set to arrive in Israel for his latest attempt to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said peace “is founded on security, not goodwill.” “Without security we will not be able to defend ourselves
JNS news briefs: June 27, 2013 Read More »
InternationalMcDonald’s, ‘bringing politics into business,’ boycotts Ariel (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) McDonald’s Israel has said it will not open a branch in the city of Ariel, citing its location beyond the Green Line as the reason, Calcalist reported Wednesday. According to Tzahi Nahmias, the owner of the Mega Or construction firm, which is marketing space
JNS news briefs: June 26, 2013 Read More »
International
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Miracles awaken our capacity to experience wonderment and awe. They speak to the deepest recesses of our soul without words—but through beauty. In the liturgy, Jewish tradition frequently invokes the imagery of the Red Sea, when Moses and his mighty staff made the waters part into
Not from outside, but from inside, are Jews threatened Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastIsraeli Defense Ministry rallies to Father Nadaf’s support (JNS.org) Israel must help Arab Christians who choose to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon (Likud) said on Tuesday, Israel Hayom reported. Danon cited the recent controversy surrounding a prominent member of the Greek Orthodox community, Father Jibra’il (Gabriel) Nadaf, who participated
JNS news briefs: June 25, 2013 Read More »
InternationalBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most rabbinical students attribute omnipresence and omniscience as qualities befitting a Creator. Only God is called, “The Knower of Thoughts,” and “The Searcher of the human heart.” Rabbinical wisdom has long taught, “Always keep in mind these three things, and you will never come to the
God may watch over us; the government shouldn’t Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Jeremy Ben-Ami WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of State John Kerry is headed back to the Middle East this week – his fifth trip in four months – to jumpstart diplomacy to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The secretary apparently intends to tell both Israelis and the Palestinians that it’s time to decide if they are
Ben-Ami: Time for U.S. Jews to build a peace constituency Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Taliban carefully scripted the kerfluffle to embarrass the United States. Its not like we didn’t know they were in Qatar. For eighteen months, Doha has been the scene of sometimes secret, sometimes leaked U.S. talks with the Taliban — and without the Afghan government. But this week, Taliban
Why wait for Afghan withdrawal if it’s coming anyway? Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana BryenPope Francis: Christians cannot be anti-Semitic (JNS.org) Pope Francis, meeting for the first time as pontiff with leaders from Jewish organizations and communities on Monday, told the delegation that due to “our common roots,” a Christian “cannot be anti-Semitic.” A delegation of Jewish leaders from the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations gathered in the
JNS news briefs: June 24, 2013 Read More »
International
By Sean Savage/JNS.org The Irish and Jewish people share a common history of both suffering cruel persecution and achieving national redemption against immeasurable odds. But today, Ireland is one of Europe’s fiercest critics of Israel. The Irish government and prominent Irish NGOs frequently condemn Israel for its treatment of Palestinians, and they are pushing
Irish paradox: Israel trade and BDS strengthening Read More »
Middle East
JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Efraim Halevy, who has previously served as the Head of Israel’s Mossad Intelligence Agency, announced his personal commitment to a program which will help certify the Jewish identities of thousands of immigrants, primarily from the former Soviet Union. These certifications are mandatory under Israeli law for any couple of questionable ancestry
Ex-Mossad chief to track down Russian Jewish genealogies Read More »
Middle EastNEW YORK (Press Release) –AJC criticized Naftali Bennett, Israel’s Minister of the Economy, for his recent call, in a Jerusalem speech, for an end to the vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “The attempt to establish a Palestinian state in our land has ended,” said Bennett, leader of the Jewish Home party.
AJC: Bennett’s comments on peace process ‘shortsighted’ Read More »
Middle East
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — It is a matter of routine for the majority of Israel’s population that when children, whether boys or girls, reach the age of eighteen they go into one of the forces that make up the IDF in order to give two or three years of service to
When a grandson finishes his IDF training Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
By David Amos SAN DIEGO –Every trip to Israel is an adventure, a revelation. No two trips are the same, and our recent ten day visit was no exception. Yes, we had the usual encounters with family and Israeli musicians, but after not being in Israel for years, we were treated to the country’s phenomenal
A Jordanian guide’s dream of peace Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East