Stone-walling

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on May 22, 2013

In the last two years, the Western Wall in Jerusalem — also known as the Kotel — has become a place of controversy as much as of worship. It’s the site of a battle that has long been waged by a group called Women of the Wall, who are demanding they be able to pray in the women’s section wearing tallits — Jewish prayer shawls — and also be permitted to read from the Torah, rights that the rabbi of the Kotel, backed by the police, wouldn’t give them.

Chabad center taking in Oklahomans displaced by deadly tornado

Published on May 21, 2013

A Chabad center in Oklahoma City opened its building as a shelter for those displaced by a deadly tornado.

Qatar: Arab Spring makes Israeli-Palestinian peace more pressing

Published on May 20, 2013

Qatar's emir, who has thrown his state's riches behind Arab uprisings, said on Monday that the emergence of 'people power' had put Arabs in direct confrontation with Israel and made a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict more pressing.

Alan Dershowitz sends ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ episode to Netanyahu

Published on May 20, 2013

Comedian Larry David has been called a lot of things over the course of his long and successful career, but we’re pretty sure “peace maker” has never been one of them. Until now. Well, almost sort of, anyway.

Israel to authorize four West Bank settler outposts

Published on May 16, 2013

Israel plans to declare legal four unauthorized West Bank settler outposts, a court document showed on Thursday, days before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry returns to the region to try to restart peace talks.

Seaport battle looms as Israel plans new competition

Published on May 16, 2013

Israel is betting its economic future on high-tech exports but faces a low-tech bottleneck in state-owned seaports subject to work stoppages and slowdowns because of the enormous strength of their unions.

International court to look into Israel’s 2010 Gaza flotilla raid

Published on May 16, 2013

The International Criminal Court prosecutor said she would open a preliminary examination into the 2010 Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla, which left nine Turkish activists dead.

Netanyahu takes flak over bed on a plane

Published on May 13, 2013

Benjamin Netanyahu is changing his mid-air sleeping arrangements after a public flap over a $127,000 custom-built bedroom for the Israeli prime minister and his wife on a flight to London last month.

Israel says ‘no winds of war’ despite Syria air strikes

Published on May 6, 2013

Israel played down weekend air strikes close to Damascus reported to have killed dozens of Syrian soldiers, saying they were not aimed at influencing its neighbor's civil war but only at stopping Iranian missiles reaching Lebanese Hezbollah militants.

With Netanyahu in Shanghai, China rips Syrian airstrikes

Published on May 6, 2013

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a five-day visit to China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the military strikes on Syria without singling out Israel.

Reps. Royce, Engel talk Iran, Syria with Netanyahu

Published on May 2, 2013

The top Republican and Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the potential Iranian threat and instability in Syria with Israel's prime minister.

Bibi to Feiglin: Stay away from Temple Mount

Published on April 29, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Likud lawmaker Moshe Feiglin not to ascend the Temple Mount.

Netanyahu says Iran hasn’t crossed nuclear ‘red line’

Published on April 29, 2013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday Iran had not crossed the "red line" he set for its nuclear program, despite an assessment to the contrary by a former Israeli intelligence chief.

Israeli pols slam Kerry for marathon-Mavi Marmara comparison

Published on April 23, 2013

Israeli lawmakers are condemning U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's comparison of the Boston Marathon bombing victims to the 2010 deaths of Turkish citizens aboard the Mavi Marmara ship.

Iran to cross ‘red line’ this summer, ex-Israeli military intel chief says

Published on April 23, 2013

Iran will cross Israel's "red line" for nuclear activity by this summer, Israel's former director of military intelligence said.

Sharansky gets green light to pursue Western Wall prayer plan

Published on April 22, 2013

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky was given a green light by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue his plan for a permanent egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall.

Lapid knocks Netanyahu off Time 100 list

Published on April 18, 2013

Israeli political newcomer Yair Lapid knocked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu off the Time 100 list of most influential people.

Dedication of new Kotel site may happen within one month

Published on April 11, 2013

Natan Sharansky's plan to expand the non-Orthodox prayer site at the Western Wall could be set in motion in as little as one month, the Jewish Agency for Israel chairman said in an interview Thursday in his Jerusalem office.

Western wall compromise raises hopes, but still faces obstacles

Published on April 10, 2013

Natan Sharansky

Turkey, Israel reconciliation far from fact

Published on April 9, 2013

Just before President Barack Obama boarded Air Force One to leave Israel on a windy Friday afternoon last month, he made a dramatic announcement.

Suckers at the Casbah

By David Suissa
Published on April 8, 2013

Apparently, there are smart people out there who still believe it’s up to Israel to revive the dead Middle East peace process.

U.N. observers failing mandate to track Hezbollah arms, Israeli official says

Published on April 4, 2013

U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have failed to report on Hezbollah guerrilla armaments as required, a senior Israeli official said on Thursday, arguing that Israel could not rely on foreign intervention for its security.

Obama’s Middle East visit: 50 shades of gray

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 27, 2013

On March 21, four days before Pesach, Sarah Chazizza was at home in Sderot, doing what people do before Pesach. She was cleaning. It was still early in the morning, but the weather was getting warmer and the windows were wide open to let the dusted furniture breath.

Obama quotes Hatikvah in Passover message

Published on March 27, 2013

President Obama cited the Israeli national anthem's invocation of an ancient Jewish longing for a homeland in his Passover message.

‘Put yourself in their shoes’

By Rob Eshman
Published on March 21, 2013

It’s been just two days since President Barack Obama touched down in Israel, and no doubt you’ve probably read and heard it all by now. The ribbing banter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Best Frenemy Forever.

Did Obama’s charm offensive in Israel work?

Published on March 21, 2013

President Obama had three goals for his first presidential trip to Israel.

Lapid orders $13 million transferred to Holocaust survivors fund

Published on March 21, 2013

Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid ordered the transfer of more than $13 million to a foundation to assist Holocaust survivors.

After Israeli backslapping, Obama faces Palestinian discontent

Published on March 20, 2013

President Barack Obama faces a stony reception when he travels to the West Bank on Thursday for talks with Palestinian leaders who accuse him of letting Israel ride rough-shod over their dream of statehood.

As trip begins, Obama and Netanyahu are all smiles

Published on March 20, 2013

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s safe to say, haven’t always been the best of friends.

Obama, Netanyahu convey broad agreement on Iran, Syria, two state solution

Published on March 20, 2013

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed broad consensus on Israel’s top security priorities in a statements following a meeting in Jerusalem.

Budget, Iran top priorities for new Israeli government

Published on March 18, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government will face the immediate task of passing an austerity budget and the time-sensitive challenge of preventing what it believes is Iran's drive to develop nuclear weapons.

In Iranian New Year message, Obama warns Iran of isolation but not strikes

Published on March 18, 2013

President Obama warned Iran of further isolation but stopped short of threatening military action should the country not cooperate with the international community on its nuclear program.

Obama: ‘Bibi and I have a terrific, businesslike relationship’

Published on March 14, 2013

President Obama said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have "a terrific, businesslike relationship."

Ehud Barak leaves Israeli politics — for now

Published on March 14, 2013

Ehud Barak stepped down as Israeli defense minister at an official farewell event.

Israel’s emerging new government

Published on March 14, 2013

Barring a last minute glitch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to sign coalition agreements that will give him a new government just two days before the deadline, and less than a week before President Barack Obama arrives in Israel. The new government will have a total of 68 seats in the 120 seat parliament.

Is Obama bringing a peace plan?

Published on March 11, 2013

Over and over, American officials insist that President Obama has no new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan hidden in his pocket, ready to be whipped out during next week’s meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

U.S., Israeli officials: Obama visit is on

Published on March 6, 2013

U.S. and Israeli officials said President Obama would not delay his trip to Israel in the event that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unable to form a government.

AIPAC makes its voice heard in Washington

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on March 5, 2013

It was a surprisingly sunny day Tuesday, ahead of an expected snowstorm, when the 12,000 or so AIPAC delegates concluded the three-day annual “policy conference” in Washington this week, ready to move on to Capitol Hill to lobby their representatives.

Pollard clemency petition reaches 103,000 signatures

Published on March 5, 2013

More than 103,000 people have signed a petition calling on President Obama to free imprisoned spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard.

Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden to the AIPAC Policy Conference [FULL TEXT]

By JewishJournal
Published on March 4, 2013

Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.) It’s great to be here. It’s great to be here. (Applause.) Hey, Debbie.

No Obama or Bibi, but AIPAC conf. still looking to make noise

Published on February 26, 2013

Next week’s annual AIPAC policy conference in Washington may be as notable for what -- and who -- is missing as what’s planned.

Biden to address AIPAC conference

Published on February 26, 2013

Vice President Joe Biden will address the upcoming AIPAC policy conference.

Netanyahu, Rubio in water-bottle toast to U.S., Israel ties

Published on February 20, 2013

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toasted their nations' close ties on Wednesday with a click of plastic water bottles reminiscent of the Republican's sip seen 'round the world in Washington last week.

Prisoner X affair raises charges of dual loyalty for Australian Jews

Published on February 20, 2013

As more details have seeped out about the mysterious life and death of Israel’s Prisoner X -- identified last week by an Australian TV program as Ben Zygier -- the wall of silence surrounding those who knew him has begun to show some cracks.

Sharansky wins second term as head of Jewish Agency

Published on February 19, 2013

Natan Sharansky was elected to a second term as chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

Netanyahu reaches first deal on new Israel government, political source says

Published on February 19, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took his first step in forming a new government on Tuesday by reaching a coalition deal with former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, a political source said.

Israel denies mystery 2010 detainee spied for Australia

Published on February 19, 2013

Israel denied on Tuesday that an Australian immigrant who committed suicide in 2010 while jailed for security offenses had spied for his native country.

Give Sharansky four more years, Netanyahu asks Jewish Agency board

Published on February 18, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Jewish Agency to extend Chairman Natan Sharansky's term by another four years.

Obama to speak directly to Israelis on visit to Jewish state

Published on February 12, 2013

President Obama is scheduled to deliver an address directly to the Israeli people during his two-day visit to Israel.

Ehud Barak coming to Washington for consultations

Published on February 11, 2013

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is traveling to Washington to meet with top defense officials.

Netanyahu, Home Party’s Bennett meet for first time in five years

Published on February 11, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett for the first time in five years.

Beitar arson attack linked to racial incitement

Published on February 8, 2013

A suspected arson attack damaged the main club house of Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem on Friday, a day after four fans were charged in court in connection with racist incitement against the team's recruitment of Muslim players, police said.

Will Obama’s planned Israel visit revive Israel-Palestinian peacemaking?

Published on February 5, 2013

Is President Obama's plan to visit Israel a sign that he’s ready to take another shot at Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking?

Israel said to have attacked Syrian weapons transport

Published on January 30, 2013

Israeli planes reportedly struck a Syrian weapons transport on the Lebanese border amid increasing fears that the country’s chemical weapons stockpile could fall into the hands of Hezbollah.

Illustrator of anti-Israel cartoon apologizes for timing of publication

Published on January 29, 2013

The illustrator of an editorial cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu building a wall on the bodies of Palestinians and using their blood as cement apologized for the timing of its publication.

What is the Israeli election really telling the Palestinians?

By Rabbi Marvin Hier
Published on January 29, 2013

Without a doubt, at the moment, the Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank are riding high, flexing their muscles, and feeling very confident about what they view as an impressive string of recent victories.

World Jewish Congress names Robert Singer to top post

Published on January 28, 2013

Robert Singer was named secretary general of the World Jewish Congress, the organization's most senior professional position.

Obama congratulates Netanyahu in phone call

Published on January 28, 2013

President Obama congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on winning the most seats in the next Knesset and said he looked forward to working with the new government.

Iron Dome battery moved to Haifa amid unrest in Syria

Published on January 28, 2013

The Israeli military has deployed an Iron Dome missile defense system near Haifa, according to reports.

Can Bibi’s wife Sara spoil Israel’s coalition?

Published on January 25, 2013

Forging a coalition is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the election process in Israel.