Dept. of Justice response on prosecuting Palestinian killers unsatisfying for lawmakers

Published on April 18, 2012

U.S. House lawmakers want more answers after the Department of Justice reiterated the obstacles it says stand in the way of prosecuting alleged Palestinian terrorists who killed Americans.

Brandeis students disrupt meeting with Israeli lawmakers

Published on March 29, 2012

Brandeis University students disrupted a panel discussion at a Boston-area synagogue featuring Israeli lawmakers and Jewish community leaders.

U.S. lawmakers call on Cuba to release Gross

Published on December 5, 2011

Nearly 100 U.S. lawmakers called on the government of Cuba to release imprisoned Jewish U.S. contractor Alan Gross.

Lawmakers slam end of aternative religious wedding project

Published on November 9, 2011

Israeli lawmakers from diverse parties slammed the decision of the religious services minister to prevent an organization of Modern Orthodox rabbis from performing religious wedding ceremonies for non-religious couples

U.S. halts UNESCO funding over Palestinian vote

Published on October 31, 2011

The United States said on Monday it had stopped funding UNESCO, the U.N. cultural agency, following its vote to grant the Palestinians full membership.

Lawmakers have no place in religious lives—even those of agunot

Published on January 5, 2011

When it comes to politicians meddling in people’s religious lives, the answer should be clear: Don’t do it! Neither members of Congress nor congressional staffers should be pressuring any individuals to adhere to any particular religious code. As obvious as that seems, sometimes it gets more complicated, as the case of Aharon Friedman reminds us. Friedman is a staff member in the office of U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, a Michigan Democrat. Friedman also is an Orthodox Jew in the midst of a messy divorce. Actually, from a civil standpoint, the divorce is over. According to the state, Friedman’s marriage to Tamar Epstein was terminated last April. Jewish law, however, says the couple is still married as Friedman refuses to give his wife a get, or a Jewish bill of divorce.

Lawmakers urge Harvard divestment from Iran

Published on April 27, 2010

Seventeen U.S. Congress members sent a letter to Harvard University urging divestment from Iran's energy sector.

Israeli-Arab lawmakers visit Libya

Published on April 26, 2010

A delegation of Israeli Arabs, including six Knesset members, is visiting Libya.

60 lawmakers co-sponsor Haiti-Israel resolution

Published on April 21, 2010

A congressional resolution congratulating Israel for its Haiti rescue efforts has 60 co-sponsors from both parties.

Al Qaeda urges Israel attacks; Israeli Arab lawmakers represent Hamas in court

Published on September 14, 2006

Al Qaeda urges Israel attacks; Israeli Arab lawmakers represent Hamas in court; Conviction in Attack on Palestinians; BBC Ordered to Release Report; British Jews Meet on Security; Trump to Observant Jew: You're Hired; Babi Yar Event to be International; Danish Newspaper Publishes Holocaust Cartoons.

Jews Try to Sell Withdrawal Plan to Jews

By Ron Kampeas
Published on March 31, 2005

Many of the major Jewish religious streams, lobbying groups and civil rights groups are encouraging the Bush administration, lawmakers and opinion makers to maintain political support for Israel's July 20 withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.

Bush Slaps Several Sanctions on Syria

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on May 13, 2004

President Bush has imposed sanctions on Syria, heeding the call of lawmakers and American Jews who wanted the Bush administration to get tougher on Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Gaza Plan Foes Face Evangelical Aid Loss

By James D. Besser
Published on April 8, 2004

With the Gaza disengagement plan picking up momentum and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon getting set to pitch the proposal to the Bush administration at Camp David next week, right-wing Jewish groups are counterattacking, hoping to forestall U.S. support for the plan. Their partners in this fight: Christian Zionists.

Congress Remains Pro-Israel

By Matthew E. Berger
Published on November 7, 2002

Pro-Israel activists say they are confident their legislative priorities will be able to get through the new Congress, which is now under Republican control. In the final election returns, which came early Wednesday morning, a predominance of pro-Israel lawmakers retained their seats, and several new faces emerged, many of whom pro-Israel officials called promising.