Discovering the Holy Land, Hollywood Style

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Omar Epps, on his second visit to Israel with America's Voices in Israel, explained that it was the country's "rich history, culture, people and energies" that drew him back. "For me personally, the spiritual significance of this place hits me to the core. The fact that the world's three ancient religions meet in one place makes the holiness of this land so unique," said Epps. "I'm bringing my kids here next time to experience this land together with my wife."

Opposition: Iran Accelerating Nuclear Weapons Program

Posted on: May 13th, 2012

A new report on the Iranian nuclear arms program compiled by the Iranian opposition group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) shows that Iran is in fact accelerating its efforts to build a nuclear bomb.

Muslim Brotherhood: ‘The Capital of the United States of the Arabs Will be Jerusalem’

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

Cleric Safwat Higazi: "Our capital shall not be Cairo, Mecca, or Medina. It shall be Jerusalem, Allah willing. Our cry shall be: 'Millions of martyrs march toward Jerusalem! Millions of martyrs march toward Jerusalem!"

Russia Indemnfies Iran After Reneging on Deal for S-300 Air-Defense Systems

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

According to the contract signed in 2007, Russia committed to supplying Iran with at least five S-300 air-defense systems. But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared in September 2010 that selling the missile systems to Iran would contravene UN Security Council Resolution 1929.

Egyptian Justice Ministry suggests minimum 10 year sentence for intentionally misquoting Koran

Posted on: May 9th, 2012

Parliamentary committee approves tougher punishment for 'distorting' Quran.

ICG: Current Peace Process Based on Delusions, Will Never Bring Peace

Posted on: May 8th, 2012

A report titled "The Emperor Has No Clothes: Palestinians and the End of the Peace Process" was issued this week by the International Crisis Group, asking: "Does anybody still believe in the Middle East Peace Process?" It claims the current process, even if it yields some local progress, "will not bring about a durable and lasting peace.

Thousands of French Jews Consider Aliyah

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Some 5,000 French Jews participated in an aliyah fair in Paris. The fair, organized and run by the Jewish Agency, took place on the Sunday of Francois Hollande's election as their new president, beating incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy—the Jewish community's favorite. A recent poll found that 26 percent of those surveyed said they have considered emigrating due to French anti-Semitism.

Two Irish Bands Succumb to Cultural Terrorism

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Two Irish bands scheduled to play highly-publicized concerts in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Nahalal in June have cancelled, citing an overwhelming international uproar over their refusal to join the boycott against relations with Israel. Dervish and Fullset both published apologies on their Facebook pages, explaining that a mutual friend of theirs, Israeli musician Avshalom Farjun, [...]

French Jewry Leader: Hollande Victory a Boost to Anti-Israel Front

Posted on: May 7th, 2012

Following his victory Sunday, the 57-year-old François Hollande shouted himself hoarse, as he had done so often during the campaign, thanking his supporters for electing him president and promising to unite the whole country. But Richard Prasquier, President of the Jewish-French organizations, says one of the changes the Hollande presidency brings is a boost to the anti-Israel left.

Iran Campaign Targeting Israel as Global Nuclear Threat

Posted on: May 6th, 2012

Press TV, Iran's television network, broadcasting in English round-the-clock, on Sunday published an interview with Mark Glenn, of The Crescent and Cross Solidarity movement, who said that Israel is the only regime that “has threatened to take the entire world down in a nuclear Armageddon in the instance that her precious experiments in Jewish self-rule in the Middle East ceases to materialize.”

Canadian Foreign Minister: ‘We’re Israel’s Best Friend’

Posted on: May 5th, 2012

At the end of a week in which the United Church of Canada, that country's largest Protestant denomination called for a boycott of goods produced in “illegal” Israeli settlements, including East Jerusalem, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird declared that "Israel has no greater friend in the world today than Canada." Baird was addressing the American Jewish Committee World Leaders Plenary in D.C.

Report: ‘Sustained, Ongoing Undercurrent of Anti-Jewish Bias in Canada’

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

Despite a drop of 0.7% in antisemitic incidents in 2011 over the previous year, the gravity of the problem in Canada is better understood by observing long-term trends: antisemitic incidents have grown twenty-fold since B'nai Brith started monitoring antisemitism thirty years ago, while a five-year view shows a 24.6% rise.

Major British Supermarket Chain Tightens Boycott of Israeli Goods, Companies

Posted on: April 29th, 2012

The Supermarket chain Co-Operative Group, Britain's fifth-largest food retailer, is the first major European retailer to stop buying from companies that export produce from Israeli settlements east of the Green Line. The largest Israeli agricultural export companies affected by this move are Agrexco, Arava Export Growers, Adafresh and Mehadrin.

Peres’ Independence Day Greeting to Diaspora Jewry: ‘The Reality We Have Built is Much More Than the Vision We Once Dreamed’

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

President Shimon Peres: "Our mutual unwavering commitment to each other is crucial. The young generation's commitment to our state is essential as our shared tomorrow will be defined by innovation. As partners of our nation, your ability to secure a future defined by scientific development and discoveries is vital to our shared mission."

Israeli Foreign Minister Visits Muslim Azerbaijan, Chabad House

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

Israel marked twenty years of diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan on Sunday, with a visit to the 95% Muslim country by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who also visited the capital city’s Chabad house, according to a report by Lubavitch.com.

Petition for London Olympics Moment of Silence Honoring Munich Athletes Needs Your Signature

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

An online petition headlined "Tell the International Olympic Committee: 40 Years is Enough!" has garnered thousands of signatures. It is urging the Committee to honor at the Olympic Games this summer, the memory of 11 Israeli athletes who were murdered at the 1972 Olympics in Munich by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September.

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Ron Prosor to UN Security Council on Eve of Yom Hazikaron: ‘Proud of My Extraordinary Nation’

Posted on: April 24th, 2012

Israeli Ambassador to UN uses the opportunity to address myths that have become a "permanent hindrance" to the progress in the Middle East; myths that "in the barren deserts of the Middle East...find fertile ground to grow wild...and can surprisingly find their way" into the halls of the UN.

Olympic Committee Refuses to Commemorate Israeli Munich Massacre Victims

Posted on: April 22nd, 2012

A campaign by the widows of two Israeli victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre have had their petition for a memorial at the 2012 Olympic games rejected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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Forcibly Converted Hindu Women Opt to Stay with Husbands, But Story Remains Murky

Posted on: April 20th, 2012

Three young Hindu women who were kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam and married off to Muslim men, chose this week to live with their husbands instead of their families. It has been rumored that the three women had been threatened by Pakistan People's Party parliamentarian Mian Mithu with "dire consequences" if they decided to return to their parents.

European Report Finds High Levels of Anti-Semitism, Correlation Between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Attitudes

Posted on: April 19th, 2012

Among its results, the study found that 72% of Polish citizens agree or strongly agree that "Jews try to take advantage of having been victims during the Nazi era," and that 68% of Hungarians share this sentiment. Nearly 70% percent of Hungarians also think that "Jews have too much influence" in their country.