Rabbinic Court Annuls 20-Year Marriage: Witnesses not Shabbat Observers

Posted on: May 18th, 2012

In a precedent setting decision, the Chief Judge of the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel this week freed a woman from her aguna status (separated from her husband but unable to marry another) and annulled her marriage because the witnesses who signed the ketubah were not Shabbat observers. The plaintiff's husband had fled Israel to Florida and was refusing to sign a get.

Gideon Ezra, Former Deputy Head of Shin Bet, Cabinet Minister, and MK, Dies at 74

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Ezra, who was serving as a Kadima MK at the time of his death, was born in Jerusalem in 1937. He served in the IDF's Nahal Paratrooper brigade, and joined the Shin Bet in 1962. Over a career that spanned 33 years, he rose to become the Deputy head of Israel's domestic intelligence organization. Throughout his political career he variously served as Minister without Portfolio, Minister of Internal Security, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of Environmental Protection.

Deputy FM: Intl Olympic Committee’s Rejection of Minute of Silence for Slain Athletes ‘Unacceptable’

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Danny Ayalon: Denial of request to hold a minute silence during the upcoming London Olympic Games in memory of the 11 Israeli Olympic team members murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics tells "Israelis that this tragedy is yours alone and not a tragedy within the family of nations."

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Report: IDF Engages Terrorist Squad at Gaza Border, Injures 7

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

IDF spokesperson: "Terrorists approach the security fence in order to place explosives, plan terror attacks, and attempt to kidnap IDF soldiers, endangering Israeli civilians and security forces stationed in the region."

Foreign Lawyers Permitted to Work in Israel

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz signed a directive on Wednesday enabling foreign lawyers to work in Israel, and enabling collaboration between Israeli and foreign law firms.

US Senate to Consider Tougher Sanctions on Iran

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

The US Senate will consider a new sanctions package against Iran on Thursday, in which oil and economic embargos will be considered in order to force Iran to abandon its nuclear development program. In the meantime, the US and Israel prepare for the possibility of a military strike on Iran.

Israel and Japan Celebrate 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Israel and Japan celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations on Tuesday, kicking off a series of special events commemorating the occasion. On May 21, the Israeli embassy in Tokyo will stage a special gala concert marking the occasion, joining the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra with leading Israeli musicians.

Surfer Rabbi Running for Senate, Ruffling Muslim, Tea Party, Feathers

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

A rabbi running for the U.S. Senate told a cheering audience, “I am an Islamaphobe and everything we need to know about Islam, we learned on 9/11.”

J Street Leader: Our Job is to “Move Jews” to Support Washington Politicians

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Got that? The goal of J Street is not to represent American Jews on the left, but is instead "to move American Jews" to the left and to the Administration's/friends on the Hill's point of view, and to "provide them with cover."

Minority Births in US Over 50%

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

It’s official – over half of babies are being born to racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, according to a report in the Associated Press.

Security Forces Victorious Over Teen Girls in Overnight Demolitions at Two Outposts

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

In what could be a dress rehearsal for the evacuation and demolition of Ulpana Hill, Israeli security forces accompanied a bulldozer which overnight demolished a stone structure in the Ramat Migron outpost and two temporary structures in the Oz Zion outpost in Judea and Samaria. Clashes erupted during the demolition, between right-wing activists, most of them teenage girls, and security forces.

Military Intelligence Monitored ‘Google Street View’ Project in Israel

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Israeli security authorities including the IDF Military Intelligence Formation, closely monitored the Google Street View Project, first launched in Israel just last month, giving a close look of streets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. The inspection prevented publication of pictures revealing classified information and locations of security facilities operating in Israel.

Report: Ignoring UN Ban, Iran Continues Shipping Arms to Syria, Enriching Uranium

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

According to Reuters, a confidential report on Iran sanctions-busting says Syria continues to receive Iranian arms shipments that violate a U.N. Security Council ban on weapons exports by Iran. The new report, by a panel of experts on monitoring sanctions, submitted to the Security Council’s Iran sanctions committee, also details Iranians’ efforts to circumvent sanctions [...]

Beautiful Gardens, Beautiful Minds

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

A young Israeli woman meditates in the Sunken Garden next to the Habima national theater in Tel Aviv, May 14, 2012. Amidst the chaotic streetscape stands the Habima National Theater, located at the junction of Rothschild and Ben Tsiyon Streets in Tel Aviv. The courtyard (aka the New Culture Square), which is still under construction, [...]

Ron Paul Halts Campaign, Keeps Delegates

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has effectively given up his presidential campaign but will not give up his delegates to Mitt Romney. Paul, a Texas Republican, said he would no longer compete in his party’s primaries, leaving Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, the only viable candidate for the GOP nod still running. Romney remains about 200 [...]

U.S. Ambassador to Israel: We Are Ready to Attack Iran

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Washington prefers the diplomatic option and stated as much time and again – but it seems that beneath the surface, an attack is ready to roll on command. An unusual moment of candor on the part of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro at a closed meeting in Tel Aviv, reveals the planning behind the scenes. "The military option is not only possible, it's ready," he says.

Emotion-Filled Israel Trip For TV Stars

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

With tears flowing, a phalanx of top American TV stars recounted various personal and religious revelations they gained during last week’s weeklong visit to Israel. They expressed admiration for the Jewish people’s vitality and for their willingness to create a better society in the midst of political and religious upheaval in the region.

New Poll: Israeli Arabs, Jews Pessimistic About Prospects for Peace

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

In poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute in conjunction with Tel Aviv University, 90% of Israeli Arab respondents said that it was unsuitable for 'Hatikvah' "to serve as the national anthem of the State of Israel," compared to 80% of Israeli Jews said that it was suitable.

The Quiz

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

There's a new quiz all the time. Test your knowledge of current events.

Orthodox New Yorker On Hunger Strike After Months In Bolivian Prison

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Supporters say he’s an innocent man caught up in the tentacles of a corrupt Latin American regime. Authorities in Bolivia allege he’s a shady businessman with ties to drug dealers and money launderers.