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.

Bombing Victims’ Win $323 Mil. from Syria, Ramsey Clark Calls Suit ‘Baseless’

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

The family of Daniel Wultz, 16, a Florida resident who was killed in a Palestinian suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv won a $323 million judgment in a U.S. court against Iran and Syria. Attorney Darshan-Leitner said the Syrian government's aircraft, ships and corporations can be impounded to force Syria to comply with the court's ruling.

Y-Love – Jewish, Orthodox, Black… and Gay

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

New York rapper Yitz “Y-Love” Jordan, famed black convert to Orthodox Judaism and celebrated artist, has announced that he is homosexual in an interview with Out magazine.

US Tour Operators Assoc. Annual Meeting Set for Israel

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

The United States Tour Operators Association, the largest tourism wholesalers association in America, will hold its 2013 annual conference in Israel as guests of the Tourism Ministry. The decision was made in February during a meeting in the US between Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov and USTOA management. The organization’s last annual conference in Israel occurred in 1995.

Interior Minister: We Must Deport African Refugees

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

The day after police arrested four Eritrean and Sudanese men for robbing and raping a 19 year-old woman in south Tel Aviv’s Neve Sha’anan neighborhood, Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai said most African illegal immigrants should be rounded up and either deported or arrested.

New Yoga Course Has Jewish Women Striking Kosher Pose

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Women who seek the opportunity to do Asanas in an environment which is more Hoshannah than Ganesha – and teach other women to do the same - can now sign up for a special course designed especially for Jewish Yoga aficionadas who want to teach the healing art to others.

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."

Kissinger Gets Felt Up by the TSA

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger., who's turning 89 this month (may we suggest holiday in Vietnam?), was spotted last Friday at LaGuardia airport in New York, getting routed to the pat-down line while going through security.