Benjamin Netanyahu
High court ruling on Haredi draft exemption may set Israel on course for new elections
By David I. Klein — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — The draft exemptions, long a flashpoint issue in Israeli politics, have become even more fraught since the start of the war in Gaza, as Israel has called up over 300,000 reservists to active service while still exempting Haredis studying Torah.
Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity
By David I. Klein — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — A complaint against the rabbinate's control of who is deemed Jewish comes as cracks are beginning to show in the sense of unity fostered by Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
Sen. Schumer called for Israel’s new elections. American Jews fractured.
By Yonat Shimron — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in its statement that it was 'distressed' by Sen. Schumer's speech. Then a group of Jewish organizations revolted against the statement.
A Holocaust exhibit seemed harmless. With the war in Gaza, it’s come under scrutiny.
By Yonat Shimron — March 18, 2024
DURHAM (RNS) — The US Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibit, 'Some Were Neighbors,' has been traveling across the country for the past two years. A coalition of Durham residents say it presents a narrow view of genocide.
Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza
By Ravi Nessman and Tia Goldenberg — March 18, 2024
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The U.S., which has provided key military and diplomatic support to Israel, also has expressed concerns about a planned Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Reform Jews support ‘just’ war in Gaza but call for two-state solution
By Yonat Shimron — January 31, 2024
(RNS) — The statement is an attempt to thread the needle. It conveys resolute support for Israel while at the same time criticizing some Israeli proposals for the war's aftermath.
Top stories of the year in Judaism
By A. James Rudin — December 27, 2023
(RNS) — The Israel-Hamas war dominated the news but there were also signs of revival amid the turmoil.
Muslim Leaders from swing states vow to drop Biden support in 2024
By Fiona André — December 8, 2023
(RNS) — Through the #AbandonBiden campaign, Muslim leaders hope to send a strong signal to the Biden administration: Siding with Israel’s deadly strikes in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks comes with a high cost.
In Gaza, the cease-fire accentuates the barbarity of the war
By Omar Suleiman — November 28, 2023
(RNS) — The relative quiet is only a reminder that the status quo in Gaza is cruelty.
Franklin Graham tours devastation in Israel, commits to helping rebuild
By Yonat Shimron — November 20, 2023
(RNS) — Israel has been the beneficiary of millions of dollars from Christian charities and a flood of volunteers. Samaritan's Purse is among them.
India bars protests that support the Palestinians. Analysts say a pro-Israel shift helps at home
By Sheikh Saaliq and Aijaz Hussain — November 8, 2023
SRINAGAR, India (AP) —The restrictions reflect a shift in India's foreign policy under populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi away from its long-held support for the Palestinians.
Lessons from Israel on the cost of polarization
By Joshua Stanton — November 7, 2023
(RNS) — Israelis are already vowing to renew their politics after the war.
Israelis overwhelmingly are confident in the justice of the Gaza war, even as world sentiment sours
By Amy Teibel — November 7, 2023
JERUSALEM (AP) — More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
A Yom Kippur sermon warns American Jews of Israel’s growing messianic rule
By Yonat Shimron — September 27, 2023
(RNS) — In a barnburner Yom Kippur sermon Monday (Sept. 25), Rabbi Sharon Brous said elements of Israel’s new government have a messianic agenda that aims to turn the country into a fascist theocracy.
“The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” is great drama and great history
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 8, 2023
On one level, the saga of a Sephardic Jewish family. On another, Israel 101.
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