International
In US, some Muslim-Jewish interfaith initiatives are strained by Israel-Hamas war
By Mariam Fam and Luis Andres Henao — December 5, 2023
The war and its polarizing reverberations in America are testing and straining some interfaith relationships more than ever.
US prosecutors say plots to assassinate Sikh leaders were part of a campaign of planned killings
By Larry Neumeister — December 1, 2023
NEW YORK (AP) — The attack plans were foiled, prosecutors said, because the hitman was actually an undercover U.S. agent.
What to know about the Sikh independence movement following US accusation that activist was targeted
By Sheikh Saaliq — December 1, 2023
NEW DELHI (AP) — India's Sikh independence movement eventually became a bloody armed insurgency that shook India in the 1970s and 1980s.R
Israel’s mosaic of Jewish ethnic groups is key to understanding the country
By David L. Graizbord — December 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — The diversity of Israel’s Jewish population has been a source of tensions, but also strength, over the decades.
An Indian official plotted to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York, US prosecutors say
By Ashok Sharma and Larry Neumeister — November 29, 2023
NEW YORK (AP) — India had set up a high-level inquiry after U.S. authorities raised concerns with New Delhi that its government may have had knowledge of a plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader on American soil.
German-Israeli singer admits he lied when accusing hotel of antisemitism in a video that went viral
By Kirsten Grieshaber — November 29, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's leading Jewish group, which initially stood behind the singer, sharply condemned him after his surprise confession.
Timekeepers no more, rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witnesses say goodbye to tracking proselytizing hours
By Peter Smith — November 27, 2023
For the first time since 1920, leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses have removed the hours-reporting requirement for rank-and-file adherents.
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.
Internet, phone networks collapse in Gaza, threatening to worsen humanitarian crisis
By Wafaa Shurafa, Lee Keath, and Jack Jeffery — November 17, 2023
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 11,470 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Hong Kong’s Roman Catholic cardinal says he dreams of bishops from greater China praying together
By Kanis Leung — November 17, 2023
HONG KONG (AP) — Joseph Li's arrival in Hong Kong on Monday at the invitation of cardinal Stephen Chow marked the first-ever official visit by a Beijing bishop to the city.
Jewish protesters and allies block Israeli consulate in Chicago, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza
By Claire Savage — November 15, 2023
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago protesters cheered Monday as police led demonstrators from the building with hands zip-tied behind their backs, many in black T-shirts that read, “Not in our name.”
Israel searches for traces of Hamas in raid of key Gaza hospital packed with patients
By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, and Jack Jeffery — November 15, 2023
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa, and Palestinians and rights groups say Israel has recklessly endangered civilians as it seeks to eradicate Hamas.
In bipartisan March for Israel, crowd rejects cease-fire, demands release of hostages
By Yonat Shimron and Jack Jenkins — November 14, 2023
(RNS) — The march was intended as a response to numerous demonstrations across the country and the world — some led by Jews — calling for an end to Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza.
More than 180,000 people across France march against soaring antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war
By Barbara Surk and Sylvie Corbet — November 13, 2023
PARIS (AP) — France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, but given its own World War II collaboration with the Nazis, antisemitic acts today open old scars.
Pope Francis to join other clergy at first ‘Faith Pavilion’ at climate summit
By Adelle M. Banks — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This demonstrates the significance of the interfaith movement in helping to tackle the climate emergency,’ said one faith leader about the pavilion.
