Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israelis prepare for a Passover overshadowed by war and loss

By Michele Chabin — April 18, 2024
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Some households in Israel are limiting the number of Seder guests out of fear that Iran or one of its proxies will attack Israel during the Passover observance.

Israelis grapple with how to celebrate Passover, a holiday about freedom, while many remain captive

By Sam Mednick — April 18, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — This year, Alon Gat is struggling with how to reconcile a holiday commemorating freedom after his mother was slain and other family members abducted when Hamas attacked Israel.

As a Ramadan like no other ends, Gaza’s shadow haunts Muslims young and old

By Dilshad Ali — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — Parents have few answers for children asking about what comes next for Muslims at home and abroad.

For those with mixed families, Israel-Hamas war complicates already difficult terrain

By Tara Abhasakun — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Since Oct. 7, writers who have both Palestinian and Jewish relatives are navigating polarizing arguments among family and friends as well as reexamining their own identities.

Biden faces protest over his support for Israel during White House meeting

By Chris Megerian — April 4, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Several Muslim community leaders had refused invitations to break their fasts with the president, saying it would have been inappropriate at a time of famine in Gaza.

Pope shows off rosary of slain Ukrainian soldier, denounces ‘madness of war’

By Associated Press — April 4, 2024
ROME (AP) — Praying for the families of the seven World Central Kitchen workers killed, he called for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza's people and for all efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading.

New York’s governor is hiring her first Muslim Affairs director

By Fiona André — April 1, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Governor Hochul's relations with the state's Muslim community have been strained.

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. 

Palestinian Christians make an Easter call for relief from war’s tightening grasp

By Mitri Raheb — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — An appeal to the world's Christians to pressure political leaders to find a way to peace.

In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observe scaled-down Good Friday rituals

By Julia Frankel — March 29, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The city's streets were noticeably devoid of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, who normally flock to the Holy City for the Easter festivities. Since Oct. 7, Palestinian worshippers have needed special permission to cross checkpoints into Jerusalem.

US Jews upset with Trump’s latest rhetoric say he doesn’t get to tell them how to be Jewish

By Peter Smith and Tiffany Stanley — March 26, 2024
(AP) – This week, Trump charged that Jewish Democrats were being disloyal to their faith and to Israel.

A prayer for finding balance in the Holy Land

By Thomas Reese — March 26, 2024
(RNS) — Cease-fire now; release the hostages now.

UN chief says it’s time to ‘truly flood’ Gaza with aid and calls starvation there an outrage

By Amr Nabil, Samy Magdy, and Sam Metz — March 25, 2024
RAFAH CROSSING, Egypt (AP) — He spoke a day after the U.N. Security Council failed to reach consensus on the wording of a U.S.-sponsored resolution supporting “an immediate and sustained cease-fire.”

Thousands of Christians attend Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem against a backdrop of war

By Associated Press — March 25, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) —The annual celebration came as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in Gaza. However, the conflict appeared to have had little effect on the procession, which swelled to a similar size as last year.

Lebanon’s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the ‘new normal’

By Abby Sewell — March 25, 2024
MARWANIEH, Lebanon (AP) — Those living at the Hotel Montana, which went out of business in 2005, are among an estimated 90,000 people from southern Lebanon who have been displaced by the near-daily clashes between the militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
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