West Bank
Evangelicals find like-minded Christians in unlikely place: Palestinian West Bank
By Dan Rabb — May 10, 2018
BEIT SAHOUR, West Bank (RNS) — It's an evangelical church that is proudly, defiantly Palestinian.
Angry protests across Muslim world over Trump decision on Jerusalem
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 8, 2017
JERUSALEM (AP) — Large crowds of worshippers across the Muslim world staged anti-U.S. marches, some stomping on posters of Donald Trump or burning American flags in the largest outpouring of anger yet at the U.S. president's recognition of bitterly contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Middle East’s Samaritans link Muslims and Jews
By Lauren Markoe — October 17, 2017
MOUNT GERIZIM (RNS) — Every Samaritan has both a Hebrew name and an Arabic name, and Samaritans are fluent in both languages — but not fully accepted by either Muslims or Jews, community members say.
50 years after the Six-Day War, Israeli Jews reflect on the victory
By Yonat Shimron — June 2, 2017
JERUSALEM (RNS) Israel’s lightning victory over its hostile neighbors 'was life-changing,' in the words of one American-born Israeli. But now he wonders about whether it is corroding Jewish values.
Israel fractures by faith on politics and society
By Lauren Markoe — March 8, 2016
(RNS) A new survey finds Israelis wrestling with the nation's identity. Most Jews there say it can be both Jewish and democratic. Most Israeli Muslims and Christians disagree.
Israeli troops evict Jewish settlers from homes in Hebron, site of patriarchs’ tombs
By Reuters — January 22, 2016
Relations are tense between 220,000 Palestinians and around 1,000 Jewish settlers, who live holy sites in the heart of the city.
Israel’s ‘Religious Zionists’ grapple with extremists in their midst
By Michele Chabin — January 19, 2016
ESH KODESH, West Bank (RNS) Are the Jewish youths accused of murdering three Palestinians simply high school dropouts rebelling against authority? Or is the Modern Orthodox settler movement turning to violence?
Israel charges two in July arson deaths of a Palestinian toddler and his parents
By Reuters — January 3, 2016
Palestinians are angry that a crackdown on Jewish militants took months while state security forces react swiftly if Jews are attacked.
Palestinians set fire to Jewish shrine; Israeli soldier stabbed
By Reuters — October 16, 2015
Jerusalem (Reuters) The recent unrest that has engulfed Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, the most serious in years, has claimed the lives of 32 Palestinians and seven Israelis.
Netanyahu prohibits Israeli parliament from visiting Temple Mount
By Michele Chabin — October 8, 2015
JERUSALEM (RNS) The prime minister's decision aims to defuse the wave of Palestinian violence that has struck Israel and the West Bank during the past few weeks.
American ideals draw U.S. citizens to settle in Israel’s West Bank
By Michele Chabin — September 4, 2015
EFRAT, West Bank —Some 60,000 U.S.-born West Bank settlers says they believe Jews should have the right to live wherever they want in the Holy Land. "To them, this is a deeply American vision,” says one historian.
Israel’s enemy within: Young militant settlers
By Shira Rubin — August 23, 2015
AHIYA, West Bank —The increasingly radical Jewish militants who target Palestinians are the latest front in Israel's struggle against terrorism. Israeli security authorities estimate hundreds belong to these groups.
Attack that killed toddler prompts Israel to OK holding suspects without trial
By Reuters — August 2, 2015
No arrests have been made yet in the firebombing of two homes that killed a toddler but it bore the mark of other attacks by young Jewish zealots targeting Arabs, Christians, peace activists or Israeli army property.
COMMENTARY: Presbyterian divestment vote, a blow to mutual respect
By Arnold M. Eisen — July 7, 2014
(RNS) I certainly don’t feel loved by this resolution, any more than any of us feels loved when members of another group tell us that they know better than we do what is right for us, and are prepared to help us see the light by causing us suffering.
Pope Francis eyes religious reconciliation on trip to Holy Land
By Josephine McKenna — May 21, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The three-day visit is packed with official appointments and a grueling physical schedule for the 77-year-old pontiff.
