Israeli Knesset Heads to Auschwitz for Holocaust Memorial Day
Today marks the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in commemoration of the savage crime perpetrated by the Nazis against Jews during the Second World War. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. In 2005, the United Nations passed a resolution marking January 27 as an international day of Holocaust commemoration. In what […]
Same-Sex Bill Rejected in Knesset
A heated debate in Knesset Wednesday ended with the rejection of a bill to recognize the family rights of same-sex couples. The bill, proposed by Knesset’s only openly gay member, Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), was shut down by a vote of 42 to 17. This is just the latest in a series of controversies in Knesset […]
Harper: “Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you” (Video)
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Israeli Knesset Monday night in a historic, overwhelmingly pro-Israel speech. Harper, the first Canadian prime minister to address the Knesset and Canada’s first evangelical prime minister in 50 years, is known as an outspoken supporter of Israel. His speech briefly touched upon the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and […]
Canadian PM Stephen Harper to Arrive in Israel
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen will arrive today in Israel on an official four day visit. This is the first visit Harper has made to Israel and the Middle East in general since becoming Prime Minister in 2006. The last time a Canadian Prime Minister visited Israel was in 2000. The […]
Tu B’Shvat: New Year for the Trees – and the Environment
According to Jewish tradition, there are four “new years” in the calendar: the new year for the world, the new year for kings, the new year for animals and the new year for trees. The date of the latter is disputed in rabbinic writings, but the final conclusion puts it on the fifteenth day of […]
Christian Arabs to be Favored Over Muslim Arabs in New Legislation
Coalition Whip MK Yariv Levin (Likud) is set to propose a series of bills in the Israeli Knesset that would legally favor Israeli Christian citizens over Muslims. Over the last several years, the Christian Arab community in Israel has been making strides in differentiating themselves from the Muslim Arab population. Levin told Maariv: “My legislation […]
Shakeup in the Peace Process: Jerusalem, Refugees off the Negotiating Table?
Miri Regev (Likud Beiteinu) plans to introduce another piece of legislation to the Knesset on Sunday, according to Yediot Ahronot, which would limit the ability of the Prime Minister to carry out peace negotiations with the Palestinians. The proposed legislation would require prior consent of an absolute majority of Knesset members (61) in order to […]
Shin Bet: Second Terrorist Attack was “Days Away”
The terrorist cell behind the December 22, 2013 bus bombing in Bat Yam was days away from conducting a second similar attack in Tel Aviv. The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, confirmed the thwarted plan after arresting and questioning members of the cell. Four terrorists and 10 suspects were arrested last week in Bethlehem, […]
John Kerry and Shimon Peres “Optimistic” About Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been shuttling between meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempting to broker a viable peace agreement between the two sides. For the last three days, Kerry has met with advisers in both Jerusalem and Ramallah in efforts to reach a mutual peace […]
Revolutionary Bill: No More Pardons for Terrorists
The release of terrorists from Israeli prison as part of peace agreements with the Palestinians has been a contentious issue in Israeli society for years. This week, in the wake of the release of 26 terrorists, a revolutionary bill was proposed on the floor of the Knesset that would redefine the legal system of Israel. […]