West Bank
In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observe scaled-down Good Friday celebrations
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.
The anti-Zionist Jews countering mainstream support for Israel
By Yonat Shimron — March 11, 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — Pro-Israel Jews have denounced anti-Zionists as antisemitic and not really Jewish. But the ranks of this group are growing, and their criticism of Israel is catching on among younger U.S. Jews.
Biden sanctions aim to curb Jewish settler attacks. Some Israelis fear a wider impact.
By Michele Chabin — February 19, 2024
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Though some say the sanctions will do little to end attacks by Jewish extremists, others say they may be used against anyone who supports the settlements in the West Bank.
Black American solidarity with Palestinians is rising and testing longstanding ties to Jewish allies
By Noreen Nasir and Aaron Morrison — December 18, 2023
(AP) — The recent rise of protest movements against police brutality in the U.S. has connected Black and Palestinian activists under a common cause.
Bethlehem pastors arrive in DC, urge lawmakers to embrace cease-fire, peace plan
By Jack Jenkins — November 27, 2023
(RNS) — 'All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war,' said the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church.
Israel orders the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern part of Gaza, the UN says
By Joseph Krauss and Wafaa Shurafa — October 12, 2023
JERUSALEM (AP) — International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel halted deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity to Gaza.
Mourning temples’ demise on Tisha B’Av, some Jews see parallels to Israel’s democracy
By Yonat Shimron — July 25, 2023
(RNS) — Many American Jews are in mourning not only for the temples, but, they say, for Israeli democracy, which has been badly tarnished.
For Palestinians, holiest Ramadan night starts at checkpoint
By Isabel Debre — April 19, 2023
QALANDIYA CHECKPOINT, West Bank (AP) — Thousands of Palestinian worshippers from the occupied West Bank crammed through a military checkpoint leading to Jerusalem to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Laylat al-Qadr, or the "Night of Destiny," the holiest night of Ramadan.
Violence erupts at Jerusalem holy site for a 2nd night
By Isabel Debre and Fares Akram — April 5, 2023
(AP) — Since Ramadan began March 22, scores of Muslim worshippers have repeatedly tried to stay overnight in the mosque, a practice that is typically permitted only during the last 10 days of the monthlong holiday.
What is a pogrom? Israeli mob attack has put a century-old word in the spotlight
By Joshua Shanes — March 14, 2023
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Jewish history explains how the term ‘pogrom’ lives in Jewish collective memory and why its use can be highly contentious.
This year, Purim is not funny
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 7, 2023
The end of the book of Esther is not pretty. Here is why it matters -- more than ever.
It’s a dangerous turn when a pogrom becomes an act of faith
By Daoud Kuttab — March 3, 2023
(RNS) — Turning the Israeli-Palestinian political conflict into a messianic one could blow up the entire region.
There is a stain on the Jewish soul
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 2, 2023
(RNS) — Yes, I am ashamed of what happened on the West Bank. But it does not define my Judaism or my Zionism.
How a Peruvian farmer converted to Judaism and started a movement
By Yonat Shimron — August 3, 2022
(RNS) — 'The Prophet of the Andes' offers a peek at the momentous changes that are reshaping religions as more people abandon the religion of their birth for something else — in this case, Judaism.
Outlawing Ben & Jerry’s boycott is a distraction that makes antisemitism harder to fight
By Nancy H. Wiener and Lester Bronstein — December 7, 2021
(RNS) — Ben & Jerry’s principled decision is an objection to occupation, not to the existence of Israel.
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