Biden affirms he won’t move embassy back to Tel Aviv
April 30, 2020 by JNS
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, reiterated yesterday that if elected in November, he would keep the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. Read more
Israel Film Archive digitalizes extensive collection, starts to release films online
April 29, 2020 by JNS
After years of work on digitizing its collection of Israeli film clips, the Israel Film Archive (IFA), part of the Jerusalem Cinematheque, is beginning to share its collection online with the goal of eventually digitalizing its entire archive of more than 5,000 hours of film. Read more
Danon confronts Palestinian representative during UN Security Council
April 25, 2020 by JNS
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon and his Palestinian counterpart sparred during a U.N. Security Council discussion on Thursday about Israel’s aid to the Palestinian Authority during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide outbreak. Read more
Pompeo: Annexation of territory in Judea, Samaria an ‘Israeli decision’
April 24, 2020 by JNS
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that it was up to Israel whether or not to annex parts of the West Bank, and that discussions on the issue are taking place through private channels with the Israeli government. Read more
UK Jewish newspaper ‘back to business’ after anonymous bidder saves it from folding
April 23, 2020 by JNS
The Jewish News in the United Kingdom announced on Wednesday that it “is back” after stating earlier this month that, along with The Jewish Chronicle, it would fold as a result of both the state of print newspapers, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic, which has negatively impacted sales and revenue. Read more
Major airlines to revive flights to Israel beginning in May
April 23, 2020 by JNS
United Airlines, Air Canada and British Airways have announced that they are restarting flights to Israel, Israeli financial paper Globes reported.
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Major antisemitic incidents rise some 18 per cent in 2019, according to new report
April 23, 2020 by JNS
The number of major antisemitic incidents worldwide rose by 18 per cent in 2019 over the previous year, according to a newly released report from Tel Aviv University, the Kantor Centre for the Study of European Jewry and the European Jewish Congress. Read more
Netanyahu, Gantz ink deal to form new government after year-long political impasse
April 21, 2020 by JNS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz have signed a new coalition agreement to form a “national emergency government” ending a political deadlock that lasted more than a year. Read more
Report: Gantz says he and Netanyahu are ‘on the brink’ of a unity deal
April 20, 2020 by JNS
Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz has told associates over the weekend that he and incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are “on the brink” of a unity deal, Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Saturday. Read more
Over 3 million people have participated in live broadcasts of prayers and the traditional priestly blessing at the Western Wall
April 17, 2020 by JNS
Under the auspices of The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, daily prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem continue even during the corona pandemic crisis. Read more
Israel Police use drones to track coronavirus patients
April 17, 2020 by JNS
As part of the country’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Israel Police are using drones to keep tabs on coronavirus patients under home quarantine. Read more
Israel’s coronavirus death toll rises to 140: Passover curfew lifted
April 17, 2020 by JNS
Israel awoke on Thursday to the lifting of a nationwide curfew imposed for the end of the Passover holiday, while the government is reportedly considering additional easing of general lockdown directives. Read more
Star-studded virtual Seder raises $2.35 million for charity
A star-studded virtual Passover “seder” that took place on Saturday night helped raise $2.35 million and counting for the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. Read more
Israel transfers advanced coronavirus detection device to Gaza hospital
April 14, 2020 by JNS
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT) announced on Sunday that it had transferred an advanced medical device used to detect coronavirus to the Gaza Strip. Read more
Israel seeks negotiations with Hamas for release of four citizens held in Gaza
April 8, 2020 by JNS
Israel is calling for negotiations over the return of four Israelis being held in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after Hamas leaders said they could be willing to make a deal. Read more
Blue and White Party in talks to merge with Labor Party
After Labor Party chairman Amir Peretz announced that talks are underway to merge with the Blue and White Party headed by Benny Gantz, the Knesset Arrangements Committee approved the breakup of the Labor-Meretz union on Monday. Read more
BDS co-founder: ‘If Israel finds a cure for coronavirus, no problem to use it’
April 7, 2020 by JNS
Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement, said in a video on Sunday on Facebook that if Israel discovers a cure for coronavirus (COVID-19), then cooperation with the Jewish state is acceptable. Read more
Pakistan rearrests four men acquitted in Daniel Pearl murder case
April 7, 2020 by JNS
The four men acquitted in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan have been rearrested and will remain in custody pending prosecutors appealing the ruling in the country’s Supreme Court, announced Pakistan’s interior ministry on Friday. Read more
First of 11 planes bringing vital medical supplies from China to Israel touches down
April 7, 2020 by JNS
The first in a convoy of 11 El Al planes carrying tons of critical medical equipment to Israel from China touched down at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday morning, as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Adopt-A-Safta offers ‘Seder Boxes’ for isolated elderly, immigrants in Israel
April 5, 2020 by JNS
Adopt-A-Safta, Israel’s leading nonprofit initiative that pairs young adults throughout Israel with elderly, is appealing for donations for “Seder Boxes”—complete Passover seder kits delivered to their front doors. Read more
Israeli researchers believe coronavirus vaccine testing could commence by June
April 5, 2020 by JNS
Israeli researchers said they are days away from finishing production of the active component of a coronavirus vaccine that could be tested on humans starting June 1. Read more
Amazon apologizes for Hitler book disguised as dog-training manual
April 5, 2020 by JNS
Amazon has apologized to a British customer who called on the online retail giant to “immediately” remove from sale a book disguised as a puppy-training manual that in fact contains a full reprint of a 1930s Nazi propaganda book eulogizing Adolf Hitler’s achievements, ideology and work. Read more
UK Home Office grants more than A$28 million for security at Jewish institutions
April 3, 2020 by JNS
The U.K. Home Office has granted more than £17 million (A$28m)to the Community Security Trust, a charity that helps Jewish institutions with security and fight antisemitism. Read more
Kotel sanitized
April 1, 2020 by JNS
The Western Wall stones, visited and touched by tens of thousands of people from Israel and around the world all year round, have been sanitized and cleaned in order to protect those who still come to the Western Wall. Read more
Cooperation between Israel, Palestians in fighting virus applauded during UN call
April 1, 2020 by JNS
The U.N. Security Council held its monthly discussion on the Middle East via a video conference on Monday. Read more
Jerusalem Orchestra goes virtual with original piece written by conductor
April 1, 2020 by JNS
The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West performed virtually last week with its 36 musicians playing music from their homes in New York and Israel. Read more
Amazon reverses ban, still selling Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’
March 29, 2020 by JNS
Amazon is still selling editions of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, reversing a recent ban. Read more
Intel Israel donates money for coronavirus testing machine to Rambam hospital
March 29, 2020 by JNS
Intel Israel announced a donation of NIS 1.25 million (about $339,114) on Monday to the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa to be used for the purchase of a coronavirus testing machine, reported the website NoCamels. Read more
Tens of thousands view prayer online at Western Wall to end coronavirus
March 29, 2020 by JNS
A total of 50,000 people watched a prayer service online that took place at the Western Wall on Wednesday evening (29 Adar on the Jewish calendar), when dozens of worshipers prayed for the end of the coronavirus pandemic and a speedy recovery for those who are sick. Read more
Israeli unemployment rate soars to 18.6 per cent: official calls for total lockdown
March 25, 2020 by JNS
The unemployment rate in Israel reached 18.6 per cent on Tuesday with 91 per cent of those now out of work being put on unpaid leave as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more
