In a first, Jewish Labour Movement withdraws party support due to antisemitism
For the first time in its 100-year history, the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) in the United Kingdom will not be campaigning for members of the Labour Party outside of “exceptional circumstances and for exceptional candidates,” announced the group amid criticism over the party’s handling of antisemitism complaints. Read more
If Israeli prime minister, Gantz promises to ‘embrace all streams of Judaism’
October 31, 2019 by JNS
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has said that if he succeeds in becoming Israeli’s next premier, he will “embrace all streams of Judaism.” Read more
Belgium’s first female PM is married to an Australian
Belgium’s first female prime minister, Sophie Wilmès, is Jewish.
Jewish Agency to rebrand as a global hub for the Jewish world
October 28, 2019 by JNS
At the board of governors meeting that began on Sunday in Jerusalem and runs until Oct. 29, the Jewish Agency announced its new strategic plan, which includes rebranding the 90-year-old organization as a hub for the Jewish world. Read more
Historic copy of Hebrew Bible returns to Spain to go on display in 2020
One of the oldest and most expensive copies of the Hebrew Bible was returned to Spain, where it was created in 1476, and will go on display next year. Read more
Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh announces plans to reopen post-shooting
October 27, 2019 by JNS
The Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh announced on Facebook plans to reopen its building following the deadly shooting almost one year ago on Oct. 27, 2018, when 11 Jewish worshippers were shot and killed during Shabbat-morning services by a lone gunman. Read more
US Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg wins $1 million prize for social-justice work
October 27, 2019 by JNS
Jewish U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was awarded $1 million to give to charitable organizations of her choice for her contributions to social justice and gender equality. Read more
Israel’s second attempt to land aircraft on moon just years away, says engineer
October 27, 2019 by JNS
A representative from the Israel Aerospace Industries has spoken about Israel’s continued hopes of becoming the fourth country to land softly on the moon, following a failed attempt in April. Read more
Jewish museum in Portugal’s oldest synagogue reopens
October 27, 2019 by JNS
A museum inside Portugal’s oldest synagogue has been reopened following a two-year renovation. Read more
District court rejects boycott of Israelis by Spanish city
October 27, 2019 by JNS
A district court in Barcelona recently issued a temporary injunction that rejects a boycott of Israeli individuals and businesses by the city of Molins de Rei. Read more
Israel to send biggest delegation ever to 2020 Olympics
October 20, 2019 by JNS
Israel is set to send to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo its largest delegation of athletes ever. Read more
Anti-Semitic graffiti spray-painted on project commemorating Jewish life in Lithuania
October 20, 2019 by JNS
Anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered in Vilnius, Lithuania, last week on a project depicting Jewish life before World War II. Read more
Friedman: Trump plan will not evict Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria
October 18, 2019 by JNS
The U.S. administration will not call for the evacuation of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria under the much-anticipated Mideast peace plan, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on Wednesday. Read more
Former concentration-camp guard stands trial in Germany
A former concentration-camp guard is facing trial in Germany in what may be one of the country’s last trials of Nazi war criminals. Read more
Day 3 of Netanyahu pre-indictment hearings gets underway
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal team arrived at the Justice Ministry on Sunday for the third day of the premier’s pre-indictment hearings. Read more
UK University, College Union apologize for Holocaust email omitting Jewish victims
Social media users called the omission “shocking” and “sickening,” with some suggesting that the inclusion of “non-Jewish Poles” showed that the Union deliberately decided who to include and leave out. Read more
UK to release ‘pay to slay’ audits after Freedom of Information request
October 4, 2019 by JNS
The branch of the British government responsible for administering overseas aid will disclose audit reports regarding aid money allegedly used to pay salaries to convicted terrorists, after abandoning its appeal against a ruling by U.K. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham. Read more
Following visit to Israel, singer Demi Lovato calls it ‘absolutely magical’
October 3, 2019 by JNS
Singer Demi Lovato recently returned from a trip to Israel and talked all about the transformative experience on social media. Read more
Sanders undergoes heart-blockage surgery, suspends campaign events
October 3, 2019 by JNS
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, underwent a medical procedure on Tuesday following a blockage discovered in one of his arteries, causing his campaign to cancel future events “until further notice.” Read more
Joint List calls for probe after terror suspect critically injured in custody
The Joint Arab List on Monday called on Israel’s attorney general to open an official investigation into the hospitalization of a terror suspect who was admitted to hospital in critical condition after being interrogated by Israeli security officials. Read more
Report: Israel letting in more Gaza workers as part of deal with Hamas
October 3, 2019 by JNS
Israel is quietly allowing thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to enter Israel to work, the AP reported on Tuesday. Read more
Corbyn sparks controversy for Rosh Hashanah video featuring Hamas supporter
October 3, 2019 by JNS
Jeremy Corbyn sparked outrage for releasing a Rosh Hashanah video that features an activist who last year led a public Jewish mourning prayer for dead members of Hamas. Read more
Israeli conservationists work to restore endangered turtles
September 29, 2019 by JNS
The Israeli Sea Turtle Rescue Centre released 60 baby turtles into the Mediterranean Sea in Israel this week as part of a conservation program aimed at helping the population of green turtles, which are endangered worldwide. Read more
Israeli documentary about hunting, breeding, wildlife conservation wins Emmy
September 29, 2019 by JNS
An Israeli documentary won an Emmy for Outstanding Nature Documentary at the 2019 News and Documentary Emmys, which were announced in New York. Read more
Jewish groups demand Italy take action against wine bottles saluting Nazis
September 27, 2019 by JNS
Italy is facing renewed backlash for allowing the continued sale of wine bottles that feature Adolf Hitler’s face and Nazi slogans on its labels. Read more
Abbas announces date to be set for first Palestinian election since 2006
September 27, 2019 by JNS
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will schedule a date for elections in Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Read more
PA thwarts Islamic Jihad effort to build rockets in Judea and Samaria
September 27, 2019 by JNS
Palestinian Authority security forces have arrested three Islamic Jihad operatives in Judea and Samaria this week, together with a prototype rocket they had constructed, according to Israel’s Channel 12. Read more
Gandhi letter wishing Jews ‘era of peace’ ahead of Rosh Hashanah found at National Library of Israel
September 26, 2019 by JNS
An 80-year-old handwritten letter Mahatma Gandhi wrote to a local Indian Jewish official ahead of the Jewish New Year and at the start of World War II was published online on Tuesday for the first time ever. Read more
Cousins separated as a result of World War II reunite 75 years later in Israel
September 26, 2019 by JNS
Two cousins who were separated 75 years ago by World War II have been reunited in Israel.
Jewish and Arab astronauts take off for International Space Station
September 26, 2019 by JNS
Jewish and Arab astronauts were aboard a capsule launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, headed for the International Space Station. Read more
