Last batch of Brod and Kafka papers return to Israel after decades in Swiss vault
August 8, 2019 by JNS
The final batch of personal papers belonging to Max Brod,—one of Czech writer Franz Kafka’s closest confidants—was transferred to the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem on Wednesday after decades of legal battles to complete the archive of Brod’s literary estate. Read more
Corbyn blasted for speaking at 2009 protest likening Israel to Nazi Germany
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is at the centre of yet another antisemitism row after recently surfaced photos show him attending an anti-Israel rally where Israel was compared to Nazism. Read more
Just under 60,000 attend Jennifer Lopez’s first concert in Israel
August 4, 2019 by JNS
Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park was packed on Thursday night with nearly 60,000 people gathered to watch pop icon Jennifer Lopez, aka “J.Lo,” give her first concert in Israel. Read more
Jewish Agency chair Herzog visits volunteers helping children in South Africa
August 4, 2019 by JNS
Jewish Agency for Israel chair Isaac Herzog visited Durban, South Africa, on Thursday, meeting with visiting agency volunteers who are assisting disadvantaged people as part of tikkun olam initiatives to “repair the world.” Read more
Lionel Richie blocks CodePink after attacked for upcoming Israel concert
August 4, 2019 by JNS
Music icon Lionel Richie snubbed the women’s anti-war group CodePink after the organization, which is active in the anti-Israel boycott campaign, launched a petition urging the singer to cancel his upcoming show in Israel. Read more
Watchdog: Record high antisemitism in UK recorded for first six months of 2019
August 2, 2019 by JNS
During the first six months of 2019, the highest number of antisemitic incidents to date was recorded in the United Kingdom in comparison to the same period in previous years, according to a new report published on Thursday by the Community Security Trust (CST). Read more
Shurat HaDin NGO asks court to block Rep. Omar from entering Israel
August 2, 2019 by JNS
Israeli NGO Shurat HaDin filed a petition to an Israeli court this week seeking to block Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from visiting the country. Read more
New memoir by friend of Dylan’s reveals details about musician’s Jewish roots
A new memoir written by Bob Dylan’s best friend gives readers a glimpse into parts of the music icon’s Jewish side that have previously fallen under the radar. Read more
Israel welcomes Jennifer Lopez ahead of Tel Aviv show
August 1, 2019 by JNS
American singer, actress and celebrity Jennifer Lopez landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Wednesday ahead of her Thursday night concert in Tel Aviv as part of her “It’s My Party” 50th birthday tour. Read more
Florida synagogue receives package with antisemitic and threatening content
July 31, 2019 by JNS
A package containing antisemitic and threatening content was received at the Young Israel of Bal Harbour in Southeast Florida on Monday. Read more
Israeli researchers create MRI technique to predict diseases, start treatment sooner
July 31, 2019 by JNS
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered a way to transform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine into a device that can record changes in the biological makeup of brain tissue and help doctors determine earlier onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s in order to begin treatment. Read more
Switzerland suspends funding to UNRWA amid reports of misconduct
July 31, 2019 by JNS
Switzerland announced on Tuesday that it has suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the U.N. agency geared to assist Palestinians, amid an internal report of sexual misconduct, discrimination and ethics violations. Read more
Israeli startup Monday.com achieves US$1.9 billion in worth
July 31, 2019 by JNS
Tel Aviv-based company Monday.com has hit a $1.9 billion valuation, making it the highest-worth startup in its category of work software and the most prized startup based in Israel. Read more
UNRWA leaders accused of sexual misconduct, ethics’ violations
July 30, 2019 by JNS
An internal ethics report sent to the U.N. secretary-general in December alleges that the commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other officials at the highest levels of the U.N. agency have committed a series of serious ethics violations, the AFP has reported. Read more
Roman Abramovich donates to combat climate-change effects in Negev Desert
July 30, 2019 by JNS
Israel’s largest environmental organization, Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), received a significant donation this week from businessman, philanthropist and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich to combat the effects of climate change in the Middle East, including afforestation, forest rehabilitation and fighting desertification in the Negev in southern Israel. Read more
Ayelet Shaked to lead Union of Right Wing Parties following last-minute deal
July 30, 2019 by JNS
Jewish Home Party leader Rabbi Rafi Peretz agreed on Sunday to cede the top slot in a united electoral list to New Right Party leader Ayelet Shaked, sealing a deal that will join the two parties in Israel’s upcoming September national elections. Read more
Long-range Arrow-3 missile-defence system successfully tested in Alaska
July 29, 2019 by JNS
Israel and the United States have completed a series of successful tests of the new long-range Arrow-3 ballistic missile-defence system in Alaska, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at the start of Sunday’s Cabinet meeting. Read more
French city official celebrates birthday with swastika cake
Djamel Boumaaz, an official in the southern French city of Montpellier, celebrated his birthday with a swastika-decorated cake. Read more
Photo editor who resigned from CNN over antisemitic tweets apologizes
July 29, 2019 by JNS
A CNN photo editor who resigned on Thursday evening after antisemitic tweets of his resurfaced, with one calling Jews “pigs” in the aftermath of a 2011 Palestinian bombing at a crowded Jerusalem bus station, has apologized. Read more
Sanders says he would ‘absolutely’ consider cutting US military aid to Israel
July 29, 2019 by JNS
Vermont senator and leading 2020 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders would “absolutely” weigh withholding U.S. military aid to Israel to pressure the Jewish state into making policy changes. Read more
CNN photo editor resigns after antisemitic tweets come to light
July 26, 2019 by JNS
A CNN photo editor resigned on Thursday evening after antisemitic tweets of his resurfaced, with one calling Jews “pigs” in the aftermath of a 2011 Palestinian bombing at a crowded Jerusalem bus station (two, not four, people were killed, along with 39 others injured). Read more
British Labour member suspended amid antisemitism investigation
July 26, 2019 by JNS
A member of the British Labour Party has been suspended from his local party chapter amid an antisemitism investigation. Read more
Lithuania votes to find new name for street heralding Nazi collaborator
The city council in Lithuania’s capital has voted to rename a street that currently bears the name of antisemitic Nazi collaborator Kazio Skirpos. Read more
Hamas launches Facebook page for its ‘Liberation Vanguards’ summer camps
July 24, 2019 by JNS
Hamas’s military wing, the ‘Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, or simply Al-Qassam Brigades, launched a Facebook page on Sunday titled “Tala’i’ Al-Tahrir” (Liberation Vanguards). Read more
Hebrew inscriptions revealed at Great Synagogue dig sites in Vilnius, Lithuania
July 24, 2019 by JNS
Hebrew inscriptions were discovered for the first time since the beginning of the excavation project to expose the Great Synagogue of Vilna, Lithuania, which was burned during the Holocaust and demolished by the Soviets. Read more
British legislator says Johnson will withdraw UK from Iran nuclear deal
July 24, 2019 by JNS
British legislator Matthew Offord said on Tuesday that new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will withdraw the United Kingdom from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which the United States left in May 2018, reimposing sanctions lifted under it alongside enacting new financial penalties against the regime. Read more
Corbyn falls in poll among UK Labour Party members
July 23, 2019 by JNS
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has fallen in a Times of London poll among party members amid an antisemitism crisis and his leadership as the United Kingdom seeks to break away from the European Union, known as “Brexit.” Read more
Trump to visit Israel in January to mark 75th year of Auschwitz liberation
July 23, 2019 by JNS
U.S. President Donald Trump, along with other world leaders, plans to visit Israel in January to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp. Read more
Israel briefed on US naval response to recent Iranian aggression’
An Israeli representative was present at a briefing on Sunday morning by U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, who provided information on the U.S. naval defence operation, dubbed “Operation Sentinel,” being undertaken in response to recent Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, Arutz 7 reported. Read more
Ambassador Ron Dermer says Israel will allow US Reps. Omar and Tlaib to visit
July 21, 2019 by JNS
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer said on Friday that the Jewish state will allow U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) “out of respect for the U.S. Congress, and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.” Read more
