JTA Middle East

The question of appeasement

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A speech by President Bush that was supposed to have been the apotheosis of U.S.-Israel solidarity instead sparked a toxic political exchange in the partisan battle for votes.

Bush enjoys love fest in Israel

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

President Bush enjoyed a love fest in Israel but was rebuked back home by the Barack Obama campaign for remarks about the dangers of appeasing extremists.

Celebrating in Jerusalem, suffering in Ashkelon

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

While diplomats and Jewish leaders celebrated Israel's 60th in Jerusalem at Shimon Peres' "Facing Tomorrow" conference, a rocket strike in Ashkelon served as a stark reminder that war is never far away.

Missing Israelis found in China

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Two Israeli exchange students who were missing in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in China were located injured but alive in a nature reserve.

How Israelis raise funds in U.S.

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Viewing the Ehud Olmert scandal in context, Israeli politicians regularly collude with American Jews to sidestep Israeli law in raising money from Diaspora Jews interested in influencing Israeli elections.

Jewish leaders talk about action

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Leading Jewish academics, ex-diplomats and community leaders met the day before President Shimon Peres' 'Facing Tomorrow' conference to talk about how to implement imperatives in the Jewish community.

Two Israelis missing in China

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Two Israeli exchange students are missing as China digs out from a deadly earthquake.

Bush in Mideast facing repudiation

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Rather than swinging through Israel triumphantly as the Jewish state's best friend ever in the White House, President Bush may go to the Middle East this week to see widespread repudiation of his key Middle East policies.

Olmert fights for survival

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Amid allegations that he may have violated campaign regulations or taken bribes when mayor of Jerusalem or a Cabinet minister, Ehud Olmert battles for his political life.

Lebanon violence spurs Israeli fears

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A week of fighting that saw Hezbollah guerrillas overrun neighborhoods in Beirut, routing gunmen loyal to Lebanon's Western-backed prime minister, has raised concerns that Iran essentially could flank Israel from the north and the south.

Op-Ed: Israeli Arabs deserve equality

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Investing in building a culture of coexistence and equality among Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens is an investment in the nation's future, say leaders of The Abraham Fund.

Olmert vows to resign if indicted

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Ehud Olmert said he will resign if he is indicted in a new criminal investigation.

1948 volunteer soldiers reunite

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A group of foreign volunteers in Israel's 1948 War of Independence met on the eve of Israel's 60th birthday to swap war stories and remember how things were in the days after the Jewish state was born.

Israelis celebrate nation's 60th birthday

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The nation's mood shifted from mourning to celebration as Israelis came out in droves to mark Independence Day.

Revoked conversion sparks uproar

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A rabbinic court ruling in Israel revoking the Jewish status of a convert whose conversion was conducted 15 years ago has sparked a war between Israel's more moderate Orthodox and more zealous Orthodox rabbinic leadership.

Olmert probe could derail peace process

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The corruption investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, which is threatening to bring down the Israeli government, may have potentially far-reaching consequences for Middle East peacemaking.

Israeli music strikes chord in U.S.

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Whether out of hunger for a connection to Israel or mere interest in the music, increasing numbers of Jews in America -- both Americans and Israelis -- are tuning into Israeli music performances.

Rice short on results in Mideast

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Condoleezza Rice's most recent foray into Middle East shuttle diplomacy produced many of the same pledges of progress and warnings of what its absence would bring -- but few tangible results.

Israel charged up over electric cars

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In a land of high gas prices and no oil resources, Israel is positioning itself to lead the world into the age of the electric car.

Bible quiz brouhaha

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The possibility that a Jewish girl who believes in Jesus will win this year's international youth Bible competition in Israel has prompted a brouhaha in the Jewish state.