Middle East

JERUSALEM (WJC)–As part of a planned 90-day settlement freeze, the United States is reportedly demanding that Israel refrain from construction not only in the West Bank but also in the eastern part of Jerusalem. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to win their support, ministers of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party have said they would […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The United States State Department issued a news release on Wednesday welcoming an announcement by Israel’s Security Cabinet that it accepts in principle the proposal offered by the UNIFIL Force Commander, providing for the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Lebanese territory in and around the village of Ghajar. “The

JERUSALEM (Press Release) – A delegation from Christians United for Israel (CUFI), including 27 leading pastors from across the United States, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The meeting was part of a six-day trip to Israel, organized and led by CUFI, intended to raise the pastors’ awareness about the issues facing

NEW YORK (Press Release)–The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is urging the Israeli government not to extend the 10-month freeze on Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria which ended on September 26.  The ZOA is urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to accede to international and U.S. pressure, now that the issue is being

JERUSALEM (Press Release)–The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Monday condemned the recent decrees by rabbis in Bnei Brak prohibiting residents from renting apartments to African migrants, calling them “biased pronouncements.” ADL’s Israel Office issued the following statement:   “We are deeply disturbed by the calls from rabbis in Bnei Brak to discriminate against migrants who have come to Israel

JERUSALEM (WJC)–The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing plans for a renewed halt of West Bank settlement building in exchange for a package of political and security guarantees by the United States. US President Barack Obama said this was “a signal that he is serious.” The proposed 90-day construction freeze would only

JERUSALEM (WJC)–Israel’s Cabinet has approved a plan to bring about 8,000 more Falash Mura – Ethiopians of Jewish ancestry – to Israel over the next four years. The Cabinet’s approval follows an agreement reached by aid groups that once these 8,000 Ethiopians are brought to Israel mass immigration from there would come to an end.

SHIKMIM, Israel (WJC) – Former prime minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma for nearly five years, has been brought to his farm in the Negev for the first time since his massive strokes in January 2006. A large police force was involved in the drive down to Sharon’s Shikmim (Sycamore) Ranch. The 82-year-old was