A Palestinian in Jerusalem describes the impact of Trump’s announcement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel: “Prior to this announcement, we were in the first week of a joyous Christmas… Christmas trees in every shop and restaurant, Santa hats in cars and Christmas carols sung everywhere. Giant Christmas trees lit in the main squares of the cities with tens of thousands of Christians and Muslims celebrating together…”
Video and transcript of Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The House just passed the Taylor Force Act, allegedly on behalf of an American killed by a Palestinian, designed to pressure the PA into “de-incentivizing terrorism” – even though Israel kills far more civilians. Congress and others do not show similar concern for 34 American servicemen killed by Israel…
Haaretz reports that a senior Israeli rabbi ruled against an image of an Israeli poet on a banknote because the poet’s wife was Christian. The rabbi said: “in our tradition, there are grave things written about whoever [lives his life] with a Christian. Tied to him like a dog. [People like that are] called apostates.” The ruling impacts ultra-Orthodox Jews living throughout Israel…
JTA and the Times of Israel report that 30 top ‘social media savvy’ women, including a former Saturday Night Live member, are visiting Israel on a a free trip to Israel “focused on Jewish values” that partners with 200 other Jewish outreach organizations and Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs….
Many Israelis have refused to serve in Israel’s occupation forces – hear why they’ve sometimes gone to prison rather than take part in oppression…
Haaretz reports that radical separatism, prevalent in Israel, is infecting the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in NYC, with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s blessing. Many of the 57,000 students in New York’s Hasidic yeshivas will graduate speaking little English and with no math skills or knowledge of history or science. As a result they will depend heavily on public assistance… The practice is contrary to mainstream Jewish teachings…
Stories keep pouring in of Israel demolishing Palestinian villages; many of the buildings destroyed were donated by EU organizations; schools have been razed; residents are often required to pay tens of thousands of dollars for the destruction of their own homes; nearly 160,000 Bedouins live in “unrecognized” villages built before 1948 that Israel has designated “illegal” and threatens with demolition…
In open letter, Christian leaders representing dozens of national orgs urge Congress to support free speech, oppose anti-BDS legislation.
AIPAC is targeting high school students for a new generation of political activists and Israel advocates