The Israeli parliament gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bill defining the country as the “national home of the Jewish people” that critics say discriminates against the state’s Arab minority. The bill, supported by 48 against 41 of the Knesset’s 120 members, seeks to “defend (Israel’s) status as a Jewish and democratic state”, said Avi … Read more
Just when it seemed there was nothing else left to divide Israelis and Palestinians, some Jewish hardliners have found a new one: beer. The recent decision by a trendy pub in the northern Israeli city of Haifa to make Shepherds beer available sparked the controversy. The problem: Shepherds is a Palestinian beer recently launched by … Read more
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews took to the streets of Jerusalem on Tuesday to protest against compulsory military service at a time of increased tensions between them and Israeli authorities. The protesters dressed in the dark suits and hats typical of the ultra-Orthodox community held signs, including those saying “the state of Israel persecutes Jews”. Rabbis … Read more
A Jewish youth was arrested in Israel on Thursday on suspicion of making dozens of anti-Semitic threats in countries around the world, police said. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the suspect was “a resident of the south (of Israel) from the Jewish community”. Police said the suspect was 19, but gave no further identifying details. … Read more