Where’s the Apartheid, Amnesty International

In February, Amnesty International, an NGO that prides itself on “campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all,” published a scathing report accusing the Jewish state of the crime of apartheid. The report, “Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: A Cruel System of Domination and Crime against Humanity,” waxes on for 200-odd pages, filling

Israel Awards US $3 Million in Grants for Food-security Innovation

Israel’s Agriculture Ministry and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) have announced a joint program to assist in the development of advanced technologies to improve food security. For the program’s pilot, NIS 8.6 million (US $2.7 million) in grants will be awarded to six Israeli agro-tech startups. “Agro-tech is an important field and has a real

Israeli Scientists Discover ALS Nerve-destruction Mechanism

An Israeli research group has discovered the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The groundbreaking study suggests that the course of this fatal disease can be delayed and even reversed in its early stages. The research was led by Tel Aviv University Prof. Eran Perlson

Israeli Company Builds New Telescope to Research Deep Space

Israeli defense company Elbit Systems announced that it had won a [US] $16 million contract to supply a space telescope to the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. The telescope will be part of Israel’s Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (“ULTRASAT”) program to observe and research deep space, said Elbit. “The ULTRASAT program, jointly managed and

Spectacular Ancient Treasure Discovered At Sea

A number of fascinating artifacts from the wrecks of two ships that foundered off the coast of Caesarea in the Roman and Mamluk periods (some 1,700 and 600 years ago respectively) have been discovered near Caesarea during an underwater survey conducted by the Marine Archaeology unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The ships’ cargoes

Shema Yisrael Pendants Discovered in Sobibor Extermination Camp

Over the past decade, archaeological excavations in the Sobibor extermination camp have uncovered three pendants bearing depictions of Moses and the tablets of the Law opposite the Hebrew prayer Shema Yisrael (“Hear O Israel”). The metal pendants are different from one another, and they were inscribed by hand. Over the past year, researchers have identified

Capital Concern: What a US Palestinian Consulate Says about Control of Jerusalem

For millennia, Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel—it just wasn’t always recognized as such by other nations. On December 6, 2017, the United States dramatically changed its approach by formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. Just over four years later, the Palestinians are hoping a new president in the

The Plight of Ethiopian Jewry

The continent of Africa unfortunately has a sordid history of violent coups and revolutions. During these periods of political crisis that all too often lead to civil war, the persecution of minority groups is a common occurrence. One of many African nations that is no stranger to this ill-fated fortune is Ethiopia. In the past,

To Strike or Not To Strike

Throughout 2021, the powers-that-be in Jerusalem hammered a targeted message: Israel has lost faith in diplomatic endeavors and has reverted to exploring a military approach to block Iran’s path to the nuclear bomb. The year kicked off with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi instructing the military to develop operational strike plans.

A Rabbi, an Imam and a Bishop: Religious Pluralism in Israel

A rabbi, an imam and a bishop bump into each other at the market. This isn’t the beginning of a joke; it’s life in Israel, home to the three Abrahamic religions. The Jewish state, while being majority Jewish, hosts churches, mosques and other places of worship alongside the abundant synagogues. Naturally this brings tension. Last

Beauty For Ashes

On November 16, 2021, Israel hosted a unique, annual event that is a remarkable celebration of life—with just a touch of glam. The Miss Holocaust pageant was held in Jerusalem, putting 10 contestants on stage to vie for the prestigious title. The event is the brainchild of Shimon Sabag, director of Yad Ezer L’Haver (Helping

Tracing the Palestinians

Israel often draws a disproportionate share of media coverage and worldwide censure. The tide of attention—and criticism—rarely occurs in a vacuum. Israel’s actions, decisions and even existence are habitually judged in the context of another people group: the Palestinians. In fact, Israel’s position on the world stage cannot be fully comprehended without factoring in the

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