Source: Jweekly.com, 6-13-13
President Barack Obama extended for six months a waiver on a 1990s law that would move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on June 13, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/israel-political-brief-june-13-2013-president-barack-obama-extends-jerusalem-embassy-waiver/
Source: JTA, 5-20-13
Israeli officials canceled a UNESCO inspection of sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, saying the Palestinians had politicized the agency’s visit….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 20, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/israel-political-brief-may-20-2013-israel-cancels-unesco-visit-cites-politics-by-palestinians/
Source: Israel Hayom, 5-10-13
Women of the Wall conduct monthly prayer, this time with prayer shawls, prompting mass haredi demonstration • Haredim throw stones, trash bags at Women of the Wall • Jerusalem Police chief: Painful to see Western Wall turn into battlefield….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/israel-brief-may-10-2013-battle-of-wills-at-western-wall/
Source: Haaretz, 5-10-13
A tense stand-off in Jerusalem on Friday morning, while the Women of the Wall hold their first monthly prayer service at the Western Wall since a recent landmark ruling by the Jerusalem District Court that it is not a violation of “local custom”….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/israel-brief-may-10-2013-thousands-of-ultra-orthodox-protesting-women-of-the-wall-prayer-service-in-jerusalem/
Source: The Times of Israel, 5-10-13
Clashes erupted at Jerusalem’s Western Wall plaza early Friday morning, as thousands of ultra-Orthodox teenagers attempted to prevent the Women of the Wall from holding their monthly egalitarian prayer session at the site….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/israel-brief-may-10-2013-haredi-women-mass-at-kotel-for-standoff-with-feminist-group/
Source: Arutz Sheva, 5-9-13
The dome of the Heichal Shlomo building on King George Avenue.
The annual Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) parade took place Wednesday afternoon, and passed through downtown Jerusalem. An estimated 60,000 people took part….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 8, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/israel-brief-may-9-2013-photo-essay-thousands-wave-flags-at-yom-yerushalayim-jerusalem-day-parade/
Source: Shalom Life, 5-8-13
Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) in Israel
Jerusalem’s annual Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) parade took place Wednesday afternoon, transforming downtown Jerusalem into a veritable sea of blue and white with more than 60,000 spectators, many carrying Israeli flags, looking on….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 8, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/israel-brief-may-8-2013-over-60000-celebrate-yom-yerushalayim-in-jerusalem-annual-event-celebrates-46-years-of-reunification/
Source: Arutz Sheva, 5-8-13
The annual Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) parade is taking place Wednesday afternoon through downtown Jerusalem. The Rikidgalim, or flag dance, will involved participants waving flags, an singing….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 8, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/israel-brief-may-8-2013-yom-yerushalayim-parade-wednesday-in-jerusalem/
Source: Algemeiner, 5-8-13
This year, Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is observed on Tuesday evening, May 7th through Wednesday night, May 8th and celebrates the 46th anniversary of the reunification of Judaism’s holiest city….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 8, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/israel-political-brief-may-8-2013-why-is-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-in-china-for-yom-yerushalayim/
Source: Israel Hayom, 5-7-13
Ahead of 46th annual Jerusalem Day, statistics show that more young people are choosing to live in Jerusalem than in previous years, tourism is on the rise • Jerusalem mayor: We Jerusalemites are now once again proud of our city, which we love so much….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 7, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/israel-brief-may-7-2013-yom-herut-yerushalayim-46-years-after-jerusalems-historic-reunification-israels-capital-is-on-the-up/
Source: Arutz Sheva, 5-7-13
The traditional annual Jerusalem Day celebration at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva in the capital will commence at 22:00, with the participation of rabbis, government and Knesset members as well as other renowned public figures….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 7, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/israel-brief-may-7-2013-yom-herut-yerushalayim-jerusalem-day-event-schedule/
Source: JTA, 5-7-13
The activist group Women of the Wall will face no more legal challenges after Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein decided not appeal a court decision favoring the group….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 7, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/israel-political-brief-may-7-2013-israeli-attorney-general-yehuda-weinstein-accepts-women-of-the-wall-court-decision/
Source: Yeshiva World News, 5-6-13
Eli Yishai for Mayor of Yerushalayim? (Monday, May 6th, 2013). yishain2 After being ousted by Aryeh Deri as Shas party leader, many believe that MK Eli Yishai will be looking at the upcoming Jerusalem mayoral race, where many feel he has a much better….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 6, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/israel-political-brief-may-6-2013-eli-yishai-for-mayor-of-yerushalayim/
Source: Arutz Sheva, 5-5-13
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened the Cabinet for a special session in honor of the 46th Jerusalem Day at the Herzl Museum Sunday….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 5, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/israel-political-brief-may-5-2013-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-at-weekly-cabinet-meeting-jerusalem-is-on-a-roll/
Source: PMO, 5-5-13
יום ראשון כ”ה אייר תשע”ג
Photo By GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting, which was held at the Herzl Museum on Mt. Herzl, in honor of Jerusalem Day:
“We are marking Jerusalem Day here in the museum on Mt. Herzl. Herzl said, ‘In Basel, I founded the Jewish State’ and in Jerusalem we are developing the Jewish State and ensuring its future.
There is no place more fitting from which to call on the children and citizens of Israel to come visit Jerusalem, to come to this museum, to see the greatness of this man, who was one of the giants of history. I think that it was his vision and his strength, which breathed life into a scattered and weak people that was unable to see to its own fate, that brought us here – to a new life. It would be proper for every boy and girl in Israel, and the many who visit here, to understand our roots, our ties to Zion and our obligation to continue developing our land and our state for the coming generations.
I am also pleased to tell you that we can mark a very important development in Jerusalem. In recent years, there has been very strong momentum in all areas: Education, culture, sports, transportation, tourism, and science and medicine. There has been very major development in all these areas. Jerusalem is becoming a modern metropolis with a very strong link to the past and a very promising leap to the future. This is exactly what Herzl envisioned; by the way, this is how he wrote about Jerusalem and about the entire Land of Israel.
I am pleased that we are cooperating on this. This meeting expresses the Government’s commitment to continue the momentum, along with the Municipality of Jerusalem and with all ministries, in all areas, so that this change, this turning point might continue unabated.”
Source: PMO, 5-5-13
יום ראשון כ”ה אייר תשע”ג
ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו בפתח ישיבת הממשלה השבועית שהתקיימה בסימן יום ירושלים בהר הרצל: “אנחנו מציינים כאן את יום ירושלים בהר הרצל, במוזיאון של חוזה המדינה. הרצל אמר: “בבאזל ייסדתי את מדינת היהודים” – ובירושלים אנחנו מפתחים את מדינת היהודים ומבטיחים את עתידה.
אין מקום ראוי יותר מלקרוא לאזרחי וילדי ישראל לבוא לבקר בירושלים, לבוא למוזיאון הזה, לראות את הגדולה של האיש הזה, שהיה אחד מענקי ההיסטוריה. אני חושב שהחזון והעוצמה שלו, שהפיח חיים בעם מפוזר וחלש שלא יכול היה לדאוג לגורלו, הם שהביאו אותנו לכאן- לחיים חדשים. ראוי שכל ילד וילדה בישראל וגם רבים שמבקרים כאן, יבינו מה השורשים שלנו, מה הקשר שלנו לציון והמחויבות שלנו להמשיך לפתח את ארצנו במולדתנו, ואת מדינתנו לדורות הבאים.
אני שמח גם לומר שבמעמד הזה אנחנו יכולים לציין התפתחות גדולה מאוד בירושלים. בשנים האחרונות יש תנופה חזקה מאוד בכל התחומים: בחינוך, בתרבות, בספורט, בתחבורה, בתיירות, במדע וברפואה, ישנה התפתחות גדולה מאוד. ירושלים הופכת להיות מטרופולין מודרני עם חיבור חזק מאוד לעבר והזנקה לעתיד מאוד מבטיח. זה בדיוק החזון של הרצל, אגב, כך הוא כתב על ירושלים, כמו שהוא כתב על ארץ ישראל כולה.
אני שמח שאנחנו משתפים פעולה בדבר הזה. הישיבה הזאת מבטאת את המחויבות של הממשלה להמשיך את התנופה, יחד עם עיריית ירושלים, בכל המשרדים ובכל האפיקים, כדי שהשינוי הזה, התפנית הזאת תימשך במלוא עוצמתה”.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on May 5, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/full-text-israel-political-brief-may-5-2013-pm-benjamin-netanyahus-remarks-at-the-start-of-the-weekly-cabinet-meeting-about-jerusalem-day-yom-yerushalayim/
Source: Rome Reports, 4-30-13
Pope Francis and Shimon Peres also highlighted the improvements in relations between Israel and the Holy See, since the creation of a bilateral permanent working commission 14 years ago….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 30, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/israel-political-brief-april-30-2013-president-shimon-peres-gives-pope-francis-personal-invitation-to-visit-jerusalem/
Source: JTA, 4-30-13
Natan Sharansky’s proposal to reduce tensions at the Western Wall has lost support from Orthodox and non-Orthodox leaders….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 30, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/israel-brief-april-30-2013-nathan-sharanskys-egalitarian-kotel-plan-loses-support-from-both-sides/
Source: JTA, 4-25-13
Women praying together out loud at the Western Wall in prayer shawls did not disturb the public order and should not have been arrested, an Israeli court found….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 25, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/israel-political-brief-april-25-2013-judge-rules-women-should-not-have-been-arrested-at-western-wall/
Source: JTA, 4-24-13
Israel has agreed to allow UNESCO to inspect sites in Jerusalem in exchange for the postponing of five Palestinian-sponsored resolutions critical of Israel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 24, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/israel-political-brief-april-24-2013-israel-to-allow-unesco-inspectors-in-jerusalem/
Source: JTA, 4-22-13
Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky was given a green light by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue his plan for a permanent egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 22, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/israel-brief-april-22-2013-jewish-agency-chairman-natan-sharansky-gets-green-light-to-pursue-western-wall-prayer-plan/
Source: Haaretz, 4-4-13
The rabbi assured the agency chairman, Natan Sharansky, that despite a recent warning by Jerusalem police, women would not be arrested for saying the mourner’s prayer at the wall….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 4, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/israel-brief-april-4-2013-western-wall-rabbi-says-women-will-not-be-arrested-for-praying-at-kotel/
Source: JTA, 2-12-13
Security forces in Jerusalem went on high alert in response to intelligence reports of a possible terror attack in the city.
The alert level was raised on Tuesday, affecting police, firefighters and Magen David Adom emergency crews, among others. Police conducted security checks on cars entering Jerusalem at several points….READ MORE
Source: UPI.com, 2-12-13
Israeli security forces and emergency crews in Jerusalem raised the alert level Tuesday evening following a warning of a possible terror attack, police said….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 12, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/israel-political-brief-february-12-2013-terror-alert-level-raised-in-jerusalem-over-terror-attack-warning/
Source: JTA, 2-10-13
Arsonists set fire to the trophy room of the Betar Jerusalem soccer team after the indictment of four fans for anti-Muslim hate speech….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/israel-brief-february-10-2013-after-hate-speech-charges-betar-jerusalem-soccer-club-set-on-fire/
Snow covers the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem’s Old City January 10, 2013. (AMMAR AWAD – REUTERS)
Four to six inches of snow fell in Jerusalem Wednesday night into Thursday morning, snarling traffic and closing schools and government offices.
The snow in Jerusalem resulted from a large storm system that produced days of inclement weather in the Middle East.
Low pressure tracks through the Middle East Wednesday (WeatherBell.com) Initially, the storm brought mainly wind and heavy rains that caused flooding and damage in some areas.
But as cold air wrapped into low pressure tracking through the region, temperatures plummeted and snow reports spiked. Up to three feet of snow fell on Mount Hermon in northern Israel the Inquisitr reported. Snow was also observed in areas of the West Bank, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt…
Reuters called the snowstorm the “worst” in 20 years in Jerusalem, but government officials and clergy put a much more positive spin on the glistening blanket of white.
“Jerusalem has many colors,” President Shimon Peres said. “But when she is white, it so rare, so beautiful, so unifying.”
YNetNews spoke to “prominent kabbalist” Rabbi David Batzri who said the snow was an indicator of forgiveness from God .
“The kabbalists torment themselves and pray for snow, which is a sign that the Jewish people’s sins are being forgiven and erased,” Batzri said….READ MORE
Here are some additional photos of the Israeli snowstorm…
A general view of the snow covered West Bank city of Nablus, taken from a hillside overlooking the city during snowy weather, on 10 January 2013. (ALAA BADARNEH – EPA)
A man walks through tombs covered by snow on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (Bernat Armangue – AP)
Flamingos are seen in their snow-covered enclosure in Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo January 10, 2013. (RONEN ZVULUN – REUTERS)
The hat of an ultra-orthodox Jewish man is filled with snow flakes in Jerusalem’s Old City, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (Bernat Armangue – AP)
Snow falls a an ultra-orthodox Jewish man prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (Bernat Armangue – AP)
Christian nuns walking nearby some palm trees covered in snow near outside the Old City walls of Jerusalem near the the Damascus Gate, 10 January 2013. (JIM HOLLANDER – EPA)
Eitan El Hadez, an Israeli from the coastal town of Netanya north of Tel Aviv, poses as an active skier on the plaza before the Western Wall (behind), Judaism’s holiest site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, 10 January 2013. (JIM HOLLANDER – EPA)
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/israel-brief-january-10-2013-snow-blankets-parts-of-middle-east-jerusalem-photos/
Source: JTA, 1-10-13
Jerusalem remained paralyzed as the largest snowfall in 20 years shut down roads, trains and buses and schools….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 10, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/israel-brief-january-10-2013-jerusalem-paralyzed-by-snowstorm/
Source: JTA, 1-9-13
Snow and hail began falling in the Jerusalem area and continued to fall in the north of Israel….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 9, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/israel-brief-january-9-2013-snow-falls-in-jerusalem-northern-israel/
Source: PMO, 1-9-13
יום רביעי כ”ז טבת תשע”ג
Photo by GPO
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon at the Israel Police national traffic control center in Beit Dagan, held an assessment of the situation regarding the stormy weather. Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Yohanan Danino, Israel Police Traffic Division Commander Bruno Stein, as well as representatives from the emergency and rescue services, the Union of Local Authorities and the various infrastructure bodies also attended.
At the start of the discussion, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “We have waited many years for this rain. I hope that they will be blessed rains and not claim victims; therefore, I call upon the public to continue listening to the instructions of the rescue forces and to act with caution. I thank citizens for their patience. They understand that after the traffic jams are over, we will have full reservoirs and we need this water.
I convened this meeting, first, in order to be updated, and I am pleased to see that things are well under control, with the complete cooperation of all bodies. I would like to thank all those involved – Israel Police office, firefighters, IDF soldiers, IDF Home Front Command, the Public Security Ministry, Magen David Adom, the Israel Electric Company, the Tax Authority, the Union of Local Authorities, and local council heads. The systems are working well. I have instructed Prime Minister’s Office Director-General Harel Locker to consider compensation for those who have been hurt as a result of the weather.
I appreciate the brave work – in the intense cold and strong winds – of all those involved. The emergency and rescue forces are struggling around the clock in the storm in order to save lives; on behalf of all Israelis, I thank you.
One month after Operation Pillar of Defense, the rescue forces are again proving that the Israeli home front can rely on them. In the stormy weather, their sole concern is to help Israeli citizens, and they have been very successful.”
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 9, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/full-text-israel-political-brief-january-9-2013-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-holds-assessment-meeting-on-the-weather-situation-snowstorm-in-jerusalem-northern-israel/
Source: JTA, 1-1-13
Likud Party activist Moshe Feiglin was detained and later released by Israel Police after praying on the Temple Mount….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 1, 2013
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/israel-political-brief-january-1-2013-likud-partys-moshe-feiglin-detained-for-praying-at-temple-mount/
Source: JTA, 12-23-12
The Western Wall belongs to Israel, despite what the United Nations says, Israeli Prime Minister said in interviews with Israel’s three major networks….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on December 23, 2012
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/israel-political-brief-december-23-2012-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-western-wall-belongs-to-israel-despite-un-pronouncements/
Source: JTA, 12-17-12
A Jerusalem municipal committee advanced a building plan for eastern Jerusalem that stirred a furor when it was approved during a 2010 visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on December 17, 2012
http://togetherwithisrael.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/israel-political-brief-december-17-2012-municipal-committee-advances-eastern-jerusalem-ramat-shlomo-building-project/
Full Coverage of President Barack Obama's Middle East Tour & Israel Visit from March 20-23, 2013 @ Obama Israel Visit
