Jesse Orine - Page 3 of 213

Canadian Jewish groups decry axing of antisemitism envoy in favor of ‘rights, equality and inclusion’ advisory council

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026Jesse Orine

Canadian Jewish groups are denouncing a government decision to replace the country’s antisemitism and Islamophobia envoys with a new “Rights, Equality and Inclusion” council. The new advisory council, announced by the Canadian government on Wednesday, is billed in a press release as aiming to “foster social cohesion, rally Canadians around shared identity, combat racism and […]

Palestine Action activists acquitted in Israeli defense firm break-in, drawing criticism from British Jewish leaders

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Jesse Orine

A British jury has acquitted six activists from the British group Palestine Action who were charged with breaking into the U.K. site of an Israeli defense company, eliciting criticism from British Jewish groups and leaders. The defendants — Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan […]

Israeli-Palestinian restaurant shutters in Berlin, though a TV show will continue its story

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Jesse Orine

An Israeli-Palestinian restaurant in Berlin that became internationally known for its “Make hummus not war” message is closing after 10 years — but a new TV series will extend its story. Kanaan, a hummus bar run by Oz Ben David, an Israeli, and Jalil Dabit, a Palestinian, has announced it will shutter in March. The […]

HIAS shuts Vienna office that aided generations of refugees after Trump pulls funding

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Jesse Orine

Since the end of World War II, Vienna has functioned as an Ellis Island for Jewish refugees from Europe and the Middle East, a place where survivors, dissidents and religious minorities arrived with little more than documents and hope, and departed toward new lives. That role has come to an end: HIAS is shutting down […]

I traveled from Israel to Spain to convert new Jews. A single ‘Sababa’ made me feel safer.

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Jesse Orine

I’ve been to Madrid twice, both times to perform ritual circumcisions, and both trips overlapped with some of the saddest yearly Jewish commemorations: Tisha B’av and, this year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The timing gave both visits a somewhat somber tone. On my outbound journey last week, I was stopped by Israeli security to check […]

France issues arrest warrants against 2 right-wing French-Israeli activists for ‘complicity in genocide’

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026Jesse Orine

France has issued arrest warrants for two French-Israeli activists for “complicity in genocide,” a charge that stemmed from the pair allegedly blocking humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip. The arrest warrants were issued in July against Nili Kupfer-Naouri, the president of the organization Israel Is Forever, and Rachel Touitou, an activist with the organization […]

Prominent British LGBTQ activist arrested for carrying ‘globalize the intifada’ sign in London

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026Jesse Orine

British LGBTQ activist Peter Tatchell was arrested for holding a sign with the phrase “globalize the intifada” at a pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday. Tatchell’s arrest comes weeks after the police in London announced that they would arrest pro-Palestinian protesters who chant “globalize the intifada.” While the common pro-Palestinian phrase is defended by its […]

Stephen Spielberg wins Grammy, becoming 9th Jew in elite EGOT ranks

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026Jesse Orine

The legendary director Stephen Spielberg has become the ninth Jew to secure “EGOT” status after winning a Grammy for producing a documentary about the music of John Williams. Spielberg was awarded the Grammy for producing “Music by John Williams,” which won best music documentary, before the televised ceremony on Sunday. The win makes him the […]

Diplomatic ties fray further as South Africa and Israel kick out each other’s envoys

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026Jesse Orine

South Africa has expelled Israel’s top diplomat in the country, spurring Israel to respond hours later by removing South Africa’s envoy. The South African Foreign Ministry announced on Friday morning that it had declared Ariel Seidman, who was appointed chargé d’affaires at Israel’s embassy in South Africa last year, as persona non grata, calling on […]

Italian rapper Ghali’s planned Winter Olympics set draws backlash over his Gaza advocacy

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026Jesse Orine

Italian rapper Ghali’s slated performance at the opening ceremony for this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan has drawn criticism from Italian leaders over his past activism against Israel. Ghali Amdouni, a prominent Milan-born rapper of Tunisian parents, will be joined by a host of performers including Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey during the opening ceremony […]