Russia’s foreign minister says West’s opposition to Russia’s war is like Hitler’s ‘final solution’

(JTA) — Last year, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s top diplomat, drew criticism after saying Ukraine’s Jewish president was like Hitler. Now he’s upped the ante: Western countries assisting Ukraine in repelling Russia’s invasion are seeking a “final solution.” Lavrov made the comments Wednesday during an annual press conference with Russian media. “The United States formed a […]

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Israel’s Supreme Court bans lawmaker from minister post, setting up potential coalition crisis

(JTA) — In a decision that could lead to the dissolution of Israel’s new government coalition, the country’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a minister who has been previously convicted in multiple fraud cases is not fit to serve in government. The Court ruled 10-1 to disqualify Aryeh Deri, a longtime lawmaker and leader […]

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Over 90 countries, including allies, express ‘deep concern’ over Israel’s retaliation against Palestinians

(JTA) — Five countries stood out on a statement signed by more than 90 countries calling on Israel to end punitive measures it imposed on the Palestinians in retaliation for a United Nations vote that referred Israel to the International Court of Justice. Those five countries — Estonia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Romania — were […]

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In Haifa, a university serves as a base for Arab-Jewish coexistence — and a place to tackle global problems

HAIFA — On a recent chilly morning, six Israeli Druze women gathered in a room at the University of Haifa library to discuss the joys and frustrations of living in a modern, Jewish, largely secular country. Chatting in Arabic and Hebrew, many of the women, all students at the university, spoke about the challenges of […]

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In Tel Aviv, 80,000 Israelis protest Netanyahu government’s plan to weaken Supreme Court

(JTA) — Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square on Saturday to protest their new government’s plans to significantly decrease the power of the country’s Supreme Court. Authorities reported that as many as 80,000 protesters braved a rain storm in Tel Aviv, while smaller protests took place in other cities across […]

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Left-wing Israelis take to the streets as new government presses right-wing agenda further

(JTA) – As Israel’s new right-wing government continued to signal that it would push through measures to cripple the judiciary and clamp down on public dissent and news operations, thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest and one prominent opposition figure warned of imminent “civil war.” A reported 10,000 demonstrators gathered Saturday night […]

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