These articles have been tagged with "Life in Israel"

Orthodox Children Heckled and Mobbed on Temple Mount

Temple Mount- aerial view-south exposure

Recently, a group of Orthodox parents and their children were harassed by Muslim worshipers when they visited Jerusalem’s Temple Mount (where the First and Second Temples once stood) during the visiting hours allotted to non-Muslim visitors, which includes Jews. Although the group consisted of about 30 adults and 20 children, many of them infants, apparently the security forces had advised that the children be allowed inside the compound first, accompanied by four adults. The pursuing mob shouted angrily and heckled the group while the border police prevented the mob from seriously harming them. The intensity of the attack forced the security forces to escort the group off the compound.

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Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut: When Our Mourning Turns to Joy

boy-Israeli-flag

Yom HaZikaron is a solemn day not unlike last week’s Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), which commemorated those who died during the World War II Holocaust—those murdered outright and those who died fighting the Germans in acts of resistance. Although this day was originally dedicated solely to those who have died in battle, in more recent years the day has been expanded to include victims of terrorist attacks and political violence in general. When it comes to a close tonight at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, also called Har HaZikaron (Mount of Remembrance), the flag will be returned to full staff as Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) is ushered in with full military colors including marching bands.

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Knesset Considers Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount

A painting portraying the Temple atop the Temple Mount

For the first time ever, a special Knesset subcommittee convened for an in-depth examination of the Jewish right to pray on the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site, which while under Israeli control has been administered by the Muslim Waqf. Although no Israeli law bans Jewish prayer, the Jordanian Waqf prohibits Jewish lips from moving in prayer on the Mount, maintaining strict enforcement. The Waqf's administrative role is aided by the presence of Islam's eagle-eyed faithful and the security role of Israeli police, who seemingly aim to diffuse explosive situations on Har haBeit (the Temple Mount) before there is a chance that they develop.

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Israelis to Pray for Rain at the Western Wall

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau

Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau has called for day of prayer for rain on this week’s upcoming Fast of Esther (Ta’anit Esther). Lau made the announcement during a meeting with the Chairman of the Agricultural Caucus in the Knesset (parliament), MK Zevulun Kalfa, at which time they discussed the drought and the Shemita agricultural Sabbath. “The Master of the World teaches us that the rain is ‘ours’ because it depends on the Jewish people and their prayers,” said Lau. The prayer rally for rain will be held on March 13 at the Western (Wailing) Wall and will end with Mincha (Afternoon Prayer).

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Israeli-Arab Preschoolers to Receive Free Books

Israeli-Arab School

A foundation that distributes free Jewish books to Jewish children in North America and Israel is launching an initiative to provide 45,000 Israeli Arab preschoolers with Arabic children’s books. The goal of the project, called Maktabat al-Fanoos, which is Arabic for Lantern Library, is to instill a love of reading and provide the opportunity for children to enjoy reading together with teachers and parents. Once a month during the school year, 1,750 kindergartens will give Arab-Israeli students four books that they can bring home to read with their parents.

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Scarlett Johansson Supports SodaStream, Quits Oxfam

Sodastream-carbonated beverages-machine-made in Israel

Pro-Palestinian activists have criticized SodaStream for maintaining a large factory in the disputed territories. Some claim the company is taking advantage of Palestinians who have few other employment options. While some deceptively portray the SodaStream plant as a kind of “slave labor” camp for Palestinians, nothing could be further from the truth. At SodaStream, the workers earn a decent wage (much more than they could earn in the Palestinian Authority) and have benefits and breaks. They can even pray in the small onsite mosque that the company has provided for them without being docked time from their break allowances.

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PA Incitement Remains an Obstacle to Peace

Kerry-Livni-Erekat-Mid-East-peace talks

Palestinians are actively sabotaging the “peace process” through incitement even while in the midst of negotiations, according to a statement released by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) last week. The incitement, which fosters a culture of hatred, is present in the Palestinian media and statements being made by PA officials. “This culture of hatred is a decisive factor in increasing both the number of terrorist attacks and their severity. Children are educated to hate Jews and Israelis from an early age, and adults are encouraged to carry out terrorist attacks,” the MFA said on its website.

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Jewish Prayer Rally at Western Wall Upholds Peace Negotiations

Kerry-Mahmoud Abbas-Jan 4 2014

Last Thursday, thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem at the Western (Wailing) Wall to pray “for the salvation of Israel and the inheritance,” in the hopes of cancelling “Kerry’s verdict.” The prayer rally—which also was attended by the likes of Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel, Deputy Religious Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, MK (member of parliament) Orit Struk and MK Moti Yogev—was a response to reports that the US Secretary of State John Kerry had proposed that Israel withdraw to the 1949 Armistice lines. “We came here to strengthen the prime minister in guarding the land of Israel,” said Rabbi Ben-Dahan. “Most residents of the country aren’t ready to divide Jerusalem, as is said to be proposed in the plan.”

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