World News
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Democrats leader Golan approached by man with knife on Israeli election day
(JTA) — JERUSALEM — Israel Police arrested a man carrying a large knife after he approached Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, as Golan was campaigning in Tel Aviv on Election Day. “Contrary to reports, no stabbing attempt occurred,” the police spokesman said in a statement. The police said officers at the scene noticed…
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Rebellion PAC’s antisemitic political ad could incite violence against Jews
Israel did not cause high grocery prices in America. Israel is not the reason you don’t have free universal healthcare. But a new political ad from Rebellion PAC depicts struggling young parents grocery shopping in Michigan and putting back a dozen eggs because of U.S. military aid to Israel, saying they can no longer afford…
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What Pittsburgh learned about solidarity after the Tree of Life shooting
(JTA) — Eight years ago today in Pittsburgh, on the Shabbat morning of Oct. 27, 2018, a gunman walked into a synagogue and killed 11 Jews from three congregations as they prayed. In the aftermath, my colleague Noah Schoen and I created an oral history project that interviewed 105 Jewish and non-Jewish Pittsburghers about their…
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Market Bets Challenge Traditional Polls as Israeli Political Landscape Heats Up
A significant divergence is emerging between conventional political polling and sophisticated financial prediction markets regarding Israel’s next prime minister. Betting platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are showing a strong preference for former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, despite recent polls indicating that neither Eisenkot’s ‘change bloc’ nor the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu possesses…
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Beyond the Tragedy: How Community Solidarity Became a Lesson in Division
Eight years ago, a devastating act of antisemitism shook the city of Pittsburgh, targeting a local house of worship and claiming the lives of eleven worshippers. While the violence left an indelible scar on the community, a comprehensive study of the aftermath reveals a powerful counter-narrative: the profound strength of human connection. Researchers conducted in-depth…
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Global Security Landscape Demands Reassessment of Strategic Partnerships with Israel
As global powers intensify their competition, the security calculus for Western democracies is undergoing a profound shift. The increasing instability driven by aggressive actions from Russia, expanding military ambitions in Asia, and regional conflicts in the Middle East necessitates a re-evaluation of traditional security alliances. Experts argue that Israel, possessing advanced military, technological, and intelligence…
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Trump Reinforces Ties with Netanyahu Amid Critical Israeli Election
The political landscape in Israel has been dramatically reshaped by the public backing of former US President Donald Trump for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the nation prepares for its first election since the devastating October 7th attacks, Trump issued a strong endorsement, urging Israeli voters to support Netanyahu. This move underscores the deep, ongoing…
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Amid Global Pressure, Israel Welcomes New Ambassadors While Addressing Deepening Western Diplomatic Crises
Jerusalem recently hosted a significant diplomatic ceremony as Israeli President Isaac Herzog received the official credentials from five new ambassadors, representing France, the Netherlands, Austria, Rwanda, and Ghana. While the event signaled a renewed commitment to international partnership, the gathering simultaneously highlighted the severe diplomatic headwinds facing the nation, particularly concerning strained relationships with key…
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Amid Political Turmoil, Berlin Rabbi Urges ‘Light’ Against Germany’s Surge in Antisemitism
In the face of escalating anti-Jewish sentiment throughout Germany, Jewish communities are adopting a proactive stance, transforming uncertainty into an opportunity to promote resilience and hope. This spirit of defiance was powerfully articulated by the chief rabbi of Berlin’s Chabad community, who called for a fundamental cultural shift in response to rising hostility. Rather than…
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Israelis head to the polls in country’s most consequential election in decades
(JTA) — JERUSALEM – More than 7 million Israelis are eligible to vote Tuesday in an election that many are calling the most consequential in the country’s 78-year history. It’s the first parliamentary election since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, mass attack and comes amid security concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday framed as…
