The sign outside the door read “Cinema Club”, but inside, a Catholic priest was conducting Friday mass in Arabic for Gaza’s furtive Christians. Many of those Christians bowing their heads before a statue of the Virgin Mary were hoping that the power of prayer might nudge along the Israeli security bureaucracy. Six weeks ago, 250 Christians applied for permission from the Israelis to exit the locked down Palestinian enclave of Gaza for a day to see Pope Benedict XVI as he visits in Israel on his tour of the Middle East
Tag Archives: israel
Analysis: Pope’s visit to Israel puts focus on Catholic-Jewish ties
As he arrives in Israel, the focus for Pope Benedict XVI shifts from Catholic/Muslim ties, which were at the heart of his three-day visit to Jordan, to relations with Judaism. TEL AVIV, Israel (CNN) — As he arrives in Israel, the focus for Pope Benedict XVI shifts from Catholic/Muslim ties, which were at the heart of his three-day visit to Jordan, to relations with Judaism. The pope comes to the Jewish state at a moment when Catholic/Jewish ties stand at a crossroads, in part related to broad historical and demographic trends, in part to the image of this particular pontiff.
Israel’s Netanyahu: Taking a Turn Toward Pragmatism?
Israel is a nation of worriers. No matter how pleasant the evening, at a certain point, after the jokes and well into the merlot from the Judaean hills, the worrying starts. No doubt, Israelis have plenty to worry about.
U.N. probe blames Israel for deaths during Gaza offensive
The Israeli government is responsible for deaths and more than $10 million in damage to U.N. buildings during the recent military offensive in Gaza, a U.N
Biden prods Israel on settlements
Vice President Joe Biden prodded Israel on Tuesday to halt the expansion of its settlements on the West Bank, a move he called a necessary step toward ending the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Biden told the annual conference of the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee that Israel’s new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has “important ideas” about the peace process.
Iran’s leaders on ‘wrong side of history,’ Israeli president says
Iran’s "fanatical rulers" pose a nuclear threat to the Middle East and "are on the wrong side of history," Israeli President Shimon Peres said Monday. “In addition to their nuclear option, they [Iran] invest huge capital in long-range missiles,” the Israeli president said. “Iran is not threatened by anybody.
The TIME 100: Sarah Palin by Ann Coulter
Israel’s new government is a headache the Obama Administration doesn’t need. Compared with Tzipi Livni, the woman he narrowly beat out, and even Ehud Olmert, the man he succeeds, incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuis cool toward a Palestinian state
Israeli leaders accused of war crimes
A conference of Islamic prosecutors in Iran worked Wednesday to draft an indictment against Israeli leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
Obama invites Mideast leaders for talks on ‘comprehensive peace’
President Obama is launching an effort "to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East," his spokesman said Tuesday. Obama has invited key regional leaders to Washington in the coming weeks for consultations on the peace process, Robert Gibbs said. Obama wants to meet separately with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Gibbs told reporters
Iran like Nazi Germany, Israeli official says
Israel’s vice prime minister compared Iran to Nazi Germany on Tuesday at the site of one of World War II’s most notorious death camps.