Israeli Cabinet backs Palestinian prisoner release, paving way for peace talks

WJC News Update – Israeli Cabinet backs Palestinian prisoner release, paving way for peace talks

News updates from the World Jewish Congress website – 29 July 2013

Israeli Cabinet backs Palestinian prisoner release, paving way for peace talks

Following a majority vote by the Israeli Cabinet in favor of the release of 104 Palestinian prisoners, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Israelis and Palestinians would meet in Washington for new peace talks.

WJC ANALYSIS: The assault on shechita and the future of Jews in Europe

The World Jewish Congress background paper explains the recent debates in several European countries, notably in Poland, about the banning of religious slaughter.

Women of the Wall request use of sacred site’s Torah scroll – JTA

29 Jul 2013 The group Women of the Wall asked the rabbi of the Western Wall to allow them to use one of the site’s Torah scrolls. READ MORE »

Stephen Marche: Why are we Americans so obsessed with Israel? – Esquire

29 Jul 2013 Jerusalem is everywhere. No matter where you are, Jerusalem is. The power of that holy city intrudes into the strangest and most profane of places. READ MORE »

Maccabiah Games reinforce Jewish identity through sport – BBC News

29 Jul 2013 The Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, are currently taking place in Israel.  READ MORE »

Hungarian ruling party sponsors festival with anti-Semitic books – JTA

29 Jul 2013 Anti-Semitic literature was on display at a festival in Slovakia sponsored by Hungary’s ruling party, Fidesz.  READ MORE »

Israel’s prime ministers: Not kosher? – Tablet Magazine

29 Jul 2013 The last time PM Netanyahu’s culinary preferences were called into question, it was for his penchant for consuming large quantities of ice cream. But now there is a more dire accusation: that the prime minister has not been eating kosher while abroad.  READ MORE »