Knesset makes it official: Israel is a Jewish state
July 20, 2018 by Josh Hasten - JNS
After a heated session that lasted well into the night, the Knesset Plenum passed the controversial “Nationality Bill” into law on Thursday. The bill now holds weight as one of Israel’s “Basic Laws,” the highest level of legal authority, being that Israel has no official constitution…writes Josh Hasten/JNS. Read more
Nationality Law passes vote, Israel enshrined as a Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital
Working into the wee hours of the night late Wednesday into Thursday morning, the Knesset passed a nationality law that enshrines Israel as “the national home of the Jewish people.” Read more
Trump and Putin focus on Syria-Israel, Arab-Jewish conflicts
July 20, 2018 by David Singer
Defusing the Syria–Israel conflict and resurrecting the primacy of Security Council Resolution 242 in resolving the Arab-Jewish conflict have emerged as positive outcomes from the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki this week…writes David Singer. Read more
Manny Waks talks with Henry Greener
July 20, 2018 by Henry Greener-The Shtick
While Manny Waks was in Melbourne recently, he spoke with Henry Greener about his journey as a victim, and now the globe-trotting advocate for justice in the field of child sex abuse….a video report. Read more
European Parliament member calls for EU to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over Golan Heights
July 19, 2018 by Yossi Lempkowicz - JNS
A member of the European Parliament has called on the European Union to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Read more
Not everyone fleeing danger is a refugee
July 19, 2018 by Evelyn Gordon - JNS
I’ve been wondering recently whether I’m simply a hypocrite…writes Evelyn Gordon/JNS. Read more
The myth of Israeli ‘deterrence’
July 19, 2018 by Martin Sherman - Mida via JNS
For more than a decade, Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas. It has, however, never really managed to deter it in the real sense of the word—i.e., of breaking its will to continue the fight…writes Martin Sherman/JNS. Read more
Young Ethiopian Israeli receives piano from former prime minister Ehud Barak
July 19, 2018 by JNS
A young Ethiopian-Israeli boy whose rare musical talent got him featured on Israeli news was gifted his very own piano by a former Israeli prime minister. Read more
Angels on motorbikes
July 19, 2018 by J-Wire
As part of Magen David Adom’s ongoing efforts of to shorten response and arrival times of its teams, the emergency medicine technicians and paramedics arrive on scene events using various means of transportation, starting from the well-known ambulances and mobile intensive care units, through helicopters, electric bicycle and the “Bimbulance” vehicles that can reach even hardly accessible areas. Read more
Memories of Mandela
July 19, 2018 by Vic Alhadeff
I returned to South Africa a week before the 1994 elections — the first time in that country’s troubled history every adult would have the right to vote. Irrespective of race….writes Vic Alhadeff. Read more
Liberal Friends of Israel to be launched in Victoria
July 19, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Always a consistent advocate for the State of Israel, the Liberal Party has announced the launch the Liberal Friends of Israel. Read more
Hebrew University to celebrate its centenary
July 19, 2018 by Geoff Sirmai
Tuesday 24 July marks 100 years to the day that the cornerstones of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem were laid, literally paving the way for the construction of the first building and the opening of the University in April 1925. Read more
Community will acknowledge centenary of Monash knighthood
July 19, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Although recent attempts for a posthumous elevation to Field Marshall for Sir John Monash appear to have been stymied, the Victorian Jewish community will hold a celebratory lunch at the St Kilda Shule hall on Sunday 5th August to mark 100 years since the knighthood of Sir John Monash. Read more
Picturesque, to say the least: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
July 19, 2018 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Last night’s Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s APT Master Series concert was all about creating dramatic sound pictures, some clearly subtitled, some borrowed form the Russian Orthodox Church and the rest a challenging kaleidoscope from a contemporary American female composer. Read more
The Dead Still Cry Out: The Story of a Combat Cameraman: a book review by Geoffrey Zygier
July 18, 2018 by Geoffrey Zygier
As a young girl playing in her home in England one day, Helen Lewis opened an old, apparently hidden suitcase. Read more
Carmel students visit the Negev
July 18, 2018 by Ahuva Bar-Lev
Scopus students bring music to cancer patients
July 18, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Melbourne’s Mount Scopus College students has brought music to patients receiving treatment for cancer at Box Hill Hospital Read more
John Howard addresses a Liberal Party shabbat dinner
July 18, 2018 by J-Wire
Former Australian prime minister John Howard was the keynote speaker at a unique Liberal Party Shabbat dinner hosted by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. Read more
UK Labour Party adopts amended antisemitism definition amid outcry
The Labour Party, which has been dogged by allegations of antisemitism in recent years centred around party leader Jeremy Corbyn, formally adopted an amended version of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism that left out some examples of antisemitism that relate to support for Israel. Read more
Welcoming Orbán doesn’t betray Israeli democracy
July 18, 2018 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
For those who like neat political theories with straight lines connecting the people they don’t like, the upcoming visit of Hungarian President Viktor Orbán to Israel provides some potent ammunition…writes Jonathan S. Tobin.JNS. Read more
Jerusalem court issues lien on ships headed to Gaza, with proceeds going to Israeli victims of terror
July 18, 2018 by Josh Hasten - JNS
In a rather rare judgment, a Jerusalem District Court just issued a lien on two large ships that are part of a Gaza-bound flotilla set to arrive in Israeli waters later this month, with the intent that the sea vessels can be sold, with proceeds going to families of Israeli victims of Hamas-sponsored terror attacks. Read more
Knesset ratifies Breaking the Silence law banning group from schools
July 17, 2018 by TPS
AIJAC sees an improvement in the ABC
July 17, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Dr Colin Rubenstein, executive director The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, believes that ABC improved its reporting on the flashpoint in Gaza on the weekend. Read more
It’s never too late for a bar mitzvah
July 17, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Last week Grant Duffey celebrated his bar mitzvah in his 60s at the Chabad Centre for Jewish life in North Qld Cairns. Read more
Why Israel wants Trump to get along with Putin
July 17, 2018 by Jonathan S. Tobin - JNS.org
As far as much of the American public is concerned, the timing for U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be worse…writes Jonathan S. Tobin/JNS Read more
UK Labour MPs defy Corbyn, adopt official stance on antisemitism
July 17, 2018 by JNS
Members of Parliament with the United Kingdom’s Labour Party have defied leader Jeremy Corbyn by adopting the full and unamended version of the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism. Read more
Netanyau meets community close to Gaza border
July 17, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with local council heads from the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip* in Sderot. Read more
Can the US and Israel rely on Putin to force Iran out of Syria?
July 17, 2018 by Sean Savage - JNS.org
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin just concluded a bilateral summit in Helsinki, Finland, that proved to be one of the most widely anticipated meetings in years—or, at least, since the meeting with North Korea.writes Sean Savage/JNS. Read more
A gift for the Gift of Life
July 17, 2018 by Community newsdesk
EndreyThe acclaimed director, Moira Blumenthal, has dedicated a performance of The Man in the Attic to raise awareness about Gift of Life’s life-saving program. Read more
The Perils facing Anglo Jewry
July 16, 2018 by Isi Leibler
Over 10 years ago, I warned that the passivity of the Anglo-Jewish leadership would likely lead to disastrous political consequences and negatively impact the younger generation, which was being inadequately educated to face its challenges…writes Isi Leibler. Read more
