Ultra-Orthodox Jews the targets of forced lockdowns in Israel
The Israeli government is surrounding ultra-orthodox neighborhoods with police barricades as punishment for the unwillingness of the Haredi to abide by government regulations.
Jerusalem
Major Jewish leaders leave off speculation about the Messiah, begin asserting that his arrival is imminent
Many Jewish leaders are making surprising comments about the imminent arrival of the messiah, even suggesting that a savior figure could arrive as early as Passover.
Messianic expectations of Jews and Muslims become one — Bible points to a false Jesus they and others will accept
The messianic expectations of Muslim and Jewish leaders are dovetailing, with many scholars from each camp agreeing that coronavirus is the harbinger of a divine figure who will arrive as a king in the midst of pandemics and economic crises.
Haredi in Israel the lone resisters of government takeover
Israel’s ultra-orthodox Haredi community is facing fines and arrests for resisting draconian government regulations that forbid prayer services and prevent a person from walking 328 feet outside their home except in emergencies.
Jewish rabbis see imminent divine entry to temple in Jerusalem in light of Zohar predictions
A Jewish rabbi is expecting the Messiah to be revealed around Passover this year in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, citing a prophecy about a global pandemic from the main text of the mystical Kabbalah.
Netanyahu: Full lockdown possible within days if virus spread doesn’t slow
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday that a full closure of the country could be introduced within days to curb the coronavirus pandemic, hours after further restrictions on Israelis’ movement were put into effect.
Coronavirus Ravages Middle East as Iran Warns of ‘Millions’ of Deaths
From Jerusalem’s Western Wall to Saudi Arabia’s Mecca, the coronavirus is changing the Middle East and people in the region are adjusting to a new normal.
Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Closed as Precaution against Coronavirus
Islamic religious authorities have closed the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus. However, outdoor prayers will still be permitted outside the two shrines housed in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu weighs new, stricter measures to halt coronavirus pandemic
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting at his office in Jerusalem late on Saturday afternoon to discuss further, more stringent measures Israel may take to halt the coronavirus pandemic.
Mexico considering restrictions on US border amid coronavirus fears
Mexico could consider measures at its northern border to slow the spread of the coronavirus into its relatively unaffected territory, health officials said on Friday, with an eye to containing a US outbreak that has infected more than 2,000 people.
Arab Joint List to Support Blue & White Minority Govt Only with Ban on Jewish Access to Temple Mount
The chairman of the Arab-majority Joint List, Ayman Odeh, has named his key demands for supporting a Blue and White-led minority government.
Jerusalem court rejects Netanyahu bid to delay corruption trial
Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to delay his corruption trial on the grounds that his defense team has not received all of the relevant material from the prosecution.
California governor declares state of emergency after coronavirus death
The US death toll from coronavirus infections rose to 11 on Wednesday as new cases emerged around New York City and Los Angeles, while Seattle-area health officials sought to allay anxiety amid the nation’s largest outbreak.
Goods from Israel enter Palestinian territories in new Israel-PA agreement
As part of an agreement with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the IDF Coordination of Government Activities in the territories (COGAT), Israel allowed the entry of cattle and other goods into the Palestinian territories, according to a COGAT press release.
Israeli scientists: ‘In a few weeks, we will have coronavirus vaccine’
Israeli scientists are on the cusp of developing the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus, according to Science and Technology Minister Ofir Akunis. If all goes as planned, the vaccine could be ready within a few weeks and available in 90 days, according to a release.
“Congratulations to MIGAL [The Galilee Research Institute] on this exciting breakthrough,” Akunis said. “I am confident there will be further rapid progress, enabling us to provide a needed response to the grave global COVID-19 threat,” Akunis said, referring to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
‘We are ready, and the plans have been formulated’: Israeli defense minister foreshadows new war
Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett virtually announced a new war with Hamas in Gaza Tuesday, a day after the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group launched 80 rockets and mortars into Israel.
UN slams ‘worrying’ Israeli plans to build in West Bank, East Jerusalem
The United Nations Middle East peace envoy condemned Israel’s recent advancement of construction plans in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that he said would effectively cut the West Bank in two and isolate some Palestinian neighborhoods.
Israeli defense minister: 95% chance country will launch ‘large’ military campaign in Gaza
Israel’s defense minister warned that he wants Hamas to have a ‘painful spring’ and placed high odds of a major military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
UN Security Council calls for two-state solution to be respected in Middle East
The UN Security Council made a rare show of unity Monday when it called on all parties to maintain their support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Iran’s government and media lied about coronavirus outbreak, riots erupt
Iranians are scared and angry. Their government has been lying to them and their media was instructed not to report on the coronavirus outbreak as it rapidly spread from the religious city of Qom to other cities. On Saturday, Tehran was awash with rumors and riots occurred in the city of Talesh on the Caspian sea due to a quarantine.