Israel News - Haaretz Israeli News source

For first time since 1979

Obama speaks to Rohani by phone, says deal with Iran possible

U.S. president says path to a meaningful agreement will be difficult, but stresses there is a unique opportunity to make progress with the new government in Iran. BERJAYA

By Reuters | Sep 28, 2013 | 12:23 AM

Rohani (Photo by Reuters), and Obama (Photo by AFP).

Rohani: Obama's new tone on Iran could ease tensions with U.S.
By The Associated Press and Reuters

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Israeli soldiers carry French diplomat Marion Castaing

French diplomat who tussled with Border Police to leave her post

A French diplomat who clashed with Border Police last week in the West Bank will leave her post at the end of December, following...

By Barak Ravid | 04:14 PM

Hague chemical weapons watchdog approves Syrian disarmament plan

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Executive Council approved a plan for the elimination of Syria's...

By Reuters | 03:22 AM

Equipment used for carrying out circumcision.

German court bars woman from circumcising 6-year-old son

A German court has barred a mother from circumcising her six-year-old son, claiming the procedure will cause the boy...

By Ofer Aderet | 09:00 PM

Israel Police, Palestinians clash in Jerusalem; IDF breaks up Gaza protest

Several demonstrations took place in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip on Friday, which marks the 13th anniversary of the outbreak of second intifada. BERJAYA

By Gili Cohen, Nir Hasson | Sep 27, 2013 | 04:55 PM

Israel is more Jewish than democratic, new civics textbook asserts

The book was revised to counter claims that it was critical of Israel. Now it presents the country as Jewish state, neglecting its democratic character, a report on the textbook claims. BERJAYA

By Yarden Skop | Sep 27, 2013 | 03:29 PM

Screen shot of Hipster Anne' Frank's Twitter feed.

Hipster Anne Frank's tweets - funny or in bad taste?

A new Twitter account is applying irony to the iconic Holocaust victim. BERJAYA

By The Forward | Sep 27, 2013 | 01:03 PM

Word of the Day / Hakafot shniyot: Dancing with the Torah, Round 2

This custom demonstrates that Simhat Torah isn't over until the fat lady sings…two nights in row. BERJAYA

By Shoshana Kordova | Sep 27, 2013 | 09:05 AM

Diplomacy & Defense

Obama, Rohani, Abbas, and the snub by Israel: News you may have missed from the UNGA

At the opening session of the 68th UN General Assembly, U.S. President Barack Obama said that he was encouraged by Iranian...

By Haaretz | 11:05 AM | 5

Top Israeli minister cautions: Don't let Iran's centrifuges spin out of sight

Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan cautioned Friday morning against allowing the Iranian president's overtures to distract...

By Haaretz | 10:40 AM | 10

Abbas speaks at the UN General Assembly.

Abbas says Palestinians refuse to enter into 'vortex' of interim deals with Israel

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the United Nations General Assembly Thursday in New York, saying that the...

By Barak Ravid | 04:13 AM | 15

Middle East

Iranian President Hassan Rohani speaks during a news conference in New York

Rohani: Obama's new tone on Iran could ease tensions with U.S.

Iran's new president Hassan Rohani said Friday that President Barack Obama struck a new tone in his UN speech this week that left...

By The Associated Press, Reuters | 06:53 PM

UN arms experts, wearing a gas mask, inspect a site of an alleged chemical attack near Damascus.

UN inspectors to probe seven Syria chemical cases, some after Aug 21 attack

UN chemical weapons inspectors in Syria are investigating seven cases of alleged chemical or biological weapons use, including...

By Reuters, The Associated Press | 03:02 PM

Meeting of Kerry, Iran's FM and world powers.

Historic meet on UNGA sidelines || U.S., Iran upbeat after nuclear talks but sound cautionary notes

U.S. and Iranian officials emerged upbeat on Thursday from a meeting on Iran's nuclear program, but both sides also sounded a...

By Haaretz, Reuters, The Associated Press | 09:20 AM | 33

Jewish World

Jeffrey Brenner is among the 24 recipients of MacArthur 'Genius' Awards.

Four Jews win MacArthur 'Genius' awards

Four Jews are among 24 of America’s most creative and original thinkers who will each get $625,000 genius grants this year.Dr....

By The Forward | 12:02 PM

Quebec's kippa ban may just unite minority groups

I spent the first days of Sukkot visiting some cousins in Toronto. In-between the meals and playing with their four beautiful...

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | 08:34 PM | 2

An undated image shows the main gate of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in Poland.

Germany indicts 93-year-old alleged former Auschwitz guard

A former Auschwitz death camp guard, Hans Lipschis, has been indicted as an accessory to 10,500 Nazi-era murders, prosecutors in...

By DPA | 07:15 PM | 2

Chances for improvement in Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's condition 'very low'

All four of the Shas spiritual leader's sons spent the Simhat Torah holiday at their father's side, hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital. BERJAYA

By Yair Ettinger | Sep 26, 2013 | 10:30 PM

'The Goldbergs,' from 1949 to 1980s America

ABC's modern version of the TV show that first premiered in 1949 explores the dynamics of an average U.S. family that happens to be Jewish. BERJAYA

By JTA | Sep 26, 2013 | 11:38 AM

J Street confab’s message: We’ve arrived

This year, J Street's conference is as much about getting the liberal pro-Israel group into the establishment as it is about a two-state solution. Vice President Joe Biden might be of some help. BERJAYA

By JTA | Sep 26, 2013 | 07:12 AM

Simchat Beit Hashoevah

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish youths dance during the celebration of Simchat Beit Hashoevah i...
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Rerters
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dance during the celebration of Simchat Beit Hashoevah in a...
/polopoly_fs/1.548698.1380010813!/image/3834054413.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_474/3834054413.jpg
Reuters
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man dances as he balances a water pitcher on his head during...
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Reuters
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish youths dance during the celebration of Simchat Beit Hashoevah i...
/polopoly_fs/1.548704.1380011186!/image/1808265901.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_474/1808265901.jpg
Reuters