Middle East Headlines

Gedalyahu Ben Shimon asserts lockdown will boost infection's spread among residents; police continue crackdown on illegal prayer gathering in ultra-Orthodox communitiesGedalyahu Ben Shimon asserts lockdown will boost infection's spread among resid...

Government makes military responsible for providing 'civil assistance' to ultra-Orthodox city near Tel Aviv; troops to help evacuate sick and elderly, but will not use forceGovernment makes military responsible for providing 'civil assistance&...

The principal reason ultra-Orthodox politicians exist is to safeguard the well-being of their insular constituents. When that became a life-or-death mission, they let us all downThe principal reason ultra-Orthodox politicians exist is to safeguard the wel...

Journalist Ian Hernon's 'Anti-Semitism and the Left' details the British party's history of bigotry well before Jeremy Corbyn's reign; his successor is to be announced on April 4Journalist Ian Hernon's 'Anti-Semitism and the Le...

The insular ultra-Orthodox city is now forcibly so, but concerns about the police cordon around the city are almost as heavy as those about the health of the community itselfThe insular ultra-Orthodox city is now forcibly so, but concerns about the police...

After court overturns murder conviction of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, government says he and 3 others will remain jailed for nowAfter court overturns murder conviction of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, government says he and 3 others will remain jailed for now...

Gedalyahu Ben Shimon asserts lockdown will boost infection's spread among residents; Home Front chief: Few ill residents have answered call to leave, but we won't use forceGedalyahu Ben Shimon asserts lockdown will boost infection's spread amo...

Israeli officials say the mysterious pre-Easter ceremony limited to 10 leaders, who will deliver the flame to overseas communities through creative meansIsraeli officials say the mysterious pre-Easter ceremony limited to 10 leaders, who will deliver the f...

Officials interview minister about his whereabouts in recent days, say those exposed to him alerted; sources close to UTJ head deny he flouted guidelines with indoor group prayerOfficials interview minister about his whereabouts in recent days, say those ...

Man, who had no previous health issues, had recently traveled to US; is the youngest person in the country in serious condition from coronavirusMan, who had no previous health issues, had recently traveled to US; is the youngest person in the country in s...

To supplement our popular haggadah, 'A Different Night' - or any other haggadah: Tips to help you connect, while apart, for a socially distant meaningful, memorable PassoverTo supplement our popular haggadah, 'A Different Night' - or any o...

Fadi al-Hidmi detained at his home on suspicions of Palestinian Authority 'activities' in East Jerusalem, which Israel prohibitsFadi al-Hidmi detained at his home on suspicions of Palestinian Authority 'activities' in East Jerusalem, which...

Man was part of group of ultra-Orthodox residents who gathered near a synagogue against health restrictions; he is accused of refusing to disperse, cursing and spitting at officerMan was part of group of ultra-Orthodox residents who gathered near a synago...

Flight, which according to some reports was longest in Israeli aviation history, carried some 280 passengers; crew of 19 included 8 pilotsFlight, which according to some reports was longest in Israeli aviation history, carried some 280 passengers; crew of...

Sources tell news agency that as pandemic rages, state actors use phishing techniques to try to gain access to personal accounts of staffSources tell news agency that as pandemic rages, state actors use phishing techniques to try to gain access to persona...

Episode #30: A month after the Israeli elections, there's still no coalition. David Halbfinger explains why * Jewish thinkers' thoughts on this special PassoverEpisode #30: A month after the Israeli elections, there's still no coalition. David...

While tracking social distancing trends, no 'personally identifiable information,' such as a person's contacts or movements, will be made available, tech giant saysWhile tracking social distancing trends, no 'personally identifiable inform...

Over 1,000 officers set up checkpoints to close off ultra-Orthodox city; police official says some residents will be removed to quarantine, troops can use 'proportionate force'Over 1,000 officers set up checkpoints to close off ultra-Orthodox city...

Sheba Medical Center says victim had preexisting illnesses; number of infections top 6,800 on ThursdaySheba Medical Center says victim had preexisting illnesses; number of infections top 6,800 on Thursday...

With some 1,000 new hospitalizations every day and equipment and medical staff on short supply, officials say pandemic's peak could still be weeks awayWith some 1,000 new hospitalizations every day and equipment and medical staff on short supply, offi...

Coronavirus outbreak has prompted an unprecedented flurry of questions for rabbis on how to adapt group prayers, seders, and ritual immersion to crisisCoronavirus outbreak has prompted an unprecedented flurry of questions for rabbis on how to adapt group ...

Experts say Health Ministry has long suffered a lack of coordination, planning and oversight, leaving it woefully unprepared for coronavirus despite strong signs disaster loomedExperts say Health Ministry has long suffered a lack of coordination, planning...

Officials say shutdown of processing facility in Pennsylvania not likely to cause kosher chicken shortage for PassoverOfficials say shutdown of processing facility in Pennsylvania not likely to cause kosher chicken shortage for Passover...

Beatie Deutsch hopes that rescheduling Tokyo games will be an opportunity to ensure race not scheduled for a Saturday again, denting her ambitionsBeatie Deutsch hopes that rescheduling Tokyo games will be an opportunity to ensure race not scheduled for a ...

Al-Quds University president says, if approved, the school will manufacture the devices to help in West Bank and Gaza where there are less than 350 breathing machinesAl-Quds University president says, if approved, the school will manufacture the devices t...

'I would have canceled' says rueful manager of band that performed for 300 people in Crown Heights, he looked for guidance from the CDC and rabbis, but found none'I would have canceled' says rueful manager of band that performed for 300 pe...

However, officials concerned wearing masks will detract from social distancing efforts; Pence says direct payments to hospitals could cover those without insuranceHowever, officials concerned wearing masks will detract from social distancing efforts; Penc...

A multitude of online resources are available to help navigate the situation and technology this holiday, from using Zoom to ordering kosher foodA multitude of online resources are available to help navigate the situation and technology this holiday, from...

US president says he took second, less invasive test out of curiosity, to see how fast it works; 'It said the president tested negative for COVID-19'US president says he took second, less invasive test out of curiosity, to see how fast it works; &...

Likud, Blue and White may have found a solution to their standoff over West Bank annexation: Let Trump decideLikud, Blue and White may have found a solution to their standoff over West Bank annexation: Let Trump decide...

Democratic frontrunner says inhibiting access to humanitarian assistance is cruel, calls on Tehran to release detained AmericansDemocratic frontrunner says inhibiting access to humanitarian assistance is cruel, calls on Tehran to release detained American...

Many top Israeli officials in quarantine after Health Minister Litzman diagnosed with coronavirus; PM to remain in isolation, working from residenceMany top Israeli officials in quarantine after Health Minister Litzman diagnosed with coronavirus; PM to re...

Yesh Atid and Meretz chairmen call for Netanyahu to fire health minister after report shows he attended prayer services that were barred by government to prevent spread of virusYesh Atid and Meretz chairmen call for Netanyahu to fire health minister after...

Speaking from the International Space Station via the US's Jerusalem embassy Twitter account, Jessica Meir urges earthlings to look after both their physical and mental healthSpeaking from the International Space Station via the US's Jerusalem emb...

Ministers approve measure requiring those returning from abroad without a place to self-quarantine to lodge in state-funded isolation sites for 2 weeksMinisters approve measure requiring those returning from abroad without a place to self-quarantine to lo...

Health Ministry said to order medical personnel to cease offering new tests due to dearth of chemicals in laboratoriesHealth Ministry said to order medical personnel to cease offering new tests due to dearth of chemicals in laboratories...

Yahya Sinwar says if breathing machines not brought to Gaza, terror group will 'stop the breathing of 6 million Israelis'Yahya Sinwar says if breathing machines not brought to Gaza, terror group will 'stop the breathing of 6 million Israelis&#...

What happens when you discover that a dear friend lives within shouting distance of your Tel Aviv apartment? Well, if you can't go outside, you shoutWhat happens when you discover that a dear friend lives within shouting distance of your Tel Aviv apar...

Crisis presents a threat to both Islamic State group and al-Qaeda, but some of their fighters also see the upheaval as an opportunityCrisis presents a threat to both Islamic State group and al-Qaeda, but some of their fighters also see the upheaval as an ...

More than half of infected are in Europe; virus wreaks havoc on global economy, with US announcing a record 6.65 million workers who filed for unemployment benefits last weekMore than half of infected are in Europe; virus wreaks havoc on global economy, w...

Yamina No. 3 says PM ignoring religious Zionist party in negotiations to form unity government; sources close to premier: 'no basis for hysteria'Yamina No. 3 says PM ignoring religious Zionist party in negotiations to form unity government; source...

64% of dead are male, only 6% under 60, in line with global averages; 50,000 now deceased worldwide, with nearly a million infections64% of dead are male, only 6% under 60, in line with global averages; 50,000 now deceased worldwide, with nearly a million...

Yaakov Litzman's positive test has forced Netanyahu and most of the top Israeli officials tackling pandemic into quarantine; he denies claims he ignored ban on group prayerYaakov Litzman's positive test has forced Netanyahu and most of the top Isr...

Unit will not enforce lockdown, but rather provide food, medicine and other services; military says over 12,000 troops involved in national pandemic responseUnit will not enforce lockdown, but rather provide food, medicine and other services; military say...

Death toll climbs to 34 with 8 fresh fatalities and 689 confirmed new cases; 83 on ventilators; authorities ramp up testing, with 6,169 checks on ThursdayDeath toll climbs to 34 with 8 fresh fatalities and 689 confirmed new cases; 83 on ventilators; autho...

Number of monthly attacks climbs from 9 to 16, despite restrictions that only permit Israelis to leave their homes to carry out essential activitiesNumber of monthly attacks climbs from 9 to 16, despite restrictions that only permit Israelis to leave thei...

With large price gaps between supermarkets for matzah and Passover items such as potato starch, consumers advised to compare prices, which, overall, are similar to last year'sWith large price gaps between supermarkets for matzah and Passover items suc...

Ali Larijani is highest ranking Iranian official to contract coronavirus; President Rouhani acknowledges severity of crisis, calls for adherence to health ministry protocolsAli Larijani is highest ranking Iranian official to contract coronavirus; Presiden...

Ministers set to approve new emergency directives, including almost-total closure of ultra-Orthodox city hardest hit by virus; plan to go into effect on SundayMinisters set to approve new emergency directives, including almost-total closure of ultra-Ortho...

Palestinian Authority official warns of a 'disaster' if Palestinian workers do not abide by quarantine upon returning to West BankPalestinian Authority official warns of a 'disaster' if Palestinian workers do not abide by quarantine upon r...