Druze religious elders from Syria make historic visit to Israel
Julis, Israel Reuters A delegation of Druze religious elders from Syria crossed into Israel on Friday for the first such visit in more than 50 years, underscoring Israel’s backing for the community amid growing tensions with the new government in Damascus. Around 100 Druze sheikhs from villages on the slope of Mount Hermon in Syria, […]
UN extends peacekeeping mission between Syria, Israeli-occupied Golan Heights
United Nations Reuters The United Nations Security Council on Friday extended a long-running peacekeeping mission between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights for six months and expressed concern that military activities in the area could escalate tensions. Since a lightning rebel offensive ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, Israeli troops have moved into […]
Separated for decades, Assad’s fall spurs hope for families split by Golan Heights buffer zone
Majdal Shams, Golan Heights AP The four sisters gathered by the side of the road, craning their necks to peer far beyond the razor wire-reinforced fence snaking across the mountain. One took off her jacket and waved it slowly above her head. In the distance, a tiny white speck waved frantically from the hillside. “We […]
Israel plans to double population on occupied Golan, citing threats from Syria
Jerusalem Reuters Israel agreed on Sunday to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights while saying threats from Syria remained despite the moderate tone of rebel leaders who ousted President Bashar al-Assad a week ago. “Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will […]
In pictures – Syrians around the world celebrate the ousting of Assad
Reuters Syrians around the world are celebrating following news of the ousting of the Assad regime. Reuters photographers captured some of them… Syrians living in Turkey celebrate with opposition flags after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in front of the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, on 8th December, 2024. PICTURE: […]
The Explainer: Who are the Druze? The Arab minority in Israel mourning children killed by rockets
The victims of the latest bloodiest day in the Israel-Hamas war were neither Jews nor Palestinians, but Druze, a small religious sect native to the Levant. DAVID I KLEIN, of Religion News Service, explains…
Israel cabinet authorises government to respond to Hezbollah rocket strike
Majdal Shams, Golan Heights/Jerusalem Reuters Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to decide on the “manner and timing” of a response to a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 teenagers and children, and which Israel and the United States blamed on Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah […]
Israel says Hezbollah rocket kills 12 at football ground, vows response
Jerusalem/Beirut, Lebanon Reuters A rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 people including children on Saturday, Israeli authorities said, blaming Hezbollah and vowing to inflict a heavy price on the Iran-backed Lebanese group. Hezbollah denied any responsibility for the strike, the deadliest in Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since the […]
MIDDLE EAST: HOW THE WHITE HOUSE IS COURTING EVANGELICALS ON ITS ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PLAN
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, reports from Jerusalem…
Essay: Why Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory matters
In an article first published on The Conversation, US academic DINA BADIE provides some context to US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights…