Israel news stories on Newser

Israelis Unearth Ancient Bethlehem Seal

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:38:28 CDT

Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 2,700-year-old seal that bears the inscription "Bethlehem," the Israel Antiquities Authority announced yesterday, in what experts believe to be the oldest artifact with the name of Jesus' traditional birthplace. The tiny clay seal's existence and age provide vivid evidence that Bethlehem was not just...

US 'Ready' to Strike Iran: Ambassador

Kevin Spak — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:25:28 CDT

The US has all the planning in place to launch a military strike on Iran should diplomacy fail to curb its nuclear ambitions, the US ambassador to Israel said today, just days before nuclear talks are set to resume. "It would be preferable to resolve this diplomatically," Ambassador Dan Shapiro...

Turks Suspect Bird Is Israeli Spy

Mary Papenfuss — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:03:50 CDT

A tiny bird triggered a peck of trouble in a Turkish village when residents became convinced the creature was an Israeli spy. The dead European bee-eater was discovered wearing a metal band stamped with the word "Israel." Investigating villagers determined that the cheeper's nostrils were larger than average, possibly large...

Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:47:24 CDT

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners agreed today to end a weeks-long hunger strike after winning concessions from Israel to improve their conditions and limit detentions without trial, the two sides announced, resolving a standoff that united Palestinians behind one of their most emotional causes. The deal ended one of the largest...

Ahmadinejad: Israel Just a 'Mosquito'

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:23:06 CDT

With talks on Iran's nuclear program hot on next week's agenda, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is swatting down talk of Israeli-Iranian war, comparing the threat posed by his regional rival to so much buzzing from a pest, reports CNN . "Israel is nothing more than a mosquito which cannot see the broad horizon...

Netanyahu Stuns, Forges New Government

Tue, 08 May 2012 06:52:36 CDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a revamped coalition government today, forming a broad alliance with the chief opposition party that could free his hand to take bold action on peace with the Palestinians and decide whether to attack Iran. In a stunning reversal, Netanyahu called off plans to hold...

Samaritans: Wiped Away by History and Biblical Rewrites

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:15:00 CDT

Looks like the Jews were once the other worshipers of Yahweh. According to archeological evidence, Samaritans had a dazzling shrine and the Jews only a so-so Temple of Jerusalem about 2,500 years ago, Der Spiegel reports. What's more, the Bible once described Moses as telling his people to travel...

Günther Grass Barred From Israel Over Poem

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 03:19:51 CDT

Controversial German author Günther Grass has been barred from Israel for a new poem sharply criticizing the Jewish state for its secretive nuclear program and its belligerent position on Iran. "If Günther wants to spread his twisted and lying works, I suggest he does this from Iran, where he can...

Palestinians Honor Helen Thomas

John Johnson — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:57:29 CDT

When Helen Thomas said Jewish people should "get the hell out of Palestine," the outcry forced her into retirement from the White House press corps in 2010. (Not that she was all that apologetic afterward.) Now Palestinians are giving her a little thank-you. A representative of Palestinian Authority chief...