Schoolgirl Target of Extremist Jews in Israel

An 8-year-old schoolgirl has unwittingly found herself on the front line of Israel’s latest religious row. Naama Margolese is afraid of walking to her religious Jewish girls’ school for fear of being harassed by ultra-Orthodox extremists. The AP’s Aron Heller reports from her hometown of Beit Shemesh. [url href=”http://aronheller.com/articles/israeli-girls-plight-highlights-jewish-extremism/”] [url href=”http://youtu.be/9U2M6vsMy48″ content=”Watch the Video” target=external]

Israeli girl’s plight highlights Jewish extremism

BEIT SHEMESH, Israel (AP) — A shy 8-year-old schoolgirl has unwittingly found herself on the front line of Israel’s latest religious war. Naama Margolese is a ponytailed, bespectacled second-grader who is afraid of walking to her religious Jewish girls school for fear of ultra-Orthodox extremists who have spat on her and called her a whore for dressing “immodestly.” Her plight … Read More

Israel Puts Adolf Eichmann Items on Display

JERUSALEM (AP) — Fifty years after Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann was convicted in an epic trial that helped shape Israel’s national psyche, the Israeli parliament on Monday put on display for the first time dozens of artifacts from the daring 1960 operation in Argentina that captured the Nazi criminal. The gripping public testimony during the trial by more than 100 … Read More

Israel leader sets Likud Party primary for January

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a snap leadership primary in his Likud Party Monday, raising the possibility of an early general election next year. The gambit reflected the confidence of a leader who — while at loggerheads with the Palestinians, a region in turmoil and much of the world — is riding high, for now, at … Read More

Lost cousins unite thanks to Holocaust database

JERUSALEM—For five long years during World War II, Nahum Korenblum never left the side of his younger brother Yaakov as the two fled the Nazi invasion of Poland, escaped forced labor camps across Europe and ultimately joined the Soviet Red Army. There, they were separated and dispatched abroad, never to meet again. On Thursday, more than a decade after they … Read More

AP exclusive: Jewish ex-players join Israel’s WBC bid

JERUSALEM — Three Jewish former major leaguers have joined Israel’s bid for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, a move that could transform the baseball backwater into a legitimate contender. Shawn Green, Brad Ausmus and Gabe Kapler met this week in Los Angeles with Israeli baseball officials and committed to helping Israel field a competitive team in next year’s WBC qualifying … Read More

Israeli women’s basketball league cancels season

JERUSALEM — The Israeli women’s basketball league canceled its entire season after local players went on strike to protest a new rule giving more playing opportunities to foreigners. The decision leaves several top WNBA players out of work. This is the first time in the league’s 54-year history that a whole season has been scrapped. Israel has one of Europe’s … Read More

Israeli ‘Price Tag’ Comes at High Cost

Extremist Israelis have been damaging Palestinian property in a practice called price tag– a response to perceived Israeli government actions against the settlements. Officials fear the extreme measures could escalate violence. The AP’s Aron Heller reports from Kiryat Arba, West Bank. [url href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTbu1vX-RMI&feature=youtu.be” content=”Watch the Video” target=external]

Freed Israeli Soldier Back Home

The hometown of Israeli soldier Sgt. Gilad Schalit is excited about his release. Israel freed 477 prisoners Tuesday in exchange for Schalit, who had been held by Palestinian militants for more than five years. The AP’s Aron Heller reports for KFWB Radio (Los Angeles) from Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel. [url href=”http://aronheller.com/articles/israeli-soldier-emerges-from-5-years-of-captivity/”] [url href=”http://audioboo.fm/boos/510632-schalit-q-a-on-kfwb-in-la” content=”Listen to Report” target=external]

Freed Israeli Soldier Back Home

The Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, who was freed in a prisoner swap with Hamas, has returned home. The AP’s Aron Heller reports from his hometown of Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel. [url href=”http://aronheller.com/articles/israeli-soldier-emerges-from-5-years-of-captivity/”] [url href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXiTdLcqnrM&feature=share” content=”Watch the Video” target=external]

Israel Excited About Captured Soldier’s Return

The hometown of Israeli soldier Sgt. Gilad Schalit is excited about his release. Israel freed 477 prisoners Tuesday in exchange for Schalit, who had been held by Palestinian militants for more than five years. The AP’s Aron Heller reports from Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel. [url href=”http://aronheller.com/articles/israeli-soldier-emerges-from-5-years-of-captivity/”] [url href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDRuUI2RAkk&feature=share” content=”Watch the Video” target=external]

Israeli soldier emerges from 5 years of captivity

MITZPE HILA, Israel (AP) — Gaunt and pale, Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit returned home Tuesday after more than five years in captivity, freed in a lopsided exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners that could greatly complicate Mideast peace prospects and strengthen the Islamic militant Hamas. The swap set off massive celebrations in Israel and the Palestinian territories, where crowds in … Read More

Euphoria mixed with anxiety in Israel over swap

JERUSALEM (AP) _ Israeli euphoria over a deal to free a soldier held for five years by Hamas gave way Wednesday to growing anxiety that the swap for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, some of them convicted of murder, could lead to new violence. When Israelis first got word Tuesday night of the deal to free Sgt. Gilad Schalit, they erupted in … Read More

Israel, Hamas announce swap for captured soldier

JERUSALEM (AP) _ In a much-anticipated prisoner exchange that could have broad implications, Israel and Hamas on Tuesday announced that an Israeli soldier abducted to Gaza five years ago would be swapped for about 1,000 Palestinians held by Israel and accused of militant activity. Israel’s government approved the deal early Wednesday following a three-hour debate after both Israeli Prime Minister … Read More

Israel, Hamas Announce Swap for Captured Soldier

Israel and Hamas say Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier abducted 5 years ago, will be swapped for about 1,000 Palestinians held by Israel. The AP’s Aron Heller reports from outside the Israeli Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem as Cabinet members approved a deal. [url href=”http://aronheller.com/articles/israel-hamas-announce-swap-for-captured-soldier/”] [url href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwQdE9aLElA&feature=youtu.be” content=”Watch the Video” target=external]