Israeli Police Arrest Rabbi Over Wedding Ceremonies

The Associated Press Jul 19, 2018 Detained for performing nuptials without authorization of the country’s Orthodox rabbis, his case prompts opposition lawmakers to denounce the arrest as a violation of religious freedom. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Holy Land Has Nearly Equal Numbers of Arabs, Jews

ARON HELLER / The Associated Press Mar 27, 2018 A demographic expert estimates that there are about 6.9 million Jews and 6.5 million Arabs in the area—figures that have sparked outrage among nationalist lawmakers. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Ultra-Orthodox Man Stabs Six at Jerusalem Gay Pride March

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Jul 31, 2015 The assailant had recently been released from prison after serving 10 years for stabbing three people at a gay pride parade in 2005, according to police. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Orthodox Paper Erases Female Leaders From Paris March Photo

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Jan 15, 2015 Remember that beautiful, historic photo of world leaders linking arms and marching through Paris to support free speech? The Israeli newspaper HaMevaser decided it would look better without women. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Massive Protest by Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Against Conscription

Juan Cole / Truthdig Mar 3, 2014 Israel’s Haredim, an Eastern European branch of Judaism emphasizing strict religious adherence, were a tiny minority at Israel’s founding in 1948 and were given an exemption from conscription. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israeli Segregation à la Rosa Parks

Staff / Truthdig Dec 19, 2011 An Israeli woman is relegated to the back of the bus by a group of Orthodox Jews; New York celebs party with the Occupiers; and studying fish may be the key to understanding why uninformed voters are a necessary evil in our democracy. These discoveries and more after the jump. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

New York’s Paladino Hates on Gays

Staff / Truthdig Oct 11, 2010 Carl Paladino has made a joke of the New York governor's race, but on Sunday the tea party candidate showed he could be hateful as well Speaking to a group of Orthodox Jews just days after it was reported that two teenagers and an adult were tortured nearby in the Bronx for being gay, Paladino said children should not be "brainwashed" into thinking homosexuality is "equally valid" (continued). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Brown v. the Board of WTF

Staff / Truthdig Jun 17, 2010 Tens of thousands of dark-suited ultra-Orthodox protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Bnei Brak on Thursday, angry at the arrest of parents who refused a court order requiring their children of European ancestry to go to school with Jewish children of Middle Eastern ancestry. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Abracadabra! Orthodoxy

Staff / Truthdig Apr 3, 2009 An obvious Photoshop job in Israel has hilariously tried to make Israel's inaugural Cabinet a bit more Orthodox. In one ultra-Orthodox Jewish newspaper, two female Cabinet members were cropped out of an official picture and replaced with two non-Cabinet men. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel’s Version of Pat Robertson

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2008 A member of Israel's parliament has an unusual explanation for the recent spate of earthquakes in his country: It's the gays! Specifically, says Orthodox lawmaker Shlomo Benizri, the Israeli government's acceptance of and tolerance toward homosexuals have incurred God's wrath in the form of tectonic rumblers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Plot Against Gay Pride March in Israel Alleged

Staff / Truthdig Jun 22, 2007 A man has been arrested in Jerusalem on a charge of attempting to bomb a gay pride march through the city. The Israeli supreme court recently overturned a ban on the parade, sparking violent protests from religious groups. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )