Donald Trump is bringing his luxury real estate and outspoken charm to Israel. Well, at least his luxury real estate! The mogul plans to build a golf course resort in Ashkelon, a seaport city on the Mediterranean coast 13 kilometers north of the Gaza Strip border. Trump is hoping to build an 18-hole course, 650 hotel recreation units, a convention hall and country club on the 210-acre site adjacent to the Nitzanim Nature Reserve. With Caesarea Golf & Country Club being Israel’s only full course, it is …More

The ceasefire that ended Israel’s November operation in Gaza has been broken, with Palestinian terrorists firing a long-range Grad rocket into southern Israel. The rocket struck the industrial zone of Ashkelon Tuesday morning, causing some damage but no injuries. The al-Aksa Martyrs' Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah Party, has claimed responsibility for the attack, which it allegedly launched in response to the death of Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jaradat on February 23. The belief that Jaradat was …More

A teenager from Los Angeles proved his mensch status recently, donating his bar mitzvah money to purchase two ambulances for an Israeli city. Robert Leeds, 13, was inspired after the city of Sacramento became a “sister city” with Ashkelon in the Jewish state last year. In turn, Robert started a fundraising drive to coincide with his bar mitzvah, asking for donations instead of gifts. In total, Robert raised $200,000. The ambulances were donated during a ceremony earlier this month, with help from …More

The recent violence between Gaza and Israel did not discourage 30 farmers from the Gaza strip from joining with their Israeli peers last week. Farmers from both sides of the border took advantage of a chance to learn from one another about agricultural techniques and produce exports at an agricultural expo held by the Ashkelon Regional Council. Uri Madar, a representative of the agriculture department of the Regional Council, pointed out the two groups of farmers had much in common. "There are various parasites …More

Israel has installed a natural gas tower, the nation’s most aggressive stride toward energy self-sufficiency in history. The tower was inaugurated in a ceremony Friday, but will not receive gas until this spring. The tower is taller than Israel’s highest building and is located near Ashkelon. Construction of the tower created high-paying jobs for dozens of Israelis, and the prospect of future self-sufficient energy plans could create even more. "Natural gas will not only make electricity production …More

Israeli officials are doing their part to spread the word on what it’s like for Jewish residents living in the rocket-ravaged south. President Shimon Peres is posting first person accounts to his Facebook page, with a post today outlining the story of a young child from Omer, Gal, who said, “I can’t go out to play football, I can’t meet friends and I’m scared even to go to school.” Residents in southern Israeli towns like Ashdod, Sderot and Ashkelon face near daily missiles …More

What young American Jews talk about when they talk about Israel. [Haaretz] A Canadian lawmaker calls for recognition of Jewish refugees. [WJC] A suspect in the Jewish grave desecration in New Zealand confesses. [New Zealand Herald] And three teens have been arrested in connection with last month's Jewish cemetery vandalism in Hartford. [Middletown Press] An Irish-Jewish food dynasty thrives in Oregon. [Forward] Could the BBC have done more to help Hungarian Jews? [BBC] Why Jewish cooks should say "No" to …More

More than 70 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza since midnight last evening, a massive escalation from already increased attacks over the weekend. The Israeli Air Force launched retaliation strikes today, targeting terrorist cells and rocket launching sites. School was cancelled Wednesday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged those near the border to stay within seconds of protective bomb shelters, as he vowed to defend the Israeli people against the continuing onslaught. “It was not …More

“It is not about winning or losing, scoring goals or championships, it’s about growing the sport of lacrosse, and sharing the experiences I had with others, and giving others the joy of experiencing the game.” That was the first thing Evan Goldstein said to Jspace about being part of the Israeli Lacrosse Team. Goldstein, an striker and native New Yorker, first started playing in the ninth grade in Queens, but he has since traveled all over in love with the game. “I was very lucky to be …More

Sacramento’s city council voted unanimously to make Ashkelon a sister city last night, despite heated opposition from pro-Palestinian and leftist Jewish groups. In the weeks leading up to the decision, advocates on both sides made headlines, as the California community waited to see the outcome. Opponents to the pairing claimed sistering with Ashkelon would be discriminatory, as Palestinians could not enter the city. In fact, Palestinians are able to enter Ashkelon--to visit, work or study--after acquiring …More

Rabbi Reuven Taff leads Sacramento’s Mosaic Law Congregation. The Rev. Victor Styrsky is a regional coordinator for Christians United for Israel. Both reside in Sacramento, California. Regardless of the outcome of the Sacramento City Council vote on extending sister-city status to Ashkelon, Israel, the unnecessary controversy leading up to it reveals much of the agenda of those in the anti-Israel community. Those lessons will remain long after this week's vote, which we hope is in favor of the …More

A debate on whether or not Sacramento should become “sister cities” with Ashkelon promises to draw major crowds during a vote on Tuesday. The California capital’s council members will decide the matter, which has caused a heated back and forth on the merits of the proposal. The process of becoming twinned with a foreign city is typically a show of support and friendship, and is a common occurrence both in the US and abroad. Three years ago, Sacramento became “sisters” with …More