CIA head John Brennan landed in Israel Thursday to discuss the Syrian conflict and Iran’s nuclear proliferation. During the visit, Brennan met with heads of security and defense in the Jewish state, including Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon at army headquarters in Tel Aviv. The pair briefed one another on intelligence regarding chemical weaponry in Syria, specifically steps taken to prevent weapon spillover to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The surprise meetings come just days after Israel allegedly struck …More

Israeli leaders and groups around the world marked the 68th anniversary of VE Day yesterday, a commemoration of Nazi Germany’s surrender. Each year, the anniversary is marked in the Jewish state by parades and celebrations, where Jewish vets come out to remember the victory. “I call on you, young people standing here today: Look toward these fighters, look into their eyes and know that they are role models,” Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said yesterday at one such rally. Hundreds marched in the …More

The world’s largest and most expensive Jewish Museum opened to great fanfare in Russia late last year. And although it has only been open for less than six months, the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow has become a must-see for any visitors to the Russian capital. A high profile project, its construction cost around $50 million, to which Russian President Vladimir Putin donated a month’s wages. Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was born in what is now Belarus, flew to Moscow for the …More

While Israel celebrates its 65th birthday today with Yom Ha’atzmaut, world leaders came out to offer a giant mazel tov on this milestone anniversary. "As Israelis celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, the American people join me in applauding the remarkable Israeli achievements over the past six and a half decades,” said President Barack Obama. “The United States stood together with the State of Israel at its founding, and we will stand together with you always.” Democratic leader Nancy …More

Alex Traiman, JNS.org Israel recently crossed a major energy milestone when the daily supply of natural gas began flowing from the Tamar offshore reserve—gas that is expected to power Israel’s electricity production for the coming decades. But while the domestic use of Israel's natural gas makes the country less dependent on foreign energy than ever before, it is the export of natural gas that has the potential to boost Israel’s economy and change Israel’s strategic position in the global …More

Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to return a disputed Jewish archive to the United States last week, claiming that doing so would “open a Pandora’s box.” "The Schneerson Collection belongs to Russia," Putin said of the texts held in Russian libraries and archives, some of which were confiscated by the Soviet Union from Nazi forces during WWII. Putin believes that according to Russian law, the disputed Schneerson Library does not belong to any religious group and is the property of the …More

Putin's idea to house Jewish collections rejected. [WSJ] Jewish community clusters in the UK revealed through census. [JC] A gay principal in Australia settles with Jewish day school over dismissal. [Haaretz] Australian Jews are being accused of dual loyalty. [Arutz Sheva] Are French Jews making an exodus to the UK over growing anti-Semitism? [JC] The US is pressing Mahmoud Abbas to steer clear of Hamas. [Jewish Press] A closer look at Mrs. Michael Oren. [Atlantic] Judaism's ultimate food fight: latke …More

International leaders have warned Syria against employing chemical weapons in its ongoing civil war, after US satellite imagery showed regime forces moving chemical weapons into strategic positions in preparation for use. Syrian leaders have denied any intentions towards chemical warfare. Syria’s 20-month-long conflict has killed more than 30,000 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. International concern has recently been sparked, as President Bashar al-Assad is believed to have …More

Israeli President Shimon Peres helped unveil a new Jewish museum in Russia, while he was in the nation for diplomatic talks with Vladimir Putin. The Jewish Museum and Center of Tolerance takes up nearly 28,000 square feet of space and features both permanent and rotating exhibits. The museum is the result of years of effort from local Jewish communities, donors and Russian leaders. An opening ceremony today was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as spiritual leaders. “The museum …More

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it didn’t take long for international Jewish groups to rush into Russia and begin rebuilding institutions of Jewish life that had been destroyed under generations of communist repression. In the two decades since, Russian Jewry has undergone a remarkable revival, and Diaspora Jewish institutions from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to the Jewish Agency for Israel to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement have been there every step of the way. But with the …More

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that Moscow already has recognized a Palestinian state. "We [recognized Palestine] 25 years ago, and our position has not changed," Putin told Abbas on Tuesday during a visit to Ramallah, the Times of Israel reported. "Palestinian leadership, and the president personally, have been behaving responsibly to achieve peace based on the two-state solution," Putin reportedly said. U.S. government officials have urged Abbas repeatedly …More

Alan Dershowitz accuses Iran's VP of declaring war on Israel, following a speech in which the veep systematically blamed the Jewish state for the world's drug problem. [News Max] Muslims and Jews join together on a court ruling against circumcision. [Telegraph] A tribute to Nora Ephron in the wake of her death. [Forward] The AJC urges reform in Israel's chief rabbinate. [AJC] A Hebrew charter school in New Jersey loses its federal grant. [New Jersey Jewish News] A Hamas mastermind behind a slew of suicide …More