US envoy says full UN membership won’t help Palestinians with statehood
Seoul, South Korea Reuters US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday she did not see a UN resolution recommending the Palestinian Authority become a full UN member helping lead to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks during a press conference at […]
Pope says two-state solution needed for Israel-Palestine, announces he will attend COP28
Vatican CityReuters Pope Francis said on Wednesday a two-state solution was needed for Israel and Palestine in order to put an end to wars such as the current one and called for a special status for Jerusalem. Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, on 25th October, 2023. […]
After Quran burnings, UN rights body calls for more action to combat religious hatred
Geneva, Switzerland AP The UN’s top human rights body overwhelmingly approved a measure calling on countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of Quran burnings in Europe, over the objections of Western countries who fear tougher steps by governments could trample freedom of expression. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker […]
Israeli troops and drones hit Jenin in major West Bank operation
Jenin, West Bank Reuters Israeli forces hit the city of Jenin with drone strikes on Monday in one of the biggest West Bank operations in 20 years, killing at least eight Palestinians and involving hundreds of troops in sporadic gun battles that continued into the evening. Gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the day as […]
United States planning to rejoin UNESCO organisation – announcement
Paris, FranceReuters The United States plans to rejoin the UNESCO organisation from this July onwards, UNESCO announced on Monday. The United States withdrew from the UN cultural agency in December, 2018, under President Donald Trump over accusations of anti-Israel bias and mismanagement. The UNESCO logo is seen during the opening of the 39th session of […]
THE INTERVIEW: UNITED THROUGH GRIEF, TWO FATHERS – BASSAM ARAMIN AND RAMI ELHANAN – SHARE THEIR HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
JONATHAN HAROUNOFF, writing for Religion News Service, interviews two men – Rami Elhanan, an Israeli Jew, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian Muslim – whose story forms the heart of award-winning author Colum McCann’s anticipated new novel, ‘Apeirogon’…
DEAD SEA SCROLLS: SEARCH FOR UNDISCOVERED DOCUMENTS REVEALS DISPUTE OVER WEST BANK ARTIFACTS
MICHELE CHABIN, of Religion News Service, reports from Jerusalem on the vexed issue of who owns new archaeological finds…
World and European Baptist leaders issue statement expressing concern over Gaza violence
Leaders of the Baptist World Alliance and the European Baptist Federation have issued a joint statement expressing “grave concern” over the violence in Gaza last week. Almost 60 Palestinians were killed and hundreds more injured when Israeli soldiers fired into protestors who had massed on the Gaza border early last week. The UN Human Rights Council […]
ESSAY: NEW US POLICY TOWARD JERUSALEM WILL ADVANCE PEACE IN THE REGION
In an article first published on Religion News Service, JOHN HAGEE, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, argues that the US move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a step forward in bringing peace to the region…
MIDDLE EAST: IN CHRIST’S BIRTHPLACE, OLIVE WOOD ARTISANS CARRY ON A HOLY LAND TRADITION
MICHELE CHABIN, of Religion News Service, reports from Bethlehem on how Christian families are involved in carrying on an ancient work practice in the birthplace of Christ…