יום שני, 22 יוני 2026Monday, June 22, 2026
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יום שני, ז׳ תמוז תשפ״וMonday, June 22, 2026
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Solomon Burke

Solomon Burke is a regular contributor to JewishPress.com

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Israel / News Briefs

IDF to Test Missile Attack Alert System on Mobile Phones

By Solomon Burke

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday began a week-long drill of a text-message warning system that sends alerts to cellphones about imminent missile attacks in particular areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "All of the threats that are currently being directed against the Israeli home front pale against a particular threat, different in scope, different in substance, and therefore I reiterate that Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons."

Israel / Middle East / Levant

Muslim Brotherhood Accuses Mossad of Masterminding Deadly Sinai Border Attack

By Solomon Burke

The Islamic movement to which newly-elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi belongs, released a statement on Monday claiming the Sinai border attack that left 16 Egyptian security officers dead “could be attributed to the Mossad," according to Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Israel / Middle East / Levant

Egyptian Military Pledges to Hunt Down 'Infidels' After Sinai Border Attack

By Solomon Burke

Egypt deploys helicopter gunships to the Sinai peninsula after President Mohamed Mursi directed the military to take “complete control” of the Sinai. Israel Defense Minister Ehud barak: "I hope that this will be a wakeup call for Egypt regarding the necessity to be sharp and efficient on their side."

Global / Media

NY Court: MTA Violated Pro-Israel Group's 1st Amendment Rights in Rejecting Ad Campaign

By Solomon Burke

The ad states: “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.” The MTA refused to run it.

US / Religion

ADL Criticizes Anti-Abortion Center's Western Wall Motif

By Solomon Burke

The wall will be fronted with 60 white cross "that symbolize the 60 million little baby boys and girls have been murdered since 1973 in America alone."

Israel / Global

IDF Intelligence Chief: 10+ Terror Attacks Blocked; Assad's Days Numbered

By Solomon Burke

In a briefing before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said that the election of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi as President of Egypt has brought political Islam to the forefront of politics in the Arab world, but predicted that the Egyptian military would continue to serve as a strong restraint. As a result, he doubted that Egypt would be allowed to drift into Iran's orbit.

Book Reviews

Baseless Hatred: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

By Solomon Burke

Baseless Hatred: What It Is and What You Can Do About It, a new book by Dr. Rene Levy, tackles a problem that has plagued the Jewish people from very early on in their history; the destructive aspects of which have been responsible for some of their greatest historical calamities and continue to threaten the unity of the Jewish people today.

Israel / Eye on "Palestine" / Global

BDS Campaign Against Caterpillar Stymied by the Truth and the Palestinian Authority

By Solomon Burke

Caterpillar issued a stinging rebuke of the accusations, and it was revealed that the Palestinian Authority recently bought Caterpillar equipment.

Israel / US

Florida DNC Member Resigns over Leaked Anti-Israel Emails

By Solomon Burke

Evelyn Garcia: "I deeply resent U.S. taxpayer funds being used to continue Israeli aggression, (yes, confiscating other peoples' land and building illegal settlements is aggression), not to mention ‘incursions’ that kill PEOPLE, destroy civilian homes and infrastructure all over, mass concentration prison camps, etc, etc, etc.”

IDF & Security

IDF Develops Tunnel Detection Technology; Expert: Retaking Philadelphi Corridor Now an Option

By Solomon Burke

The system, dubbed “Strong Number”, has been developed under the aegis of the IDF Ground Forces Technology Division, and has been successfully tested by the IDF near the Gaza border over the last few months. The technology would allow Israel to counter the smuggling operations on the narrow strip of land situated along the border between Gaza Strip and Egypt. Dr. Aaron Lerner: "This means a dramatic shift in the equation."

Middle East / Levant / Global / News Briefs

Iran's 'Great Prophet' Military Drill: A Display of the Obsolete?

By Solomon Burke

Iran's current three-day military drill, understood as a thinly-veiled and defiant response to the newest round of EU sanctions on its petroleum industry, is intended to demonstrate Iran's ability to retaliate to a US or Israeli attack. But the maneuvers may be having the opposite effect, as more experts are coming to the conclusion that Iran's incessant sabre-rattling and bellicosity seek to mask the obsolete and impotent state of its armed forces.

IDF & Security / Religious & Secular in Israel / Religion

Haredi Draft Proposal Offers Few Sticks, Many Carrots

By Solomon Burke

The Plesner Committee, tasked with crafting an alternative to the Tal Law for haredi service in Israel, is reportedly drafting a proposal which would defer the enlistment of haredi men till age 22, offer financial incentives to yeshivot that have younger enlistment rates, and begin to levy economic sanctions on haredim who don't enlist by age 23.

Israel / Eye on "Palestine"

PA, EU, and UN Affiliated Orgs Sponsor Hate-Filled Programs For Palestinian Youth

By Solomon Burke

In the wake of Israel's transferal last week of the remains of 91 terrorists to the Palestinian Authority, PA TV used its youth programming as a platform to lionize the terrorists as "the greatest role models." Palestinian Media Watch reported that the program, called Speak Up, is co-produced by PA TV and PYALARA, a youth-focused NGO funded in part by the EU.

US

Romney Gaining Momentum As Obama Struggles

By Solomon Burke

A week of setbacks for President Obama has the GOP excited about Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's chances to emerge victorious in November. Rasmussen's most recent poll has Romney leading Obama by one percentage point, which represents a five point swing from May 20, when Obama led Romney, 47%-43%.

IDF & Security / Global

Israel Defense Industry To Display Cutting-Edge Innovations at Paris Military Exhibition

By Solomon Burke

Among the innovations that will be showcased are hand-held through-the-wall radars, mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), robots, and frequency-hopping radios. The exhibition will take place from June 11th-15th, and will include over 1,400 exhibitors from around the globe.

Israel / Global

IDF Preparing for Conflict in Lebanon

By Solomon Burke

IDF Col. Shmulik Olensky: “A flare-up in Lebanon can occur at any time. Therefore we are preparing as much as possible, with unique plans, improved models, and joint training.”

Israel / US / Global

US Planning for Additional Sanctions on Iran in the Summer

By Solomon Burke

US undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence David Cohen, visiting Israel to coordinate sanctions policy with senior Israeli security, discussed plans to impose additional sanctions on Iran in the summer. In an interview with Haaretz, Cohen said: “If we don't get a breakthrough in Moscow there is no question we will continue to ratchet up the pressure."

Israel / Global

Israelis Among 'Most Satisfied' in Developed World

By Solomon Burke

In a recent survey of the OECD's 34 countries, Israel ranked sixth in 'life satisfaction.' Israelis are also among the healthiest in the developed world, with a low obesity rate (13.8%) and an average life expectancy of nearly 82 years.

Global

Iran Rejects US, UN, Proposal to Resolve Nuclear Impasse

By Solomon Burke

Iranian officials and media painted the six-nation bloc as the source of intransigence and focused its ire specifically at America. "We believe the reason they are not able to reach a result is America. The P5+1 came to Baghdad without a clear mandate so we think the atmosphere is difficult," an Iranian delegate told Reuters.

Middle East / Levant

Egyptian Presidential Candidates Agree: Time to End Egypt's 'Subordinated' Relation with US

By Solomon Burke

In anticipation of the historic Presidential elections being held today, the Egyptian Independent offered a survey of the foreign policy platforms of the candidates. Despite their differences, they speak in one voice about the need to restore Egypt to its rightful place of primacy in the Arab world and their hostility towards Israel.

Israel / Global / News Briefs

Israel Denies Reports it is Seeking to Deploy 20,000 Troops to Cyprus

By Solomon Burke

Anatolia News Agency cited a Cypriot official as saying that Netanyahu offered to build a gas terminal for Cyprus on condition that all 10,000 construction workers be Israeli citizens and that 20,000 Israeli "commandos" be deployed to protect the workers and the terminal.

Israel / Global / Olympics 2012

Deputy FM: Intl Olympic Committee's Rejection of Minute of Silence for Slain Athletes 'Unacceptable'

By Solomon Burke

Danny Ayalon: Denial of request to hold a minute silence during the upcoming London Olympic Games in memory of the 11 Israeli Olympic team members murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics tells "Israelis that this tragedy is yours alone and not a tragedy within the family of nations."

Israel / US / Global

Bombing Victims' Win $323 Mil. from Syria, Ramsey Clark Calls Suit 'Baseless'

By Solomon Burke

The family of Daniel Wultz, 16, a Florida resident who was killed in a Palestinian suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv won a $323 million judgment in a U.S. court against Iran and Syria. Attorney Darshan-Leitner said the Syrian government's aircraft, ships and corporations can be impounded to force Syria to comply with the court's ruling.

Politics / The Knesset / Religious & Secular in Israel

Coalition Grumblings: Political Posturing or First Signs of Splintering?

By Solomon Burke

The intensifying focus on legislating an alternative to the Tal Law has the ultra-Orthodox parties in the Likud-led coalition defensive yet intractable. Shas and UTJ - representing 15 seats in the government - have declared that they will not participate in the coalition committee on finding an alternative.

Israel / Global

Muslim Brotherhood: 'The Capital of the United States of the Arabs Will be Jerusalem'

By Solomon Burke

Cleric Safwat Higazi: "Our capital shall not be Cairo, Mecca, or Medina. It shall be Jerusalem, Allah willing. Our cry shall be: 'Millions of martyrs march toward Jerusalem! Millions of martyrs march toward Jerusalem!"

The Knesset

Exclusive: New Yorker Gideon Ariel Running Against Netanyahu for President of Likud Convention

By Solomon Burke

UPDATE: About 100 Likud Central Committee members have been refused entrance into the hall where the vote on the next President of the Likud convention is to be held. Police say the Exhibition Gardens hall in north Tel Aviv is too small for the number of committee members who are entitled to come in and vote.

Jewish / Global

Report: 'Sustained, Ongoing Undercurrent of Anti-Jewish Bias in Canada'

By Solomon Burke

Despite a drop of 0.7% in antisemitic incidents in 2011 over the previous year, the gravity of the problem in Canada is better understood by observing long-term trends: antisemitic incidents have grown twenty-fold since B'nai Brith started monitoring antisemitism thirty years ago, while a five-year view shows a 24.6% rise.

Eye on "Palestine"

Palestinian Authority Celebrates PLO Arch-Terrorist Abu Jihad

By Solomon Burke

According to information compiled by Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), the PA's week-long celebration of Abu Jihad's life and Israeli deaths included the broadcast of several documentaries on his life and successful "operations," the commencement of six sporting events named in his honor, and the publication of news pieces spotlighting and glorifying his exploits.

Israel

Chevra Kadisha Forum Says Ministry's Plans for Mass Burials 'Problematic'

By Solomon Burke

The Chevra Kadisha Forum, in a letter to Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, challenged the Interior Ministry's plan, which mandates temporary burial in coffins at temporary cemeteries as well as the option of transferring bodies to cooling facilities until they can be identified and final resting places can be arranged.

Israel

Rumors Swirl In Israel About Possible Early Elections

By Solomon Burke

In the wake of comments made yesterday by FM Avigdor Liberman, in which he suggested that Yisrael Beytenu may withdraw from the government if it fails to implement an alternative to the Tal Law, PM Binyamin Netanyahu said he refused to be "a victim of extortion by coalition partners."

IDF & Security / US

Report: House Armed Services Committee Proposes Additional $680 Million for Iron Dome

By Solomon Burke

The Washington Post quoted a Republican congressional aide as saying that the House Armed Services Committee will propose the increase when it convenes next week to formulate the 2013 fiscal year's defense budget. There are currently four operational and actively deployed Iron Dome batteries in Israel, but "at least ten" are needed to defend the whole country.

Israel

2,300 Palestinian Prisoners Begin Hunger Strike

By Solomon Burke

"Palestinian Prisoner's day" is the latest attempt to load the Palestinian calendar with days of mass mobilization and action, with the higher aim of embarrassing Israel and pressuring it to make concessions. Among the demands being made are an end to administrative detention and access to newspapers and more television channels.

Israel

Deadline for Evacuation of Hebron House Passes Without Implementation

By Solomon Burke

Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Defense Ministry have remained silent in the few hours since the ministry reiterated that the deadline was still in effect.

Israel / US

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in Israel for First Official Visit

By Solomon Burke

Gov. Christie, who is visiting with his family and a delegation of leaders from the business and religious sectors, told the Prime Minister that “this is my first visit abroad as Governor and there was never any question of where we would come first, so I’m glad we did.”

Israel

Recently Settled Hebron House Receives Eviction Order from IDF

By Solomon Burke

UPDATE: Hebron house resident to Jewish Press: "Baruch Hashem, we will live in this house for a long time to come." Eviction order states that the families must evacuate the premises by 3:00 PM on Tuesday, on the grounds that their presence disrupts public order.

Israel / Global

Israel, Greece Conduct Joint Naval Exercise in Mediterranean, Increasing Tensions with Turkey

By Solomon Burke

The drill, called "Noble Dina", will continue through April 5, and will also include the U.S. Sixth Fleet. It is aimed at simulating submarine combat, airborne dogfights, as well as coordinating the defense of offshore natural gas platforms.

Israel

Netanyahu Meets with Gilad Shalit, Parents as Holiday of Liberation Approaches

By Solomon Burke

PM Binyamin Netanyahu: Gilad "looking very well and it is evident that you are coming back to life. This year the holiday of liberation gets a special meaning. From slavery to freedom; from darkness to light."

Global

Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Former 'Spiritual Advisor' to President Obama, Now Advisor to Global March to Jerusalem

By Solomon Burke

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, George Galloway,Sheikh Raed Salah, and former 'spiritual advisor' to President Obama Reverend Jeremiah Wright, have all volunteered their moral (and no doubt other forms) of support to ensure the success of the 'march', which is set for March 30th.

News Extra

Report: 65% of Jewish Israelis Say Strike on Iran's Nuke Program Less Dangerous than Nuclear Iran

By Solomon Burke

60% of Jewish Israelis also agreed with the statement that only military force could halt Iran's nuclear program, while 37% disagreed; and when asked if they believed that Israel's home front will suffer equally whether it is Israel that attacks Iran or the United States, 63% answered in the affirmative.

Israel / Global

Israel Cuts Contacts with UN Human Rights Council

By Solomon Burke

Israel has officially decided to end all contact and cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council and will not permit the entry of the Council's 'fact-finding' observers, after passage of a resolution calling for a probe of Israel's conduct in Judea and Samaria.

Israel

Iron Dome Deployed in Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area

By Solomon Burke

There are currently three operational and actively deployed batteries, which are meant for deployment in the south of Israel, while the fourth battery is expected to become fully operational next week, and is intended for the Tel Aviv area.

Israel

High Court: Obeying the Law Not Enough to Establish Jewish Ownership in Judea and Samaria

By Solomon Burke

An aide to National Union MK Jacob Katz "Katzele" told the Jewish Press that many nationalist Knesset members are concerned that "the Supreme Court is trying to change the meaning of the Ottoman Law itself, instead of asking the Israeli government to pass its own version."

Israel / Middle East / Levant / Global

Global March to Jerusalem Organizer Can't Answer Radio Host Aaron Klein's $50,000 Question

By Solomon Burke

Klein was discussing the upcoming Global March to Jerusalem, which seeks to breach Israel's borders while "confirming that the policies and practices of the racist Zionist state of Israel against Jerusalem and its people are a crime not only against Palestinians but against all humanity.”

Global / News Briefs

Gunman in French Jewish School Shooting Entered School Grounds, Used Multiple Firearms

By Solomon Burke

A local prosecutor told AFP that the gunman shot a man outside the school, initially using a 9-mm weapon. After it jammed, he switched to a .45-caliber weapon and entered the school grounds, where "he shot at everything he could see, children and adults, and some children were chased into the school."

US

Poll: 78% of Republicans Support Israel versus 53% of Democrats

By Solomon Burke

The Republican Jewish Coalition: "Over the last dozen years of Gallup polling on this question, there has been a clear trend: Republican support for Israel has risen steadily, moving from 60% to a high of 85%, while Democrat support has been relatively flat, at around 50%."

Israel

PM Netanyahu: 'Gaza is Iran's Forward Position'

By Solomon Burke

Netanyahu was speaking at a special Knesset session, called after 40 MKs signed a bill requiring the prime minister to give an accounting to the legislature.

Global

Report: US Conveys Iran Ultimatum via Russia - Cooperate or Face Military Confrontation This Year

By Solomon Burke

Russian diplomat: 'The invasion will happen before year’s end. The Israelis are in effect blackmailing Obama. They’ve put him in this interesting position - either he supports the war or loses the support of the Jewish lobby.'

US

Reuters Poll: Majority of Americans Back Strike Against Iran, Even if Gas Prices Were to Rise

By Solomon Burke

In response to the question of whether they would back US military action if it meant an increase in gasoline prices, a majority -53%- still expressed support for military action, while 42% said they would not.

Global

Report: India Has Evidence of Iranian Responsibility in Last Month's Terror Attack on Israeli Diplomat

By Solomon Burke

Yaakov Amidror's visit comes after Indian authorities arrested Iranian freelance journalist Mohammed Ahmed Kazmi's last week on suspicion of links to the bombing of an Israeli diplomat's vehicle.

Jewish / NY

Modern-Day Miracle? Williamsburg Anti-Religion Billboard Doesn't Hang on Purim

By Solomon Burke

David Silverman, president of American Atheists, responds angrily: “The Jews have stopped the billboard. It’s really ugly bigotry. As a former Jew, it’s repugnant to see Jews act like this.”

US

Anti-Semitic Vandalism Follows Soon After UPenn's Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Conference

By Solomon Burke

Two Philadelphia universities - the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University - have reported being victims of anti-Semitic hate crimes in the wake of the hate-fest known as Israel Apartheid Week that recently took place across North America

Global

Sen. McCain Urges US to Take Lead in Airstrikes Against Assad Regime

By Solomon Burke

The Senator's position is in stark contrast to the current policy of the Obama administration, which seeks to solve the year-old crisis through diplomatic isolation and a sanctions regime intended to prod Assad into stepping down.

Religious & Secular in Israel

Leftist Campaign Against Purim Hits the Web

By Solomon Burke

The internet pamphlet plays on a popular Purim greeting, 'sameach u'mevadech' [happy and humorous], and asks rhetorically if people really know what Purim is about.

Israel / Global

In The Aftermath of Attacks on Israeli Targets...

By Solomon Burke

Malaysia will extradite Iranian suspected of involvement in attempted bombing in Thailand; Report reveals that Mossad chief visited New Delhi days before the attack on the Israeli diplomatic vehicle and lauded India as a safe destination for Israelis; Israel's envoy to the UN has lodged a complaint, blaming Iran and Hizbollah for the week-long terror campaign.

Global

Latest Developments on Bomb Attack in India, Failed Attack in Thailand

By Solomon Burke

Israeli diplomat's wife in serious but stable condition after Monday's bomb attack on her car in New Delhi, while an Iranian man blew off his legs Tuesday in a failed bomb attack in Bangkok.

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