Rosh Hashanah: The blowing of the Shofar

The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar. The famous chassidic sage Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev explains the significance of the shofar with a parable. From Chabad.org:

A king was once traveling in the forest and lost his way, until he met a man who recognized that he was the king and escorted his master out of the forest and back to his palace. The king later rewarded him with many presents, and elevated him to a powerful minister's post.

After a while, however, the man committed an act which was considered rebellious against the king, and he was sentenced to death. Before he was taken out to be executed, the king granted him one last request.

The man said: “I request to wear the clothes I wore when I escorted His Majesty when he was lost in the forest, and that His Majesty should also wear the clothes he wore then.”

The king complied, and when they were both dressed in the garments they wore at the time of their meeting, he said, “By your life, you have saved yourself,” and called off the execution.

The meaning of the parable is that when G-d gave the Torah to Israel, he offered it first to all the nations of the world. They all refused, except the people of Israel, who willingly accepted the yoke of Heaven and fulfilled the commandments of the Creator.

But now we have transgressed and rebelled, like the man in the parable, and with the arrival of the Day of Judgment we are fearful indeed. So we blow the shofar to recall the shofar blowing that accompanied our original acceptance of the Torah and coronation of G-d. This merit stands by us, and G-d forgives us all our sins and inscribes us immediately for a year of goodness and life.

May you be sealed and inscrribed for a good and sweet year!

Palestine Chronicles: Washington and Tel Aviv supporting Al-Qaeda in Lebanon

Fisk is contradicted:

[...] Hezbollah works regularly to intercept elements openly boasting of or secretly planning on attacking its neighborhoods. Some being watched and infiltrated are Al Qaida inspired Sunni Salafist cells, who consider Shia Hezbollah more their enemy than they do the US or Israeli governments. Contrary to Robert Fisk’s recent reports, these groups are indeed growing in Lebanon and inside the Palestinian Camps, particularly Ain el Helwe, Bedawi. They are trying to launch in the so far peaceful camps near Tyre. This observer would agree with Fisk that it will not be easy for Al Qaida to find enough supporters and adherents of the Salafi-Jihadi ideology to challenge the strength of Hezbollah’s well-organized partisans. Yet, no fewer than 11 Al Qaida-inspired groups, eager to destabilize Lebanon, and sometimes related to US-Israel projects, have been organizing according to Palestinian Popular Committee Representatives inside the Camps. Some of their goals are being telegraphed by the rising campaign of threats coming from their sometime-sponsors in Tel Aviv and Washington. [...]

I don't want to quote too much of this pro-Hezbollah slop, but here is how it ends:

. . . one Palestinian friend, Samer, a Mar Elias Camp social worker, reported that both communities [Hezbollah and the Palestinians] want to let bygones be bygones. He points out that marriages between Shia and Sunni and Christian Palestinians are increasing (his wife is Shia). He also pointed out and that he personally has more Hezbollah friends than Palestinian, as he introduced me to his best friend, Ali, a Shia and Hezbollah party member.

That's nice.

Larijani: "Iran needs to make a new decision about continuing such political hobby"

That refers to cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency:

The Security Council is expected to retain its prestige rather than be as a means for the United States foreign policy, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday.

Larijani said that the Security Council has damaged its prestige by highlighting technical dispute between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency as a security issue and passing hasty resolutions against Iran.

He criticized the Group 5+1 double standards policy vis-a-vis Iran following adoption of the Resolution 1835 against the country.

"Such behavior will degrade the role of talks to the level of a frivolous act. Perhaps Iran needs to make a new decision about continuing such political hobby," Larijani said in his address to Majlis formal session.

Referring to the "devious shift" of the G5+1 and its agreement with the adoption of another irrational resolution against Iran, Larijani said that such move would once more prove the fact that the issue of Iran's peaceful nuclear program is only an excuse for American policy makers and has nothing to do with legal issues." Larijani asked the G5+1 member states if their move could be considered as an act of building confidence by those who have always been claiming to be the advocates of confidence-building measures.

Blogging is expected to retain its prestige due to the latest editions
of Carnival of the Insanities and Haveil Havalim.

"Iran, Hamas urge massive turn-out on Qods Day"

Let's see, "Iran's Defense Ministry, Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, armed forces, and Palestinian Hamas"--that's an interesting collection of entities:

Iran’s Defense Ministry, Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, armed forces, and Palestinian Hamas government have called for a massive turn-out on the International Qods Day on September 26.

“The International Qods Day is the symbol of the empathy of the world people especially Muslims with the oppressed Palestinian nation,” parts of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council’s statement read.

International Qods Day is an annual event opposing Israel’s occupation of Baitul-Muqaddas. Anti-Zionist demonstrations are held on the last Friday of Ramadan in Muslim and Arab countries around the world, and especially in Iran, where the occasion was first suggested by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.

A statement by Hamas says Qods is the symbol of the Islamic nature of Palestine and the innocence of a land which has always suffered from the greed of colonialism throughout the history, part of the Hamas’ statement said.

The armed forces statement says the miraculous achievements of the Islamic resistance of Lebanon and the Palestinian Intifada, which were the results of Imam Khomeini’s initiative, have shattered the dreams of the occupiers and expedited the collapse of the fake Zionist regime.

But not before the Al-Aqsa Mosque was destroyed!

Ahmadinejad: Zionists "don't allow anyone to freely discuss" Holocaust

Just try to "freely discuss the historical events" and we'll fix your wagon. Ahmadinejad is trapped in his own stupidity. We didn't have even have to have him abducted and operated on as we did with Yvonne Ridley.

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has shed light on his views about the Holocaust in an interview with CNN's Larry King Live.

In a recorded Tuesday interview with the renowned TV host, President Ahmadinejad said that Zionism blocks research on the Holocaust.

“They (Zionists) don't allow anyone to freely discuss the historical events that happened. They just say this is our account of history, this is what happened and everybody else must just accept it,” said Ahmadinejad. [...]

All they want is an "impartial group," and it takes a Khomeinist to determine who is really impartial:

"There is a claim about the extent of the calamity. There are people who agree with it and people who disagree. Some totally deny and some completely agree with the whole given account. What we are saying is that an impartial group should be formed to conduct an independent study on the extent of the calamity.”

If only we could have a little impartiality. David Duke would probably enjoy another trip to Iran.

IRNA: WAPIST secretary clarifies those Iranian calls for "referendum"

Don't you love the name "WAPIST"? Anyone who thinks Ahmadinejad has only been calling for regime change similar to the fall of the Soviet Union should take note:

Secretary of the World Assembly for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought (WAPIST) Ayatollah Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri said here Wednesday that referendum is the only possible solution to the Palestinian problem.

"Two governments, one equipped with the most sophisticated weapons and backed by superpowers and the other being totally confined and without armaments and backing, would be unlikely be able to continue work in the occupied Palestinian territories except by holding free referendum," Taskhiri told IRNA on Wednesday.

He said that it seems that the only solution to Palestinian problem is holding free referendum in Palestine as proposed for the first time by Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

Bear in mind that the Iranian Press usually simply refers to all of Israel as "Occupied Palestine" or something similar:

He added that a free referendum would be valid only if Palestinian refugees return to their homeland and the occupiers leave the occupied lands. "In that case, any government elected after the referendum will be accepted by all," he noted.

"All," evidently means all the Palestinians who are left after all the Jews leave. An article entitled "President: Pursuing nuclear weapons is politically backwarded" also mentions that "referendum":

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that any state pursuing nuclear weapons is politically backwarded.

Addressing a press conference held on the sidelines of the 63rd meeting of the UN General Assembly, he said the real democracy exists in the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian people are their own masters, he said, adding that they elect the country's officials and have full supervision over the governing system.

On the critical situation in Palestine, he underscored the need for holding free referendum there in order to put and end to sufferings of the Palestinians.

He added that the Islamic Republic will propose a democratic plan to resolve the Palestinian problems. The plan will be presented to the United Nations soon, he said. [...]

Another headline announces "Iran asks Ban Ki-moon to hold referendum in entire Palestine":

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday called on the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to hold a free referendum in Palestine for determining and establishing the type of state in the entire Palestinian lands.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, while fully respecting the resistance of the oppressed people of Palestine and expressing its all-out support for it, submits its humane solution based on a free referendum in Palestine for determining and establishing the type of state in the entire Palestinian lands to the distinguished Secretary General of the UN.

"American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road, and its next rulers must limit their interference to their own borders.

Today, the thought of hegemony quickly becomes a demerit.[...]

Savor the Irangrish!

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

IRNA today: "Zionists are infidel" and more!

You got that right--"Zionists are infidel" is their title! The first little item in our sampling displays that delightful Khomeinist tone-deafness to how its rhetoric sounds to, well, infidels. Of course, some folks have different ideas as to who is and who isn't an infidel. I may be a Kuffar, but I ain't no Kofer, Mahmoud Baby!

"Ahmadinejad: Zionists are infidel"

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the Zionists are not Jews but infidel.

President Ahmadinejad made the remark in a press conference in presence of domestic and foreign reporters in Tehran.

"Our stands on the Zionist regime is very clear. The Iranian nation has never recognized the Zionist regime," he said.

The Zionist regime is the main cause of all corruptions and crimes in the region, he said.

The Zionist regime is 'fabricated and illegal', he said adding that it has been created to threaten, pressurize and target nations in the region.

Nations in the region have never recognized the regime and will not do so in the future, he said.

A very few Zionists have gained power in the world and act in a way as if they have the final say and others back their decisions, said President Ahmadinejad.

In our next exhibit, Ahmadinejad jumps into the damage-control game concerning the unfortunate expression of non-hatred that Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei blundered into a pretty good while ago now:

"Ahmadinejad: Mashaei never referred to Israel as nation":

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that his deputy and head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei never referred to Israel as a nation.

President Ahmadinejad made the remark in a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters in Tehran.

The Zionists are very notorious in the eyes of the Iranian people and officials and all are very sensitive to them, he said.

The president underlined that his deputy on many occasions has delivered speeches against the Zionist regime.

President Ahmadinejad also advised the media to exercise vigilance and act cautiously in choosing terms which might create serious problems in the society.

We also learn that "Iran does not recognize any gov't or nation for Zionist regime." More Mashaei damage-control:

[...] President Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the Iranian nation has no problem with the world but it does not recognize anything by the name of Israeli government or nation.

Ahmadinejad added in a news conference with foreign and domestic reporters that statements made recently by Mashaei are clear and his words conform to those of the government.

"There are different tastes in using words and expressing opinions but our stance on the entire world is the same," he said. [...]

There you go--there is no Israeli nation so Mashaei's little gaffe could not have occurred. All it takes is a little vigilance.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Update: Looking for reading matter which is more sensitive to the feelings of infidels? Check out the latest Haveil Havalim.

Kim Jong Il awarded title "Royal Majesty Igwe Sir/ Dr Chris Ogakwu Igwe Okwuluoya III of Udi Kingdom, Enugu State, Nigeria"

Assuming that he lived to see this momentous occasion:

The title of "Royal Majesty Igwe Sir/ Dr Chris Ogakwu Igwe Okwuluoya III of Udi Kingdom, Enugu State, Nigeria" was awarded to leader Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.

A ceremony of conveying the title was held in Udi Kingdom in Enugu State of Nigeria on Sept. 7.

The chairman of the Guardians Council of Udi Kingdom spoke first at the ceremony.

Saying that it is the first time in the history of the Kingdom to award the above-said title to Kim Jong Il, the leader of the DPRK, the chairman extended the warmest congratulations to him on behalf of the Guardians Council and the people of the Kingdom.

Noting that it is quite natural for the Kingdom to confer its highest title to Kim Jong Il as he has performed great feats for the development of the DPRK and the welfare of mankind, the chairman highly praised the undying exploits he has performed in the efforts to accomplish the human cause of independence.

Then a decision of the Tribal Chief Council to award the title to Kim Jong Il was read out and the certificate of the tribal chief and his costume and others were conveyed to the DPRK ambassador to Nigeria.

Speeches were made at the ceremony.

The King of Udi said that Kim Jong Il was the first to be awarded this title not only in the community but internationally. [...]

I can well believe that.

Update: Does reading about the exploits of "Dr. Chris" give you an appetite for more in the same vein? Check out the latest Carnival of the Insanities from Dr. Sanity.

Yemen Times: "Denmark: The happiest place on earth"

I thought I might find something interesting about the US Embassy blast, but I found this instead:

Copenhagen’s waterside restaurants and cafés are alive with people.

Last month, I was in Denmark to participate in a 10-day journalism course entitled, Media Skills Development for Dialogue organized by Crossing Borders for young journalists and media/communication students from the Middle East, North Africa and Denmark.

I had read surveys maintaining that Denmark is the happiest place on earth, so while there, I looked for the reasons why Danes are happy. A high standard of living, free education, good public health services and a clean environment were part of the answer.

But something else also was important – Danes enjoy satisfaction in life because they have low expectations; thus, they seemingly get what they want easily and rarely feel disappointed. [...]

"Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot." (Pirkei Avot 4:1)

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

"Hamas leader complains anti-Hamas scheme of Arab states"

Iran's most official news agency (and they still have problems with definite articles and prepositions) weighs in on this story.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has complained about anti-Hamas scheme of the Arab states, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday.

In a telephone conversation with Larijani, the Hamas leader said that regrettably some Arab leaders had accepted a plan to dispatch forces to Gaza.

Addressing Majlis formal session, Larijani said the prime minister of the democratically elected government of Hamas made the remarks in his recent telephone conversation with him.

"Haniyeh regretted that the Arab League had been ready to dispatch forces to the Gaza Strip during their recent meeting."

Haniyeh said that such a decision would help Israel bolster its security.

The move will not help the Palestinian oppressed people restore their legitimate rights, Larijani said.

Condemning the scheme agreed by certain Arab states, the speaker reiterated Iranian parliament's support for the oppressed Palestinian nation and the Haniyeh government.

He underlined the need for resistance of the Palestinian nation to Israeli aggressions.

Although Israel has signed ceasefire agreement with Hamas government, its incursions on the Gaza Strip takes tolls on defenseless Palestinians systematically.

Larijani said that the Muslim nations worldwide will display their stand against the anti-Hamas scheme of the Arab states during the rallies to be held on the Qods Day (the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan).

IRIB: Dear Leader ill-health rumors "conspiracy plot"

This is a big story in Iran, which gets its Songun missile technology from North Korea. So why didn't Kim show up at the parade? He was only giving invaluable Juche field-guidance to the doctors!

North Korea's number two on Wednesday denied reports that leader Kim Jong-Il was ill, Japan's Kyodo News reported.

"There are no problems," Kim Yong-Nam told Kyodo in Pyongyang.

He confirmed that Kim Jong-Il, 66, did not show up at a major parade Tuesday marking North Korea's 60th anniversary.

"While we wanted to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the country with General Secretary Kim Jong-Il, we celebrated on our own," Kim Yong-Nam was quoted as saying.

An American intelligence official said Tuesday that Kim had apparently suffered a "health setback," possibly a stroke.

"We see such reports as not only worthless, but rather as a conspiracy plot," Song Il-Ho, North Korea's Ambassador handling relations with Japan, told Kyodo News separately.

"I believe the aim is to form a public opinion on something that is not true," Song was quoted as saying.

"Western media have reported falsehood before."

He doesn't just whistling the Dixie!

Tags: North Korea, Iran, DPRK, IRIB

Moonbat Headlines from the Independent

Some headlines from one of the major ultra-leftist newspapers:

"Palin: the Real Scandal":

She wants to block US moves to list the polar bear as an endangered species . . .

The 44-year-old governor says a federal government decision to protect the polar bear will cripple energy development offshore. As a result, she is suing the Bush administration, which ruled the polar bear is endangered and needs protection.

Unbearable!

"Olmert indicted as deputy is accused of war crimes":

The Israeli Attorney General has been urged to launch a criminal investigation into whether Shaul Mofaz, a leading prime ministerial candidate, ordered "war crimes" to be committed . . .

David Kretzmer, emeritus professor of international law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says that accounts of the briefing by Mr Mofaz give rise "to a grave suspicion" that he "committed serious offences, some of which at least, fall into the category of war crimes".

The Olmert part is real news. The Mafuz part is on par with the calls to impeach President Bush.

"Where is Korea's Kim Jong Il?":

Speculation was mounting last night over the health of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il. He has not been seen in public for more than three weeks, and, according to a source who has seen intelligence reports, five Chinese physicians entered North Korea about a week ago and are still there.

They should get a few Imperialist doctors if they don't want the Dear Leader to take his next great leap forward any time soon.

Update: Unlike the Dear Leader, who may a bit preoccupied at present, you might want to check out the latest editions of Carnival of the Insanities and Haveil Havalim.

Tags: Jouche-coupes, Palin, Olmert

Songun Palestinians

It was always obvious that they were Songun. Not too many of Arafat's Communist cronies have Communist successors:

Mohammad Shahta Zarab, Palestinian ambassador to the DPRK, gave a reception at his embassy on Sept. 4 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK.

Present there on invitation were Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Kim Pyong Phal, Acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, and other officials concerned.

Mohammad Shahta Zarab in his speech at the reception referred to the fact that true to the behests of President Kim Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK, the Korean people have performed exploits in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation, firmly rallied around General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

The world people highly praise Kim Jong Il for having turned the DPRK into an invincible powerful nation by making endless journeys to inspect the front and provide field guidance to various fields, he noted.

He hoped that the Korean people would achieve greater success in the drive for building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and achieving the reunification of the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

Pak Ui Chun said in his speech that the DPRK founded by the President and glorified by Kim Jong Il has covered the road of victory and glory while smashing the imperialists' all sorts of moves for a long period.

He noted that the friendship between the DPRK and Palestine provided by President Kim Il Sung and President Yasser Arafat is invariably developing on good terms.

The Korean people will as ever extend full support and firm solidarity to the just cause of the Palestinian people to win back the legitimate national rights including the right to found an independent state with Kuds as its capital, he stressed.

Yvonne Ridley joins the Judeopundit team!

Yvonne Rdiley, famous Taliban kidnapee, Muslim convert, journalist, and now employee of a Khomeinist News agency, has, through the medium of my comments section, graciously submitted a guest-post of sorts, clearing up some issues which I blogged about recently:

You must have been sucking on a big, juicy lemon when you wrote this.

As a journalist, I did not get to Berlin until several days after the historic moment when the wall was breached.

And I see you're relying on a quote from the ubiquitous Gaza Activist - who doesn't wish to be named.

It was a quote invented by the author of the Ynet article, silly. Surely you're not falling for that old trick, are you?

The mission was never about delivering humanitarian aid - but there is a bit of a clue for you in our title Free Gaza Movement.

As my great aunt used to say dear, if you've got nothing good to say best say nothing. Quite.

Kind regards

Yvonne Ridley

And there you have it. Her unnamed and unverifiable great aunt certainly expressed an admirable precept although it seems a bit difficult to reconcile with Yvonne's remarks concerning my consumption of citrus fruits and, indeed, most of her recent journalistic output. Will she make further contributions to this blog? Heaven only knows. Quite.

Tags: Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Yvonne Ridley

"General March of Songun Revolution Is All-People Grand Advance Movement"

Great title. How is granting supreme importance to military affairs supposed to make them prosperous? Silly Imperialist! The "revolutionary soldier spirit" makes them achieve brilliant successes in all fields.

The general march of the Songun revolution is sweeping the Democratic People's Republic of Korea amid the extraordinary revolutionary enthusiasm of the army and people.

The general march is an all-people grand advance movement in the Songun era to reach the high eminence of a great, prosperous and powerful nation in all fields, political, military, economic and cultural, under the banner of the Songun idea.

It is, first of all, a revolutionary advance movement of the army and the people to model the whole society on the Songun idea by holding aloft the idea as the banner of struggle and embodying it in an all-round way.

In order to push ahead with the revolution and construction with success, it is imperative to build up a powerful military strength.

Only when the army is strong, is it possible to defend and advance the revolution by dint of arms and to increase the national power as a whole.

In order to construct a great, prosperous and powerful socialist nation, therefore, it is necessary to carry on dynamically a revolutionary onward movement for transforming the whole society after the Songun idea of attaching importance to the military affairs and giving priority to it.

The general march of the Songun revolution, a vigorous effort to reach the peak of a great, prosperous and powerful socialist country, is propelled by the revolutionary soldier spirit.

The spirit representing the Songun era inspires the people to the uninterrupted miracles and heroic feats.

The general march is the most powerful mass onward movement which calls forth the political enthusiasm and creative activity of the masses and steps up the socialist construction at a fast tempo in reliance upon the revolutionary soldier spirit, a mighty weapon for promoting the revolution and construction.

The Korean army and people who have courageously turned out in the general march of the Songun revolution with fervent patriotic zeal under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea will certainly build a great, prosperous and powerful socialist country of Juche on this land.

Miserable stunted wretches.

Tags: North Korea, Juche-coupes

Ahmadinejad threatens "intellectual . . . assault" against Zionist entity

In Ahmadinejad's case, would that be assault with a blunt object?

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Tuesday that resistance is the only way to victory against occupiers and aggressors.

"There is no way but resistance and intellectual and political assault on the Zionist regime. This is the only way of victory," said President Ahmadinejad in a meeting with former Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami here on Tuesday.

President Ahmadinejad said that the Zionist regime was established to rule over the world of Islam and the regime had the mission of threatening, occupation, aggression, assassinating and undermining Muslim states.

He said that resistance to the Zionist Regime and the bullying powers is a national and Islamic duty of all Muslims.

"Resistance against the Zionist regime is a big lesson taught to mankind by the late Imam Khomeini."

He said that unity and resistance were the key to victory against the Zionist regime and by God's grace the era of Zionist regime and its supporters has come to an end and signs of their collapse are evident.

He noted that the Zionist regime has not the least base among nations in the region and the world.

"Today, even the US and European governments have come to the conclusion that support for the (Zionist) regime is not to their country's benefit," he said.

Enemies are too weak to launch any propagation, said Ahmadinejad, adding that victory of the Lebanese people showed that the Zionist regime is weaker than it seems. [...]

Another day, another rant.

Tags: Iran, Israel

Ma'an: Checkpoint soldiers told not to eat in front of fasting Muslims

I see stories like this from time to time involving the notion that it is insensitive to eat in front of Muslims fasting on Ramadan. The whole idea does not resonate at all with my own experience of fasting on Jewish fast days. You don't necessarily want to be sitting across from someone in the middle of a meal, but I can't remember any situation in which I even noticed that someone out there in the world was eating. I try not to run one of those blogs that sees every public accomodation of Muslim religious practices as Dhimmitude, but are Muslims taught that eating in front of them on Ramadan is an affront of some sort?

With the Monday morning start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, Israeli forces gave directives to soldiers manning 470 checkpoints in the west Bank to avoid eating in front of Palestinian citizens when they pass through checkpoints.

The directives also instructed soldiers to avoid smoking and drinking in front of Palestinians as a sign of respect for those who fast as a religious act.

The Israeli civil administration further decided to allow Palestinians living in Israel access to the West Bank (what they called “Palestinian Authority areas”) in order to visit their families. Money will also be permitted to be transferred to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, so they can buy the appropriate foods for breaking their fast.

Israeli authorities also promised to coordinate with the Palestinian ministry of endowment about increasing number of permits given to Palestinian Muslims to enter Jerusalem so they can perform their Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque. [...]

Crossposted on Soccer Dad

Update: Isreallycool explores a different angle on this story.

Tags: Israel, Palestinians, Islam