Israel
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Israel at 75
A nation more divided than ever
As Israel prepares to mark Independence Day, the country is at a crossroads. A planned judicial reform by the far-right government has led to deep divisions. By Tania Kraemer
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Israel's National Guard
Itamar-Ben Gvir's controversial plans
A debate is raging in Israel over the establishment of a National Guard. The project, which raises concerns about the minister in charge forming his own "private militia", is not really new, nor is it feasible as envisaged, observes Joseph Croitoru
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Christians celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, striving to maintain presence
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Christians celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, striving to maintain presence
Christians celebrated Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, facing an increasing struggle to maintain their status in the Holy City in the face of the expansion of Jewish settlements and repeated acts of violence. By Henriette Chacar
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Israel's controversial judicial reform
Gaps in the system
For weeks, Israel has been rocked by mass protests against plans by Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the country's judiciary. The history of these proposed reforms, which have deeply divided the country, goes back much further than many people think. By Joseph Croitoru
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Dialogue of religions
'Islamic-Jewish dialogue needs to be institutionalised'
Jewish educationalist and publicist Micha Brumlik looks at Germany's culture of remembrance and considers what is needed for the healthy coexistence of Jews, Christians and Muslims
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Israel writers protest
"They want control of our books"
Writers have barely been visible in the recent nationwide protests against the new Israeli government's reforms. Now, however, things have taken a dramatic turn. By Joseph Croitoru
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Culture funding in Israel
Filmmakers fear censorship
In recent weeks, Israel has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets to protest against the new ultra-right government's political agenda. Filmmakers tackling sensitive issues such as Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories are likely to be first affected by proposed cuts in cultural funding. By Joseph Croitoru
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Turkey-Syria earthquake
Biden's farewell to empathy
Mourning the deaths of earthquake victims in the Middle East or sympathising with the suffering of survivors doesn’t win you political points. Joe Biden's State of the Nation address completely ignored the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Is the Arab-Islamic world gradually disappearing from U.S. politics? Essay by Stefan Buchen
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Israel's judicial reforms
Benjamin Netanyahu's autocratic turn
Benjamin Netanyahu is using his sixth term as Israel's prime minister to promote a barrage of constitutional reforms that would cement his rule and strip the judiciary of its ability to check the executive branch. But, argues Ido Baum, while his government may ignore massive public protests, it cannot ignore capital flight
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Germany's culture of remembrance
An exercise in empathy
Holocaust, Nakba and the German culture of remembrance: the Einstein Forum in Potsdam facilitated a discussion banned in Tel Aviv. Inge Guenther attended
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West Bank's last vinyl repairman
Vinyl lover preserves musical heritage
From Jamal Hemmou's ramshackle workshop in Nablus's Old City in the occupied West Bank, classic Arabic songs blare into the surrounding cobbled streets. For how much longer remains to be seen – neither of his sons is interested in taking over the business