Government & Politics

Germany’s Seehofer warns refugees who take Syria vacations Refugees who return to Syria for holidays might lose their refugee status in Germany, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told the Bild newspaper. Some newcomers simultaneously claim to be fleeing persecution there.

(Deutsche Welle) German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced a tough response to Syrian refugees who leave Germany for holidays in their home country. “If somebody, a Syrian refugee, regularly takes holidays in Syria, he cannot honestly claim to be persecuted in Syria,” Seehofer told […]

Government & Politics

After Israel allows West Bank visit to grandmother, Tlaib says she’s not going Legislator cites ‘humiliating’ terms for family trip, which she’d requested after being denied formal visit with Omar; she’d been blasted by Palestinians for ‘surrender’ to Israel

(Times of Israel) Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib changed her mind Friday on visiting the West Bank, hours after Israel said it would allow her to visit relatives in the Palestinian territory on humanitarian grounds. The about-face was the latest in a series […]

Government & Politics

In climbdown, Israel says Tlaib can enter to visit her Palestinian family Congresswoman to be allowed into the country after she vows to respect ‘any restrictions,’ refrain from promoting a boycott during her stay

(Times of Israel) Interior Minister Aryeh Deri on Friday said he would allow Democratic congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, whom Israel barred from visiting the country a day earlier along with her colleague Ilhan Omar, to enter Israel on humanitarian grounds. The decision came […]

Government & Politics

Israel announces US lawmakers Omar and Tlaib will not be allowed to visit Move comes after Trump tweeted that letting them in would ‘show great weakness’; ministry would consider allowing in Tlaib to visit West Bank relatives on humanitarian grounds

(Times of Israel) Israel’s Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced on Thursday that Israel has decided to deny entry to two US congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, over their support for boycotting the Jewish state. The two had been expected to travel […]

Government & Politics

Israel could bar Omar, Tlaib from visiting, official says Netanyahu discusses thorny issue with AG, top ministers; final decision on the US Congress members lies with interior minister, who has been adamant about banning BDS backers

(Times of Israel) After extensive consultations, the Israeli government may decide not to let US Democratic congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib enter the country, an Israeli diplomatic official said Thursday. The planned visit of the two controversial freshman lawmakers has made […]

Government & Politics

McCarthy to Post: Omar and Tlaib pulling Democratic Party away from Israel 'They are not a few [freshmen] anymore. They are the movement within the party,' McCarthy said.

(Jerusalem Post) The difference between the Democratic and Republican parties on Israel is that while only mainstream Democrats support the Jewish state, the whole Republican party does, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) told the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. And the problem […]

Government & Politics

Israel said bracing for likely Omar, Tlaib visit to flashpoint Temple Mount During secret meeting of National Security Council, senior officials agree to allow congresswomen onto holy site, but not accompanied by PA officials

(Times of Israel) Israeli officials are preparing for the likelihood that US congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib may seek to visit the flashpoint Temple Mount in Jerusalem during their upcoming visit to the country, Channel 13 reported Wednesday. The timing of […]

Clerics & Preachers

French Muslim association to forge ahead with imam training plans despite Macron reticence Hakim El Karoui’s association plans to raise cash from taxes on halal products and Hajj trips

(National-UAE) A new French Muslim association is pressing ahead with plans to finance the training and payment of imams despite silence from President Emmanuel Macron on his long-promised initiative for the organisation of Islam in France. Analysts believe the president shelved his […]

Government & Politics

‘Crazy’ to consider releasing man who named Revelstoke dam as ISIS target into nearby community: mayor Othman Ayad Hamdan must meet a long list of conditions before being released into Enderby, in B.C.'s Okanagan

(CBC) Othman Ayed Hamdan named the Revelstoke Dam in B.C. as a potential target in a series of online posts praising ISIS and cheering on lone wolf attacks. Now, he may be released into nearby Enderby while he awaits deportation from Canada, […]

Government & Politics

Heads of Republican-Democrat delegation agree: Omar, Tlaib should visit Israel Even critics ‘leave with much more positive view,’ say leaders of largest-ever group of US lawmakers, with 41 Democrats and 31 Republicans to tour; organizers deny Trump objects

(Times of Israel) The leaders of an unprecedentedly large bipartisan congressional delegation visiting Israel on Sunday welcomed the plan by two controversial Muslim lawmakers to visit the Jewish state, and Jerusalem’s decision to let them enter the country. The two Democratic freshman […]