Israel Police Set to Get First Hijab-Wearing Muslim Lieutenant

Karys Rhea

Sabreen Saadi. Photo: Twitter screenshot.

Sabreen Saadi is set become the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to attain the rank of lieutenant in the Israel Police.

“I always love to share stories about Arab Israelis since their stories are seldom heard in int’l media,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Arab media spokesperson, Ofir Gendelman, tweeted on Monday. “Congrats to Master Sgt. Sabreen Saadi, a Hijab wearing muslim police officer, who will soon become a lieutenant with the Israeli police!

Saadi comes from a traditional Muslim family in a Bedouin town in northern Israel. She told Yediot Ahronot she had received some threats from others in her community over her choice of career path, but said she was not deterred, stating, “I fear only God.”

Since 2016, when the Israeli government established a special unit aimed at improving policing and security in the country’s Arab communities, more than 600 Arab men and 55 Arab women have enlisted in the Israel Police. Eight new police stations have been established in the Arab sector, with the intention of adding ten more.

Turkey launches cross-border offensive into Syria – TV7 Israel News 21.02.20

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Fantastic Discovery In Israel: 2000-year-old copy of the Biblical Ten Commandments Found in Israel

Hananya Naftali

Another Fantastic Discovery In Israel.

The world’s oldest complete copy of the Biblical Ten Commandments. Found in one of the 2000-year-old Dead Sea scrolls which were discovered near the Dead Sea, in Judean desert. Jews can’t occupy their homeland!

On the one hand, Judaism was founded in the Land of Israel. On the other hand, Islam was created in Saudi Arabia by Muhammad the so called prophet.

How dare “Palestinians” claim occupying Jews claim the Land of Israel?
The Muslims who call themselves Palestinians will never be able to erase the Jewish and Christian connection to the Land of Israel.
Over the past two years, the Palestinians and the Arab world have passed bizarre resolutions at the UN to deny any Jewish and Christian connection to Jerusalem.

The Palestinians claim Jerusalem is a holy city only in Islam.

Hananya Naftali  @HananyaNaftali

Restored Alexandria synagogue hosts largest Jewish prayer in decades

CARMEL MADADSHAHI

With Egypt’s new program to preserve its Jewish heritage, the synagogue was renovated in a multi-year, multi-million euro effort beginning in 2017

The historic, newly-renovated synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt. / (photo credit: Courtesy)

From across the Diaspora, approximately 180 Jews of Egyptian origin have flown to Egypt for a Shabbat celebrating the newly- renovated 14th-century Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria.

The weekend was organized by the Nebi Daniel Association, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Jewish sites in Egypt, and was closed to the press.

According to the World Monuments Fund, The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, one of the largest in the Middle East, is one of the two remaining houses of worship from what used to be twelve in the city of Alexandria, once home to an estimated 40,000 Jews with roots dating back to antiquity.

Today, the community stands with less than 20 Jews, most of them elderly, Ynet reports.

Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, the Jewish community has dwindled over time, and the synagogue fell into neglect. After a portion of the roof collapsed, the holy site was exposed to the elements, rainwater causing severe damage. In 2012, the synagogue was closed due to security concerns.

With Egypt’s new program to preserve its Jewish heritage, the synagogue was renovated in a multi-year, multi-million euro effort beginning in 2017 after the Egyptian minister of antiquities visited the site of the Mediterranean port city.

In a press release, he explained that the Egyptian government is interested in preserving all of the country’s monuments and heritage, regardless of religion.

“The restoration project included structural and architectural reinforcement to the building, in addition to meticulous restoration of the main facades and ornate walls as well as wood and copper elements, and developed systems for modern lighting and security,” the press release said.

The synagogue’s long history began in 1354 with its original construction. It was subsequently destroyed in a 1798 fire when Napoleon invaded Egypt. The site was rebuilt in 1850 when the Jewish population was at its height in Egypt.

“I’m very proud of what my country has done, and it symbolizes living together. Today, there is no difference between Muslims, Christians and Jews in Egypt,” stated Magda Haroun, head of Cairo’s Jewish community, according to Haaretz.

Today, the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue stands as an emblem of the Egyptian Jewish community’s legacy as well as an opportunity for Egyptian Jews to gather together and celebrate Shabbat as a family.

Israel Supporters Urged to Show Solidarity With Celine Dion Who Is Facing BDS Pressure Over Tel Aviv Shows

Shiryn Ghermezian

Celine Dion in 2013. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The pro-Israel education group StandWithUs launched a petition on Thursday calling on people to show support for and solidarity with Canadian singer Celine Dion, who is facing pressure by BDS activists to cancel her two upcoming summer concerts in Tel Aviv.

“Music should never be politicized, and instead of bringing people together, the haters are trying to encourage division! One of Celine’s best well-known songs is ‘My heart will go on’ and in this case, the show must go on!” StandWithUs said. “So many adoring fans are awaiting the arrival of Celine in Israel this August and we will not let hate and division win. Love will always triumph hate so let’s send Celine some love!”

Dion announced last fall her plans to hold two concerts in Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon this August as part of her “Courage” world tour.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) — which advocates boycotting Israel “until it respects the human rights of Palestinians” — has organized a petition and letter-writing campaign against the concerts.

Neither Dion nor members of her management team have commented on the BDS pressure.