Monday, December 24, 2012

12/24/12

New female mayor gears Bethlehem up for Christmas Vera Baboun, a Christian, tries to raise hope in city plagued by economic woes, says "we're celebrating birth of Jesus... and of Palestinian state'.

PM touts religious pluralism in Christmas greeting Netanyahu says Christian community in Israel growing, unlike in neighboring countries where they are endangered.

Temple Mount authority reportedly carts off antiquities to the dump Despite High Court ruling, mounds of earth excavated from Jerusalem holy site go unexamined by archaeologists.

Israel reportedly fears Hamas making move for control of West Bank Khaled Mashaal has ordered his forces to prepare for a Gaza-style takeover of the Palestinian territory, the Sunday Times reports.

The Last Christmas in Muslim Middle East? Militant Islam is wiping out Christianity in the Muslim Middle East, according to a new study by the British think tank Civitas.

Russian military presence in Syria poses challenge to US-led intervention Advisers deployed with surface-to-air systems bolster President Assad's defences and complicate outcome of any future strike.

Egypt awaits constitutional referendum result Egypt is awaiting the official results of a referendum on a controversial draft constitution.

Christianity 'close to extinction' in Middle East Christianity faces being wiped out of the 'biblical heartland' in the Middle East because of mounting persecution of worshippers, according to a new report.

Hamas, Abbas' New Partner, Say Kotel Is Islamic Hamas' official Al Qassam website quotes a senior cleric that 'facts and history' prove the Western Wall is not Jewish property.

Businessman: Europe Preparing Holocaust for Muslims Religious entrepreneur Moti Zisser says Europe feels threatened: "This time there will be 60 million people killed."

Rights group: Gaza terrorists committed war crimes Human Rights Watch says 'there is simply no legal justification' for deliberate attacks on Israeli population centers during Pillar of Defense