ISIS at Center of Intensifying Violence

Intense fighting between the Islamic State (IS) terror militia and various rival factions as well as governments continued this week in Libya, Yemen, Syria and Iraq, with related violence spilling over into Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt. The intensified fighting comes against a backdrop of angry rhetorical exchanges by several regional governments and accusations of meddling by Russia, NATO and the US.

A poll released this week by the Ipsos market research firm shows that fully 33% of Americans and 40% of British citizens think its “justified” to boycott Israel. Israeli officials reacted with alarm to the poll, saying it demonstrates the need of Israel and its friends to better communicate the bond Israel and Western democracies share, especially to young people and university students.

In yet another blow to the international effort to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Israel, delegation of government and business leaders from New Zealand and India arrived in the Jewish State this week to seek opportunities for cooperation in scientific and hi-tech innovation in various fields. The BDS movement also suffered several regional and political defeats in Europe and North America in recent weeks, while receiving some rhetorical support from some European governments.

A disagreement between various streams of Judaism over what will and will not be allowed at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem’s Old City continued to simmer this week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a meeting Wednesday with leaders of the Reform and Conservative communities in North America while the leadership of various factions in Israel continues to argue over plans approved by the government in January to allow pluralistic prayer at a designated section of the Wall.