Culture In first, Syria approves restoration of Jewish property, synagogues The new organization is the latest sign of Damascus’ outreach to Syria's dwindled Jewish community. Syria
As Syria marks one year since Assad fall, some minorities skip celebrations Despite President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s vows to protect all of Syria’s communities, sectarian violence has spiked against the minorities, namely against Alawites and Druze. Syria
Pope Leo gets rock star's reception in Lebanon, drawing cheers, celebrations Pope Leo began his second day in crisis-hit Lebanon with visits to notable Christian shrines in the country and an interfaith meeting in the capital, Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanon celebrates Pope Leo’s visit as Israel escalates attacks The pontiff's visit to Lebanon comes as many in the country fear a potential restart of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon
Analysis Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Israel scrambles for strategy as Mamdani’s NYC victory sparks alarm By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Israel advances digital literacy project for ultra-Orthodox Israel’s ministry of trade and industry estimates that many ultra-Orthodox are digitally illiterate, but much of the community avoids the internet by choice. Israel
Arab-Israelis call for calm at Al-Aqsa Mosque As tensions persist in Jerusalem, Israeli Arabs feel that Israeli Jews do not fully grasp the importance of Al-Aqsa to them — both religiously and identity-wise. Israel
US watchdog says Afghanistan belongs on religious freedom blacklist The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also recommended the State Department designate Syria as a "country of particular concern" and place Egypt, Iraq and Turkey on a special watchlist for religious freedom offenders. United States
Egyptian Christians alarmed by murder of Alexandria priest The recent stabbing death of a priest in the northern coastal city of Alexandria has spread fear among Christians. Egypt
Turkey’s top court rules compulsory religion courses violate rights Turkey’s top court ruled that forcing compulsory religious education on minors against their parents’ will violates their rights, but will the government heed it? Turkey
Israel's Ultra-Orthodox not ready to take down Bennett government Despite the political upset between the coalition and the opposition, the ultra-Orthodox seem in no hurry to topple the current government. Israel
Israel condemns vandalization of Joseph’s Tomb by Palestinians The site of Joseph’s Tomb in the environs of the West Bank city of Nablus again at the center of violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
Israel's tech future lies with Arab entrepreneurs An increasing number of Israeli Arabs are taking the bold step of launching their own startup companies. Israel
Disaster for Israeli coalition as legislator walks out Idit Silman has joined the opposition, ending the government's narrow majority in the Knesset. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox parties may offer Israeli government political safety net Journalist Amit Segal claims that Yitzhak Shapira, the most-likely replacement for senior ultra-Orthodox legislator Yaakov Litzman, has been secretly negotiating with the government for a deal that would halt anti-ultra-Orthodox legislation. Israel
Arabs across Israel condemn Islamic State-inspired attacks Arab Israeli leaders have roundly denounced the terror attack March 27 in Hadera that killed two police officers. Israel
Wave of expulsions shakes Turkey’s tiny Protestant community Dozens of foreign Protestant missionaries have been forced to leave Turkey based on intelligence reports classifying them as security risks. Turkey
