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
Gaza’s Christians light Christmas tree Gaza's tiny Christian community celebrates Christmas in a giant way. Palestine
Arab Knesset member shocks crowd, says Israel 'born Jewish' Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas made big waves when he said that Israel was and will remain a Jewish state. Israel
Gaza's few Christians lift economy Gaza’s very small Christian community has been a strong force for the economy. Palestine
Israelis long to reconnect with Arab, Islamic homelands Many Israeli Jews with Middle Eastern origins remember a painful expulsion from their homelands and want to preserve and celebrate the history of those Jewish communities. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox anti-vaxxers threaten leading Israeli rabbi When the Grand Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky called on his followers to vaccinate children, vaccine opponents within the ultra-Orthodox community turned against him. Israel
Kakai minority scores two seats in Iraqi parliament After years of absence, two female candidates from the Kakai minority managed to reach the Iraqi parliament following the fifth Iraqi legislative elections held on Oct. 10 for the provinces of Ninevah and Kirkuk. Iraq
Will Lebanon’s economic crunch stir demographic change? The emigration of Lebanese, especially Christians, raises concerns in Lebanon in terms of the demographic change that it may lead to, in light of the economic crisis that the Lebanese have been experiencing for nearly two years. Lebanon
German video reignites Turkish Circassian controversy Turkey’s Circassian groups have found themselves in the crosshairs of nationalist parties after complaining of assimilation. Turkey
Israeli ultra-Orthodox rabbis make case to keep 'kosher' mobile phones A delegation of the most senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis met with Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel to express their concerns over his panned communication reform. Israel
Western Wall rabbi in eye of storm Progressive Jews believe Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz is preventing them from obtaining an egalitarian prayer space, but for the ultra-Orthodox, Rabinowitz is too much of a compromiser. Israel
Egypt weighs impact of Ethiopia's civil war The civil war further threatens Ethiopia as Tigray forces threaten to advance toward Abbis Ababa. Egypt
Why was cosmopolitan Istanbul so threatening to Turkish identity? A new Netflix series has kicked off conversations on long-hushed questions about Turkish identity. Turkey
