Weekly roundup of world briefs

Israir cancels regularly scheduled flights until Passover

By Etgar Lefkovits

Israeli airline Israir announced on Thursday that it is canceling its regular scheduled flights planned through the end of March due to airspace restrictions and limited operations amid the war with Iran.

Israel’s second-largest carrier will continue outbound and inbound repatriation flights during this time, alongside the country’s other three airlines.

“In line with the Transportation Ministry’s outline, which restricts the number of seats on each flight, Israir will do its best to accommodate some of the passengers whose flights were canceled on flights operating during the current period,” the airline said. “The supply of seats is significantly less than the demand and the number of planned flights before the start of the war, and it may not be possible to accommodate all requests.”

El Al previously announced that it would not operate any regularly scheduled flights through the end of next week.

The week-long Passover holiday, which is traditionally a high season for travelers to and from Israel, begins at sundown on April 1.

No international airlines have been operating flights to Israel since the outbreak of the war against Iran on Feb. 28, with Israeli carriers offering limited and restricted service, focused on repatriation.

Iran missile fragments hit Jerusalem holy sites

(JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem on Tuesday that Iran is deliberately targeting civilians and holy sites after missile fragments damaged the Church of the Holy Sepulchre’s roof in the Old City, where the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem is headquartered.​

Sa’ar spoke with Patriarch Theophilos III a day after an Iranian-launched missile exploded over Israel’s capital, with debris falling on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish Quarter and the Temple Mount near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

He expressed solidarity with church officials and accused Tehran of firing on “religious buildings of all faiths,” saying the attacks endanger Christian, Muslim and Jewish sites, while Israel acts to protect worshippers of all religions in its capital.

“The Iranian regime is deliberately firing at civilian populations and harming religious buildings of all faiths,” Sa’ar said.

Wisconsin Senate resolution honors US troops killed in ‘Epic Fury’

(JNS) — A resolution introduced in the Wisconsin State Senate on March 16 honors U.S. service members who died during the opening stages of military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Sen. Timothy Carpenter, a Democrat, introduced SR 6. The measure was read and referred to the Committee on Senate Organization.

The resolution notes that more than 400 members of the state’s Army National Guard are stationed in the Middle East, operating in Kuwait and Iraq, and supporting “Operation Epic Fury.”

To date, a total of 13 U.S. Armed Forces service members have been killed and as many as 200 wounded, according to news reports. The fatalities include six army reservists killed in a Kuwait strike, six crew members in a KC-135 plane crash in Iraq, and one soldier who died from injuries sustained in Saudi Arabia.

The Senate resolution states that lawmakers “honor the memory and service of these fallen service members and extend their deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of these fallen service members.”

“The Wisconsin State Senate extend their deepest gratitude to the American personnel who are still in harm’s way during this ongoing conflict; their service is of immeasurable value to our nation,” it states.

Tesla offers free charging for Israel, Mideast customers

By JNS Staff

Elon Musk’s Tesla firm has enabled free charging to its entire customer-base in Israel starting Wednesday night, the company announced on X. Customers can temporarily juice up their electric vehicles free of charge at the company’s 25 Supercharger stations across Israel. The same measure was extended a day earlier to Tesla’s customers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Iran’s neighboring countries, as well as Israel, have been facing barrages of missiles launched by the Islamic Republic since war broke out in the Middle East on Feb. 28. The company did not specify how long the policy will remain in place. This was not the first time that Tesla has offered this service. The firm triggered the same policy for its Israeli customers after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel’s northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023. The company also enabled free Supercharging at its stations in Mississippi and Tennessee in early February, in light of the power outages caused by a severe winter storm. Tesla Superchargers offer fast-charging services in more than 75,000 stations worldwide. These can provide up to 200 miles of range driving in 15 minutes. In Israel, Tesla has stations in Afula, Beersheva, Eilat, Ein Bokek, Givat Shmuel, Hadera, Haifa, Holon, Jerusalem, Karmiel, Kfar Saba, Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Shmona, Mevaseret Zion, Mitzpe Ramon, Modi’in Azrieli, Modi’in, Netanya, Petah Tikva, Ramat Hasharon, Tel Aviv and Yavne. According to financial outlet Calcalist, Tesla normaly charges between $0.21 per kilowatt-hour during off-peak hours and $0.43 during peak hours.

North American leaders pledge to confront antisemitism after Michigan attack

(JNS) — A coalition of nearly 150 mayors, councilmembers and municipal officials from the United States and Canada pledged on Sunday to confront antisemitism following the March 12 truck-ramming attack on Temple Israel, a large Reform synagogue in West Bloomfield, Mich.

The leaders, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement Mayoral Network, condemned the incident in which a man intentionally drove a vehicle into the synagogue building, which houses an early childhood center. Authorities say security personnel quickly engaged the suspect, who died at the scene, and no children or staff were seriously injured.

In their statement, signatories said, “Jewish residents must be able to gather, pray, educate their children and celebrate their faith without fear.” They thanked local officials, law enforcement and first responders for their swift actions to protect lives and secure the scene, noting the importance of “strong partnerships between local government, community institutions and law enforcement.”

“This incident is also a sobering reminder that the threat of antisemitism and violence directed at Jewish institutions remains real,” the coalition wrote. “Cities have a responsibility to confront that threat directly.”

The coalition reaffirmed a commitment to work with community partners to safeguard houses of worship and uphold public safety.

Bill calls for stripping citizenship from naturalized Americans who commit terrorism

(JNS) — Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) said he plans to introduce legislation to strip citizenship from naturalized citizens who commit acts of terrorism.

In response to recent attacks committed by naturalized citizens, including the March 12 truck-ramming at Temple Israel outside of Detroit, Moore stated that “this horrific pattern of naturalized citizens committing acts of terrorism against the American people must end.”

“I will introduce a bill to denaturalize and deport any naturalized citizen who commits an act of terrorism, plots to commit an act of terrorism, joins a terrorist organization, or otherwise aids and abets terrorism against the American people,” he said.

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) and Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) said they plan on co-sponsoring the bill.

All three congressmen are members of the Sharia Free America Caucus—as of March 6, it includes 46 members of Congress from 22 states—that promotes legislation intended to block the use of Sharia law in U.S. courts and immigration systems.

Along those lines, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said that he will introduce “a modernized version of my Expatriate Terrorist Act from 2017.”

“I began pushing this policy during my first term in the Senate,” Cruz stated. “It will enable the U.S. government to revoke the citizenship of foreigners who’ve committed or support terrorism.”

“Terrorists and their supporters have no place in the United States, and denaturalizing and deporting them will save lives,” he said.

Hamas acknowledges ‘NGO fundraiser’ killed by IDF as one of its own

(JNS) — Hamas admitted that Wissam Taha, who was killed in an Israeli Defense Forces strike on Sunday, was a member of their organization. Taha presented himself abroad as a fundraiser for “sustainable development” NGOs.

Taha represented two Lebanon-based NGOs: Ghirass for Society Development and Jeel Sustainable Development. The two groups appear to be legitimate.

However, a Hamas source told the AFP news agency “on condition of anonymity “ that Taha was “an official” from the terrorist group.

UN Watch’s Hillel Neuer brought attention to Hamas’s admission. “Hamas just told AFP that Wissam Taha, who raised donations worldwide for a ‘sustainable development’ NGO in Lebanon, was one of their officials. He was eliminated today by an IDF strike on his apartment in Sidon. His bro is close to UNRWA,” Neuer wrote on social media.

According to UN Watch, Taha’s brother Jihad Taha is a senior Hamas leader and its international spokesperson, serving as the main public representative of Hamas in Lebanon.

He frequently appears in global media to discuss developments such as leadership decisions (including the selection as chief of Yahya Sinwar after Ismail Haniyeh’s death) and ceasefire negotiations.

On World Refugee Day in June 2024, he said that Palestinians would not compromise on the right of “refugees” to return to their homes and would continue resistance “until they seize all their rights and end the fascist Zionist occupation,” i.e. destroy Israel.

‘Kill a Jew, go to heaven’ graffiti found on NYC bike trail

(JNS) — A graffiti message reading “Kill a Jew, go to heaven” was found over the weekend on a bike trail in New York City’s Riverside Park.

The sprayed sentence was discovered on a large stone along the trail between 97th Street and 105th Street, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a major hub of the Jewish community.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement, a global coalition of pro-Jewish groups, tweeted that it was “a direct public call for violence against Jews.”

The nonprofit added, “Last month alone, 28 antisemitic incidents were reported in New York.”

U.S.-based organization StopAntisemitism also responded to the incident, lamenting “this level of open hatred” in a city that was once a “safe haven for Jewish life.”

The NYPD and the New York City Parks Department have opened an inquiry into the incident. No suspects were arrested.

‘There can be no illusion that the Iranian regime’s target is any Jewish community’

By Yossi Lempkowicz

U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism Rabbi Yehudah Kaploun held a briefing on Friday in Brussels with several ambassadors from several European countries and other senior diplomats, following a series of terrorist attacks this week against Jewish sites in Europe.

The briefing, arranged by the European Jewish Association (EJA), covered the ongoing rise of antisemitism and discussed what tools were needed to defeat it, as well as the need for increased co-operation between Europe and the United States on the issue.

Rabbi Kaploun made an urgent call to the ambassadors to tell their capitals to immediately step up security for Jewish communities on the continent after the spate of attacks on Jewish sites in Europe and the United States, including on synagogues in Rotterdam, Liège and Oslo, and a Jewish school in Amsterdam. In the Detroit area, a terrorist targeted a building where Jewish pre-schoolers were present

In Rotterdam, Liège and Amsterdam, the attacks were claimed by a pro-Iranian jihadist group based in Iraq.

“There can be no illusion that the Iranian regime’s target is any Jewish community. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. There is a huge rise in antisemitism in Europe and worldwide,’’ declared Rabbi Kaploun.

Rabbi Menahem Margolin, chairman of the EJA, said, “The message to the ambassadors was clear : governments must immediately step up security for Jewish communities. Terrorism and antisemitic activity are now increasing. throughout Europe.’’

During his visit, Rabbi Kaploun met Jewish leaders and visited the Jewish community of Liège.

Originally published by the European Jewish Press.

Netanyahu wishes Iranians freedom on Persian new year

“I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz ... A new beginning of hope to all of you, my dear friends,” said the Israeli premier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday wished the “brave people of Iran” a Happy Nowruz, the Persian new year, which falls on the March equinox, the first day of Spring.

“To the brave people of Iran, I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the Festival of Lights. It signifies the age old belief of the Iranian people that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Festival of Fire, which falls on the Wednesday before the Persian new year.

“This year this holiday has special meaning. Celebrate it with your friends, your family, your loved ones. I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz: a year of freedom. A new beginning of hope to all of you, my dear friends,” he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also sent greetings to the Iranian people on the Festival of Fire (Charshanbeh Suri). “May this Festival of Fire, which is a unique, ancient tradition of your people bring with it best wishes, warmth and happiness and change that you so well deserve.

“I hope that this Charshanbeh Suri will bring with it a real change, change in the region, change in Iran, change for the future of our children.”

Warm wishes from Israel to the people of Iran on the Festival of Fire, Charshanbeh Suri.

The messages from the Israeli leaders came amid breaking news that the Israel Defense Forces, in overnight attacks on Tehran, had successfully eliminated Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who served as the No. 2 to slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and was a former chief of staff of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Also killed was Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years.

The Basij serves as the Islamic regime’s “the primary instrument of repression,” the IDF said on Tuesday.

“During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimani’s command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators,” the IDF said.

An estimated 10,000-35,000 demonstrators were killed during widespread protests against the regime beginning in December 2025.

Netanyahu wishes Iranians freedom on Persian new year

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday wished the “brave people of Iran” a Happy Nowruz, the Persian new year, which falls on the March equinox, the first day of Spring.

“To the brave people of Iran, I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the Festival of Lights. It signifies the age old belief of the Iranian people that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Festival of Fire, which falls on the Wednesday before the Persian new year.

“This year this holiday has special meaning. Celebrate it with your friends, your family, your loved ones. I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz: a year of freedom. A new beginning of hope to all of you, my dear friends,” he said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also sent greetings to the Iranian people on the Festival of Fire (Charshanbeh Suri). “May this Festival of Fire, which is a unique, ancient tradition of your people bring with it best wishes, warmth and happiness and change that you so well deserve.

“I hope that this Charshanbeh Suri will bring with it a real change, change in the region, change in Iran, change for the future of our children.”