Bethlehem — Israel news coverage in English

Marking the Yahrzeit of Matriarch Rachel with Hope for Redemption

Jews are marking the yahrzeit of the matriarch Rachel on the 11th of Cheshvan, remembering her as a symbol of maternal care and sacrifice. Commemorations include visiting her tomb…

Culture14h ago·2 outlets

Noam Party Activists Distribute Thousands of Memorial Kits Across Israel

Activists from Israel's Noam Party, led by MK Avi Maoz, distributed tens of thousands of memorial kits nationwide on Thursday. The kits, distributed near Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehe…

Security15h ago3·5 outlets

IDF Detains Activists Assisting Palestinian Olive Harvest Amid Coordination Dispute

The IDF detained about 90 foreign volunteers, including a US congressional nominee, in the West Bank on Wednesday while they were helping Palestinians harvest olives. Rabbis for H…

Culture15h ago

Thousands Mark Matriarch Rachel's Yahrzeit with Pilgrimage and Prayer

Thousands are visiting Matriarch Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem on October 22 for her yahrzeit, seeking comfort and praying for their families and the Jewish people. Her life story of…

Security18h ago

Israeli Forces Suppress Palestinian Olive Harvest Amid Settler Violence

Israeli forces are reportedly prioritizing the restriction of Palestinian farmers and activists from olive harvests over addressing settler violence, following an attack on a jour…

Security19h ago·2 outlets

Hundreds of Attacks Target Olive Harvest in West Bank Over 3 Weeks

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented 409 attacks by Israeli settlers and the military against Palestinian olive farmers and their property in the West Bank bet…

General20h ago

Thousands Visit Tomb of Rachel Imeinu for Annual Commemoration

Thousands gathered at Rachel Imeinu's tomb on Thursday, November 10, for her annual commemoration. Revered as the "mother of all" Jews, she is prayed to for various needs. A 40-da…

World21h ago

Tens of Thousands Attend Rachel's Tomb Commemoration in Bethlehem

Tens of thousands of worshippers are attending the annual commemoration of Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, which began yesterday and ends Friday. Access is limited to public transport…

Security1d ago

Settler Violence Surges Against Palestinian Olive Harvesters Ahead of Israeli Election

Palestinian farmers in the West Bank are facing escalating attacks and olive theft by Israeli settlers, with rights groups reporting over 100 physical assaults and 168 theft incid…

Security1d ago

Israeli Forces Conduct Raids Across West Bank and Jerusalem, Detaining Palestinians

Israeli forces conducted widespread raids and detentions across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem on Thursday, arresting Palestinians and searching homes. Clashes and injuries…

Security1d ago3

Israeli Forces Conduct Simultaneous Raids Across West Bank, Detain Young Woman

Israeli forces carried out simultaneous raids in multiple West Bank areas, including Jenin, Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron, and near Jerusalem. During the operations, a young…

Security1d ago

Police Release Most American Activists Detained Near Bethlehem

Israeli police released 32 American activists, including New York congressional candidate Brad Lander, with restraining orders after their arrest near Bethlehem. The remaining 40…

Security1d ago·9 outlets

US Activists Detained Near Bethlehem Released, Some Facing Deportation

Israeli police released 32 American activists detained near Bethlehem under restrictive orders, including some facing deportation. The group was arrested during a Palestinian oliv…

General1d ago

Major Changes to Access and Transport for Rachel's Tomb Pilgrimage

Major changes are being introduced for the annual pilgrimage to Rachel's Tomb to manage overcrowding, including buses dropping off pilgrims a walk away and modified police arrange…

Security1d ago

Rabbi's Tears Prevented Palestinian Control of Rachel's Tomb

Thousands visit Rachel's Tomb annually, a site with a history of Israeli efforts to retain control. During the Oslo Accords, Rabbi Menachem Porush's emotional plea to Prime Minist…

General1d ago·2 outlets

Israel Prepares for Annual Memorial Day at Rachel's Tomb

Israel is preparing for the annual memorial day for Rachel Imeinu in Bethlehem, featuring 24 hours of continuous prayer by yeshiva students. Thousands are expected to visit the ho…

Security2d ago3

Israeli Forces Arrest Islamic Jihad Operative in Bethlehem

Israeli forces arrested a wanted Islamic Jihad operative, described as a taxi driver involved in rebuilding the group's infrastructure and transferring terror funds, in Bethlehem…

Security2d ago4·9 outlets

Israeli Special Forces Arrest Islamic Jihad Operative Posing as Taxi Driver in Bethlehem

Israeli undercover soldiers arrested an Islamic Jihad operative posing as a taxi driver in Bethlehem on Monday. The 48-year-old suspect was involved in rehabilitating terror infra…

Culture2d ago·2 outlets

Top Rabbis Unite at Rachel's Tomb for Prayer Event

Three prominent rabbis, including Rabbi Binyamin Finkel, Rabbi Naftali Nussbaum, and Rabbi Moshe Tzadka, will gather at Rachel's Tomb for a prayer event. The event, coinciding wit…

Security2d ago

Israeli Forces Conduct Widespread Raids Across West Bank Towns and Camps

Israeli forces raided numerous towns and refugee camps across the West Bank early Wednesday morning. The operations, which included house searches and arrests, spanned areas near…

Security3d ago

Settlers Set Fire to Welcome Roundabout at Burqa Entrance East of Ramallah

Settlers set fire to a welcome roundabout at the entrance to Burqa village, east of Ramallah, early Tuesday, causing significant damage. Residents extinguished the fire and began…

Security3d ago

Israeli Forces Conduct Raids, Arrests Across West Bank

Israeli forces conducted widespread raids and arrests across multiple West Bank areas on Tuesday. Operations included incursions into towns and villages in the Hebron, Nablus, Sal…

Security3d ago

Israeli Forces Conduct Raids Across West Bank, Detaining Released Prisoners

Israeli forces conducted widespread raids across the West Bank on Tuesday, arresting numerous individuals including released prisoners and young men. The operations involved searc…

Security3d ago

Israel Designates Palestinian Land for Settlement Expansion

Israeli authorities have designated nearly 183 dunams of Palestinian land in Battir, Sa'ir, and Ash-Shuyukh as "state land" to expand the "Bar Kochba" and "Bnei Kedem" settlements…

Politics4d ago

Israel's "Palestinian Problem" Becomes Global Issue Amid Regional Instability

The "Palestinian problem" has become an "Israeli problem" due to perceived Israeli instability and actions, including attacks on diplomats and theft of crops. International adviso…

Politics4d ago

Obama's 'Land Taken' Claim Refuted by Historical Record

Former U.S. President Barack Obama's statement that Jews "took land off people" in Israel is a distortion of historical fact, according to Dr. Alex Grobman. International agreemen…

World4d ago

Special Transport Arrangements for Rachel's Tomb Commemoration

Israel is implementing special traffic and public transportation measures for the Rachel's Tomb commemoration on Thursday, November 11th. Private vehicles will be banned from the…

Security4d ago

Israel on High Alert Amid Elections and Iran Threat

Israel's military is on high alert for the next two weeks, with elections in Israel and the US approaching and ongoing threats from Iran. Despite intelligence not indicating an im…

Security4d ago

Settler Violence Surges in West Bank, Targeting Olive Harvest

Settler violence in the West Bank escalated on Sunday, with attacks targeting olive trees, sheep, and electrical infrastructure during the olive harvest season. Incidents included…

Tech5d ago

Palestinian Universities Partner with Rome's Sapienza for New Tech Colleges

Palestinian universities Al-Quds and Bethlehem have partnered with Rome's Sapienza University to establish two new colleges focused on technology and artificial intelligence. Name…

Security5d ago

IDF Education Focus Shifts to Right-Wing and Settlement Groups

The Israeli military has significantly increased its engagement with right-wing and settlement-focused educational organizations between 2021 and 2025, while reducing activities w…

Security7d ago·1 outlets

Worker Dies After Falling Three Stories in Beit Shemesh Construction Accident

A young worker, Mohammed Karim Hamdan from Za'tara, died in Beit Shemesh on Friday after falling three stories at a construction site. Emergency services performed extensive resus…

Security7d ago·1 outlets

Worker Dies After Falling Three Stories in Beit Shemesh Construction Accident

A young worker from the Palestinian territories died after falling three stories at a construction site in Beit Shemesh on Friday. Paramedics attempted intensive resuscitation but…

Security7d ago

Settlers Attack Palestinian Town, Setting Fire to Cars

Around 20 settlers attacked the Safa suburb of Beit Ummar, using clubs and gasoline bombs to set fire to cars. The settlers' attempt to burn down homes was unsuccessful, but one c…

Security7d ago

Settlers Attack Palestinians and Israeli Activists During Olive Harvest

Settlers have intensified attacks on Palestinian olive farmers and Israeli activists during the current harvest season, leading to widespread olive theft, physical assaults, and p…

Politics7d ago

Christians Face Growing Persecution Under Palestinian Authority, Researcher Claims

A researcher claims Christians under the Palestinian Authority face escalating intimidation, religious restrictions, and economic pressure, leading to a significant decline in the…

Security7d ago·3 outlets

Palestinian Farmers Sue for Access to West Bank Land Blocked by Military and Settlers

Six Palestinian farmers from Nahalin have petitioned Israel's Supreme Court, alleging they have been denied access to their agricultural lands since October 2023 due to settler vi…

Security7d ago

Researcher Alleges Christians Face Persecution Under Palestinian Authority

A Christian researcher, Elias Zarina, has detailed alleged persecution of Christians under Palestinian Authority rule, including intimidation, religious restrictions, and economic…

Security7d ago

Christian Researcher Details Persecution of Christians Under Palestinian Authority

A Christian researcher, Elias Zarina, has detailed the severe persecution of Christians under the Palestinian Authority, citing fear, economic exploitation, and cultural suppressi…

Politics8d ago

Israel's West Bank Policies Pushing Towards De Facto One-State Reality, Experts Warn

Israeli policies in the West Bank are creating a de facto one-state reality, according to Israeli researchers, potentially leading to increased violence and international isolatio…

Culture10d ago·14 outlets

Ancient Jerusalem Aqueduct Section Discovered Near City

A 300-meter section of an ancient aqueduct, dating back to the Hasmonean period (1st-2nd century BCE), has been discovered near Jerusalem. The aqueduct, which supplied water to th…

Security10d ago

60 Minutes Report Details Settler Violence Against Palestinians in West Bank

An American "60 Minutes" report documented extremist Israeli settlers violently confronting Palestinians in the West Bank, including footage of a settler headbutting a Palestinian…

Security11d ago

Settler Violence Escalates in West Bank with Kidnappings Targeting Palestinians

Settler gangs in the occupied West Bank are increasingly kidnapping and detaining Palestinians, particularly farmers, to seize their land. These incidents, often occurring during…

Security11d ago

Two Settlers Arrested in Attack on Palestinians Near Aqrabah

Israeli police and the Shin Bet arrested two suspects in connection with an attack on Palestinians near Aqrabah, south of Nablus, about a month ago. A gag order prevents the relea…

Culture11d ago

Palestinian Embroidery Deconstructed and Reimagined in New Exhibition

Artist Lamis Shehadeh's solo exhibition, "Deconstructing Embroidery," is on display at Tel Aviv-Yafo's Beit Ha'Bait cultural center, exploring Palestinian embroidery as a contempo…

Security11d ago

Palestinian Tourism Spotlights Heritage Amid Settlement Expansion

Palestinian tourism initiatives in Bethlehem and Hebron are being used to highlight the struggle for land and identity against Israeli settlement expansion. Minister Hani Al-Hayek…

Security12d ago

Settlers Attack Palestinians, Steal Olives During Harvest Season

Settlers attacked Palestinian villages and farmers in the West Bank, stealing olives, vandalizing trees, and assaulting residents during the olive harvest season. Attacks occurred…

Security12d ago·2 outlets

Israeli Forces Raid West Bank Towns, Settlers Attack Palestinians

Israeli forces conducted raids and arrests in multiple West Bank locations including Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. During these operations, settlers att…