middle east current events – The Real Jerusalem Streets

In Jerusalem, one week with 3 conferences to share

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026Sharon A

The busy week began Sunday night at the Nefesh B’Nefesh Jerusalem Campus.

What a view! Remembered just in time as the sky was darkening by the second.

Eden Center Conference

The Eden Center “Navigating Today’s Realities” was a first in English; past events were in Hebrew.

The professional conference brought together kallah teachers, educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders.

Women who knew each other’s important work were able to meet and share knowledge.

Eden Center founder Dr. Nomi Marmon Grumet began with opening remarks.

Various aspects of social interaction included Dr. Alex Bailey’s ‘How to get along with the in-laws’ in an entertaining TED talk.

Much more serious was the research presented by Shulmit Sperber on sexual abuse.

The bridal teachers and mikvah attendants must be aware of how to support women who are survivors of abuse.

Roundtable discussions and more were offered for an informative and engaging event.

With so many people I have known over the years from around the world, I wish I had more time to catch up.

2026 Pulse of Israel Conference

“From Victims to Victors: The Jewish People’s Next Chapter” was on Tuesday night at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Ari Abramowitz was the master of ceremonies

Avi Abelow, founder and CEO of Pulse of Israel, conducted an interview in Hebrew with IDF Brigadier General and October 7 hero Oren Solomon.

Caroline Glick was a powerful and popular presenter. One would never know she was filling in for announced participants who had to stay at the Knesset for an important session.

Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an expert on Israel and the Middle East, presented a map for his Palestinian Emirates Plan.

The panel discussion was moderated by Alex Traiman, with Hillel Fuld and Topaz Doitsch Ram.

There were other speakers, live and on video.

But I want to share a bit of Naomi Kahn’s report on Regavim.

Careful research and documentation go into their reports. The work should be praised, not sanctioned.

The Arab land grabs have gone on for years and have been allowed with UN assistance.

A special award went to Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council since 2015.

MORE PHOTOS – HERE

On my way home, the Maccabiah Jerusalem Night Run streets were beginning to open.

It’s getting harder and harder to be in two places at the same time.

Would have loved to have been in Sacher Park to see the runners before and after they ran.

Israel365 Middle East Summit

I went through Bloomfield Park and behind the King David Hotel and saw the preparations for Kites Jerusalem.

On Thursday night, the opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival was also nearby, in the Sultan’s Pool.

The David Castle was my destination.

I was there five years ago when it opened under another name and another time during one of its renovations.

Israel365 Middle East Summit: The Path to Victory was a program in Hebrew and English.

The opening panel – ‘The Battle Within: Israel’s Internal Divides’ was in Hebrew.

Abby Lee, the Ambassador from Taiwan, was articulate and excellent in comparing her country with Israel.

‘The Eight Front: Winning the International Arena’ had Yishai Fleisher leading a discussion with Hillel Fuld and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke in rapid-fire Hebrew to an audience that seemed to appreciate his negative views on Oslo.

Notice the time clock in the back of the room? Most speakers kept to their times.

Like the Pulse Israel conference event, the program became flexible to accommodate the politicians.

Minister of Settlements Orit Strook was presented with an award for Outstanding Contributions to Zionism.

She called up retired Brigadier General Moshe “Musa” Peled to join her during a brief thank you.

Some people came and went, but MK Ohad Tal was present for the entire event and spoke near the end.

I got out long enough between the presentations to take a quick photo of the Old City walls as the sun was setting.

More photos – HERE

Three conferences in five days, and it feels like things are getting back to “normal’ in Jerusalem.

Signs are up for the Manofim Festival, which is back from July 14-18, 2026.

The flowers are bright and beautiful in the summer sun.

Hope you will be here soon to see the views, sunsets, and events happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Summer in Jerusalem with 3 international events you should see

June 21, 2026June 21, 2026Sharon A

A week with Israel at the center of international headlines.

No idea what will happen next.

But I want to make sure you heard of these 3 events that happened in Jerusalem, Israel.

The IDF Band and honor guard were out early on Sunday to welcome the President of Somaliland, Abdirahaman Mohamed Abdullahi.

The Israeli President’s official guest book was ready to be signed in the diplomatic reception room.

The band was playing the national anthems as the President and his wife were welcomed on the red carpet.

Israeli and Somaliland government officials were lined up inside to meet and greet each other.

The President and their wives and military attaches followed for the signing of the guest book.

The Somaliland President was welcomed and spoke of the 6 million Muslims he was elected to represent.

The lunch that followed included the Israeli Foreign Minister and the former head of Mossad, who have been working on joint relations.

The Somaliland delegation had days filled with events and a dinner reception at the Friends of Zion Center.

No wine, again, but dined in style, hosted by Mike Evans and the FoZ.

The Friends of Zion Award is a menorah given over the years to leaders who support Israel.

President Abdullahi opened the Somaliland Embassy in Jerusalem.

He expressed his appreciation for Israel being the first country to recognize and support his country.

But Somaliland was not the only country with government officials in Jerusalem.

The President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, Martin Menem, was welcomed to Jerusalem at the Knesset.

On Monday morning, the head of Argentina’s parliament was greeted by Israeli Speaker Amir Ohana.

The national anthems were played as the flag of Argentina was raised.

Menem placed a ceremonial wreath at the memorial flame outside the Knesset.

He took a rather long time to sign the Knesset guest book.

I went to take a photo of what he wrote in Spanish. Here’s an AI English Translation:
The Honorable Martín Menem
President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Nation

With immense gratitude, I visit the Knesset, a symbol of Israeli democracy and of the strength of a people that has known how to DEFEND its freedom, its identity, and its values throughout its history.

It is an honor for me to be the first President of the honorable CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES of the ARGENTINE NATION to make an official visit to ISRAEL, which reflects the deep FRIENDSHIP that unites both nations that share FUNDAMENTAL VALUES.

With ADMIRATION and AFFECTION toward the people of ISRAEL.

[Signature]
MARTÍN MENEM

Jerusalem, 15 June 2026
30 Sivan 5786

One more event you may not have heard about.

Sarri Singer founded Strength to Strength, a global non-profit that connects and supports victims of terrorism, bereaved families, and first responders.

She established the organization after surviving a tragic 2003 suicide bombing on Bus 14 in Jerusalem, where she was severely injured while everyone seated around her was killed.

NGO Monitor, Strength to Strength, hosted an event at StandWithUs on Monday night.

Sharren Haskel, Israeli politician serving as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the keynote speaker.

The panel (left to right): Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Sarri Singer, and Anne Herzberg discussed “pay for slay.”

The PA has found new ways to continue to pay terrorists and their families who murder Israelis.

Out in the real Jerusalem streets, 5 parking spots have been reduced to 2.

The pomegranate trees are in bloom as the grasses dry out in June.

And with all the uncertainty in the world today, the summer sunsets are colorful as always.

Tourists are arriving. Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem, old and new, and inside and out

May 31, 2026May 31, 2026Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, is a city of contrasts.

A place of diversity, where the Jerusalem streets are constantly changing.

Jerusalem’s ancient Tower of David and the Old City walls are well known.

The lanes of Yemin Moshe have long been photo-worthy.

Now, with almost everyone having a camera on their smartphone, sights and scenes are widely shared.

The annual Jerusalem Unity Prize awards were presented at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence, on May 24, 2026.

When Raviv Kaner began to sing, the phones began recording.

Awards were given to 5 communities and organizations for their efforts in promoting unity.

The last two awards were to individuals – Rabbi Yonatan Reiss, founder of the Chedvata network of haredi hesder yeshivot, was honored for advancing the integration of ultra-Orthodox young men into meaningful national service and Israeli society while maintaining strong religious observance.

The audience stood to applaud his award and work.

The final honoree, Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, also received a standing ovation for his longstanding efforts to strengthen relations between the Druze community and broader Israeli society and promote shared life among Israel’s diverse populations.