* Pope vows to fight anti-Semitism Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel on Monday, starting a historic five-day pilgrimage by calling for peace, an end to anti-Semitism, and freedom of worship and understanding between religions.

* Netanyahu: Peace talks will begin soon Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in Sharm e-Sheikh that Israel wants to renew negotiations with the Palestinians as soon as possible.

* PA jails Hamas activist for coup plot In the first verdict of its kind, a Palestinian Authority court in Nablus sentenced a Hamas activist to 18 months in prison on charges of plotting to stage a coup against the regime of PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Netanyahu-Obama meeting crucial to Middle East US President Barack Obama’s meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu next week has become the acid test for the White House’s commitment to peace in the Middle East, King Abdullah II of Jordan said.

* Blair: We’ve reached a moment of truth The Quartet’s envoy Tony Blair observed that “you’d be nuts if you were naively optimistic” regarding the chances of a peacemaking breakthrough “after all we’ve been through over the years.”

* Pakistan steps up Swat offensive Pakistan’s military is stepping up an offensive against the Taleban, after a weekend in which it said it killed 200 militants in and near the Swat valley.

* Russia to host UN talks to revive Mideast peace Security Council chair calls open debate in hopes of adopting draft statement calling for “lasting peace in the region.”

* Israel is quietly expelling young settler couples from West Bank The head of the municipal council of West Bank settlements accused the government on Monday of indirectly causing the “expulsion” of young Israelis from the territories.

* Ankara’s closer ties with Muslim countries EU compatible EU accession remains Turkey’s main priority after a cabinet reshuffle, with the country’s new policy of forging stronger ties with Muslim neighbours seen as EU compatible despite concerns from the secularist oppposition.

* Pope Calls for Palestinian Homeland Pope Benedict has called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict – a position that could put him at odds with Israel’s new government.

* Russia warns against ‘adventures’ The Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has issued a stern warning to any countries considering what he called “military adventures”.

* Obama renews sanctions against Syria The Obama administration said Friday it is renewing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria.

* Iran president seeks second term Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered to fight for a second term in office in June’s presidential vote.

* Pope expresses ‘deep respect’ for Islam Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep respect for Islam Friday and said he hopes the Catholic Church can play a role in Mideast peace.

* Battle for Jerusalem: PA Leader Prays near Ma’aleh Adumim Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad appeared at a protest tent near Ma’aleh Adumim on Friday.

* Rabbi Lau: No Need to Flatter the Pope — or to Rebuff Him Israel’s former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau explains Pope Benedict XVI’s two “mistakes” and how he differs from the last pope.

* Netanyahu: Israel will never withdraw from Golan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of Russian-language reporters Thursday that Israel will never withdraw from the Golan Heights.

* Pope warns of misuse of religion Pope Benedict XVI has warned against the misuse of religion for political ends, in a speech to Muslim leaders on the second day of his visit to Jordan.

* Pakistani offensive sparks ‘massive displacement’ of civilians The United Nations’ refugee agency warned Friday of a “massive displacement” of civilians as Pakistan’s military broadens its offensive against Taliban militants.

* Obama to reach out to Muslims in Egypt speech US President Barack Obama will deliver a much anticipated speech to the Muslim world in Egypt next month.

By: UK Reuters

Only one in eight Russians believes President Dmitry Medvedev holds real power, exactly a year after he was inaugurated on Thursday, according to the latest figures from Russian pollsters Levada.

Twelve percent said power in Russia lay with Medvedev. This figure was at a high of 22 percent in April 2008 just after his election as Russia’s third president, but before he took office.

Far more people — 30 percent — believe his predecessor and Russia’s powerful prime minister, Vladimir Putin, controls authority while just under half of all respondents said they shared power equally.

Medvedev has struggled to escape from Putin’s shadow after being picked by Putin to succeed him before winning an overwhelming endorsement in a March 2008 election that rival candidates said was loaded against them.

Since the election, Russia fought a brief war with ex-Soviet Georgia last August and has been badly crippled by the global economic crisis, with unemployment now at an eight-year high and the rouble devalued by a third against the dollar.

Levada’s poll was conducted on Apr. 24-27 across 128 polling sites in 46 Russian regions and has a 3.4 percent margin of error.

Eighty percent of those polled also said Medvedev was continuing Putin’s policies while just 13 percent said he was changing course, despite Medvedev’s attempts to portray a more liberal image.

A separate analysis of television coverage by Russian business daily Kommersant showed a sharp increase in appearances of Medvedev over Putin in recent days on the three main channels, which are all state-controlled.

On May 6, Medvedev received over 27 minutes of airtime compared with five minutes for Putin, Kommersant reported.

“In his first presidential year, Russia’s third president has tried to achieve two things: keep true to the policies of Russia’s second president, Vladimir Putin, and to find his own political style. So far Mr Medvedev has succeeded in both directions,” the newspaper wrote.”

* Pope begins Mid-East pilgrimage Pope Benedict XVI stressed his “deep respect” for Islam as he arrived in Jordan to begin a Middle East visit.

* Netanyahu can be a peacemaker, says Quartet emissary Blair Quartet emissary Tony Blair on Thursday offered a strong endorsement of Binyamin Netanyahu’s capacity to achieve peace.

* Moscow show of strength hides critical military weakness The march through Red Square by thousands of troops ahead of tanks and nuclear missile launchers sent an unambiguous message of Russian military might.

* Jerusalem worried over breakdown of U.S.-Israel cooperation under Obama Senior officials in Jerusalem expressed concern recently over the sharp decline in the coordination between Israel and the United States.

* ‘Lieberman sees Europeans as cowards’ A day after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman wrapped up his first diplomatic trip to Europe with a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, German lawmakers on Friday said the visit left them somewhat disappointed.

* EU launches ‘Eastern Partnership’ The European Union has launched a plan to forge close political and economic ties with six former Soviet republics in exchange for democratic reforms.

* Palestinians seek papal pressure on Israel Palestinian officials are using Pope Benedict XVI’s visit next week to spotlight their disputes with Israel.

* US denies Israel access to F-35 computer A refusal by the United States to allow Israel to repair computer systems in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is at the heart of disagreements between the Defense Ministry and the Pentagon.

* US slams Hizbullah actions in Egypt US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice on Thursday night echoed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s condemnation of Hizbullah for its “unwarranted interference” in Egypt’s affairs.

* Pakistan Presses ‘All-Out’ Assault on Taliban in Swat Pakistan troops backed by fighter jets and military helicopters battled Taliban militants in the Swat Valley.

* Pakistan pounds Taleban positions Pakistani helicopter gunships and warplanes have been bombing suspected Taleban militants in the Swat Valley as clashes intensify in the north-west.

* Time running out to stop Iran nuclear pursuit, investigator says A man who spearheaded financial investigations of Iran said Wednesday the Islamic republic is “deadly serious” about developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

* Syria: No need to amend Arab peace initiative Syria’s foreign minister says there’s no justification for amending an Arab peace offer to Israel.

* ‘Abbas to form new gov’t without Hamas’ Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to ask his prime minister within the coming week to form a new government without Hamas.

* White House Official: Iranian, Israeli Nukes Unrelated Issues An Obama official’s call for Israel to declare its nuclear weapons could mean the end of a 40 year pact to keep the Israeli arsenal under wraps.

* Egypt: We have to keep Teheran in check The new US administration’s engagement with Iran could be a positive move.

* EU summit text loaded with eastern tension Last minute tweaks to the Eastern Partnership summit declaration reveal EU unease over enlargement and immigration.

* Pope visit boosts Jordanian site of Jesus baptism When Pope Benedict stops to pray at a pool of still green water here on Sunday, his visit will bolster the case that Jesus was baptized at this spot on the east bank of the Jordan River.

* Few Russians believe Medvedev controls power: poll Only one in eight Russians believes President Dmitry Medvedev holds real power.

* Czech senate approves EU’s Lisbon treaty The Czech Senate on Wednesday (6 May) approved the EU’s Treaty of Lisbon.

* Ahmadinejad: Syria, Iran united against Israel Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday his country and Syria are united behind Palestinian “resistance” to Israel.

* ‘Quartet to present new strategy’ The US-led Quartet of Middle East mediators is working on a new strategy for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

* Taliban fighters pounded by Pakistani forces Pakistan’s military is pounding Taliban targets in the country’s Swat Valley, trying to clear militants who control parts of the district’s main city.

* US Arab allies wary over Iran overtures Washington’s efforts to start a dialogue with Iran have sent ripples of alarm through the capitals of America’s closest Arab allies.

* MK Katz to Biden: Have Some Respect for Land of the Bible US Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the AIPAC convention in Washington on Tuesday, and said straight out: Israel must stop building in Judea and Samaria.

* ‘No alternative to 2-state solution’ There is no an alternative to a two-state peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

* IAEA: Weapons grade uranium traces found in Egypt The UN nuclear watchdog agency says its inspectors have found traces of weapons-grade uranium in Egypt.

* US pro-Israeli group attempts to stop shift in White House Middle East policy US congressional leaders and the most powerful pro-Israel lobby group in the US are attempting to forestall a significant shift in the White House’s Middle East policy.

* Pope arriving at time when Christians are leaving When Pope Benedict XVI comes to the Holy Land next week, he will greet a community of believers whose numbers are gradually eroding.

* Robot sub aims for deepest ocean A robotic submarine is undergoing final preparations to dive to the deepest-known part of the oceans.

* Emanuel: Thwarting Iran easier with Israeli-Palestinian talks The task of forming an international coalition to thwart Iran’s nuclear program will be made easier if progress is made in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

* China military build-up seems U.S.-focused: Mullen China’s build-up of sea and air military power funded by a strong economy appears aimed at the United States.

* Mashaal: Hamas wants 10 year cease-fire Hamas has stopped launching rockets at Israel and is looking to establish a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.

* Homeland agency pulled back extremism dictionary The same Homeland Security Department office that categorized veterans as potential terrorists issued an earlier report that defined dozens of “extremists” ranging from black power activists to abortion foes.

* Israel blasts UN report on Cast Lead Israel on Tuesday rejected as “patently biased” a UN inspection committee report which alleged that the IDF had intentionally attacked UN installations during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip.

* US needs ‘digital warfare force’ The head of America’s National Security Agency says that America needs to build a digital warfare force for the future.

* Netanyahu: Israel ready to resume talks Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Monday night stressed the importance of peace, calling for a three-tiered approach to working toward a resolution with the Palestinians.

* Peres backs Arab League peace initiative President Shimon Peres on Monday indicated that the Arab League peace plan could serve as a basis for moving the peace process forward.

* National Union MK: Pope an anti-Semite A heated meeting was held at the Knesset on Tuesday morning, after Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) demanded an urgent discussion on the pope’s upcoming visit to Israel.

* Sudan ‘launches attack on Chad’ Chad’s government has accused Sudan of launching a military attack, two days after the neighbours signed a reconciliation agreement in Qatar.

* Israel’s hard-right foreign minister begins European tour Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, begins his European tour in a bid to soothe European Union concerns over the new government’s commitment to the peace process.

* Gingrich: “Obama endangering Israel” Former US House speaker Newt Gingrich blasted the Obama administration for setting itself on a collision course with Israel and endangering the Jewish state.

* Most Israelis would support Iran strike A vast majority (66%) of Israelis said they would support military action if diplomatic and economic efforts failed to get Iran to stop uranium enrichment.

* Arrow operators prepare for Iranian threat Air Force reservists who operate the Arrow and Patriot missile defense systems have recently begun spending one day a week on duty to sharpen their skills, amid fears that in a conflict with Iran.

* New Ambassador to U.S. Favors Razing Jewish Yesha Communities The Netanyahu government’s choice for U.S. Ambassador is Dr. Michael Oren, who favors Israel withdrawing unilaterally from most of Judea and Samaria and razing most settlements.

* Christians in Jerusalem Down to Just 2% from 20% On the eve of Pope Benedict 16’s upcoming visit to Israel, an Israeli research group says that the number of Christians living in Jerusalem has shrunk to 14,000, down from 31,000 at the end of the British Mandate.

* Saudi crown prince’s surgery raises questions Saudi Arabia’s crown prince was convalescing Saturday in Morocco where he arrived this week after surgery for an undisclosed illness in New York City.

* Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish people Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat welcomed visitors to Jerusalem on Monday ahead of Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit to the region.

* France considers ban on ‘anti-Zionist’ voting lists France is examining the possibility of banning the “anti-Zionist” voting lists French comedian Dieudonne wants to present for the European Parliament elections in June.

* Pope visit to Israel fraught with potential minefields The official Israeli government Web site for Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming trip to Israel and the West Bank promotes the May 11-15 visit as a “Bridge for Peace.”

* Radical anti-US cleric Sadr resurfaces in Turkey Iraq’s Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr – not seen in public for nearly two years – held face-to-face talks with Turkey’s top two leaders Friday.

* Netanyahu aides fear ‘surprise’ demands from Obama Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides fear that U.S. President Barack Obama will “surprise” the prime minister with unanticipated ideas and demands at the leaders’ upcoming meeting in Washington on May 18.

* Peres, Obama to meet Tuesday The White House on Saturday officially confirmed President Shimon Peres’ meeting with his US counterpart Barack Obama, next week.

* EU preparing to face ‘likely’ swine flu pandemic The EU on Thursday (30 April) urged Europeans not to panic over the swine flu outbreak and sought to reassure them.

* Nasrallah taunts Egypt: You’ve only made us stronger Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah used his televised speech Friday evening to respond once more to Egypt’s accusations that his organization is trying to topple the regime in Cairo.

* ‘Taleban killed’ in Pakistan raid The Pakistan army has fought off a Taleban attack on an outpost near the Afghan border, killing at least 13 militants.

* Russian troops patrol rebel borders with Georgia Russian border guards have begun patrolling the de-facto borders of Georgia’s rebel region of South Ossetia.

* Flu death toll ‘less than feared’ Mexico has revised down the suspected death toll from swine flu from 176 to 101, indicating that the outbreak may not be as bad as was initially feared.

* Hamas warns Abbas not to form new government alone After failing to reach agreement with Hamas over the formation of a Palestinian unity government, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is planning to form a new government that would not include representatives of the Islamic movement.

* Israel attacks more Gaza tunnels Israel says its aircraft have attacked tunnels on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for a second day.

By: The Jerusalem Post

The Iraqi government has launched a project to renovate the interior of the prophet Ezekiel’s shrine in the small town of Kifl, south of Baghdad, and the country’s Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities says it hopes to eventually repair and renovate other Jewish sites across the country.

“The ministry is concerned with all Iraqi heritage, whether it is Christian or Jewish or from any other religion,” ministry spokesman Abdelzahra al-Talaqani told AFP. “The present plans do not include the synagogues in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Fallujah and other places because of lack of funding, but I think they will be included in future plans.”

Iraqi Jewry was once one of the largest and most prominent Jewish communities in the Middle East.

But after Israel’s establishment, more than 120,000 Iraqi Jews moved to Israel in the 1950s in a clandestine operation dubbed Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.

Outside the shrine of the prophet – who followed Jews into the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BC – is a 14th-century brick minaret, while the inside is shaped like a synagogue, with old wooden arks that used to contain Torah scrolls and the remains of a Mehitza – a separation for men and women.

On the walls inside appears Hebrew script under a dome with medieval Islamic floral designs.

Until the mid-20th century, up to 5,000 Jews used to visit the tomb during Passover. Muslims believe the tomb to be that of Dhul-Kifl, considered by some to be a prophet of Islam and by others to just be a righteous man mentioned in the Koran.

It had been protected by Saddam Hussein as a holy site.

The tombs of the prophets Daniel, Ezra, Nahum and Jonah are also purported to be located in Iraq.