Matthew Bell
Some Israelis Pray For Peace, Others for War
The World’s Matthew Bell visits Israel’s coast, now under threat of Hamas long-range rockets. Last night a large prayer vigil was held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where Israelis prayed for wildly different outcomes to the current conflict.
Hamas Rocket Targets Jerusalem
A Hamas rocket landed on a suburb of Jerusalem on Friday, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies. Anchor Aaron Schachter gets details from The World’s Matthew Bell in Jerusalem.
Gaza Crisis: Palestinian Militants Continue to Fire Missiles at Israel
Rocket fire from Gaza continued to rain into Israeli territory. Three Israelis have been killed as a result. The World’s Matthew Bell reports from the region where the rockets are falling.
Israel Kills Head of Hamas Military Wing
The head of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, has been killed during a series of Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip. He and another senior Hamas official died when the car they were traveling in was hit in Gaza City. Israel says it’s the start of a broader operation, fueling concerns about a larger conflict.
Israel and Syria Exchange Fire
There’s long been concern that the conflict in Syria could spill over into neighboring countries. Monday, Syrian mortar shells landed in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israeli army says it fired back and scored “direct hits” on the Syrian artillery units involved. The World’s Matthew Bell is in Jerusalem.
Effort in Israel Underway to Bring Up the Altalena from the Deep
Israel’s Begin Center in Jerusalem is raising money to commemorate a painful but pivotal episode in Israel’s history. In 1948, a Jewish group headed by Menachem Begin brought in a cache of weapons aboard the Altalena, a ship carrying Jewish refugees. The fledgling state’s leader, David Ben Gurion, ordered the army to attack the ship, arguing that Begin’s group, the Irgun, was a rogue militia.
How US Election Could Affect Vote in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated President Obama on his re-election. It’s an open secret in Israel that the two leaders have a tense relationship. The World’s Matthew Bell reports on how the outcome of the presidential vote in the US could impact Israel’s own elections early next year.
Israel Closely Watches US Vote
Ogling a tray of fresh hot chocolate rolls straight out of the oven at my favorite bakery… I thought of something a GOP activist told me in Las Vegas back in 2008.
The Implications of the US Election for Israel
The World’s Matthew Bell reports on the implications of the election for Israel, and on support there for both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Does the US Election Matter to Mid-East Peace Process?
One foreign country that’s been mentioned a fair bit during the presidential campaign is Israel. Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have gone out of their way to profess their commitment to Israel’s security. What they haven’t talked about much is the moribund Middle East peace process.
What’s in a Street Name? In Jerusalem, Plenty
Many streets in Arab East Jerusalem are unnamed. Jerusalem’s mayor has launched a campaign to name them and put up street signs. While many locals welcome this, some fear that it’s part of an Israeli plan to annexe the Arab parts of the city.
Gaza Clashes: Fear of Broader Conflict Between Israel and Hamas
There’s been a second day of violence on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Israel says it will do whatever it takes to halt rocket and mortar attacks, and did not rule out a ground attack. Israel is also criticizing a visit to Gaza by the Emir of Qatar, a US ally. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the World’s Middle East correspondent Matthew Bell about the dangers of escalation.
Long-Running Jerusalem Dispute Heats Up Again
After years of restrictions, some Jewish Israelis are now calling for freer access to Temple Mount, which the Muslims refer to as Noble Sanctuary.
Abu Ghosh Festival Celebrates Vocal Music in Israel
In a region where religion often pulls people apart, it’s refreshing to see Israelis musicians visit a Muslim village and perform in a Roman-era Catholic Church.
First All-Women’s List Seeks to Break Into Palestinian Politics
As Palestinians in the city of Hebron are gearing up for a municipal election, they will have a novel choice as one of the candidate lists on the ballot is made up entirely of women.
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