Kan English

The expatriate Irish community here in Israel is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day later this week at an even being hosted by the Irish embassy. Earlier I spoke with Malcom Gafson, the chairman of the Israel-Ireland Friendship League, about the Irish community in Israel and the current stormy relations between Jerusalem and Dublin. (photo:courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US launches campaign against Houthis in Yemen. Prime Minister Netanyahu instructs negotiating team to be prepared for talks based on Witkoff proposal. Northern resident charges with plotting Jerusalem shooting attack during Ramadan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The unique Purim traditions of the Cochin Jewish community, particularly the use of effigies as symbols of resistance and social inversion, have disappeared following the community's migration to Israel, according to a new study by Prof. Shalva Weil from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Once deeply embedded in their communal identity in India, these traditions faded as the community integrated into the broader global Jewish experience. Prof. Weil spoke to KAN reporter Naomi Segal about the cultural legacy of the community. (Photo: Cochin Jews at the 450th year celebration of the Paradesi synagogue, December 2017. Shalva Weil)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rare 17th-century parchment scroll of the Book of Esther, on loan from the National Library of Israel, has returned temporarily to the town of its creation, Ferrara, Italy, as part of a new exhibition that opened this week at the National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah (MEIS). The exhibition, "Beautiful Esther: Purim, a Timeless Story," explores the Biblical figure of Queen Esther through Renaissance art, rare parchments, historical artifacts, and interactive displays. The  scroll, or megillah, was written and illuminated in 1616 by Moshe Ben Avraham Pescarol, for a man named Mordechai Ben Eliyahu Halevi, who lived in the town of Brescello, near Ferrara, according to information written on the megillah itself. Dr. Chaim Neria, curator of the Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel told KAN reporter Naomi Segal that the illuminated megillah is believed to be the first in the Jewish world where the illustrations are part of the narrative. (Photo: Ferrara Megil

Modi’in resident Keren Weingarten Sherrington, a mother of three young daughters has had a challenging time since the start of the Gaza war. Her husband serves in the reserves in a tank unit and has already done four stints of reserve duty and will report again next week after receiving another call up to Gaza. Keren is a member of Shutafot B’Sherut , or Partners in Service, a group of wives of  IDF reservists from the national religious community. She spoke to KAN's Mark Weiss about how her life has changed over the last year and a half. (Photo: Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US envoy Witkoff joins Doha talks on hostage release framework. Israel, Lebanon agree to talks on demarcating land border. Defense, finance ministries draw up plan to boost benefits for IDF reservistsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Report:5 Gaza residents killed. Man killed in south Lebanon IAF drone strike. Massive IAF strike hits south Syria radar and bases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Knesset Health Committee  held a special debate on Monday  to discuss  the possibility Israel’s withdrawal from World Health Organization. Coalition MKs accused the WHO of antisemitism and discrimination against Israel, and noted that the UN agency has failed to condemn the use of hospitals and other medical facilities by Hamas during the Gaza war. Professor Dorit Nitzan, a representative of the Israel Medical Association and former WHO official, opposed Israel's withdrawal, arguing that leaving the organization could significantly harm national security, public health, and global cooperation. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Professor Nadav Davidovitch from Beersheva’s Ben Gurion university, chair of the Taub Center’s Health Policy program and an executive board member at ASPHER, the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European region. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 100 participants attended a special session on Sunday  convened by the Knesset Land of Israel Caucus to discuss voluntary emigration of the population of Gaza, as proposed by US President Donald Trump. The objective of the hearing was to propose and promote practical steps to implement Trump’s plan, focusing on solutions that would provide long-term stability to the region through voluntary emigration of the Gazan population. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Naomi Kahn from the Regavim movement, one of the organizers of the event. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the aftermath of a bloody weekend that left hundreds of people dead, the IDF is closely monitoring the fighting in northern Syria between troops loyal to Syria's leader Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa , formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, and members of the Alawite community, supporters of the ousted Alawite president, Bashar Assad. Israel's Druze community are also following developments closely and praised the promise from Prime Minister Netanyahu that no harm would come to Syria's Druze residents. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Dr Amir Khnifess, Chair of the Israel Druze Center. (Photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel defense and finance ministers have announced plans to expand financial support for spouses and children of those who fell serving in the IDF and Israel's security services. Shlomi Nahumson, CEO of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization spoke to KAN reporter Naomi Segal about the developments, stressing that much more is needed for society to support this population. (Photo: Courtesy IDF Widows and Orphans Organization)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her new book "Divided Hearts," author Yaffa Turgeman addresses the challenges and dilemmas faced by Israeli immigrants in the United States, of living a life with anchors in two places. For the Israeli-born Turgeman, who moved to Colorado some 35 years ago, the 18 stories that comprise the book are intended to highlight the consequences that come with such a choice. She spoke to KAN reporter Naomi Segal. (Photo: Courtesy)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Qatar talks, Hamas says committed to ceasefire. Report: US threatened Iraq to get kidnapped Israeli-Russian academic freed. Cabinet to discuss possible ouster of attorney general at next meetingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Arab world - backed by European powers - seek a way to rebuild the Gaza Strip and move toward a two-state solution, Palestinians in are seeking a way to end the destruction that Hamas brought upon them and the corruption that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has institutionalized in the West Bank. This according to Samer Sinijlawi, a Palestinian political activist and chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that Abbas is no longer relevant for most Palestinians and would likely move on this year. He also said that Palestinians see how Israelis are demonstrating in a vibrant democracy and they want the same, but are being deterred by Israeli and PA security suppression. (photo: Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof. Uzi Rabi, Director of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern affairs at Tel Aviv University, said that Iran was humiliated by US President Trump’s overture to open negotiations for a nuclear deal. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that a weakened Iran was operating to bide its time till new reality rises. Regarding Syria, Rabi said that Israel’s strategy, including expanding its protection for the Druse of southern Syria, was aimed at keeping radical Islamists far from its borders. (photo: AP) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel to send mid-level delegation to hostage release talks in Qatar, Jerusalem light rail extension finally opens after many delays, IDF spokesman to be replaced See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a first, the Beer Sheva-based Kamea dance company season premiere is bringing the works of sought-after creators Jacopo Godani and Andonis Foniadakis to the Israeli stage. Performances begin March 6-8 at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel Aviv. Kamea dance company artistic director and resident choreographer Tamir Ginz spoke to reporter Naomi Segal. (Photo: Kfir Boloton)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Egypt has proposed a 53 billion dollar plan to rebuild Gaza that would not require resettlement of the population. It was presented as an alternative to US President Donald Trump's idea for reconstruction of the enclave. Shraga Biran, President of the Institute for Structural Reforms, spoke to KAN reporter Naomi Segal about the institute's model for Gaza rehabilitation, which is also laid out in his book, Liberating Gaza. (Photo: Flash90. Inset: Courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US confirms envoy engaged in direct contact with Hamas terror group. Released captive's provides first public sign of life of hostage Rom Braslavski since his abduction in October 7t attack. Justice minister moves to oust attorney generalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In first speech as Israel's 24th IDF chief of staff, Eyal Zamir urges all segments of society to serve in military. Outgoing army chief Herzi Halevi in parting speech calls for state commission of inquiry into October 7th attack. Funeral held for Ohad Yahalomi, murdered in Hamas captivity whose remains were returned to Israel last weekSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.