Universities flay ’fascist’ flag ban bill * US raps bid to restrict NGOs’ foreign funding * Waters dons SS garb onstage in Germany * New Iran missile * Conversion crisis

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Thursday, May 25, 2023 [University heads denounce coalition bill that would ban display of Palestinian flag]( By ToI Staff Joint statement says measure would infringe on free speech, make schools ‘branches of police and Shin Bet’; Tel Aviv University chief vows not to enforce ‘fascist’ law if passed [Far-right proposal saying gov’t policy must adhere to ‘Zionist values’ set for vote]( By Jeremy Sharon [Anti-LGBTQ MK Maoz set to rejoin government, resume role as Jewish identity czar]( By ToI Staff [US sounds alarm over Likud bill targeting rights groups backed by foreign governments]( By Jacob Magid State Department says human rights organizations ‘should have space to raise resources’ worldwide; NIF bashes ‘government of extremists’ as coalition weighs bill to impose 65% tax [Iran says it test-launched new missile with 2,000-km range, capable of hitting Israel]( By ToI Staff and AFP Fourth generation of Khorramshahr ballistic missile, dubbed Kheibar, can carry a 1,500 kilogram warhead, Tehran’s defense minister claims [Top Netanyahu aides to visit US for talks on Iran, Saudi Arabia — report]( By ToI Staff [Shekel slumps 1.6% against dollar after IDF chief hints at war with Iran]( By ToI Staff [As demand for Orthodox Jewish conversion soars, the number of successful cases dips]( By Canaan Lidor The government’s protracted process is not appealing to most of the half-million Israelis who are not recognized as Jewish by the Rabbinate [In Germany, Roger Waters dons SS garb, projects ‘Anne Frank’ on screen to bash Israel]( By Toby Axelrod Former Pink Floyd frontman, known for antisemitic antics, draws comparison between teen killed in Holocaust and death of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last year [Hitler’s birth site to become human rights training center for Austrian police]( By ToI Staff and AFP [Biden set to unveil antisemitism strategy amid angst over how to define hatred]( By Ron Kampeas Top Ops Shoshana Batya Greenwald [‘Canceling’ women’s Talmud study]( Who would I be today if my gap-year seminary had encouraged me to learn all the Torah I could when I got to Stern College, instead of dissuading me? Leah Herzog [We are our choices]( Why is Ruth, in the megillah that bears her name, the ’good’ daughter-in-law when Orpah is the one who takes Naomi’s request to heart? Herzl Hefter [Understanding Sinai: The theological uncertainty principle]( If we set aside our idealized, nostalgic reconstructions of the past, we can engage in the changing present with all its possibilities and surprises Shlomo Zuckier [Staying up all night on Shavuot is about going all in]( The wee hours aren’t conducive to optimal Torah study… and that’s OK. It’s by design ToI podcast [What Matters Now to Yair Zakovitch: Using ‘Ruth’ as a blueprint for creative halacha]( By Amanda Borschel-Dan Israel Prize-winning Bible scholar dives into Shavuot scroll’s meaning, laments lack of biblical literacy in secular society, but sees hope in anti-judicial overhaul demonstrations Op-ed David Horovitz [Netanyahu has pushed through an appalling budget. Now here comes the overhaul again]( The PM caved to his ultra-Orthodox allies with boosted funds for inadequate schools and full-time Torah study. Will he ignore the national interest on the future of the judiciary too? [PM vows to pursue ‘broad consensus’ on judiciary after overhaul revival spurs outcry]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff [World Zionist Congress passes resolutions opposing Netanyahu government moves]( By Canaan Lidor [Russian speakers relish a user-friendly Shavuot, and its pro-conversion message]( By Canaan Lidor An organization that helps build communities of newcomers from former Soviet countries has adapted the Jewish holiday’s all-night study tradition [Prominent GOP donors in Israel: Judicial fight keeps us from investing here]( By Lazar Berman Members of Lincoln Club of Orange County delegation are hanging onto their money until independence of judges is assured; they want US presidents engaged in Middle East, Ukraine [Several hundred rally outside Netanyahu’s home, claiming he’s ruining US relations]( By ToI Staff [Budget dedicates billions for West Bank roads, settlements and illegal outposts]( By Jeremy Sharon NIS 3.5 billion to be invested in upgrading or paving new roads, including routes for settlers to bypass Palestinian towns; hundreds of millions more to go into settlement projects Inside story Ron Kampeas [What Jewish voters should know about GOP presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis]( Florida’s governor supports Israel and Jewish groups, but his conservative culture war policies have limited Holocaust education, and far-right activity has spiked under his watch [DeSantis launches US presidential bid in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches]( By Steve Peoples, Adriana Gomez Licon and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE [DeSantis officially enters 2024 race, challenging Trump for GOP nod]( By Steve Peoples, Adriana Gomez and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Analysis Sharon Wrobel [Netanyahu’s fat man, thin man and the burden of the new state budget]( As more funds are funnelled to the ultra-Orthodox community, other budgets for investment in high-tech are reduced; reforms for tackling high cost of living are suffering [Allegations of greed and antisemitism taint Belgian urban pollution dispute]( By Canaan Lidor A gold refinery situated in a heavily Jewish part of Antwerp claims it’s the victim of Jews pretending to be worried about their health to take over real estate [Settlers clash with Palestinians near Homesh after EU officials tour West Bank site]( By Emanuel Fabian Yesh Din says extremist settlers attacked Palestinians in nearby village of Burqa, harming several, while local council head says Palestinians threw rocks, hurting one settler [8 Palestinians hurt in IDF raid near Jericho; bus attacker nabbed after 9 months]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [IDF says ‘mock’ rocket launcher found in northern West Bank]( By Emanuel Fabian [Plans for hike-and-bike path along old railway near Jerusalem get initial okay]( By Danielle Nagler Mateh Yehuda Regional Council allocates NIS 5 million to begin planning for new tourist attraction on scenic Ottoman-era rail route between capital and Beit Shemesh [Housing snapshot: Home sales and rentals across Israel]( By Danielle Nagler [Planning approvals for new housing hit multi-year high in 2022]( By Danielle Nagler [App that can generate 64,000 kosher cheesecake recipes pitches AI to Orthodox Jews]( By PHILISSA CRAMER The Brooklyn marketing exec behind CheesecakeWizard.AI walks a fine line in an insular, internet-averse community, shopping the new tech only to those who already use the net [CRM]( More Headlines [Celebrity seal Yulia makes comeback on Israeli beach after four-day absence]( By ToI Staff [Sensing Erdogan election victory, young Turks increasingly ponder life abroad]( By Remi Banet and Volkan NAKIBOGLU [Israeli social booking startup inks deal with Spanish hotel chain]( By Sharon Wrobel [Israeli man stabbed to death in Dubai]( By ToI Staff [Bennett wins defamation suit against rabbi who claimed he wasn’t Jewish]( By ToI Staff [Hospital finds five stillborn fetuses were never returned to families for burial]( By Michael Horovitz [Israel ties 1-1 with Senegal at Under-20 soccer World Cup; Colombia leads Group C]( By AP and ToI Staff [Former athletics champ sentenced to 5.5 years for running sex trafficking ring]( By ToI Staff [3 Golani soldiers sentenced to jail for beating Palestinian man]( By Emanuel Fabian [Mosquitos with West Nile virus found near Yeruham after heavy rains]( By ToI Staff [Canada, Saudi Arabia restore ties 5 years after spat over women’s rights activists]( By Rob Gillies [Blonde on the inside / Gal Gadot was first choice to play Barbie, but wasn’t available]( By Stuart Winer [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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