Israel

Israel's prime minister says the country needs to be officially defined as a Jewish state, but opponents say that would undermine its goal of equality for all.

After a deadly attack by a Palestinian militant last month, Israel blew up his apartment. Israel says the aim is deterrence, while others call it collective punishment.

With tensions rising over a sacred hilltop in Jerusalem, Muslims "defenders" say they are protecting the holy site against Jewish activists. But critics say this is just contributing to the friction.

So far, it's just scattered unrest. But with peace talks in the deep freeze and the recent scuffling over Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, there's talk about the prospects of another intifada.

Iran and Israel are sworn enemies, but Germany is neutral ground where people from those countries can collaborate musically. Sistanagila, an Israeli-Iranian ensemble, is doing just that.

Israeli policy bars Jews from praying on the Temple Mount, the Jerusalem hilltop sacred to Jews and Muslims. But some rabbis and right-wing politicians are increasingly challenging the ban.