Updates

Israel

• One group who are mourning more than most for the recently deceased pop diva Whitney Houston are the Black Hebrews, a community of African-American Jews who live in the town of Dimona in South Israel. Houston had a close connection with the group and had been quoted as saying she “felt at home in Israel”. For a photo gallery of Houston and the Hebrews, see here. (Jerusalem Report,JPost, Huffpo)

• The Agence France-Presse is coming under criticism for an allegedly staged photo of a Palestinian man being run over by Israelis. (JPost)

• A fascinating piece by American expert Lazar Berman, who asks the question “Is Time on Israel’s side?” (American.com)

Arab Spring

• As violence in Syria continues to spiral out of control, the latest group to throw their hat in with the Syrian opposition is reportedly Al-Qaeda, as unlikely as this may seem. (Guardian, Haaretz)

• Jordan is concerned that its exclusion of its ethnically Palestinian citizens may backfire in Arab Spring style protests. (JPost)

Iran

• Preparing for a “Spring” of its own, Iran has blocked social media sites just before the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Haaretz)

• Iran has supposedly accused its Azerbaijani mission of supporting Mossad. (Haaretz)

France

• French President Nicholas Sarkozy has been courting the Jewish vote. (JTA)