President of Israel Shimon Peres will be in the Bay Area starting today to tour several noted technology companies and a temple to boot. Starting today, Peres will visit IBM's research and development department for a look inside the company. He'll also meet with Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook's Palo Alto headquarters tomorrow to help create his Facebook page, among other things, for his reelection bid. more ›

While Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to Congress on Tuesday about democracy (which: chortle), a member of the leftist anti-war group Codepink was arrested after causing a ruckus. Half Moon Bay resident Rae Abileah interrupted the Israeli Prime Minister with a banner that read “Occupying Land Is Indefensible” and shouting, “No more occupation, stop Israel war crimes, equal rights for Palestinians, occupation is indefensible.” Actually, you can barely hear her, as Joe Garofoli points out. You can sort of hear a muffled "Stop Israeli war crimes, but only if you turn the volume up high. See for yourself more ›

A video posted yesterday to YouTube shows footage from a February, 13th protest in Yorba Linda, held outside a fundraising event held by the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), with a goal of aiding women's shelters, and fighting homelessness and hunger in the US. The protesters were there to speak out against "what they called the group’s agenda to impose Sharia (Islamic law) on American society," explains the Jewish Journal. "They were particularly upset with the event’s keynote speakers, New York cleric Imam Siraj Wahhaj and Amir Abdel Malik Ali, whom they said hold anti-American, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic views." more ›

Oakland-based structural engineer Gene St. Onge was aboard one of the Gaza-bound aid ships in the flotilla that was assaulted by Israeli soldiers this week. He was on his way to help build houses in Gaza, and was released from Israeli custody. His version of events, as narrated from his hotel room in Istanbul, was that there were about 46 doctors, engineers and other aid workers aboard his boat who tried to encircle the captain of the ship in order to protect him from Israeli commandos. "There were something like 20 commandos, and there wasn't much in the way of resistance on our part, there couldn't be because we were just a bunch of engineers, doctors, and journalists." more ›

"Israeli flag" by kapshure.
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"Homeless superhero" by Yan Pritzker Photo/Flickr. more ›

On Saturday, a man entered a gay support center in Israel, killing two and injuring "at least 10." Most of the victims, according to BBC News, were young teens. more ›

On Saturday Sunday at Yerba Buena Gardens in downtown San Francisco, the annual Israel in the Gardens Festival took place. As expected, it was more comfortable than your typical daytime outdoor public festival, complete with more shade, good bargains, comfy seating, less dairy, and almost zero SF progressives in attendance. more ›

by Lisa Hix more ›

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Protesters livid about Israel's (offensive? defensive? you decide!) action in Gaza are blocking streets in as they head toward the Federal Building on Golden Gate Ave. This is an "emergency protest," if you will, sparked by this weekend's move into Gaza by armed forces Lots and lots of people have died since Israel and Palestine started throwing rocks at each others many moons ago.. more ›

Oh, hey guys! Just letting you know that Allan Hough at Mission Mission is live on the scene from yet another Protest over violence in the Gaza Strip. Awesome! According to Hough, the cops are at Sacramento and Montgomery as of 4:55 p.m. He goes on to report that "it's the most aggressive [he's] seen cops in the city." Hardcore! If you guys want to check out the fun and reportedly peaceful rally, head down there right now. See you there! In struggle, SFist. more ›

Last night the streets of San Francisco saw its second night of anger at Israel's assault in the Gaza Strip. The protest over the never-ending war started on Montgomery Street at the Israeli consulate, eventually moving up to the United Nations Plaza along Market Street. The protest remained peaceful. No arrests, as far as we know, were made. (As of today, Israel has rejected a truce call, continuing to bombing Gaza to smithereens.) more ›

Oh oh. Once again, just the other day, the San Francisco Holocaust Memorial fell victim to vandalism. Some sort of red paint -- possibly signifying blood? -- was involved. While the graffiti has since been erased, a "footprint remains where red had been painted onto the memorial wall outside the Palace of the Legion of Honor." The suspect, according to KCBS, is a passionate lad "in his 20s who is six feet, wears a white bandana and carries a black bike messenger bag." Motivated by the recent Israeli assault in the Gaza Strip? Perhaps. But who's to say. If you recall, the memorial was the target of swastika graffiti back in November. more ›

Although the effect they have will--at best--be microscopic, protesters are out in full force at Montgomery and Sansome Pine streets right now, just outside the Israeli consulate. The rally is reportedly about the violence going on in the Gaza Strip. As well as the art of protesting itself. As of 6 p.m. scores of white people with liberal arts degrees are making themselves heard. Loudly. But tonight's protest is a bit different in that there are angry voices from people on both sides (Team Israel and Team Palestine!) making a fuss. Which side are you on? Or, rather, could you not care less? more ›

It's been an incredible success, yes? He's gone to Israel in order to (allegedly) build a bridge between the Bay Area and Israeli business leaders. (See what you've wrought, Rainbow Groceries?) And according to his schedule, Newsom started out in NYC today, but will be in WeHo later this afternoon to accept some silly award. Behold: more ›

(Image credit: hailtothethief21) more ›