Likud minister warns against inaction in Syria: “Iran understands today that there is nothing backing up all the threats against it.”

West Bank checkpoints temporarily closed until after Day of Atonement ends; police undertake security measures to safeguard worshipers gathering at Western Wall; train and bus services ceased.

Zawahri says Boston marathon terror attack shows US that they are facing a Muslim uprising, not just individuals or groups

Israelis on Friday prepared for the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonment, as temperatures are rising to over 40 degrees in the Golan Heights and Lake Kinneret region and 36 degres in Jerusalem.Israelis on Friday prepared for the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonment, as temperatures are rising to over 40 degrees in the Golan Heights and Lake Kinneret region and 36 degres in Jerusalem.

Foreign Policy: UN has circumstantial case against Assad.

Christians continue to be threatened and attacked in the Arab world; Coptic Pope offers words of faith.

Russian leader pans ''American exceptionalism'' in NYT op-ed, says US military intervention has become ''commonplace.''

At outset of two day negotiations on disarming Syria of chemical weapons, John Kerry says that military force may still be needed if diplomacy fails; Russia's Lavrov makes clear that it wants US to set aside military threats.

Thousands of members from the Jewish communities of Siberia, Russia attended last week the inauguration of a new and remarkably beautiful JCC and Synagogue at the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.

They are more supportive than most, but many Jewish members of Congress are still torn on striking Assad.