“SEE”

Vatican City Virtual Jewish History Tour

[By: Encyclopedia Judaica] Vatican City, or the Holy See, is the residence of the pope and is a sovereign city-state whose territory is entirely within the city of Rome. Established in 1929, Vatican City has a total population of less than 1,000. There has never been a Jewish community in the Vatican, however the city-state has had a long, if not often checkered, history with Jews and the State of Israel. Controversially, in May 2015 the Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine, in signing a treaty with Palestinian representatives that refers to them as representatives of “the State of Palestine... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2000--Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy without elected representative institutions or political parties.  It is ruled by King Fahd Bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud, a son of King Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud, who unified the country in the early 20th century.  Since the death of King Abd Al-Aziz, the King and Crown Prince have been chosen from among his sons, who themselves have had preponderant influence in the choice.  A 1992 royal decree reserves for the King exclusive power to name the Crown Prince.  Crown Prince Abdullah has played an increasing role in governance since King Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2006 - Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II bin Hussein, with a population of approximately 5.9 million. The constitution concentrates executive and legislative authority in the king. The parliament consists of the 55-member House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan), appointed by the king, and a 110-member elected lower house, the Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwwab). The 2003 multiparty parliamentary elections were generally considered to be free and fair; however, the election law significantly underrepresented urban areas... read article

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002 - Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II bin Hussein since the death of his father, King Hussein bin Talal. The Constitution concentrates a high degree of executive and legislative authority in the King, who determines domestic and foreign policy. In the King's absence, a regent, whose authority is outlined in the Constitution, assumes many of the King's responsibilities. The Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet are appointed by the King and manage the daily affairs of the Government... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2000--Egypt

According to its Constitution, Egypt is a social democracy in which Islam is the state religion.  The National Democratic Party (NDP), which has governed since its establishment in 1978, has used its entrenched position to dominate national politics and maintains an overriding majority in the popularly elected People's Assembly and the partially elected Shura (Consultative) Council.  President Hosni Mubarak was reelected unopposed to a fourth 6-year term in a national referendum in September 1999.  The Cabinet and the country's 26 governors are appointed by the President and may be dismissed by him at his discretion... read article

Tractate Bava Metzia: Chapter 2

Laws relating to found articles, which may or may not be kept without proclamation, and how found articles shall be cared for, etc. MISHNA I... read article

The New Testament: Gospel According to Saint Mark

1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2009 - Israel

Israel is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 7.5 million, including Israelis living in the occupied territories. Israel has no constitution, although a series of "Basic Laws" enumerate fundamental rights. Certain fundamental laws, orders, and regulations legally depend on the existence of a "State of Emergency," which has been in effect since 1948. The 120-member, unicameral Knesset has the power to dissolve the government and mandate elections. The February 10 elections for the Knesset were considered free and fair. They resulted in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu... read article

CIA Daily Summaries Regarding Partition and the 1948 War

CIA daily reports from 1947-49 related to the partition of Palestine, the War of 1948 and its aftermath... read article

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002 - Lebanon

Lebanon is a parliamentary republic, with a constitution dating from 1926, in which, based on the unwritten "National Pact of 1943," the President is a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies a Shi'a Muslim. President Emile Lahoud took office in 1998 after an election by Parliament that was heavily influenced by Syria. The Parliament consists of 128 deputies, equally divided between Christian and Muslim representatives... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 1999--Tunisia

Tunisia is a republic dominated by a single political party. President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and his Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party have controlled the Government, including the legislature, since 1987. This dominance was reaffirmed in an overwhelming RCD victory in October 24 legislative and presidential elections. July revisions to the Constitution allowed two opposition candidates to run against Ben Ali in the presidential elections, the first multicandidate presidential race in Tunisia's history... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2001 Algeria

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected in April 1999 to a 5-year term. Bouteflika had served as Foreign Minister in a previous government. The President is the constitutional head of state, appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, and may dissolve the legislature. According to the Constitution, the Prime Minister appoints the cabinet ministers; however, in practice the President has taken a key role in designating the members of the Cabinet. The military establishment strongly influences defense and foreign policy... read article

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002 - Algeria

As constitutional head of state, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, and may dissolve the legislature. According to the Constitution, the Prime Minister appoints the cabinet ministers; however the President has taken a key role in designating the members of the cabinet. The military establishment strongly influences defense and foreign policy and is largely believed to have influenced the outcome of the 1999 presidential election which had numerous problems associated with it... read article

Country Reports on Human Rights Practice - 2003 -- The Occupied Territories (including area subject to the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority)

Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 War. Pursuant to the May 1994 Gaza-Jericho Agreement and the September 1995 Interim Agreement, Israel transferred most responsibilities for civil government in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank to the newly created read article

Tractate Bava Batra: Chapter 1

Rules and regulations concerning houses, yards, and fields in partnership or conjointly; the sharing in partitions, fences, and walls; looking into others' property; claims paid before due; duties of one to his city -- streets, etc.; citizenship by lapse of time, and concering the size of a yard liable to division. MISHNA I.: Partners in a courtyard surrounded by two houses, each of them belonging to one of the partners, one of whom (or both) may desire to make a Me'hitza (partition) in the yard, the wall is to be built in the middle exactly... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2005 - Egypt

The Arab Republic of Egypt, with a population of approximately 72 million, has been governed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) since the party's establishment in 1978. The NDP, which continued to dominate national politics by maintaining an overriding majority in the popularly elected People's Assembly and the partially elected Shura (Consultative) Council, derives its governing authority from the 1971 constitution and subsequent amendments. Executive authority resides with the president of the republic and the cabinet... read article

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002 - Syria

Syria is a republic under a military regime with virtually absolute authority in the hands of the President. Despite the existence of some institutions of democratic government, the President, with counsel from his ministers, high-ranking members of the ruling Ba'th Party, and a relatively small circle of security advisers, makes key decisions regarding foreign policy, national security, internal politics, and the economy... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 1999--Egypt

According to its Constitution, Egypt is a social democracy in which Islam is the state religion. The National Democratic Party (NDP), which has governed since its establishment in 1978, has used its entrenched position to dominate national politics, and it maintains an overriding majority in the popularly elected People's Assembly and the partially elected Shura (Consultative) Council. President Hosni Mubarak was reelected unopposed to a fourth 6-year term in a national referendum held in September. The Cabinet and the country's 26 governors are appointed by the President and may be dismissed by him at his discretion... read article

Report on Human Rights Practices for 2019 - Israel

The 2019 State Department Report on Human Rights in Israel... read article

Tractate Avodah Zara: Chapter 1

Rules and regulations concerning transaction of business with heathens on their festival days; which festivals are considered, and what real estate may be sold and rented, and at what places. MISHNA I.: Three days before the festivals 1 of the heathens it is forbidden to have any business with them. One must not lend them anything (which can be useful to them) nor borrow such from them. And the same is the case with cash money, even to pay or to receive payment is forbidden. R... read article