Pope supports Palestinian state

Per BBC, Pope Benedict XVI shows his approval and support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland, as he continues a Middle East tour in the West Bank.

In Bethlehem the Pope called for a "just and lasting" peace in the region and encouraged the citizens of Palestine to denounce acts of violence and terrorism.

Twitter users in the region speak about the Pope's visit:

1. 
   Pnina (Jerusalem) G'morning from Jerusalem, where the Pope is currently a 5 min walk from my house. Think he'd like to try a hafooch? 11 May 2009 from web
2. 
   JerusalemBureau (Jerusalem) I think the #Pope's walkout reflects politics, not integrity 11 May 2009 from Tweetie in reply to miguelg1964
3. 
   fatherjonathan (Rome, Italy) Doing radio tour today on Pope's visit to Jordan and Israel. One host expressed shock the Pope would call for a two-state solution. What?! 13 May 2009 from web

Some citizens are inconvenienced by the Pope:

1. 
   ASoldiersMother (Jerusalem, Israel) Tell that to the pope! Wanted to get across town yesterday...but driving there wasn't an option :-) At least 2day is better. 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to SusanZelinski
2. 
   sarijos (Jerusalem) no traffic snarls today :-) The pope is still visiting somewhere else 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   carolw (Israel) Spent the day in Jerusalem. Only inconvenienced by the Pope once. 13 May 2009 from web
4. 
   jerrib247 (Jerusalem, Israel) The Pope being in Jerusalem is a traffic nightmare! Whole sections of the city are closed down. What a pain. 13 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Pope supports Palestinian state

Delta flight to Tel Aviv emergency lands in Boston

Per WCVB-5 in Boston, Delta Flight 086 bound from JFK Airport in New York to Tel Aviv, Israel, sustained an emergency landing at Logan Airport in Boston after a passenger apparently tried to break into the cabin area.

A passenger on the plane, @TalKeinan, provided the first tweets on this incident.

1. 
   TalKeinan Just experienced my first emergency landing during my flight back to tel aviv 25 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   TalKeinan We were landed in Boston. Rumors is the plane are suggesting that someone tried to force himself into the pilot cabin. 25 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry

WCVB-TV in Boston provided one of the first media reports on the incident, shortly after the @TalKeinan tweets, and it didn't take long for its reports to reach Twitter.

1. 
   chrisconte Breaking News: Delta Flight to Tel Aviv diverted to Logan after man tries to get in cockpit. Stay with NewsCenter 5 for updates... 25 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   Alyfoley Someone tried to break into the cockpit of a delta flight from JFK to Tel Aviv( Isreal) and it landed at Logan #wackjob #wcvb ch 5 #delta 25 Apr 2009 from twitterrific

@TalKeinan also provided this update soon after his initial tweets.

1. 
   TalKeinan News update from Delta flight 086. 5 guys were able to stop a crazy dude from enetring the pilot cabin. 25 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry

Delta flight to Tel Aviv emergency lands in Boston

Israel observes moment of silence for Holocaust victims

Per YNet News, sirens sounded throughout Israel at 10 a.m. local time today, giving the signal for Israelis to observe a two-minute moment of silence to remember the lives that were lost during the Holocaust.

Some Twitterers in Israel took note of the pause in their daily life.

1. 
   LeorahWeinstein (Herzliya, Israel) standing in silent remembrance of holocaust victims inc. own family Franz and Olga Kahn, David, Leah and Cilly Edelstein Otto Friedler 21 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   OurielOhayon (Tel Aviv, Israel) 1 minute of silence in all israel in remembrance of the jewish holocaust 21 Apr 2009 from twhirl
3. 
   mikeeisenberg (Jerusalem, Israel) 2 minute siren of silence for victims of holocaust just ended. Can the world silence ahmadinejad? 21 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
4. 
   EverywhereTrip (Tel Aviv, Israel) The Holocaust Remembrance siren went off. Everyone stops what they are doing and stands still for 2 min 21 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   lishevita (Tel Aviv, Israel) It doesn't matter that I *know* there will be a siren at 10am on Holocaust memorial day. It still takes me by surprise every time. 21 Apr 2009 from web
6. 
   ASoldiersMother (Jerusalem, Israel) All we can do is learn from the Holocaust. 21 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck

Israel observes moment of silence for Holocaust victims

Twitterverse split on Ahmadinejad speech at racism conference

Per Reuters, dozens of diplomats walked out of a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a United Nations conference on racism today in Geneva, Switzerland, after he called Israel a racist nation.

Many Twitterers, particularly in Israel and the United States, criticized Ahmadinejad's speech.

1. 
   newrulesinvest (Jerusalem, Israel) RT @pkedrosky: in light of walkouts, why was iran's Ahmadinejad invited to a UN racism summit in first place? domain expertise? 20 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   Eliyahu_Na_Nach (Jerusalem, Israel) Now we have a Jewish State and a Jewish Army. NEVER AGAIN!!! Ahmadinejad (may your name be erased)..... your days are numbered!! 20 Apr 2009 from Power Twitter
3. 
   HilzFuld (Jerusalem, Israel) Nice! RT @miriamschwab: Watch this video to see the many diplomats walk out of Ahmadinejad's talk at the UN! http://bit.ly/bCPUj 20 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   gilgul (Boston, Mass.) @jilliancyork did you listen to Ahmadinejad's speech? I applaud the diplomats for leaving. That man should not be given the stage #durbanII 20 Apr 2009 from web in reply to jilliancyork

But not all on Twitter had the same viewpoint.

1. 
   1mojtaba (Tehran, Iran) VIva Ahmadinejad, Viva Mahmud, Viva Iran 20 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   proussakis (Australia) And what if @Ahmadinejad is totally right? 20 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   thetiniest (Canada) Didn't think Ahmadinejad was racist. His words were a matter of opinion over an existing conflict, and did not deny the Holocaust. 20 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   shahidkamal (London, U.K.) God bless Ahmadinejad who tells it like it is. Shame on the nations that bow to their racist Zionist masters. http://tr.im/jh8J 20 Apr 2009 from DestroyTwitter

Twitterverse split on Ahmadinejad speech at racism conference

Holocaust Museum opens in United States

Per the Chicago Tribune, thousands attended the grand opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center today in Skokie, Ill. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton gave the keynote address. "Night" author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel also spoke, and video addresses from U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli President Shimon Peres were played.

The museum emphasizes local stories, built around voices and artifacts of immigrants who settled in the Midwestern U.S., per The New York Times.

Many tweeted live from the event, providing commentary and general observations.

1. 
   cxottizzo At the holocaust remebrance museum grand opening. All these Poland memories are coming back to meee! I wana be back in Krakow right now. 19 Apr 2009 from txt
2. 
   veronicapasia Wow. Amazing story of survival by holocaust survivor and museum president Sam Harris. 19 Apr 2009 from Tweetie
3. 
   JonathanLehrer #holocaustmuseum Scharioth: German youth who volunteer at museum have become friends with local Holocaust survivors. 19 Apr 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   karenmothkovich Just left the opening ceremonies at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The weather is crappy but it was worth it. Toes still frozen. 19 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
5. 
   epolet Just got back from the Holocaust Museum... intense. 19 Apr 2009 from web

Breaking Tweets Entertainment Editor @sizzlemaker also tweeted from the event.

1. 
   sizzlemaker In the biggest tent I've ever seen. Elie Wiesel and Gov. Quinn also speaking. Video msgs from Obama and Hillary. Spielberg too. 19 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   sizzlemaker I should not be able to see my breath but, alas, I can. Sigh. 19 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   sizzlemaker Wiesel insists even w this museum we can't say we know. We'll never know. Never know why. 19 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry
4. 
   sizzlemaker Clinton: life is short enough as it is. Identity conflicts don't need to make it shorter. Never again let politicians push us to hate. 19 Apr 2009 from TwitterBerry

Holocaust Museum opens in United States

Holy cities usher in Easter holiday

Per Channel News Asia, Christian pilgrims from around the world gathered at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Sunday to celebrate Easter, while those of the Jewish faith took part in Passover festivities.

Just hours earlier, thousands attended an Easter vigil Mass led by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, according to the article.

Twitterers in Jerusalem spread holiday cheer and spoke of their plans.

1. 
   CharlieKalech (Jerusalem, Israel) Wishing all a happy Easter, Passover and Spring from Jerusalem 10 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
2. 
   hakerem (Jerusalem, Israel) What wine have people had for Passover/Shabbat/Easter? Friend brought over 2005 Yatir Forest. That's a good friend. 11 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   malkes (Jerusalem, Israel) Happy Easter, dudes! Eat a choc egg for me! 11 Apr 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   yaelweinstein (Jerusalem, Israel) Good morning, nother day, another picnic : ) I love passover! 12 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   tova_s (Jerusalem, Israel) Most of the country is on vacation, but I am not. Going to meet MC board members to walk around the old city for #Easter. see:mercycorps.org 12 Apr 2009 from web

Rome Twitterers were also in a festive mood.

1. 
   StakaStagista (Rome, Italy) ...campane a festa, tripudio di cuori, Buona Pasqua Felice agli amici migliori! :) (... bells in celebration, rejoicing hearts, Happy Good Easter best friends! :)) 11 Apr 2009 from twhirl
2. 
   pastamista (Rome, Italy) buona pasqua. mangia un pezzone di cioccolata :) ... (happy easter. eat a piece of chocolate :)) 12 Apr 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   L05 (Rome, Italy) Buona Pasqua! (Happy Easter!) 12 Apr 2009 from twitterrific
4. 
   flapic (Rome, Italy) Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it! 12 Apr 2009 from HelloTxt
5. 
   castelvecchi (Rome, Italy) Pasqua per riflettere, Pasqua per rinascere, Pasqua per donare un sorriso ai bimbi d'Abruzzo (Easter to reflect, to be reborn Easter, Easter to give a smile to children of Abruzzo) 12 Apr 2009 from web

Holy cities usher in Easter holiday

Featured TwitPic: Old City of Jerusalem at night

"Old City of Jerusalem Damascus Gate with Moon" (Posted by @YoDudeMan, Jerusalem, Israel, April 11, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: Old City of Jerusalem at night

Israel's Iranian threats debated

Per The Daily Star-Lebanon, a debate arose within the U.S. administration regarding Israel's threats to carry out strikes as a means of leverage in future negotiations with Tehran. The debate arose after General David Petraeus, currently the chief of CENTOM, stated that Israel might strike Iran due to their nuclear sites and active nuclear programs before the Senate Armed Committee Hearings last week.

Yet, Vice President Joe Biden stated to Wolf Blitzer of CNN, that he didn't think that Israel would launch a pre-emptive strike against Iran based soley on the fact that Iran had nuclear programs running.

The debate soon spilled over to Twitter.

1. 
   avirach (Efrat, Israel) Who voted for this guy? Signs that US Admin. under Obama looking for strategic partnership with Iran and dumping Israel http://bit.ly/Bqrz3 05 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   JIDF (Jerusalem, Israel) US and Israel may fall out over Iran - The National Newspaper [del.icio.us] http://tinyurl.com/c7wjlm 04 Apr 2009 from twitterfeed
3. 
   jamespyles (Boise, Idaho) @MikeBoss ...but it may come down to the US under Obama embracing Iran and the Persian/Arab world and proving it by slam dunking Israel 06 Apr 2009 from TwitKit
4. 
   YellowShark (Bozeman, Montana) an excellent article on the difficulties and possibilities of unwinding tensions between #US, #Iran, and #Israel: http://is.gd/rt62 08 Apr 2009 from twhirl
5. 
   BrianINC (San Francisco, Calif.) Obama administration warns Israel, NOT!! Iran http://bit.ly/11n4e what are we doing? It just doesn't end the stupid acts just won't stop 09 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   VeredSharon (Silicon Valley, Calif.) Israel on US talks w/ countries like Iran that breed terrorism:Go ahead and talk. A bit cheeky. Will Obama pull something out of hat??? 10 Apr 2009 from web

Israel's Iranian threats debated