The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/religious-freedom/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:18:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png religious freedom | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/religious-freedom/ 32 32 Texas can require Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms, US court rules https://www.timesofisrael.com/texas-can-require-ten-commandments-displayed-in-classrooms-us-court-rules/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:18:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807560 American conservatives laud victory for 'moral values' as ruling signals boost to similar legislation in other red states; law's challengers plan to take case to Supreme Court

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]]> Syrians rally against new law restricting sale of alcohol in Damascus https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrians-rally-against-new-law-restricting-sale-of-alcohol-in-damascus/ Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:17:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3784613 Hundreds of people from multiple religious sects protest move they warn will lead to a loss of personal liberties and put an additional target on minorities

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]]> Muslim adviser quits Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, citing ‘Zionist’ agenda https://www.timesofisrael.com/muslim-advisor-quits-trumps-religious-liberty-commission-citing-zionist-agenda/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:57:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3777594 Sameerah Munshi says her resignation is in protest of ousting of commissioner who used hearing on antisemitism last month to voice opposition to Zionism and Israel

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]]> Former Miss California ousted from White House commission following antisemitism row https://www.timesofisrael.com/carrie-prejean-boller-ousted-from-white-house-commission-following-antisemitism-row/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:30:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3752826 Carrie Prejean Boller initially refused to step down from religious liberty advisory body after derailing a panel on Jew-hatred with repeated claims anti-Zionism isn't antisemitic

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]]> US transit secretary grilled for rehanging Jesus painting at Merchant Marine Academy https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-transit-secretary-grilled-for-rehanging-jesus-painting-at-merchant-marine-academy/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 22:22:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3600651 Entitled 'Christ on the Water,' painting had been moved to the academy's chapel following a complaint from Jewish midshipmen

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]]> US Muslim inmate who won beard case claims retaliatory transfer by Arkansas officials https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-muslim-inmate-who-won-beard-case-claims-retaliatory-transfer-by-arkansas-officials/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:08:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3596408 Gregory Holt, also known as Abdul Maalik Muhammad, was supported by Orthodox Jewish and other groups in 2015 Supreme Court case that upheld his right to maintain half-inch beard

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]]> Reversing decades-old ban, US tax agency says clergy may endorse political candidates https://www.timesofisrael.com/reversing-decades-old-ban-irs-says-clergy-may-endorse-political-candidates/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:52:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3593648 IRS reverses policy while settling lawsuit brought by two churches, Christian broadcasting network, that sought to undo endorsement ban for all nonprofit entities

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]]> Tel Aviv suburb says it’ll defy order to shut new mall on Shabbat amid Haredi threats https://www.timesofisrael.com/tel-aviv-suburb-says-itll-defy-order-to-shut-new-mall-on-shabbat-amid-haredi-threats/ Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:54:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3516695 Ultra-Orthodox vow boycott of all chains operating in new BIG fashion mall in Ramat Hasharon if it opens on Jewish rest day; Lapid: 'Stop interfering in lives of secular people'

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]]> Trump’s refugee ban is keeping 700 persecuted Iranian Jews out of the US https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-trumps-refugee-ban-is-keeping-700-persecuted-iranian-jews-out-of-the-us/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:04:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3498232 The US president has signed an order indefinitely halting the admission of refugees - including applicants for a special program for members of religious minority groups in Iran

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]]> Avoiding the Rabbinate, 3,000 Israeli couples married last year in Utah’s ‘Zoom weddings’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/avoiding-the-rabbinate-3000-israeli-couples-married-last-year-in-utahs-zoom-weddings/ Fri, 21 Feb 2025 07:01:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3486612 New report by group promoting religious freedom says 67% of Israeli public supports recognizing all types of marriages in Israel, including civil, Reform and Conservative

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]]> Iran reportedly arrests 10 Bahai women in ‘shocking’ raids https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-reportedly-arrests-10-bahai-women-in-shocking-raids/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:40:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3465678 Bahai organization calls arrests part of Tehran's 'escalating campaign of persecution' against members of the religion, including 'systematic targeting of women'

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]]> What Matters Now to Ksenia Svetlova: Women are the canary in the Mideast coal mine https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-matters-now-to-ksenia-svetlova-women-are-the-canary-in-the-mideast-coal-mine/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:50:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3438156&preview=true&preview_id=3438156 As the rebel factions in Syria continue to fight to wrest control, the world looks at their treatment of women. Middle East analyst, a former MK, ranks Israel and its neighbors

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]]> Despite winning court battle, group cancels outdoor Yom Kippur prayers in Tel Aviv https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-winning-court-battle-group-cancels-outdoor-yom-kippur-prayers-in-tel-aviv/ Thu, 10 Oct 2024 11:16:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3394719 Citing concern of saboteurs disrupting gender-separated services even after court confirmed their legality, Rosh Yehudi says they'll be held inside to keep the peace

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]]> Riyadh says demand that US delegation chair remove kippah an ‘unfortunate incident’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/riyadh-says-demand-that-us-delegation-chair-remove-kippah-an-unfortunate-incident/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:48:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3244276&preview=true&preview_id=3244276 Saudi Embassy in DC says request was made of Rabbi Abraham Cooper, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, due to 'misunderstanding of internal protocols'

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]]> US government delegation cuts short Saudi trip after rabbi is asked to remove kippah https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-government-delegation-cuts-short-saudi-trip-after-rabbi-asked-to-remove-kippah/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:02:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3243506 Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who chairs the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, says 'no one should be denied access to a heritage site... simply for existing as a Jew'

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