At orders of spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, religious party asks Netanyahu to prevent bill placing conversion authority in hands of army from passing. Proposal goes against coalition agreements, Shas says

Obama administration rejects Palestinian comments that holy site in Old City of Jerusalem has no religious significance for Jews and is actually Muslim property as 'factually incorrect, insensitive and highly provocative'

WikiLeaks founder wanted on rape charges, but US officials want to prosecute him for espionage

Prayers take place in dozens of Jewish communities over weekend. World Bnei Akiva emissaries in 30 countries across globe plan to insert special prayer, sent by Israel's chief rabbis, to this week's prayers

Turkish Foreign Minister also denies he predicted Israel wouldn't remain independent for long

Turkish prime minister visibly upset by leaked cables which claim he has eight Swiss bank accounts with private funds and surrounds himself with fawning advisors; says US must 'hold cable writers accountable for slander'

Indictment against 26-year old Amsalem Amin Meri of Fureidis claims he attempted to establish terror cell, locate crowded attack spots after being recruited by Hamas during meeting of group's student union at Hebron University

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says group will back formation of Palestinian state with 1967 borders, Jerusalem as capital and resolution of refugee issue if approved by referendum, despite group's differing ideology