What Ireland has is vibrancy... But business needs to be minded, or it will go elsewhere again, writes Gerard Howlin

An anti-Zionist is someone who is opposed to that sector of the Jewish population who see it as their God-given right to establish a Jewish state in the Holy Land at the expense of the Palestinian people who have lived there for thousands of years.

POPE FRANCIS yesterday devoted his Easter Urbi et Orbi address to one of the world’s escalating and seemingly intractable problems — religious persecution and intolerance.

From bustling bazaars by the Bosphorus, to following in the footsteps of The Fisherman, Eoin Edwards gained a once-in-a-lifetime experience when he undertook a tour of Istanbul and the Holy Land.

Check out our spolier-free guide to what to watch on TV tonight.

Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan has revealed that it was a gift to have been cast in the iconic role of James Bond.

In her column (Opinion, July 24) Victoria White has cobbled a ragbag of factoids together in a disjointed and illogical proposal that, “we have a duty to stand with the Palestinians”.

When I visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in January of this year I witnessed first-hand the devastation that prolonged occupation is having on Palestinian communities.

The Israeli and Palestinian presidents are to pay a symbolic visit to the Vatican next month to pray for peace.

Army loses its pep after Viagra tablets stolen

Pope Francis announced today that he would travel to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan on May 24-26, his first visit to the Holy Land.

Highlights include the finales of Homeland and Mad Men, and the new dating show My Best Shot

It's strange that there are no really ancient yew trees in Ireland.

Pope Francis smiles during a news conference aboard the papal flight from Brazil to Rome yesterday.

Pope Francis has said he will not judge priests for their sexual orientation. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” he asked.

US president Barack Obama insisted a two-state solution was still viable, but disappointed his Palestinian hosts by failing to take a clear stance on freezing settlement activity.

President Barack Obama has arrived in Israel and vowed "eternal" support for his top Middle East ally.

The Pope has arrived in Lebanon to urge peace at a time of great turmoil in the Middle East.

The musical Crusade is the true story of the boy who hoped to liberate the Holy Land, says Colette Sheridan

David Newmark’s letter (Aug 8) makes interesting points.

Thousands of Christians have gathered near Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher for Easter Saturday and marched in processions, taking turns to pray in the site where they believe Jesus was killed and buried.

Falling Sideways

Strange lights in the sky have been caught on camera in Jerusalem.

THE economic infrastructure of the future state of Palestine is based on three pillars: human resources, tourism and agriculture.

CAMPING and mobile home operator Kelair Campotel is offering deals for €250 for a week in the month of June.

I AM writing to you following the publication of Mr Teegan’s letter (January 17) and Ambassador Modai’s response (January 20).

I WAS astonished to read the letter of January 17 by Daniel Teegan concerning Israel and the Palestinians. Unfortunately, it reproduced many tired clichés, characteristic of those who seek to demonise the State of Israel.

SOME prominent Irish tour operators have recommenced promoting tours to the Holy Land.

Thousands of tourists, pilgrims and clergy are converging on Bethlehem as the town of Jesus’ birth celebrates Christmas Eve.

POPE Benedict yesterday opened a crisis summit of Middle East bishops to discuss the future of Christians in the region and insisted they have a right to live in their homelands.

Bnei Yehuda 0 Shamrock Rovers 1 (Shamrock Rovers won 2-1 on aggregate)

Boris Akunin

SINN FÉIN is going primetime.

The world's most famous Kabbalah student, Madonna, is returning to the Holy Land to wrap up her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour.

POPE Benedict XVI called for a two-state solution to end Middle East wars and “terrorism” and slammed the Holocaust as “brutal extermination” as he concluded his Holy Land trip.

Pope Benedict XVI assured his followers in the Holy Land that peace is possible, as he ended his Middle East visit today by putting aside the contentious issues he has confronted and coming as a pilgrim to the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today appealed to Pope Benedict XVI “to make his voice heard” and use his moral authority to condemn the harsh anti-Israel rhetoric voiced by Iran’s hard-line president.

STANDING in the cradle of Christianity, Pope Benedict XVI told Palestinians yesterday he understood their suffering and offered his strongest and most symbolic public backing yet for an independent Palestinian state.

The pope took his message of peace to the most disputed site in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today, urging both sides to engage in “a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace”.

POPE Benedict XVI pledged yesterday to remember the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, seeking to repair strains with Jews over one of the most sensitive issues at the start of a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Pope Benedict XVI pledged today to remember the millions of Jews killed in the Holocaust.

The pope called for an independent Palestinian homeland as soon as he arrived in Israel today.

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Israel today on an emotion-charged visit to the Holy Land hoping to improve relations with Jews and Muslims.

Pope Benedict XVI said today that reconciliation was the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and said the entire world needed to rediscover hope to end wars, poverty and financial turmoil.