RELIGION HEADLINES TUE 9-23-25

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(SRN NEWS)-

(  )  Some French mayors defied government orders on Monday and flew Palestinian flags on town halls, as France formally recognizes a Palestinian state unilaterally.  Socialist leader Olivier Faure (oh-LIV-ee-ay  FAOW-ray) first made the call for towns to fly the flags. The Interior Ministry had warned against such displays, citing risks of importing international conflict.  France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe and anti-Semitism has been on the rise in the country for several years.  Critics say the display of the flags is sure to make French Jews uneasy and increase the number who are fleeing France for Israel and the U.S.

(  )  A Missouri judge has struck down a ballot summary for a pro-life amendment backed by Republican state lawmakers, stating that it presented an unfair and insufficient description to voters.  Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled that the ballot summary must be rewritten, but he rejected a request by abortion advocates to block the proposed constitutional amendment from going to voters.  The decision marks the latest in a series of twists and turns in Missouri’s abortion policies over the past three years.  After Roe versus Wade was repealed, a pro-life law went into effect, but last year an abortion amendment was narrowly approved by voters.

(  )  For many Jews in the United States, the High Holy Day season this year will be more charged than usual.  Rabbis say many of their congregants are worried by a surge of anti-Semitism in the country yet are all the more determined to worship together in the coming days.  These days, most synagogues employ a layered strategy of security — guards, cameras, and various systems for controlling access to events through ticketing, registration or other forms of vetting.  Jews are marking Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday).  The holiday season continues through Yom Kippur which ends at nightfall on October 2nd.