The father of a forthcoming batmitzvah girl has challenged the United Synagogue to encourage greater religious participation of women by allowing them to be called up to the reading of the Torah.

In the male-dominated world of streetcar racing, three Palestinian women racers have begun their quest for international glory - starting in the UK.

The Middle East's first all-girl streetcar racing team, "Speed Sisters", were in London this week and training at Silverstone race track. They are three female drivers from Ramallah and Bethlehem, sponsored by the British consulate in Jerusalem.

Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem, ordered the Jerusalem District police commissioner last week to crack down on a growing phenomenon: the vandalism of posters depicting women.

Billboards and adverts featuring women have become a rare sight in Israel's capital because they are habitually defaced and torn down within hours by strictly-Orthodox activists.