As the violence in Syria continues to escalate, the international community debates whether the country has slipped into a civil war. Meanwhile, thousands flee from Syria into Turkey to escape the bloodshed.

Also this week in Israel in the News:

• U.S. offers some countries exemptions from its sanctions barring Iranian oil imports.
• Russian President Putin to visit Israel.
• Israel’s President Peres receives U.S. Medal of Freedom.
• A Palestinian-Authority UN program spouts anti-Israel, anti-Jewish messages.

This week’s Israel in the News Perspective features The Fellowship’s founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein on the extraordinary measures Israelis must take to protect against terror attacks — even at medical facilities.