Latvia

French fighter jet shoots down Russian drone over NATO territory as security incidents escalate

The Latvian army, without saying who had launched the drone, said it had entered from Russia "as a result of Russian electromagnetic warfare."

 Latvian, French and NATO flags flutter in front of a French Rafale fighter jet of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, in the Lielvarde air base, Latvia April 14, 2026.
THE PATH leading into the Rumbula Forest, appearing pastoral today.

Rumbula Forest: Latvia’s forgotten mass graves

Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US, on December 19, 2025

Latvia launches human trafficking probe after Epstein Files included Latvian models' information

YEHORAM GAON

Popular Israeli singer Yehoram Gaon marries partner Ella Lusa at age 86


Latvian beach resort opens new luxury synagogue

The new synagogue is a milestone for the 10,000 Jews of Latvia.

The Beit Israel Synagogue in Jurmala opened with fanfare in a beachfront building whose architecture echoes Latvia’s iconic lost wooden synagogues.

Latvians honor Nazi collaborators in commemoration march

Veterans taking part in the march were supported by a large group of people holding Latvian flags, flowers and signs, while some also wore military uniforms sporting swastikas and Nazi SS insignia.

People attend the annual procession to commemorate the Latvian Waffen-SS (Schutzstaffel) unit, also known as the Legionnaires in Riga, Latvia

Latvian FM decries ‘disproportionate’ response to Gaza riots

However, he also added that Israel is "responding in a proportionate way" to missile attacks.

Latvia's Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics speaks during an interview in Riga, Latvia May 23, 2018. Picture taken May 23, 2018

European rabbis conclude meetings at Riga’s only surviving synagogue

The rabbis also prayed at the memorial of the destroyed Grand Synagogue.

European rabbis pray at the memorial of destroyed Grand Synagogue in Riga

Grapevine: 70th-anniversary damper?

This week's social news.

Orly Levy-Abecassis (L) and Adina Bar-Shalom (R)

Man holding poster of soldiers killing Jews arrested at Nazi SS march in Latvia

The march in Latvia is currently the only public event in Europe and beyond honoring those who fought under the banner of SS, Nazi Germany’s elite security force.

People participate in the annual procession commemorating the Latvian Waffen-SS (Schutzstaffel) unit, also known as the Legionnaires, in Riga, Latvia March 16, 2018

Grapevine: The Latvian connection

This week's social news.

Moshe Arens, flanked by Eliahu Valk and Latvian Ambassador to Israel Elita Gavel

Poland isn’t the only country censoring speech about the Holocaust

Jewish organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said for their part that they understand the Polish frustration with terms like “Polish death camps.”

A climber installs the Ukrainian national flag on a roof, marking the Day of the State Flag, on the eve of the Independence Day, in Kiev, Ukraine, August 23, 2016

Nationalist Latvian lawmaker says Russian is 'language of Zionism'

To prove his point about Zionism, he cited Jewish-sounding last names of people he said were involved in protests against a plan to phase out the instruction in Russian in the country’s schools.

The Saeima, Lativa's Parliament in Riga

Hundreds of teens gather in Ukraine for leadership conference

JDC says event is largest gathering of Jewish teenagers from FSU.

Teenage girls smile while attending the BBYO international convention in Dallas.