Israeli settlers, some armed, celebrate a new synagogue in the occupied West Bank, in photos

HOMESH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli settlers, some carrying rifles, sang, danced and carried Torah scrolls as they inaugurated a synagogue at the newly revived settlement of Homesh.

For those attending the event Wednesday, it was a celebration. For Palestinians living nearby, the return of settlers to the site carried a very different meaning.

Homesh lies deep in the northern occupied West Bank, near the Palestinian village of Burqa. Israel dismantled the settlement in 2005 but formally approved its reestablishment last year, allowing settlers to live there and connect to Israel’s water and electricity networks.

Palestinian residents of Burqa say the settlement restricts access to privately owned farmland around the site. Israel’s Supreme Court has acknowledged that land at the original settlement belonged to Palestinians from the village.

Homesh is part of a broader expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts that has further restricted Palestinian movement and access to land. The expansion has also coincided with a sharp rise in settler attacks against Palestinians and their property. Rights groups say such violence is rarely prosecuted.

Most of the international community considers all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing security concerns and historical and religious ties to the territory.

For the settlers, the synagogue represents a return. For Palestinians living nearby, it represents the continuing loss of land, free movement and the dwindling hopes of one day governing themselves.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

A young Israeli settler carries a toy gun during the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers gather to celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank illegal outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank ilegal outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Israeli settlers celebrate the inauguration of a newly built synagogue at the occupied West Bank outpost of Homesh, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 17, 2026--

Momeaze, a Houston-based family technology company, today launched its life management application on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Designed to combat the invisible mental load carried by mothers, Momeaze consolidates fragmented school flyers, calendars, meals, and tasks into a single ecosystem managed by an intuitive AI assistant named Mayla™.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260917655875/en/

The launch coincides with MOMCON, the premier national conference hosted by The MomCo, where the Momeaze team is currently debuting the app to thousands of mothers.

“I had an app for everything, and I was using all of them the right way,” said Kayla Kugler, Founder of Momeaze and a working mother of four. “But I was still the one connecting every piece in my head: the pediatrician appointment, the practice schedule, and the permission slip due Friday. Moms don't need another manual system to manage. Our goal is for Momeaze to act as a proactive partner, so mothers no longer have to hold it all alone.”

The societal need for family support is at an all-time high. According to The Motherhood Index 2026, 93% of mothers report feeling burned out. Furthermore, a landmark study in the Journal of Marriage and Family highlights that mothers shoulder 71% of household cognitive labor—such as anticipating needs and coordinating schedules—compared to 45% reported by fathers. Crucially, research shows that even when a mother's income increases, her mental load remains unchanged.

While most households rely on a chaotic mix of group texts, paper flyers, and notes apps, Momeaze intercepts data exactly how it arrives. Driven by a framework of "support over surveillance," the app interprets scattered family information, builds a game plan, and surfaces reminders before they become emergencies.

Key Features Include:

Pricing & Availability

Momeaze is available starting today. All new users receive a 14-day free trial of the AI-powered Full Support tier ($9.99/month), with a permanently free Basic Plan available afterward.

About Momeaze

Momeaze is a life management app built for mothers and the invisible mental load they carry. Founded in Houston by working mother Kayla Kugler, Momeaze brings a family's calendars, school schedules, meals, tasks and goals into one place, with an in-app assistant, Mayla, that helps turn scattered details into a plan, including proactive prep suggestions for what's coming up. The company is building toward more proactive, personalized support that helps mothers prepare earlier and hold less in their heads. Momeaze is available on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at www.momeazeapp.com.

The Momeaze home screen shows a mother what's coming up next week, the day's tasks, and one-tap access to Mayla, the app's in-app assistant. (Image courtesy of Momeaze)