Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a series of secret high-level meetings with top military officials aimed at upping preparations for a possible confrontation with Iran.

An estimated 70,000 Israeli citizens took to the streets of Jerusalem Monday in protest at the controversial right-wing government bill that would curtail the Supreme Court’s ability to rule on Israel’s Basic Laws and would place the selection of judges in the hands of politicians, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. Despite the protests, however, the bill passed its first reading by 63-47 votes in the Knesset on Tuesday.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed on first reading of several reforms to Israel’s judiciary early Tuesday, with 63 votes for the bill and 47 votes against it.

The chief of the Boeing aircraft manufacturer’s defense wing was in Israel on Sunday and Monday to advance the supply of new, long-awaited refueling planes and fighter jets for the Israeli Air Force looking to boost its capabilities to strike Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called a UN Security Council statement denouncing Israeli West Bank settlement activity “one-sided” and criticized the United States for supporting it.

Israel and Saudi Arabia are holding talks to increase their military and intelligence cooperation over concerns about Iranian aggression in the region, according to a Bloomberg report, which notes that the United States is backing the efforts.

The United Nations Security Council issued a non-binding presidential statement on Monday condemning Israeli housing plans in Judea and Samaria.

Israel’s military reportedly launched an air strike Sunday in a Damascus neighborhood near an Iranian military installation – the latest attack in the Jewish state’s “shadow war” against Iran.

Five foreign ministers wrote in a joint statement on Tuesday that they oppose Israel’s security cabinet approving legalization of nine outposts in the West Bank and the construction of nearly 10,000 housing settlement units.

On the face of it, this alleged Israeli strike in Syria is similar to previous ones attributed to Israel. But there are some notable differences. To begin with, the number of casualties.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced a crackdown on unrest in eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods and warned that Israel will not acquiesce to terrorists’ demands, after rioters in the area caused disturbances early Sunday morning.

On Jan. 26, the historic five-day joint Israeli-American military exercise called “Juniper Oak” came to an end. The exercise saw unprecedented levels of cooperation between the U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for the Middle East, and the Israel Defense Forces.

Israel’s minister of foreign affairs said in Kyiv on Thursday that Israel’s embassy was resuming full operations in the Ukrainian capital, despite massive Russian attacks.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has announced he will be seeking full membership in the United Nations for the State of Palestine this week, UPI reports. Although recognized by many countries as a state, Palestine is not recognized by Israel and has only non-member Observer status in the United Nations.

Two ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet ministers on Tuesday defiantly dismissed a growing chorus of global condemnation of new Israeli settlement construction in Judea and Samaria, instead promising to double down and legalize dozens of wildcat outposts.

Israel is experiencing a wave of terrorist attacks focused on Jerusalem. Many of these attacks are being carried out by young boys, many armed with handguns.

The first part of the coalition’s highly controversial judicial overhaul package, which would give the government control over the selection of judges, will be brought for a first reading in the Knesset plenum either this Wednesday or, more likely, next Monday.

Israeli fighter jets targeted an underground weapons facility in the central Gaza Strip in the predawn hours of Monday in response to a rocket launch from the Palestinian enclave on Saturday evening, the military said.

The Israel Defense Forces and US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a joint drill Sunday focused on air defense, cyber security, intelligence and logistics, the Israeli military said.

Israel’s president called for greater dialogue between the Right and Left, warning Sunday that the country is descending into a major social crisis.