Lapid, Likud meet kingmaker Abbas in effort to draft coalition

Ra’am (United Arab List) head Mansour Abbas, who holds the key to the formation of the next government, met on Saturday with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Likud MK Ayoub Kara, as both sides attempted to woo him in order to build a coalition.

With 99% of votes counted, Israel still trapped in political deadlock

With 99% of the votes in Israel’s March 23 elections counted Thursday, the country seemed on course to remain in the grip of political deadlock with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing, religious camp nor the bloc determined to end his 12-year premiership gaining the upper hand.

Israel authorities permit reenactment of Passover Temple Service in Jerusalem

Israelis authorities on Tuesday permitted a reenactment of the ‘Korban Pesach’ Passover Temple service in Jerusalem, in what supporters say is proof that this previously underground event is increasingly accepted in mainstream society, Israel365 News reports. Tuesday’s reenactment of the Korban Pesach was carried out close to the Shaar HaAshpot Dung Gate near the Temple Mount.

Netanyahu short for right-wing coalition, would need Arab support

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be able to form a government, according to preliminary results from 97% of the regular polling stations reported by the Central Elections Committee unless he gains support from the Arab-Islamist Ra’am Party.

Israel’s Prime Minister Wins Election

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a chance to stay in power for a six-term despite facing corruption allegations as his party held the lead in elections, projections showed.

Sa’ar says open to power-sharing deal with Lapid or Bennett

New Hope party chief Gideon Sa’ar on Monday refused to rule out joining a government led by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, keeping the door open to a coalition to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that includes right-wing, centrist and left-wing parties.

Poll: Pro-Netanyahu bloc has 51 seats without Yamina

A final election poll published on Channel 12 News on Friday evening finds that the right and the Likud continue to gain strength, but Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu still does not have the required 61 seats which will allow him to form a government.

Israeli scientists grow fully formed mouse fetuses outside the womb

Israeli scientists are claiming a major breakthrough as they have been able to take mouse embryos from their mothers and grow them outside the womb into fetuses with fully formed organs, the Times of Israel (ToI) reported Wednesday. Prof. Jacob Hanna of the Weizmann Institute of Science said this development “could be relevant to humans.”

US and Israel to establish joint team for sharing information on Iran

The US and Israel have decided to establish a new joint team for sharing intelligence about Iran’s nuclear program, the Times of Israel (ToI) reports. The decision to set up a team was made at a meeting led by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat last week, ToI reports.

Knesset approves electronic bracelet for citizens returning from abroad

The Knesset on Wednesday approved a COVID-19 bill that requires Israelis returning from abroad to choose either to wear an electronic bracelet that ensures they isolate at home or be quarantined in a hotel, the Jerusalem Post reports. According to the government, such measures are necessary to reopen Israel’s borders, at least to citizens.

Syria says Israel targeted Damascus area in airstrikes

Syria’s official SANA news agency said Tuesday evening that Israel carried out airstrikes on targets in the Damascus area and southern Syria, Israel National News (INN) reports. In its report, SANA said Syria’s air defense systems had been activated due to “Israeli aggression,” and that several missiles had been intercepted.

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