Israel’s archaeologists unearth evidence of Hannukah stories
A fortress from the Hellenistic period, destroyed and set on fire by the Hasmoneans, was unearthed during excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US abstention on anti-Israel UNRWA vote marks ‘dangerous backslide’ in policy at UN
The United States voted last week to abstain on a resolution concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the U.N.’s agency that handles Palestinian refugees—part of several resolutions put forth in the U.N. General Assembly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that largely targeted Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.
Lapid said to tell US envoy: Iran has no intention of rejoining nuke deal
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met Monday with Rob Malley, the US special envoy on Iran, during the latter’s visit to the region, as the Biden administration works to coordinate with Mideast allies before the resumption of indirect talks with Tehran, aimed at reviving their multilateral nuclear accord.
Israeli data shows vaccine booster shot is ‘absolutely essential,’ Fauci says
The United States’ pandemic czar on Friday cited Israeli data as the proof that a third dose of the Covid vaccine is essential to curb the spread of the virus.
U.S., Israel announce cybersecurity joint task force
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Israeli Ministry of Finance will work together to address cybersecurity and ransomware issues, officials announced Sunday.
US envoy to Iran to arrive in Israel next week
The US Special Representative for Iran Robert Malley is set to arrive in Israel next week ahead of the resumption of talks on the Iran nuclear deal, Hebrew media reported on Thursday.
IAI unveils new defensive electronic warfare systems
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a family of new electronic warfare (EW) systems on Thursday which can combat a range of threats, including UAVs, ships, missiles and radar systems.
US mediator said to give Israel, Lebanon deadline to reach maritime agreement
A US mediator has reportedly informed Israel and Lebanon that if they cannot agree to a compromise over a disputed maritime region, he will end his involvement in the talks.
In world 1st, Israel to hold national drill to prepare for future COVID variants
Israel will hold a nationwide drill on Thursday to prepare for the possibility of future coronavirus variants, the Prime Minister’s Office announced, saying the exercise would be the first of its kind in the world.
IDF chief: Army ‘accelerating’ plans targeting Iran’s nuclear program
Israeli security chiefs ramped up their rhetoric against Iran on Tuesday, with the head of the Israel Defense Forces warning that the military was ramping up its preparations for a possible attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Syria says Israel struck near Homs, Tartus in 3rd alleged attack in 2 weeks
The Israeli military struck a number of sites in western Syria in a rare early evening attack on Monday, Syrian state media reported.
Trump was ‘very close’ to getting Saudis to normalize ties with Israel
The Trump administration was “very close” to getting Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords last year, according to former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who says the Biden administration has squandered the momentum to expand the historic normalization agreements between leading Gulf Arab powers and Israel.
IDF begins drill in northern Israel for reserve soldiers
The IDF began a drill in northern Israel on Sunday, as part of which reservists in the 36th Division, also known as the Ga’ash Formation, will be called up.
Israel ‘will do what it needs to’ against a nuclear Iran, Bennett says
Israel will do what is necessary to protect itself against the Iranian existential threat, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Thursday, as world powers are expected to hold November 29 talks in Vienna with Tehran on the renewal of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Israel’s Parliament Passes 2021 State Budget in 61-59 Vote
Israeli lawmakers early Thursday morning passed the first state budget in more than three and a half years by a vote of 61 to 59 in a key test for the coalition government led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Israel looks to pass budget in major test for new government
Israeli lawmakers are set to begin marathon voting on Wednesday to try and pass the first national budget in three years, a major test for the fractious coalition government that was sworn in earlier this year after four divisive elections.
Syria says Israeli airstrikes hit targets near Damascus
Israeli aircraft attacked targets near the Syrian capital of Damascus early Wednesday morning, Syrian state media reported.
Gantz discusses Iran with US Secretary of Defense
Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday evening, Gantz announced on Twitter.
IDF launches surprise reservist drill amid month-long exercise series in north
The Israel Defense Forces launched a surprise readiness exercise on Monday morning, calling up reserve units as part a month-long series of drills in the Northern Command.
‘Israel, Iran engaged in cold war,’ prime minister says
World powers must make sure Iran understands that there would be “serious implications” if it does not relinquish its nuclear ambitions, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said over the weekend.