Israel: New surge in COVID-19 cases may cause return to lockdown

Israeli officials are anticipating the likelihood of renewing a nationwide lockdown as the country had 1,575 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, the Times of Israel reports. With a population of fewer than nine million residents, Israel has now had over 43,000 cases, including over 23,000 currently active cases and 375 coronavirus related deaths.

Hamas naval commander, suspected ‘collaborator,’ flees Gaza to Israel

A senior naval commander in the armed wing of the Hamas terror group, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, fled the Gaza Strip to Israel after suspicions arose that he was working for Israel as a so-called “collaborator,” according to unsourced reports in the Palestinian media.

British PM concerned about annexation, asks Netanyahu to negotiate with Palestinians

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is concerned about Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reports. In a phone call Tuesday, Johnson said annexation would hinder the prospect of peace in the region and asked the Israeli PM to return to negotiations with the Palestinians.

Likud Surges in Recent Polls

A new poll shows that if Israeli elections were held today, the Likud party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would remain the most popular party, with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party trailing in fourth place, Israel News reported.
The poll conducted by Professor Yitzhak Katz of Maagar Mochot for 103 FM Radio showed Likud would win 38 seats, Yesh Atid-Telem 17 seats, the Joint Arab List 15 seats, and Blue and White 10 seats.

Messianic channel Shelanu considering legal action against chairman of Israel’s broadcasting council

The directors of GOD TV’s Messianic channel Shelanu are considering legal action against Israel’s media oversight council for falsely and publically accusing them of using deception to obtain their broadcasting license. Shelanu’s license was revoked after the chairman of Israel’s Council for Cable and Satellite Broadcasting wrongly stated the channel had presented its target audience as Christians when its actual purpose was to reach Jewish audiences with the Gospel.

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