Bennett says Iran starting to withdraw from Syria
Iran has begun withdrawing its forces from Syria, Israel’s outgoing defense minister said on Monday, without offering any evidence to support his assertion.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
EU Funding is Gettting Into the Hands of Palestinian Terrorists
Terrorist groups have established a way to siphon off European funds designated for Palestinian civil society, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry (SAM) has said in a new report. The SAM publication follows a European Union announcement that it would continue to fund Palestinian “civil society organizations,” even if such groups include terrorists, Israel Hayom reports.
Israel’s Parliament Approves New Government Amid Tensions
Israel’s parliament accepted a new government on Sunday, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz. The approval ended the most extended political crisis in the Jewish state’s history.
Israel University Claims One-Minute Corinavirus Test
A researcher at one of Israel’s leading universities says he has developed a test that identifies carriers of the new coronavirus COVID-19 in less than a minute.
Opinion Polls Present Conflicting Results on Palestinian Support for Third Intifada
Recent opinion polls unanimously demonstrate that around 90% of Palestinians reject President Trump’s peace plan, the Washington Institute reports. However, separate polls show different results on Palestinian support for a third intifada as a means by which to resist the plan.
Israel Targeting Missile-Manufacturing Sites in Syria, Hezbollah Chief Says
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday that Israel was now concentrating its attacks in Syria on missile-manufacturing sites.
Israel’s Netanyahu, Gantz postpone swearing-in of new unity government, again
Israel’s new unity government, comprised of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partner Benny Gantz, has postponed Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony to Sunday.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to Boycott Palestinian Leadership Meeting on Israeli Annexation
Terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) announced Wednesday that they would boycott an upcoming Palestinian leaders meeting about Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reported. Palestinian officials said Tuesday that representatives from the two groups had been invited to attend the meeting planned for Saturday in Ramallah.
Netanyahu to Rivlin: I have formed a government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed President Reuven Rivlin and outgoing Knesset Speaker Benny Gantz Wednesday evening that he has managed to form a government within the two weeks allocated to him.
Pompeo: New government has ‘right and obligation’ to decide if and how to annex
The incoming Israeli government has “the right and the obligation” to decide if and how it wants to apply sovereignty over the West Bank, visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday at the conclusion of a whirlwind visit to Jerusalem.
France Wants Hard Response to Israel If It Proceeds With Annexation Plans
France wants European Union countries to consider a hard response to Israel if it proceeds with the annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria, three EU diplomats told Reuters. Under the Israeli government’s coalition agreement, the process of annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank could begin on July 1.
GOD TV Confirms Israel Wants to Shut Down Shelanu Messianic Channel
GOD TV has confirmed Israeli authorities want to shut down its new Hebrew-language Gospel channel, the Christian Post reports. The Shelanu (“Ours” in Hebrew) channel recently began broadcasting Christian content on Israel’s popular HOT cable network.
Israel’s Prime Minister Condemned Over Microchip for Children
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting criticism over his proposal to “microchip” children who return to schools and kindergartens as the national coronavirus lockdown ends.
Ancient Israelite Altar to be Protected
An ancient Israelite altar discovered 16 years ago is now to receive official protection, World Israel News reports. Located in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria, the 3,000-year-old edifice was at risk of destruction from building works nearby.
Germany apologizes after Israel was omitted from a military map of the Middle East
The head of Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) has apologized “expressly” for the omission of Israel from a map of the Middle East in his department’s 2019 annual report, the Middle East Monitor reports. A MAD investigation concluded on May 7 that there had been a mistake caused by “lack of diligence and insufficient quality control rather than deliberate action or political intent.”
US Considering Withdrawal of Troops from Sinai
The US Defense Secretary Mark Esper is considering the withdrawal of US troops from the international peacekeeping force in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, World Israel News (WIN) reports. Established in 1981, the purpose of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) organization is to monitor adherence to conditions of the 1979 Israel-Egypt peace treaty.
Close to half of Israelis back annexation, less than a third think it’ll happen
Slightly fewer than half of Israelis back plans to annex parts of the West Bank, and even fewer people think the government will actually go through with its annexation plans, according to a survey released Sunday.
Pompeo to discuss coronavirus, Iran with Netanyahu and Gantz
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is slated to visit Israel on Wednesday, the State Department officially announced on Friday.
US promise of Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria enrages Palestinians
Comments by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on Wednesday to Israel Hayom sparked mixed reactions even among Israel’s Right. Not surprisingly, Palestinian leaders were furious.
Israel demands major changes in UN peacekeeping in Lebanon
Israel’s U.N. ambassador said Wednesday that his government is demanding major changes in the way the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon operates on the ground and has support from the United States.