France finally allows access to ancient tombs in Jerusalem
France is poised to reopen a contested archaeological site in east Jerusalem following successful talks with Israel, Israel Hayom has learned.
Israel
UN expert calls for ban on Israeli products from settlements
The U.N. independent expert on human rights in the Palestinian territories called Wednesday for an international ban on all products made in Israeli settlements as a step to potentially end Israel’s 52-year ‘illegal occupation.’
Mystery Martyr’s Church Unearthed in the Holy Land
A Byzantine-era church built in honor of an unnamed martyr has been unearthed near Jerusalem after a three-year excavation, Israeli researchers said on Wednesday.
Netanyahu agrees to meet PM-designate Gantz; other right, Orthodox leaders wait
Blue and White’s Benny Gantz and Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in the coming days to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government, the parties said on Wednesday night, hours after the centrist leader was tasked with forming a government where the incumbent premier failed.
Pontius Pilate built Pilgrim’s Road in Jerusalem
Archaeologists now believe that Jerusalem’s ‘Pilgrim’s Road’ was built by none other than Pontius Pilate, the infamous Roman governor of Judea.
Israel said bracing for direct cruise missile or drone attack by Iran
Israel is readying for a direct cruise missile or drone strike by Tehran in response to recent attacks on Iranian regional proxies which have been attributed to the Jewish state, Army Radio reported Tuesday evening.
Lebanese protests continue despite PM’s emergency economic reforms
Facing escalating mass protests, the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Monday approved a package of economic reforms and a 2020 budget without new taxes. Protests swelled in the hours after the announcement, however, as many demonstrators scorned the package as ’empty promises.’
IDF drone crashes in southern Lebanon, apparently after it was shot down
A small IDF drone crashed in southern Lebanon on Wednesday morning, apparently after it was shot down.
After Netanyahu can’t form coalition, Blue and White ‘determined’ to get it done
The Blue and White party and other political opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejoiced over the Likud leader’s inability to form a government, and President Reuven Rivlin’s announcement he would give Benny Gantz the next crack at assembling a coalition.
US Army Chooses Israeli System to Protect the Lives of Tank Crews
In recent days, Israeli defense corporation Rafael made a dramatic announcement, stating that it delivered on time the first batch of Trophy Active Protection System to the US Army.
Hosting Pompeo amid concerns about policy in Syria, PM hails US-Israel alliance
Hosting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday as President Donald Trump’s policy changes on Syria spark concern among Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and Trump for their ‘consistent support for Israel’ and hailed the strength of US-Israel ties. Commenting on the US-arranged ceasefire in Turkey’s offensive in Syria against Kurdish fighters, the prime minister said mildly that he hoped it would ‘turn out for the best.’
On an ancient road to the Temple, archaeological innovation, mystery and dispute
Archaeologists and historians call the subterranean road the ‘Stepped Street.’ Those who prefer to link Jerusalem’s Jewish past to its present tend to call it the ‘Pilgrims’ Path’ or the ‘Pilgrimage Road.’ It was built starting in 20 CE by the Romans, said Levy, and completed under the governance of Pontius Pilate in about 30 CE. A recent study of coins collected at the site appears to confirm this dating.
Liberman to Netanyahu: You have failed three times
Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman on Sunday blasted Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, after the Prime Minister circulated a video on social media, entitled “Gantz, Lapid and Liberman’s Secret Plan.” In the video, the Prime Minister warned that Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz could form a narrow left-wing government that relies on external support of the Joint List.
Pompeo lands in Israel for meet with Netanyahu, talks on Syria
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Israel overnight Thursday-Friday for talks on Syria following the pullout of American soldiers and Turkey’s launching of a military offensive against Kurdish fighters.
Gantz reportedly looking to form minority government with Liberman’s backing
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is reportedly planning to invite representatives of Yisrael Beytenu and Likud to talks on forming a unity government if he is tasked with forming a coalition next week.
As US withdraws, Jerusalem spooked by Moscow’s growing control over Middle East
US President Donald Trump’s newly announced withdrawal of nearly all US troops from northern Syria has cemented Russia’s status as the predominant global military power actively engaged in the Middle East.
Friedman: US peace plan won’t call for settlement evacuations
The US administration’s much-anticipated peace plan will not call for the uprooting of even a single settler, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said Wednesday, drawing sharp criticism from Ramallah.
US House overwhelmingly condemns Trump’s Syria withdrawal, Turkey offensive
The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted its bipartisan condemnation of US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria.
Path to Israeli Unity Government May Be Opening, With Gantz Indicating a Willingness to Sit With Netanyahu
Despite the current impasse in the Israeli coalition talks, signs emerged on Wednesday that a path to a unity government might be opening, with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz reportedly expressing a positive attitude toward such an arrangement.
‘No to Israel!’: Firebrand Iraq cleric calls for mass anti-corruption protest
Crying ‘No to Israel,” Firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr on Tuesday urged millions of worshipers taking part in Shiite Islam’s largest pilgrimage to protest against corruption in Iraq, following deadly demonstrations.