US to extend Iran nuclear sanctions waivers
The Trump administration will reportedly announce the renewal of sanctions waivers this week allowing foreign firms to work on Iran’s civil nuclear program.
Israel
Church of the Apostles discovered near Sea of Galilee, archaeologists say
The Church of the Apostles, which is said to have been built over the house of Jesus’ disciples Peter and Andrew, has been discovered near Israel’s Sea of Galilee, according to a team of American and Israeli archaeologists.
Trump to launch peace conference with Arab leaders in Camp David
Senior White House advisor Jared Kushner is set to invite Arab Mideast leaders to a peace conference in the U.S. during his visit to the region, launched on Wednesday.
West Bank settler wines ‘not made in Israel’ Canadian federal court rules
Wines produced by West Bank settlers cannot be labeled ‘Products of Israel,’ Canada’s Federal Court ruled on Monday.
Egypt, Jordan leaders hold talks over Israeli-Palestinian peace
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II met on Monday to discuss efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reaffirming their support for a two-state solution, Sissi’s office said.
Leaked UN report blasts UNRWA leadership as corrupt
An ‘inner circle’ at the top of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is being accused of abusing authority for their personal gain, a confidential report from the United Nations office of ethics that was leaked to the Qatari Al Jazeera network claims.
’Zionist Occupation,’ Call To ‘Martyrdom’ Still Central Focus of Palestinian Education
The new Palestinian Authority textbooks have not changed much from the virulent antisemitism of the older editions, according to Algemeiner.
UN resolutions name Israel as only country violating women’s rights
Two UN Economic and Social Council resolutions passed last week accused and singled out Israel as the only country violating women’s rights, according to UN Watch, a non-governmental organization.
IDF launches drill to bolster preparedness for war in Gaza
A military exercise began Sunday afternoon in the southern city of Ashkelon and in the area adjacent to the restive Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Israel, US say they’ve conducted successful test of Arrow 3 in Alaska
Israel and the United States completed a series of successful tests of their advanced Arrow 3 missile defense system in Alaska, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
7 Iranian Christians Suffer Detention Without Legal Representation, 5 Others Accused of ‘Propaganda Against the Regime’
Seven of the Christians arrested by Iranian intelligence services on July 1st in the city of Bushehr are being held in solitary confinement with no access to lawyers, Middle East Concern reports.
Palestinian President Declares End to All Agreements, Security Coordination With Israel
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared on Thursday a cessation to all agreements with Israel, including the security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Israel’s left-wing unites under new party ahead of September elections
Israel’s left-wing Meretz party and former premier Ehud Barak’s Israel Democratic Party join forces ahead of September 17 elections to form a new political faction called ‘The Democratic Camp.’
US blocks UN draft condemning demolition of Palestinian homes
The United States on Wednesday reportedly blocked an attempt to get the UN Security Council to issue a formal condemnation of Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes on the edge of Jerusalem earlier this week.
5th-century inscriptions near Galilee may show Christians’ fading Greek literacy
Some 15 years ago, while on the trail of an elusive Byzantine-era synagogue, archaeologists at the ongoing Hippos-Sussita Excavations Project near the Sea of Galilee began excavating what appeared to be a public building that had been burned to the ground. After quickly discovering that the remains indicated the structure was ‘just another church’ — one of seven at least at the large ancient settlement — the team moved on to other work.
North Korea fires short-range missiles in latest provocation
North Korea fired two short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, complicating efforts to resume stalled nuclear talks with Washington and signaling its anger over planned US-South Korea joint military exercises.
US spars with key allies at UN over Mideast peace approach
The U.S. derided the viability of reaching “international consensus” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Tuesday, further distancing itself from the two-state solution preferred by most of the world and drawing rebukes from its European allies.
US House overwhelmingly passes anti-BDS resolution
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday that rejects the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, after some Democrats expressed concern last week that the measure could cause infighting within the party leading up to the 2020 election.
Syria says Israel attacked posts held by its military, allied militias
An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria’s state news agency said.
Israel: Iran smuggling dual-use items for Hezbollah arms by sea into Beirut port
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday accused Iran of exploiting civilian companies and maritime channels to smuggle weapons manufacturing equipment to its Lebanese proxy group, Hezbollah.