Nuke deal hangs in balance as Trump plans Iran policy speech
President Donald Trump could announce his secret decision on the future of the Iran nuclear deal next week.
Israel
Netanyahu demands Palestinians recognize Israel, disarm Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday spoke out against efforts by the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and the Gaza-ruling terror group Hamas to form a unity government.
On Eve of Sukkot, Israel’s Sea of Galilee Approaches Lowest-Ever Recorded Water Level
As thousands of Israelis prepare to enjoy the Sukkot holiday at the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Kinneret, Israel’s Water Authority has warned that the country’s largest freshwater lake is critically low and in danger of reaching its lowest [water] level ever recorded.
Israel sees Assad winning Syria war, urges more U.S. involvement
Israel’s defense minister said on Tuesday President Bashar al-Assad was winning Syria’s civil war and urged the United States to weigh in as Damascus’s Iranian and Hezbollah allies gain ground.
Israel’s largest defense contractor unveils unmanned helicopter
Israel Aerospace Industries, the country’s largest defense contractor, unveiled on Monday an unmanned helicopter that could be used to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield.
Abbas vows not to let Hamas keep armed forces in Gaza
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that he would not be prepared to accept Hamas keeping its armed forces in Gaza like Hezbollah does in Lebanon and demanded ‘full control’ of the Strip, including over the border, security and all the ministries.
Hezbollah says Israel pushing region to war
Lebanon’s Hezbollah accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Sunday of pushing the region to war in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, and said nowhere in Israel would be safe if such a conflict were to erupt.
Pentagon gives green light to install Israeli defense system on US tanks
The US Army has approved the installation of Israel’s Trophy active-protection system on a number of its M1A2 Abrams tanks, making it the first army aside from the IDF to use the system.
Thousands of Christians Set to Arrive in Jerusalem for Feast of Tabernacles
More than 6,000 Christian pilgrims from some 100 countries are set to arrive in Jerusalem this week ahead of the 38th annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).
Israel Is Going to War in Syria to Fight Iran
Israeli officials believe that Iran is winning its bid for dominance in the Middle East, and they are mobilizing to counter the regional realignment that threatens to follow. The focus of Israel’s military and diplomatic campaign is Syria. Israeli jets have struck Hezbollah and Syrian regime facilities and convoys dozens of times during Syria’s civil war, with the goal of preventing the transfer of weapons systems from Iran to Hezbollah. In an apparent broadening of the scope of this air campaign, on Sept. 7 Israeli jets struck a Syrian weapons facility near Masyaf responsible for the production of chemical weapons and the storing of surface-to-surface missiles.
‘Son of Hamas’ Rocks U.N. with Defense of Israel
The son of a prominent Hamas leader shocked members of the U.N. Human Rights Council, including representatives of the Palestinian Authority, declaring in testimony that the PA is the ‘greatest enemy of the Palestinian people.’
Washington rebuffs own envoy for saying ‘settlements are part of Israel’
For the second time since David Friedman assumed his post as US ambassador to Israel, the US State Department has publicly rejected remarks he made pertaining to Israel’s presence in the West Bank as not reflecting the administration’s stance.
US Ambassador: Israel occupies just 2 percent of West Bank
The U.S. ambassador to Israel raised eyebrows Thursday by saying that Israel occupies a tiny portion of the West Bank — just 2 percent — and that settlements there are part of the Jewish state proper.
Interpol approves Palestinian membership, angering Israel
International police agency Interpol voted Wednesday to include Palestine as a member state, in a new boost to Palestinian efforts for international recognition and influence amid long-stalled negotiations with Israel for full statehood.
Survey: 60% of Arab Israelis have positive view of state
A survey of Arab citizens of Israel has found more positive attitudes to the state and its institutions than was previously thought.
2 IS-backing Arab Israelis charged with plotting another Temple Mount shooting
Two residents of the Arab Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm were charged on Thursday with planning to carry out a shooting attack on the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem, similar to the one that took place in July.
In unsubtle critique, Israel gifts UNESCO Arch of Titus replica
Israel handed a replica of a frieze from the Arch of Titus to the head of UNESCO, using the monument commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem for a not-so-subtle critique of the organization’s resolutions that ignore Jewish links to the holy city.
Turkey’s Erdogan threatens ties with Israel over support for Kurds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said Israel should ‘review’ its support for Iraqi Kurdish independence, warning the Jewish state’s support for the bid could negatively affect diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.
Saudi Newspaper: ‘No Lasting Peace Can Exclude Hamas and its Supporters’
Despite an all-time low in relations between the Riyadh government and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, a leading Saudi newspaper has offered a cautious welcome to the current reconciliation process between Hamas and its rival Fatah as they prepare for next week’s session of the Palestine National Council in Gaza — the first such meeting in three years.
3 Israelis killed, 1 seriously wounded in terror attack outside Jerusalem
Four Israelis were attacked Tuesday morning in the town of Har Adar outside Jerusalem. Three died of their injuries, while one is in serious condition.