US to pull Patriot batteries from key MidEast countries
The US is moving up to eight Patriot air defense batteries from key countries in the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday.
Israel
IDF slams Hamas targets; army chief warns of new round of hostilities
The Israel Air Force slammed more than 10 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip Thursday evening, responding to the launching of fire balloons into southern Israel for the third day in a row.
Study Shows Drop In Support for Israel Among US Evangelical Young Adults
A new study released this week, shows a sharp drop in support for Israel among Evangelicals aged 18 to 29 that could have “dramatic implications” on long-term US-Israel relations.
Israel is issuing new proof-of-vaccination document
Israeli authorities have begun rolling out a new document showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery, the Times of Israel reports. However, the Health Ministry has stated it is acting to ensure that current certification remains valid so that people can travel in the interim without having to undergo expensive testing.
Ultraconservative cleric expected to win Iran’s presidential election
Iran may be about to take an even harder stance against the West, as it is expected ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi will replace “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani in the country’s presidential election on June 18, the Times of Israel reports. After three of the seven candidates dropped out of the race on Wednesday, the election is widely viewed as a foregone conclusion in favor of Raisi, and a record low turnout is anticipated.
Iran says it has 6.5 kg of 60%-enriched uranium, inching closer to weapons-grade
Iran said Tuesday that it has produced 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity and 108 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20% purity in five months, far ahead of the schedule set by a law passed earlier this year by Tehran.
Incendiary balloons from Gaza spark fires in south for second day in a row
Firefighters battled four blazes in southern Israel Wednesday that were sparked by balloon-borne incendiary devices launched from the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row.
Israeli Supreme Court rules Messianic Jewish ministry is allowed religious tax breaks
Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Messianic Jewish organization Tuesday, when it overturned a Knesset (Parliament) Finance Committee decision to refuse tax-exempt status to Maoz Israel Ministries (officially known as Yachad Ramat HaSharon), World Israel News reports.
Israeli Army Bombs Gaza After Terror Balloons Reach Israel
Israel’s new government ordered airstrikes against militants in the Gaza Strip early Wednesday in response to incendiary balloons that crossed into the country from the Palestinian territory.
IDF hits Gaza terror targets after arson attacks, in first raids since ceasefire
The IDF carried out a series of airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning in response to over two dozen fires in southern Israel caused by incendiary devices launched from the coastal enclave.
Israel’s new government upholds long-standing opposition to Iran nuclear deal
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid have made clear that Israel will continue the Netanyahu government’s opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement, as international efforts continued to revive the pact abandoned by former U.S. president Donald Trump.
Israeli oral COVID-19 booster shot may be ready by 2022
Israeli scientists are developing an oral COVID-19 vaccine that may be ready as a booster shot for humans within nine months, the Times of Israel reports. The vaccine has so far worked well on rats, whose antibody levels increased with no side effects.
Hamas Calls for ‘Day of Rage’ Could Be First Test for New Israeli Government
Israel’s brand new government may already be tested less than two days after being sworn into office. Hamas and other Palestinian groups are calling for a ‘Day of Rage’ on Tuesday if the planned ‘Flag March’ takes place through Jerusalem’s Old City.
Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu Ousted
Israel’s longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ousted from power Sunday by parliament, the Knesset, which approved a new coalition government.
In speech before swearing-in, Ra’am leader vows to ‘reclaim expropriated lands’
Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas, whose support provided the key backing needed for the incoming change government’s majority, vowed to reclaim land in Israel that was “expropriated” from Arab Israelis.
Bennett-Lapid government wins Knesset majority; Netanyahu is out after 12 years
The Knesset swears in the 36th government, appointing the right-wing Naftali Bennett the next prime minister and removing Benjamin Netanyahu from power after 12 consecutive years.
US-funded Palestinian NGOs introduced children to convicted terrorists
USAID-funded Palestinian NGOs introduced children to released convicted terrorists, Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor wrote in a report released Thursday.
Israel says Gaza AP building housed Hamas anti-Iron Dome tech unit
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN and US Gilad Erdan has told Associated Press President Gary Pruitt that the building in which the news agency had its Gaza bureau was destroyed in Israeli strikes last month because that edifice housed a tech unit from which Hamas was working to jam the IDF’s Iron Dome defense system, the Jerusalem Post reports. Following an advanced warning from the IDF, the building was evacuated before it was bombed during May’s 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Satellite images show activity at Iran site exposed in Mossad-seized nuke files
Satellite images taken last year appear to show concealment activity at an Iranian facility previously identified as a site where Tehran was accused of manufacturing a key component for its nuclear program.
11 fighters said killed in alleged Israeli strikes in Syria
At least 11 people were reportedly killed overnight Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes in Syria.