US Senate approves amendment to keep embassy in Jerusalem
The United States Senate voted 97-3 to support an amendment to the COVID-19 budget resolution that affirmed the country’s intention to keep its embassy in Jerusalem.
Israel
Israel, US launch joint air defense exercise ‘Juniper Falcon’
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the United States European Command (EUCOM) this week launched a joint air defense exercise, dubbed “Juniper Falcon,” focused on the threat from ballistic missile attacks, the two armies announced Thursday.
UN court says it can hear case brought by Iran to end US sanctions
The United Nations’ highest court ruled Wednesday that it can hear a case brought by Iran against the United States in a bid to end sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed in 2018 after pulling out of an international deal aimed at curtailing Tehran’s nuclear program.
Report: Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria
Syrian state television said Wednesday evening the country’s air defenses responded to “Israeli aggression” in what appears to be an attack on Hezbollah targets in the area.
Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope files election slate, heavy with ex-Likud MKs
Former Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope party filed its party slate Wednesday evening, rounding off the major parties to register for March’s election on the first of two days to do so.
New Poll: Likud is regaining strength lost since March 2020
A new Israeli poll shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is regaining popularity it had lost since the March 2020 election, Israel National News reports. Conducted by Midgam and released Sunday, the poll surveyed 505 respondents by phone and the internet.
IDF takes on 13 nations in international cyber defense drill
Five teams representing various branches of the IDF recently completed a first-of-its kind international competitive cyber drill in which they competed against nearly 60 teams from 13 other countries.
Israel holds fresh trials of upgraded Iron Dome due to be installed on ships
An upgraded version of the Iron Dome air defense system on Monday completed a fresh set of trials simulating threats the system is likely to face on land and at sea, the Defense Ministry said.
Iran says it will install 1,000 centrifuges at nuclear plant in next 3 months
Iran said Thursday it plans to install 1,000 new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility within three months and that its scientists had exceeded previous goals for uranium enrichment.
Almost 30% percent of Israel’s COVID deaths came in January alone
From Jan. 1 until Jan. 30, Israel recorded 29% percent of all its COVID deaths which have been tallied since the pandemic began in March.
317 Israelis who received 2nd dose of COVID vaccine infected with virus
A total of 371 out of 715,425 Israelis who passed at least a week after receiving two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine have contracted the virus – 0.04%, with 16 being sent to the hospital – according to a Health Ministry report released on Thursday.
Israeli Leaders Work to Extend Lockdown Again Amid Intense Government Infighting
Israeli lawmakers will vote today to increase fines for those who violate the regulations of Israel’s third nationwide lockdown. The measure has been the source of intense government infighting and could sink another government meeting scheduled for Thursday intended to extend the now month-long lockdown set to expire on Jan. 31.
Holocaust Survivors Receive Coronavirus Vaccines Amid Tensions
Hundreds of Holocaust survivors in Austria and Slovakia have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine despite concerns about possible side effects and amid mounting antisemitism.
Israeli Military Chief Orders New Plans to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi announced on Tuesday the IDF is preparing military plans to hit Iran’s nuclear program in the upcoming year.
IDF chief’s message to Biden: If necessary, Israel will act alone
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi’s speech at the annual INSS conference on Tuesday might have been in Hebrew, but what he said was aimed at speakers of both English and Farsi.
U.S. announces restoration of relations with Palestinians
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday it was restoring relations with the Palestinians and renewing aid to Palestinian refugees, a reversal of the Trump administration’s cutoff and a key element of its new support for a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
IDF chief warns Israel won’t accept return to Iran nuclear deal, offensive military options on table
The head of the IDF warned Tuesday that Israel would not accept a direct return to the Iran nuclear deal and the military was preparing contingency plans in case the Iranians moved closer to producing a nuclear weapon.
Israel halts all commercial flights in bid to keep virus variants at bay
Israel on Monday night shuttered Ben Gurion Airport to nearly all flights until the end of January, amid fears over fast-spreading or vaccine-resistant coronavirus variants entering the country.
Bombing at California church accused of hateful messaging against LGBT community
The FBI is investigating a bomb blast that broke windows at a California Baptist church that has been subject to protests for what has been described as extremist, hateful messaging against the LGBT community, Religion News reports. El Monte police said the city’s First Works Baptist church building was attacked at 1 am Saturday when an “improvised explosive device” was thrown at it. No one was in the building at the time and no injuries have been reported.
Biden speaks with Macron, agrees to coordinate on Iran nuclear deal
French President Emmanuel Macron and new US President Joe Biden agreed Sunday to coordinate on Middle East Peace issues and the Iran nuclear deal, the Elysee palace said.