US says citizens born in Jerusalem can now list their birthplace as Israel on passports
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced citizens of the United States born in Jerusalem can now list their birthplace as “Israel” on their passports.
Israel
Trump: At Least Five More Countries to Make Peace with Israel After Election
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that up to 10 more countries will normalize relations with Israel, but they’re waiting to see the results of next week’s presidential election before making a move.
‘Lebanon will pay the price if Hezbollah attacks Israel’
“Lebanese citizens should know that Hezbollah is their problem, not Israel, because if Hezbollah acts against the State of Israel, Lebanon will pay the price. I hope it will not happen, and we’re here to be prepared for a moment I hope will not come,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday as he visited a military exercise in the north of the country.
US imposes new sanctions on Iran’s oil sector
The Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on Iran’s oil sector Monday, also making it more difficult for a subsequent administration to reverse the measures, the Times of Israel reports. Affecting the National Iranian Oil Company, Iran’s oil ministry, and the National Iranian Tanker Company, the new measures were taken under counterterrorism authority, such that a new administration would have to take legal action to change course.
Bipartisan bill on sale of bunker-buster bombs to Israel
A bipartisan bill to be presented in Congress this week requires the US Defense Department to consider selling bunker-buster bombs to Israel, the Times of Israel (ToI) reported Tuesday. The bill would be part of an effort to bolster Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge in the Middle East, a policy which the US is legally bound to maintain.
‘Trump reelection could push Iran, Hezbollah into attacking Israel’
The reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump on November 3 could trigger Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah to launch an attack on Israel, says former Israeli ambassador to the United States.
IDF launches its largest drill of the year, simulating war against Hezbollah
The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday morning launched a large-scale exercise simulating war against the Hezbollah terror group, aimed at improving the military’s offensive capability, it said.
‘We aren’t going to ask America:’ Erdogan confirms testing Russian S-400
Turkey’s president on Friday confirmed the country tested its Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, despite objections from the United States.
Mossad head: Saudi normalization ties close; post US election could see progress
A normalization announcement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is close and there could be major developments following the US presidential elections depending on who wins, Mossad director Yossi Cohen has said in closed conversations, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
Hamas said to be secretly operating cyber, counterintelligence HQ in Turkey
The Palestinian terror group Hamas is secretly operating a facility in Turkey where it conducts cyberattacks and counterintelligence operations, according to a British newspaper report Thursday.
Sudan, Israel Agree To Normalize Ties In Move To New Era
In another move towards a new era, Israel and Sudan agreed Friday to normalize ties in a U.S.-brokered deal.
Israel, U.S. sign joint declaration reaffirming military edge promise
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the Pentagon on Thursday where they signed a joint declaration confirming Washington’s strategic commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
Report: Population of Jews in Europe at lowest level for 900 years
A new report has shown that the proportion of Jews living in Europe is at its lowest level in 900 years, Israel National News reports. The report was published Thursday by the European Jewish Demography Unit at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR).
Israeli hospital treatment of Bahraini princess paved the way for normalizing relations
A former Israeli communications minister has stated that the manner in which Israel treated Bahraini princess Fatima bint Khalifa in 2010 helped open the door for normalizing relations with Bahrain this year, the Jerusalem Post reports. Speaking at the second annual Israeli- Palestinian Economic Forum Tuesday, Israeli-Druze Ayoub Kara said he had helped the princess receive treatment at Israel’s Rambam Hospital in Haifa, and that this had been an opportunity to foster good relations with the Gulf states.
‘We will not allow Hezbollah or Iran to entrench themselves on Golan Heights’
Israel will not allow terrorist entities aligned with Hezbollah or Iran to entrench themselves on Israel’s Golan Heights border, and will do whatever is necessary to push them back, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told Israel Radio on Wednesday, following reports from Syria that IDF tanks had fired on targets near Quneitra in the Syrian Golan Heights overnight.
US files landmark antitrust case against Google
The United States Justice Department on Tuesday sued Google for abusing its dominance in online search and advertising — the government’s most significant attempt to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago.
IDF: Gaza attack tunnel found this week was dug by Hamas
Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday said it determined that an attack tunnel discovered earlier this week from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory was dug by the Hamas terror group.
Palestinian Authority officials announces plans for escalation of violence against Israel that will include the “sacrifice” of Palestinian children
A special emissary to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced on Facebook that he and other Palestinian leaders are planning an “escalation of the resistance” against Israel that will include the “sacrifice” of Palestinian children, Israel365news reports.
Iron Dome shoots down rocket from Gaza hours after terror tunnel discovered
The Israeli military announced Tuesday that terrorists in the Gaza Strip dug a tunnel dozens of meters (yards) deep that crossed the security fence around the territory before it was detected by underground sensors.
Saudi Foreign Minister says Kingdom seeks normalization with Israel, but also a Palestinian state
The Saudis say they are increasingly ready for a peace treaty with Israel and view the recently-signed “Abraham Accords” as a “positive” development. Their first priority, however, is getting the Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table.