Trump’s US-Japan trade deal wins Japan parliament approval
Japan’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a trade deal that was agreed upon by President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier this year.
Jerusalem
147 nations call to halt ‘aid’ to Israeli settlements
Some 147 United Nations member states, including the European Union, have called to halt all aid to West Bank settlements, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to annex the Jordan Valley.
Marking a first, 11 EU countries vote against anti-Israel UN resolution
On September 22, 2016, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood before the UN General Assembly and said that he had a message that would shock the audience: ‘Israel has a bright future at the UN.’
No agreement reached during Netanyahu, Gantz talks as third election looms
No agreement was reached Tuesday night between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz, who finished coalition talks at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tel Aviv after only 45 minutes, and eight days before next Wednesday night’s deadline to form a government.
Netanyahu has 30 days to receive immunity from Knesset
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit published a list of 333 prosecution witnesses on Monday in the public corruption indictment against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including highly prominent names like Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer and former Mossad director Tamir Pardo.
Naftali Bennett: We need to boost our campaign in Syria
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said in closed talks that a strategic window of opportunity exists that could increase military pressure against Iranian targets in Syria. In Bennett’s view, the IDF needs to act more intensively in Syria.
Inscriptions in Byzantine-era church intrigue archaeologists
A magnificently decorated Byzantine-era church uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority has shed light on the tradition of Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Russia says it showed hypersonic nuclear missile system to U.S. inspectors
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday it had shown the country’s new Avangard nuclear missile system to US inspectors for the first time, a move Moscow said showed a key arms control treaty was still effective.
Is the Bible right? Newly discovered fossils show snakes had legs
The Biblical story of the forbidden fruit – which discusses how the snake persuaded Eve to taste it, and how she and Adam, who also ate from it, were subsequently banned from the Garden of Eden by God – is probably one of the most well-known narratives in the history of humankind.
Trump says U.S. will designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorists
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorists over their role in drug and human trafficking.
Lindsey Graham, Ron Dermer support U.S.-Israel defense treaty
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expressed support in a possible Senate move to ratify a narrow U.S.-Israel mutual defense treaty in 2020 on Wednesday. He spoke at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) gala event in Washington.
Netanyahu approves Jordan Valley annexation bill after U.S. changes policy
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his approval on Tuesday to advance a bill that would have Israel apply sovereignty to the Jordan Valley, after the US State Department reversed its stance of viewing Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria as illegal.
Anti-China bill supporting Hong Kong protestors passes in US Senate
The US Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday condemning China’s interference in Hong Kong affairs.
IDF attacks IRGC Quds targets in southern Damascus
A spokesperson for the IDF says that IAF fighter jets performed targeted airstrikes on dozens of military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force (IRGC) and the Syrian army on Tuesday night in Syria. The targets included air-to-ground missiles, headquarters, IDF warehouses, and military bases.
Reversing Obama Policy, US Will No Longer View Israeli Settlements as ‘Inconsistent with Int’l Law’
In another major reversal of the Obama administration’s policies on the Mideast dispute, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the U.S. will no longer view the existence of Israeli communities (‘settlements’) in disputed territory as inherently illegal under international law, unleashing a wave of reaction, both positive and negative.
U.S. condemns lethal force in Iran, Khamenei blames ‘sabotage’ for unrest
Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday backed the gasoline price rises that have caused nationwide protests, which he blamed on the Islamic Republic’s opponents and foreign foes.
154 U.N. nations call Temple Mount solely by Muslim name Haram al-Sharif
The UN gave its preliminary approval to a resolution that referred to the Temple Mount solely by its Muslim name of Haram al-Sharif.
Blue and White may call Knesset vote on gov’t without a coalition
The chances of Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz forming a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are slim, but Gantz is also unlikely to establish a minority government supported by the Joint List even though his bloc has not ruled it out, sources in the faction said on Sunday.
Rocket fire continues to target Israel despite reports of nearing ceasefire
Terrorists in the Gaza Strip continued to fire rockets into Israel after midnight Wednesday even as an Israeli official indicated that Jerusalem was nearing a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group.
Bennett declares ‘special situation’ for communities within 80 km of Gaza
Newly appointed Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced Tuesday a ‘special situation’ in the home front for communities within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the Strip, which means special security measures would be put in place from the Gaza border communities, to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and as far north as Raanana.