Shin Bet foils ISIS-inspired attack on Temple Mount
Three Arab citizens from the village of Um el-Fahm were indicted on Monday for plotting a terrorist attack on the Temple Mount in the name of Islamic State, the Shin Bet security agency announced.
Jerusalem
Church Leaders Close the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Tax Protest
The leaders of the major Christian sects in Jerusalem closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, for several hours on Sunday to protest an Israeli plan to tax their properties.
Netanyahu to invite Trump to inaugurate US embassy in Jerusalem in May
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to invite US President Donald Trump to Israel in May to inaugurate the US embassy, which Washington announced on Friday will be relocated to Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day, Hadashot TV news reported on Saturday.
Judge and lawyer Coordinated Ruling in Corruption Probe
A judge presiding over hearings in a major corruption case asked to be removed from her duties after Channel 10 exposed that she had coordinated rulings with a government lawyer working the hearing, the Justice ministry said Sunday.
Oldest Hebrew mention of Jerusalem found on rare papyrus from 7th century BCE
A rare, ancient papyrus dating to the First Temple Period — 2,700 years ago — has been found to bear the oldest known mention of Jerusalem in Hebrew.
U.N.: Hamas could lose control of Gaza to ‘radicals’
‘Radical groups,’ among them Islamic Jihad, could wrest control of Gaza from Hamas, thereby opening the door for outside forces to control the Strip, UN Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov warned in Jerusalem on Thursday.
US Evangelical Leaders and Megachurch Pastors Visit Jerusalem, Pray in Magdala
More than a dozen evangelical leaders and megachurch pastors from the United States have come together in the biblical city of Jerusalem this week to meet with political, religious and business leaders and to experience parts of Israel they have never seen before.
‘The Netanyahu age is over’: Opposition preps for early election
The Zionist Union and Meretz took moves on Wednesday to prepare for an early election, in light of the breakneck developments in corruption scandals involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel thwarted ‘Islamic State’ plot to blow up plane from Australia: Netanyahu
In a speech to US Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his country’s elite military intelligence unit had prevented the bombing of an ‘Australian airliner.’
Abbas, Haley Trade Barbs Over Trump’s Israel Stand at UN
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem a ‘dangerous’ development in a speech before the United Nations, then walked out before U.S. envoy Nikki Haley retorted that ‘we will not chase after you.’
U.S. ‘finalizing’ peace plan despite Abbas vow for international efforts
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace team made an exceptional trip to UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday to attend an address by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, hoping to hear ‘fresh and constructive ideas’ that might lead to new talks with Israel toward a peace settlement.
At UN, Abbas Calls on World Leaders to Recognize Palestinian State
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called in an address to the United Nations Security Council Tuesday to convene an international conference by mid-2018 that would result in the recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
Top IDF general warns of increased chance of war in 2018
The chances of war breaking out on the northern border in 2018 are greater than ever before due to the victories of Syrian President Bashar Assad backed by Iran and Hezbollah, a senior IDF general said Monday.
Israeli Air Force strikes six Gaza targets following border attack
A home in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council was directly hit by a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip Saturday evening following an attack on the border in which four soldiers were wounded.
Arrow 3 successfully tested in overnight trial
The Defense Ministry conducted a successful test of the Arrow 3 missile defense system Sunday night. In conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency, a section of the United States government’s Department of Defense, the missile system was tested during overnight hours.
Israel said to fear Assad chemical weapons spillover into Golan Heights
The Foreign Ministry fears poison gas may leak into Israel if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons against rebels near the Golan Heights, and has reported warned of a punishing response should such a situation unfold.
In Jordan, Tillerson notes progress in Mideast peace plan
The Trump administration’s plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at an advanced stage, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday in Jordan as part of his weeklong regional visit.
Netanyahu rebuffs bribery claims, predicts he will win next election
In an impassioned 10-minute rebuttal to police recommendations to indict him on bribery and breach of trust charges, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation Tuesday night that not only will this government complete its term, but he will again be re-elected in 2019.
Russia becomes a player on critical Israeli fronts
Facing Iranian adventurism across its northern borders and an irritated Palestinian leader seeking to internationalize his cause, Israel has found itself increasingly reliant on Russia to quell its most pressing diplomatic and national security concerns.
Russians killed in clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria
Russian fighters were among those killed when US-led coalition forces clashed with pro-government forces in Syria this month, former associates of the dead said on Monday.