Israel’s New PM Facing Security Challenges
The people of Israel faced political uncertainty Friday after Yair Lapid became the nation’s interim prime minister with significant security challenges on his plate.
Israel
Yair Lapid takes over as Israel’s 14th prime minister
Yair Lapid officially became prime minister at the stroke of midnight between Thursday and Friday, taking office as the 14th premier in Israel’s history.
Hamas restoring ties with Syria ‘source of concern’ for Israel
Reports that appeared in recent days stating that Hamas and Syria have re-established relations after a decade of rupture between them represent a source of concern for Israel, a senior terrorism research has said.
Israeli Prime Minister Bennett announces retirement from politics, paving the way for Netanyahu’s return
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced Wednesday that he was withdrawing from political life and that he would not take part in the country’s next national election, a move that could possibly ease the return of long-serving leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who was ousted from office a year ago.
Israel, Arab States Seek Peace Expansion
Representatives from Israel, the United States, and Arab allies have discussed “expanding the circle of lasting peace” in the Middle East, officials confirmed.
Israel first in the world to pump desalinated water into natural lake
Israel is about to become the first country ever to pump desalinated water into a freshwater natural lake – the Sea of Galilee – to supply water for drinking and irrigation, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
World Bank Study: Israel’s advanced communication technology improves job opportunities and economy
A World Bank study that studied the effects of Israel’s advanced infrastructure in high-speed internet access, has found that the availability of such advanced communications technology improves employment opportunities and the economy, the Jerusalem Post (JP) reports.
US says progress made toward elusive Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal
The Biden administration said Monday that recent meetings held between its energy envoy and Israeli and Lebanese officials have resulted in progress toward resolving a long-held maritime border dispute between the neighboring countries.
Gantz: Israel is building a Middle East air defense alliance against Iran
Israel is building a regional air defense alliance to defend its members from Iran, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Monday, appearing to confirm, at least in part, a report that the Israeli military was in talks with its Saudi and Qatari counterparts on the matter.
With tear gas, police disperse abortion protest at Arizona’s State Capitol
Police fired tear gas to disperse pro-choice demonstrators from outside the Arizona Capitol Friday night, forcing lawmakers to huddle briefly in a basement inside the building as they rushed to complete their 2022 session.
Syrian, Russian paratroopers carry out drill in second joint exercise this month
Hundreds of Syrian paratroopers took part in a joint drill with their Russian counterparts in the war-torn country in the second joint maneuver this month, state media reported.
WSJ: Israel, Arab nations held secret US talks on Iran
The United States held a secret meeting last March in Egypt with senior Israeli army (IDF) officials and military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Arab nations over the Iranian threat, according to a Sunday report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Lebanon reportedly drops claims on Karish gas field
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun has met with US mediator Amos Hochstein, the special envoy of US President Joe Biden, and presented his country’s position which includes a compromise. The proposal has been passed to Israel, sources close to the matter have told “Globes.”
Knesset defeats two bills to apply sovereignty to West Bank settlements
The Knesset on Wednesday defeated two motions to apply sovereignty to West Bank settlements, brought forward by members of the opposition just hours after the parliament took its first initial vote to disperse.
Court upholds Arkansas law allowing state to reject business that boycotts Israel
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld an Arkansas law that requires state contractors to pledge they are not boycotting Israel or to give state entitles a 20% discount if they don’t agree with the pledge.
Egypt, Lebanon and Syria sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria and Egypt signed an agreement on Tuesday to transfer 650 million cubic meters of gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon through Syria.
Israel keeping US out of loop on alleged covert attacks in Iran
Israel is keeping the US in the dark as it steps up alleged covert operations against Iran’s nuclear program, according to a report Tuesday.
Officials unveil ‘Israeli Guard’ riot police unit to handle internal unrest
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and top law enforcement officials on Tuesday announced the formation of a national guard police unit that would be activated in emergencies, citing lessons learned from ethnic unrest amid a war last year.
IAEA report says Iran stepping up uranium enrichment at underground Fordo site
Iran is stepping up uranium enrichment at its underground Fordo nuclear site, according to a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report seen by the Reuters news agency on Monday.
Netanyahu has week to find majority, prevent Israeli elections
With the dramatic announcement on Monday evening by coalition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid of their intention to dissolve Israel’s government, the nation began bracing itself for its fifth round of elections in three years. A proposed date of Oct. 25 has already been set. However, elections could still be avoided if opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu succeeds in forming a government before the Knesset is dissolved. Can he do it?