Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-27-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 7,737 new coronavirus cases as of Wednesday morning. The infection rate is at 9.6%. There are currently 1,114 people hospitalized in serious condition and 311 on ventilators. There have been 4,513 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. The government will meet on Thursday to decide whether to extend the lockdown past January 31.

Over 2.7 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Over 1.3 million have received the second dose.

Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel and Sudan will finalize a diplomatic deal to normalize relations at a signing ceremony in Washington in the next three months.

Acting U.S. envoy to the UN, Richard Mills, told the UN Security Council that the Biden Administration supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians and that it will overturn several Trump administration decisions.

He said that Washington would urge Israel and the Palestinians, “to avoid unilateral steps that make a two-state solution more difficult, such as annexation of territory, settlement activity, demolition, incitement to violence and providing compensation for individuals imprisoned for acts of terrorism”.

Mills said the Biden administration intended to restore Palestinian aid and take steps to re-open the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington. He added that Washington steadfastly supported its ally Israel and would continue to push back against any bias toward the country at the United Nations or other international bodies.

IDF corporal Lian Harush, a 22 year old female who came to Israel alone from England to serve in the IDF, managed to stop a terrorist who tried to stab her at a checkpoint near Ariel yesterday. She ducked the blade and then hit the terrorist on the head with the butt of her rifle. Her commander then shot and neutralized the terrorist.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-25-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 4,868 new coronavirus cases as of Monday morning, which was a lower number as a result of limited testing over the weekend. The infection rate is at 9.3%. There are currently 1,140 people hospitalized in serious condition and 358 on ventilators. There have been 4,419 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. The government approved to shutdown of Ben Gurion airport until the end of the lockdown on January 31.

Over 2.5 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Over 1 million have received the second dose.

The Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi (UAE) officially opened on Sunday, following approval by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to open its own mission in Tel Aviv. The Foreign Ministry said Israel would soon open an interest section in Morocco and a consulate in Dubai. It also said an embassy in Bahrain has been operating for several weeks.

New White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat that the US administration will work closely with Israel on regional security issues and to build on the country’s regional normalization agreements.

The Labor Party has chosen Merav Michaeli, a veteran lawmaker and former journalist, as its new leader ahead of the March elections. The latest polls indicate that Labor will just cross the minimum vote threshold to enter the Knesset.

Israel today extradited Malka Lefier, a former principal and teacher wanted on 74 charges of child sex abuse in Australia, following a six-year legal battle.

 

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-22-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 7,099 new coronavirus cases as of Friday morning. The infection rate is at 8.5%. There are currently 1,128 people hospitalized in serious condition and 310 on ventilators. There have been 4,245 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Over 2.5 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Over 850,000 have received the second dose.

A report published on Thursday by the National Insurance Institute said that Israel’s poverty rate has increased by 7% while the standard of living has dipped by 4.4% throughout 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis and the lockdowns. Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange had a record year, with 25 new IPOs.

Syrian state media reported that Israel attacked targets near the city of Hama early this morning. This is the first attack attributed to Israel to take place under the new Biden administration.

Benny Begin, son of former PM and Likud founder Menachem Begin, announced Thursday he is joining Gideon Saar’s new political party “New Hope”. Begin joins other prominent Likud politicians who have already joined Saar.

Israel and Morocco signed an agreement yesterday allowing direct flights between the two countries.

American Airlines has announced that it will start flying a Tel Aviv-New York route from May 6. American Airlines also intends to launch new service from Tel Aviv to its largest hub, Dallas-Fort Worth, later this year.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-20-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 8,511 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. The infection rate is at 9.2%. There are currently 1,113 people hospitalized in serious condition and 308 on ventilators. There have been 4,142 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. The cabinet has voted to extend the nationwide lockdown until the end of July. Meanwhile, thousands of ultra-orthodox students went to school in Bnei Brak, in violation of the lockdown.

Over 2.2 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Over 500,000 have received the second dose. Anyone over the age of 35 is now eligible for the vaccine.

Israel approved the construction of 2600 new homes in the settlements yesterday, just as President Trump leaves office. According to Peace Now, Israel approved or advanced construction of over 12,000 settlement homes in 2020, the highest number in a single year since it started recording in 2012.

President Trump pardoned former Israeli General Aviem Sella, who was one of the handlers of Jonathan Pollard. Sella was indicted in absentia by a federal grand jury in 1987, and faced up to life imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-18-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 5,616 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, as a result of significantly lower testing over the weekend. The infection rate rose to over 9%. There are currently 1,130 people hospitalized in serious condition and 273 on ventilators. There have been 4,005 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. Health officials are calling for the closure of Ben Gurion Airport to stop people carrying the virus from entering the country.

Over 2 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Over 300,000 have received the second dose. The Israel Prison Service will start vaccinating prisoners today, including Palestinians.

Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets in Gaza, after 2 rockets were fired at Ashdod. The rockets did not cause any damage or injuries.

Israel approved plans to build an additional 780 homes in Jewish settlements and outposts in the West Bank.

Education Minister Yoav Galant is banning groups that call Israel an “apartheid state” or demean Israeli soldiers, from lecturing at schools.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-15-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 9,172 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. There are currently 1,097 people hospitalized in serious condition and 263 on ventilators. There have been 3,869 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. The health ministry is pushing for a 1 week extension of the current 2 week nationwide lockdown.

Over 2 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine and over 100,000 have received the second dose.

The government of Slovakia has approved the procurement of 17 radar systems manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries for 150 million EUROs.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 1-13-2021

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The Health Ministry reported 9,025 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. There are currently 1,042 people hospitalized in serious condition and 262 on ventilators. There have been 3,770 coronavirus related deaths since the start of the pandemic. Ultra-Orthodox areas are showing the highest infection rate. The health ministry is planning to request a 1 week extension of the current 2 week nationwide lockdown.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev was caught on camera holding a birthday party in her office in violation of health regulations that permit no more than 5 people at an indoor gathering. There were 14 people seated around a table at the party, with no masks or social distancing.

Over 1.8 million Israelis have already received the first dose of the vaccine. Tens of thousands have received the second dose.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said that Israel carried out airstrikes in Syria overnight using intelligence provided by the United States. The airstrikes targeted a series of warehouses, near the Iraqi border, used to store Iranian weapons and components for Iran’s nuclear program. Dozens of militants were killed or wounded. The US official said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the airstrike with Mossad chief Yossi Cohen at a public meeting in popular Washington restaurant on Monday.

Lebanon is calling on the UN to condemn Israel for “Israel’s daily violations of its airspace amid intensifying drone reconnaissance and mock raids around the country.” In recent weeks Israeli fighter jets have carried out several low-altitude flights over Beirut and other major Lebanese cities. Israeli reconnaissance drones sometimes remain in Lebanese airspace for 24 hours at a time.

US casino magnate and philanthropist Sheldon Adelson died yesterday at the age of 87. Adelson was a major supporter of PM Netanyahu. He owned the free, daily newspaper “Israel Hayom” and a controlling stake in the right wing newspaper “Makor Rishon.” He also donated $250 million to Donald Trump’s election campaign. Adelson paid the highest price ever for a home in Israel when he bought the former residence of the US Ambassador to Israel in Herzliya Pituah for $67.6 million.

His Israeli wife Dr. Miriam Adelson wrote a eulogy to her late husband in “Israel Hayom” today. She wrote, “Sheldon was the love of my life. He was my partner in love, philanthropy, political activities and entrepreneurship. He was the proudest Jew in the world who saw the State of Israel not only as the realization of historical promises to the cherished people who had earned it but also as a gift of God to all mankind.” Sheldon Adelson will be buried in Israel.