Israel News for 10-25-2019
News Update
Security forces destroyed 2 structures built by settlers near Yitzhar, where an IDF soldier was slightly wounded by stones thrown at troops by a small group of settler youth earlier in the week.
The residents of Yitzhar claim that they fully support the IDF, and that the youth are from outside of the settlement. They are condemning the IDF demolition of the structures, calling it a “devastating and improper punishment.” Last night a settler “activist” set fire to a Border Police tent on a nearby hill.
PA President Abbas ordered the house of a terrorist to be rebuilt.
The order to rebuild the house of the terrorist who murdered an Israeli soldier in 2018 was given just hours after the house was demolished by the IDF — for the second time. The house was rebuilt after the first demolition. The rebuilding of demolished terrorist homes is apparently common.
Shas chairman and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said yesterday that his party was join a Blue and White coalition if the leadership agrees to maintain the status quo and does not demand changes on matters related to religion and state.
Israel is set to be hit by a rare hybrid tropical storm over the weekend that is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding, primarily is low lying areas of the central and southern parts of the country. Israel’s national electric company has advised people to remove any objects from their balconies and rooftops that are susceptible to being blown away or damaged by the storm. Officials in Gaza have declared a state of emergency. The storm is due to hit Egypt too.
Israel has risen 14 places in the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” rankings and is now in 35th place out of 190 countries, up from 49 last year. Israel has risen 19 places in the past two years. Israel’s most significant improvement has been in the Paying Taxes ranking where the country has risen to 13th place from 90th last year. This achievement is attributed to increased digitalization and the improvement of services provided by the Israel Tax Authority over the past few years. Other significant improvements are in the categories of getting credit, registering property and building permits.
