Israel News for 9-13-17
Big Promise
Despite mounting pressure on him to resign in the face of multiple corruption investigations against him, PM Netanyahu dismissed the pressure and promised to lead his Likud party to a “big” victory in the 2019 general elections. Netanyahu made the statement at a press conference in Argentina, where he his currently visiting as part of a 10 day trip to Latin America.
Regarding the rumors that he might resign, the PM said, “It’s nonsense. The support for me in the Likud party is so powerful. You have to come and see. Not only to the meetings. Come with me to the streets and see it. I don’t remember support like this since 1996, not for me or for my wife. I see tremendous power. There is no other word to describe this.”
For further reading click here.
MK Resigns
Shas MK Yigal Guetta resigned his Knesset seat today in the face of criticism from his Ultra-Orthodox party members for attending the weeding of his gay nephew. In a recent radio interview Guetta revealed that he had attended the wedding out of respect for his sister. Even though he didn’t attend the actual ceremony, just showing up at the event was reason enough to stir up a swarm of rabbinic reproachment. Guetta will remain active in the Shas party.
For further reading click here.
Haredi Draft
The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the amendment to the law which set an annual quota for Haredi conscripts was unconstitutional. The original law, spearheaded by Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, allowed Haredi men of military age to delay their service on the condition that the annual quota of Haredi conscripts was met. The annual quota was seen as a breakthrough in the attempt to remedy the situation in which Haredi men did not serve in the IDF.
When PM Netanyahu formed his coalition in 2015 with the backing of the Haredi parties, the law was amended to significantly lower the Herd conscript quota. But with the court’s almost unanimous decision to cancel the amendment, the quota will have to be increased within a year. The ruling was attacked by the Haredi leadership and praised by Yair Lapid.
For further reading click here.
Russian Warning
Russia has warned Syrian President Assad not to attempt to retaliate against Israel in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike against the country’s Scientific Studies and Research Center last week. Israel has not admitted to the attack.
For further reading click here.
Shanghai Flights
Chinese airline Hainan Airlines has launched a new Tel Aviv-Shanghai route. Ticket prices will start at $500. Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin, currently on a visit to Shanghai, said, “I congratulate Hainan for opening the route from Shanghai to Israel as part of its fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism. When I became minister, one of my main goals was to increase tourism from China, and we are now seeing a major rise in tourist traffic from that country. I believe that by the end of the year, we will break the record for tourist entries from China, with the number of Chinese tourists visiting Israel exceeding 100,000.”
For further reading click here.
Illegal Kippot
Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority confiscated Kippot (skullcaps) made of snake skin and crocodile skin from a new judaica store in Jerusalem’s Old City on the suspicion that they were imported illegally without the required permits. The store was selling the exotic items for thousands of shekels. Hard to believe there’s actually a market for this stuff?
For further reading click here.
