Archive for Israel News

WATCH: Israel’s Prime Minister Personally Meets 3 Millionth Tourist for Tour in Jerusalem

In Photos: Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu surprised the 3,000,000th tourist to Israel, Ioana Isac, along with her partner Mihai Georgescu, in Jerusalem at the Tower of David Museum for a personally guided tour.
– Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, who surprised the couple at the airport, accompanied them on the tour.

By Yossi Aloni

 

Israel has had a record year for tourism. And on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed his appreciation by surprising tourist number 3 million to arrive in 2017 with a personal welcome to the Jewish state.

Ioana Isac, 31, and her partner, Mihai Georgescu, suspected nothing as they arrived at Ben Gurion Airport from their native Romania. Continue Reading »

Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia all call on citizens to leave Lebanon immediately

Reported by Saudi state news agency SPA, a foreign ministry source called on Saudis not to travel to Lebanon because of “the situation” in the country.
– Meanwhile in Lebanon, the FM issued a statement demanding the return of PM Hariri, who they contend is being held in Saudi Arabia.

By i24NEWS

 

Both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on Thursday have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon “as soon as possible,” days after Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation while visiting the kingdom in a shocking announcement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R), meets with Lebanese PM Saad Hariri (L) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Judge denounces latest case against Israeli PM’s wife as ‘Made for Media’ not ‘court worthy’

In a complete turnaround from the harsh attention Israel’s media has allocated to besmirch Sara Netanyahu, the Jerusalem Labor Court President admonished plaintiff’s attorney saying, “When I read the lawsuit, the impression I got was that it was clearly meant for the ears of someone other than the court.”
• Netanyahu family: We have no doubt the truth will come out in court.

By Yair Altman

 

The Jerusalem Labor Court on Wednesday leveled harsh criticism at a lawsuit filed by a former employee at the Prime Minister’s Residence, saying it was clearly meant to influence “someone other than the court.” Continue Reading »

Natalie Portman Wins Israel’s Prestigious Genesis Prize

The annual $1 million award honors extraordinary individuals who serve as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through their professional achievements, commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish people and/or the State of Israel.

By Israel Today Staff

 

Hollywood A-lister Natalie Portman has been awarded the 2018 Genesis Prize, commonly referred to as the “Jewish Nobel.”

The Genesis Prize is awarded to those who serve as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through their outstanding professional achievement, commitment to Jewish values and to the Jewish people.

Natalie Portman, Holding her Oscar at the 83rd Academy Awards, 2011 – Photo: US Army/Staff Sgt.

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Deutsche Bank report: Israeli shekel becomes second strongest currency

With Israel’s Shekel rising 6.1% against the world’s major currencies during the past year and nearing historically high levels, the Bank of Israel is expected to depreciate the shekel to boost exports.

Israel Hayom

 

The Israeli shekel is currently the world’s second-strongest currency, according to a new report by German global banking and financial services company Deutsche Bank. The report ranked China’s yuan as the world’s strongest currency.

Lots of Israeli shekels and some American dollars- Photo: Israel Police

Deutsche Bank’s strategic foreign currency analyst Dr. Gautam Kalani reported that over the past 12 months, the shekel has appreciated 6.1% against the basket of currencies of Israel’s main trading partners, such as the U.S. Continue Reading »

Israel fast-tracks emergency medical aid to fight Black Death plague in Madagascar

Israel and the South African branch of Magen David Adom are working together to rush emergency medical aid to the International Red Cross to fight the Black Death plague in Madagascar.

By EYTAN HALON

 

Israel is rushing to send greatly needed aid to Madagascar after a severe outbreak of the Black Death plague in the African island.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South African branch of Magen David Adom have joined forces to head the aid effort. The aid will be delivered to the International Red Cross in Madagascar.

Madagascar – Google Maps

Since August 2017, the island has been battling the epidemic of the airborne pneumonic plague but cases have risen by 8% in the past week alone. Continue Reading »

Having brought Hamas into PA gov’t, Abbas resumes security cooperation with Israel

After suspending security coordination with Israel almost 4 months ago in reaction to Israel’s policies on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, PA despot Abbas has decided to resume its security coordination since Hamas is now part of their newly unified government.

By Reuters

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s administration said on Wednesday it had resumed security coordination with Israel in the West Bank, frozen in July, and sought sole security control of the Gaza Strip, where Hamas Islamist forces dominate.

Palestinian Civil Police, Gen. Hazem Atallah – Photo: COURTESY ISRAEL POLICE

The remarks, by the Palestinian police chief, left open the question of how Abbas might bring his former rivals in Hamas to heel given their refusal to disarm as demanded by Israel and the United States. Continue Reading »

UN sent to Jerusalem District Court for illegal construction

Even though PM Netanyahu and the UN Sec General discussed and agreed that all future construction within the UN compound would be in accordance with state and local laws, it appears the UN again, has been caught preparing for new, illegal, construction.

By Mordechai Sones

 

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that he concluded with UN Secretary General Guterres that current and future construction by the UN at the Government Palace will be carried out in accordance with the principles of zoning and building laws.

Building circled in red is slated for destruction for a new building. – Photo courtesy: Regavim

However, it turns out that only recently has UNTSO issued a tender for the demolition and reconstruction of one of the buildings built during the British Mandate in the Armon Hanatziv compound – in violation of the law and without a building permit from the Jerusalem Municipality. Continue Reading »

Abbas in Saudi Arabia irks King on Hamas weapons, violence and Iranian ties

In Riyadh, PA despot Abbas was urged by Saudi Royals to distance the new Palestinian unified gov’t from Iran and not allow Hamas to stockpile weapons.

By i24NEWS

 

The West Bank and Gaza will benefit from large-scale Saudi investment projects if the Palestinian Authority joins the kingdom in taking an aggressive stance against Iran’s role in the Middle East, Palestinian sources privy to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday said.

Saudi officials, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sought to persuade Abbas to take a tough stance on Hamas as it moves forward with joining the internationally-recognized Palestinian government. Continue Reading »

Having lost FIFA verdict, Palestinian charges Football Association in Swiss Court

Preferring not to intervene in Palestinian drama, FIFA dropped age-old Palestinian Football Association complaints on political grounds, so now PFA charges FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

By The Associated Press & Israel Hayom Staff

 

A Palestinian challenge over the way FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, handled its complaints against the Israeli Football Association will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, this month.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino – Photo: Doha Stadium Plus Qatar/Wikimedia

The court said its panel will hear the Palestine Football Association’s appeal on Nov. 27. A verdict is expected weeks later. Continue Reading »

Netanyahu: Believing Balfour Declaration was a crime is root of Israeli-Arab conflict

Addressing the Knesset on the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “When the leaders of the Palestinian leadership define the Balfour Declaration as a ‘crime’, when they call on the British gov’t to apologize for it, they are not going forward, they are going back, a hundred years back… And that is the root of the conflict.”

By Moran Azulay

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Knesset plenum on Tuesday, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which recognized the Jewish people’s right to a “national home” in the Land of Israel. “When the leaders of the Palestinian leadership define the Balfour Declaration as a ‘crime’, when they call on the British government to apologize for it, they are not going forward—they are going back, a hundred years back,” Netanyahu said. Continue Reading »

“ACT of WAR”: Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fire missile at Saudi Arabia

Calling it an “act of war,” Saudi Arabia threatens retaliation after reports the Iranian made ballistic missile, fired by Iranian-backed rebels, was targeting the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

By Arutz Sheva Staff

 

Saudi Arabia called the firing of a ballistic missile at the international airport in Riyadh from Yemen an “act of war” by Iran and vowed to retaliate Monday.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels fired the missile at Saudi Arabia over the weekend. The missile traveled over 500 miles before being shot down over Saudi Arabian territory.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis stands with Deputy Crown Price of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud before a bi-lateral meeting held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.,

Continue Reading »

UK Minister forced to apologize for meeting Netanyahu while on family vacation in Israel

Minister Patel was scolded by bosses for having unscheduled, unofficial high level meetings in Jerusalem, after she was ‘outed’ by photo, tweeted from Israel.
– Patel said that she was, “struck by the achievements of the State of Israel…a world leader in technology, life and vocational skills.”

By i24NEWS

 

A British minister was forced to publicly apologize on Monday after it emerged the country’s foreign ministry was not aware of a host of high-level meetings she took during a “family holiday” in Israel over the summer, including with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Want a ‘Dream Vacation’ in Israel? – Just be the 3 millionth tourist to get it!

Israel’s Tourism Minister Yariv Levin is planning to greet the lucky tourist at Ben-Gurion Int’l Airport in a campaign intended to market Israeli tourism industry worldwide. Minister Levin, ‘Our efforts this year have brought $4.8 billion to Israel’s economy.’

By Ilan Gattegno

 

On Tuesday, the 3 millionth tourist to land in Israel this year is scheduled to arrive, marking an all-time record high for incoming tourism. The lucky visitor will be given a special prize package to celebrate the event and promote tourism to Israel.

Photos of the tourist’s upgraded vacation will be used to market Israeli tourism as part of a campaign to attract workers to Israel’s tourism industry. Continue Reading »

Australia upgrades military with Israel’s Trophy Defense System, Iron Dome, Spike Missiles

In the Australian Army’s plan to upgrade their armed vehicles with the latest defense systems, Israel’s defense giant Rafael has begun talks on opening factories in Australia to help provide those military needs.

BY ANNA AHRONHEIM

 

As Australia overhauls its LAND 400 armored vehicles program, Israeli defense giant Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is in the running to provide its Trophy Active Protection System and SPIKE missiles to the land Down Under in deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

In order to meet the anticipated demand, Rafael will be opening a local company in Australia to jointly produce the SPIKE missiles with Australia’s Varley and will be purchasing metal for various system from Australia’s Bisalloy Steel Group, the company announced on Monday. Continue Reading »