Tag: Israel

New Israeli Government Wins Majority Vote, Ending Netanyahu Tenure

JERUSALEM—Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year run as Israel’s prime minister ended on June 13 with parliament approving a new “government of change” led by Naftali Bennett. Heading into opposition, Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, pledged he would soon return to power. In a raucous session in which Netanyahu’s supporters shouted “shame” and…


Israel’s Knesset Convenes to Vote on New Government That Will End Netanyahu’s Rule

JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s record 12-year hold on power was set to end on Sunday when parliament votes on a new government. Netanyahu had failed to form a government after a March 23 election, the fourth in two years. Naftali Bennett, a hawkish hi-tech millionaire, was poised to replace him as head of a…


Israel Arrests Top Hamas Terror Leader in West Bank

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday it has arrested a senior leader of the Hamas terrorist group in the occupied West Bank. Sheikh Jamal al Tawil, a senior Hamas leader, was arrested late Tuesday in the city of Ramallah by the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Duvdevan Unit in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency, the IDF announced. The IDF alleges…


Lawmakers Urge Biden Admin to Fund Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense System

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers urged the Department of Defense (DOD) to help replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system that was damaged during the 11 days of fighting in the Gaza strip. In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 55 House Republican and Democrats voiced their “ironclad commitment to Israel’s safety and security” and urged the Pentagon to…


Israel’s Lapid Reaches Deal to Form New Government, Set to Unseat Netanyahu

JERUSALEM—Israel’s opposition leader moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday when he officially informed the country’s president that he has reached agreements with political allies to form a new government. About 30 minutes before a midnight deadline, Yair Lapid, according to a party statement, told President Reuven Rivlin in an email: “I…


Isaac Herzog Elected 11th President of the State of Israel

JERUSALEM—Isaac Herzog, a veteran politician and the scion of a prominent Israeli family, was elected president Wednesday, a largely ceremonial role that is meant to serve as the nation’s moral compass and promote unity. Herzog is set to become Israel’s 11th president after securing 87 votes in a secret ballot among the 120 members of…


Sen. Graham says Israel will Request $1 Billion From US to Replenish Iron Dome

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Israel will request $1 billion from the United States to replenish its Iron Dome missile defense system following the 11-day conflict between the Jewish state and Hamas terrorist group. Graham, who met with top Israeli officials this week, made the announcement during a press conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday….


Israel Sees Probable Link Between Pfizer Vaccine and Rare Myocarditis Cases

JERUSALEM—Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday it had found the small number of heart inflammation cases observed mainly in young men who received Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Israel were likely linked to their vaccination. Pfizer has said it has not observed a higher rate of the condition, known as myocarditis, than would normally be expected in the…


Antisemitism: The Haters Have Changed, but the Hatred Hasn’t

Commentary It has been a difficult time of late for Jews everywhere. Combatantisemitism.org (CAM) reports that antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom have increased 600 percent, while “dozens” of alarming incidents have taken place in Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Rome, Vienna, and across North America. Canadian Jews have been profoundly shaken by a level of expressive…


Netanyahu Could Lose PM Job as Rivals Attempt to Join Forces

A former ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he would seek to form a coalition government with the Israeli leader’s opponents, taking a major step toward ending the rule of the longtime premier. The dramatic announcement by Naftali Bennett, leader of the small Yamina party, set the stage for a series of steps…