Israel Aerospace Industries successfully tested its medium range surface to air missile in India. It is able to shoot down enemy aircraft at a range of 50-70 kilometers. It is meant to help protect India from enemy aircraft. It is used by the Israeli navy, as well as the Indian navy and ground forces.
Tag: Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel Roundup — Pollard Arrives, Elections are Coming
Jonathan Pollard arrived in Israel after having been released from parole restrictions in the United States. Pollard was convicted of spying for Israel when he was working as an intelligence analyst in 1984. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. Israel considered the sentence severe because his espionage was for them, an ally of the United States.

Netanyahu Extends Invitation to Morocco King
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to Israel following a meeting with the king in Rabat. The two leaders met to discuss closer ties between their two nations. The US-Israeli delegation arrived in Morocco early last week to finalize talks related to a normalization treaty.

Israel Suspicious of Erdogan’s Motives for Alliance
Israel is uncomfortable with Turkey’s motive for an alliance. This was revealed by a high-ranking Israeli diplomat who spoke to the Jerusalem Post this week. According to the official, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants closer economic ties between his country and Israel while maintaining a host of connections that are problematic for Israel and its allies.

Israel — Protests Against Netanyahu Continue
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Jerusalem to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The action partially escalated into clashes, several people were detained. On Saturday evening, December 26, another demonstration was held in Israel against the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel Heads to New Elections, Again
A final attempt in the Israeli Knesset to stop new elections failed Monday night. The bill to avoid dissolution failed to pass. After three elections, the Israeli coalition government reached a compromise between the two major parties, Likud and Blue and White, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran — Netanyahu Warns “Return to Normalcy” a Mistake
It would be a “mistake” to return to normalcy with Iran,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a joint news conference with US National Security Adviser, Robert O’Brien on Sunday. Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke of Israel’s resistance to the usual approaches of the past regarding the international nuclear dispute with Iran.

Coronavirus — Israel to Begin Vaccination December 27
Israel will begin vaccinating its citizens against the coronavirus pandemic, effective from December 27, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday. Speaking during a televised press conference, the Prime Minister asserted that Israel will vaccinate 60,000 people per day.

Coronavirus — Israel Prepares for Vaccines by December 27
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the first vaccines against the coronavirus will be given in Israel on December 27. He said he wants to be first in Israel to receive the vaccine, and Israel will be able to vaccinate 60,000 people a day. Yuli Edelstein, Minister of Health, said that the goal is that every citizen who wishes can be vaccinated.

Israel Braces for Fourth Election in Two Years
The Israeli Knesset approved a preliminary vote on Wednesday on a bill to dissolve itself. This threatens to plunge Israel into a fourth elections in less than two years. The bill needs to pass three more readings before the fourth elections will be called. After the vote, the bill was sent to the Knesset House Committee for deliberation.

Kushner Heads to Saudi Arabia and Qatar for Talks
A senior US administration official said on, Sunday that Jared Kushner, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, will meet within the next few days, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi city of NEOM and with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.

Over 50 People Involved in Assassination of Iranian Nuclear Scientist
The slaying of Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, has threatened to escalate tensions between the United States and Iran. According to reports by Iranian officials, the scientist was ambushed as he headed to his home in Absard. The scheme, which was meticulously planned, involved a squad of over 50 people.

Israel — Trouble at Home, No Problems with the Neighbors?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to Saudi to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the beginning of the week. The Prime Minister did not inform his partner in the government, Benny Gantz, that he was making this trip abroad.

Israel Raids Syrian, Iranian Targets
At least 3 soldiers died and another was wounded following an air attack by Israel against positions in Syria belonging to the Syrian army forces and the Iranian Quds Force on Tuesday night. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the death toll includes about 10 dead, including three Syrians and other soldiers of foreign origin, presumably Iranian.

Coronavirus — Netanyahu Addresses Global Conference
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed COVID-19 vaccines and other ways of ending the pandemic at a video conference with world leaders. The video conference was hosted by the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, with the participation of the Prime Ministers of Austria, Norway, Denmark, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Sudan Joins Train of Normalizing Relations with Israel
Israel and Sudan agreed to normalize relations between them through American mediation. Sudan is the third Arab country to establish relations with Israel within two months. The Palestinians condemn the agreement and consider it a “new stab in the back of the Palestinian people” and a “political sin.”

World Zionist Organization Meets Virtually, Contentiously
The World Zionist Organization (WZO) met this week for three days. The WZO was established in 1897 by Theodore Herzl. The usual meeting takes place in Jerusalem, but this week it was done virtually because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Seven hundred delegates and observers from over 30 countries took part in the conference.

Emirati Delegation Meets Netanyahu at Ben-Gurion
As part of a high-level delegation, the United Arab Emirates’ Economy and Finance Ministers arrived in Israel, where they were received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two sides will sign several agreements in the fields of visas, aviation, investment, science and technology.

Israel- Protesters Return to the Streets Demand Netanyahu’s Resignation
Israelis in their tens of thousands took to the streets on Saturday in protest against the Netanyahu led administration’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic. After three weeks of total confinement the protesters demanded the resignation of the nation’s premier, Benjamin Netanyahu. Now, this is the third one of this week.

Demonstrations Continue in Israel
Israel’s secular democrats are not willing to accept the limitations made by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. These guidelines limited demonstrations to within one kilometer of demonstrators’ homes.

Israel — Knesset Votes to Limit Protests During Lockdown
Israel is in a lockdown for at least the next few weeks. As result, many businesses are closed. Schools are closed, even though the period of the lockdown falls during the holiday season, when schools would be closed anyway. However, there are many restrictions on holiday celebrations.

Prayer and Protest Show Tensions in Israel
Democracy gives the right of the people to demonstrate and should also give the right for its people to pray together. This is the complaint of the religious parties and communities in Israel, faced with a lockdown during the holiday season, which began the day before the Jewish new year.

Israel Makes Peace With Bahrain
Following an agreement with UAE, a peace treaty with another Arab country Bahrain is a new step in a cherished dream of Israel and America to win recognition of the Jewish State of Israel without having to complete negotiations for the two state solution which has been most difficult considering the objection of the Palestinians to any type of compromise.

Israeli AG Says Netanyahu Isn’t Obliged To Step Down Due To Trial
Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t have to step down from his position of leadership due to his pending graft case. AG Mandelblit spoke during an Israel Bar Association conference in Herzliya earlier this week. The AG added that Netanyahu is not allowed to appoint legal officials while case is pending.

Israel Roundup — Trials, Touchdowns, and Talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be able to remain in office even when his corruption trial starts in January. This was the decision of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday. This is on the condition that Netanyahu will refrain from interfering with law enforcement appointments and actions.

Netanyahu Leaves Out Security Team in UAE Talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exempted Shin Bet and Mossad security officials from his trip to the United Arab Emirates. He is set to hold talks with the Emirati leadership on the new diplomatic alliance that will see the two nations forge closer ties.

UAE Deal Political Cover for Bibi’s West Bank Plans
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had a rutted few months trying to appease a nation that has become increasingly critical of his leadership. Tens of thousands of Israelis continue to take part in demonstrations across the country calling for his resignation.

Pompeo Arrives in Jerusalem, First Stop on ME Tour
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Jerusalem on Monday to meet with Israeli officials. The purpose of the trip is to support President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan and Israel’s proximity to Arab countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then met with Pompeo in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Israel Roundup — Peace Deal Growing, Coalition Deal Cracking
The Abraham Accords— the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates— is exciting to almost all Israelis and brings a new beginning in development of peace in the Middle East. The UAE is the first Gulf Arab nation to make peace with Israel. Egypt and Jordan already have friendly relations with Israel.

Report: Kushner Behind F-35 Deal with UAE
Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said that his country had submitted “legitimate requests” to acquire F-35s. On Thursday, CNN cited US State Department sources and members of Congress stating that Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, was behind the push to complete the deal.

Sudan Fires FM Spokesman Who Confirmed Talks with Israel
After statements about “contacts” between his country and Israel, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry relieved its spokesman, Haydar Sadig, from his post. The ministry had expressed its “surprise” at Sadig’s statements, and confirmed that it did not discuss establishing relations with Israel.

Israel, UAE Launch Telephone Service After Deal
Israel and the United Arab Emirates have launched direct telephone service after agreeing last week to normalize relations. This will enable direct telephone calls between the two countries from now on. The two foreign ministers “telephoned and exchanged greetings after the historic peace deal,” a statement said.

Israel: Other Gulf States, Sudan, Could Follow UAE
Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said in an interview with Israeli army radio on Sunday that agreements with Bahrain, Oman, and Sudan could soon follow the recent UAE-Israel diplomatic agreement. Bahrain and Oman welcomed the UAE-Israel diplomatic agreement but did not comment on their relationship with Israel.

Israel Roundup — Coalition Collapsing, COVID Concerns?
After three elections, Israel was not able to reach a majority coalition of 61 mandates. Under the pressure of Coronavirus, it was able to reach a compromise between the two largest parties: Blue and White and Likud. Benny Gantz broke off from Blue and White to join in with Likud.

Netanyahu Wants New Elections, Faces Resistance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing immense criticism from the Israeli citizenry for his poor handling of the coronavirus crisis, and the current economic turmoil that is devastating the country. Currently locked in an unfavorable political arrangement, he’s apparently looking for a way out.

Netanyahu Plotting Dissolution, November Elections?
So what’s Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu up to? Well, a section of Israel’s local media have reported that sources close to the country’s premier have leaked information to the effect that the veteran ruler is keen on dissolving the coalition government currently governing the nation.

Coronavirus — Knesset Votes to Keep Pools, Beaches Open
The Knesset’s coronavirus committee voted on Monday to keep swimming pools and beaches open during weekends. The move was approved despite the second wave of coronavirus that recently hit the country. Authorities continue to evaluate different measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Israelis Protest Coronavirus, Corruption
Thousands protested in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday evening to express their opposition to the government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus and overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country. They gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s residence as well as one of the city’s parks.

Police Disperse anti-Netanyahu Protesters
Israeli police are using water cannons to disperse hundreds of protesters outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many are demonstrating against the prime minister’s leadership due to the bribery and breach of trust charges that he faces, and his poor handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus — Israel Losing Control of Second Wave
Israel is unable to contain the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The government plans to impose new restrictions on the spread of the coronavirus. From the evening of Friday, restaurants can no longer serve their customers, and are only allowed to deliver food.

Israeli Demonstrators Call for Bibi’s Resignation
Thousands of Israeli citizens took to the streets of Jerusalem until late in the evening of July 14 in protest against the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding for his resignation. Netanyahu is still involved in a threefold trial on charges of fraud, corruption and abuse of office.

Israel Roundup: Protests and Possible Treatments
Israelis have gone out into the streets demonstrating against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Thousands of protesters tried to break into the Prime Minister’s home in Jerusalem. The demonstrators, carrying torches, had to be pulled away from the gate by police.

Fatah, Hamas Unite Against Israeli Annexation
In a new development on the Palestinian scene, and as Israel prepares to annex parts of the West Bank, the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Fatah movement, Gabriel Rajoub, met with the deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas, Saleh Al-Aarawi, via video conference.

Bibi, Benny Clash After Arrest of Protesters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, his partner in the coalition government, have clashed following the arrest of three protesters demonstrating against Netanyahu’s leadership. They were arrested at a “black flag” rally against Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.

West Bank Annexation Plans Face Major Hurdles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the ambition to eventually etch his name in the history books as the leader who annexed the West Bank. The move will be a crucial milestone in his legacy. His annexation plans are, however, set to hit a few major hurdles.

Netanyahu Allegedly Seeking to Dissolve Government
A new report by the Times of Israel alleges that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to sabotage the current unity government with Benny Gantz. According to the publication, the Prime Minister is waiting for the right moment to break up the partnership.

Netanyahu — Palestinians in Annexed Territory Won’t Get Citizenship
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that Palestinians residing in the West Bank’s Jordan Valley won’t get Israeli citizenship after annexation. Speaking to the Makor Rishon newspaper on Thursday, the prime minister said that the whole area will be under the control of the Israeli military forces, and there will be no special privileges for Palestinians residing there.

Netanyahu’s Trial will Test Israel’s Justice System
The trial of Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s is set to test the Israeli justice system now more than ever before. On Sunday, the Prime Minister appeared before the court for the first time as a defendant. He chastised the country’s judicial system, which he claimed was rigged against him, and out to denigrate his political career.

Israeli Court Orders Netanyahu to Appear in Person
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request not to attend the start of his criminal trial, scheduled to kick off on Sunday. Instead, he will be required to appear for the opening hearing on Sunday. The Israeli Prime Minister will now have to appear in person during the opening of his trial to respond to allegations of fraud, corruption, and abuse of office.

Israel Gets New Government After 18 Months
The largest government in Israeli history was sworn in after a year and a half, in which the Knesset dissolved for three consecutive elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his coalition’s immediate challenge is to provide jobs. The 35th government is the largest in history, with 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers.