Israel Update 7.12.23

Chanukah greetings to all who are celebrating.     ISRAEL’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS     The IDF has announced the deaths of more soldiers killed during fighting in Gaza, bringing the toll during the ground offensive against Hamas since late October to 87.Report here       On Wednesday, the IDF found one of the […]

Interim Israel Update 4.12.23

Since Friday, Israel has been under renewed daily rocket and missile attack (largely unreported outside the country) from Gaza in the south and from Hezbollah in the north.   THE IDF     The IDF announced on Monday morning that three soldiers fell in combat in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Report here   The […]

Israel Update 30.11.23

Today, 30th November, Israel commemorates the mid-20th century mass displacement of Jews from Arab lands when some 850,000 Jews either fled or were forcibly expelled from countries where they had lived for hundreds or even thousands of years.   JERUSALEM TERROR ATTACK     Three Israeli citizens were killed and six were wounded, two of […]

Interim Israel Update 27.11.23

HOSTAGES   As I write on Monday evening, the fourth release of Israeli hostages has not yet been confirmed. Unsurprisingly Hamas have been acting in bad faith, waging psychological terrorism on Israel, in particular the hostages’ families who have had to endure continued uncertainty, not knowing if their relative/s is/are among those very few to […]

Israel Update 23.11.23

HOSTAGES     There has been more delay in the agreement for the (partial) hostages’ release and nothing will happen before tomorrow Friday. No list of hostages’ names has been given to Israel.     ISRAEL AT WAR     Daily rocket and other missile attacks on Israeli civilians continue both from Gaza and Lebanon. […]

Interim Israel Update 20.11.23

ISRAEL AT WAR   Today is day 45 of the war. Sixty-six soldiers have been killed so far in the ground offensive in Gaza. daily briefing here       After locating the entrance to a Hamas tunnel under an evacuated hospital in northern Gaza, Israeli army engineers filled the passage with exploding gel and detonated […]

Israel Update 16.11.23

  ISRAEL AT WAR   Today, the IDF released the names of three soldiers who have been killed in the fighting in Gaza, bringing to 51 the number who have been killed since the start of the Gaza ground operation. Missiles continue to be fired daily at Israeli civilians by Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah […]

Interim Israel Update 13.11.23

ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS     The IDF on Monday morning reported that two more soldiers had been killed fighting in Gaza bringing to 44 the number of soldiers who had fallen since the start of the ground war. A soldier working in the Oketz canine unit was seriously injured in Gaza on Sunday. […]

Israel Update 9.11.23

AT THE END OF THIS UPDATE IS A SPECIAL LETTER FROM ISRAEL TO THE KS&DS COMMUNITY FROM COLIN GREEN Tonight marks the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, November 9th/10th 1938   ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS     35 IDF soldiers have died since the ground invasion began a week and a half ago against an […]

(Interim) Israel Update 7.11.23

Today, November 7th was a day of mourning in Israel, marking the “shaloshim” – one month since the Oct 7 massacres. PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG: EXTRACTS FROM HIS RECENT ESSAY   I write these lines after spending time with the families of some of the 240 people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. The hostages […]

Israel Update 2.11.23

Today, November 2nd is 106 years since the Balfour Declaration. As I compile this Update (Thursday afternoon) Kiryat Shemona in the north of Israel has been hit by Hamas rockets fired from Lebanon.   WHY HAMAS MUST BE DEFEATED    Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has promised that the Palestinian terrorist group will repeat its Oct. 7 […]

Israel Update (interim) 30.10.23

With so much material accumulating, I decided to circulate an interim Israel Update with the 2ndinstalment later this week.   HOSTAGE RESCUED   IDF soldier Private Ori Megedish was rescued during the IDF’s operation in Gaza on Sunday night. She was kidnapped by  Hamas terrorists on October 7 and has now been reunited with her […]

Israel update 26.10.23

At the time of compiling this Update (Thursday afternoon), Hamas are again targeting Israeli civilians with anther rocket barrage on the Tel Aviv area, while air raid sirens are sounding in the south including Ashkelon, Ashdod and Netivot and surrounding areas. LEGALITY OF ISRAEL’S SELF-DEFENCE      Lord Guglielmo Verdirame, professor and barrister in public […]

Israel Update 19.10.23

Much of the week’s news has been extensively covered elsewhere so this Update is not a summary, rather a few relevant items & links to articles many of which have not appeared in the mainstream coverage. As I compile this Update (Thursday afternoon), Hezbollah & Hamas have simultaneously fired rocket barrages into Israel and there […]

Israel Update 12.10.23

A difficult Israel Update to compile this week. Coverage of the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians and soldiers has been extensive. I will therefore limit this Update to other relevant news items plus extracts from several opinion articles. Additionally, I wish to emphasize that the IDF operation in Gaza is not “retaliation” which implies gratuitous […]

Israel Update 5.10.23

Chag Sameach to those of my readers celebrating Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah   SAUDI ARABIA Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who was in Saudi Arabia for  the  2023 congress of the Universal Postal Union. conference participated in a morning prayer service in Riyadh on Tuesday morning during Succot. The minister, who was accompanied by Knesset […]

Israel Update 21.9.23

THE UK     UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly appears in a new government social media video released by the Foreign Office, stressing: “The UK understands the threat posed by Iran… Israel’s security is our security…adding “A strong Israel is vital to the security of the region, which is in everybody’s interests.” Read more here […]

Israel Update 14.9.23

During these difficult times in Israel, a reminder that domestic politics are outside the scope of this Update.   I wish Shana Tovah to those of my readers who are celebrating the Jewish New Year. HRG TERRORIST INCIDENTS   A Palestinian from eastern Jerusalem wielding a butcher’s knife seriously wounded an Israeli man in his […]

Israel Update 31.8.23

 I am unlikely to circulate an Update next week – hopefully back on 14 Sept.  HRG     TERRORIST ATTACKS CONTINUED     One IDF soldier was murdered and two others, as well as three civilians, were injured in a Palestinian truck ramming at a checkpoint on Route 443, a major Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, this […]

Israel Update 24.8.23

During these difficult times in Israel, a reminder that domestic politics are outside the scope of this Update. HRG   TERROR ATTACKS   Aviad Nir, 28, and his father Silas (Shai) Nigreker, 60, from Ashdod, were shot and killed at a car wash in the Palestinian town of Huwara on Saturday. According to Palestinian reports, […]

Israel Update 17.8.23

During these difficult times in Israel, a reminder that domestic politics are outside the scope of this Update. HRG DEFENCE     The U.S. has approved a $3.5 billion sale of Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defence system to Germany in what will be Israel’s biggest-ever defence deal. The Arrow was developed jointly by Israel and the […]

Israel Update 3.8.23

During these difficult times in Israel, a reminder that domestic politics are outside the scope of this Update. HRG   TERRORIST ATTACKS     Six people were wounded, one seriously in a terrorist shooting attack near a shopping mall in Ma’aleh Adumin on Tuesday afternoon. The terrorist was shot by an off-duty Border Police officer. Later […]

Israel Update 27.7.23

During these difficult times in Israel, a reminder that domestic politics are outside and beyond the scope of this Update. HRG   TERROR ATTACKS & COUNTER-TERRORISM     Three Palestinian gunmen, members of the Hamas terror group, were killed by Israeli forces while attempting to attack a small Samaritan community in the Mount Gerizim area, […]

Israel Update 20.7.23

PRESIDENT HERZOG’S ADDRESS TO US CONGRESS     Wednesday’s speech, in a House chamber filled with lawmakers from both bodies of Congress, was only the second by an Israeli president; the previous one was given 35 years ago by Herzog’s father Chaim. “Although we are working through sore issues, just like you, I know our democracy […]

Israel Update 6.7.23

There will be no Israel Update next week. Hopefully to be resumed on 19th July.   JENIN: COUNTER TERRORISM       Israeli forces overnight July 2/3 launched a massive military operation  targeting a terrorist headquarters in Jenin.   A “joint operations centre” of  the Jenin Brigades, which served as an advanced observation and reconnaissance centre where […]

Israel Update 29.6.23

TERROR ATTACKS     Two Palestinian terrorists killed four Israelis and wounded four others at a petrol station on 20/6. Those murdered were Elisha Antman, 17, Harel Masoud, 21, who recently completed combat service in the IDF, Nachman Mordof, 17; and Ofer Fayerman, 63. Read more here (paywall)   Two Israeli soldiers were wounded in […]

Israel Update 15.6.23

There will be no Israel Update next week 22 June. HRG     TERROR ATTACKS   Five Israelis, including four soldiers, were wounded in two drive-by shooting attacks in the northern West Bank on Tuesday.Read more here       COUNTER TERRORISM       A Palestinian policeman, Alaa Khaled Qatto, was recently arrested by […]

Israel Update 8.6.23

EGYPTIAN BORDER ATTACK   Combat soldiers Staff Sgt. Ori Yitzhak Iluz, Staff Sgt. Ohad Dahan, and Sgt. Lia Ben Nun, tasked with guarding Israel’s border with Egypt, were killed early Saturday by an Egyptian policeman who had infiltrated into Israel. The gunman walked 5 km. from his guard post in Egypt and climbed up a […]

Israel Update 1.6.23

TERRORIST ATTACKS – CURRENT AND 22 YEARS AGO Meir Tamari, an Israeli civilian who was shot dead in a West Bank terror attack on Tuesday, was laid to rest on Wednesday with hundreds in attendance to eulogize the father of two on what would have been his 32nd birthday. It was the latest in a […]

Israel Update 18.5.23

There will be no Israel Update next week as it is Erev Shavuot. HRG   I wish my readers a Happy Jerusalem Day. Commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967     THE IDF’S OPERATION SHIELD AND ARROW IN GAZA LAST WEEK     Inga Avramyan, 80, was killed in a rocket strike by Palestinian Islamic […]

Israel Update 11.5.23

THE IDF’S OPERATION SHIELD AND ARROW IN GAZA (The operation continues at the time of writing, Thursday early evening)   An Israeli man in his 70s was killed today Thursday when a rocket launched from Gaza, hit an apartment building in Rehovot. At least ten other people were moderately and lightly injured and taken to […]

Israel Update 4.5.23

SOUTHERN ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK     Gazan terrorists used the (self-induced) death in Israeli custody of a hunger-striking member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) as an excuse to fire 104 rockets towards Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday. Israel countered with 16 airstrikes, mostly on Hamas positions. A ceasefire was announced Wednesday morning. An IDF Spokesman […]

Israel Update 27.4.23

THIS WEEK ISRAEL TRANSITIONED FROM THE PAIN & GRIEF OF MEMORIAL DAY TO THE JOY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY     YOM HAZIKARON     On Monday night and Tuesday, Israelis observed Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars and Victims of Terrorism.  When sirens sounded at 8 pm and 11 a.m. traffic in the […]

Israel Update 20.4.23

It’s been 3 weeks since the last Update so I’ll start with a retrospective summary of significant events during Pesach. (Passover) HRG     A DIFFICULT PESACH IN ISRAEL       Over the holiday period, Israel was subjected to a multi-front assault. In a terrorist shooting attack in the Jordan Valley on April 7, […]

Israel Update 30.3.23

As there won’t be an Israel Update for the next 2 weeks, I wish Pesach Sameach to all my readers. HRG THE UK       Business and Trade Secretary Rt. Hon. Kemi Badenoch MP said she is “really proud …to be working to build stronger relationships between the UK and Israel” in a speech at CFI’s […]

Israel Update 23.3.23

As protests continue against the Israeli government’s proposed reforms to the judicial system, a reminder that domestic politics are outside the scope of this Update. HRG     HUWARA ATTACKS     American-Israeli David Stern was travelling on Sunday with his family on a road near the Palestinian town of Huwara in Samaria when a […]

Israel Update 16.3.23

TEL AVIV TERROR ATTACK LAST THURSDAY 9/3/23 Or Asher, 32, was critically wounded, Rotem Mansano, 34, was seriously injured and Michael Osdon, 36, suffered moderate wounds when a Palestinian attacker, opened fire at them last Thursday night 9/3 on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv. The terrorist, a Hamas operative who had been imprisoned twice, was […]

Israel Update 9.3.23

A reminder that domestic Israeli politics are outside the scope of these Updates   COUNTER-TERRORISM     The terrorist who murdered Israeli brothers Hallel and Yagel Yaniv as they drove through Huwara on Feb. 26. was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops in Jenin on Tuesday. Israeli forces came under “massive gunfire” […]

Israel Update 2.3.23

FURTHER  TERROR ATTACKS    Hallel Yaniv, 21, and Yagel Yaniv, 19, two brothers from Har Bracha, were murdered on Sunday in a terrorist shooting attack in Huwara (West Bank). A Palestinian gunman opened fire from close range at their car while it was caught in a traffic jam on the Route 60 highway, then fled. […]

Israel Update 23.2.23

A reminder that Israeli domestic politics is outside the scope of these Updates. HRG   COUNTER TERRORISM   Heavy gun battles broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen Wednesday in Nablus during an attempt to arrest terror suspects. The Palestinian Authority said 11 people were killed in the clashes. A military source said that […]

Israel Update 16.2.23

FURTHER TERROR ATTACKS IN JERUSALEM   Last Friday three Israelis were killed when a Palestinian Arab from eastern Jerusalem, accelerated into a group waiting at a bus stop. The fatalities were Yaakov Yisrael Paley, 6, his brother Asher Menahem Paley, 8; and Alter Shlomo Lederman, 20, who was married two months ago. The boys’ father, […]

Israel Update 9.2.23

ISRAELI AID FOR TURKEY’S  EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS   SYNOPSIS: At the time of writing (Thursday afternoon) the IDF Search and Rescue Brigade has rescued 10 Turkish citizens. The IDF has so far sent 15 aircraft filled with hundreds of tons of medical and other supplies, along with a 150-person rescue team and a 230-person medical field […]

Israel Update 2.2.23

TERRORIST ATROCITIES IN JERUSALEM LAST SHABBAT   Fadi Dekidek, an Arab paramedic from East Jerusalem who is a 20-year veteran at Magen David Adom, Israel’s premier emergency service, was dispatched to save lives in two consecutive attacks by Palestinian terrorists across Jerusalem.  “The difference between a culture that glorifies terror and one that works hard […]

Israel Update 26.1.23

COUNTER TERRORISM   On Thursday the IDF launched an operation in Jenin to “apprehend a terror squad belonging to the Islamic Jihad terror organization,” acting on intelligence provided by the Israel Security Agency, to thwart “a major attack.” Nine Palestinians were killed in the clash, eight were armed militants, mostly Islamic Jihad operatives. At least […]

Israel Update 12.1.23

Probably no Israel Update next week as I am travelling. HRG   CO-OPERATION     20 senior officials from various Israeli ministries flew to Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the week for the third follow-up to last year’s Negev Forum that brought the foreign ministers of Israel, the US, Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, and the UAE […]

Israel Update 5.1.23

 BEN GVIR VISIT TO TEMPLE MOUNT   Israel’s new national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir briefly visited the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem on Tuesday – the 10th of Tevet in the Hebrew calendar, a Jewish fast day mourning the events that led to the destruction of the First Temple… An official in Israeli P.M. Netanyahu’s […]

Israel Update 29.12.22

ISRAEL’S ECONOMY   British weekly The Economist ranked Israel as tied fourth with Spain among 34 OECD countries’ economic performance in 2022. The rankings were based on GDP growth, annual inflation, inflation breadth, share prices, and government debt. Although inflation in Israel rose in the past year, its 5.3% inflation level is about half that of most […]

Israel Update 21/12/22

  Chanukah Sameach to all my readers!   THE UK     British P.M. Rishi Sunak plans to visit Israel next year for its “landmark 75th birthday.” During his address at a recent business lunch, Sunak also confirmed that the UK will vote against an upcoming UN General Assembly resolution that requests the International Court […]

Israel Update 8.12.22

PRESIDENT HERZOG’s VISIT TO BAHRAIN & the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. In a State Welcoming Ceremony on Sunday, President Herzog was received by the King of Bahrain. The national anthems of Israel and Bahrain were played. In their meeting at the Palace, President Herzog and King Hamad discussed the importance that their countries attach to their bilateral […]

Israel Update 1.12.22

LAST WEEK’S JERUSALEM BOMB ATTACKS   Tadese Tashume Ben Ma’ada, 50, a victim of last week’s terror bombing in Jerusalem succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, raising the death toll to two. He immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia 21 years ago and leaves a wife and six children. Read more here       RAMMING […]

Israel Update 24.11.22

JERUSALEM BOMBINGS     Aryeh Shechopek, 16, a Canadian-Israeli, was killed and 19 people were wounded in two explosions at bus stops in Jerusalem on Wednesday morning near the Central Bus Station and the Ramot neighbourhood in coordinated terror attacks. Two of those injured are in critical condition and four are in serious condition, with […]

Israel Update 17.11.22

  TERRORIST ATTACK   A Palestinian (18) employed at a factory in the  West Bank city of Ariel, killed three Israelis and wounded three others in a series of attacks on Tuesday. He first attacked the Israeli guard at the entrance to the industrial zone, then stabbed three more people at a nearby gas station. […]

Israel Update 10.11.22

THE UN COP27 CLIMATE CONFERENCE   Israel’s President Herzog led the Israeli delegation to the conference where he inaugurated the first-ever Israeli pavilion at a COP summit. He met the leaders of Morocco, Chad, Finland, Czechia, Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Norway, the UAE and Colombia, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and King Abdullah II of […]

Israel Update 27.10.22

Next Tuesday, Israelis go to the polls in the 5th general election in less than 4 years.   Coincidentally, there will be no Israel Update next week as I’m travelling. HRG   MARITIME BOUNDARY AGREEMENT   Israel and Lebanon are due to sign their maritime boundary agreement on Thursday afternoon at the United Nations base […]

Israel Update 20.10.22

  TERRORIST ATTACKS CONTINUED.   A few of the many incidents: Yonatan Nizri, 25, was injured by Palestinian gunfire on Friday night in Beit El while sitting in his sukkah with his family. Two Palestinian gunmen approached the community’s perimeter fence and opened fire. One terrorist was shot by Israeli forces and the other one […]

Israel Update 13.10.22

Sadly, it has been a difficult week for Israel: TERRORIST ATTACKS   Military Policewoman Sgt. Noa Lazar, 18, was killed and a male security guard was in serious condition after a Palestinian terrorist opened fire at a security checkpoint near the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Shuafat on Saturday evening. Videos in Palestinian media showed children […]

Israel Update 6.10.22

Wishing all my readers Chag Succot Sameach! HRG     YOM KIPPUR IN ISRAEL     Airports, trains & buses all came to a halt as Israel shut down on Tuesday afternoon for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, while security forces remained on high alert amid a spike in terror warnings. Israel’s airspace […]

Israel Update 22.9.22

Wishing those of my readers who are celebrating the Jewish New Year next week “Shanah Tovah U’Metukah” There will be no Israel Update next week. HRG   TERRORIST ATTACKS CONTINUE       84-year-old Shulamit Rachel Ovadia was murdered in a Holon street on Tuesday in what police described as a terror attack.  The Palestinian […]

Israel Update 15.9.22

DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II   The Tel Aviv municipality last Thursday: “Tonight City Hall is lit with the colours of the British flag as a token of solidarity with our partner city London and with the British people as a whole.” Read more here     Israeli & UK flags were projected on to […]

Israel Update 8.9.22

GERMANY   President Herzog publicly stressed Israel’s opposition to the current Iran nuclear deal draft, saying “Iran is openly striving for Israel’s destruction, and the international community must treat it severely, firmly and assertively,” as he met German President Steinmeier in Berlin on Sunday. The two presidents on Monday led commemorations marking 50 years since […]

Israel Update 1.9.22

125th ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST ZIONIST CONGRESS   Speaking at an event in Basel marking the 125th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress, Israel’s President Herzog on Monday called for the reclamation of the word Zionist as a positive term, saying it has been turned into a slur to abuse Jews and Israelis. Herzog said Zionists, […]

Israel Update 25.8.22

GAZA During the recent round of fighting in Gaza, a missile launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) veered off course and killed 7 people, including 4 children, and injured 21, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported. Israel reported that of the 1,100 PIJ rockets fired toward Israel, 200 fell inside Gaza. A local resident said, “Everyone […]

ISRAEL UPDATE 9.8.22

Before I take a break, some information concerning the recent flare-up in Gaza. H.R.G.   OPERATION BREAKING DAWN     From Friday until late Sunday night Islamic Jihad fired 1,100 rockets at Israel, 200 of which landed within Gaza. Of the 990 rockets that made it into Israel, 380 were intercepted by the Iron Dome […]

Israel Update 4.8.22

Israel Update is taking a break for the next 2 weeks. I hope to be back on or around 25 August. HRG.   ARREST     Islamic Jihad’s West Bank commander Bassam al-Saadi, was arrested by the IDF on Tuesday. Reportedly 50 of the group’s operatives have been detained and are undergoing questioning by the […]

ISRAEL UPDATE 28.7.22

E.R.     With self-triage upon check-in and robots to help you find your way, the world’s largest emergency room opened in Israel on Thursday at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre (Ichilov).Read more here   COUNTER TERRORISM A Palestinian man armed with a knife, suspected of planning a stabbing attack, was detained by police officers […]

Israel Update 21.7.22

JERUSALEM ATTACK A Palestinian who holds a permit to work in Israel, stabbed an Israeli man with a screwdriver on a bus in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Ynet news photographer Meshi Ben Ami, who was passing by, shot and wounded the attacker. Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, “I congratulate the Ynet photographer who happened to be at the scene and […]

Israel Update 14.7.22

US PRESIDENT BIDEN’S VISIT TO ISRAEL   President Biden’s remarks upon landing in Israel on Wednesday Transcript: here     He visited Yad Vashem to participate in a solemn ceremony and spoke at length to two Holocaust survivors. Video (6’15’’) View here   President Biden and Israeli P.M. Lapid signed a joint strategic declaration on Thursday, […]

Israel Update 7.7.22

TERROR ATTACKS     Itzhak Dahan, 47, suffered serious head injuries after being stabbed Tuesday morning while walking to prayers near Bnei Brak. A Palestinian suspect was subsequently arrested in a joint operation by the police and Shin Bet intelligence agency. Read more here     The Israel Security Agency thwarted 172 substantial terrorist attacks […]

Israel Update 30.6.22

DISSOLUTION OF KNESSET (PARLIAMENT)     Israel’s Knesset voted to dissolve on Thursday, with new elections scheduled for Nov. 1. Under a previous coalition agreement, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will replace Naftali Bennett as prime minister until a new government is formed after the elections.Read more here     ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING   Lord Ian […]

Israel Update 23.6.22

ISRAEL’S KNESSET (PARLIAMENT) EXPECTED TO DISSOLVE NEXT WEEK   The Knesset on Wednesday voted to dissolve itself in a preliminary reading vote, effectively triggering a fifth snap election in three years. The bill will probably now be moved to the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to be prepared for a second and third reading, which […]

Israel Update 16.6.22

ISRAEL & THE EU     Israel, Egypt and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday in Cairo that will see Israel export its natural gas to the E.U. for the first time. The landmark agreement will increase liquified natural gas sales to EU countries, which are aiming to reduce dependence on […]

Israel Update 9.6.22

EGYPT & ISRAEL     Intensive consultations are underway between Israel, Egypt and the European Commission to export Eastern Mediterranean natural gas to Europe. Read more here     Israel and Egypt are also working on plans to increase bilateral annual trade to $700 million within three years.Read more here     In March, Egypt […]

Israel Update 2.6.22

 SAUDI ARABIA   After lifting a ban on Israelis in its territory, dozens of businesspeople with Israeli passports have landed in Saudi Arabia, taking advantage of warming relations between the countries to advance bilateral economic agreements. These visits have resulted in two multimillion-dollar desert agriculture deals, in addition to a medical equipment contract…Officially, Saudi Arabia […]

Israel Update 26.5.22

ISRAEL & THE EUROPEAN UNION     Israel and the EU have been in negotiations for the past month to export gas to Europe via Egypt. Israel’s Energy Ministry Director General said that the European Commission “officially asked for Israel’s help to get through the energy crisis,”. Israel has been preparing to double its export […]

Israel Update 12.5.22

Probably no Update next week, hopefully back on 26 May.HRG   TERRORISM     Yonatan Habakkuk, Boaz Gol and Oren Ben Yiftah, three young fathers, were murdered by two axe and knife-wielding Palestinians in Elad on Israeli Independence Day last Thursday evening. Four others were injured. 16 children were left fatherless by the attack.Read more […]

Israel Update 5.5.22

Unable to compile the usual Update this week so just a few items about the week’s main events. Atzmaut Sameach! HRG   YOM HAZIKARON & YOM HA’ATZMAUT IN ISRAEL   Israel on Tuesday evening and Wednesday, Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), honoured the nation’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror with memorial services, visits to cemeteries […]

Israel Update 28.4.22

YOM HASHOAH – HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY     Israelis stood in silence on Thursday 28 April at 10.00 a.m. while a two-minute siren was heard across the country in remembrance of the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. People halted where they were walking, and drivers stopped their cars to get out of the […]

Israel Update 14.4.22

Pesach (Passover) & Easter greetings to my readers. No Israel Update next week, hopefully back in a fortnight.   TEL AVIV TERROR ATTACK     The three victims of the terrorist shooting attack last Thursday night in Tel Aviv were laid to rest on Sunday. Eytam Magini, 27, recently got engaged. His friend, Tomer Morad, […]

Israel Update 7.4.22

At the time of writing (Thursday afternoon) the Israeli government is in the midst of a political crisis resulting from the resignation from the coalition yesterday of MK Idit Silman. Her departure means that the current ruling coalition has lost its razor-thin 61 MK majority out of 120 seats.     MORE NEWS FROM THE […]

Israel Update 31.3.22

  FURTHER TERROR ATTACKS       Two Israeli Arab terrorists from Umm al-Fahm opened fire at people at a bus stop in Hadera on Sunday. Two Israeli Border Police officers ran toward the site after hearing the gunshots and were killed in the exchange of fire, as were the assailants. “Our officers managed to […]

Israel Update 24.3.22

ARAB TERRORIST ATTACKS   Four Israelis were killed and two others wounded Tuesday in a car ramming and stabbing attack at an outdoor shopping mall in Beersheba in Israel’s deadliest terror attack in years.  The terrorist from the Bedouin town of Hura, stabbed a woman to death at a gas station, then rammed a cyclist […]

Israel Update 17.3.22

Purim Sameach to my readers!     UKRAINE/RUSSIA: ISRAEL’S MEDIATION EFFORTS     Israel’s PM Bennett has reportedly played a central role in advancing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and has been the “primary international mediator” during the talks, the Financial Times reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. Bennett held several phone calls […]

Israel Update 10.3.22

FIRST ISRAELI LEADER’S STATE VISIT TO TURKEY IN 14 YEARS.   Turkish President Erdogan said Wednesday he believed that Israeli President Herzog’s “historic visit will be a turning point in relations between Turkey and Israel”. Read more here   Israeli President Herzog arrived in Ankara at the start of an official visit on Wednesday, the […]

Israel Update 3.3.22

ISRAELI AID FOR UKRAINE   Israel sent 3 flights with 100-tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine within 24 hours on Monday/Tuesday.  The aid included 17 tons of medical equipment and medicine, water purification systems intended to supply 200,000 people, emergency water supply kits to supply 100,000 people, winter tents to house 3,000, 15,000 blankets, 3,000 […]

Israel Update 24.2.22

UKRAINE     Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “severe violation of international order.” which Israel condemned. Read more here     Israeli NGOs are sending aid to refugees. SmartAID is sending supplies and setting up Wi-Fi hot spots for aid workers and refugees in Poland. United Hatzalah […]

Israel Update 17.2.22

BAHRAIN     Naftali Bennett became the first Israeli prime minister to visit Bahrain on Monday. He said: “Israel and Bahrain are dealing with major security challenges that stem from the same source, which is the Islamic Republic of Iran….We are fighting Iran and its henchmen in the region day and night and we will help our […]

Israel Update 10.2.22

VITAMIN D STUDY     Israel scientists say they have gathered the most convincing evidence to date that increased vitamin D levels can help COVID-19 patients reduce the risk of serious illness or death. Researchers from Bar Ilan University and the Galilee Medical Centre say that the vitamin has such a strong impact on disease […]

Israel Update 3.2.22

  VISIT OF PRESIDENT & MRS HERZOG TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received President of Israel Isaac Herzog, the first such official Presidential visit to the UAE. The national anthems of the two countries were […]

No Israel Update this week

‘m taking a break from the Update this week and hopefully will post again next week. Meanwhile, Storm Elpis has hit Israel and heavy snow has fallen in Jerusalem and the North. Pictures here of an unusually snowy capital city: View here

Israel Update 20.1.22

Dedicated to the memory of my dear Mum, Esther bat Henoch whose 20th Yahrzeit is this evening/tomorrow 19 Shevat. HRG   CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Last week’s figures where available in brackets for comparison.   Israel reported Thursday that about 72,000 (48,095) new coronavirus cases had been diagnosed the previous day.  Among the hospitalised patients, […]

Israel Update 13.1.22

  CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Last week’s figures where available in brackets for comparison.   Israel’s Health Ministry reported Thursday that 48,095 (16,115) new coronavirus cases had been diagnosed the previous day – the highest such figure since the onset of the pandemic in Israel. Hospitals are currently treating 879 (307) COVID patients, of whom […]

Israel Update 6.1.22

  TRAVEL IN & OUT OF ISRAEL   The “red list” of no-fly countries (which had included the UK & US) is to be cancelled, subject to approval by the Israeli Cabinet and a parliamentary panel. Israelis will be able to travel again anywhere in the world (subject to the destination country’s entry requirements) without […]

Israel Update 30.12.21

Best wishes for 2022 to all my readers.. HRG   IRANIAN THREAT     Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles last Friday at the close of five days of military drills that Iranian generals said were a warning to Israel and which included a mock strike on Israel’s nuclear facility.Read more here       ISRAEL […]

Israel Update 23.12.21

RECOGNITION BY ISRAELI-ARAB POLITICAL LEADER     Mansour Abbas, head of the Islamic Ra’am party that is part of the Israeli government coalition, said Tuesday that Israel’s status as a Jewish state could not be changed, advising the Arab community to follow his pragmatic approach rather than trying to challenge the country’s identity. “Israel was […]

Israel Update 9.12.21

 CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL     Israel registered the highest number of COVID cases in a month on Wednesday, a day after all pre-school and children under 12 were required to present a negative coronavirus test to return after the Hanukkah break.   786 new virus carriers were identified on Tuesday up from 607 a week […]

Israel Update 2.12.21

  Happy Chanukah to all my readers HRG     IRANIAN THREAT     Israel has been sharing intelligence with the United States showing that Iran is reportedly “taking technical steps to prepare to enrich uranium” to weapons-grade 90 percent purity. The preparations could enable Tehran to reach weapons-grade level within just a few weeks. […]

Happy Chanukah to those readers who will celebrating from Sunday evening. MOROCCO   Israel’s Defence Minister Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding with his Moroccan counterpart on Wednesday, the first such agreement between Israel and an Arab state. The agreement formalized the defence ties between the two countries, allowing for smoother cooperation between their defence […]

Israel Update 18.11.21

  CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Figures from last week’s Update where available in brackets for comparison)     While the number of serious COVD-19 cases continued to wane, Israel’s coronavirus reproduction rate (R-number) rose on Wednesday to 0.95. The R number, which indicates how many people each infected person passes the virus on to, has […]

Israel Update 29/10/21-11/11/21

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Figures from 4 Nov. Update in brackets for comparison) Israel’s Health Ministry reported Thursday morning that 489  (642) Israelis have tested positive for coronavirus over the previous 24 hours, putting the country’s positivity rate at 0.65%. Israeli hospitals were treating 146 (238) COVID-19 patients in serious condition, 102 (139)  of whom were […]

Israel Update 28.10.21

Please note that the Israel Update is taking a break so there will be no mailing next week 4 November. Hopefully to be resumed the following week. HRG   CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Figures from last week’s Update in brackets for comparison)   Israel’s government voted Wednesday evening to cancel restrictions on outdoor gatherings, which […]