March 4

Israel Update 4.3.21

ATTACK ON ISRAELI-OWNED SHIP   An Israeli-owned cargo ship, the MV Helios Ray, was hit by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman overnight last Thursday.A U.S. defence official said the blast left holes in both sides of the vessel’s hull above the water line. The ship stopped at Dubai for repairs. Israeli officials suspect that Iran […]

February 25

Israel Update 25.2.21

PURIM SAMEACH TO ALL MY READERS   ECOLOGICAL DISASTER   After a major oil spill affected Israel’s entire Mediterranean coast, thousands of IDF soldiers assisted workers and volunteers for the Nature and Parks Authority in cleaning tar off beaches. A marine scientist called the spill the worst disaster of its kind in over 40 years. […]

February 18

Israel Update 18.2.21

LOCKDOWN EASED   Israel’s cabinet ministers on Monday approved the reopening of stores, gyms, hotels, and other venues from Sunday, in a major easing of sweeping lockdown measures. Street-front shops, malls, markets, museums, and libraries will be open to all. But only those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 will be able […]

February 11

Israel Update 11.2.21

  CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Last week’s figures in brackets for comparison)   5,540 (7,385) new cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed on Wednesday, the third day in a row that daily cases fell. 1,027 (1,103) are in serious condition.  The death toll has reached 5,265 (4,947). 40% of Israelis have received the first dose of […]

February 4

Israel Update 4.2.21

KOSOVO   Israel and Kosovo formally established diplomatic ties on Monday, with the Muslim-majority territory also recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.              Read more here   CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Last week’s figures in brackets for comparison)   7,385 (7668) new cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed on Wednesday. 1,103 (1,132) are in […]

January 28

Israel Update 28.1.21

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Israel on Monday night closed Ben Gurion Airport to nearly all flights initially until the end of January. Read more here Israel has also closed its land crossings with Egypt & Jordan . Read more here  (Last week’s figures in brackets for comparison) There were 7,668 (8,174) new coronavirus cases in […]

January 21

Israel Update 21.1.21

  ISRAEL & THE USA   At his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Antony Blinken, President Joe Biden’s nominee for secretary of state, was asked “Do you agree that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and do you commit that the United States will keep our embassy in Jerusalem?” “Yes and yes,” Blinken responded. Read […]

January 14

Israel Update 14.1.21

ISRAEL & THE UK   The Tel Aviv-headquartered Aura Air startup has finished outfitting 400 tourist buses, newly repurposed to carry frontline workers in the UK and Ireland, with its unique data-driven air purification system. Read more here   Israel’s Elbit Systems UK subsidiary has been awarded a 12-year, $166 million contract from the UK Ministry of […]

January 7

Israel Update 7.1.21

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL    (Last week’s figures in brackets for comparison)   There were 7820 (5253) new cases confirmed in Israel on Wednesday.  873(639) patients are in serious condition with 210 (165) on ventilators. Since the start of the pandemic, 3527 (3314) people have died from the disease. Israel will begin a tightened lockdown for […]

December 31

Israel Update 31.12.20

Greetings for a Happy & Healthy 2021 to all my readers.   ISRAEL’S VACCINATION PROGRAMME   Israel’s Health Ministry reported Thursday that it has inoculated almost 800,000 people – 7.7% of its population – with the first of two vaccinations against Covid-19, including 33% of those aged 60 and over. 150,000 people were inoculated on […]

December 24

Israel Update 24.12.20

VACCINATION PROGRAMME   Only three days after launching its nationwide coronavirus vaccination campaign, Israel now ranks first in the world inthe number of COVID-19 vaccination doses administered per 100 people, according to official data collected by Our World in Data and published on Wednesday.Read more here   The “Give a Shoulder” vaccination campaign got underway […]

December 17

Israel Update 17.12.20

CHANUKAH SAMEACH TO ALL MY READERS   NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN MOROCCO & ISRAEL.   Last Thursday, Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the (US) President said:”Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel. They will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis. They’ll reopen the liaison […]

December 10

Israel Update 10.12.20

Chanukah Sameach to all my readers celebrating the Festival of Lights!   THE UK & ISRAEL   Last Thursday, UK Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Sir Nicholas Carter and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi met via video link and signed an agreement to formalize and enhance Israel-UK defence collaboration…There is also what a […]

December 3

Israel Update 3.12.20

INTERNATIONAL AID   A team of 20 doctors and nurses from Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre flew to northern Italy on December 2 to assist a local hospital dealing with a serious outbreak of Covid-19. The 10-day mission was initiated following an appeal from the governor of the Piedmont District to Israel’s ambassador to Italy.  read […]

November 26

Israel Update 26.11.20

ANOTHER ROCKET ATTACK FROM GAZA   Terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket at Ashkelon on Saturday night, striking and damaging an empty warehouse.  The attack came at around 9:30 p.m., setting off sirens in Ashkelon and its industrial zone, including areas where tens of thousands of people live. Read more here   SAUDI […]

November 19

Israel Update 19.11.20

ROCKET ATTACK FROM GAZA   In response to two rockets launched toward central Israel, the IDF targeted underground infrastructure and military posts of Hamas in Gaza on Monday morning. The rockets were fired at 2 a.m., sending thousands of Israelis into shelters. Residents in central Israel reported hearing large explosions and videos circulating on social […]

November 12

Israel Update 12.11.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Last Thursday’s figures in brackets for comparison)   There were 734 (754) new virus cases diagnosed on Wednesday with 1.9% of people screened testing positive. 321 (353) patients are in serious condition, with 127 (154) on ventilators. The death toll is 2,700. (2,597) Read more here   Israel has opened a […]

November 5

Israel Update 5.11.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   (Last Thursday’s figures in brackets for comparison)   There were 754  (688) new virus cases diagnosed in 24 hours, according to Health Ministry figures released Thursday morning. Of the 9,406 (11,914) active virus patients, 353 (464) are in serious condition, with 154  (199) on ventilators. The death toll is 2,597 (2,494).On Wednesday […]

October 29

Israel Update 29.10.20

SUDAN   It was announced last Friday that Sudan has agreed to make peace with Israel, making it the third Arab state to normalize ties as part of US-brokered deals since August. Read more here   Several key Sudanese political parties announced their opposition to the  decision. Read more here   Israel will send $5 […]

October 22

Israel Update 22.10.20

GAZA   Last Friday evening, Gazan terrorists fired a rocket into Israel. Sirens were set off sending thousands of civilians to bomb shelters for the second time this month. Read more here   The IDF announced Tuesday that, following an “indication” from the underground barrier system currently being installed, it had uncovered a “terror attack […]

October 15

Israel Update 15.10.20

ISRAELI/LEBANESE MARITIME BORDER NEGOTIATIONS   Lebanon and Israel, still technically at war, begin unprecedented talks sponsored by the UN and Washington on Wednesday to settle a maritime border dispute and clear the way for hydrocarbon exploration. Read more here   Lebanon’s representatives would not speak directly to the Israeli delegation in the meeting.  Read more […]

October 8

Israel Update 8.10.20

Chag Sameach to all my readers. AVIATION   An agreement signed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel and its Jordanian counterpart today, Thursday, will open more flight paths across both countries. Several Arab countries including Iraq, Qatar & Saudi Arabia will be able to use Israeli airspace en route to and from Europe and […]

October 1

Israel Update 1.10.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   The Israeli government overnight voted to tighten coronavirus restrictions and to extend the lockdown another three days until 14 October. Among new restrictions, people now will only be able to travel wherever they want to purchase essential products or obtain essential services if these are not available within a kilometre from […]

September 24

Israel Update 24.9.20

ISRAELI TEST TO BE USED IN EUROPEAN AIRPORTS   The Israeli SpectraLIT coronavirus test eliminates the need for swabbing and lab processing, with passengers simply asked to gargle with 10 ml of a special mouthwash, and then spit into a tube. The test, developed by Israeli company Newsight with Sheba Medical Centre under the newly formed […]

September 17

Israel Update 17.9.20

ROSH HASHANAH (JEWISH NEW YEAR) GREETINGS TO ALL MY READERS. WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.   THE “ABRAHAM ACCORDS”   Israel on Tuesday signed landmark normalisation deals (dubbed the Abraham Accords) with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain at a White House ceremony, with leaders hailing a “new dawn” for peace in […]

September 10

Israel Update 10.9.20

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)   At a video conference of Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday, the Arab League failed to condemn last month’s normalization deal between Israel and the UAE. Read more here   Israeli budget footwear chain Scoop Shoes has announced that it will be opening five stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Read […]

August 27

Israel Update 27.8.20

TWO STABBING TERROR ATTACKS   A Palestinian stabbed to death Rabbi Shai Ohayon, 39, a father of four, in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva on Wednesday. The attacker was in Israel with a legal work permit. The victim’s children are aged 4-13. Read more here   A stabbing last week in Rosh Ha’ayin […]

August 20

Israel Update 20.8.20

ISRAEL & THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   Following last Thursday’s agreement between Israel and the UAE fully to normalise relations, delegations will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, and the establishment of reciprocal embassies. Read more here   Israeli […]

August 13

Israel Update 13.8.20

ISRAEL & THE UAE   Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached an historic peace deal on Thursday that will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations. The agreement was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States. Read more here   GAZA ARSON TERROR ATTACKS ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL […]

August 6

Israel Update 6.8.20

BEIRUT CATASTROPHE – ISRAEL’S RESPONSE (At the time of writing, Thursday afternoon, no reply to Israeli offers of help has been received from the Lebanese government) Several Israeli hospitals offered to treat victims of a massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, despite the fact that Lebanon and Israel are considered enemy countries.  Among them […]

July 30

Israel Update 30.7.20

A reminder that domestic Israeli politics and internal protests remain outside the scope of this update. HRG   CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Israel’s Health Ministry figures on Thursday morning: The national death toll sadly rose to 497. There are 32,756 active cases of COVID-19, with 336 patients in serious condition, including 99 on ventilators. 752 […]

July 23

Israel Update 23.7.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   The Coronavirus National Knowledge and Information Centre reported that on Wednesday 2,032 people tested positive for COVID-19. The death toll from coronavirus-related complications since the start of the epidemic rose to 433, while 295 patients are in serious condition, of whom 79 are ventilated. Read more here   On Sunday, Israel’s […]

July 16

Israel Update 16.7.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Israel saw its highest daily toll of new coronavirus cases since the outbreak began, with 1,758 new diagnoses reported in the past 24 hours as at Thursday morning. 204 patients are in serious condition of whom 57 are ventilated. The death toll has risen to 380. The number of active patients […]

July 9

Israel Update 9.7.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   The Health Ministry reported on Thursday morning that on Wednesday  1,231 new cases were confirmed, bringing the number of active patients currently ill with the disease to 15,209. 118 patients are in a serious condition, of which 41 are ventilated, with the death toll climbing to 346.  412 patients are currently […]

July 2

Israel Update 2.7.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   The Israel Health Ministry reported Thursday morning that 966 Israelis had tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total ever, after more than 20,000 tests were conducted on Wednesday. There are currently 8,647 active cases, 58 in serious condition. The death toll is 324. Read more […]

June 25

Israel Update 25.6.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   As at Thursday morning, 532 new confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in the previous 24 hours, the highest number of daily virus diagnoses since April 9. There are 5,796 active cases, 46 of whom were in serious condition, including 28 patients on ventilators. Another 41 were in moderate condition and […]

June 18

Israel Update 18.6.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL As at Thursday morning, 257 new patients have been diagnosed with the virus over the past 24 hours, with the total number of active patients currently standing at 4,092. The number of fatalities is 303. The number of patients in serious condition now stands at 39, with 32 people needing ventilator support. […]

June 11

Israel Update 11.6.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   As at Thursday morning, the total number of active cases in Israel is 2,947. The number of fatalities has sadly risen to 300. The number of patients in serious condition now stands at 29, with 24 people needing ventilator support.  Read more here   As at Wednesday, 248 children and educational […]

June 4

Israel Update 4.6.20

CORONAVIRUS IN ISRAEL   Israel has taken steps in recent weeks to roll back its virus restrictions, reopening schools, synagogues, malls, restaurants and other spaces. However, since last Thursday, there has been a significant rise in the number of new infections, mainly centred on educational institutions. Health officials attributed the rise to public complacency and failure […]

May 27

Israel Update 27.5.20

Chag Shavuot Sameach (Happy Pentecost) to my readers. Note: the trial of Israel’s PM Netanyahu, which began on Sunday, is outside the scope of this Update.   TERROR ARSON FROM GAZA At least three groups of incendiary and explosive balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip on Monday. Countless incendiary and explosive balloons have been […]

May 21

Israel Update 21.5.20

NEW GOVERNMENT   After three consecutive elections, the Knesset approved a new government on Sunday by a vote of 73 to 46.       Read more here   The new Israeli government includes 10 ministers with Moroccan roots. Some 1 million Israelis, over 10% of the population, have at least partial family origins in Morocco. […]

May 14

NEW GOVERNMENT   Israel’s new government is set to be sworn in on Thursday evening, bringing nearly 18 months of political gridlock to an end. Read more here   TERRORIST ATTACKS   On Tuesday, an IDF soldier Sgt. First Class Amit Ben-Ygal, 21 waskilled by Palestinians who hurled a large rock thrown at his head. His unit […]

May 7

Israel Update 7.5.20

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IN ISRAEL   At the time of writing (Thursday afternoon) Israel’s coronavirus death toll remains at 239 since Wednesday, with no deaths reported overnight. As of Thursday morning, there are 16,346 confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel with 64 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours mostly inside ultra-Orthodox areas.  83 people are […]

April 30

Israel Update 30.4.20

YOM HAZIKARON (MEMORIAL DAY) April 27/8   On Yom HaZikaron Israelis honour all the soldiers and civilians killed in battle or terror attacks. The country came to a standstill when a siren marked the start of the commemoration at 8 p.m. Monday and then again with a second siren at 11 a.m. Tuesday. All key […]

April 23

Israel Update 13-23 April 2020

P.M. Netanyahu and Blue & White party leader Benny Gantz signed an agreement Monday on the formation of a unity government, with Gantz scheduled to take over as P.M. in 18 months’ time. Read more here   YOM HASHOA- HOLOCAUST MARTYRS’ AND HEROES REMEMBRANCE DAY 20/21 April 2020. Traditional ceremonies in honour of 6 million Jews […]

April 13

Israel Update 3-13 April 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IN ISRAEL At the time of writing (Monday afternoon) Israel’s coronavirus death toll has sadly risen to 112, with 11,235 confirmed cases. 181 patients are in serious condition, including 133 in need of ventilator support. Hospitals are treating 750 patients, while 7,257 people are fighting the virus at home. Another 1,058 people are […]

April 2

Israel Update 2.4.20

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IN ISRAEL At the time of writing (Thursday afternoon) Israel’s coronavirus death toll has sadly risen to 33. Confirmed infections numbered 6,211, with 107 in serious condition, including 83 on ventilators, and 127 in moderate condition. At least 241 people have recovered.Read more here   PM Netanyahu on Wednesday evening said all Israelis […]

March 26

Israel Update 26.3.20

Israel has been experiencing a constitutional crisis following the inconclusive election over 3 weeks ago. However, according to a reported deal taking shape amid immense political drama in Israel on Thursday afternoon, Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz is set to partner P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu in a unity government, serving initially as foreign minister, but […]

March 19

Israel Update 19.3.20

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)   ISRAEL   There are now 529 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Israel at the time of writing (Thursday afternoon). No Israelis have died from Coronavirus yet but six are in a critical condition. Israel’s health ministry has increased testing significantly to 2,200 tests daily. At the weekend, Israel banned public gatherings of […]

March 11

Israel Update 11.3.20

CORONAVIRUS  COVID-19   At the time of writing (Wednesday afternoon), the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel has risen to 82. ISRAELI AID TO PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY   Israeli and P.A. officials met last week to coordinate joint efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus. They agreed to cooperate on epidemiologic investigations, particularly those […]

March 5

Israel Update 5.3.20

ISRAELI ELECTION   The official results will be published on March 10. With 99% of the votes counted, P.M Netanyahu’s Likud & its allies have 58 seats, 3 short of an overall majority. Read more here   The Joint List (an alliance of four Arab-led parties) appears to have won 15 seats. There will be […]

February 27

Israel Update 27.2.20

CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19   In an unprecedented statement on Wednesday, Israel’s Health Ministry urged Israelis to seriously consider refraining from travelling abroad as more countries announced they had identified cases of the virus. Israel has banned the entry of any foreigners who have been to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand Singapore, South Korea Japan and […]

February 20

Israel Update 20.2.20

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)   Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre will use top-of-the-line Israeli tele-medicine technologies to treat 11 nationals returning from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan. The Israelis will be placed in isolation for 14 days. Medical robots, devices and AI-powered sensors operated remotely by doctors to monitor patients and conduct basic […]

February 13

Israel Update 13.2.20

GAZAN ATTACKS CONTINUE ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL   Another week of almost daily attacks by Gazan terrorists on Israeli civilians by launching rockets & mortars into Israel and also using explosive devices attached to colourful balloons. The attacks included six airborne explosive devices landed in Israel last Friday, one carrying a warhead from a rocket-propelled grenade.  […]

February 6

Israel Update 6.2.20

TERRORIST ATTACKS  TODAY, THURSDAY 6.2.20   12 IDF soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in a car-ramming terror attack in Jerusalem. The attacker’s car was later found abandoned near Bethlehem Read more here   An Israeli Border Police officer was shot in the hand by a Palestinian attacker near the Temple Mount in the Old City […]

January 30

Israel Update 30.1.20

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PLAN PUBLISHED BY U.S.A.   The US vision for a comprehensive peace agreement was released on Tuesday. Download or read the full 180 page plan: Link here   Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said that the Palestinians are not going to get a state “by doing a day of rage. All doing […]

January 23

Israel Update 23.1.20

FIFTH WORLD HOLOCAUST FORUM IN JERUSALEM   In the biggest diplomatic event in Israel’s history, delegations from 49 countries, including 41 heads of state are attending the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem this week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Read more here   List of World […]

January 16

Israel Update 16.1.20

AID FOR PUERTO RICO The Israeli humanitarian organization IsraAID is currently in Puerto Rico following the recent 6.4 magnitude earthquake followed by a 5.2 magnitude aftershock, a further a 5.9 magnitude ‘quake and a further 45 aftershocks of at least 3.0 magnitude. IsraAID’s assessment focussed on distributing relief, providing psychological first aid, and administering safe water and […]

January 9

Israel Update 9.1.20

ASSASSINATION OF IRANIAN GENERAL SOLEIMANI BY USA   Israel’s PM Netanyahu distanced  his government and Israel from the killing stressing Israel was not involved. He told his Cabinet that it was an American event and “ we should not be dragged into it.”  Read more here   A senior Israeli military officer also distanced Israel from […]

January 1

Israel Update 1.1.20

INNOVATION Celebrating a decade of life-changing Israeli inventions from Waze to cancer-busting nano-ghost cells and 3-D printed hearts, a look at some of the most amazing Israeli technologies and inventions of the past 10 years – those that are already impacting the way we live and those that have the potential to change our lives […]

December 25

Israel Update 25.12.19

Chanukah Sameach and good wishes for 2020 to my readers.  UN SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC)   U.S. UN Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UNSC last week: “This Council seems either unwilling or unable to see the reality that Israelis live in constant fear of attack. In place of recognizing this reality, the Council tolerates an endless […]

December 18

Israel Update 18.12.19

I wish all my readers Chanukah Sameach. VISIT OF HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES TO ISRAEL   A forthcoming visit by Prince Charles next month,  will be only the second official visit to Israel by a member of the  British royal family since the State of Israel was founded in 1948. Two previous trips by […]

December 12

Israel Update 12.12.19

INTERNATIONAL ISRAELI AID   Israel sent an emergency medical team in coordination with the World Health Organisation to Samoa in response to the Samoan measles outbreak. At least 63 people, mostly children, have died since the outbreak began in mid-October. Read more here   Albania’s Prime Minister Rama on Monday hailed the work of Israeli […]

December 5

Israel Update 5.12.19

ISRAELI AID FOR ALBANIA (CONTINUED)   A special Israeli aid mission departed Tuesday for Albania, following the devastating earthquake. The aid mission,consists of 10 officers and engineers who will survey damaged buildings to determine whether they remain structurally sound after the earthquake. Items included in the humanitarian aid shipment include tents and logistical support for […]

November 28

Israel Update 28.11.19

 Israeli domestic politics remain outside the scope of this Update hence no coverage of the Netanyahu indictment which has been amply reported by other media sources. H.R.G. ISRAELI AID AFTER ALBANIAN EARTHQUAKE An Israel Rescue and Service team are continuing their search for survivors in the city of Durres, following a 6.4 on the Richter Scale […]

November 21

Israel Update 21.11.19

ISRAEL UNDER FIRE FROM SYRIA   Four rockets fired from Syria were intercepted over the Golan Heights on Tuesday by the Iron Dome missile defence system. Israeli defence sources said the rockets were fired at the command of Iran. Read more here   In response, The IDF attacked dozens of targets in Syria belonging to […]

November 14

Israel Update 14.11.19

ISRAEL UNDER FIRE   NOTE:This week’s attacks on Israeli civilians did not “start” with the assassination of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander Baha Abu al-Ata.  He had been the instigator of multiple rocket attacks on Israel including the firing of rockets at Ashdod & Ashkelon on 10.9.19 (forcing PM Netanyahu offstage during an election address) […]

November 7

Israel Update 7.11.19

ROCKET ATTACKS ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL Gazans launched ten rockets at Israel last Friday evening. Eight were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system. A house in Sderot was hit and several vehicles were damaged. In response to the attack, Israel struck a wide range of Hamas targets in Gaza. Israel holds Hamas, the ruling […]

October 30

Israel Update 30.10.19

IRANIAN THREAT   The IDF Chief of Staff has warned that Israel is facing a threat of conflict in both the north and the south. He said “The main strategic threat to the State of Israel lies in the northern arena: with the entrenchment of Iranian and other forces in Syria, and with [the Hezbollah […]

October 24

Israel Update 24.10.19

KURDISH CHILDREN TREATED AT ISRAELI HOSPITAL   The goal of the NGO Shevet Achim is to help non-Israeli children receive life-saving medical care in Israel.. In the last 10 months, they have arranged treatment at Sheba Medical Centre and visas for 41 Iraqi Kurdish children, as well as three from Syria. Despite recent escalations, efforts […]

October 17

Israel Update 17.10.19

I wish all my readers Chag Sameach.  IRAN A team of British experts arrived in Iran on Monday to begin work to upgrade the Arak heavy water nuclear reactor. While Iranians breach the nuclear deal, the British embassy says ‘we are upholding our obligations to cooperate’. Iran’s latest move was to fire up advanced centrifuges […]

October 10

Israel Update 10.10.19

I wish all my readers Chag Succot Sameach.  IRANIAN THREAT   P.M. Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel needs a massive air defence system to defend against Iranian attacks, especially cruise missiles like those used in attacks on a Saudi Arabian oil facility last month. Read more here   According to Israel’s Ambassador to the […]

October 3

Israel Update 3.10.19

IRANIAN THREAT   Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander said on Sep. 21 that the Islamic Republic has prepared “the capability to annihilate” Israel and “this regime must be wiped off the world geographic” map…In December 2018, Iran’s Foreign Minister denied any Iranian leader having ever threatened Israel. Read more here   IRGC deputy commander […]

September 26

Israel Update 26.9.19

  L’Shanah Tovah to all my readers.   GAZA   Nina Gisdenanova, 74, from Ashkelon, was in a four-story building that took a direct hit from a rocket during a barrage of hundreds of projectiles fired by Gazan terror groups in a 24-hour period last November.  She has now died of her injuries. The rocket […]

September 19

Israel Update 19.9.19

  ISRAELI GENERAL ELECTION   At the time of writing (Thursday afternoon), the Blue and White party has won 33 seats to the Likud’s 31, according to an update from the Central Elections Committee on Thursday morning, with 96.5% of the vote in Tuesday’s elections counted. Neither party appears able to muster the 61 MKs […]

September 12

Israel Update 12.9.19

ROCKET ATTACKS ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS   On Tuesday Gazans fired two rockets at Ashkelon and Ashdod, where P.M. Netanyahu was holding an election rally. “Leave quietly,” Netanyahu told the crowd before calmly walking off the stage. He returned minutes later to resume his speech. The IDF responded, hitting 15 targets in Gaza. […]

September 5

Israel Update 5.9.19

ISRAEL & THE UK   For the first time Israeli airforce jets have flown in UK airspace to joining 50 aircraft from the German, Italian and American air forces for the 20-day Cobra Warrior exercise, a high-intensity tactical drill. Defence cooperation between Israel and Britain has been increasing in recent years. Read more here   Israeli […]

August 29

Israel Update 29.8.19

IRAN IN DIRECT CONFLICT AGAINST ISRAEL Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes in Syria to thwart a planned attack on Israel by Iran-backed fighters using armed drones late Saturday, targeting operatives from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force as well as Shiite militias who had been planning on sending “kamikaze” attack drones into Israel […]

August 15

Israel Update 15.8.19

NOTE: The Israel Update is taking a break for a couple of weeks. BREAKING NEWS The Interior Minister announced on Thursday that Israel has decided to deny entry to two US congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, over their support for boycotting the country. Reportedly the Minster would consider letting Tlaib enter Israel in order […]

August 8

Israel Update 8.8.19

MURDER OF ISRAELI TEENAGER The body of  teenage yeshiva student Dvir Sorek who had been stabbed to death was discovered outside a West Bank community in the predawn hours of Thursday morning, prompting a massive manhunt for the killer. He was studying at the Machanayim religious seminary and had joined the IDF while continuing his […]

August 1

Israel Update 1.8.19

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF & WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST. (UNWRA)   From journalist Ian Williams: In June, a file landed on my desk, a devastating expose of the top management of UNRWA.The confidential report, compiled by the ethics office of the agency, cited “credible and corroborated reports” that members of the […]

July 25

Israel Update 25.7.19

  FOCUS ON WATER TECHNOLOGY   Israeli company Watergen has just launched a new partnership with the community of Flint, Michigan, providing what could be the first large scale solution for drinking water by placing a 350 unit in the community church. In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency found dangerous levels of lead in the […]

July 17

Israel Update 17.7.19

ISRAELI NGO “SAVE A CHILD’S HEART” HELPS RWANDAN CHILD HEART DISEASE PATIENTS   Eight children diagnosed with cardiac disease travelled to Israel recently to receive life-saving heart treatment at Wolfson Medical Centre, thanks to “Save a Child’s Heart” (SACH), an Israeli organization working to save children from developing countries.An earlier group of eight children have […]

July 11

Israel Update 11.7.19

ISRAELI SUPPORT FOR ISIS ABUSE SURVIVORS A delegation of 15 Yazidi and Christian survivors from Kurdistan and Iraq (currently resident in Germany) participated in a two-week post-trauma course in Israel, addressing the abuses they suffered at the hands of the Islamic State.  Read more here COUNTER TERRORISM Israeli intelligence agencies have prevented dozens of Islamic […]

July 4

Israel Update 4.7.19

HAMAS CORRUPTION EXPOSED   Suheib Yousef, the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Yousef, has left the terror organisation. He described how he worked for Hamas in Turkey…saying the Hamas setup there was also used to conscript people, including children, in the West Bank to carry out terror attacks against Israelis. “The point of the attacks […]

June 27

Israel Update 27.6.19

BAHRAIN CONFERENCE   Business executives, billionaire investors and Middle East diplomats gathered in Bahrain on Tuesday for a White House-led, two-day “Peace to Prosperity Workshop.” The conference has raised hopes for increased cooperation between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Read more here   A Saudi diplomat said: “We and other countries are willing to make […]

June 20

Israel Update 20.6.19

 VIOLENCE FROM GAZA CONTINUES   Three students had a narrow escape last Thursday night when a rocket fired from Gaza (the second fired that day) hit and damaged a Sderot yeshiva, sending concrete and glass flying. Had the missile struck a few minutes earlier when the main study hall was filled with students, a few […]

June 13

Israel Update 13.6.19

  HIZBULLAH PLOT IN THE UK REVEALED   Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency provided information that led British law enforcement to thwart a 2015 plot by Hizbullah to attack targets in the UK. Reportedly, a stockpile of ammonium nitrate commonly used in bomb making was concealed in thousands of disposable ice packs in a north London […]

May 30

Israel Update 30.5.19

  As an election is called for 17 September, a reminder that internal Israeli politics are outside the ambit of this Update. HRG   DEVASTATING WILDFIRES ACROSS ISRAEL   Fuelled by scorching weather, more than a thousand fires devastated towns and forests across Israel from Thursday to Saturday, forcing thousands of people out of their homes. […]

May 30

Israel Update 30.5.19

  As an election is called for 17 September, a reminder that internal Israeli politics are outside the ambit of this Update. HRG   DEVASTATING WILDFIRES ACROSS ISRAEL   Fuelled by scorching weather, more than a thousand fires devastated towns and forests across Israel from Thursday to Saturday, forcing thousands of people out of their homes. […]

May 23

Israel Update 23.5.19

LAG B’OMER SAMEACH TO MY READERS   GAZA – WHAT THE “CEASEFIRE” LOOKS LIKE   Last week’s Update mentioned fires started in Israeli communities by incendiary devices, sent from Gaza.T his 9  second video of a massive fire in an Israeli wheatfield shows the horrifying reality of the Gazans’ terrorist attacks on Israeli agriculture and […]

May 16

Israel Update 16.5.19

CO-EXISTENCE   Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs shared a kosher Iftar meal (the evening feast taken to break the Ramadan dawn to dusk fast) in Hebron on Monday. The event was organized and sponsored by the Judea and Samaria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a joint Israeli-Palestinian group that wants to strengthen economic ties between […]

May 9

Israel Update 9.5.19

Today, May 9, Israel is celebrating its 71st birthday. However, the initial focus of this longer-than-usual Update is to review the massive attack on Israel last weekend. HRG   Between Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, Islamic Jihad and Hamas launched over 690 rockets and mortars indiscriminately at Israelis from Gaza. Four Israeli civilians were killed […]

May 1

Israel Update 1.5.19

YOM HASHOAH – HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY IN ISRAEL (The date in the Jewish calendar, 27 Nisan, is the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising)   Each year, six Holocaust survivors are chosen to light torches at Yad Vashem on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins Wednesday evening, 1st May, in memory of the six million Jews […]

April 24

Israel Update 24.4.19

  Chag Pesach Sameach to my readers. HRG   THE ROYAL AIR FORCE INSTALLS ISRAELI INVENTION   Israeli firm Elbit Systems’ Emergency Personal Locator Beacon (EPLB), the first to be accredited on life jackets for unassisted operation in water, has made its inaugural operational flight on the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft. In the event of an […]

April 17

Israel Update 17.4.19

  Chag Pesach Sameach to my readers. HRG   BERESHEET MISSION   It was a bittersweet end for SpaceIL’s Beresheet probe, the first privately funded lunar lander sent to the moon. During the landing attempt the main engine cut out and communication was lost, ultimately resulting in Beresheet crashing into the moon’s surface. But before its […]

April 10

Israel Update 10.4.19

A brief round-up as internal Israeli politics, and therefore most Election news, is largely outside the ambit of this Update & is extensively covered elsewhere. HRG CO-EXISTENCE   In a survey published last week by online magazine Sicha Mekomit,76% of Arab respondents and 53% of Jewish respondents said that, in their daily lives, relations between […]

April 4

Israel Update 4.4.19

REMAINS OF ISRAELI MIA SOLDIER RETURNED TO ISRAEL.   Sgt. First Class Zachary Baumel will be buried in Jerusalem on Thursday 37 years after he died during the First Lebanon War in 1982 at the age of 21. His father died 10 years ago and his mother Miriam is 90. Read more here   Throughout […]

March 28

Israel Update 28.3.19

GAZA ROCKET DESTROYED HOME IN CENTRAL ISRAEL SEVEN ISRAELI CIVILIANS INJURED, INCLUDING CHILDREN. Luck and miracles saved seven members of the British-Israeli Wolf family from almost certain death, when a rocket from Gaza landed in their home at around 5:20 a.m. on Monday…On a normal morning, Daniel would have been asleep in bed. But he […]

March 20

Israel Update 20.3.19

NOTE: I was in Tel Aviv last Thursday evening when the warning sirens went off. We took shelter in a stairwell along with others, including young children, waiting there some minutes until after the sirens ended, as 90 seconds wasn’t long enough time to reach a bomb shelter. It was an unnerving experience. HRG   […]