Israeli Society

Israel said hoping for breakthrough in ties with Morocco in next few days

Israeli officials are hopeful that a breakthrough in normalizing relations with Morocco can be achieved in the next few days, Channel 12 news reported Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aiming to use the news to bolster his political chances.

The report comes after Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Lisbon,…

Israel to sell Iron Dome radars to Czech Republic

Israel on Thursday agreed to sell eight Iron Dome radar systems to the Czech Republic in a deal worth an estimated $125 million, the Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the eight ELM-2084 Multi-Mission Radars will be delivered to Prague over the course of three years, from 2021 to 2023. They are the radar arrays used in cooperation…

Israel to launch campaign on CNN to boost image in Africa

(December 1, 2019 / Israel Hayom) The Israeli government and CNN are planning to launch a campaign aimed at presenting the Jewish state to Africa, with the goal of branding it as a force for good in the continent.

Despite the network being repeatedly criticized by Israel over alleged bias, several Israeli ministries have hired the network to…

Israel Rescue and Service team assisting emergency operations in Albania

Israel Rescue and Service team from Mevo’ot HaHermon Regional Council sent to Albania, continue their search for survivors Wednesday, in the city of Durres, following a 6.4 on the Richter Scale earthquake that shock the Balkan nation on Monday and resulted in at least 26 dead, more than 650 injured and dozens more still missing.

This was the…

Bolivia renews diplomatic relations with Israel

Bolivian Foreign Minister Karen Longaric announced the renewal of diplomatic relations with Israel on Thursday for the first time in a decade.

The Foreign Ministry held intensive talks recently with Bolivia in an effort to re-establish the ties between the two countries, which were officially severed on January 14, 2009, following Operation Cast…

Boris Johnson’s party to ban local councils boycotting Israeli products

The Conservative Party in Britain, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will ban local councils from boycotting products from foreign countries, including Israel.

The pledge is made in the party’s election policy manifesto in the run-up to the Dec. 12 general elections.

“We will ban public bodies from imposing their own direct or indirect…

Israeli exports reach a record $114 billion in 2019

(November 25, 2019 / JNS) Israel’s exports should grow to a record $114 billion in 2019 from $109 billion last year according to government data, Reuters reported.

The Central Bureau and Statistics and Economy Ministry assessed that Israeli exports stood at $84 billion during the first nine months of 2019—a 4.6 percent increase from the same…

‘Woodstock meets the Bible’ as tens of thousands flock to Hebron for Chayei Sarah pilgrimage

(November 24, 2019 / JNS) Jews from around the world made a pilgrimage to the city of Hebron in Judea and Samaria over the weekend to pay homage to the Jewish biblical matriarch Sarah, whose death led to the purchase by her husband Abraham of a burial plot in Hebron, a transaction recounted in last week’s Torah portion of Chayei Sarah.

An…

After Gaza rocket fire, Indians tweet #IndiaWithIsrael in show of support

After a day of rocket fire from Gaza, the top three hashtags trending on Twitter in India are #IsraelUnderFire, #IsraelUnderAttack and #IndiaWithIsrael.
Throughout the day, people across the globe posted on social media about the rising tensions between Israel and Gaza.

However, Israel-related hashtags were mainly trending within Israel. India…

Israeli schools, stores to start reopening after day-long shut down

The Home Front Command announced that schools in Yarkon, Gush Dan and Shfela will be open on November 13. The Ministry of Education later confirmed the Home Front Command’s statement. Additionally, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Givatayim municipalities announced that their schools would re-open on Wednesday. However, schools in buildings without proper…

First-ever medical school opens in West Bank, in Ariel, for students everywhere

(November 8, 2019 / JNS) U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman attended the opening last week of the first medical school in Samaria.

“A new medical school opens in Samaria,” he said at the opening ceremony on Oct. 31. “It’s worth saying again—a new medical school was opened in Samaria. How many people have ever thought these words would ever…

NATO recognizes Israel as key medical-assistance partner as it seeks to expand cooperation

(November 6, 2019 / JNS) NATO has recognized the Israeli Navy as a key medical-assistance partner in the Mediterranean following a drill held last month practicing emergency evacuations of personnel.

During the drill, dubbed “Crystal Sea 2020” and held on Oct. 31, NATO vessels from the United Kingdom, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria simulated…

Belgium names first ever Jewish, female prime minister

 

On Sunday, she replaced Charles Michel and will lead an interim government until a coalition is formed. Michel left for a European Union position after his cabinet broke up last year. Both belong to the center-left MR Party.

Wilmès’s mother is an Ashkenazi Jew who lost several relatives in the Holocaust.

The 44-year-old holds a degree in…

Israel-Kazakhstan relations continue to expand and diversify under new president

The Central Asian country, former Soviet republic and Muslim-majority country has a history of strong connections with Israel and supports its local Jewish population.

(October 23, 2019 / JNS) Ties between Israel and Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic, continue to be strong and are expanding under new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according…

Jewish astronaut part of first female spacewalking team

The first-ever female spacewalking team, including a Jewish astronaut, exited the International Space Station on Friday.

Swedish-American-Israeli Jessica Meir and Christina Koch are repairing a broken part of the station’s solar-power network.

Meir became the fourth Jewish woman and 15th Jewish astronaut overall to be part of a space mission.

Israel to send biggest delegation ever to 2020 Olympics

(October 18, 2019 / JNS) Israel is set to send to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo its largest delegation of athletes ever.

An estimated 85 athletes will be competing in 18 sports on behalf of the Jewish state. Vered Buskila, vice president of the Olympic Committee of Israel, told the news site NoCamels, “This is a crazy number by Israeli standards….

Thousands of runners take part in the Bible Marathon that sees new time record

Over 4,000 runners took part in the fifth edition of the Bible Marathon on Friday. The marathon covered a route from the Rosh Hayin area to Shiloh, inspired by the ancient Book of Judges.

The winner, Adisu Osano from Rishon Etzion, crossed the finish line in 3:02:42, breaking a new record for the event, which is considered especially challenging…

Gal Gadot to star in film about nun who saved Jewish kids during Holocaust

Israeli actress Gal Gadot will be co-producing and starring in a film about a Polish nun who save thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust.

Gadot, who gained international fame for her performance in “Wonder Woman,” will star as heroine Irena Sendler in the film of the same name, the Deadline website reported Friday.

“As producers, we…