Netanyahu lauds Israel’s coronavirus ‘success,’ announces gradual reopening of economy
May 6, 2020 by JNS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has touted Israel’s “major success” in confronting the coronavirus pandemic, and laid out the government’s plan for a phased reopening of the economy following weeks of lockdowns. Read more
Online project in Britain sets up learning between students and Holocaust survivors
May 6, 2020 by JNS
The United Kingdom’s National Holocaust Centre and Museum have launched an online program that allows schoolchildren at home during the coronavirus pandemic to ask questions to Holocaust survivors. Read more
Intel buys Israel’s Moovit app for $900 million
May 6, 2020 by JNS
Intel, the world’s largest chip-maker, is buying Israeli app Moovit for $900 million, in a move meant to advance its plan to develop self-driving cars. Read more
UK Labour general secretary resigns after tenure tainted with antisemitism
May 5, 2020 by JNS
U.K. Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby, who once said it’s “impossible to eradicate antisemitism,” has resigned from the position. Read more
Despite coronavirus, Jews’ bodies still being flown to Israel for burial
Despite the coronavirus outbreak and almost the complete shutdown of international travel to Israel, deceased Jews from around the world continue to be flown to Israel for burial. Read more
Israel’s High Court hears petitions against Netanyahu’s continued rule
May 4, 2020 by JNS
Israel’s High Court of Justice began hearing petitions on Sunday seeking to bar incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government, including a national-unity coalition with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz while facing criminal indictments. Read more
Former Labour MPs expelled over antisemitism invited to speak in online meeting
A number of former Labour Party members who were involved in the party’s widely covered antisemitism crisis participated with Labour MPs on Wednesday evening in an online meeting hosted by the newly formed “Don’t Leave, Organize” group, reported The Jewish Chronicle.
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Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher donate cargo of PPE to health-care workers in UK
May 3, 2020 by JNS
British Jewish comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen and his wife, Australian actress Isla Fisher, helped donate a cargo of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that was airlifted to healthcare workers in the United Kingdom last week. Read more
Israeli film ‘Asia’ wins awards at Tribeca Film Festival
May 3, 2020 by JNS
The Israeli movie “Asia” won three awards at the Tribeca Film Festival, including one for Israeli actress Shira Haas and the Nora Ephron Award. Read more
Israeli biotech company starts clinical trials of CBD-steroid treatment for virus
May 3, 2020 by JNS
The Israel-based biotech company Stero Biotechs has started a small-scale clinical trial at Rabin Medical Centre’s Golda Hasharon Campus in Petach Tikvah on the effects of a steroid-Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Read more
Biden affirms he won’t move embassy back to Tel Aviv
April 30, 2020 by JNS
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, reiterated yesterday that if elected in November, he would keep the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. Read more
Israel Film Archive digitalizes extensive collection, starts to release films online
April 29, 2020 by JNS
After years of work on digitizing its collection of Israeli film clips, the Israel Film Archive (IFA), part of the Jerusalem Cinematheque, is beginning to share its collection online with the goal of eventually digitalizing its entire archive of more than 5,000 hours of film. Read more
Danon confronts Palestinian representative during UN Security Council
April 25, 2020 by JNS
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon and his Palestinian counterpart sparred during a U.N. Security Council discussion on Thursday about Israel’s aid to the Palestinian Authority during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide outbreak. Read more
Pompeo: Annexation of territory in Judea, Samaria an ‘Israeli decision’
April 24, 2020 by JNS
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that it was up to Israel whether or not to annex parts of the West Bank, and that discussions on the issue are taking place through private channels with the Israeli government. Read more
UK Jewish newspaper ‘back to business’ after anonymous bidder saves it from folding
April 23, 2020 by JNS
The Jewish News in the United Kingdom announced on Wednesday that it “is back” after stating earlier this month that, along with The Jewish Chronicle, it would fold as a result of both the state of print newspapers, coupled with the coronavirus pandemic, which has negatively impacted sales and revenue. Read more
Major airlines to revive flights to Israel beginning in May
April 23, 2020 by JNS
United Airlines, Air Canada and British Airways have announced that they are restarting flights to Israel, Israeli financial paper Globes reported.
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Major antisemitic incidents rise some 18 per cent in 2019, according to new report
April 23, 2020 by JNS
The number of major antisemitic incidents worldwide rose by 18 per cent in 2019 over the previous year, according to a newly released report from Tel Aviv University, the Kantor Centre for the Study of European Jewry and the European Jewish Congress. Read more
Netanyahu, Gantz ink deal to form new government after year-long political impasse
April 21, 2020 by JNS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz have signed a new coalition agreement to form a “national emergency government” ending a political deadlock that lasted more than a year. Read more
Report: Gantz says he and Netanyahu are ‘on the brink’ of a unity deal
April 20, 2020 by JNS
Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz has told associates over the weekend that he and incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are “on the brink” of a unity deal, Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Saturday. Read more
Over 3 million people have participated in live broadcasts of prayers and the traditional priestly blessing at the Western Wall
April 17, 2020 by JNS
Under the auspices of The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, daily prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem continue even during the corona pandemic crisis. Read more
Israel Police use drones to track coronavirus patients
April 17, 2020 by JNS
As part of the country’s efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Israel Police are using drones to keep tabs on coronavirus patients under home quarantine. Read more
Israel’s coronavirus death toll rises to 140: Passover curfew lifted
April 17, 2020 by JNS
Israel awoke on Thursday to the lifting of a nationwide curfew imposed for the end of the Passover holiday, while the government is reportedly considering additional easing of general lockdown directives. Read more
Star-studded virtual Seder raises $2.35 million for charity
A star-studded virtual Passover “seder” that took place on Saturday night helped raise $2.35 million and counting for the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. Read more
Israel transfers advanced coronavirus detection device to Gaza hospital
April 14, 2020 by JNS
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories (COGAT) announced on Sunday that it had transferred an advanced medical device used to detect coronavirus to the Gaza Strip. Read more
Israel seeks negotiations with Hamas for release of four citizens held in Gaza
April 8, 2020 by JNS
Israel is calling for negotiations over the return of four Israelis being held in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after Hamas leaders said they could be willing to make a deal. Read more
Blue and White Party in talks to merge with Labor Party
After Labor Party chairman Amir Peretz announced that talks are underway to merge with the Blue and White Party headed by Benny Gantz, the Knesset Arrangements Committee approved the breakup of the Labor-Meretz union on Monday. Read more
BDS co-founder: ‘If Israel finds a cure for coronavirus, no problem to use it’
April 7, 2020 by JNS
Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement, said in a video on Sunday on Facebook that if Israel discovers a cure for coronavirus (COVID-19), then cooperation with the Jewish state is acceptable. Read more
Pakistan rearrests four men acquitted in Daniel Pearl murder case
April 7, 2020 by JNS
The four men acquitted in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Pakistan have been rearrested and will remain in custody pending prosecutors appealing the ruling in the country’s Supreme Court, announced Pakistan’s interior ministry on Friday. Read more
First of 11 planes bringing vital medical supplies from China to Israel touches down
April 7, 2020 by JNS
The first in a convoy of 11 El Al planes carrying tons of critical medical equipment to Israel from China touched down at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday morning, as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Adopt-A-Safta offers ‘Seder Boxes’ for isolated elderly, immigrants in Israel
April 5, 2020 by JNS
Adopt-A-Safta, Israel’s leading nonprofit initiative that pairs young adults throughout Israel with elderly, is appealing for donations for “Seder Boxes”—complete Passover seder kits delivered to their front doors. Read more
