Chinese ambassador to Israel found dead in Herzliya home
(Israel Hayom via JNS) Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei was found dead in his Herzliya home on Sunday morning, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed. Read more
After delay, Israel’s 35th government sworn in
May 18, 2020 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
Israel’s 35th government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was sworn in on Sunday, as 18 months of political turmoil seemingly came to an end and after last-minute complications delayed the ceremony that was slated for Thursday night. Read more
President Rivlin visit cuts short Zoom meeting with Baruch Ygal
May 17, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Over 100 Australian participants plus family members tuned in to a Zoom memorial service to give prayers for Amit Ben Ygal fatally struck down by a cinder block on active duty on the West Bank last week. Read more
Israel takes another step towards development of Coronavirus cure
May 17, 2020 by TPS-IL
The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) in Ness Ziona has completed the patent registration for eight Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibodies, another significant step towards the production of a cure for the pandemic. Read more
A new rabbi for Newcastle…after 60 years
May 17, 2020 by Henry Benjamin
Rabbi Yossi Rodal has been spent six years working with RARA, Rural and Regional Australia, combing this vast country for Jews living in remote areas but now it’s time to settle down and he will move this week from Melbourne to Newcastle to be the first rabbi the shul has had for 60 years. Read more
Amit Ben Ygal
May 17, 2020 by J-Wire News Service
The memorial service for Amit Ben Ygal will be zoomed this evening as at 6 pm AEST and not at 7 pm as previously advised. Read more
Back to shul…but read the rules.
May 17, 2020 by Henry Benjamin
Shuls in NSW will reopen on Shavout with attendance restricted to ten worshippers and two officials comprising a singe minyan. Read more
NSW Parliament to investigate banning Nazi flags statewide
May 17, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
In the NSW State Parliament this week, Shadow Treasurer and NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel deputy chair Walt Secord welcomed the Berejiklian Government’s decision to investigate banning the public display of Nazi flags in NSW. Read more
Jordan’s Abdullah warns of ‘massive conflict’ if Israel proceeds with annexation
Jordan’s King Abdullah warned of “massive conflict” between his country and Israel if the Jewish state proceeds with annexing territory this summer in Judea and Samaria. Read more
Jewish House provides retail therapy with launch of pre-loved designer fashion auction series
May 17, 2020 by Rachel Phillips
Sydney’s Jewish House has launched a series of Pre-Loved Designer Fashion Silent Auctions, bringing retail therapy to the local community during COVID-19. Read more
Dave Sharma praises OBK and COA in federal parliament
May 17, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
The federal member for Wentworth Dave Sharma has praised in parliament the efforts of two Jewish organizations in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more
UK chief rabbi: ‘Synagogues will not open for a long time’
May 15, 2020 by JNS
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis projected on Thursday that all houses of worship affiliated with the United Synagogue—the largest network of Orthodox communities in the United Kingdom—“will not open for a long time” and urged “extreme caution” against synagogues doing so otherwise in that it would enable a “hub for the virus to reappear.” Read more
Hamas threatens more kidnappings if prisoner deal not reached with Israel
May 15, 2020 by JNS
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has threatened to kidnap more Israelis if a prisoner deal is not reached. Read more
Facebook names ex-member of Muslim Brotherhood-linked party to new board
May 15, 2020 by JNS
Among the first 20 members Facebook announced last week to its new and independent oversight board is Peace Prize Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood-linked Al Islah Party in Yemen. Read more
Prayers for Amit
May 14, 2020 by J-Wire News Service
Prayers will be said on Sunday night to commemorate the life of Amit Ben Ygal who lost his life earlier this week when he was killed on active duty on the West Bank. Read more
Dunera has something for everybody – now online
May 14, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Dunera is a specially designed web portal to keep members of the Jewish community occupied during these difficult times and beyond. Read more
Israeli Minister slams EU for ‘capitulating to Palestinian pressure,’ financing terrorism
May 14, 2020 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
The European Union (EU) has “capitulated to Palestinian Pressure” and is funding organizations tied to terrorism, Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan charged. Read more
In Israel visit, Pompeo urges progress on Trump’s Mideast peace plan, blasts Iranian aggression
May 14, 2020 by JNS
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Israel on Wednesday morning for a six-hour visit to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration’s Mideast peace plan and Iranian aggression. Read more
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University develop one-minute coronavirus test
May 14, 2020 by JNS
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a one-minute coronavirus test they hope will be used to help authorities more quickly track and identify the spread of the virus at a significantly lower cost than current testing. Read more
Search continues for IDF soldier’s killers amid clashes
May 14, 2020 by JNS
Arab rioters hurled stones at Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers in the Palestinian Authority-controlled Hebron region on Wednesday morning during operations to apprehend terror suspects, according to IDF reports. Read more
Report: Ben-Gurion airport expected to reopen by June
May 14, 2020 by JNS
Israel is weighing opening Ben-Gurion International Airport at the beginning of June as the coronavirus outbreak continues to level off in Israel. Read more
My life is finished – I love you Tommy
May 13, 2020 by Henry Benjamin
Baruch Ben-Ygal struck a relationship with Maccabi Australia in 1997 when he saved an athlete from drowning when the bridge across the Yarkon River collapsed as the team headed to the opening ceremony. Read more
Girlfriend of fallen IDF soldier calls for revenge, as father laments only son
May 13, 2020 by JNS
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, the girlfriend of an Israel Defense Forces’ soldier killed during an arrest operation near Jenin when a resident threw a cinder block at his head, recalled his love for his country and demanded that the government avenge the death of her boyfriend. Read more
Israel prepares to reopen eateries, institutes new sanitation measures
May 13, 2020 by JNS
Israel’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy and Industry, and companies in the restaurant industry are slated to sit around the table on Wednesday to discuss how to ease open bars and eateries after two months of closure as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read more
Report: France wants tough response if Israel goes ahead with annexation
France is pushing members of the European Union to consider threatening Israel with tough consequences if it goes ahead with its plan to annex parts of Judea and Samaria. Read more
IDF soldier killed during operation by rock thrown by terrorist
May 12, 2020 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
An IDF soldier on Tuesday morning was killed by a terrorist who threw a rock and hit him in the head while his unit was operating to capture terrorists in the Jenin area. Read more
Israel hosts roundtable to tackle COVID-19 challenges facing Jewish communities around the world
May 12, 2020 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
Israel is reaching out to the Jews of the Diaspora and has initiated a roundtable of global and regional Jewish organizations to assess the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Jewish communities and prepare a plan for their rehabilitation. Read more
Katz shares Israel’s COVID-19 exit strategy with foreign ministers around the world
May 12, 2020 by Aryeh Savir - TPS
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz participated on Monday in a video conference on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with other foreign ministers including Australia’s Marisa Payne in a meeting initiated by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Read more
Lag B’Omer: 18,000 hits hoped for but 40,000 turned up
May 12, 2020 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Gilad Erdan appointed as next Israeli ambassador to both US, UN
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he is appointing Minister of Public Security, Strategic Affairs and Minister of Information Gilad Erdan as both the Israeli ambassador to the United States and United Nations. Read more
