Netanyahu slams proposed sanctions on Israeli military

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will fight sanctions being imposed on any Israeli military units for alleged rights violations after media reports said Washington was planning such a step. Read more

Six months after joining War Cabinet, Gantz calls for early elections

Israel should go to the polls in September, National Unity leader and War Cabinet Minister-without-Portfolio Benny Gantz said at a press conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday, marking the first time that the left-wing politician has called for early elections since joining the wartime government six months ago. Read more

‘Storm over ultra-Orthodox recruitment won’t topple Netanyahu’

The issue of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) army enlistment reached a boiling point this week as the Netanyahu government failed, despite feverish efforts, to draft legislation to address the issue before a High Court-mandated Wednesday deadline. Read more

Israel agrees ceasefire framework, now up to Hamas: US

Israel has essentially endorsed a framework of a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, and it is now up to Hamas to agree to it, a day before talks to reach an agreement were to resume in Egypt. Read more

Israeli officials angered that press may have had advance knowledge of Hamas massacre plans

Israeli officials have reacted with anger to a report suggesting that photographers associated with international news services may have had advance knowledge of Hamas’s plan to attack Israeli communities on Oct. 7. Read more

Israel forms emergency government as Gaza deaths mount

Israel has formed an emergency unity government as its jets pounded Gaza and tanks massed around the densely populated Palestinian enclave while Hamas militants said they were still fighting on Israeli territory following their shock weekend incursion. Read more

Protests increase as Netanyahu sacks defence minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sacked Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, triggering mass protests a day after Gallant broke ranks with the government and urged a halt to a highly contested plan to overhaul the judicial system. Read more

In call with Abbas, Gantz emphasises ‘important ties’ with Palestinians

Outgoing Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday called for continued cooperation with Ramallah, speaking during a phone call with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas. Read more

Gantz tells Netanyahu the Israeli people will make his new government fail

Outgoing Minister of Defence Benny Gantz rebuked Benjamin Netanyahu and his incoming new coalition government (should it be formed) for conceding what he feels are too many concessions being made to Israel’s Haredi (ultra-orthodox) parties on the issue of IDF service, among others. Read more

FBI to investigate death of Shireen Abu Akleh as Israel calls probe ‘serious mistake’

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May, Israeli media reported on Monday. Read more

How Benny Gantz killed Israeli-Palestinian peace

In an interview with Maariv last week, former Israeli Air Force commander Amir Eshel made several startling admissions about the role he and other IDF generals played in scuttling former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s most significant strategic policies. Read more

Israeli leaders discuss Biden’s upcoming visit with local counterparts

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Jordanian King Abdullah II spoke on the phone Saturday night in honour of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha and ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to the region this week. Read more

IDF bombs Hamas targets in response to rocket attack

The IDF bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday after Gazan terrorists launched a rocket toward Israel. Read more

Iran has accumulated 40 kg of 60% enriched uranium in past year

Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held a briefing on Wednesday for 80 foreign ambassadors stationed in Israel, against the background of the wave of terrorism, the Iranian threat and the remerging nuclear deal, and other issues on the agenda. Read more

Amid tensions, Defence Minister Gantz talks with PA head Abbas

Defence Minister Benny Gantz spoke Tuesday evening with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, as security tensions are high following a series of terror attacks in Israel that claimed the lives of 11 people. Read more

Government approves commission of inquiry into submarine purchase affair

Israel’s government voted on Sunday in favour of the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the purchase of submarines for the Navy, which was allegedly entangled with corruption. Read more

With Bennett watching, Gantz and Lapid are bringing Israel back towards a two-state paradigm

Israel may have a right-wing prime minister, but Naftali Bennett is not positioning Israel’s diplomatic priorities. Read more

Israeli defence minister meets with King Abdullah in Jordan

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz travelled to Jordan yesterday [Wed] to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah. Read more

Mahmoud Abbas plays Benny Gantz for a fool

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz must have known that hosting Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas at his home in Rosh Ha’ayin would arouse the ire of the right. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have cloaked the outcome of his tête-à-tête last Tuesday night with the octogenarian honcho in Ramallah in typically euphemistic language. Read more

Benny Gantz defends his meeting with Abbas: ‘My job is to act to prevent war’

Defence Minister Benny Gantz has been forced to explain his decision to hold a face to face meeting last week with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Read more

Abbas runs rings around Biden & Bennett

It didn’t take long for President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to be shown up as inept political leaders following the much-publicised visit by President of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Chairman of Fatah its largest faction – Mahmoud Abbas – to the home of Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz. Read more

Israeli Defence Minister Gantz hosts PA head Abbas

Defence Minister Benny Gantz has met with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Read more

Drawing the borders first: ahead of the Abu Mazen Benny Gantz meeting

Israel’s Minister of Defence Benny Gantz and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Abu Mazen are expected to soon meet for new negotiations. Read more

Israel’s Minister of Defence meets his US counterpart

Israel’s Minister of Defence Benny Gantz flew to Washington on Wednesday where he met with his American counterpart, the US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Read more

Defence Minister Benny Gantz speaks on Iranian threat

Israel’s Minister of Defence Benny Gantz on Monday issued a strongly worded statement calling once again on world nations to recognize the growing threat of a nuclear powered Iran. Read more

Gantz names six Palestinian NGOs as terror groups, US asks Israel to clarify

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Friday that six Palestinian NGOs will be listed as terror organizations for their close ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Read more

Israel’s Ministry of Defence grants legal status to 4,000 Arabs living in Judea and Samaria

Israel has officially recognized the legal status of 4,000 Arabs living in Judea and Samaria, the first time the state has done so in a decade. Read more

Bennett’s goals, Israel’s goals

Three weeks ago, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defence Minister Benny Gantz convened the ambassadors from all the U.N. Security Council member nations in Jerusalem. Read more

First time in ten years: a senior Israeli leader meets with Abbas

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met on Sunday night in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and discussed “security-political, civilian and economic issues.” Read more

Israel’s Defence Minister to Ambassadors: Iran very close to bomb, take action

Defence Minister Benny Gantz held on Wednesday a briefing for more than 60 foreign ambassadors on the security situation under the title “Challenges and opportunities for Israel and its allies,” during which he underscored Iran’s threat to global peace. Read more

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