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White House moves ahead with sale of F-35 jets to UAE

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to the report saying both Israel and the UAE face a common threat but adds it is important that the country's qualitative military edge is preserved

Reuters, Ynet , 23:29 , 10.29.20

Norway willing to provide civil marriage registration for Israelis

Since sole authority over marriage and divorce resides with religious authorities, many couples who opt for a non-religious ceremony or seek an alternative overseas but due to pandemic, that option is beyond their reach

Kobi Nahshoni , 22:32 , 10.29.20

West Bank Palestinians' olive trees burn as U.N. urges protection for harvest

U.N. Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov calls on Israel to ensure the safety of Palestinian olive farmers amid attacks by 'by people believed or known to be Israeli settlers'

Reuters , 20:15 , 10.29.20

U.S. to allow Jerusalem-born Americans to list Israel as birthplace

Pompeo says decision is 'consistent' with Trump's 2017 proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel despite it remaining a point of dispute in the heart of the Israeli Palestinian conflict

Reuters, Ynet , 19:41 , 10.29.20

Israel-Lebanon maritime talks productive, mediators say

The Lebanese delegation offered a new map Wednesday that pushes for an additional 1,430 square kilometers (550 square miles) to be included in Lebanese territory on top of the already disputed area that each side claims is within their own exclusive economic zones

Associated Press , 18:55 , 10.29.20

Business owners burn tires during lockdown protest in Tel Aviv

Protesters accuse the government of not compensating them for the loss of revenue during the lockdown and say many will go bankrupt in days; 'This government can't run a schedule, I wouldn't even let them run a kiosk,' says one protester

Alexandra Lukash, Itay Blumenthal , 15:49 , 10.29.20

PM decries 'incitement' at ceremony marking 25th anniversary of Rabin's murder

A host of scaled back memorials are held across Israel, including at President's Residence in Jerusalem and the Knesset plenum, where Netanyahu slammed 'explicit incitement' to assassinate him and his family

Ynet, i24NEWS , 14:19 , 10.29.20

Katz demands reopening of trade as cabinet mulls more easing of curbs

Coronavirus cabinet votes to reopen schools for grades 1-4 in small groups, with four days of in-class studies, despite PM's opposition; finance minister pushes for reopening of street shops, calls health officials 'out of touch'

Moran Azulay, Tamar Trabelsi Hadad, Adir yanko , 10:08 , 10.29.20

Tel Aviv sees more active virus patients than hotspot Bnei Brak

Health Ministry reports 552 of patients currently ill with the disease reside in Tel Aviv, while only 530 in Bnei Brak; on Wednesday 34,494 tests had been conducted, 688 of which came back positive, putting infection rate at 1.9%

Ynet , 08:54 , 10.29.20

Settler leaders boycott West Bank ceremony meeting over snub

Most heads of settlement councils skip signing ceremony for inclusion of settlements in joint U.S.-Israel research projects following PM's decision not to invite two prominent officials who have spoken out against American policy on Israel

Elisha Ben Kimon , 21:59 , 10.28.20

Coronavirus czar: Poor testing hides Israel's true infection rate

Prof. Ronni Gamzu urges more people to get tests, says epidemiological investigations suggest levels of morbidity akin to pre-lockdown statistics, warns several Arab localities suffering from high enough infection to mull special mitigation measures

Adir Yanko , 19:29 , 10.28.20

Bill banning gay conversion therapy to proceed in Knesset

Proposed legislation would strip psychologists using controversial method of licenses, repeat offenders fined and/or sentenced to jail time; resuming procedure is expected to fuel already tense coalition relations between Haredi and secular parties

Moran Azulay , 17:01 , 10.28.20

September deaths in Israel up by almost 20% from last year

Health Ministry data shows 1 in 6 of all fatalities last month were coronavirus related; country's total virus death toll stands at 2,483 people; 0.79% patient death rate means 1 out of 126 people treated for coronavirus in Israel dies from disease

Yaron Druckman , 16:24 , 10.28.20

Israel, Lebanon resume maritime border talks

Negotiations mediated by U.S. and UN to take place Wednesday and Thursday at UNIFIL headquarters in Lebanese border town of Naqoura following October 14 meeting described by officials as 'productive'

News Agencies , 15:35 , 10.28.20

The 'Palestinian Godfather' who sued UK over Balfour Declaration

Industrialist Munib al-Masri, along with several activists, filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from Britain for the 'wrongs' caused by the 1917 proclamation, which pledged London's support for the creation of a national home for the Jews in Palestine

AFP , 15:19 , 10.28.20

Israel, U.S. sign deal extending funding to research projects in West Bank, Golan

Netanyahu says the amended agreements are a demonstration of the commitment of the Trump administration to a new approach in the Middle East, adding that the American peace plan provides a realistic solution for the Palestinians

Elisha Ben Kimon, Moran Azulay, Reuters , 14:34 , 10.28.20

Israel says U.S. will now fund Israeli research projects in West Bank, Golan

Updated agreements announced one week before the U.S. presidential elections represent the latest nod of legitimacy by the Trump administration to Israeli settlements ; agreement to be signed by prime minister and U.S. ambassador in the West Bank settlement of Ariel

Reuters , 11:21 , 10.28.20

Israel's coronavirus positivity rate remains low 10 days after some restrictions eased

There are 844 new cases confirmed in the past day showing a 2.2% positivity rate after 38,840 tests conducted, 453 patients in serious condition, 196 of them on ventilators; after 24 people succumbed to the virus on Tuesday ,death toll reaches2,483

Yaron Drukman , 09:10 , 10.28.20

Minister thwarts censure of chief rabbi for bashing women, Reform Jews

Shas lawmaker refuses to take steps that would see Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef removed from rabbinical court for accusing Reform Jews of perverting Torah, declaring he would block women from being recognized as religious scholars

Kobi Nahshoni , 22:28 , 10.27.20

Trump supporters rally at U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem

Some two dozen vehicles join the procession organized by Republicans Overseas Israel; 'More people are wakening and seeing who Trump truly is, that he's for the people and for the Jewish people,' says one supporter

Associated Press , 21:13 , 10.27.20

'Trump reelection could push Iran, Hezbollah into attacking Israel'

Former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. says if Trump is reelected, Iran would have to either negotiate with the U.S. president under humiliating terms or launch an attack on Israel using the help of its powerful, Lebanese proxy

The Media Line , 20:05 , 10.27.20

Israel sees coronavirus infection rate drop below 2%

According to health authorities, 464 coronavirus patients hospitalized in serious condition across the country, 196 of them are on ventilators; 8 Israelis succumb to COVID-19 since midnight and 480 test positive

Ynet , 19:34 , 10.27.20

Greece, Israel eye closer cooperation amid Turkey tension

Greek FM pledges to increase cooperation with Israel in an effort to counter Turkey, which is at odds with Greece over energy boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean; 'Our region is not going back to the 19th century,' he says

Associated Press , 18:30 , 10.27.20

Gantz: Hezbollah is Lebanon's problem, not Israel's

The defense minister says Lebanon 'will ultimately pay the price for any aggression' coming out of the country, during his tour of the northern border, where the IDF is holding its biggest army drill of the year

Ynet , 18:06 , 10.27.20

Operation 'Education Shield': Virus testing centers open for teachers

Health Ministry urges all 75,000 members of teaching staff expected to be back to work on Sunday to get tested without the need for a doctor's referral; testing centers will be operational starting Wednesday and until the end of the week

Adir Yanko , 17:33 , 10.27.20

Eilat officials nabbed as police bust alleged corruption ring

VP of Mercantile Discount Bank, senior civil servants, major contractors among eight people detained on suspicion of suspected bribery, tender rigging and other violations; city's mayor says he is 'sure police will get to the truth'

Eli Sinyor , 16:52 , 10.27.20

Sudanese nationals in Israel fear deportation after peace deal

'Going back is not an option,' says Usumain Baraka, a refugee activist from Darfur who has been living in Israel since 2008; 'the situation there is the same as before. People are dying every day. The war and genocide continue'

The Media Line , 15:55 , 10.27.20

Israel to approve settler homes in flashpoint Hebron area, group says

Peace Now says attempts by Israeli authorities 'to squeeze in' building permit ahead of U.S. elections is an 'unscrupulous act that threatens Israel's national interest and relations on the world stage'

AFP , 14:45 , 10.27.20

Ex-IDF surgeon general Nachman Ash named as Israel's next coronavirus czar

Professor will spend some time working alongside predecessor before Ronni Gamzu returns to role as head of Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv on Nov. 13; Ash had held senior roles in Health Ministry and Maccabi HMO

Adir Yanko , 14:16 , 10.27.20

Pandemic taking emotional toll on 1/5 of Israelis, experts warn

Lack of normalcy and normal societal interactions have deepened psychological woes among many of the population, with officials saying that children and elderly most prone to feel brunt of ongoing uncertainty

Sivan Hilaie , 11:13 , 10.27.20

Palestinians: International peace summit only way forward

Top PA diplomat strongly backs Abbas’ call for a conference early next year, telling Security Council that 'Anything else is volatile, and it is futile'; Erdan opposes plan, accusing Abbas of refusing 'every peace offer made by Israel'

Associated Press , 10:47 , 10.27.20

U.S. judge refuses to block ‘No Boycott of Israel’ measure

Judge says plaintiff has not shown he has suffered any 'direct injury' giving him the legal standing to challenge the order and has not shown his free speech has been 'chilled' or that he engaged in any self-censorship

Associated Press , 09:20 , 10.27.20

Israel records lowest positivity rate for coronavirus cases in four months

There are 780 people in serious condition in hospitals with 193 on ventilators, fatality rate stands on 2,452 since start of pandemic; health officials warn numbers may rise 10 days after some restrictions lifted and kindergartens opened

Yaron Drukman, Yael Freidson , 09:00 , 10.27.20

Sudan's leader: Israel deal 'incentive' to end pariah status

Abdel-Fattah Burhan tells state media that without normalization with Jerusalem, Khartoum would have had to wait years to be removed from U.S.'s list of terror state sponsors, a hurdle for much needed monetary aid

Reuters , 23:45 , 10.26.20

Rights group: Hamas frees Gazan man who met Israelis on Zoom

Rami Aman, 39, was detained in April along with seven members of his Gaza Youth Committee group after holding an online event on peace between Israel and the Palestinians

Associated Press , 22:39 , 10.26.20

Ministers vote to reopen schools for grades 1-4

Students will be divided into separate capsules; after-school programs also to resume; beauticians and hairdressers will be allowed to see customers on a one-on-one basis

Ynet , 22:24 , 10.26.20

Majdal Shams goes under second coronavirus lockdown

Locals hopeful restrictions will help lower community's COVID-19 morbidity, others blame renewed outbreak in the northern Druze town on those who 'do not believe or care about the virus'

Ahiya Raved , 20:13 , 10.26.20

State comptroller highlights shortfalls of Israel’s coronavirus response

Interim report finds Shin Bet phone tracking inefficient, contact tracking apparatus lacks manpower and that hundreds of thousands of school students do not have a computer or access to the internet for distance learning

Yaron Druckman , 19:36 , 10.26.20

Ministers meet on new lockdown exit steps amid warning over reopening shops

Coronavirus cabinet decision to reopen schools for first and second graders for only half of the week has come under criticism by parents teachers and the Blue & White Party; Gamzu warns of infection surge in Israeli Arab communities

Adir Yanko, Moran Azulay , 16:44 , 10.26.20

Mikvehs open to coronavirus patients as officials turn blind eye

Attendants, ambulance drivers and ultra-Orthodox groups have been helping to secretly run public and private Jewish ritual baths with alleged complicity of the government; coronavirus task force says guidance on issue being drafted

Kobi Nachshoni, Yitzhak Tesler , 12:25 , 10.26.20

Ex-defense official: PM's F-35 lies 'damage security'

Amos Gilad tells Yedioth Ahronoth the sale of the advanced jets to UAE causes immense damage since Israel Air Force is 'more important than any other force' within the IDF; adds Congress would've never okayed the deal if PM objected

Yuval Karni , 11:44 , 10.26.20

Israel to send $5 million worth of wheat to Sudan

The African country will receive Israeli aid as part normalization agreement between the two states; 'We are looking forward to a warm peace with our new friends in Sudan,' Netanyahu says on Twitter

AFP , 10:23 , 10.26.20

After 24 hours with no update, Israel posts 559 new coronavirus cases

The Health Ministry failed to report the data recorded on Saturday due to a technical malfunction; contagion rate now stands at 3% after 27,323 tests had been conducted over the past two days

Ynet , 08:36 , 10.26.20

Senior defense officials warn against hiding sale of F-35 to Saudi Arabia

Following an interview with Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, defense officials are worried Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a deal that would see Qatar and Saudi Arabia receive advanced arms from the U.S.

Yoav Zitun , 23:04 , 10.25.20

Qatar might get F-35s despite Israel's objections, cabinet minister says

Steinitz is assured Qatar, who had submitted a formal request to buy the F-35, will get its hands on the stealth jet sooner or later despite Washington initially opposing such a sale

Ynet, Reuters , 21:52 , 10.25.20

'Welcome brothers!' Sudanese surfers embrace Israel ties

Head of Arabic-language social media at Foreign Ministry says department overwhelmed by 'flood of excited posts' from Sudan; commenters include one user who declared normalization is 'best decision' the country has ever made

Itamar Eichner , 21:07 , 10.25.20

Passengers packed into Israel's trains, despite coronavirus regulations

Cross-country train from Nahariya in north to Be'er Sheva in south was severely overcrowded, in violation of 50% of maximum occupancy rule; 'I went to the inspector and he just ignored me,' says one traveler

Asaf Zagrizak , 20:16 , 10.25.20

Sudan says it will discuss trade, migration deals with Israel

Khartoum's foreign ministry says Sudanese and Israeli delegations would meet in the coming weeks to negotiate deals for agriculture, aviation, trade and migration

Reuters, Ynet , 19:25 , 10.25.20

PM to ministers: Israel cannot afford capsule classes for lower grades

1st and 2nd grade students to attend school for just half of week after Netanyahu rules out NIS 6 billion cost of making classes smaller; Gamzu tells coronavirus cabinet that Israel should 'pounce' on local areas with growing morbidity

Moran Azulay, Adir Yanko , 17:58 , 10.25.20

Israel ships humanitarian aid to Azerbaijan amid Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Jerusalem supplies Baku with medical equipment as Azerbaijan and Armenia continue clashing in the contested territory, claiming more victims on both sides; Israeli envoy 'prays for a peaceful solution'

Itamar Eichner , 17:33 , 10.25.20

Israel's cabinet approves Bahrain normalization deal

Deal signed between Jerusalem and Manama to establish formal diplomatic ties still requires final ratification by the Knesset, with the date on the parliament hearing yet to be set

Associated Press , 15:28 , 10.25.20

IDF launches massive drill simulating war with Hezbollah

Army says the military exercise is the biggest of 2020 even though it had been significantly scaled back due to coronavirus pandemic; IDF says there will be increased presence of jets, army vehicles and troops across the country

i24NEWS , 15:16 , 10.25.20

Gamzu: People must get tested if they want lockdown lifted

Coronavirus czar tells Ynet health officials have 70,000 daily COVID tests at their disposal but use only 20,000 as the public is reluctant to get tested; professor adds he backs reopening of barbershops, beauty salons and alternative medicine next week

Attila Somfalvi , 11:41 , 10.25.20

Israeli-Arabs protest against France's Macron over cartoons

Dozens attend a rally in Jaffa after the French president defends the publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed, which resulted in a beheading of a schoolteacher in Paris; Gaza's Hamas and Islamic Jihad also slam Macron

AFP , 09:45 , 10.25.20

Sudan's asylum seekers in Israel say they'll go back if 'peace is real'

While many express hope over prospect of returning to a more peaceful and democratic home, others worry that many military officers, suspected of taking part in the deadly Darfour conflict that forced them to flee, are now in power

Hadar Gil-Ad, Itamar Eichner , 09:19 , 10.25.20

Deal to normalize ties with Israel stirs opposition in Sudan

Among the most vocal opponents is the National Consensus Forces Alliance, a leftist coalition that opposes the current government; another opposition leader threatened to pull support of his Umma Party from government over the deal

Reuters , 08:29 , 10.25.20

There goes the sun: Daylight Saving Time ending in Israel

Clocks go back one hour at 2am, giving Israelis more time to sleep; summer clock returns on March 26, just in time for Passover; plan to extend DST due to discourage nighttime gatherings during pandemic was scrapped

Ynet , 18:32 , 10.24.20

Iran says U.S.-brokered Sudan-Israel deal secured by 'ransom'

Islamic Republic's FM tweets that Sudan opted to 'close eyes to the crimes against Palestinians'; meanwhile, small-scale protests against the deal take place in Khartoum, with demonstrators burning Israeli flags

Reuters, Ynet , 13:48 , 10.24.20

Arab states welcome Israel-Sudan deal as Palestinians again cry foul

While both UAE and Egypt said they value any effort to secure regional peace and stability, both Ramallah and Gaza issue statements slamming the deal, which they claim benefits 'only Netanyahu'

AFP, Reuters , 09:50 , 10.24.20

Trump: Israel, Sudan strike historic agreement on normalization of ties

After decades of hostility, Israel, Sudan and the U.S. release a joint statement on the establishment of formal ties between Jerusalem and Khartoum, following recent agreements with the UAE and Bahrain

Daniel Salami, News agencies , 19:28 , 10.23.20