Europe

Greece to welcome Germans, Cypriots, Israelis in first wave of visitors

Nia N May 27, 2020

ATHENS (Europe) – Greece will allow travellers from around two dozen countries including Germany, Cyprus and Israel to visit from mid-June without having to be quarantined, government officials said, part of a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Tourism accounts for about

Middle East

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu on trial for corruption

Jim Stein May 24, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – The corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu opens on Sunday in a Jerusalem court, where he will become the first serving Israeli prime minister to face criminal prosecution, in a case he calls a political witch-hunt. Netanyahu is required to appear for the session in Jerusalem District Court, a week after he […]

Middle East

New Israel unity government presented by Netanyahu to legislature

Jim Stein May 17, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his new unity government to parliament on Sunday, ending more than a year of political deadlock as he prepares to go on trial in a week for alleged corruption. His power-sharing agreement with former election rival, centrist Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, opens the […]

Middle East

China’s ambassador to Israel found dead at his home in Tel Aviv

Nia N May 17, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – China’s ambassador to Israel Du Wei was found dead in his Tel Aviv home in the suburbs on Sunday. The cause of death of 57-year-old Du Wei was not mentioned. He was made the ambassador of Israel in February. “As part of the regular procedure, police units are at the scene,” […]

Middle East

The diamond industry of Israel deserted due to coronavirus

Jim Stein May 15, 2020

TEL AVIV (Middle East) – Israel’s economy is slowly returning to normal with the gradual easing of its lockdown, but the once vibrant diamond exchange floor in Tel Aviv remains shut and the diamond district, one of the world’s main trade and polishing centres, is still deserted. Before the new coronavirus reached Israel, the trading […]

USA

Pompeo praises Israel on coronavirus cooperation, took another swipe at China

Jim Stein May 13, 2020

JERUSALEM (U.S) – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Israel on Wednesday for sharing information during global efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and took another swipe at China over what he said was its lack of transparency. U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior officials have engaged in a war of words with […]

Middle East

Israel discussing Sinai peacekeeper cutback plan with U.S.

Nia N May 8, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Israel said on Friday it would discuss with its closest ally the United States a newspaper report that the U.S.-led peacekeeping force in the Egyptian Sinai may be scaled back, calling its nearly four-decade-old presence “important”. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is pushing to pull out some American troops from […]

Middle East

Israel’s Supreme Court clears Netanyahu to form government

Nia N May 7, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel’s top court said on Wednesday, paving the way for the veteran leader to remain in power. In its ruling against opposition petitioners, the Supreme Court also found that Netanyahu’s unity government

Middle East

Thousands of new homes planned for West Bank settlement in Israel

Nia N May 7, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Israel announced a plan for thousands of new Jewish settlement homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday as Washington voiced readiness to back de facto Israeli annexations there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is trying to clinch a deal to form a coalition government, wants to start cabinet discussions on […]

Middle East

Israel agrees on deal to lease drones to Greece for border defence

Nia N May 7, 2020

TEL AVIV (Middle East) – Israel said it will lease drones to Greece to defend its borders, in the first military deal between the two countries which includes an option to buy the system. The Israeli Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that the agreement with the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence was signed digitally due […]