Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-new-homes-for-settlers-palestinians-in-west-bank-239923">Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank</a> on Thursday. The body was found near&nbsp;discovered at the Jewish settlement&nbsp;Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening.

Around 2,000 people attended 19-year-old Dvir Sorek's funeral,&nbsp;held in the Ofra settlement where the soldier's family resides.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to Migdal Oz, called the incident terrorist attack and vowed that security forces would quickly find "those who perpetrated this heinous murder".

On Wednesday, Sorek's body was found near the settlement where he had been studying at a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. The body was found in civilian clothes and unarmed.

News agency Reuters reported Israeli military saying that he had been stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant.

The soldier, who the military said was in civilian clothes and unarmed was a student in a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces.

Watch: Israel announces new homes in West Bank

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An Israeli military statement said the body was discovered near the settlement of Migdal Oz, north of the city of Hebron, and that the 19-year-old had been killed in a Palestinian attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Local reports say that authorities were looking into whether the soldier was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt.

The area of Hebron and surrounding Israeli settlements where the soldier's body was found have often been a flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. The body was found near discovered at the Jewish settlement Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening.

Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. The body was found near discovered at the Jewish settlement Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening. Around 2,000 people attended 19-year-old Dvir Sorek's funeral, held in the Ofra settlement where the soldier's family resides. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to Migdal Oz, called the incident terrorist attack and vowed that security forces would quickly find "those who perpetrated this heinous murder". On Wednesday, Sorek's body was found near the settlement where he had been studying at a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. The body was found in civilian clothes and unarmed. News agency Reuters reported Israeli military saying that he had been stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant. The soldier, who the military said was in civilian clothes and unarmed was a student in a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. Watch: Israel announces new homes in West Bank × An Israeli military statement said the body was discovered near the settlement of Migdal Oz, north of the city of Hebron, and that the 19-year-old had been killed in a Palestinian attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Local reports say that authorities were looking into whether the soldier was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt. The area of Hebron and surrounding Israeli settlements where the soldier's body was found have often been a flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands mourn Israeli teen soldier stabbed in West Bank as PM Netanyahu vows to find killers

The United States is acting alone against Tehran and its allies are too "ashamed" to join its forces in the Gulf, Iran's top diplomat said Monday, dismissing its calls for talks as a sham.

The United States is acting alone against Tehran and its allies are too "ashamed" to join its forces in the Gulf, Iran's top diplomat said Monday, dismissing its calls for talks as a sham. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also confirmed he turned down an offer to meet President Donald Trump last month despite the threat of US sanctions against him. "Today the United States in alone in the world and cannot create a coalition. Countries that are its friends are too ashamed of being in a coalition with them," Zarif told a news conference in Tehran. "They brought this situation upon themselves, with lawbreaking, by creating tensions and crises." Tehran and Washington have been locked in a battle of nerves since May 2018 when Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark 2015 deal placing limits on Iran's nuclear programme and began reimposing sanctions. Tensions have soared since the Trump administration began stepping up a US campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran, with drones downed and tankers mysteriously attacked in Gulf waters. At the height of the crisis, Trump called off airstrikes against Iran at the last minute in June after the Islamic republic's forces shot down a US drone. Iran said on Sunday its forces seized a "foreign" tanker carrying smuggled fuel in what would be the third such seizure in less than a month in Gulf waters - a conduit for much of the world's crude oil. On July 18, the Guards said they had detained the Panama-flagged MT Riah for alleged fuel smuggling. A day later, they announced they had impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking "international maritime rules". In response to such incidents, the United States has been seeking to form a coalition whose mission - dubbed Operation Sentinel - it says is to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Gulf. However, it has been struggling to build such a coalition, with European countries reticent and believed to be concerned about being dragged into a possible conflict. Arsonist cannot be fireman "An arsonist cannot be a fireman," said Zarif, adding that since the Americans had come to the Gulf there was nothing but "violence, war and slaughter". Asked about reports he had been invited to meet Trump in the White House, Zarif said he had turned it down despite the threat of sanctions against him. "I was told in New York I would be sanctioned in two weeks unless I accepted that offer, which fortunately I did not," Iran's top diplomat said. The New Yorker magazine reported on Friday that Senator Rand Paul met Zarif in the US on July 15 and had Trump's blessing when he extended an invitation to the Iranian minister to go to the White House. The United States imposed sanctions against Zarif on Wednesday, targeting any assets he has in America and squeezing his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat. The designation of Zarif under the same sanctions already applied to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the latest in a series of US moves against Iran. Zarif dismissed as disingenuous US "claims" that it wants to engage in dialogue with Iran. "They were the ones who left the table, sanctioned the foreign minister of Iran, sanctioned the highest authority of the Islamic republic. Who do they want to negotiate with?" he said. "The US only wants to impose its will on the Islamic republic. "They should not expect us to negotiate as long as they engage in economic terrorism." But Zarif did not rule out talks in the future. "In my view negotiations and diplomacy will never end. Negotiation has always been and will always be on my agenda. Even in times of war negotiations will exist." Zarif said he did not believe Trump would go to war with Iran unless hawks around him like his national security adviser John Bolton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had their way. "I believe Mr Trump does not seek war. But Mr Bolton and Netanyahu have always sought war," he said. "They're willing to fight their wars till the last American soldier."

Iran says US acting alone as allies 'ashamed'

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-bond-is-strong-and-eternal-pm-modis-friendships-day-message-to-israel-240591">PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day</a> wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations.&nbsp;

Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians".

"We cooperate in so many areas," read Netanyahu's tweet wherein he expressed hope that the ties between India and Israel "will only strengthen in the future!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship&nbsp;Day.&nbsp;

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Thank you, my friend, Indian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>. I could not agree with you more. The deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians. We cooperate in so many areas. I know our ties will only strengthen in the future! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/uXwFsQXoPB">pic.twitter.com/uXwFsQXoPB</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1158009772127510529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"May our ever-strengthening friendship &amp; #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". 
The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship.&nbsp;

The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal"&nbsp;friendship.&nbsp;

"Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!"&nbsp; 
"May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations. Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians".

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations. Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians". "We cooperate in so many areas," read Netanyahu's tweet wherein he expressed hope that the ties between India and Israel "will only strengthen in the future!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. Thank you, my friend, Indian PM @narendramodi. I could not agree with you more. The deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians. We cooperate in so many areas. I know our ties will only strengthen in the future! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/uXwFsQXoPB — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) August 4, 2019 × "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship. The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background. The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal" friendship. "Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!" "May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"

On Friendship Day, Netanyahu thanks PM Modi; says 'I know our ties will only strengthen'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-features-in-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahus-election-campaign-239056">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship&nbsp;Day.&nbsp;

"May our ever-strengthening friendship &amp; #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....".

The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship.&nbsp;

The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal"&nbsp;friendship.&nbsp;

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Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FriendshipDay2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FriendshipDay2019</a> India! 
 
May our ever strengthening friendship &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/growingpartnership?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#growingpartnership</a> touch greater heights. 
🔊🎧🎶 ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे..... 🇮🇱❤🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/BQDv8QnFVj">pic.twitter.com/BQDv8QnFVj</a>
— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelinIndia/status/1157853112251498498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!"&nbsp;

"May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently featured&nbsp;in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, in a campaign video, featured clips of PM Modi with Netanyahu. The clips were from PM Modi's trip to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.&nbsp;

The two other leaders in the video included Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The headquarters of Likud party bore a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides were the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin.&nbsp;

This was, perhaps, for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures had been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship. The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background. The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal" friendship. Happy #FriendshipDay2019 India! May our ever strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights. 🔊🎧🎶 ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे..... 🇮🇱❤🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/BQDv8QnFVj — Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) August 4, 2019 × "Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!" "May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, in a campaign video, featured clips of PM Modi with Netanyahu. The clips were from PM Modi's trip to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. The two other leaders in the video included Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The headquarters of Likud party bore a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides were the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin. This was, perhaps, for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures had been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.

'Our bond is strong and eternal,' PM Modi's Friendship Day message to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users.

Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised".

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Way to go <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@palkisu</a>! 
Making an impact with news from India's perspective! 
Just what one would hope for watching the western propaganda machinery in the 90s!
— DeeBee (@tweetofdb) <a href="https://twitter.com/tweetofdb/status/1156194052145995776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Wow. What a moment for <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> Congratulations 😊
— Kedar Kulkarni (@kedardk) <a href="https://twitter.com/kedardk/status/1156153330554421250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Omg! What a big moment for wion! Finally the hardwork, is being recognised by world leaders! Kudos. 😊
— अभियंता आरूँध चौहान (@AarundhChauhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/AarundhChauhan/status/1156156008504315904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Always a pleasure to watch you 🙏
— Rajkishore Dutta (@RajkishoreDutt1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkishoreDutt1/status/1156260245246599168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Netanyahu on Tuesday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-in-israel-election-campaign-benjamin-netanyahu-tweets-wion-video-239468">tweeted WION's video</a> on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign.

"The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew.

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התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/sNQCGUIni2">pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1156140229033680896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections.

With its focus on global news, WION has presented unbiased coverage of the biggest news stories world over. the channel has been instrumental in giving its users the coverage on Israeli elections. The viewers have appreciated WION's focus and the way it presents news.

WION is available in nearly 30 countries.

Watch the full video

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-star-campaigner-in-israel-too-modi-in-netanyahus-campaign-239316/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy."

Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users. Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users. Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised". Way to go @WIONews @palkisu! Making an impact with news from India's perspective! Just what one would hope for watching the western propaganda machinery in the 90s! — DeeBee (@tweetofdb) July 30, 2019 × Wow. What a moment for @WIONews Congratulations 😊 — Kedar Kulkarni (@kedardk) July 30, 2019 × Omg! What a big moment for wion! Finally the hardwork, is being recognised by world leaders! Kudos. 😊 — अभियंता आरूँध चौहान (@AarundhChauhan) July 30, 2019 × Always a pleasure to watch you 🙏 — Rajkishore Dutta (@RajkishoreDutt1) July 30, 2019 × Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. "The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew. התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2 — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 30, 2019 × Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. With its focus on global news, WION has presented unbiased coverage of the biggest news stories world over. the channel has been instrumental in giving its users the coverage on Israeli elections. The viewers have appreciated WION's focus and the way it presents news. WION is available in nearly 30 countries. Watch the full video Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Benjamin Netanyahu tweets a WION story, twitterati cheers

Benjamin Netanyahu Opts For Modi Magic That India's PM Modi can change electoral fortunes is well known at home. But it looks like 'Modi Magic' goes beyond India too. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has opted for Modi's magic too as the Indian PM's image seems to be an integral part of Netanyahu's campaign

Gravitas: Star campaigner in Israel too: Modi in Netanyahu's campaign

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Tweets WION's Report. Watch video to know more.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Tweets WION's Report

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. 
&nbsp; 
"The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew.

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התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/sNQCGUIni2">pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1156140229033680896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. 
&nbsp; 
PM Modi has been featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's Likud party has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.

Watch: Star campaigner in Israel too - Modi in Netanyahu's campaign

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The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. The beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. 
&nbsp; 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." 
&nbsp; 
Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. "The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew. התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2 — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 30, 2019 × Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. PM Modi has been featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's Likud party has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. Watch: Star campaigner in Israel too - Modi in Netanyahu's campaign The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. The beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

PM Modi in Israel election campaign: Benjamin Netanyahu tweets WION video

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mann-ki-baat-chandrayaan-2-is-indian-in-heart-and-spirit-says-pm-modi-238958">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> has been featured in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-blasts-european-union-for-trying-to-save-iran-nuclear-deal-236278">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>'s election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.&nbsp;

The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. Remember, the beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. &nbsp;

The two other leaders in the video include Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Israeli Election campaign! Benjamin Netanyahu's <a href="https://twitter.com/Likud_Party?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Likud_Party</a> party shows pictures of PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> along with <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netanyahu</a> in the election campaign video. <a href="https://t.co/yqRpDP36BC">pic.twitter.com/yqRpDP36BC</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1155491801496576001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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It is also interesting to note, the headquarters of Likud party has a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides are the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin.&nbsp;

This is perhaps for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures have been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.&nbsp;

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Full Video of Likud party on Election campaign: Along with PM Modi, Other 2 foreign leaders in the campaign include Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time Indian PMs pictures being used in a foreign election campaign. <a href="https://t.co/yjZmqrmgSu">pic.twitter.com/yjZmqrmgSu</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1155492940258537472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Isreal will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections that were conducted in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy."&nbsp;

Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been featured in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been featured in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. Remember, the beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. The two other leaders in the video include Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. PM Modi in Israeli Election campaign! Benjamin Netanyahu's @Likud_Party party shows pictures of PM @narendramodi along with @netanyahu in the election campaign video. pic.twitter.com/yqRpDP36BC — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2019 × It is also interesting to note, the headquarters of Likud party has a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides are the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures have been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia. Full Video of Likud party on Election campaign: Along with PM Modi, Other 2 foreign leaders in the campaign include Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time Indian PMs pictures being used in a foreign election campaign. pic.twitter.com/yjZmqrmgSu — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2019 × Isreal will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections that were conducted in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

PM Modi features in Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-fires-missiles-into-south-syria-state-media-238080">ballistic missile interceptor</a> that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran.

The tests of the Arrow-3 system were carried out in the US state of Alaska and it successfully intercepted targets above the atmosphere, Israel's defence ministry said in a statement.

"The flight tests were conducted in Alaska in order to test capabilities that may not be tested in Israel," the statement said.

Netanyahu said, "today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else".

"This is a great achievement for the security of Israel," he added.

US ambassador to Israel David Friedman joined Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday to watch video footage of the tests.

In January, Israel said it also carried out a successful test with the United States of the Arrow-3 in Israel.

A series of tests were also conducted before the missiles being deployed in 2017 to Israeli airbases.

Officials said that the one deployed was an older version and the upgraded system will provide more advanced protection.

The Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.

Arrow-3 is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude missile interception system.

Systems for intercepting incoming missiles at lower altitudes also exist.

Since 2015, Israel's main enemy Iran has continued developing and testing ballistic missiles which it says are for defensive purposes only.

Israel has the most powerful military in the Middle East and is widely considered to be its sole nuclear-armed power, though it has never acknowledged the capability.

The tests come with tensions high between the United States and Iran.

Those tensions followed Washington's sanctions against Tehran after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a ballistic missile interceptor that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran.

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a ballistic missile interceptor that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran. The tests of the Arrow-3 system were carried out in the US state of Alaska and it successfully intercepted targets above the atmosphere, Israel's defence ministry said in a statement. "The flight tests were conducted in Alaska in order to test capabilities that may not be tested in Israel," the statement said. Netanyahu said, "today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else". "This is a great achievement for the security of Israel," he added. US ambassador to Israel David Friedman joined Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday to watch video footage of the tests. In January, Israel said it also carried out a successful test with the United States of the Arrow-3 in Israel. A series of tests were also conducted before the missiles being deployed in 2017 to Israeli airbases. Officials said that the one deployed was an older version and the upgraded system will provide more advanced protection. The Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing. Arrow-3 is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude missile interception system. Systems for intercepting incoming missiles at lower altitudes also exist. Since 2015, Israel's main enemy Iran has continued developing and testing ballistic missiles which it says are for defensive purposes only. Israel has the most powerful military in the Middle East and is widely considered to be its sole nuclear-armed power, though it has never acknowledged the capability. The tests come with tensions high between the United States and Iran. Those tensions followed Washington's sanctions against Tehran after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

Israel, US test ballistic missile interceptor that'll protect against threats from Iran

An <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-dead-21-injured-in-israeli-missile-strikes-syria-231935">Israeli missile attack</a> targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said.&nbsp;

The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel.

"The Israeli enemy launched aggression after midnight against the Tall al-Hara area," the SANA news agency said Wednesday, adding that there were reports of damage to property.&nbsp;

The attacks were earlier described as "probably Israeli" by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who said they targeted Tall al-Hara in Daraa province, south of Damascus, and two areas in the neighbouring province of Quneitrathe.

"The regime's anti-aircraft defence has been activated to counter the attack," director of the Observatory Rami Abdel Rahmane said.

"Some missiles have been shot down, others have hit their target."

The Observatory reported "loss of life" without giving further details.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, targeting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's allies Iran and Hezbollah.

The Syrian conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and drawn in world powers since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Israeli strikes have previously targeted Tall al-Hara where Hezbollah has installed a radar system and the Syrian regime has erected anti-aircraft batteries, according to the Observatory.&nbsp;

At the end of June, six civilians and nine pro-government fighters were killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus and in the central province of Homs, it added.

Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime.

The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah out of self-defence.

The strikes came after Hezbollah's leader said earlier this month that the group's rockets could reach key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv.

Hassan Nasrallah also said that Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force" but "will not start a war".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> countered that his country would deliver a "crushing military blow" on the both Hezbollah and Lebanon if it were to attack.&nbsp;

An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said. The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel.

An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said. The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel. "The Israeli enemy launched aggression after midnight against the Tall al-Hara area," the SANA news agency said Wednesday, adding that there were reports of damage to property. The attacks were earlier described as "probably Israeli" by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who said they targeted Tall al-Hara in Daraa province, south of Damascus, and two areas in the neighbouring province of Quneitrathe. "The regime's anti-aircraft defence has been activated to counter the attack," director of the Observatory Rami Abdel Rahmane said. "Some missiles have been shot down, others have hit their target." The Observatory reported "loss of life" without giving further details. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, targeting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's allies Iran and Hezbollah. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and drawn in world powers since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Israeli strikes have previously targeted Tall al-Hara where Hezbollah has installed a radar system and the Syrian regime has erected anti-aircraft batteries, according to the Observatory. At the end of June, six civilians and nine pro-government fighters were killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus and in the central province of Homs, it added. Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime. The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah out of self-defence. The strikes came after Hezbollah's leader said earlier this month that the group's rockets could reach key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv. Hassan Nasrallah also said that Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force" but "will not start a war". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered that his country would deliver a "crushing military blow" on the both Hezbollah and Lebanon if it were to attack.

Israel fires missiles into south Syria: Report

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kushner-holds-open-door-to-wary-palestinians-in-bahrain-peace-push-230685">Palestinians</a> who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state.

The Saudi visitor, named by Israeli public radio as Mohammed Saud, was one of six invitees from Arab states brought to Israel by its foreign ministry to give them fresh viewpoints on the country.

Such visits have been held before, but Iraq and Saudi Arabia were taking part for the first time, the foreign ministry said.

Delegates were expected to meet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Tuesday, an official said.

Video posted online showed mainly young Palestinians spitting, cursing and throwing plastic chairs at Saud as he walked on Monday through the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The spitting and abuse continued as he toured the Al-Aqsa mosque complex.

"Go and pray with the Jews, go and pray in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). What are you doing here?" one man shouted.

Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Netanyahu, described Saud as a "peace activist".

"When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him &amp; spat on him, thus defiling this holy place," Gendelman wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

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A Saudi peace activist is currently visiting Israel. When he came to pray at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlAqsaMosque?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlAqsaMosque</a>, Palestinian thugs attacked him &amp; spat on him, thus defiling this holy place. 
 
The Palestinians don't want peace, but Israel's relations w/ the Arab world are getting warmer regardless. <a href="https://t.co/GCcjWi1h7g">pic.twitter.com/GCcjWi1h7g</a>
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"It was barbaric, impudent," a foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Kabia, told AFP.

He would not identify the visitors but described them as "social activists, bloggers and media people."

Jerusalem and its holy sites are the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is the third-holiest site in Islam.

Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, revered as the location of the two biblical-era temples, and consider it their holiest place.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

The visit comes as Israel seeks to improve ties with Gulf Arab countries, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations.

Those states have held off offering Israel formal recognition due to its continuing occupation of Palestinian territory, but their relations have warmed of late, largely due to common concerns over Iran.

The journalists were to visit Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, parliament and holy sites, among others, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said it had "the aim of exposing the journalists some of whom come from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to Israeli positions on diplomatic and geopolitical issues".

Jordan is also participating, the ministry said.

It is one of only two Arab countries, along with Egypt, that has diplomatic relations with Israel.

On Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington last week.

Katz also recently visited Abu Dhabi for a UN climate conference, where he met United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and an unnamed "high ranking UAE official".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of Palestinians who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state.

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of Palestinians who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state. The Saudi visitor, named by Israeli public radio as Mohammed Saud, was one of six invitees from Arab states brought to Israel by its foreign ministry to give them fresh viewpoints on the country. Such visits have been held before, but Iraq and Saudi Arabia were taking part for the first time, the foreign ministry said. Delegates were expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, an official said. Video posted online showed mainly young Palestinians spitting, cursing and throwing plastic chairs at Saud as he walked on Monday through the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. The spitting and abuse continued as he toured the Al-Aqsa mosque complex. "Go and pray with the Jews, go and pray in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). What are you doing here?" one man shouted. Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Netanyahu, described Saud as a "peace activist". "When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him & spat on him, thus defiling this holy place," Gendelman wrote on Twitter Tuesday. A Saudi peace activist is currently visiting Israel. When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him & spat on him, thus defiling this holy place. The Palestinians don't want peace, but Israel's relations w/ the Arab world are getting warmer regardless. pic.twitter.com/GCcjWi1h7g — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) July 23, 2019 × "It was barbaric, impudent," a foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Kabia, told AFP. He would not identify the visitors but described them as "social activists, bloggers and media people." Jerusalem and its holy sites are the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, revered as the location of the two biblical-era temples, and consider it their holiest place. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. The visit comes as Israel seeks to improve ties with Gulf Arab countries, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations. Those states have held off offering Israel formal recognition due to its continuing occupation of Palestinian territory, but their relations have warmed of late, largely due to common concerns over Iran. The journalists were to visit Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, parliament and holy sites, among others, the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said it had "the aim of exposing the journalists some of whom come from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to Israeli positions on diplomatic and geopolitical issues". Jordan is also participating, the ministry said. It is one of only two Arab countries, along with Egypt, that has diplomatic relations with Israel. On Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington last week. Katz also recently visited Abu Dhabi for a UN climate conference, where he met United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and an unnamed "high ranking UAE official".

Israel condemns Palestinian attacks on Saudi blogger at Al-Aqsa mosque

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern.

Dozens of Israeli police and military sealed off at least four buildings in the Sur Baher area close to the Israeli security barrier cutting off the occupied West Bank early Monday, the journalist said.

An earthmover later started demolishing a partially-built two-storey building.

Reporters were prevented from reaching the area while residents and activists were dragged out of the homes.

One man yelled "I want to die here", after being forced out.

The buildings are close to Israel's separation barrier which cuts off the occupied West Bank and the Jewish state says they were built too close to the wall.

Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linking them.

They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments.

Ismail Abadiyeh, who lives in one of the buildings under threat with his family, said they would be left homeless. &nbsp;

"We will be on the street," he told AFP.

The Israeli army and police did not immediately comment.

On June 18, residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes, many of which are still under construction.

According to the UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA, the ruling affects 10 buildings already built or under construction, including around 70 apartments.

The demolitions would see 17 people displaced and another 350 affected, according to the United Nations.

European Union diplomats recently toured the area and the United Nations has called on Israel to abandon the demolition plan.

Residents fear another 100 buildings in the area in a similar situation could be at risk in the near future.

It is extremely difficult for Palestinians to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities in areas under their control, and Palestinians and rights activists say a housing shortage has resulted.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel began construction of the barrier during the bloody second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s and says it is necessary to protect against attacks.

Palestinians see it as an "apartheid wall".

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern.

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern. Dozens of Israeli police and military sealed off at least four buildings in the Sur Baher area close to the Israeli security barrier cutting off the occupied West Bank early Monday, the journalist said. An earthmover later started demolishing a partially-built two-storey building. Reporters were prevented from reaching the area while residents and activists were dragged out of the homes. One man yelled "I want to die here", after being forced out. The buildings are close to Israel's separation barrier which cuts off the occupied West Bank and the Jewish state says they were built too close to the wall. Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linking them. They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments. Ismail Abadiyeh, who lives in one of the buildings under threat with his family, said they would be left homeless. "We will be on the street," he told AFP. The Israeli army and police did not immediately comment. On June 18, residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes, many of which are still under construction. According to the UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA, the ruling affects 10 buildings already built or under construction, including around 70 apartments. The demolitions would see 17 people displaced and another 350 affected, according to the United Nations. European Union diplomats recently toured the area and the United Nations has called on Israel to abandon the demolition plan. Residents fear another 100 buildings in the area in a similar situation could be at risk in the near future. It is extremely difficult for Palestinians to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities in areas under their control, and Palestinians and rights activists say a housing shortage has resulted. Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel began construction of the barrier during the bloody second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s and says it is necessary to protect against attacks. Palestinians see it as an "apartheid wall".

Israel demolishes Palestinian homes in Jerusalem area: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until <a href="Iranian missiles ">Iranian missiles </a>"land on European soil".

"It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account.

His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal.

But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance".

The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic.

Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work.

Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe.

Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil". "It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account. His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal. But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance". The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic. Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work. Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe. Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasts European Union for trying to save Iran nuclear deal

European Foreign ministers meet to salvage Iran deal.

Europe leaders meet to save Iran Deal

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers.

Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said,&nbsp;"I think you can, I think you can."&nbsp;

"I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said.

He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay.

Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks.

But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded.

"The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement.

He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation."

Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people.

In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections.

"We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said.

"They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting.

Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked. The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers. Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said, "I think you can, I think you can." "I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said. He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay. Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks. But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded. "The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement. He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation." Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people. In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections. "We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said. "They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank. Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting. Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Calls to sack Israel education minister, Rafi Peretz over gay therapy comments

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-warns-iran-able-to-bombard-israel-if-war-started-235425">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-hunti-for-hezbollah-cross-border-tunnels-over-190046">Tehran-backed Hezbollah</a> that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv.

"Over the weekend we heard (Hassan) Nasrallah's boasting about his attack plans," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Let me be clear if Hezbollah dares to make the mistake of attacking Israel, we will lay upon it and on Lebanon a crushing military blow."

In a Friday interview broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, Nasrallah warned that key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv, were "within range of our rockets".

The head of the Lebanese Shiite movement also said that Israel's arch-foe Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force," but "will not start a war".

Last week, Netanyahu said that "Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel" and warned that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran."

Hezbollah is considered to be a terrorist organisation by the United States and is the only faction not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

But it is also a major political player in the small Mediterranean country, taking 13 seats in parliament last year and securing three posts in the current cabinet.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran from entrenching itself militarily there.

The Jewish state recently uncovered and destroyed six tunnels passing under the border from Lebanon into Israel.

It alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels for attacks in Israel.

Nasrallah's interview was to mark the anniversary of the start of his movement's 2006 war with Israel, which killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv. "Over the weekend we heard (Hassan) Nasrallah's boasting about his attack plans," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "Let me be clear if Hezbollah dares to make the mistake of attacking Israel, we will lay upon it and on Lebanon a crushing military blow." In a Friday interview broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, Nasrallah warned that key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv, were "within range of our rockets". The head of the Lebanese Shiite movement also said that Israel's arch-foe Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force," but "will not start a war". Last week, Netanyahu said that "Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel" and warned that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran." Hezbollah is considered to be a terrorist organisation by the United States and is the only faction not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. But it is also a major political player in the small Mediterranean country, taking 13 seats in parliament last year and securing three posts in the current cabinet. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran from entrenching itself militarily there. The Jewish state recently uncovered and destroyed six tunnels passing under the border from Lebanon into Israel. It alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels for attacks in Israel. Nasrallah's interview was to mark the anniversary of the start of his movement's 2006 war with Israel, which killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns of 'crushing' retaliation after Hezbollah chief's remarks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">Iran</a>," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him.

"Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

"It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria."

Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks.

They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran.

On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-uranium-enrichment-passes-45-exceeding-deal-cap-234015">exceed the uranium enrichment cap</a> set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step".

He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response.

On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal.

Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did.

Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran.

Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets.

It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there.

In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe. While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him. "Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel. "It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria." Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks. They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran. On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would exceed the uranium enrichment cap set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step". He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response. On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal. Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did. Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran. Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there. In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Israel's jets 'can reach' Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran on Tuesday that it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing what he described as Iranian threats to destroy Israel.

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit, Uranium limit to surpass 3.6%.

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP.

"This measure is a very dangerous step, and I call on my friends, leaders of France, Britain, Germany: You signed the deal and said the moment they'd take this measure, harsh sanctions would be imposed,"&nbsp;Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the start of a cabinet meeting.

Iran said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press signatories into keeping their side of the bargain.

The Islamic republic also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with parties to Obama era agreement.

Netanyahu repeatedly expressed opposition to the deal and urged US President Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did.

Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran.

(With AFP inputs)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP. "This measure is a very dangerous step, and I call on my friends, leaders of France, Britain, Germany: You signed the deal and said the moment they'd take this measure, harsh sanctions would be imposed," Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the start of a cabinet meeting. Iran said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press signatories into keeping their side of the bargain. The Islamic republic also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with parties to Obama era agreement. Netanyahu repeatedly expressed opposition to the deal and urged US President Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did. Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran. (With AFP inputs)

Netanyahu calls Iran plan to breach uranium cap 'dangerous step'

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chief-antonio-guterres-urges-iran-to-stick-to-nuclear-deal-after-breaching-cap-232148">Tehran said it exceeded a limit</a> on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse.

Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067">UN said Iran must stick </a>to its commitments under the accord.

"Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA.

But he also said the move could be reversed.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-iran-exceeds-uranium-limit-in-2015-deal-232096/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran.

The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions.

Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles.

It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil.

The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime.

"It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

- 'One mustn't dramatize' -&nbsp; 
Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal.

He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany.

Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security."

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU).&nbsp;

A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US.

"One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies.

Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal.

- 'Europe's efforts not enough' - 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran.

Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said.

The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed.

But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said.

INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added.

The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions.

Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon.

The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington. Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse. Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the UN said Iran must stick to its commitments under the accord. "Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA. But he also said the move could be reversed. "They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran. The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions. Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles. It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil. The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime. "It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. - 'One mustn't dramatize' - Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal. He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany. Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security." The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU). A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US. "One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies. Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal. UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal. - 'Europe's efforts not enough' - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said. The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed. But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said. INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added. The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions. Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon. The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

Iran playing with fire on nuclear deal: Trump

U.S had proposed aid to Palestine in Baharain Conference. Palestine releases a man who attended U.S-Led conference. Palestine said to U.S that they want statehood not money. Watch this video to know more.

Benjamin Netanyahu Slams Palestine

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Benjamin Netanyahu Slams Palestine

Benjamin Netanyahu Slams Palestine