Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the&nbsp;remains&nbsp;of a&nbsp;5,000-year-old&nbsp;city&nbsp;they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

"We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre.

He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age.

The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation.

"It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad.

A ritual temple was found within the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said.

It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings.

The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery.

Paz said the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time.

Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery.

Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad.

Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! 
 
The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. <a href="https://t.co/A8bETYbHDd">pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd</a>
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ofirgendelman/status/1180804664943661057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon.

"Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between&nbsp;5,000 and 6,000.

He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons.

The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of&nbsp;5,000 teenagers and volunteers.

The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery. "We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the Israel Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre. He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age. The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation. "It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad. A ritual temple was found within the ancient city along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said. It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings. The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery. Paz said the ancient city was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time. Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery. Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad. Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said. An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) October 6, 2019 × Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon. "Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between 5,000 and 6,000. He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons. The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of 5,000 teenagers and volunteers. The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israel unveils remains of 5,000-year-old city

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city.

The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space.

Chevra Kadisha, the main group overseeing Jewish burials in&nbsp;Israel, has invested some&nbsp;$86 million&nbsp;in the modern twist on an ancient burial practice that it hopes will ease the pressure on the city's cemeteries.

Dozens of graveyards in&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have already closed their gates to new burials. Non-Jews, who make up a minority in&nbsp;Israel, are buried in separate cemeteries.

The first 8,000 graves will be ready to use at the end of the month.

"According to our plan, after we finish the first part of 23,000 graves, probably we will have enough space to continue digging underground," Chananya Shachor, director of a local chapter of Chevra Kadisha, said on Sunday as the media got a first glimpse of the work.

"We will continue if people will accept this new method of burying", Shachor added.

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city. The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space.

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city. The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space. Chevra Kadisha, the main group overseeing Jewish burials in Israel, has invested some $86 million in the modern twist on an ancient burial practice that it hopes will ease the pressure on the city's cemeteries. Dozens of graveyards in Israel have already closed their gates to new burials. Non-Jews, who make up a minority in Israel, are buried in separate cemeteries. The first 8,000 graves will be ready to use at the end of the month. "According to our plan, after we finish the first part of 23,000 graves, probably we will have enough space to continue digging underground," Chananya Shachor, director of a local chapter of Chevra Kadisha, said on Sunday as the media got a first glimpse of the work. "We will continue if people will accept this new method of burying", Shachor added.

Underground necropolis to ease Jerusalem's grave shortage

Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-to-meet-centrist-rival-in-last-ditch-bid-to-form-unity-government-252696">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end.

The hearing comes as deadlocked results from a September 17 general election leave Netanyahu plotting how to survive politically and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

To do so, he will have to navigate the twin challenges of a potential corruption indictment against him in the weeks ahead and election results that give neither him nor his challenger Benny Gantz a clear path to a majority coalition.

Both will collide Wednesday when Israel's attorney general convenes a pre-indictment hearing for Netanyahu after having said he intends to charge him with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Only Netanyahu's lawyers and not the premier himself are expected to attend the closed-door hearing, which gives him a final chance to convince Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit he should not be indicted.

The hearing is to last four days, covering three separate cases in which Netanyahu is accused of acting on behalf of wealthy supporters and businessmen in exchange for gifts or favourable news coverage.

Netanyahu, who denies all the allegations, asked that the hearing be broadcast live because he has "nothing to hide."

Mandelblit dismissed the request in no uncertain terms, saying the hearing was intended to convince the legal authorities, not the public.

Following the hearing, the attorney general's deliberations on whether to issue the indictments are expected to continue for weeks.

'Last effort'

While the hearing is underway, Netanyahu may be preparing to inform President Reuven Rivlin he is unable to form a government after being tasked with doing so a week ago.

Negotiators for Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had intended to meet with Gantz's centrist Blue and White on Wednesday as part of so far unsuccessful efforts to hammer out a unity government.

Netanyahu had also sought to meet Gantz later on Wednesday.

But Blue and White announced late Tuesday that there was no reason for either meeting now since "pre-conditions" is sought for further talks were not met.

Both sides held out hope for a change of heart by their opponents, but Netanyahu had already labelled Wednesday's talks a "last effort".

Should he follow through with the negotiating tactic and tell Rivlin he cannot form a government, the president must then decide whether to ask Gantz to try.

Alternatively, Rivlin could call on parliament to agree on a candidate for prime minister with a vote of at least 61 of 120 members.

Netanyahu and Gantz have traded blame over failed efforts so far to reach a deal.

They are divided on a range of issues, but one major point: who would be prime minister first in a unity government.

Gantz argues that since his party finished as the largest, with one seat more than the Likud, he should be prime minister first under any rotation arrangement.

He also says Blue and White cannot be part of a government with a prime minister facing indictment.

Netanyahu says even though Likud has fewer seats, more of the smaller parties in parliament back him.

He wants to negotiate based on a compromise Rivlin proposed, which could see him remain prime minister for now but step aside if indicted while retaining the title.

Gantz would step in as acting prime minister in the interim.

'Game of chicken'

Both are engaged in a game of "chicken" and the result could be yet another election, a third in the space of a year after April polls also ended inconclusively, said Gideon Rahat of Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the Israel Democracy Institute think tank.

In that case, much will depend on who the public blames for causing a third vote, he said.

"It's all about threats," said Rahat.

"In the game of chicken, sometimes the result is that both drivers are killed. And that would be like chicken: We'll have third elections because nobody will move."

However, it could also buy Netanyahu time as he awaits the attorney general's decision, and while it seems a long shot, holding a third election as soon as possible may allow it to occur before indictments are issued.

Both Gantz and Netanyahu have already begun seeking to lay blame in case another election is called as it is likely to spur public anger.

Rahat said he believed a unity government would have already been formed if Netanyahu were not at the helm, but Likud members have so far shown no sign of an insurrection against him.

Though weakened, Netanyahu may still emerge victorious, at least temporarily, said Rahat.

"Yes, he can," said Rahat, when asked if Netanyahu could, in the end, remain prime minister despite the multiple challenges.

But "he lost some of his magic".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end. The hearing comes as deadlocked results from a September 17 general election leave Netanyahu plotting how to survive politically and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister. To do so, he will have to navigate the twin challenges of a potential corruption indictment against him in the weeks ahead and election results that give neither him nor his challenger Benny Gantz a clear path to a majority coalition. Both will collide Wednesday when Israel's attorney general convenes a pre-indictment hearing for Netanyahu after having said he intends to charge him with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Only Netanyahu's lawyers and not the premier himself are expected to attend the closed-door hearing, which gives him a final chance to convince Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit he should not be indicted. The hearing is to last four days, covering three separate cases in which Netanyahu is accused of acting on behalf of wealthy supporters and businessmen in exchange for gifts or favourable news coverage. Netanyahu, who denies all the allegations, asked that the hearing be broadcast live because he has "nothing to hide." Mandelblit dismissed the request in no uncertain terms, saying the hearing was intended to convince the legal authorities, not the public. Following the hearing, the attorney general's deliberations on whether to issue the indictments are expected to continue for weeks. 'Last effort' While the hearing is underway, Netanyahu may be preparing to inform President Reuven Rivlin he is unable to form a government after being tasked with doing so a week ago. Negotiators for Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had intended to meet with Gantz's centrist Blue and White on Wednesday as part of so far unsuccessful efforts to hammer out a unity government. Netanyahu had also sought to meet Gantz later on Wednesday. But Blue and White announced late Tuesday that there was no reason for either meeting now since "pre-conditions" is sought for further talks were not met. Both sides held out hope for a change of heart by their opponents, but Netanyahu had already labelled Wednesday's talks a "last effort". Should he follow through with the negotiating tactic and tell Rivlin he cannot form a government, the president must then decide whether to ask Gantz to try. Alternatively, Rivlin could call on parliament to agree on a candidate for prime minister with a vote of at least 61 of 120 members. Netanyahu and Gantz have traded blame over failed efforts so far to reach a deal. They are divided on a range of issues, but one major point: who would be prime minister first in a unity government. Gantz argues that since his party finished as the largest, with one seat more than the Likud, he should be prime minister first under any rotation arrangement. He also says Blue and White cannot be part of a government with a prime minister facing indictment. Netanyahu says even though Likud has fewer seats, more of the smaller parties in parliament back him. He wants to negotiate based on a compromise Rivlin proposed, which could see him remain prime minister for now but step aside if indicted while retaining the title. Gantz would step in as acting prime minister in the interim. 'Game of chicken' Both are engaged in a game of "chicken" and the result could be yet another election, a third in the space of a year after April polls also ended inconclusively, said Gideon Rahat of Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. In that case, much will depend on who the public blames for causing a third vote, he said. "It's all about threats," said Rahat. "In the game of chicken, sometimes the result is that both drivers are killed. And that would be like chicken: We'll have third elections because nobody will move." However, it could also buy Netanyahu time as he awaits the attorney general's decision, and while it seems a long shot, holding a third election as soon as possible may allow it to occur before indictments are issued. Both Gantz and Netanyahu have already begun seeking to lay blame in case another election is called as it is likely to spur public anger. Rahat said he believed a unity government would have already been formed if Netanyahu were not at the helm, but Likud members have so far shown no sign of an insurrection against him. Though weakened, Netanyahu may still emerge victorious, at least temporarily, said Rahat. "Yes, he can," said Rahat, when asked if Netanyahu could, in the end, remain prime minister despite the multiple challenges. But "he lost some of his magic".

Netanyahu faces key day in bid to remain Israel Prime Minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday.

An inconclusive ballot on Sept. 17, the second this year, has created a political deadlock and left Israel's longest-serving prime minister weakened.

Netanyahu, facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies, has failed to secure a clear election victory twice in six months. His right-wing Likud party came second with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, against 33 for former military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party.

With neither party leader appearing able on his own to put together a coalition with a ruling majority, Israel's president on Wednesday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government in the hope of securing a power-sharing deal between the Blue and White party and Likud.

If Netanyahu fails to clinch a deal, President Reuven Rivlin is then likely to ask Gantz to try to form a government, though he, like Netanyahu, also has no clear path to power.

The parties' negotiators met on Friday without success, with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Likud said Netanyahu then telephoned Gantz and the two men would probably meet on Wednesday after another round of talks.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is making a last effort to bring about a breakthrough in the talks for a unity government," Likud's spokesman said.

The Blue and White party said it would spare no effort to form "a broad, liberal, unity government".

In a video posted on Twitter, Netanyahu said there was no other solution than for him to serve first as prime minister and Gantz to serve second within a unity government.

Gantz, however, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges. His party has accused Likud of stalling in the talks in the hope of triggering yet another election.

Netanyahu, for his part, has said that the Blue and Whites were trying to instigate a coup within Likud that would see the party join a unity government with the Blue and White party after casting aside its veteran leader.

Israel’s attorney-general is due to hold a pre-trial hearing this week on his announced intention to indict Netanyahu on fraud and bribery charges in three corruption cases.

Netanyahu, who says he is a victim of a political witchhunt, can argue at the session against prosecution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday. An inconclusive ballot on Sept. 17, the second this year, has created a political deadlock and left Israel's longest-serving prime minister weakened. Netanyahu, facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies, has failed to secure a clear election victory twice in six months. His right-wing Likud party came second with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, against 33 for former military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party. With neither party leader appearing able on his own to put together a coalition with a ruling majority, Israel's president on Wednesday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government in the hope of securing a power-sharing deal between the Blue and White party and Likud. If Netanyahu fails to clinch a deal, President Reuven Rivlin is then likely to ask Gantz to try to form a government, though he, like Netanyahu, also has no clear path to power. The parties' negotiators met on Friday without success, with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Likud said Netanyahu then telephoned Gantz and the two men would probably meet on Wednesday after another round of talks. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is making a last effort to bring about a breakthrough in the talks for a unity government," Likud's spokesman said. The Blue and White party said it would spare no effort to form "a broad, liberal, unity government". In a video posted on Twitter, Netanyahu said there was no other solution than for him to serve first as prime minister and Gantz to serve second within a unity government. Gantz, however, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges. His party has accused Likud of stalling in the talks in the hope of triggering yet another election. Netanyahu, for his part, has said that the Blue and Whites were trying to instigate a coup within Likud that would see the party join a unity government with the Blue and White party after casting aside its veteran leader. Israel’s attorney-general is due to hold a pre-trial hearing this week on his announced intention to indict Netanyahu on fraud and bribery charges in three corruption cases. Netanyahu, who says he is a victim of a political witchhunt, can argue at the session against prosecution.

Netanyahu to meet centrist rival in last-ditch bid to form unity government

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benny-gantz-meet-the-three-star-general-running-for-israeli-prime-minister-208484">Benny Gantz</a> as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday.

The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move.

It was the first time since 1992 that majority Arab parties have endorsed a candidate for prime minister.

Shortly later, Odeh told Israeli President Reuven Rivlin the alliance's priority was to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, and was therefore recommending Gantz.

He made the comments as Rivlin consulted with Israeli political parties on who should form the next government following Tuesday's deadlocked general elections.

The Joint List won 13 seats in the election, making them the third-largest force in the 120-seat legislature.

One party within the alliance, accounting for three seats, signalled it was against the decision.

Even with the endorsement of all 13 seats, Gantz and his centrist Blue and White alliance would fall short of 61 needed for a majority.&nbsp;

He is expected to have the endorsement of 57 seats during Rivlin's consultations. Netanyahu is expected to receive 55.

Rivlin has said he believes a unity government should include both Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White in order to create a stable coalition.

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief Benny Gantz as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday. The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move.

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief Benny Gantz as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday. The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move. It was the first time since 1992 that majority Arab parties have endorsed a candidate for prime minister. Shortly later, Odeh told Israeli President Reuven Rivlin the alliance's priority was to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, and was therefore recommending Gantz. He made the comments as Rivlin consulted with Israeli political parties on who should form the next government following Tuesday's deadlocked general elections. The Joint List won 13 seats in the election, making them the third-largest force in the 120-seat legislature. One party within the alliance, accounting for three seats, signalled it was against the decision. Even with the endorsement of all 13 seats, Gantz and his centrist Blue and White alliance would fall short of 61 needed for a majority. He is expected to have the endorsement of 57 seats during Rivlin's consultations. Netanyahu is expected to receive 55. Rivlin has said he believes a unity government should include both Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White in order to create a stable coalition.

Israeli Arab parties back Gantz for PM in break with precedent

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-urges-rival-benny-gantz-to-form-a-unity-government-with-him-250546">country's general election</a>, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government.

Gantz spoke to journalists after Netanyahu called for them to join together in a unity government as results from Tuesday's vote showed neither with an obvious path to form a majority coalition.

Gantz's centrist Blue and White is nevertheless two seats ahead of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, according to results so far published by Israeli media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main challenger Benny Gantz Thursday to form a unity government together, a major development after deadlocked election results put his long tenure in office at risk.

Netanyahu, in a video message, said he preferred to form a right-wing coalition, but the results showed it was not possible.

The stark admission followed Israel's general election on Tuesday that has threatened Netanyahu's status as the country's longest-serving prime minister as he faces possible corruption charges in the weeks ahead.

"During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government," Netanyahu said in a video message.

"But unfortunately the election results show that this is not possible."

He went on to call on Gantz to form a "broad unity government today."

Second election this year

Netanyahu was seeking to seize momentum by announcing his intention to form a unity government and head off attempts to oust him.

Blue and White, a centrist alliance, has in the past sought to appeal to members of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud to abandon him and form a unity government with it.

But there has so far been no signal that any Likud members would be willing to do that, and in his speech following the closure of Tuesday's polls Gantz made no such demand.

Official results have not been announced, but Israeli media have reported that Blue and White has 33 parliamentary seats and Likud 31 out of 120 with 97 percent of the votes counted.

Gantz's slim lead, however, gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition.

Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has emerged as a potential kingmaker, with the reported results showing his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party with eight seats.

Israel's newly reunified Arab parties, running together under the Joint List alliance, have also emerged as an important force, with the reported results showing them with 13 seats -- the third-largest.

That could allow them to block Netanyahu from continuing on as prime minister if they decided to break with precedent and endorse Gantz.

Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister.

After complete, official results are in, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will hold consultations with all parties voted into parliament and then choose someone to try to form a government.

It will be the second time he has done so since April.

Netanyahu suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after April elections.

His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try.

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the country's general election, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government.

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the country's general election, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government. Gantz spoke to journalists after Netanyahu called for them to join together in a unity government as results from Tuesday's vote showed neither with an obvious path to form a majority coalition. Gantz's centrist Blue and White is nevertheless two seats ahead of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, according to results so far published by Israeli media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main challenger Benny Gantz Thursday to form a unity government together, a major development after deadlocked election results put his long tenure in office at risk. Netanyahu, in a video message, said he preferred to form a right-wing coalition, but the results showed it was not possible. The stark admission followed Israel's general election on Tuesday that has threatened Netanyahu's status as the country's longest-serving prime minister as he faces possible corruption charges in the weeks ahead. "During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government," Netanyahu said in a video message. "But unfortunately the election results show that this is not possible." He went on to call on Gantz to form a "broad unity government today." Second election this year Netanyahu was seeking to seize momentum by announcing his intention to form a unity government and head off attempts to oust him. Blue and White, a centrist alliance, has in the past sought to appeal to members of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud to abandon him and form a unity government with it. But there has so far been no signal that any Likud members would be willing to do that, and in his speech following the closure of Tuesday's polls Gantz made no such demand. Official results have not been announced, but Israeli media have reported that Blue and White has 33 parliamentary seats and Likud 31 out of 120 with 97 percent of the votes counted. Gantz's slim lead, however, gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition. Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has emerged as a potential kingmaker, with the reported results showing his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party with eight seats. Israel's newly reunified Arab parties, running together under the Joint List alliance, have also emerged as an important force, with the reported results showing them with 13 seats -- the third-largest. That could allow them to block Netanyahu from continuing on as prime minister if they decided to break with precedent and endorse Gantz. Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister. After complete, official results are in, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will hold consultations with all parties voted into parliament and then choose someone to try to form a government. It will be the second time he has done so since April. Netanyahu suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after April elections. His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try.

Israel: Netanyahu's rival Benny Gantz says he should be PM in unity government

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-vows-to-annex-west-banks-jordan-valley-if-re-elected-248927">annex the West Bank territory </a>if successful in an election just six days away.

Netanyahu's declaration was widely seen as a bid to siphon away support from far-right rivals who have long advocated annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 war, ahead of a tightly-contested September 17 vote.

While some in Israel consider the country's control over the Jordan valley as a security necessity, Palestinians see it as theirs and want it for a future state.

In the village of Jiftlik, farmers tilled land for vegetable and seed production along a long a stretch of the fertile valley that juts up against the biblical Jordan River, surrounded by desert mountain ranges.

"We tell Netanyahu, and whoever follows him, you will not break the Palestinians' will," said Hassan Al-Abedi, a Palestinian farmer who lives in the village.

"It's our parents' and grandparents land. We will hold onto it no matter what it costs," 55-year-old Abedi said.

Netanyahu on Tuesday (September 10) announced he intended, "after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," drawing condemnation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders across the Arab world.

Around 65,000 Palestinians and 11,000 Israeli settlers live in the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. The main Palestinian city is Jericho, with around 28 villages and smaller Bedouin communities.

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to annex the West Bank territory if successful in an election just six days away.

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to annex the West Bank territory if successful in an election just six days away. Netanyahu's declaration was widely seen as a bid to siphon away support from far-right rivals who have long advocated annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 war, ahead of a tightly-contested September 17 vote. While some in Israel consider the country's control over the Jordan valley as a security necessity, Palestinians see it as theirs and want it for a future state. In the village of Jiftlik, farmers tilled land for vegetable and seed production along a long a stretch of the fertile valley that juts up against the biblical Jordan River, surrounded by desert mountain ranges. "We tell Netanyahu, and whoever follows him, you will not break the Palestinians' will," said Hassan Al-Abedi, a Palestinian farmer who lives in the village. "It's our parents' and grandparents land. We will hold onto it no matter what it costs," 55-year-old Abedi said. Netanyahu on Tuesday (September 10) announced he intended, "after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," drawing condemnation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders across the Arab world. Around 65,000 Palestinians and 11,000 Israeli settlers live in the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. The main Palestinian city is Jericho, with around 28 villages and smaller Bedouin communities.

'You will not break us, Palestinians tell Netanyahu after Jordan Valley annexation pledge

Hezbollah said Monday it had shot down an "Israeli drone" as it crossed the border into Lebanon, a week after a flash confrontation between the arch-foes. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement "confronted with the appropriate weapons an Israeli drone" heading towards the border village of Ramyeh, a statement said.

Hezbollah said Monday it had shot down an "Israeli drone" as it crossed the border into Lebanon, a week after a flash confrontation between the arch-foes. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement "confronted with the appropriate weapons an Israeli drone" heading towards the border village of Ramyeh, a statement said. The drone is now in the hands of Hezbollah, it added. Israel did not immediately comment. The incident follows an escalation in tensions between the two, which included an exchange of fire on Sunday, September 1. The Iran-backed Shiite movement said it had fired anti-tank missiles into Israel, destroying a military vehicle and killing or wounding those inside. Israel's army said it had responded with around 100 artillery shells after Hezbollah targeted a battalion headquarters and military ambulance, hitting both. Israeli officials denied claims of casualties. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah later said his organisation would respond to any further Israeli attacks with strikes "deep inside Israel" and not just along the border. Iran-backed Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and a key government backer in war-torn Syria. The flare-up was sparked by an Israeli strike in Syria which killed two Hezbollah fighters on August 24 and was followed by what the movement described as an Israeli drone strike on its Beirut stronghold. Israel has not acknowledged that attack, but accused Hezbollah and Tehran of colluding to produce precision-guided missiles on Lebanese soil. Israel has staged hundreds of strikes against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria since the civil war began there in 2011, vowing to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in the neighbouring country. But a drone attack by Israel inside Lebanon would mark a departure -- what Nasrallah labelled the first such "hostile action" since a 2006 war between them. The 33-day war killed 1,200 Lebanese -- mostly civilians -- and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The flaring tensions come just a week ahead of Israel's September 17 election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen as wanting to avoid a major conflict ahead of the vote.

Hezbollah says shot down 'Israeli drone' at Lebanese border

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment.

With the September 17 vote looming, Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud have drawn outrage from opposition parties with a push for last-minute legislation that would allow party officials to bring cameras to polling stations.

His critics have labelled it a naked attempt to depress turnout among Israel's Arab population, as it could intimidate many into staying away.

They also point out that it could serve to energize Netanyahu's base of right-wing voters due to his warnings so far unfounded that the election could be stolen.

The Likud chief says he is only interested in protecting the integrity of the vote and preventing irregularities.

But the main opposition Blue and White centrist alliance's leader Benny Gantz retorted: "The only fraud in our political system is Netanyahu."

The veteran premier has used similar tactics in the past, including warning on election day in 2015 that Israeli Arabs were voting in "droves," a comment for which he later apologized.

Parliament had planned to hold the first of three required votes on the bill on Monday, but it failed to receive necessary backing from a committee, and its future was unclear.

Gantz vowed to vote against it, and ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu would do the same.

The bill would allow election supervisors from political parties to bring cameras to polling stations, though not inside voting booths.

Netanyahu's camera legislation comes as he struggles to remain in office and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

After April elections, Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, but Netanyahu was unable to form a governing coalition, suffering one of the biggest defeats of his political career.

He was unable to do so because he could not convince his old nemesis Lieberman to abandon a key demand and join the government.

Netanyahu then opted to move toward a second election rather than risk Israeli President Reuven Rivlin choosing someone else to try to form a government.

Trump, Putin posters

Lieberman has only gained in support since the last election, opinion polls show, and Netanyahu may face a similar conundrum after the upcoming vote.

His main challenger is ex-military chief Gantz and his centrist alliance, as was the case in April.

Netanyahu has once again sought to highlight his links with world leaders, posting giant posters of himself alongside US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He says he hopes to visit Russia later this week to hold talks with Putin.

Ahead of April polls, Trump made controversial moves seen as backing Netanyahu, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

So far Netanyahu has not benefited from similar decisions in the run-up to next week's vote.

Gantz has sought to maintain a stoic presence as part of a campaign to present himself as someone Israelis can trust on security issues.

He has criticized Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza Strip, where UN and Egyptian officials have negotiated a truce between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel.

But his main approach has been to argue that he can restore dignity to the prime minister's office after years of investigations into Netanyahu's affairs.

Israel's attorney general has said he intends to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, pending a hearing expected in early October.

Netanyahu is not required to step down if indicted only if convicted with all appeals exhausted.

Gantz, who has ruled out serving in a government with a prime minister under indictment, has sought to convince other members of Likud to abandon Netanyahu and form a unity government with his Blue and White, so far without success.

The two sides won 35 seats each in the last election, but a majority of lawmakers endorsed Netanyahu as prime minister.

It is not clear whether Lieberman will endorse Netanyahu again.

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment.

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment. With the September 17 vote looming, Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud have drawn outrage from opposition parties with a push for last-minute legislation that would allow party officials to bring cameras to polling stations. His critics have labelled it a naked attempt to depress turnout among Israel's Arab population, as it could intimidate many into staying away. They also point out that it could serve to energize Netanyahu's base of right-wing voters due to his warnings so far unfounded that the election could be stolen. The Likud chief says he is only interested in protecting the integrity of the vote and preventing irregularities. But the main opposition Blue and White centrist alliance's leader Benny Gantz retorted: "The only fraud in our political system is Netanyahu." The veteran premier has used similar tactics in the past, including warning on election day in 2015 that Israeli Arabs were voting in "droves," a comment for which he later apologized. Parliament had planned to hold the first of three required votes on the bill on Monday, but it failed to receive necessary backing from a committee, and its future was unclear. Gantz vowed to vote against it, and ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu would do the same. The bill would allow election supervisors from political parties to bring cameras to polling stations, though not inside voting booths. Netanyahu's camera legislation comes as he struggles to remain in office and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister. After April elections, Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, but Netanyahu was unable to form a governing coalition, suffering one of the biggest defeats of his political career. He was unable to do so because he could not convince his old nemesis Lieberman to abandon a key demand and join the government. Netanyahu then opted to move toward a second election rather than risk Israeli President Reuven Rivlin choosing someone else to try to form a government. Trump, Putin posters Lieberman has only gained in support since the last election, opinion polls show, and Netanyahu may face a similar conundrum after the upcoming vote. His main challenger is ex-military chief Gantz and his centrist alliance, as was the case in April. Netanyahu has once again sought to highlight his links with world leaders, posting giant posters of himself alongside US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He says he hopes to visit Russia later this week to hold talks with Putin. Ahead of April polls, Trump made controversial moves seen as backing Netanyahu, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. So far Netanyahu has not benefited from similar decisions in the run-up to next week's vote. Gantz has sought to maintain a stoic presence as part of a campaign to present himself as someone Israelis can trust on security issues. He has criticized Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza Strip, where UN and Egyptian officials have negotiated a truce between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. But his main approach has been to argue that he can restore dignity to the prime minister's office after years of investigations into Netanyahu's affairs. Israel's attorney general has said he intends to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, pending a hearing expected in early October. Netanyahu is not required to step down if indicted only if convicted with all appeals exhausted. Gantz, who has ruled out serving in a government with a prime minister under indictment, has sought to convince other members of Likud to abandon Netanyahu and form a unity government with his Blue and White, so far without success. The two sides won 35 seats each in the last election, but a majority of lawmakers endorsed Netanyahu as prime minister. It is not clear whether Lieberman will endorse Netanyahu again.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu fights for political life a week before Israel votes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel was prepared for any scenario after a cross-border clash with Lebanon's Hezbollah but neither side seemed eager for another conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel was prepared for any scenario after a cross-border clash with Lebanon's Hezbollah but neither side seemed eager for another conflict. Israel's military said anti-tank missiles from Lebanon targeted an army base and vehicles and that it responded with fire into southern Lebanon, after a week of growing tension raised fears of a new war with long-time enemy Hezbollah. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said its fighters destroyed an Israeli military vehicle, killing and wounding those inside. Israel's military said there were no casualties. Netanyahu, whose re-election campaign ahead of a poll less than three weeks away could have been complicated by war in the north, signalled business as usual after the hostilities erupted along he frontier with Lebanon. The Israeli leader kept to his regular schedule, commenting on the security situation, in Hebrew only, at the start of a meeting with Honduras' visiting president, and did not take questions from reporters. "We were attacked by a few anti-tank missiles. We responded with 100 shells, aerial fire and various measures. We are in consultations about what's to come," Netanyahu said. "I have given instructions to be prepared for any scenario, and we will decide on what's next depending on how things develop," he said, almost dismissively, in a departure from his usually much tougher language towards Israel's enemies. "I can make an important announcement - we have no casualties, no wounded, not even a scratch." The two sides fought a one-month war in 2006 after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Israel has been on alert for a confrontation with Hezbollah for the past week after two drones crashed in Beirut's southern suburbs. Security officials in the region have described the target as linked to precision-guided missile projects. Any new war between Israel and Hezbollah would raise the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East, where Iran has defied U.S. attempts to force it to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal it reached with world powers. At the same time, Israel is concerned about Tehran's growing influence in the region through militia allies such as Hezbollah in countries such as Syria. In Iraq, powerful Iranian-backed militias have blamed a series of recent blasts at their weapons depots on Israel and the United States. Hezbollah said the operation on Sunday was carried out by a unit named after two of its fighters who were killed by an Israeli air strike inside Syria last week. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said late on Saturday that field commanders were ready to respond to last week's drone attack, which he blamed on Israel. But like Netanyahu, Nasrallah has not indicated Hezbollah was seeking full-scale war. Amid the threats, Israel had moved reinforcements into the border region, which had been largely quiet since the two long-time enemies fought the month-long war in 2006. Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack last week, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles. Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel’s overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites.

Netanyahu says Israel ready for any scenario after Hezbollah clash

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe.

Settlements are one of the most heated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians have voiced fears that Netanyahu could defy international consensus and move ahead with annexation with possible backing from US President Donald Trump, a close ally.

"With God`s help we will extend Jewish sovereignty to all the settlements as part of the (biblical) Land of Israel, as part of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in Sunday`s speech in the West Bank settlement of Elkana, where he attended a ceremony opening the school year.

He did not say when he planned to make such a move.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, made a similar pledge days before an Israeli general election in April. After the vote he failed to form a governing parliamentary majority and the country will hold a new election on September 17.

With the publication of a US peace plan still pending, Trump has already recognised Israel`s 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, territory Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

Palestinians seek to make the West Bank part of a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and have East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel captured those areas in 1967 and moved troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005.

After decades of settlement-building, more than 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, according to Israeli figures, among a Palestinian population put at about 2.9 million by the Palestinian Statistics Bureau.

A further 212,000 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"This is our land," Netanyahu said in his speech in Elkana. "We will build another Elkana and in another Elkana and another Elkana. We will not uproot anyone here," Netanyahu said.

The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical and political connections to the land.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

The Trump administration says it intends to release its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan after the Israeli election and has not disclosed whether it will advocate a two-state solution that has been at the foundation of past negotiations. 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe. Settlements are one of the most heated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians have voiced fears that Netanyahu could defy international consensus and move ahead with annexation with possible backing from US President Donald Trump, a close ally. "With God`s help we will extend Jewish sovereignty to all the settlements as part of the (biblical) Land of Israel, as part of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in Sunday`s speech in the West Bank settlement of Elkana, where he attended a ceremony opening the school year. He did not say when he planned to make such a move. Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, made a similar pledge days before an Israeli general election in April. After the vote he failed to form a governing parliamentary majority and the country will hold a new election on September 17. With the publication of a US peace plan still pending, Trump has already recognised Israel`s 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, territory Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to make the West Bank part of a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and have East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel captured those areas in 1967 and moved troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005. After decades of settlement-building, more than 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, according to Israeli figures, among a Palestinian population put at about 2.9 million by the Palestinian Statistics Bureau. A further 212,000 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "This is our land," Netanyahu said in his speech in Elkana. "We will build another Elkana and in another Elkana and another Elkana. We will not uproot anyone here," Netanyahu said. The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical and political connections to the land. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014. The Trump administration says it intends to release its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan after the Israeli election and has not disclosed whether it will advocate a two-state solution that has been at the foundation of past negotiations.

Netanyahu repeats pledge to annex Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-warns-hezbollah-lebanon-to-be-careful-246001">Hezbollah militia</a> with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate.

"Dir balak," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks directed at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-strikes-hit-pro-syria-palestinian-group-in-lebanon-245680">Lebanon</a>, using the Arabic for "watch out".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-air-strike-in-syria-sent-no-immunity-message-to-iran-245618">Israel and Lebanon</a>'s Hezbollah, which last fought a war in 2006, are on high alert after drones were used at the weekend to attack what a security official in the region described as a target linked to precision-guided missile projects.

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the rare strike in Beirut, and said it will retaliate. The heavily armed Shi'ite movement has denied harbouring such missile facilities. Lebanon has accused Israel of seeking pretexts for aggression.

Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles.

Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel's overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said that in recent months Iran had increased the pace of the project such that it was "faster in terms of buildings, facilities, locations, conversion and manufacturing facilities, and it means more people, operatives involved in doing so".

"It is time for them (the Lebanese government) to understand their responsibility and understand the fact that what they are letting Hezbollah and Iran do on Lebanese soil is their responsibility," Conricus said.

"They are the ones who are complicit in endangering Lebanon and Lebanese civilians which Hezbollah and Iran are using as human shields."

There was no immediate response from Tehran, Israel's arch-foe, whose nuclear programme and regional activities have been a focus of redoubled US&nbsp;pressure under President Donald Trump - with knock-on tensions in the Gulf.

After Hezbollah said it would respond to the Beirut strike by downing Israeli drones that enter Lebanon's skies, the Lebanese army on Wednesday shot at drones that it said had crossed the border. Israel said there was no damage to them.

In the past Israel has argued that the Lebanese army is too close to Hezbollah to warrant the more than $1.5 billion in US&nbsp;military assistance it has received since the 2006 war. Washington regards the army as a counter-weight to Hezbollah.

Conricus said there was no change to Israel's position on the Lebanese army. But he appeared to play down the threat.

"We continue to classify Hezbollah as our main enemy and the Lebanese Armed Forces as a potential enemy," he said. "If they fire at Israel, tactically speaking, ... then that specific force on the ground will be considered an active enemy, but strategically speaking Hezbollah is the enemy."

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the Hezbollah militia with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate.

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the Hezbollah militia with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate. "Dir balak," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks directed at Lebanon, using the Arabic for "watch out". Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, which last fought a war in 2006, are on high alert after drones were used at the weekend to attack what a security official in the region described as a target linked to precision-guided missile projects. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the rare strike in Beirut, and said it will retaliate. The heavily armed Shi'ite movement has denied harbouring such missile facilities. Lebanon has accused Israel of seeking pretexts for aggression. Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles. Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel's overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said that in recent months Iran had increased the pace of the project such that it was "faster in terms of buildings, facilities, locations, conversion and manufacturing facilities, and it means more people, operatives involved in doing so". "It is time for them (the Lebanese government) to understand their responsibility and understand the fact that what they are letting Hezbollah and Iran do on Lebanese soil is their responsibility," Conricus said. "They are the ones who are complicit in endangering Lebanon and Lebanese civilians which Hezbollah and Iran are using as human shields." There was no immediate response from Tehran, Israel's arch-foe, whose nuclear programme and regional activities have been a focus of redoubled US pressure under President Donald Trump - with knock-on tensions in the Gulf. After Hezbollah said it would respond to the Beirut strike by downing Israeli drones that enter Lebanon's skies, the Lebanese army on Wednesday shot at drones that it said had crossed the border. Israel said there was no damage to them. In the past Israel has argued that the Lebanese army is too close to Hezbollah to warrant the more than $1.5 billion in US military assistance it has received since the 2006 war. Washington regards the army as a counter-weight to Hezbollah. Conricus said there was no change to Israel's position on the Lebanese army. But he appeared to play down the threat. "We continue to classify Hezbollah as our main enemy and the Lebanese Armed Forces as a potential enemy," he said. "If they fire at Israel, tactically speaking, ... then that specific force on the ground will be considered an active enemy, but strategically speaking Hezbollah is the enemy."

Israel says Iran boosting bid to set up Hezbollah precision-missile plants in Lebanon

Israel launched an air strike against Gaza's Hamas rulers on Tuesday after militants in the strip fired a mortar round across the border, the army said. Witnesses in the coastal enclave told AFP that fire from an Israeli drone hit Hamas facilities east of Al-Bureij refugee camp.

Israel launched an air strike against Gaza's Hamas rulers on Tuesday after militants in the strip fired a mortar round across the border, the army said. Witnesses in the coastal enclave told AFP that fire from an Israeli drone hit Hamas facilities east of Al-Bureij refugee camp. No injuries were reported. "A short while ago a mortar shell was identified as having been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," an Israeli army statement said in English. "In response, an Israel Defence Forces aircraft targeted a Hamas military post in the northern Gaza Strip." Israeli media said the shell fell on open ground, causing no injuries or damage. Tuesday's events were the latest in a string of cross-border incidents which have raised concerns of further escalation before Israel's September 17 elections. On Monday Israeli warplanes hit what the military said were "terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the northern Gaza Strip, including the office of a Hamas battalion commander." Israel also announced it was slashing by half the fuel it pipes to the strip's main power station, meaning a cut to Gaza's already meagre electricity supply. The measures came after three rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel on Sunday night, according to the army, which said two of them were intercepted by air defence systems. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008. August has seen rocket fire from Gaza, infiltration attempts by armed Palestinians and return fire by Israel, threatening a fragile ceasefire. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for reelection in the September polls, with political opponents calling for tougher action against Islamist movement Hamas.

Israeli aircraft strikes Gaza after Palestinian mortar fire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to "calm down" after he said his movement was preparing a response to the crash of two Israeli drones in a Beirut suburb.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to "calm down" after he said his movement was preparing a response to the crash of two Israeli drones in a Beirut suburb. "I heard what Nasrallah said. I suggest to Nasrallah to calm down. He knows well that Israel knows how to defend itself and to pay back its enemies," Netanyahu said in a speech. In a speech on Sunday, Nasrallah, whose Iran-backed movement fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, accused Israel of carrying out a suicide drone attack earlier that day. "I say to the Israeli army on the border from tonight, stand guard (on high alert). Wait for us one, two, three, four days," Nasrallah said. One drone fell and a second exploded near the ground and caused some damage to Hezbollah's media centre in the southern suburbs of the capital which it dominates. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incident.

Netanyahu tells Hezbollah's Nasrallah to 'calm down' after drone incident

Israel said on Sunday an air strike against an arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Syria that it accused of planning "killer drone attacks" showed Tehran that its forces were vulnerable anywhere.

Israel said on Sunday an air strike against an arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Syria that it accused of planning "killer drone attacks" showed Tehran that its forces were vulnerable anywhere. A senior Revolutionary Guards commander denied that Iranian targets had been hit late on Saturday and said its military "advisory centres have not been harmed", the semi-official ILNA news agency reported. The Israeli military said its aircraft struck "Iranian Quds Force operatives and Shiite militias which were preparing to advance attack plans targeting sites in Israel from within Syria over the last number of days". The elite Quds Force is the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, told reporters "a number of attack drones", each armed with several kilogrammes of explosives, were to have been launched simultaneously at targets in northern Israel on Thursday but the plan was thwarted. He did not disclose what measures Israel took that day. He described the "killer drones" - designed to slam into targets - as highly accurate. The military released grainy black-and-white surveillance footage purporting to show the Iranian operatives on Thursday near the drones' launching site. In the footage, four people are seen walking in an open area, one of them carrying an object that the military identified as a killer drone. Conricus said the drones, accompanied by the Iranian operatives, had arrived at Damascus airport from Iran several weeks ago and were taken to a Quds-controlled compound in a village southeast of the city. Israel carried out Saturday's attack, Conricus said, after learning that another attempt to launch drones was imminent. Writing on Twitter after Saturday's Israeli strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Iran has no immunity anywhere. Our forces operate in every sector against the Iranian aggression. If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first." Speaking on Sunday on the Syrian front, Netanyahu added: "Any country that allows its territory to be used for attacks against Israel will face the consequences, and I repeat, the country will face the consequences."

Israel says air strike in Syria sent 'no immunity' message to Iran

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number.

Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-guest-237916"> thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque.</a>

It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site.

In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards.

The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples.

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.

Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported. Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number. Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque. It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site. In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards. The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples. 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. Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israel police, Palestinians clash at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site

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;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"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;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"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

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.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ofirgendelman/status/1153537931719712778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"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

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

Researchers in Israel said Monday they have pinpointed the site of an ancient Philistine town mentioned in the biblical tale of David seeking refuge from the Israelite king Saul.

Ziklag was a town under the rule of a Philistine king in nearby Gath after the ancient "sea peoples" began arriving in the region in the 12th century BC, the researchers say.

A biblical tale says the town became the unlikely seat of David before his anointment as king in Hebron following Saul's death.

Ziklag's location has been the subject of scientific debate, with 12 possible locations named in southern Israel.

None of the sites, however, had the necessary evidence of consecutive Philistine and Israelite settlement to fit what is believed to be the historical narrative, the Israeli Antiquities Authority said in a statement.

Now researchers from the IAA, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-team-prepares-mideast-plan-palestinians-face-financial-crisis-215034">Hebrew University</a> and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, say they have found a Philistine-era settlement under a rural one from the historical era linked to the biblical King David.

Those findings have led them to believe it is Ziklag, the statement said.

The site, Khirbet al-Rai, is located near Kiryat Gat in Central Israel.

Researchers have excavated finds typical of the Philistine civilization as well as pottery vessels connecting it to the historical era identified with the biblical David, the statement said.

The Philistines are believed to have arrived in the region in the 12th century BC, with DNA tests on their bones recently suggesting their origin to be in southern Europe.

They ruled what is today part of central and southern Israel and the Gaza Strip and were a feared enemy of the Israelites.

In the biblical narrative, David sought refuge in Ziklag from Saul, who was trying to kill him.

David fled the boundaries of the Kingdom of Israel to the coastal area under the rule of the Philistines.

As relayed in the first book of Samuel, when Saul heard David was in the Philistine city of Gath, "he sought him no more."

David then requested -- and received -- the town of Ziklag, which remained property of Judean kings, the Bible says.

Researchers in Israel said Monday they have pinpointed the site of an ancient Philistine town mentioned in the biblical tale of David seeking refuge from the Israelite king Saul.

Researchers in Israel said Monday they have pinpointed the site of an ancient Philistine town mentioned in the biblical tale of David seeking refuge from the Israelite king Saul. Ziklag was a town under the rule of a Philistine king in nearby Gath after the ancient "sea peoples" began arriving in the region in the 12th century BC, the researchers say. A biblical tale says the town became the unlikely seat of David before his anointment as king in Hebron following Saul's death. Ziklag's location has been the subject of scientific debate, with 12 possible locations named in southern Israel. None of the sites, however, had the necessary evidence of consecutive Philistine and Israelite settlement to fit what is believed to be the historical narrative, the Israeli Antiquities Authority said in a statement. Now researchers from the IAA, Hebrew University and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, say they have found a Philistine-era settlement under a rural one from the historical era linked to the biblical King David. Those findings have led them to believe it is Ziklag, the statement said. The site, Khirbet al-Rai, is located near Kiryat Gat in Central Israel. Researchers have excavated finds typical of the Philistine civilization as well as pottery vessels connecting it to the historical era identified with the biblical David, the statement said. The Philistines are believed to have arrived in the region in the 12th century BC, with DNA tests on their bones recently suggesting their origin to be in southern Europe. They ruled what is today part of central and southern Israel and the Gaza Strip and were a feared enemy of the Israelites. In the biblical narrative, David sought refuge in Ziklag from Saul, who was trying to kill him. David fled the boundaries of the Kingdom of Israel to the coastal area under the rule of the Philistines. As relayed in the first book of Samuel, when Saul heard David was in the Philistine city of Gath, "he sought him no more." David then requested -- and received -- the town of Ziklag, which remained property of Judean kings, the Bible says.

Researchers say ancient Philistine town located in Israel

Syrian television reported big explosions near Damascus early on Sunday and said air defences had "confronted the enemy" after Israel said earlier that two rockets were fired from Syria into the territory it controls.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said late on Saturday that two rockets were fired towards the Israeli-held Golan Heights, causing no casualties, but that it was still unclear who had fired them or where they had landed.

In recent years, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria against its regional arch-foe Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, which it calls the biggest threat to its borders.

Iran and Hezbollah are fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war, and Israel says they are trying to turn Syria into a new front against Israelis.

Syria does not officially recognise Israel, which seized the Golan Heights from it in a war in 1967 and later announced it had annexed the captured territory.

On Monday, Israel’s military said it attacked a Syrian anti-aircraft position that had fired on one of its warplanes, and Syrian state media said a soldier had been killed in the incident.

Syrian television reported big explosions near Damascus early on Sunday and said air defences had "confronted the enemy" after Israel said earlier that two rockets were fired from Syria into the territory it controls.

Syrian television reported big explosions near Damascus early on Sunday and said air defences had "confronted the enemy" after Israel said earlier that two rockets were fired from Syria into the territory it controls. An Israeli military spokeswoman said late on Saturday that two rockets were fired towards the Israeli-held Golan Heights, causing no casualties, but that it was still unclear who had fired them or where they had landed. In recent years, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria against its regional arch-foe Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, which it calls the biggest threat to its borders. Iran and Hezbollah are fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war, and Israel says they are trying to turn Syria into a new front against Israelis. Syria does not officially recognise Israel, which seized the Golan Heights from it in a war in 1967 and later announced it had annexed the captured territory. On Monday, Israel’s military said it attacked a Syrian anti-aircraft position that had fired on one of its warplanes, and Syrian state media said a soldier had been killed in the incident.

Blasts in Syria after Israel says rockets fired at Golan

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said it condemns any position adopted by an international body that supports prolonging occupation of Palestinian territories, including a US&nbsp;decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The OIC summit in Mecca said in its final statement on Saturday that it opposes all illegal Israeli measures aimed at changing facts in occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem and undermining the two-state solution.

It urged member countries to take "appropriate measures" against countries that move their embassies to Jerusalem.

The OIC also refused to accept any proposal for a peaceful settlement that did not accord with Palestinians' legitimate inalienable rights, the final statement said.

The OIC stressed the importance of amassing support for the budget of the Palestinian government to continue its work.

The OIC summit also urged the United States to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said it condemns any position adopted by an international body that supports prolonging occupation of Palestinian territories, including a US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said it condemns any position adopted by an international body that supports prolonging occupation of Palestinian territories, including a US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The OIC summit in Mecca said in its final statement on Saturday that it opposes all illegal Israeli measures aimed at changing facts in occupied Palestinian territories including Jerusalem and undermining the two-state solution. It urged member countries to take "appropriate measures" against countries that move their embassies to Jerusalem. The OIC also refused to accept any proposal for a peaceful settlement that did not accord with Palestinians' legitimate inalienable rights, the final statement said. The OIC stressed the importance of amassing support for the budget of the Palestinian government to continue its work. The OIC summit also urged the United States to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit condemns any decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Israeli lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament early on Thursday, paving the way for a new election after veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government before a midnight deadline.

The September 17 ballot will be Israel's second this year. It spells <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-inches-closer-to-snap-election-with-overnight-vote-222182">unprecedented upheaval</a> even for a country used to political infighting and is a big blow to Netanyahu, who had claimed victory in the last election on April 9.

Parliament's 74-to-45 vote took place just minutes after a midnight deadline for Netanyahu to assemble his fifth government.

The turmoil arose - officially, at least - from a feud over military conscription between Netanyahu's presumed allies: ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman, a far-right secularist, and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties.

Those parties want young religious scholars exempted, en masse from mandatory national service. But Lieberman and many other Israelis want them to share the burden.

Watch: Benjamin Netanyahu struggles to form government

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/benjamin-netanyahu-struggles-to-form-government-222183/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Netanyahu denounced the draft spat as a "Kafkaesque" ruse.

"It's just unbelievable. Avigdor Lieberman is now part of the left," he told reporters. "It is perfectly clear that he wanted to topple this government ... to cobble together a few more votes."

Yet the new ballot represents less of a setback for Netanyahu than the alternative in which Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin, could have asked another politician to try and form a ruling coalition.

Faced with the prospect of having to step aside and watch one of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-says-coalition-deal-still-possible-as-talk-of-new-polls-mounts-221841/amp">political rivals </a>push him to the margins, Netanyahu instead drummed up votes to dissolve the 120-seat Knesset.

Netanyahu signalled he will run in the next election, telling reporters: "We will win". The spokesman for his conservative Likud party sent out a text emoji showing a smiling Netanyahu with the message: "Get out and vote."

But the failed coalition building of a 69-year-old leader who just weeks ago was hailed by supporters as a political "magician" may open rifts and stir up challenges within Likud.

Courts and statecraft&nbsp;

The premier is also dogged by potential criminal charges in three corruption cases. He has denied wrongdoing and is due to argue at a pre-trial hearing in October against any indictment.

A new election could further complicate U.S. efforts to press ahead with President Donald Trump's peace plan in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even before it has been announced, Palestinians have spurned it as a blow to their statehood hopes.

The White House team behind the proposal, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, is in the Middle East to drum up support for an economic "workshop" in Bahrain next month to encourage investment in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

The group arrived in Israel on Wednesday and planned to meet Netanyahu on Thursday. "Lots to pray for!" tweeted one of the envoys, Jason Greenblatt, from Jerusalem's Western Wall.

Three hours before Wednesday's 2100 GMT deadline, Likud said it had secured 60 signatures, half of parliament, but shy of the majority required for a measure of stable governance.

In another sign of Netanyahu's strong desire to retain the premiership, the opposition centre-left Labour party said it had been offered - and had refused - a chance to join a Likud-led coalition. Likud, which has long said it plans to head a strong right-wing government, neither denied or confirmed this.

First elected in the late 1990s, Netanyahu has been in power for the past decade. In mid-July, he will overtake Israel's founding father, David Ben-Gurion, as longest-serving premier.

The last election ended with Netanyahu neck-and-neck against Benny Gantz, a politically untested ex-armed forces chief.

Lieberman, who quit as defence minister in November, in protest at what he deemed insufficient Israeli military force in fighting Hamas in Gaza, has denied allegations that his real intention was to oust Netanyahu and lead a "national camp".

Until the drama over coalition building, public attention had been focused more on moves Netanyahu loyalists were planning in parliament to grant him immunity from criminal prosecution and to pass a law ensuring such protection could not be withdrawn by the Supreme Court.

Israeli lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament early on Thursday, paving the way for a new election after veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government before a midnight deadline.

Israeli lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament early on Thursday, paving the way for a new election after veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government before a midnight deadline. The September 17 ballot will be Israel's second this year. It spells unprecedented upheaval even for a country used to political infighting and is a big blow to Netanyahu, who had claimed victory in the last election on April 9. Parliament's 74-to-45 vote took place just minutes after a midnight deadline for Netanyahu to assemble his fifth government. The turmoil arose - officially, at least - from a feud over military conscription between Netanyahu's presumed allies: ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman, a far-right secularist, and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties. Those parties want young religious scholars exempted, en masse from mandatory national service. But Lieberman and many other Israelis want them to share the burden. Watch: Benjamin Netanyahu struggles to form government × Netanyahu denounced the draft spat as a "Kafkaesque" ruse. "It's just unbelievable. Avigdor Lieberman is now part of the left," he told reporters. "It is perfectly clear that he wanted to topple this government ... to cobble together a few more votes." Yet the new ballot represents less of a setback for Netanyahu than the alternative in which Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin, could have asked another politician to try and form a ruling coalition. Faced with the prospect of having to step aside and watch one of his political rivals push him to the margins, Netanyahu instead drummed up votes to dissolve the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu signalled he will run in the next election, telling reporters: "We will win". The spokesman for his conservative Likud party sent out a text emoji showing a smiling Netanyahu with the message: "Get out and vote." But the failed coalition building of a 69-year-old leader who just weeks ago was hailed by supporters as a political "magician" may open rifts and stir up challenges within Likud. Courts and statecraft The premier is also dogged by potential criminal charges in three corruption cases. He has denied wrongdoing and is due to argue at a pre-trial hearing in October against any indictment. A new election could further complicate U.S. efforts to press ahead with President Donald Trump's peace plan in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even before it has been announced, Palestinians have spurned it as a blow to their statehood hopes. The White House team behind the proposal, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, is in the Middle East to drum up support for an economic "workshop" in Bahrain next month to encourage investment in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The group arrived in Israel on Wednesday and planned to meet Netanyahu on Thursday. "Lots to pray for!" tweeted one of the envoys, Jason Greenblatt, from Jerusalem's Western Wall. Three hours before Wednesday's 2100 GMT deadline, Likud said it had secured 60 signatures, half of parliament, but shy of the majority required for a measure of stable governance. In another sign of Netanyahu's strong desire to retain the premiership, the opposition centre-left Labour party said it had been offered - and had refused - a chance to join a Likud-led coalition. Likud, which has long said it plans to head a strong right-wing government, neither denied or confirmed this. First elected in the late 1990s, Netanyahu has been in power for the past decade. In mid-July, he will overtake Israel's founding father, David Ben-Gurion, as longest-serving premier. The last election ended with Netanyahu neck-and-neck against Benny Gantz, a politically untested ex-armed forces chief. Lieberman, who quit as defence minister in November, in protest at what he deemed insufficient Israeli military force in fighting Hamas in Gaza, has denied allegations that his real intention was to oust Netanyahu and lead a "national camp". Until the drama over coalition building, public attention had been focused more on moves Netanyahu loyalists were planning in parliament to grant him immunity from criminal prosecution and to pass a law ensuring such protection could not be withdrawn by the Supreme Court.

Israel faces second election in months as Netanyahu fails to form government

Israel is inching towards a new election as Prime Minister Benjamin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-says-coalition-deal-still-possible-as-talk-of-new-polls-mounts-221841">Netanyahu's struggles</a> to form a government after April 9 national ballot.

In a preliminary vote, parliament decided to dissolve itself. In order to disperse and set a new election date, legislators would still have to hold a final vote which is likely to take place on Wednesday, the report added.

The deadline for Netanyahu to form a coalition is Wednesday.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Netanyahu could form coalition government

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-polls-netanyahu-could-form-coalition-government-209432/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In power for the past decade and facing potential corruption charges, Netanyahu has struggled to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-protest-moves-to-grant-netanyahu-immunity-limit-supreme-court-221711/amp">seal an agreement</a> with a clutch of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties that would ensure him a fifth term.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and is due to argue against the attorney general's intention to indict him on fraud and bribery charges at a pre-trial hearing in October.

Netanyahu's Likud took 35 of the legislature's 120 seats, the same number as its main rival, the centrist Blue and White party, but had the pledged support of a bigger right-wing bloc.

"There are still 48 hours left to reach an agreement and I hope very much the legislation we are presenting now will not be needed and that common sense will prevail," Likud cabinet minister Zeev Elkin told parliament.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Israel is inching towards a new election as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's struggles to form a government after April 9 national ballot. In a preliminary vote, parliament decided to dissolve itself.

Israel is inching towards a new election as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's struggles to form a government after April 9 national ballot. In a preliminary vote, parliament decided to dissolve itself. In order to disperse and set a new election date, legislators would still have to hold a final vote which is likely to take place on Wednesday, the report added. The deadline for Netanyahu to form a coalition is Wednesday. Watch: Netanyahu could form coalition government In power for the past decade and facing potential corruption charges, Netanyahu has struggled to seal an agreement with a clutch of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties that would ensure him a fifth term. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and is due to argue against the attorney general's intention to indict him on fraud and bribery charges at a pre-trial hearing in October. Netanyahu's Likud took 35 of the legislature's 120 seats, the same number as its main rival, the centrist Blue and White party, but had the pledged support of a bigger right-wing bloc. "There are still 48 hours left to reach an agreement and I hope very much the legislation we are presenting now will not be needed and that common sense will prevail," Likud cabinet minister Zeev Elkin told parliament. (With inputs from Reuters)

Israel moves towards new election as Netanyahu struggles to form government

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-protest-moves-to-grant-netanyahu-immunity-limit-supreme-court-221711">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> said Sunday he believed a deal to form a new coalition government remained possible, as speculation mounted over the possibility of fresh elections only days ahead of a deadline.

Netanyahu has been unable to reach a deal with potential coalition partners despite results from April 9 polls giving his Likud party and its right-wing and religious allies a majority in parliament.

Negotiations have broken down over legislation aimed at requiring ultra-Orthodox Jews to perform mandatory military service like other Jewish Israelis.

The deadline for Netanyahu to form a coalition is Wednesday.&nbsp;

Holding elections so close to one another would be unprecedented for Israel.<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/palestinians-voice-concern-over-netanyahu-win-215889/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"I think that the problem can be solved with good will if that's what people want," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

"If there's not a desire, and things are being aimed in a certain direction, it's unfortunate. I don't think the country needs to be dragged to another election, but there might be someone who wants that," he added.

Avigdor Lieberman, who is likely to become defence minister under a coalition deal, has pushed for a guarantee that a bill he backs on ultra-Orthodox military conscription be passed.

The ultra-Orthodox parties have refused to support this reform.

Netanyahu needs both Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party and the ultra-Orthodox to form the coalition he is seeking.

Likud and its allies hold 65 seats in the 120-seat parliament, including Yisrael Beitenu's five and the ultra-Orthodox parties' 16.

A Likud spokesman said Sunday that "if Lieberman continues to insist on taking down the government, the Likud has begun preparations ahead of elections."

But he added: "At this stage, there has been no decision on dissolving the Knesset (parliament)."

Netanyahu's party later said in a statement that "the ball is now in the court of the Lieberman camp. If he accepts, we have a right-wing government tonight."

Netanyahu had said on Twitter that he had put together a last-ditch proposal on the conscription issue and was meeting individually with party heads to discuss it.

Both Lieberman and ultra-Orthodox leaders indicated they were not prepared to compromise.

Lieberman refused to meet with Netanyahu on Sunday, his own party said in a statement.

It added that Lieberman remained committed to the proposed law.

Israeli media reported that Likud lawmakers had received a request to attend parliament on Monday afternoon to vote in favour of dissolution, in an apparent bid to put pressure on Lieberman to change his position and avoid fresh elections.

Separately, thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday night against Netanyahu's reported attempts to seek immunity from prosecution as part of coalition negotiations. 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he believed a deal to form a new coalition government remained possible, as speculation mounted over the possibility of fresh elections only days ahead of a deadline.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he believed a deal to form a new coalition government remained possible, as speculation mounted over the possibility of fresh elections only days ahead of a deadline. Netanyahu has been unable to reach a deal with potential coalition partners despite results from April 9 polls giving his Likud party and its right-wing and religious allies a majority in parliament. Negotiations have broken down over legislation aimed at requiring ultra-Orthodox Jews to perform mandatory military service like other Jewish Israelis. The deadline for Netanyahu to form a coalition is Wednesday. Holding elections so close to one another would be unprecedented for Israel. "I think that the problem can be solved with good will if that's what people want," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. "If there's not a desire, and things are being aimed in a certain direction, it's unfortunate. I don't think the country needs to be dragged to another election, but there might be someone who wants that," he added. Avigdor Lieberman, who is likely to become defence minister under a coalition deal, has pushed for a guarantee that a bill he backs on ultra-Orthodox military conscription be passed. The ultra-Orthodox parties have refused to support this reform. Netanyahu needs both Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party and the ultra-Orthodox to form the coalition he is seeking. Likud and its allies hold 65 seats in the 120-seat parliament, including Yisrael Beitenu's five and the ultra-Orthodox parties' 16. A Likud spokesman said Sunday that "if Lieberman continues to insist on taking down the government, the Likud has begun preparations ahead of elections." But he added: "At this stage, there has been no decision on dissolving the Knesset (parliament)." Netanyahu's party later said in a statement that "the ball is now in the court of the Lieberman camp. If he accepts, we have a right-wing government tonight." Netanyahu had said on Twitter that he had put together a last-ditch proposal on the conscription issue and was meeting individually with party heads to discuss it. Both Lieberman and ultra-Orthodox leaders indicated they were not prepared to compromise. Lieberman refused to meet with Netanyahu on Sunday, his own party said in a statement. It added that Lieberman remained committed to the proposed law. Israeli media reported that Likud lawmakers had received a request to attend parliament on Monday afternoon to vote in favour of dissolution, in an apparent bid to put pressure on Lieberman to change his position and avoid fresh elections. Separately, thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday night against Netanyahu's reported attempts to seek immunity from prosecution as part of coalition negotiations.

Netanyahu says coalition deal still possible as talk of new polls mounts

How Israeli spyware firm NSO operates in shadowy cyber world

A year after US embassy move to Jerusalem, where do things stand

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday not to allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-rolls-back-nuclear-commitments-under-pact-abandoned-by-washington-216990">Iran to acquire nuclear arms</a> after the Islamic Republic said it would abandon limits on its nuclear activities agreed in a 2015 deal.

"This morning on my way here I heard that Iran intends to continue its nuclear programme," Netanyahu said at a ceremony on Israel's annual day of remembrance for its fallen soldiers and civilian victims of militant attacks.

"We shall not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon," he said in Hebrew.

Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent of Iran's landmark nuclear deal with major powers and was the leading supporter of US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from it and reimpose crippling economic sanctions last year.

Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and is widely believed to possess its sole if undeclared, nuclear arsenal.

On Wednesday Tehran said it was ending curbs on its uranium enrichment stockpile agreed under the 2015 deal until other powers help it bypass the renewed US sanctions.

Iran does not recognise its archfoe Israel and opposition to the Jewish state has been a central tenet of official policy since the Islamic revolution.

Iran has supported Palestinian and other anti-Israel groups, including Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah.

Israel has said publicly that it has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes targeting the forces of Iran and Hezbollah in neighbouring Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday not to allow Iran to acquire nuclear arms after the Islamic Republic said it would abandon limits on its nuclear activities agreed in a 2015 deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday not to allow Iran to acquire nuclear arms after the Islamic Republic said it would abandon limits on its nuclear activities agreed in a 2015 deal. "This morning on my way here I heard that Iran intends to continue its nuclear programme," Netanyahu said at a ceremony on Israel's annual day of remembrance for its fallen soldiers and civilian victims of militant attacks. "We shall not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon," he said in Hebrew. Netanyahu has been an outspoken opponent of Iran's landmark nuclear deal with major powers and was the leading supporter of US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from it and reimpose crippling economic sanctions last year. Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and is widely believed to possess its sole if undeclared, nuclear arsenal. On Wednesday Tehran said it was ending curbs on its uranium enrichment stockpile agreed under the 2015 deal until other powers help it bypass the renewed US sanctions. Iran does not recognise its archfoe Israel and opposition to the Jewish state has been a central tenet of official policy since the Islamic revolution. Iran has supported Palestinian and other anti-Israel groups, including Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah. Israel has said publicly that it has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes targeting the forces of Iran and Hezbollah in neighbouring Syria.

Israel will 'not allow' nuclear-armed Iran: Benjamin Netanyahu

israel-0

Israel, News on Israel, stories on Israel, articles on Israel, Israel stories at Wion, Israel news, Israel latest news

israel 0