The military said it escorted two US bombers. The flight of the pair of B-52 bombers is the latest mission in the region aimed at warning Iran amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Israeli jets escort US B-52 bombers amid Iran tensions

Israel reopened most of its economy on Sunday as part of its final phase of lifting coronavirus lockdown restrictions, some of which have been in place since September.

Chefs, patrons welcome reopening of Israel eateries

A B-52 US bomber has been deployed over the Israeli skies and this also has been done a second time in the Biden administration. Israeli fighter jets have escorted the bombers in the skies. A step has been taken to deter aggression between Iran and the US.

US flies two B-52 bombers over Israel amid tensions with Iran

Israel, Austria and Denmark said on Thursday they would set up a joint research and development fund and possibly production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure they had long-term supplies for booster shots or to contend with virus mutations.

European Union members Austria and Denmark have been chafing at delays in ordering, approving and distributing vaccines within https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronaviurs-vaccine-europe-int-idUSKBN2AU11Vthe 27-member bloc that have left it trailing far behind Israel's world-beating vaccination campaign.

After hosting his Austrian and Danish counterparts for talks and a tour of an Israeli gym open to those documented as having been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the pact.

"Once we get over this cycle of the disease we have no guarantee that it won't come back. We don't know how long - nobody knows - how long these vaccines will hold up," he said at a joint news conference. "And therefore we have to protect our people against the reemergence of this pandemic or mutations."

Austria's Sebastian Kurz said he was "very happy" about an EU vaccine initiative "but we also need to cooperate worldwide".

The European Commission has said member states were free to strike separate deals should they wish to.

The trilateral pact, Kurz said, would include investment in production plants in Europe and Israel, and each country contributing where it best can to the manufacturing cycle.

"In Austria, for example, lipid production necessary for many vaccines is already taking place," the chancellor said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country was looking to expand its production capacity. "We would like in common also to explore possible cooperation on clinical trials" with Israel and Austria, she said.

Netanyahu, who said 90% of eligible Israelis have either received at least one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or recovered from the virus, has made the programme a showcase of his campaign for a March 23 election.

"We will be, together, 'Vaccination Nations'," he said of the deal with Austria and Denmark. "And we agreed that if other nations want to join us, we will discuss this among ourselves and welcome others to come in as well."

Israel, Austria and Denmark said on Thursday they would set up a joint research and development fund and possibly production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure they had long-term supplies for booster shots or to contend with virus mutations.

Israel, Austria and Denmark said on Thursday they would set up a joint research and development fund and possibly production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure they had long-term supplies for booster shots or to contend with virus mutations. European Union members Austria and Denmark have been chafing at delays in ordering, approving and distributing vaccines within https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronaviurs-vaccine-europe-int-idUSKBN2AU11Vthe 27-member bloc that have left it trailing far behind Israel's world-beating vaccination campaign. After hosting his Austrian and Danish counterparts for talks and a tour of an Israeli gym open to those documented as having been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the pact. "Once we get over this cycle of the disease we have no guarantee that it won't come back. We don't know how long - nobody knows - how long these vaccines will hold up," he said at a joint news conference. "And therefore we have to protect our people against the reemergence of this pandemic or mutations." Austria's Sebastian Kurz said he was "very happy" about an EU vaccine initiative "but we also need to cooperate worldwide". The European Commission has said member states were free to strike separate deals should they wish to. The trilateral pact, Kurz said, would include investment in production plants in Europe and Israel, and each country contributing where it best can to the manufacturing cycle. "In Austria, for example, lipid production necessary for many vaccines is already taking place," the chancellor said. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country was looking to expand its production capacity. "We would like in common also to explore possible cooperation on clinical trials" with Israel and Austria, she said. Netanyahu, who said 90% of eligible Israelis have either received at least one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or recovered from the virus, has made the programme a showcase of his campaign for a March 23 election. "We will be, together, 'Vaccination Nations'," he said of the deal with Austria and Denmark. "And we agreed that if other nations want to join us, we will discuss this among ourselves and welcome others to come in as well."

Israel, Austria and Denmark establish vaccine-supply alliance

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area.

Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit.

Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate".

"My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said.

The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on Sept. 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran.

Their so-called "Abraham Accords", joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined.

Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war.

The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv.

According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, Al Khalja has experience in the energy, disarmament, business development and oil investment sectors.

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area.

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area. Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit. Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate". "My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said. The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on Sept. 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran. Their so-called "Abraham Accords", joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined. Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war. The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv. According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, Al Khalja has experience in the energy, disarmament, business development and oil investment sectors.

First UAE ambassador arrives in Israel, eyes Tel Aviv embassy

Last week an Israeli cargo ship suffered a mysterious explosion in the Gulf of Oman. The explosion ripped through the holes on either side of ship's hull. Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran is behind the attack but Iran has denied any role in mysterious blast.

Iran: Country 'strongly rejects' Israeli accusation of mysterious blast

Israel on Sunday confirmed it will vaccinate Palestinians in the West Bank with permits to work in Jewish settlements in the occupied territory and inside Israel against the coronavirus.&nbsp;

The Palestinian Authority said last week it had reached an agreement with Israel that would see the Jewish state vaccinate 100,000 Palestinian labourers.&nbsp;

The Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in Palestinian territories, COGAT, said in a statement Sunday the vaccinations had been "approved by the political echelon".

The statement added Israel will "conduct a vaccination campaign for Palestinian workers with employment licenses in Israel and in the communities across Judea and Samaria", which are the biblical names used widely in Israel for the occupied West Bank.&nbsp;

The vaccinations, which will begin "in the coming days", will take place at crossing points between Israel and the West Bank, as well as inside settlements, COGAT said.&nbsp;

Israel, among the world leaders in coronavirus vaccinations per capita, has faced global calls to ensure all Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and in Israeli-blockaded Gaza are vaccinated.&nbsp;

The Palestinian Authority is expecting some two million doses ordered from various manufacturers, in addition to doses from the UN-backed Covax programme, set up to help less wealthy nations procure vaccines.

The PA said it will share its supply with Hamas Islamists, who control Gaza.&nbsp;

Israel on Sunday confirmed it will vaccinate Palestinians in the West Bank with permits to work in Jewish settlements in the occupied territory and inside Israel against the coronavirus.

Israel on Sunday confirmed it will vaccinate Palestinians in the West Bank with permits to work in Jewish settlements in the occupied territory and inside Israel against the coronavirus. The Palestinian Authority said last week it had reached an agreement with Israel that would see the Jewish state vaccinate 100,000 Palestinian labourers. The Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in Palestinian territories, COGAT, said in a statement Sunday the vaccinations had been "approved by the political echelon". The statement added Israel will "conduct a vaccination campaign for Palestinian workers with employment licenses in Israel and in the communities across Judea and Samaria", which are the biblical names used widely in Israel for the occupied West Bank. The vaccinations, which will begin "in the coming days", will take place at crossing points between Israel and the West Bank, as well as inside settlements, COGAT said. Israel, among the world leaders in coronavirus vaccinations per capita, has faced global calls to ensure all Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and in Israeli-blockaded Gaza are vaccinated. The Palestinian Authority is expecting some two million doses ordered from various manufacturers, in addition to doses from the UN-backed Covax programme, set up to help less wealthy nations procure vaccines. The PA said it will share its supply with Hamas Islamists, who control Gaza.

Israel confirms will vaccinate Palestinians with Israeli work permits

Authorities in Israel have cleared a Greek tanker of suspicion in relation to an oil spill that caused massive tar pollution on the Mediterranean coastline.

It was seen as Israel's worst maritime pollution incident in decades.

Powerful winds and unusually high waves pummelled Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline on February 17, with tonnes of tar staining 160 kilometres (96 miles) of beach from its borders with the Gaza Strip to Lebanon.

After an Israeli media report had named the Greek oil tanker Minerva Helen as a possible culprit, the ship's owner, Minerva Marine Inc., firmly denied any involvement.

On Sunday, the ministry said that "following an inspection conducted in Greece on the Minerva Helen tanker, it has been cleared of suspicion of involvement in the severe tar event on Israel's beaches". The ship's owner said the Israeli media report was an "unfounded an inaccurate allegation".

It stated that the ship had been in the Mediterranean in the days before the storm, "without any cargo on board" and therefore could not be linked to a spill.

The company also pledged to "cooperate with any relevant authority" interested in the Minerva Helen's movements.

On Saturday in the Greek port city of Piraeus, Israeli inspectors conducted "an extensive examination" of the Minerva Helen that "positively ruled out the vessel as the source of the pollution," the environmental protection ministry said in a statement.

The investigation was conducted in coordination with Greek authorities, with assistance from the Hellenic Coast Guard, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, there were currently "dozens" of vessels under suspicion, with Israeli inspectors, aided in some cases by international bodies, already ruling out around 10 of them.

Meanwhile, volunteers have teamed up with authorities to clean the beaches, while officials from the environmental protection ministry launched an investigation into the source of the spill.

&nbsp;

Authorities in Israel have cleared a Greek tanker of suspicion in relation to an oil spill that caused massive tar pollution on the Mediterranean coastline. It was seen as Israel's worst maritime pollution incident in decades.

Authorities in Israel have cleared a Greek tanker of suspicion in relation to an oil spill that caused massive tar pollution on the Mediterranean coastline. It was seen as Israel's worst maritime pollution incident in decades. Powerful winds and unusually high waves pummelled Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline on February 17, with tonnes of tar staining 160 kilometres (96 miles) of beach from its borders with the Gaza Strip to Lebanon. After an Israeli media report had named the Greek oil tanker Minerva Helen as a possible culprit, the ship's owner, Minerva Marine Inc., firmly denied any involvement. On Sunday, the ministry said that "following an inspection conducted in Greece on the Minerva Helen tanker, it has been cleared of suspicion of involvement in the severe tar event on Israel's beaches". The ship's owner said the Israeli media report was an "unfounded an inaccurate allegation". It stated that the ship had been in the Mediterranean in the days before the storm, "without any cargo on board" and therefore could not be linked to a spill. The company also pledged to "cooperate with any relevant authority" interested in the Minerva Helen's movements. On Saturday in the Greek port city of Piraeus, Israeli inspectors conducted "an extensive examination" of the Minerva Helen that "positively ruled out the vessel as the source of the pollution," the environmental protection ministry said in a statement. The investigation was conducted in coordination with Greek authorities, with assistance from the Hellenic Coast Guard, the ministry said. According to the ministry, there were currently "dozens" of vessels under suspicion, with Israeli inspectors, aided in some cases by international bodies, already ruling out around 10 of them. Meanwhile, volunteers have teamed up with authorities to clean the beaches, while officials from the environmental protection ministry launched an investigation into the source of the spill.

Israel clears Greek tanker of suspicion over Mediterranean oil spill

An ultraconservative Iranian newspaper said on Sunday that the "resistance axis" of Iran and its regional allies may have been behind an explosion that hit an Israeli-owned "spy" vessel four days ago

The vessel, MV Helios Ray, was travelling from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to Singapore when the blast took place on Thursday, &nbsp;according to the London-based Dryad Global maritime security group.

Citing unnamed "military experts," Kayhan, Iran's leading ultraconservative daily, wrote in a front-page report that "the targeted ship in the Gulf of Oman is a military ship belonging to the Israeli army".

It was "gathering information about the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman" when it was targeted, the newspaper said.

"This spy ship, although it was sailing secretly, may have fallen into the ambush of one of the branches of the resistance axis," it added, without offering further details.

The term "resistance axis" usually refers to the Islamic republic and its allied forces in the region.

Israel's defence minister Benny Gantz said on Saturday that the Jewish state's "initial assessment" is that Iran is responsible for the explosion aboard the vessel.

"This... takes into account the proximity (with Iran) and the context" in which the blast occurred, he added.

"This is what I believe."

Rami Ungar, an Israeli businessman who owns the Helios Ray, told Israeli state television Kan on Friday that the explosion caused "two holes about a metre and a half (five feet) in diameter". It was "not yet clear" if the damage was caused by missiles or mines attached to the ship, Ungar added.

He said that the explosion did not cause any casualties among the crew or damage to the engine.

Israel has always accused Iran of trying to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran denies.

Iran blames the November 27 assassination outside Tehran of its top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on the Jewish state.

(With AFP inputs)

An ultraconservative Iranian newspaper said on Sunday that the "resistance axis" of Iran and its regional allies may have been behind an explosion that hit an Israeli-owned "spy" vessel four days ago The vessel, MV Helios Ray, was travelling from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to Singapore when the blast took place on Thursday, according to the London-based Dryad Global maritime security group.

An ultraconservative Iranian newspaper said on Sunday that the "resistance axis" of Iran and its regional allies may have been behind an explosion that hit an Israeli-owned "spy" vessel four days ago The vessel, MV Helios Ray, was travelling from Dammam in Saudi Arabia to Singapore when the blast took place on Thursday, according to the London-based Dryad Global maritime security group. Citing unnamed "military experts," Kayhan, Iran's leading ultraconservative daily, wrote in a front-page report that "the targeted ship in the Gulf of Oman is a military ship belonging to the Israeli army". It was "gathering information about the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman" when it was targeted, the newspaper said. "This spy ship, although it was sailing secretly, may have fallen into the ambush of one of the branches of the resistance axis," it added, without offering further details. The term "resistance axis" usually refers to the Islamic republic and its allied forces in the region. Israel's defence minister Benny Gantz said on Saturday that the Jewish state's "initial assessment" is that Iran is responsible for the explosion aboard the vessel. "This... takes into account the proximity (with Iran) and the context" in which the blast occurred, he added. "This is what I believe." Rami Ungar, an Israeli businessman who owns the Helios Ray, told Israeli state television Kan on Friday that the explosion caused "two holes about a metre and a half (five feet) in diameter". It was "not yet clear" if the damage was caused by missiles or mines attached to the ship, Ungar added. He said that the explosion did not cause any casualties among the crew or damage to the engine. Israel has always accused Iran of trying to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran denies. Iran blames the November 27 assassination outside Tehran of its top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on the Jewish state. (With AFP inputs)

Iran and its allies may be behind Israeli ship blast, says newspaper

Israel’s parliament on Wednesday passed a law which allows the government to share the identities of those not vaccinated against COVID-19.

The measure passed with 30 votes in favour and 13 against, and now gives local governments, the director general of the education ministry, and many officials in the welfare ministry to receive the names, phone numbers, and addresses of those who have not received the vaccine.

According to a parliament statement, the goal of this law is to ”enable these bodies to encourage people to vaccinate by personally addressing them”. The law will be valid for three months or until the pandemic is declared over.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israeli-researchers-reveal-china-copied-spyware-code-from-americas-nsa-365453" hreflang="en">Israeli researchers reveal China copied spyware code from America's NSA</a>

Israel has over nine million people living within its borders, and it has administered the two Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on a third of its population. Israel is currently restricting certain services including access to gyms and indoor dining to those who have received the vaccination. The government provides a “green pass” to those who have received both the doses of the vaccine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/on-the-house-israel-bar-offers-free-drinks-with-covid-19-vaccine-jabs-365196" hreflang="en">On the house: Israel bar offers free drinks with COVID-19 vaccine jabs</a>

According to the parliament’s statement, the personal information of citizens cannot be used for purposes other than encouraging them to vaccinate. During discussion about the law, Labor party leader Merav Michaeli accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "denying citizens their right to the privacy of their medical information".

The law mandates the following - “The information will be deleted after its use within 60 days” and “a person who was contacted can demand that his details be deleted and that they not be contacted again”.

(With inputs from AFP)

Israel’s parliament on Wednesday passed a law which allows the government to share the identities of those not vaccinated against COVID-19. The measure passed with 30 votes in favour and 13 against, and now gives local governments, the director general of the education ministry, and many officials in the welfare ministry to receive the names, phone numbers, and addresses of those who have not received the vaccine.

Israel’s parliament on Wednesday passed a law which allows the government to share the identities of those not vaccinated against COVID-19. The measure passed with 30 votes in favour and 13 against, and now gives local governments, the director general of the education ministry, and many officials in the welfare ministry to receive the names, phone numbers, and addresses of those who have not received the vaccine. According to a parliament statement, the goal of this law is to ”enable these bodies to encourage people to vaccinate by personally addressing them”. The law will be valid for three months or until the pandemic is declared over. Also read: Israeli researchers reveal China copied spyware code from America's NSA Israel has over nine million people living within its borders, and it has administered the two Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on a third of its population. Israel is currently restricting certain services including access to gyms and indoor dining to those who have received the vaccination. The government provides a “green pass” to those who have received both the doses of the vaccine. Also read: On the house: Israel bar offers free drinks with COVID-19 vaccine jabs According to the parliament’s statement, the personal information of citizens cannot be used for purposes other than encouraging them to vaccinate. During discussion about the law, Labor party leader Merav Michaeli accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "denying citizens their right to the privacy of their medical information". The law mandates the following - “The information will be deleted after its use within 60 days” and “a person who was contacted can demand that his details be deleted and that they not be contacted again”. (With inputs from AFP)

Israel adopts law allowing identities of unvaccinated to be shared

Israel has been hit by a severe ecological disaster. The country's Mediterranean shoreline has been blackened with tar. Where did it come from? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Why are Israel's beaches drenched with tar?

Israel closed all its Mediterranean beaches until further notice on Sunday, days after an offshore oil spill deposited tons of tar across more than 160 kilometres of coastline in what officials are calling one of the country's worst disasters.

Israel shuts Mediterranean beaches after oil spill

Oil spill on Israel's Mediterranean shore causes 'disaster'

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel.

The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/only-3-of-45-pilot-whales-survive-mass-stranding-in-indonesia-364867">Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia</a>

Heavy winds and gigantic waves were seen in Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline over Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing tonnes of tar into the beaches.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-new-population-of-blue-whales-was-discovered-hiding-in-the-indian-ocean-352725">A new population of Blue Whales was discovered hiding in the Indian Ocean</a>

Initially, it was believed that the whale could have died due to tar pollution&nbsp;

However, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority have brushed aside this theory and said the state of whale showed that it had died about two weeks ago.&nbsp;

"The whale's arrival cannot be linked to the tar pollution," the authority was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Earlier, David Halfon, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said the body of the whale is "quite rotten", making it "impossible" to find the cause of death with certainty, as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Fin Whale is the world's second-biggest mammal species after the Blue Whale.&nbsp;

The environmental protection ministry said it would locate the source of the pollution, adding that the cleanup would be "long and difficult".

Volunteers from a number of NGOs along with the ministry started cleaning up the beaches after emergency funds were released to expedite the manual cleaning.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel. The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve.

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel. The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve. Also read | Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia Heavy winds and gigantic waves were seen in Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline over Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing tonnes of tar into the beaches. Also read | A new population of Blue Whales was discovered hiding in the Indian Ocean Initially, it was believed that the whale could have died due to tar pollution However, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority have brushed aside this theory and said the state of whale showed that it had died about two weeks ago. "The whale's arrival cannot be linked to the tar pollution," the authority was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Earlier, David Halfon, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said the body of the whale is "quite rotten", making it "impossible" to find the cause of death with certainty, as reported by news agency Reuters. Fin Whale is the world's second-biggest mammal species after the Blue Whale. The environmental protection ministry said it would locate the source of the pollution, adding that the cleanup would be "long and difficult". Volunteers from a number of NGOs along with the ministry started cleaning up the beaches after emergency funds were released to expedite the manual cleaning.

Probe launched after 17-metre-long whale found dead in Israeli beach

West Asia has been blanketed by snow. Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine & Saudi Arabia are all reporting snowfall. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why this is proof of climate change.

Gravitas: Why its snowing in West Asia

In pictures: Jerusalem experiences rare snowfall

An Israeli bar doubled as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Thursday (February 18), with free drinks given to those who got the shots. More than 43% percent of Israel's 9 million population have received at least one dose of Pfizer Inc's vaccine, the Health Ministry says. But officials worry that turnout may wane and hold back Israeli plans to begin reopening the economy.

Jab but no tab: Israeli bar offers free drinks with vaccines

Snow blanketed parts of Syria, Lebanon and Israel on Wednesday, blocking roads, disrupting traffic and postponing exams at some universities.&nbsp;

Large parts of Syria were covered, including the capital Damascus, which is witnessing this winter's first snowfall. Snow was as high as 15 cm (6 inches) in the mountains of Sweida province, according to the official state news agency SANA.&nbsp;

Roads in some provinces were blocked. In the central province of Hama, bulldozers shoveled snow to open roads while vehicles skidded on ice, further causing traffic disruption.&nbsp;

The University of Damascus called off mid-term exams scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in all its branches around Syria because of the extreme weather conditions. The country's ports remained open.&nbsp;

In the opposition-held northwestern Syria, civil defence teams have been building dirt mounds since Tuesday around displaced persons' camps to prevent the rain from flooding the crowded areas. Nearly three million displaced people live in northwestern Syria, mostly in tents and temporary shelters. Heavy rainfall last month damaged over 190 displacement sites, destroying and damaging over 10,000 tents.&nbsp;

In neighboring Lebanon, Storm Joyce hit late on Tuesday with gale force winds registering between 85 km/h (52 miles/h) and 100 km/h (62 miles/h). The storm is expected to get stronger Thursday.&nbsp;

Breaking a warm spell, the storm brought heavy rainfall, a sharp drop in temperatures and the heaviest snow fall in Lebanon this year. Snow is expected to cover areas of altitudes as low as 400 meters high, according to the Meteorological department. Nearly a dozen roads in eastern and northern Lebanon were closed to traffic because of the snow.&nbsp;

The Israeli Meteorological Service forecast heavy thunderstorms and cold temperatures across much of the country, with snowfall at higher altitudes expected later on Wednesday, including in Jerusalem. Heavy snowfall covered the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the border with Syria. &nbsp;

Snow blanketed parts of Syria, Lebanon and Israel on Wednesday, blocking roads, disrupting traffic and postponing exams at some universities. Large parts of Syria were covered, including the capital Damascus, which is witnessing this winter's first snowfall.

Snow blanketed parts of Syria, Lebanon and Israel on Wednesday, blocking roads, disrupting traffic and postponing exams at some universities. Large parts of Syria were covered, including the capital Damascus, which is witnessing this winter's first snowfall. Snow was as high as 15 cm (6 inches) in the mountains of Sweida province, according to the official state news agency SANA. Roads in some provinces were blocked. In the central province of Hama, bulldozers shoveled snow to open roads while vehicles skidded on ice, further causing traffic disruption. The University of Damascus called off mid-term exams scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in all its branches around Syria because of the extreme weather conditions. The country's ports remained open. In the opposition-held northwestern Syria, civil defence teams have been building dirt mounds since Tuesday around displaced persons' camps to prevent the rain from flooding the crowded areas. Nearly three million displaced people live in northwestern Syria, mostly in tents and temporary shelters. Heavy rainfall last month damaged over 190 displacement sites, destroying and damaging over 10,000 tents. In neighboring Lebanon, Storm Joyce hit late on Tuesday with gale force winds registering between 85 km/h (52 miles/h) and 100 km/h (62 miles/h). The storm is expected to get stronger Thursday. Breaking a warm spell, the storm brought heavy rainfall, a sharp drop in temperatures and the heaviest snow fall in Lebanon this year. Snow is expected to cover areas of altitudes as low as 400 meters high, according to the Meteorological department. Nearly a dozen roads in eastern and northern Lebanon were closed to traffic because of the snow. The Israeli Meteorological Service forecast heavy thunderstorms and cold temperatures across much of the country, with snowfall at higher altitudes expected later on Wednesday, including in Jerusalem. Heavy snowfall covered the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the border with Syria.

Heavy snowfall hits Syria, Lebanon, Israel in winter storm

Israeli Health Ministry has adopted a characteristic to persuaded people for the vaccination, especially the ultra-orthodox. Countries orthodox Jews population have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus with misinformation about the vaccine. WION brings you a report.

Israel ultra orthodox Jews get Pizzas after vaccination

There is growing concern for the red sea coral reef, environmentalists now say that these coral reefs are under threat due to the Israel-UAE oil deal warning that this could lead to the next ecological disaster.

Red sea coral reefs are under threat due to Israel-UAE oil deal

Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences. Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria since the outbreak of Syrian war in 2011. These strikes have mostly targetted Iranian, Hezbollah forces and government troops.

Shortly after midnight, "the Israeli enemy launched an assault, firing missiles from the occupied Golan and Galilee," the SANA news agency reported, citing a military source.

The strikes were aimed at targets near Damascus, the source said, adding that defences shot down "most" of the missiles.

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According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13.

The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports.

Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details.

It has consistently vowed to prevent its arch-enemy Iran from gaining a foothold in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad throughout the nearly decade-long war.

(With AFP inputs)

Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences.

Syrian state media said on Monday that Israel launched missile strikes against several targets near Damascus. The report said that the strike prompted activation of Syrian air defences. Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria since the outbreak of Syrian war in 2011. These strikes have mostly targetted Iranian, Hezbollah forces and government troops. Shortly after midnight, "the Israeli enemy launched an assault, firing missiles from the occupied Golan and Galilee," the SANA news agency reported, citing a military source. The strikes were aimed at targets near Damascus, the source said, adding that defences shot down "most" of the missiles. × According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13. The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports. Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details. It has consistently vowed to prevent its arch-enemy Iran from gaining a foothold in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad throughout the nearly decade-long war. (With AFP inputs)

Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus, says state media

A one-ton gun smuggled into Iran by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad killed top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a British weekly claimed citing intelligence sources.&nbsp;

A report published by the Jewish Chronicle on Wednesday said that a team of over 20 Israeli and Iranian agents were involved in the assassination after eight months of surveillance.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-who-killed-mohsen-fakhrizadeh-346563/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The intelligence agency mounted the automated gun on a Nissan pickup and that "the bespoke weapon, operated remotely by agents on the ground as they observed the target, was so heavy because it included a bomb that destroyed the evidence after the killing," the world's oldest Jewish newspaper based in London said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-returns-to-court-as-graft-trial-ramps-up-362129">Israel's Netanyahu returns to court as graft trial ramps up</a>

Israeli and Western intelligence agencies long claimed that Fakhrizadeh, 59, was the mastermind of Iran's nuclear programme.&nbsp;

He was gunned down in his car and Iran directed the accusations towards Israel with its foreign minister saying on Twitter that there are "serious indications of (an) Israeli role."

The report added that Iran has "secretly assessed" that a time of six years will be required to find Fakhrizadeh's replacement and his death had "extended the period of time it would take Iran to achieve a bomb from about three-and-a-half months to two years."

Israel again declined to comment on the claims of its involvement following the publication of the report, with a government spokesperson saying: "We never comment on such matters. There has been no change in our position."

A one-ton gun smuggled into Iran by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad killed top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a British weekly claimed citing intelligence sources.

A one-ton gun smuggled into Iran by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad killed top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a British weekly claimed citing intelligence sources. A report published by the Jewish Chronicle on Wednesday said that a team of over 20 Israeli and Iranian agents were involved in the assassination after eight months of surveillance. Watch | The intelligence agency mounted the automated gun on a Nissan pickup and that "the bespoke weapon, operated remotely by agents on the ground as they observed the target, was so heavy because it included a bomb that destroyed the evidence after the killing," the world's oldest Jewish newspaper based in London said. Also read | Israel's Netanyahu returns to court as graft trial ramps up Israeli and Western intelligence agencies long claimed that Fakhrizadeh, 59, was the mastermind of Iran's nuclear programme. He was gunned down in his car and Iran directed the accusations towards Israel with its foreign minister saying on Twitter that there are "serious indications of (an) Israeli role." The report added that Iran has "secretly assessed" that a time of six years will be required to find Fakhrizadeh's replacement and his death had "extended the period of time it would take Iran to achieve a bomb from about three-and-a-half months to two years." Israel again declined to comment on the claims of its involvement following the publication of the report, with a government spokesperson saying: "We never comment on such matters. There has been no change in our position."

One-ton gun smuggled by Israeli intelligence agency killed Iranian scientist Fakhrizadeh: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Golan Heights will remain under country's sovereignty and the strategic plateau bordering Syria will forever stay in Israeli hands.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says country not withdrawing from Golan Heights

With a general election just weeks away and the pandemic still raging - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a trial over charges of corruption. WION's Palki tells you what the case against Netanyahu means for his political future.

Gravitas: Netanyahu faces corruption trial

As the trial against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resumed in Jerusalem, The PM said that not delaying his trial to after the elections would amount to election interference. Netanyahu once again denied the corruption charges against him and calls them a witch hunt.

Israeli PM Netanyahu denies corruption charges, calls it a witch hunt

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, has told the judges that he is innocent of corruption charges, as a high-profile trial against Netanyahu began ahead of the national election.

Israel: PM Netanyahu arrives in court to respond to corruption charges

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described on Saturday a decision by the International Criminal Court investigation as "pure anti-semitism", hours after judges at the ICC found the court has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, paving the way for a possible criminal investigation, despite Israeli objections.

'Pure anti-semitism': Israel's Netanyahu slams ICC decision and says will fight it

Israeli's top business chamber, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) has extended strong support to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India.

Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in response to a question by WION said, "You can export to Israel as much you can, as much you want...we would like to see a free trade agreement with India because our economy is based on free competition.... You don't have to worry about Israel. We are not such a big country, you are a big country".

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/extracting-potable-water-from-air-this-israeli-firm-in-gaza-is-turning-air-into-drinking-water-354882/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

FICC, more than 100 years old was formed in 1919 is the country's largest business organization. &nbsp;"Many many Israeli countries would like to invest in India, you are a big market", Uriel Lynn pointing out to sectors like agriculture, cyber, water resources where Israel has a strong footprint.

India is Israel's third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh largest globally. Bilateral trade has diversified into several sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT and telecom, and homeland security.

Even as high-level political engagement increased between the 2 countries, the focus is increasingly on business and investment. During PM Modi’s famous visit in July 2017, the first meeting of the newly established India-Israel CEOs Forum took place. The second meeting of the forum took place during PM Netanyahu’s visit to India. 
&nbsp;

Israeli's top business chamber, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) has extended strong support to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in response to a question by WION said, "You can export to Israel as much you can, as much you want.

Israeli's top business chamber, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) has extended strong support to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce in response to a question by WION said, "You can export to Israel as much you can, as much you want...we would like to see a free trade agreement with India because our economy is based on free competition.... You don't have to worry about Israel. We are not such a big country, you are a big country". Watch | FICC, more than 100 years old was formed in 1919 is the country's largest business organization. "Many many Israeli countries would like to invest in India, you are a big market", Uriel Lynn pointing out to sectors like agriculture, cyber, water resources where Israel has a strong footprint. India is Israel's third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh largest globally. Bilateral trade has diversified into several sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT and telecom, and homeland security. Even as high-level political engagement increased between the 2 countries, the focus is increasingly on business and investment. During PM Modi’s famous visit in July 2017, the first meeting of the newly established India-Israel CEOs Forum took place. The second meeting of the forum took place during PM Netanyahu’s visit to India.

Israel's top business chamber bats for FTA with India

Israel quickly became the world leader in vaccinating its population against COVID-19, but almost all Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank are still waiting for their first doses of the inoculation.

That disparity has set off a roiling debate about Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power in one of the world’s most protracted territorial feuds.

To Israel’s critics, international law obligates Israel to give Palestinians access to vaccines comparable to what it offers its own citizens. But supporters of Israel’s policies contend that the Palestinians assumed responsibility for health services for their population when they signed the Oslo Accords in the 1990s.

While the Palestinians’ glaring vulnerability to the virus lessened somewhat this week — the Palestinian Authority officially launched a vaccination campaign by giving front-line medical workers doses received from Israel — the contrast with Israel remains striking. The disparity also reflects in part the stark inequality in access to vaccines between rich countries like Israel and other areas of the developing world.

The Palestinian vaccine campaign still lags far behind that of Israel, which with a population of about 9.2 million has already inoculated more than 3.3 million people with a first dose. They include a substantial percentage of the roughly 450,000 settlers living alongside Palestinians in the West Bank, who number between 2.5 million and 3 million.

It remains unclear precisely when the roughly 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the blockaded enclave controlled by the militant anti-Israel group Hamas, will begin to receive vaccinations.

For the small number of Palestinian doctors and nurses who received vaccines Wednesday, it was a moment of relief.

“Praise God, I feel great,” said Ayman Abu Daoud, 49, a nurse based in Bethlehem who has been administering coronavirus tests over the past 11 months. “The vaccines are giving us hope we will overcome the pandemic, but we still have a long way to go.”

Abu Daoud was one of 100 front-line medical workers in the Bethlehem region — where the first Palestinian cases in the West Bank were discovered — to receive vaccines Wednesday and Thursday, local health officials said. Dozens of other front-line health workers in the Bethlehem area were still awaiting shots, they said.

Bassil Bawatneh, director of an eye hospital near Ramallah that has been transformed into a coronavirus treatment center, called the vaccination of medical teams “a very crucial step.”

The Palestinians received their first substantial shipment of vaccines Monday when Israel gave the Palestinian Authority 2,000 Moderna doses — a measure the Israeli government approved after public health experts had recommended it. Israeli officials said they intend to hand over an additional 3,000 doses.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry of the Palestinian Authority said the vaccination campaign would initially target front-line health workers and then expand to people older than 60 as well as those who suffer chronic illnesses.

The Palestinians received 10,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine Thursday. They expect to receive 37,440 Pfizer doses in February and hundreds of thousands of AstraZeneca doses in either late February or early March through the global-sharing initiative COVAX, according to Gerald Rockenschaub, head of the World Health Organization’s mission to the Palestinians. An additional 2 million doses of AstraZeneca are slated to arrive throughout March, Palestinian officials said.

The Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai al-Kaila, had said vaccines would be transferred to Gaza on Wednesday, but Israeli security officials said that the Palestinians had not submitted a formal request for permission to send vaccines there. Any request would require Israeli government approval, the officials said.

The launch of the vaccination campaign in the West Bank followed a fiery disagreement between supporters of the Israelis and Palestinians about whether Israel bears responsibility to vaccinate Palestinians.

Human rights advocates have argued that Israel is obligated under international law to provide Palestinians with access to vaccines on par with what it makes available to its own citizens. Some also argue that Israel has a moral imperative to do so as a military occupier with the means to help.

Advocates have pointed to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states occupying powers hold a duty to ensure the public health of people living under occupation to “the fullest extent” possible, especially with regard to combating epidemics and diseases.

“After 50 years of occupation with no end in sight, Israel’s duties go beyond offering spare doses,” said Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine, referring to the vaccine vials Israel delivered to the Palestinians on Monday.

Shakir emphasized that Israel must provide vaccines to the Palestinians irrespective of efforts by the Palestinian Authority to secure them independently and said it was unjustified to afford settlers greater access to vaccines than their Palestinian neighbors.

But Israeli officials have said that while Israel has an interest in ensuring the vaccination of Palestinians, many of them laborers who frequently come into contact with Israelis, it has no legal responsibility to do so.

“We want everyone in the area to be vaccinated, but the Palestinian Authority is the party responsible for providing for the health of Palestinians,” said Yoav Kish, Israel’s deputy health minister. “Our responsibility is to vaccinate our own population,” he said, noting that Israeli health care providers were inoculating Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.

The Oslo Accords, interim agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated that the Palestinians would take on responsibilities for health in the West Bank and Gaza, but they also mentioned that Israel and the Palestinians should cooperate in fighting epidemics and contagious diseases.

Defenders of Israel’s policies have argued that Israeli officials moved more quickly than their Palestinian counterparts in securing deals for vaccines.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

The Palestinian Authority did not initially lead public calls for Israel to vaccinate Palestinians.

Ahmad Majdalani, the minister of social development, said the Palestinians did not publicly demand that Israel give them vaccines at first because they thought they would obtain what they needed through international donations, contacts with pharmaceutical companies and private discussions with Israeli officials.

When it became clear their strategy was not producing immediate results, Majdalani said they decided to start issuing statements demanding Israel fulfill its “international duty” by providing vaccines.

Last week, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said international law requires Israel to provide vaccines to the Palestinians, but that Palestinians were still working “to find every path to find whatever vaccine possible — whether it is English or Russian or Chinese.”

Ghassan Khatib, a political scientist at Birzeit University, argued that the Palestinians initially refrained from publicly calling on Israel to give them vaccines because they were loath to sound “self-contradictory,” seeking to obtain them independently while simultaneously ceding responsibility to Israel.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the main Palestinian official in charge of coordinating with the Israelis, said the Palestinians asked Israel for up to 10,000 doses in late December.

Israeli officials said that in addition to the thousands of vaccines Israel transferred to the Palestinians this week, it also delivered 200 doses in January to the Palestinians, but al-Sheikh denied that. 
&nbsp;

Israel quickly became the world leader in vaccinating its population against COVID-19, but almost all Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank are still waiting for their first doses of the inoculation.

Israel quickly became the world leader in vaccinating its population against COVID-19, but almost all Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank are still waiting for their first doses of the inoculation. That disparity has set off a roiling debate about Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power in one of the world’s most protracted territorial feuds. To Israel’s critics, international law obligates Israel to give Palestinians access to vaccines comparable to what it offers its own citizens. But supporters of Israel’s policies contend that the Palestinians assumed responsibility for health services for their population when they signed the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. While the Palestinians’ glaring vulnerability to the virus lessened somewhat this week — the Palestinian Authority officially launched a vaccination campaign by giving front-line medical workers doses received from Israel — the contrast with Israel remains striking. The disparity also reflects in part the stark inequality in access to vaccines between rich countries like Israel and other areas of the developing world. The Palestinian vaccine campaign still lags far behind that of Israel, which with a population of about 9.2 million has already inoculated more than 3.3 million people with a first dose. They include a substantial percentage of the roughly 450,000 settlers living alongside Palestinians in the West Bank, who number between 2.5 million and 3 million. It remains unclear precisely when the roughly 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the blockaded enclave controlled by the militant anti-Israel group Hamas, will begin to receive vaccinations. For the small number of Palestinian doctors and nurses who received vaccines Wednesday, it was a moment of relief. “Praise God, I feel great,” said Ayman Abu Daoud, 49, a nurse based in Bethlehem who has been administering coronavirus tests over the past 11 months. “The vaccines are giving us hope we will overcome the pandemic, but we still have a long way to go.” Abu Daoud was one of 100 front-line medical workers in the Bethlehem region — where the first Palestinian cases in the West Bank were discovered — to receive vaccines Wednesday and Thursday, local health officials said. Dozens of other front-line health workers in the Bethlehem area were still awaiting shots, they said. Bassil Bawatneh, director of an eye hospital near Ramallah that has been transformed into a coronavirus treatment center, called the vaccination of medical teams “a very crucial step.” The Palestinians received their first substantial shipment of vaccines Monday when Israel gave the Palestinian Authority 2,000 Moderna doses — a measure the Israeli government approved after public health experts had recommended it. Israeli officials said they intend to hand over an additional 3,000 doses. On Tuesday, the Health Ministry of the Palestinian Authority said the vaccination campaign would initially target front-line health workers and then expand to people older than 60 as well as those who suffer chronic illnesses. The Palestinians received 10,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine Thursday. They expect to receive 37,440 Pfizer doses in February and hundreds of thousands of AstraZeneca doses in either late February or early March through the global-sharing initiative COVAX, according to Gerald Rockenschaub, head of the World Health Organization’s mission to the Palestinians. An additional 2 million doses of AstraZeneca are slated to arrive throughout March, Palestinian officials said. The Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai al-Kaila, had said vaccines would be transferred to Gaza on Wednesday, but Israeli security officials said that the Palestinians had not submitted a formal request for permission to send vaccines there. Any request would require Israeli government approval, the officials said. The launch of the vaccination campaign in the West Bank followed a fiery disagreement between supporters of the Israelis and Palestinians about whether Israel bears responsibility to vaccinate Palestinians. Human rights advocates have argued that Israel is obligated under international law to provide Palestinians with access to vaccines on par with what it makes available to its own citizens. Some also argue that Israel has a moral imperative to do so as a military occupier with the means to help. Advocates have pointed to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states occupying powers hold a duty to ensure the public health of people living under occupation to “the fullest extent” possible, especially with regard to combating epidemics and diseases. “After 50 years of occupation with no end in sight, Israel’s duties go beyond offering spare doses,” said Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine, referring to the vaccine vials Israel delivered to the Palestinians on Monday. Shakir emphasized that Israel must provide vaccines to the Palestinians irrespective of efforts by the Palestinian Authority to secure them independently and said it was unjustified to afford settlers greater access to vaccines than their Palestinian neighbors. But Israeli officials have said that while Israel has an interest in ensuring the vaccination of Palestinians, many of them laborers who frequently come into contact with Israelis, it has no legal responsibility to do so. “We want everyone in the area to be vaccinated, but the Palestinian Authority is the party responsible for providing for the health of Palestinians,” said Yoav Kish, Israel’s deputy health minister. “Our responsibility is to vaccinate our own population,” he said, noting that Israeli health care providers were inoculating Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. The Oslo Accords, interim agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated that the Palestinians would take on responsibilities for health in the West Bank and Gaza, but they also mentioned that Israel and the Palestinians should cooperate in fighting epidemics and contagious diseases. Defenders of Israel’s policies have argued that Israeli officials moved more quickly than their Palestinian counterparts in securing deals for vaccines. (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) The Palestinian Authority did not initially lead public calls for Israel to vaccinate Palestinians. Ahmad Majdalani, the minister of social development, said the Palestinians did not publicly demand that Israel give them vaccines at first because they thought they would obtain what they needed through international donations, contacts with pharmaceutical companies and private discussions with Israeli officials. When it became clear their strategy was not producing immediate results, Majdalani said they decided to start issuing statements demanding Israel fulfill its “international duty” by providing vaccines. Last week, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said international law requires Israel to provide vaccines to the Palestinians, but that Palestinians were still working “to find every path to find whatever vaccine possible — whether it is English or Russian or Chinese.” Ghassan Khatib, a political scientist at Birzeit University, argued that the Palestinians initially refrained from publicly calling on Israel to give them vaccines because they were loath to sound “self-contradictory,” seeking to obtain them independently while simultaneously ceding responsibility to Israel. Hussein al-Sheikh, the main Palestinian official in charge of coordinating with the Israelis, said the Palestinians asked Israel for up to 10,000 doses in late December. Israeli officials said that in addition to the thousands of vaccines Israel transferred to the Palestinians this week, it also delivered 200 doses in January to the Palestinians, but al-Sheikh denied that.

Israel's vaccine success unleashes a debate on Palestinian inequities

Israel's Energy Minister has said that it would take it on just about six months to produce enough Nuclear fission material to enrich Uranium. Israel has said that it is extremely worry of Biden administration's intent to re-enter the 2015 Iranian Nuclear deal.

Israel criticizes Biden's bid to rejoin Iran Nuclear deal

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