How does Israel vote ?

Final authorised opinion polls published Friday just days ahead of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-vote-or-not-to-vote-the-question-facing-arab-israelis-ahead-of-elections-208053">Israeli general elections</a> showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading for a fifth term in office, leading a right-wing coalition.

The polls revealed the rival centrist Blue and White list led by former military chief Benny Gantz was running virtually neck-and-neck with Netanyahu's Likud ahead of Tuesday's vote.&nbsp;

But while most polls saw Gantz's list as scooping slightly more votes than Likud, neither party was predicted to win over 25 per cent of seats in parliament.

And the polls were unanimous in forecasting that Likud would be able to build a viable ruling coalition to beat off Gantz's challenge.

None gave a figure for undecided voters, although the number is reportedly high enough to swing the outcome.&nbsp;

"Past polls have shown that nearly one out of every six-seven voters makes a decision only in the last two days before the elections, and it isn't clear what will be the dynamic of the coming few days," Maariv daily wrote Friday.

'Referendum on Netanyahu'

A poll by Smith Research for the Jerusalem Post published Friday showed Gantz's Blue and White, picking up 28 seats in the 120-member Knesset, with the right-wing Likud at its heels with 27.

But it found that overall the right and centre-right would control 68 seats compared to 52 from the centre and left.

This election is more than ever a referendum on the character of Netanyahu, 69, who has spent a cumulative 13 years in office.

He is running under the shadow of probable graft indictments, although he denies all accusations.

The attorney general has announced his intention to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust pending a hearing, to be held after the election.

Friday is by law the last day on which surveys can be released before the ballot boxes open on Tuesday morning.

A poll published late Thursday by public broadcaster KAN gave the right a narrower, although still decisive, lead of 64 to 56.

Top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot put the gap as narrower still, at 63-57.

Polls have been wrong in the past, notably in 1996 when Netanyahu fought Labour leader Shimon Peres in what were then direct elections for the premiership.

When voting closed on the night of May 29 Peres was seen ahead, but by morning Netanyahu had the lead.

The final count handed him victory by just 30,000 votes, less than one per cent.

Threshold uncertainty

Tuesday's fight, under different electoral laws than 1996, will be more complex by far.

Voters no longer vote for the premier but for a party, of which there are around 40 registered to run.&nbsp;

Less than half are expected to score the 3.25 per cent threshold of total votes cast needed to enter the legislature so despite voters' stated preferences many of them will never see a seat in parliament.

"All of the hair-splitting calculations about the right wing bloc versus the centre-left bloc are based on the assumption that aside from Gesher, all of the parties will pass the electoral threshold," veteran political commentator Nahum Barnea wrote in Yediot.

"Nobody can be certain of that."

Gesher, focused on social issues, has a single seat in the outgoing parliament which most polls see it as losing.

A poll published Friday by pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom gave the right-wing parties 64 seats and those dubbed "the left" 56. &nbsp;

But it showed 35 per cent of respondents were still unsure how to vote on Tuesday.

Netanyahu has for several days been urging Likud voters to get out and vote and not assume that a right-wing victory is in the bag.

About 6.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote with polling stations in cities and towns open on Tuesday from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm (0400 - 1900 GMT).

Turnout in the previous election in 2015 was 72.3 per cent.

When results are in, President Reuven Rivlin, will consult all the elected parties to hear who they recommend should try to form a government.&nbsp;

On the basis of those talks, he asks the person he judges has the best chances, which may not necessarily be the leader of the largest party.

Final authorised opinion polls published Friday just days ahead of the Israeli general elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading for a fifth term in office, leading a right-wing coalition.

Final authorised opinion polls published Friday just days ahead of the Israeli general elections showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading for a fifth term in office, leading a right-wing coalition. The polls revealed the rival centrist Blue and White list led by former military chief Benny Gantz was running virtually neck-and-neck with Netanyahu's Likud ahead of Tuesday's vote. But while most polls saw Gantz's list as scooping slightly more votes than Likud, neither party was predicted to win over 25 per cent of seats in parliament. And the polls were unanimous in forecasting that Likud would be able to build a viable ruling coalition to beat off Gantz's challenge. None gave a figure for undecided voters, although the number is reportedly high enough to swing the outcome. "Past polls have shown that nearly one out of every six-seven voters makes a decision only in the last two days before the elections, and it isn't clear what will be the dynamic of the coming few days," Maariv daily wrote Friday. 'Referendum on Netanyahu' A poll by Smith Research for the Jerusalem Post published Friday showed Gantz's Blue and White, picking up 28 seats in the 120-member Knesset, with the right-wing Likud at its heels with 27. But it found that overall the right and centre-right would control 68 seats compared to 52 from the centre and left. This election is more than ever a referendum on the character of Netanyahu, 69, who has spent a cumulative 13 years in office. He is running under the shadow of probable graft indictments, although he denies all accusations. The attorney general has announced his intention to charge Netanyahu with bribery, fraud and breach of trust pending a hearing, to be held after the election. Friday is by law the last day on which surveys can be released before the ballot boxes open on Tuesday morning. A poll published late Thursday by public broadcaster KAN gave the right a narrower, although still decisive, lead of 64 to 56. Top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot put the gap as narrower still, at 63-57. Polls have been wrong in the past, notably in 1996 when Netanyahu fought Labour leader Shimon Peres in what were then direct elections for the premiership. When voting closed on the night of May 29 Peres was seen ahead, but by morning Netanyahu had the lead. The final count handed him victory by just 30,000 votes, less than one per cent. Threshold uncertainty Tuesday's fight, under different electoral laws than 1996, will be more complex by far. Voters no longer vote for the premier but for a party, of which there are around 40 registered to run. Less than half are expected to score the 3.25 per cent threshold of total votes cast needed to enter the legislature so despite voters' stated preferences many of them will never see a seat in parliament. "All of the hair-splitting calculations about the right wing bloc versus the centre-left bloc are based on the assumption that aside from Gesher, all of the parties will pass the electoral threshold," veteran political commentator Nahum Barnea wrote in Yediot. "Nobody can be certain of that." Gesher, focused on social issues, has a single seat in the outgoing parliament which most polls see it as losing. A poll published Friday by pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom gave the right-wing parties 64 seats and those dubbed "the left" 56. But it showed 35 per cent of respondents were still unsure how to vote on Tuesday. Netanyahu has for several days been urging Likud voters to get out and vote and not assume that a right-wing victory is in the bag. About 6.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote with polling stations in cities and towns open on Tuesday from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm (0400 - 1900 GMT). Turnout in the previous election in 2015 was 72.3 per cent. When results are in, President Reuven Rivlin, will consult all the elected parties to hear who they recommend should try to form a government. On the basis of those talks, he asks the person he judges has the best chances, which may not necessarily be the leader of the largest party.

Israeli polls see Netanyahu ahead, but many still undecided

An Israeli cyber watchdog said Monday it has uncovered a network of fake online accounts backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and slandering opponents ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinians-see-little-hope-in-israeli-elections-207228">next week's general election</a>.

In a new report the Big Bots Protect, which describes itself as a campaigner against social media abuse, said posts used "lies, libel and rumormongering" to attack Netanyahu's challengers.

It found over 130,000 tweets from "hundreds of fake or anonymous accounts" without names or profile pictures, which did not identify themselves as linked to Netanyahu's Likud party.

It acknowledged that there were also "hundreds of genuine accounts" backing the premier's bid for re-election.

Among the targets were journalists and public figures considered hostile to Netanyahu including his main challenger, Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party.

The report said they included accusations that Gantz was a "rapist" and others questioning his mental health.

A spokeswoman for Blue and White told AFP that party leaders had filed a complaint against the posts with police.

"There is an attempt to steal the elections, there is a system of lies here," Gantz wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

"Netanyahu's house of cards is collapsing."

The prime minister went live on Facebook and YouTube to dismiss the report, flanked by what he said was a genuine Likud online supporter.

"A million Likud voters are not 'bots'," he said, adding that Likud was also filing a police complaint against Blue and White for accusing him.

"Not one of them is fake," he said of the messages cited by the Big Bots Protect.

"They have names, they have families," he added. "They have their own opinions, independent people!"

Netanyahu, 69, is seeking a fifth term in office in the April 9 election, despite also facing potential corruption charges.

Blue and White has consistently been scoring better than Likud in opinion polls, although Netanyahu is seen as standing a better chance of putting together a coalition government under Israel's proportional representation electoral system.

An Israeli cyber watchdog said Monday it has uncovered a network of fake online accounts backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and slandering opponents ahead of next week's general election.

An Israeli cyber watchdog said Monday it has uncovered a network of fake online accounts backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and slandering opponents ahead of next week's general election. In a new report the Big Bots Protect, which describes itself as a campaigner against social media abuse, said posts used "lies, libel and rumormongering" to attack Netanyahu's challengers. It found over 130,000 tweets from "hundreds of fake or anonymous accounts" without names or profile pictures, which did not identify themselves as linked to Netanyahu's Likud party. It acknowledged that there were also "hundreds of genuine accounts" backing the premier's bid for re-election. Among the targets were journalists and public figures considered hostile to Netanyahu including his main challenger, Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party. The report said they included accusations that Gantz was a "rapist" and others questioning his mental health. A spokeswoman for Blue and White told AFP that party leaders had filed a complaint against the posts with police. "There is an attempt to steal the elections, there is a system of lies here," Gantz wrote on Twitter. "Netanyahu's house of cards is collapsing." The prime minister went live on Facebook and YouTube to dismiss the report, flanked by what he said was a genuine Likud online supporter. "A million Likud voters are not 'bots'," he said, adding that Likud was also filing a police complaint against Blue and White for accusing him. "Not one of them is fake," he said of the messages cited by the Big Bots Protect. "They have names, they have families," he added. "They have their own opinions, independent people!" Netanyahu, 69, is seeking a fifth term in office in the April 9 election, despite also facing potential corruption charges. Blue and White has consistently been scoring better than Likud in opinion polls, although Netanyahu is seen as standing a better chance of putting together a coalition government under Israel's proportional representation electoral system.

Israeli watchdog finds online manipulation ahead of vote

Arab leaders slam US decision over Golan Heights

News Alert: Tensions are high at Israel-Gaza border

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests.

Organisers say the intention of the night-time events is to fray the nerves of Israeli military lookouts and to lower morale in Israeli villages along the 30-mile frontier.

With loudspeakers blaring patriotic music into the dark, the dusk-till-dawn demonstrations began small and escalated in recent days, ahead of a massive protest rally expected at sites along the frontier on Saturday.

"We come at night to prove to the occupation that we do not fear your weapons, they should fear us," said one 20-year-old Gazan undergraduate.

“We burn tyres, hurl stones, make noises using firecrackers. Why should our people suffer alone, they should suffer too," added the protester, who would not give his name, fearing Israeli reprisals.

Although scores of Gazans attend, the night protests are not as big as in the daytime. In the dark, the demonstrators cannot see far as they face off against Israeli security forces firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition.&nbsp;

LETHAL RESPONSE

Last Sunday a 24-year-old man died after being wounded by Israeli gunfire overnight, said Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said explosives had been hurled at the fence that night, and its forces "struck two Hamas posts in response".

Israeli troops have killed nearly 200 Palestinians at the weekly border protests, which began on March 30 last year, and have wounded thousands more. 
Israel’s lethal response has been criticised by human rights groups, who say it is targeting protesters who pose little threat to heavily armed soldiers. UN investigators said last week that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force.

Israel rejects the criticism, saying its troops are defending the border against rioters, and it has no choice but to use lethal force where necessary. Israeli commanders say they are protecting the residents of nearby Israeli towns, who live in fear of Palestinian rockets and militant infiltrators.

"We hear the bombs they throw at our soldiers every night - hundreds of bombs, hundreds of explosions," said Yifat Ben-Shushan, a bleary-eyed mother of two from Nativ Haasara.

Her border village has endured years of shelling attacks by Hamas, but she described the nightly commotion as disruptive on another level.

"A child does not know how to tell the difference between a rocket or someone throwing a bomb," she told Reuters. "I have two children, (and) rise to or three times a night to make sure they are still in their beds."

The Gaza protesters are calling for the lifting of a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel’s founding in 1948.

The blockade, imposed for security reasons after the militant group Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, has reduced the densely populated coastal strip to economic near collapse.&nbsp;

Israel says the protests are backed by Hamas, which uses them as cover for attacks on the frontier. On Friday Israel`s Foreign Ministry said that in the past year Hamas had fired 1233 rockets from Gaza, set off 94 explosive devices and set fire to more than 8,000 acres of Israeli land near the border.

Security in the south is expected to be an important issue in Israel`s April 9 election, when right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong electoral challenge after a decade in power.&nbsp;

Israel and Hamas fought three wars from 2007-2014 and have come close to all-out conflict several times since. The past week saw a major escalation in cross-border fighting after a Palestinian rocket fired deep into Israel wounded seven people.

There were no large-scale protests planned for Friday. With Israeli tanks massed on the border ahead of the anniversary, Palestinian officials said Egyptian mediators were to meet with protest organisers to urge that Saturday`s rally be peaceful.

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests.

Hurling pipe bombs and setting off firecrackers, "Night Disturbance Units" have become a new phenomenon on the Gaza-Israel border in the run-up to the first anniversary of deadly border protests. Organisers say the intention of the night-time events is to fray the nerves of Israeli military lookouts and to lower morale in Israeli villages along the 30-mile frontier. With loudspeakers blaring patriotic music into the dark, the dusk-till-dawn demonstrations began small and escalated in recent days, ahead of a massive protest rally expected at sites along the frontier on Saturday. "We come at night to prove to the occupation that we do not fear your weapons, they should fear us," said one 20-year-old Gazan undergraduate. “We burn tyres, hurl stones, make noises using firecrackers. Why should our people suffer alone, they should suffer too," added the protester, who would not give his name, fearing Israeli reprisals. Although scores of Gazans attend, the night protests are not as big as in the daytime. In the dark, the demonstrators cannot see far as they face off against Israeli security forces firing tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. LETHAL RESPONSE Last Sunday a 24-year-old man died after being wounded by Israeli gunfire overnight, said Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said explosives had been hurled at the fence that night, and its forces "struck two Hamas posts in response". Israeli troops have killed nearly 200 Palestinians at the weekly border protests, which began on March 30 last year, and have wounded thousands more. Israel’s lethal response has been criticised by human rights groups, who say it is targeting protesters who pose little threat to heavily armed soldiers. UN investigators said last week that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force. Israel rejects the criticism, saying its troops are defending the border against rioters, and it has no choice but to use lethal force where necessary. Israeli commanders say they are protecting the residents of nearby Israeli towns, who live in fear of Palestinian rockets and militant infiltrators. "We hear the bombs they throw at our soldiers every night - hundreds of bombs, hundreds of explosions," said Yifat Ben-Shushan, a bleary-eyed mother of two from Nativ Haasara. Her border village has endured years of shelling attacks by Hamas, but she described the nightly commotion as disruptive on another level. "A child does not know how to tell the difference between a rocket or someone throwing a bomb," she told Reuters. "I have two children, (and) rise to or three times a night to make sure they are still in their beds." The Gaza protesters are calling for the lifting of a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel’s founding in 1948. The blockade, imposed for security reasons after the militant group Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, has reduced the densely populated coastal strip to economic near collapse. Israel says the protests are backed by Hamas, which uses them as cover for attacks on the frontier. On Friday Israel`s Foreign Ministry said that in the past year Hamas had fired 1233 rockets from Gaza, set off 94 explosive devices and set fire to more than 8,000 acres of Israeli land near the border. Security in the south is expected to be an important issue in Israel`s April 9 election, when right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong electoral challenge after a decade in power. Israel and Hamas fought three wars from 2007-2014 and have come close to all-out conflict several times since. The past week saw a major escalation in cross-border fighting after a Palestinian rocket fired deep into Israel wounded seven people. There were no large-scale protests planned for Friday. With Israeli tanks massed on the border ahead of the anniversary, Palestinian officials said Egyptian mediators were to meet with protest organisers to urge that Saturday`s rally be peaceful.

Gaza's 'night disturbers' put Israeli border villagers on edge ahead of anniversary

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-do-what-is-necessary-to-defend-our-people-netanyahu-after-airstrikes-on-gaza-strip-205845">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> said Thursday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-strikes-on-hamas-in-gaza-after-rocket-205592">Israel</a> is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted.

Netanyahu has been seeking to head off political pressure over Gaza ahead of April 9 elections, in which he faces a strong challenge from former military chief Benny Gantz.

"In recent days I gave instructions to fortify forces, to add vehicles, to be prepared for a comprehensive campaign," he said during the inauguration of a new road in northern Israel.

The premier, who was speaking after visiting military forces on the Gaza border, noted however that a war would be the last option.&nbsp;

"All Israelis should know that if a comprehensive campaign is required, we will enter it strong and safe, after we have exhausted all other possibilities," said Netanyahu, who also serves as defence minister.

Palestinian militants had on Monday fired a long-distance rocket from the Gaza Strip, hitting a house north of Tel Aviv and wounding seven Israelis, triggering Israeli air strikes and further Palestinian fire at southern Israel.

Netanyahu beefed up the military presence near Gaza, but by Wednesday the fighting had abated after Hamas announced a ceasefire brokered by Egypt.

Israel has been carefully monitoring the situation on the Gaza border ahead of Saturday, which will mark a year since mass protests and deadly clashes began there.

A demonstration on the day of the anniversary is expected to draw thousands of Palestinians.&nbsp;

A Hamas official said an Egyptian delegation met with the Islamist movement's leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on Wednesday night in further efforts to calm tensions.

The official said the delegation informed Hamas and its allies in Gaza that Israel had agreed to measures such as improving the electricity supply in the strip, which suffers from severe power shortages.

In exchange, Hamas would be expected to maintain calm at the weekly protests along the Gaza border, including during Saturday's anniversary.

It was unclear whether any progress had been made, and an Egyptian official said they would continue to mediate between the sides to try and maintain calm.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Israel is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Israel is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted. Netanyahu has been seeking to head off political pressure over Gaza ahead of April 9 elections, in which he faces a strong challenge from former military chief Benny Gantz. "In recent days I gave instructions to fortify forces, to add vehicles, to be prepared for a comprehensive campaign," he said during the inauguration of a new road in northern Israel. The premier, who was speaking after visiting military forces on the Gaza border, noted however that a war would be the last option. "All Israelis should know that if a comprehensive campaign is required, we will enter it strong and safe, after we have exhausted all other possibilities," said Netanyahu, who also serves as defence minister. Palestinian militants had on Monday fired a long-distance rocket from the Gaza Strip, hitting a house north of Tel Aviv and wounding seven Israelis, triggering Israeli air strikes and further Palestinian fire at southern Israel. Netanyahu beefed up the military presence near Gaza, but by Wednesday the fighting had abated after Hamas announced a ceasefire brokered by Egypt. Israel has been carefully monitoring the situation on the Gaza border ahead of Saturday, which will mark a year since mass protests and deadly clashes began there. A demonstration on the day of the anniversary is expected to draw thousands of Palestinians. A Hamas official said an Egyptian delegation met with the Islamist movement's leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on Wednesday night in further efforts to calm tensions. The official said the delegation informed Hamas and its allies in Gaza that Israel had agreed to measures such as improving the electricity supply in the strip, which suffers from severe power shortages. In exchange, Hamas would be expected to maintain calm at the weekly protests along the Gaza border, including during Saturday's anniversary. It was unclear whether any progress had been made, and an Egyptian official said they would continue to mediate between the sides to try and maintain calm.

Prepared for 'comprehensive' Gaza operation: Benjamin Netanyahu

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.

"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-requests-un-security-council-meeting-on-golan-205899">Also read:&nbsp;Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan Heights</a>

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas.

Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents.

Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunition depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits.

Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added.

Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries.

Iran’s growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel

Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Earlier this year Israeli military said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria’s war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.

Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.

With an election approaching, Israel’s government has increased its attacks in Syria and has taken a tougher stance towards Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon.

Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.

The strike coincided with an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council that was held at Syria's request over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces. "The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said. Also read: Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan Heights There was no immediate comment from Israel. The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas. Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents. Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunition depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits. Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added. Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries. Iran’s growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Earlier this year Israeli military said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria’s war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah. Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country. With an election approaching, Israel’s government has increased its attacks in Syria and has taken a tougher stance towards Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon. Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw. The strike coincided with an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council that was held at Syria's request over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Syrian army says Israeli strikes hit northern Aleppo city, damages materials only

Hamas militants resumes firing, Israel gives final warning

Israel and Palestine's militant group Hamas agreed to ceasefire brokered by Egypt

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - March 26, 2019

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long.

Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets.

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached.

Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes.

Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance.

Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas.

The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants.

Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general.

Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump.

"Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression."

Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself.

In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed.

Hamas attack

The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack.

The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014.

Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual.

The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year.

Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation.

Wide range of scenarios

Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds.

The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic.

"We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said.

Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes.

The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed.

Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence.

Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled.

Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse.

Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term.

At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years.

Israel launched air strikes on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border on Monday in response to the longest-range Hamas rocket attack to cause casualties in years. After a day of intense cross-border fighting, Palestinian officials said Egypt had mediated a ceasefire, though the frontier did not remain calm for long. Rocket sirens sounded in southern Israel after the late-night truce was supposed to take effect, sending residents running for shelter. In Gaza, Palestinians reported Israeli planes attacked at least two targets. Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules Gaza, and smaller Palestinian factions put out a statement that Egypt had mediated a ceasefire even as the rockets were fired. Israeli officials did not comment on whether a truce had been reached. Monday's violence began when seven Israelis were wounded near Tel Aviv by a morning rocket attack. The Gaza health ministry said five Palestinians were later wounded by a wave of retaliatory strikes. Dozens of explosions rocked the coastal enclave and ambulance sirens echoed in the mostly empty streets. In one Gaza neighbourhood, people rushed to buy bread in anticipation of a long escalation. The office of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was one of the initial targets hit, although he was likely to have been evacuated in advance. Gaza militants fired barrages of rockets into Israel late into the night. Some were shot down by Israeli defences and others landed in empty areas. The escalation came just two weeks before an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life after a decade in power, campaigning on a tough line against Palestinian militants. Beset by corruption scandals, he faces a strong challenge from a centrist coalition led by a top general. Netanyahu cut short a visit to the United States, saying he would fly home right after meeting President Donald Trump. "Israel will not tolerate this. I will not tolerate this," Netanyahu said. "And as we speak... Israel is responding forcefully to this wanton aggression." Trump told reporters with Netanyahu at his side that Israel has the "absolute right" to defend itself. In the last Gaza war in 2014, more than 2,100 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to the Gaza health ministry, were killed in seven weeks of fighting. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and seven civilians in Israel were killed. Hamas attack The Israeli military said Hamas launched the rocket that destroyed a house in Mishmeret, a village north of Tel Aviv. There was no claim of responsibility for the early morning attack. The military said Hamas fired the rocket from about 120 kilometres away, making it the longest-range attack from Gaza causing casualties since the last war in Gaza in 2014. Israel has waged three wars on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Israeli air strikes in retaliation for rockets from Gaza are a frequent occurrence, but Israel's swift mobilisation of extra troops to the border area was unusual. The two sides have managed to avert all-out war for five years, most recently with the help of Egyptian mediation after a major escalation in November last year. Some of the other initial targets struck in Gaza, likely to have been evacuated, were the internal security office of Hamas, a naval base, a training camp and an insurance office in Gaza city, Palestinian security officials said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint from both sides and said that, together with Egypt, the United Nations was trying to help defuse the situation. Wide range of scenarios Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated seven people after the morning missile strike, including an infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman suffering from blast injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds. The Israeli military said it was assigning two brigades to the Gaza area and some reservists were being called up. Reuters journalists saw troops moving towards the border, where the military also closed several roads to civilian traffic. "We are prepared for a wide range of scenarios," chief spokesman Ronen Manelis said. Israeli towns near Gaza and Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, opened bomb shelters in anticipation of rocket strikes. The rocket attack coincided with tension ahead of the March 30 anniversary of the start of weekly Gaza protests at the frontier in which some 200 Gazans have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier has been killed. Israel says it has no choice but to use deadly force at the protests to prevent militants from breaching the border fence. Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians, most of them descendants of people who fled or were driven from homes in Israel when it was founded in 1948. The protesters demand the right to return to land from which their ancestors fled. Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 and pulled out its troops in 2005. Since Hamas took over two years later, Israel has maintained a security blockade, along with Egypt, that has reduced Gaza's economy to what the World Bank calls a collapse. Netanyahu's visit to Washington, after Trump said it was time to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was seen at home as a bid to boost the right-wing Likud leader's chances of a fifth term. At their White House meeting, Trump signed a declaration codifying US recognition of Israel's hold on the strategic plateau, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy. Syria called the move "a blatant attack" on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Netanyahu's election prospects have been clouded by graft allegations against him. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Israel, Hamas clash over Gaza, then truce reached

The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila made the announcement before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an influential pro-Israel lobby.

Her stance would align Romania with the US position under President Donald Trump, and it came on a day when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was beginning a Washington visit to include an AIPAC appearance and a meeting with Trump.

Netanyahu subsequently tweeted his congratulations to Dancila for informing AIPAC "that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem."

Nonetheless, it marked an awkward break with the position of the European Union at a time when Bucharest holds the EU's rotating chairmanship.

Adding to the uncertainty, Romania's centrist president Klaus Iohannis has opposed the move as a breach of international law. He has said that in any case, such a shift would require presidential approval.

Dancila nonetheless told applauding AIPAC members that "I, as prime minister of Romania, and the government that I run, will move our embassy to Jerusalem."

Netanyahu, who had called on his Romanian counterpart in January to announce the transfer, on Sunday welcomed her move.

"I congratulate my friend, the prime minister of Romania, Viorica Dancila, on her announcement at AIPAC that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem," the Israeli leader tweeted.

But the announcement drew criticism from senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who called it "a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, international law, and UN resolutions".

Erekat said the move "only contributes to eliminating the two-state solution".

He called on the European Union to take action over the decision and said the matter would be raised with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

During an April 2018 visit to Israel, Dancila had said she lacked the domestic support to make the move.

Jerusalem's status is one of the thorniest issues blocking any final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

It considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

The United Nations contends that the matter can only be settled between the Israeli and Palestinian people and that until such a resolution, countries should not shift their embassies to Jerusalem.

The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.

The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila made the announcement before the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an influential pro-Israel lobby. Her stance would align Romania with the US position under President Donald Trump, and it came on a day when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was beginning a Washington visit to include an AIPAC appearance and a meeting with Trump. Netanyahu subsequently tweeted his congratulations to Dancila for informing AIPAC "that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem." Nonetheless, it marked an awkward break with the position of the European Union at a time when Bucharest holds the EU's rotating chairmanship. Adding to the uncertainty, Romania's centrist president Klaus Iohannis has opposed the move as a breach of international law. He has said that in any case, such a shift would require presidential approval. Dancila nonetheless told applauding AIPAC members that "I, as prime minister of Romania, and the government that I run, will move our embassy to Jerusalem." Netanyahu, who had called on his Romanian counterpart in January to announce the transfer, on Sunday welcomed her move. "I congratulate my friend, the prime minister of Romania, Viorica Dancila, on her announcement at AIPAC that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem," the Israeli leader tweeted. But the announcement drew criticism from senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who called it "a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, international law, and UN resolutions". Erekat said the move "only contributes to eliminating the two-state solution". He called on the European Union to take action over the decision and said the matter would be raised with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. During an April 2018 visit to Israel, Dancila had said she lacked the domestic support to make the move. Jerusalem's status is one of the thorniest issues blocking any final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. It considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state. The United Nations contends that the matter can only be settled between the Israeli and Palestinian people and that until such a resolution, countries should not shift their embassies to Jerusalem.

Romania to move embassy to Jerusalem, pledges PM

Israeli aircraft targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after Palestinians there threw explosive devices at the border fence during "riots", the army said.&nbsp;

Also Sunday, the health ministry in Gaza announced the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-palestinians-killed-by-israeli-fire-in-gaza-border-clashes-ministry-204970">death of a Palestinian</a> wounded previously in clashes with Israeli forces.

Palestinians in Gaza had thrown a number of explosive devices toward the border fence with Israel, one of which set off air raid sirens in the south of the country late Saturday, the army said.

"In response to multiple explosive devices that were hurled and exploded during Gaza riots near Israel's border fence this evening, an IDF aircraft targeted two Hamas observation posts in the southern Gaza Strip," a statement from the military read.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in Gaza.

The Gaza health ministry, however, announced the death of 24-year-old Habib al-Masri, who was wounded in clashes with the Israeli army. It gave no details on when he was wounded.

On Friday, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in separate border clashes.

And on Saturday, the Israeli army launched two separate airstrikes against groups of Palestinians in Gaza who had allegedly flown balloons rigged with explosives into Israel.

The Gaza health ministry said two Palestinians had been wounded.

At least 258 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since weekly border protests began nearly a year ago.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya is calling for a mass turnout for border protests scheduled for the first anniversary of the demonstrations, on March 30. &nbsp;

Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks from Gaza, controlled by the Islamist group since 2007.&nbsp;

Israeli aircraft targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after Palestinians there threw explosive devices at the border fence during "riots", the army said.

Israeli aircraft targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after Palestinians there threw explosive devices at the border fence during "riots", the army said. Also Sunday, the health ministry in Gaza announced the death of a Palestinian wounded previously in clashes with Israeli forces. Palestinians in Gaza had thrown a number of explosive devices toward the border fence with Israel, one of which set off air raid sirens in the south of the country late Saturday, the army said. "In response to multiple explosive devices that were hurled and exploded during Gaza riots near Israel's border fence this evening, an IDF aircraft targeted two Hamas observation posts in the southern Gaza Strip," a statement from the military read. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Gaza. The Gaza health ministry, however, announced the death of 24-year-old Habib al-Masri, who was wounded in clashes with the Israeli army. It gave no details on when he was wounded. On Friday, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in separate border clashes. And on Saturday, the Israeli army launched two separate airstrikes against groups of Palestinians in Gaza who had allegedly flown balloons rigged with explosives into Israel. The Gaza health ministry said two Palestinians had been wounded. At least 258 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since weekly border protests began nearly a year ago. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya is calling for a mass turnout for border protests scheduled for the first anniversary of the demonstrations, on March 30. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks from Gaza, controlled by the Islamist group since 2007.

Israel strikes Gaza after border bombs

The Palestinian Authority faces a suffocating financial crisis after deep US aid cuts and an Israeli move to withhold tax transfers, sparking fears for the stability of the West Bank.&nbsp;

The authority, headed by President Mahmud Abbas, announced a package of emergency measures on March 10, including halving the salaries of many civil servants.

The United States has cut more than $500 million in Palestinian aid in the last year, though only a fraction of that went directly to the PA.

The PA has decided to refuse what little US aid remains on offer for fear of civil suits under new legislation passed by Congress.

Israel has also announced it intends to deduct around $10 million a month in taxes it collects for the PA in a dispute over payments to the families of prisoners in Israeli jails.

In response, Abbas has refused to receive any funds at all, labelling the Israeli reductions theft.

That will leave his government with a monthly shortfall of around $190 million for the length of the crisis.

The money makes up more than 50 per cent of the PA's monthly revenues, with other funds coming from local taxes and foreign aid.

Risk of 'explosion'&nbsp;

While the impact of the cuts is still being assessed, analysts fear it could affect the stability of the occupied West Bank.

"If the economic situation remains so difficult and the PA is unable to pay salaries and provide services, in addition to continuing (Israeli) settlement expansion it will lead to an explosion," political analyst Jihad Harb said.

Abbas cut off relations with the US administration after President Donald Trump declared the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital in December 2017.

The right-wing Israeli government, strongly backed by the US, has since sought to squeeze Abbas.

After a deadly anti-Israeli attack last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would withhold $138 million (123 million euros) in Palestinian revenues over the course of a year.

Israel collects around $190 million a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through its ports, and then transfers the money to the PA.

Israel said the amount it intended to withhold was equal to what is paid by the PA to the families of prisoners, or prisoners themselves, jailed for attacks on Israelis last year.

Many Palestinians view prisoners and those killed while carrying out attacks as heroes of the fight against Israeli occupation.&nbsp;

Israel says the payments encourage further violence.

Abbas recently accused Netanyahu's government of causing a "crippling economic crisis in the Palestinian Authority."

The PA also said in January it would refuse all further US government aid for fear of lawsuits under new US legislation targeting alleged support for "terrorism".

US 'political decisions'&nbsp;

Finance Minister Shukri Bishara announced earlier this month he had been forced to "adopt an emergency budget that includes restricted austerity measures."

Government employees paid over 2,000 shekels ($555) will receive only half their salaries until further notice.

Prisoner payments would continue in full, Bishara added.

Nasser Abdel Karim, a Ramallah-based economics professor, told AFP the PA, and the Palestinian economy more generally, remain totally controlled by and reliant on Israel.

The PA undertook similar financial measures in 2012 when Israel withheld taxes over Palestinian efforts to gain international recognition at the United Nations.

Abdel Karim said such crises are "repeated and disappear according to the development of the relationship between the Palestinian Authority and Israel or the countries that support (the PA)."

Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including now annexed east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and Abbas's government has only limited autonomy in West Bank towns and cities.

"The problem is the lack of cash," economic journalist Jafar Sadaqa told AFP.&nbsp;

He said that while the PA had faced financial crises before, "this time is different because it comes as a cumulative result of political decisions taken by the United States."

Abbas appointed longtime ally Mohammad Shtayyeh as prime minister on March 10 to head a new government to oversee the crisis.

Abdel Karim believes the crisis could worsen after an Israeli general election next month "if a more right-wing Israeli government wins."

Netanyahu's outgoing government is already regarded as the most right-wing in Israel's history but on April 9 parties even further to the right have a realistic chance of winning seats in parliament for the first time.

Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts have been at a standstill since 2014, when a drive for a deal by the administration of President Barack Obama collapsed in the face of persistent Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority faces a suffocating financial crisis after deep US aid cuts and an Israeli move to withhold tax transfers, sparking fears for the stability of the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority faces a suffocating financial crisis after deep US aid cuts and an Israeli move to withhold tax transfers, sparking fears for the stability of the West Bank. The authority, headed by President Mahmud Abbas, announced a package of emergency measures on March 10, including halving the salaries of many civil servants. The United States has cut more than $500 million in Palestinian aid in the last year, though only a fraction of that went directly to the PA. The PA has decided to refuse what little US aid remains on offer for fear of civil suits under new legislation passed by Congress. Israel has also announced it intends to deduct around $10 million a month in taxes it collects for the PA in a dispute over payments to the families of prisoners in Israeli jails. In response, Abbas has refused to receive any funds at all, labelling the Israeli reductions theft. That will leave his government with a monthly shortfall of around $190 million for the length of the crisis. The money makes up more than 50 per cent of the PA's monthly revenues, with other funds coming from local taxes and foreign aid. Risk of 'explosion' While the impact of the cuts is still being assessed, analysts fear it could affect the stability of the occupied West Bank. "If the economic situation remains so difficult and the PA is unable to pay salaries and provide services, in addition to continuing (Israeli) settlement expansion it will lead to an explosion," political analyst Jihad Harb said. Abbas cut off relations with the US administration after President Donald Trump declared the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital in December 2017. The right-wing Israeli government, strongly backed by the US, has since sought to squeeze Abbas. After a deadly anti-Israeli attack last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would withhold $138 million (123 million euros) in Palestinian revenues over the course of a year. Israel collects around $190 million a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through its ports, and then transfers the money to the PA. Israel said the amount it intended to withhold was equal to what is paid by the PA to the families of prisoners, or prisoners themselves, jailed for attacks on Israelis last year. Many Palestinians view prisoners and those killed while carrying out attacks as heroes of the fight against Israeli occupation. Israel says the payments encourage further violence. Abbas recently accused Netanyahu's government of causing a "crippling economic crisis in the Palestinian Authority." The PA also said in January it would refuse all further US government aid for fear of lawsuits under new US legislation targeting alleged support for "terrorism". US 'political decisions' Finance Minister Shukri Bishara announced earlier this month he had been forced to "adopt an emergency budget that includes restricted austerity measures." Government employees paid over 2,000 shekels ($555) will receive only half their salaries until further notice. Prisoner payments would continue in full, Bishara added. Nasser Abdel Karim, a Ramallah-based economics professor, told AFP the PA, and the Palestinian economy more generally, remain totally controlled by and reliant on Israel. The PA undertook similar financial measures in 2012 when Israel withheld taxes over Palestinian efforts to gain international recognition at the United Nations. Abdel Karim said such crises are "repeated and disappear according to the development of the relationship between the Palestinian Authority and Israel or the countries that support (the PA)." Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including now annexed east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 and Abbas's government has only limited autonomy in West Bank towns and cities. "The problem is the lack of cash," economic journalist Jafar Sadaqa told AFP. He said that while the PA had faced financial crises before, "this time is different because it comes as a cumulative result of political decisions taken by the United States." Abbas appointed longtime ally Mohammad Shtayyeh as prime minister on March 10 to head a new government to oversee the crisis. Abdel Karim believes the crisis could worsen after an Israeli general election next month "if a more right-wing Israeli government wins." Netanyahu's outgoing government is already regarded as the most right-wing in Israel's history but on April 9 parties even further to the right have a realistic chance of winning seats in parliament for the first time. Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts have been at a standstill since 2014, when a drive for a deal by the administration of President Barack Obama collapsed in the face of persistent Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Palestinians in financial crisis after Israel, US moves

What is the significance of Golan Heights

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war.

After the overnight exchanges, sirens sounded again in Israeli border towns after dawn. The Israeli military confirmed two more missile launches from the Gaza Strip toward Israel but said both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

Palestinian news media reported strikes throughout Gaza, from Rafah in the south to the north of the densely populated coastal strip that is home to two million Palestinians.

Most of the Israeli strikes were reported to have targeted facilities used by Hamas's security forces. The buildings had been evacuated as a precaution, as the Islamist militant group had expected an Israeli response.

Health ministry officials in Gaza said two people, a man and a woman, were wounded when their house was damaged in Rafah in the early morning.

Witnesses said powerful explosions from the air strikes rocked buildings in Gaza and lit the skies over targeted sites.

The Israeli military said it was targeting "terror sites" in Gaza. It said rocket sirens were sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza border.

On Thursday night, the sirens howled farther north, in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, set off by what the military said were two incoming, longer-range rockets from Gaza.

That salvo caused no casualties or damage, missing built-up areas. But it rattled Israeli nerves ahead of an April 9 election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term on the strength of his national security credentials.

Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and witnesses said interceptor missiles had and detonated - although the military said no rockets were shot down.

It was the first such attack on the city since the 2014 Gaza war between Hamas and Israel. There have been several smaller rounds of fighting since, reined in by Egyptian and UN mediations.

"This was basically a surprise," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio on Thursday.

In that interview, Manelis said Israel did not yet know who had carried out the rocket launches. But another Israeli military spokesman laid the blame on Hamas on Friday.

"Hamas carried out the rocket fire against Tel Aviv yesterday evening," Lieutenant-Colonel Avichay Adraee said.

Hamas denied involvement, saying the launches took place as its leaders met Egyptian delegates about efforts to secure a long-term ceasefire with Israel.

Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, two smaller Gaza armed factions, also denied responsibility.

Israeli analysts speculated that Palestinian militants opposed to any deal between Hamas and Israel were behind the launchings.

The flare-up of Thursday and Friday drew a US statement of support for Israel.

"Hamas and other terror orgs in Gaza continue to fail their people day after day &amp; drag Gaza further &amp; further down by constantly choosing violence," Jason Greenblatt, the White House's Middle East envoy, said on Twitter. "This method will never work. Ever!"

Naftali Bennett, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's security Cabinet whose party is competing against the veteran prime minister's for votes in the looming election, demanded that Israel resume its assassination of Hamas chiefs.

"The time has come to defeat Hamas once and for all," he said on Thursday night.

Netanyahu also faced pressure from the centre-left opposition, whose leading candidate, former General Benny Gantz, said: "Only aggressive, harsh action will restore the deterrence that has eroded" under the prime minister's watch.

Tensions have been high for the past year along the Israel-Gaza frontier since Palestinians began violent protests near Israel's border fence that have often drawn a lethal response from the Israeli military.

About 200 Palestinians have been killed in the demonstrations and about 60 more Palestinians have died in other incidents, including exchanges of fire across the border. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fire.

The one-year anniversary of the start of the protests is on March 30.

On Friday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing said in a statement that it declared full alert among its fighters to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war.

Israeli military aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Friday, hours after two rockets were launched at Tel Aviv in the first such attack since a 2014 war. After the overnight exchanges, sirens sounded again in Israeli border towns after dawn. The Israeli military confirmed two more missile launches from the Gaza Strip toward Israel but said both were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system. Palestinian news media reported strikes throughout Gaza, from Rafah in the south to the north of the densely populated coastal strip that is home to two million Palestinians. Most of the Israeli strikes were reported to have targeted facilities used by Hamas's security forces. The buildings had been evacuated as a precaution, as the Islamist militant group had expected an Israeli response. Health ministry officials in Gaza said two people, a man and a woman, were wounded when their house was damaged in Rafah in the early morning. Witnesses said powerful explosions from the air strikes rocked buildings in Gaza and lit the skies over targeted sites. The Israeli military said it was targeting "terror sites" in Gaza. It said rocket sirens were sounded in Israeli communities near the Gaza border. On Thursday night, the sirens howled farther north, in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, set off by what the military said were two incoming, longer-range rockets from Gaza. That salvo caused no casualties or damage, missing built-up areas. But it rattled Israeli nerves ahead of an April 9 election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term on the strength of his national security credentials. Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and witnesses said interceptor missiles had and detonated - although the military said no rockets were shot down. It was the first such attack on the city since the 2014 Gaza war between Hamas and Israel. There have been several smaller rounds of fighting since, reined in by Egyptian and UN mediations. "This was basically a surprise," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio on Thursday. In that interview, Manelis said Israel did not yet know who had carried out the rocket launches. But another Israeli military spokesman laid the blame on Hamas on Friday. "Hamas carried out the rocket fire against Tel Aviv yesterday evening," Lieutenant-Colonel Avichay Adraee said. Hamas denied involvement, saying the launches took place as its leaders met Egyptian delegates about efforts to secure a long-term ceasefire with Israel. Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, two smaller Gaza armed factions, also denied responsibility. Israeli analysts speculated that Palestinian militants opposed to any deal between Hamas and Israel were behind the launchings. The flare-up of Thursday and Friday drew a US statement of support for Israel. "Hamas and other terror orgs in Gaza continue to fail their people day after day & drag Gaza further & further down by constantly choosing violence," Jason Greenblatt, the White House's Middle East envoy, said on Twitter. "This method will never work. Ever!" Naftali Bennett, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's security Cabinet whose party is competing against the veteran prime minister's for votes in the looming election, demanded that Israel resume its assassination of Hamas chiefs. "The time has come to defeat Hamas once and for all," he said on Thursday night. Netanyahu also faced pressure from the centre-left opposition, whose leading candidate, former General Benny Gantz, said: "Only aggressive, harsh action will restore the deterrence that has eroded" under the prime minister's watch. Tensions have been high for the past year along the Israel-Gaza frontier since Palestinians began violent protests near Israel's border fence that have often drawn a lethal response from the Israeli military. About 200 Palestinians have been killed in the demonstrations and about 60 more Palestinians have died in other incidents, including exchanges of fire across the border. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fire. The one-year anniversary of the start of the protests is on March 30. On Friday, Islamic Jihad's armed wing said in a statement that it declared full alert among its fighters to respond to Israeli attacks.

Israel launches Gaza strikes after rockets fired at Tel Aviv

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/love-him-or-loathe-him-israeli-election-is-all-about-benjamin-netanyahu-197372">in full campaign mode ahead of April 9 polls</a>, on Sunday said Israel "was not a state of all its citizens" in a reference to the country's Arab population.

The prime minister, in comments on Instagram, went on to say all citizens, including Arabs, had equal rights, but referred to a deeply controversial law passed last year declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people.

"Israel is not a state of all its citizens," Netanyahu wrote in response to comments from an Israeli actress.

"According to the basic nationality law we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people -- and only it.

"As you wrote, there is no problem with the Arab citizens of Israel. They have equal rights like all of us and the Likud government has invested more in the Arab sector than any other government," he said of his right-wing party.

As the comments caused waves in Israel, Netanyahu again spoke of the issue at the start of a cabinet meeting, making similar comments.

He called Israel a "Jewish, democratic state" with equal rights, but "the nation-state not of all its citizens, but only of the Jewish people".

Netanyahu has been accused of demonising Israeli Arabs, who make up some 17.5 percent of the population, ahead of April polls in a bid to boost right-wing turnout.

He has continually warned that his opponents will receive the support of Arab parties and that they will make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

Netanyahu, under threat of indictment for corruption, is facing a tough challenge from a centrist political alliance led by former military chief of staff Benny Gantz and ex-finance minister Yair Lapid.

The alliance's centrist positions and its security credentials -- it includes three former military chiefs of staff -- have helped it beat back Netanyahu's claims that its leaders are "weak" leftists.

Arab parties would be extremely unlikely to be part of any coalition government after elections.

Arab Israelis are Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 creation of Israel and are largely supportive of the Palestinian cause.

Netanyahu leads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history and says he wants a similar coalition after the upcoming polls.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in full campaign mode ahead of April 9 polls, on Sunday said Israel "was not a state of all its citizens" in a reference to the country's Arab population.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in full campaign mode ahead of April 9 polls, on Sunday said Israel "was not a state of all its citizens" in a reference to the country's Arab population. The prime minister, in comments on Instagram, went on to say all citizens, including Arabs, had equal rights, but referred to a deeply controversial law passed last year declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people. "Israel is not a state of all its citizens," Netanyahu wrote in response to comments from an Israeli actress. "According to the basic nationality law we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people -- and only it. "As you wrote, there is no problem with the Arab citizens of Israel. They have equal rights like all of us and the Likud government has invested more in the Arab sector than any other government," he said of his right-wing party. As the comments caused waves in Israel, Netanyahu again spoke of the issue at the start of a cabinet meeting, making similar comments. He called Israel a "Jewish, democratic state" with equal rights, but "the nation-state not of all its citizens, but only of the Jewish people". Netanyahu has been accused of demonising Israeli Arabs, who make up some 17.5 percent of the population, ahead of April polls in a bid to boost right-wing turnout. He has continually warned that his opponents will receive the support of Arab parties and that they will make significant concessions to the Palestinians. Netanyahu, under threat of indictment for corruption, is facing a tough challenge from a centrist political alliance led by former military chief of staff Benny Gantz and ex-finance minister Yair Lapid. The alliance's centrist positions and its security credentials -- it includes three former military chiefs of staff -- have helped it beat back Netanyahu's claims that its leaders are "weak" leftists. Arab parties would be extremely unlikely to be part of any coalition government after elections. Arab Israelis are Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 creation of Israel and are largely supportive of the Palestinian cause. Netanyahu leads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history and says he wants a similar coalition after the upcoming polls.

Netanyahu says Israel 'not a state of all its citizens'

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave hit the Jewish state, the army said.

"Fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas compound in the northern Gaza Strip in addition to two Hamas vessels," a statement from the army said.

The attacks were in response to a rocket fired from Gaza late Saturday that "in addition to the continued violence emanating from the Gaza Strip," the army said.

The rocket hit an open field in Israel's Eshkol region, causing no casualties or damages.

Gazans have been launching balloons carrying explosive devices at Israel and stepping up attempts to damage the border fence on a daily basis for more than 10 day, prompting Israeli retaliation.

Israeli forces said Saturday they had launched several strikes against Hamas sites in Gaza in response to a projectile launched from the coastal enclave the night before.

At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008.

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave hit the Jewish state, the army said. "Fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas compound in the northern Gaza Strip in addition to two Hamas vessels," a statement from the army said.

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave hit the Jewish state, the army said. "Fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas compound in the northern Gaza Strip in addition to two Hamas vessels," a statement from the army said. The attacks were in response to a rocket fired from Gaza late Saturday that "in addition to the continued violence emanating from the Gaza Strip," the army said. The rocket hit an open field in Israel's Eshkol region, causing no casualties or damages. Gazans have been launching balloons carrying explosive devices at Israel and stepping up attempts to damage the border fence on a daily basis for more than 10 day, prompting Israeli retaliation. Israeli forces said Saturday they had launched several strikes against Hamas sites in Gaza in response to a projectile launched from the coastal enclave the night before. At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008.

Israel strikes Hamas targets in Gaza over rocket: Army

Israel is a multi-party parliamentary system based on the elections that are conducted once every four years on the national level and once every five years on the municipal level.&nbsp;

In 1969, Golda Meir was appointed fourth Prime Minister of Israel, thus becoming one of the first women in the democratic world to serve in her country’s highest office. Despite this achievement, however, the inclusion of women in Israel’s cabinets is far from impressive. Compared to other democracies, Israel's female representation is considered ‘average’.&nbsp;

However, the advocates for women are optimistic that in the upcoming elections, to be held on April 9, female representation will reach higher levels as in the recent municipal elections 13 women are elected as mayors.&nbsp;

In the span of 25 years, the number of women in the Knesset rose from seven after the elections in 1988 to 27 in the 2013 elections and 29 women in 2015 elections. This corresponds to 24.2 per cent of all parliamentarians, a share that ranks Israel 66th in the world. &nbsp;However, the top offices like Finance, Defence, and Interior – have never been held by women.&nbsp;

The only senior ministry ever headed by a woman is the Foreign Ministry. Golda Meir served as foreign minister from 1956 to 1966, and Tzipi Livni was a foreign minister from 2006 to 2009. Ministries like Education, Health and Communication have seen the greater representation of women. &nbsp;&nbsp;

However, contemporary Israeli politics is undergoing tremendous changes as female politicians are climbing the political ladder at a pace never seen before, for instance, leaders like Orli Levi-Abekasis formed her own political party, and Gesher will contest 2019 elections as she quit Yisrael Beiteinu after clashes with chairman Avigdor Lieberman.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Bar-Shalom is contesting elections from the new Achi Yisraeli party. Moreover, a number of Arab women have filed nominations for the upcoming elections. Dima Tayeh, an Arab Muslim, is going to contest election from the right-wing Likud party.&nbsp;

With women from such diverse social and economic background partaking in the election process, Israel will undergo a change that will benefit the future generations to come. &nbsp;

As we celebrate International Women’s day on March 8, the theme for which is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”, it is important that world leaders along with the citizens work together to create a gender equal world where we do not need one day to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women.&nbsp;

Let us pledge this women’s day to create a world where every day is a celebration in the lives of women. The first step towards this is by providing greater representation to women in political offices as that’s the hub of policymaking.&nbsp;

The political circle which was driven and run by male politicians has become more embracing for women in Israel as evident from the growth in the female representation in the last few elections.&nbsp;

However, what is important is that whether April elections prove to be a game changer for women in Israeli politics? As of now, it seems that women’s representation will not only increase but they will also get important profiles.&nbsp;

(The article is co-authored by Ms Sonam Bhavnani, PhD scholar, Amity Institute of Social Sciences)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Israel is a multi-party parliamentary system based on the elections that are conducted once every four years on the national level and once every five years on the municipal level.

Israel is a multi-party parliamentary system based on the elections that are conducted once every four years on the national level and once every five years on the municipal level. In 1969, Golda Meir was appointed fourth Prime Minister of Israel, thus becoming one of the first women in the democratic world to serve in her country’s highest office. Despite this achievement, however, the inclusion of women in Israel’s cabinets is far from impressive. Compared to other democracies, Israel's female representation is considered ‘average’. However, the advocates for women are optimistic that in the upcoming elections, to be held on April 9, female representation will reach higher levels as in the recent municipal elections 13 women are elected as mayors. In the span of 25 years, the number of women in the Knesset rose from seven after the elections in 1988 to 27 in the 2013 elections and 29 women in 2015 elections. This corresponds to 24.2 per cent of all parliamentarians, a share that ranks Israel 66th in the world.  However, the top offices like Finance, Defence, and Interior – have never been held by women. The only senior ministry ever headed by a woman is the Foreign Ministry. Golda Meir served as foreign minister from 1956 to 1966, and Tzipi Livni was a foreign minister from 2006 to 2009. Ministries like Education, Health and Communication have seen the greater representation of women. However, contemporary Israeli politics is undergoing tremendous changes as female politicians are climbing the political ladder at a pace never seen before, for instance, leaders like Orli Levi-Abekasis formed her own political party, and Gesher will contest 2019 elections as she quit Yisrael Beiteinu after clashes with chairman Avigdor Lieberman. On the other hand, Bar-Shalom is contesting elections from the new Achi Yisraeli party. Moreover, a number of Arab women have filed nominations for the upcoming elections. Dima Tayeh, an Arab Muslim, is going to contest election from the right-wing Likud party. With women from such diverse social and economic background partaking in the election process, Israel will undergo a change that will benefit the future generations to come. As we celebrate International Women’s day on March 8, the theme for which is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”, it is important that world leaders along with the citizens work together to create a gender equal world where we do not need one day to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women. Let us pledge this women’s day to create a world where every day is a celebration in the lives of women. The first step towards this is by providing greater representation to women in political offices as that’s the hub of policymaking. The political circle which was driven and run by male politicians has become more embracing for women in Israel as evident from the growth in the female representation in the last few elections. However, what is important is that whether April elections prove to be a game changer for women in Israeli politics? As of now, it seems that women’s representation will not only increase but they will also get important profiles. (The article is co-authored by Ms Sonam Bhavnani, PhD scholar, Amity Institute of Social Sciences) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

2019 elections to be a game changer for women in Israeli politics?

Israel's Hebrew University put on display on Wednesday a collection of 110 manuscript pages written by Albert Einstein, many of which it said had never been shown in public before.

They include hand-written mathematical notes, most from 1944 to 1948, and also an appendix - which the university said had been thought lost - to a paper on unified field theory that the German-born physicist presented to the Prussian Academy of Science in 1930.

Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, a pillar of modern science, tried unsuccessfully for decades to prove another concept - that electromagnetism and gravity were different manifestations of a single fundamental field.

Hebrew University said it had received the papers as a donation to its 80,000-item Albert Einstein Archives from a foundation in Chicago after they were purchased from a private collector in North Carolina.

"These papers reflect the way Einstein was thinking, the way Einstein was working. Most of them, in his handwriting, are mathematical calculations with very little text," said Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, academic adviser to the archives.

"They are summaries of his notes; whenever something struck him, a new idea, he sat down immediately and scribbled it, looking for its consequences," Gutfreund told Reuters.

Einstein, who settled in the United States after renouncing his German citizenship when Adolf Hitler came to power, bequeathed his scientific and personal writings to Hebrew University.

Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics. He died in New Jersey in 1955.

Israel's Hebrew University put on display on Wednesday a collection of 110 manuscript pages written by Albert Einstein, many of which it said had never been shown in public before.

Israel's Hebrew University put on display on Wednesday a collection of 110 manuscript pages written by Albert Einstein, many of which it said had never been shown in public before. They include hand-written mathematical notes, most from 1944 to 1948, and also an appendix - which the university said had been thought lost - to a paper on unified field theory that the German-born physicist presented to the Prussian Academy of Science in 1930. Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, a pillar of modern science, tried unsuccessfully for decades to prove another concept - that electromagnetism and gravity were different manifestations of a single fundamental field. Hebrew University said it had received the papers as a donation to its 80,000-item Albert Einstein Archives from a foundation in Chicago after they were purchased from a private collector in North Carolina. "These papers reflect the way Einstein was thinking, the way Einstein was working. Most of them, in his handwriting, are mathematical calculations with very little text," said Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, academic adviser to the archives. "They are summaries of his notes; whenever something struck him, a new idea, he sat down immediately and scribbled it, looking for its consequences," Gutfreund told Reuters. Einstein, who settled in the United States after renouncing his German citizenship when Adolf Hitler came to power, bequeathed his scientific and personal writings to Hebrew University. Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics. He died in New Jersey in 1955.

Israel's university displays 110 manuscript pages written by Albert Einstein

The United States has deployed its advanced THAAD missile defence system temporarily to Israel for a joint military exercise, the first of its kind, officials said Monday.

The two countries confirmed the deployment, with Israel's military stressing it was "not related to any specific current event".

It is the first such exercise in Israel, although the two allies hold regular joint war games. No dates have been announced for the manoeuvres.

Israel has its own missile defence system, but the exercise aims in part to examine how to incorporate THAAD so that "we are ready for any challenges in the future", military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.

It will also allow the US military to practice the rapid deployment of THAAD across the globe, officials said.

"We see this as an opportunity to practice the integration of advanced American air defence systems into the Israeli air force air defence array," Conricus told journalists.

"The THAAD system is considered to be one of the most advanced of its kind in the world," the Israeli spokesman said.

The exercise with THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, involves more than 200 US military personnel and its components include radars and launching systems, Conricus said.

Components and personnel have come from the United States and Italy, Conricus said.

The THAAD will be deployed in southern Israel, but officials declined to say specifically where and for how long.

Israel's enemies in the region include Iran and Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah, both of which are supporting President Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria.

THAAD is capable of destroying short, medium and intermediate-range missiles.

In 2017, the US government approved its sale to Saudi Arabia, providing Riyadh with state-of-the-art capabilities that could thwart an Iranian rocket attack.

It had already been supplied to Saudi Arabia's neighbours Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Its deployment by the US military in South Korea as defence against North Korean drew protests from Beijing, which feared its sensors would be capable of penetrating Chinese air space and upset the balance of power.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the joint exercise, calling it "additional testimony to the commitment of the US to the security of Israel".

The United States has deployed its advanced THAAD missile defence system temporarily to Israel for a joint military exercise, the first of its kind, officials said Monday.

The United States has deployed its advanced THAAD missile defence system temporarily to Israel for a joint military exercise, the first of its kind, officials said Monday. The two countries confirmed the deployment, with Israel's military stressing it was "not related to any specific current event". It is the first such exercise in Israel, although the two allies hold regular joint war games. No dates have been announced for the manoeuvres. Israel has its own missile defence system, but the exercise aims in part to examine how to incorporate THAAD so that "we are ready for any challenges in the future", military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said. It will also allow the US military to practice the rapid deployment of THAAD across the globe, officials said. "We see this as an opportunity to practice the integration of advanced American air defence systems into the Israeli air force air defence array," Conricus told journalists. "The THAAD system is considered to be one of the most advanced of its kind in the world," the Israeli spokesman said. The exercise with THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, involves more than 200 US military personnel and its components include radars and launching systems, Conricus said. Components and personnel have come from the United States and Italy, Conricus said. The THAAD will be deployed in southern Israel, but officials declined to say specifically where and for how long. Israel's enemies in the region include Iran and Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah, both of which are supporting President Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria. THAAD is capable of destroying short, medium and intermediate-range missiles. In 2017, the US government approved its sale to Saudi Arabia, providing Riyadh with state-of-the-art capabilities that could thwart an Iranian rocket attack. It had already been supplied to Saudi Arabia's neighbours Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Its deployment by the US military in South Korea as defence against North Korean drew protests from Beijing, which feared its sensors would be capable of penetrating Chinese air space and upset the balance of power. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the joint exercise, calling it "additional testimony to the commitment of the US to the security of Israel".

US deploys THAAD missile defence in Israel for exercise

Israel's attorney general announced Thursday he intended to indict <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/israel-polls-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-challengers-form-alliance-198713">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, just weeks ahead of April elections.

The attorney general confirmed in a statement that he intended to charge the premier pending a hearing, where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/love-him-or-loathe-him-israeli-election-is-all-about-benjamin-netanyahu-197372">Netanyahu</a> would be given a chance to defend himself before charges are filed.

The actual filing of the reported charges&nbsp;will depend on the outcome of a required hearing - likely after the April 9 election - where Netanyahu can try to persuade the attorney-general not to indict him. Netanyahu, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, denies any wrongdoing.

His right-wing Likud party described the reported charges as "political persecution". It said the prime minister, who has vowed not to resign over the allegations, was due to deliver a statement at 8 pm (1800 GMT).

Israel's attorney general announced Thursday he intended to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, just weeks ahead of April elections.

Israel's attorney general announced Thursday he intended to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, just weeks ahead of April elections. The attorney general confirmed in a statement that he intended to charge the premier pending a hearing, where Netanyahu would be given a chance to defend himself before charges are filed. The actual filing of the reported charges will depend on the outcome of a required hearing - likely after the April 9 election - where Netanyahu can try to persuade the attorney-general not to indict him. Netanyahu, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, denies any wrongdoing. His right-wing Likud party described the reported charges as "political persecution". It said the prime minister, who has vowed not to resign over the allegations, was due to deliver a statement at 8 pm (1800 GMT).

Netanyahu to be charged in corruption cases: Israeli media

A rocket took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night carrying Israel's Beresheet spacecraft, aiming to make history twice - as the first private-sector landing on the Moon, and the first from the Jewish state.

The 585-kilogram (1,290-pound) Beresheet, which means "Genesis" in Hebrew, lifted off at 8:45 pm (0145 GMT Friday) atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the private US-based SpaceX company of entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Take-off was followed live back in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu watching alongside engineers from the control center of the Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The Israeli craft has been placed in Earth orbit, from where it will use its own engine to undertake a seven-week trip to reach the Moon and touch down on April 11 in a large plain.&nbsp;

The rocket also contains an Indonesian satellite and a satellite of the US Air Force Research Laboratory.

The unmanned mission is part of renewed global interest in the Moon, sometimes called the "eighth continent" of the Earth, and comes 50 years after American astronauts first walked on the lunar surface.&nbsp;

"This is history in the making - and it's live! Israel is aiming for the #moon and you're all invited to watch," said a Twitter message from SpaceIL, the non-profit organization that designed the Israeli craft.

It was backed notably by businessman and philanthropist Morris Kahn, who financed the development of a craft. "Make us proud," he said Thursday.

Entrepreneurs, not government space agencies, financed the mission, which was initially projected at $10 million but eventually grew to $100 million.

Other partners are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel's space agency, and the country's Ministry of Science and Technology.

So far, only Russia, the United States and China have made the 384,000-kilometer (239,000-mile) journey and landed spacecraft on the Moon.

China's Chang'e-4 made the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the Moon on January 3, after a probe sent by Beijing made a Lunar landing elsewhere in 2013.

Americans are the only ones to have walked on the lunar surface, but have not been there since 1972.

For Israel, the landing itself is the main mission, but the spacecraft also carries a scientific instrument to measure the lunar magnetic field, which will help understanding of the Moon's formation.

Technically, it is far from a trivial mission.

After its initial boost from the Falcon 9, the Beresheet's British engine will have to make several ignitions to place the spacecraft on the correct trajectory to the Moon.&nbsp;

When it arrives, its landing gear must cushion the descent onto the lunar surface to prevent Beresheet from crashing.

India plans to follow

Beresheet carries a "time capsule" loaded with digital files containing a Bible, children's drawings, Israeli songs, memories of a Holocaust survivor and the blue-and-white Israeli flag.

At a cost of $100 million, "this is the lowest-budget spacecraft to ever undertake such a mission. The superpowers who managed to land a spacecraft on the Moon have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding," IAI said in an earlier statement.

"Beresheet is the first spacecraft to land on the Moon as a result of a private initiative, rather than a government."&nbsp;

After China earlier this year, and now Israel, India hopes to become the fifth lunar country in the spring with its Chandrayaan-2 mission. It aims to put a craft with a rover onto the Moon's surface to collect data.

Japan plans to send a small lunar lander, called SLIM, to study a volcanic area around 2020-2021.&nbsp;

As for the Americans, a return to the Moon is now the official policy of NASA, according to guidelines issued by President Donald Trump in 2017.&nbsp;

"This time, when we go to the Moon, we're actually going to stay," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said last week.&nbsp;

To achieve this, the US space agency is changing its model and no longer wants to design the missions itself.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which has installed equipment on Beresheet to upload its signals from the Moon, said last week it aims to land instruments later this year or next year and that it is inviting private sector bids to build and launch the US probes.

The US space agency plans to build a small space station, dubbed Gateway, in the Moon's orbit by 2026, and envisages a manned mission to Mars in the following decade.&nbsp;

A rocket took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night carrying Israel's Beresheet spacecraft, aiming to make history twice - as the first private-sector landing on the Moon, and the first from the Jewish state.

A rocket took off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday night carrying Israel's Beresheet spacecraft, aiming to make history twice - as the first private-sector landing on the Moon, and the first from the Jewish state. The 585-kilogram (1,290-pound) Beresheet, which means "Genesis" in Hebrew, lifted off at 8:45 pm (0145 GMT Friday) atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the private US-based SpaceX company of entrepreneur Elon Musk. Take-off was followed live back in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu watching alongside engineers from the control center of the Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Israeli craft has been placed in Earth orbit, from where it will use its own engine to undertake a seven-week trip to reach the Moon and touch down on April 11 in a large plain. The rocket also contains an Indonesian satellite and a satellite of the US Air Force Research Laboratory. The unmanned mission is part of renewed global interest in the Moon, sometimes called the "eighth continent" of the Earth, and comes 50 years after American astronauts first walked on the lunar surface. "This is history in the making - and it's live! Israel is aiming for the #moon and you're all invited to watch," said a Twitter message from SpaceIL, the non-profit organization that designed the Israeli craft. It was backed notably by businessman and philanthropist Morris Kahn, who financed the development of a craft. "Make us proud," he said Thursday. Entrepreneurs, not government space agencies, financed the mission, which was initially projected at $10 million but eventually grew to $100 million. Other partners are Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel's space agency, and the country's Ministry of Science and Technology. So far, only Russia, the United States and China have made the 384,000-kilometer (239,000-mile) journey and landed spacecraft on the Moon. China's Chang'e-4 made the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the Moon on January 3, after a probe sent by Beijing made a Lunar landing elsewhere in 2013. Americans are the only ones to have walked on the lunar surface, but have not been there since 1972. For Israel, the landing itself is the main mission, but the spacecraft also carries a scientific instrument to measure the lunar magnetic field, which will help understanding of the Moon's formation. Technically, it is far from a trivial mission. After its initial boost from the Falcon 9, the Beresheet's British engine will have to make several ignitions to place the spacecraft on the correct trajectory to the Moon. When it arrives, its landing gear must cushion the descent onto the lunar surface to prevent Beresheet from crashing. India plans to follow Beresheet carries a "time capsule" loaded with digital files containing a Bible, children's drawings, Israeli songs, memories of a Holocaust survivor and the blue-and-white Israeli flag. At a cost of $100 million, "this is the lowest-budget spacecraft to ever undertake such a mission. The superpowers who managed to land a spacecraft on the Moon have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding," IAI said in an earlier statement. "Beresheet is the first spacecraft to land on the Moon as a result of a private initiative, rather than a government." After China earlier this year, and now Israel, India hopes to become the fifth lunar country in the spring with its Chandrayaan-2 mission. It aims to put a craft with a rover onto the Moon's surface to collect data. Japan plans to send a small lunar lander, called SLIM, to study a volcanic area around 2020-2021. As for the Americans, a return to the Moon is now the official policy of NASA, according to guidelines issued by President Donald Trump in 2017. "This time, when we go to the Moon, we're actually going to stay," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said last week. To achieve this, the US space agency is changing its model and no longer wants to design the missions itself. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which has installed equipment on Beresheet to upload its signals from the Moon, said last week it aims to land instruments later this year or next year and that it is inviting private sector bids to build and launch the US probes. The US space agency plans to build a small space station, dubbed Gateway, in the Moon's orbit by 2026, and envisages a manned mission to Mars in the following decade.

Israel's first Moon mission blasts off from Florida

Israel was gearing up to launch a spacecraft to the moon that will be the first private initiative of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization responsible for the project announced on Monday.

The $100-million spacecraft, which will cover the longest route to the moon – spanning nearly 6.5 million kilometres – was set to be ready to launch on February 22 from Florida's Cape Canaveral in the United States, according to Morris Kahn, president of SpaceIL, the company in charge of the project.

"The upcoming launch in Cape Canaveral and the lunar landing about two months later will be the culmination of eight years of hard work and dedication," Kahn said.

"This mission is a source of inspiration for people around the world, and we are looking forward to making history and watching as the Israeli flag joins superpowers Russia, China and the United States on (the) moon," he added.

Next Friday, the Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to be launched; it will carry the spacecraft that is set to separate from the booster 32 minutes after the launch.

Israeli Minister of Science and Technology Ofir Akunis has already headed to the United States to attend the launch process.

Should everything go according to schedule, the promoters of the project are expected to receive a signal from the spacecraft after the separation at the headquarters of Israel Aerospace Industries, located in the central Israeli city of Yehud, where the technology was manufactured.

After landing on the moon on April 11, the spacecraft, which has been christened with the name Beresheet, will start a series of tests to guarantee it is fully functioning.

Beresheet carries a digital time capsule, which includes thousands of documents about the history of humankind and of Israel. In addition, it contains photos of the manufacturers, as well as drawings, stories and music made by Israeli children who took part in the project.

During a press conference ahead of the launch, the project's promoters discussed the main challenges that the initiative – which has been made possible through private donations – was expected to face.

The main challenges included the launch itself, positioning the spacecraft, staying in contact with it at such a long distance, its ability to resist extreme conditions and landing successfully.

Israel was gearing up to launch a spacecraft to the moon that will be the first private initiative of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization responsible for the project announced on Monday.

Israel was gearing up to launch a spacecraft to the moon that will be the first private initiative of its kind in the world, the non-profit organization responsible for the project announced on Monday. The $100-million spacecraft, which will cover the longest route to the moon – spanning nearly 6.5 million kilometres – was set to be ready to launch on February 22 from Florida's Cape Canaveral in the United States, according to Morris Kahn, president of SpaceIL, the company in charge of the project. "The upcoming launch in Cape Canaveral and the lunar landing about two months later will be the culmination of eight years of hard work and dedication," Kahn said. "This mission is a source of inspiration for people around the world, and we are looking forward to making history and watching as the Israeli flag joins superpowers Russia, China and the United States on (the) moon," he added. Next Friday, the Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to be launched; it will carry the spacecraft that is set to separate from the booster 32 minutes after the launch. Israeli Minister of Science and Technology Ofir Akunis has already headed to the United States to attend the launch process. Should everything go according to schedule, the promoters of the project are expected to receive a signal from the spacecraft after the separation at the headquarters of Israel Aerospace Industries, located in the central Israeli city of Yehud, where the technology was manufactured. After landing on the moon on April 11, the spacecraft, which has been christened with the name Beresheet, will start a series of tests to guarantee it is fully functioning. Beresheet carries a digital time capsule, which includes thousands of documents about the history of humankind and of Israel. In addition, it contains photos of the manufacturers, as well as drawings, stories and music made by Israeli children who took part in the project. During a press conference ahead of the launch, the project's promoters discussed the main challenges that the initiative – which has been made possible through private donations – was expected to face. The main challenges included the launch itself, positioning the spacecraft, staying in contact with it at such a long distance, its ability to resist extreme conditions and landing successfully.

Israel readies to launch world's first private spacecraft to moon

Nadav Lapid`s 'Synonyms', an anarchic story about an Israeli who tries to suppress his origins after moving to Paris, won the Berlin Film Festival`s coveted Golden Bear award on Saturday. 
 
The film, a faintly comedic, semi-autobiographical study of identity and the ambivalence of national belonging, tells the story of Yoav, played by newcomer Tom Mercier, and his struggle to reinvent himself as French. 
 
Yoav is shown muttering French synonyms in an attempt to displace his native Hebrew with French as he bonds with a young, wealthy Parisian couple, played by Quentin Dolmaire and Louise Chevillotte. 
 
Lapid dedicated the film to his mother Era Lapid, who edited his films until her death. 
 
"We edited this movie between editing room and hospitals," he told Reuters. "It was a kind of competition between death and completing the movie. And death won."

<img alt="Berlin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="220f10ec-de15-4608-b698-3f29b0e32460" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202019-02-18T072545.112.jpg" /> 
 
Like his protagonist, Lapid left Israel for Paris at a young age, and he compared his journey to Yoav`s. 
 
"In his head he leaves the worst country ever to arrive in the best country ever," he told a news conference. "And at a certain moment he is facing a more complex reality. But I am always a little bit like Yoav ... I`m trying to open this closed door. I`m always charmed by something that exists in France."

Mercier`s kinetic performance of a character determined to excise what he sees as an Israeli culture of machismo from his soul has been widely praised. But his attempts at reinventing himself also reveal much about French mores. 
 
"I hope that people will feel a deep truth watching the movie," he said, saying that it was in France that he had discovered cinema "as an essential thing ... one of the most magnificent things the world can suggest us." 
 
French director Francois Ozon`s 'By the Grace of God', a drama about victims of child abuse in the Catholic Church and their fight for justice, won the runner-up Silver Bear Grand Jury prize. 
 
Chinese actors Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei, who played husband and wife in Wang Xiaoshuai`s generational saga 'So Long My Son', won Silver Bears for best actor and actress respectively. 
 
Another Chinese film, Zhang Yimou`s 'One Second', was pulled from the competition earlier this week, with the festival citing "technical reasons", although it was widely speculated that the film had fallen foul of China`s state censors.

"We hope to see it on screens around the world very soon, and deeply missed this film here at the Berlinale," said French actress Juliette Binoche, the prize jury`s president, at the awards ceremony.

Nadav Lapid`s 'Synonyms', an anarchic story about an Israeli who tries to suppress his origins after moving to Paris, won the Berlin Film Festival`s coveted Golden Bear award on Saturday.

Nadav Lapid`s 'Synonyms', an anarchic story about an Israeli who tries to suppress his origins after moving to Paris, won the Berlin Film Festival`s coveted Golden Bear award on Saturday. The film, a faintly comedic, semi-autobiographical study of identity and the ambivalence of national belonging, tells the story of Yoav, played by newcomer Tom Mercier, and his struggle to reinvent himself as French. Yoav is shown muttering French synonyms in an attempt to displace his native Hebrew with French as he bonds with a young, wealthy Parisian couple, played by Quentin Dolmaire and Louise Chevillotte. Lapid dedicated the film to his mother Era Lapid, who edited his films until her death. "We edited this movie between editing room and hospitals," he told Reuters. "It was a kind of competition between death and completing the movie. And death won." Like his protagonist, Lapid left Israel for Paris at a young age, and he compared his journey to Yoav`s. "In his head he leaves the worst country ever to arrive in the best country ever," he told a news conference. "And at a certain moment he is facing a more complex reality. But I am always a little bit like Yoav ... I`m trying to open this closed door. I`m always charmed by something that exists in France." Mercier`s kinetic performance of a character determined to excise what he sees as an Israeli culture of machismo from his soul has been widely praised. But his attempts at reinventing himself also reveal much about French mores. "I hope that people will feel a deep truth watching the movie," he said, saying that it was in France that he had discovered cinema "as an essential thing ... one of the most magnificent things the world can suggest us." French director Francois Ozon`s 'By the Grace of God', a drama about victims of child abuse in the Catholic Church and their fight for justice, won the runner-up Silver Bear Grand Jury prize. Chinese actors Wang Jingchun and Yong Mei, who played husband and wife in Wang Xiaoshuai`s generational saga 'So Long My Son', won Silver Bears for best actor and actress respectively. Another Chinese film, Zhang Yimou`s 'One Second', was pulled from the competition earlier this week, with the festival citing "technical reasons", although it was widely speculated that the film had fallen foul of China`s state censors. "We hope to see it on screens around the world very soon, and deeply missed this film here at the Berlinale," said French actress Juliette Binoche, the prize jury`s president, at the awards ceremony.

Israeli director Nadav Lapid's 'Synonyms' wins Golden Bear award at Berlin Film Festival

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Opponents portray him as a criminal. Even before he called an election for April 9, he was branded "CRIME MINISTER" in huge banners at protest rallies, a reference to three corruption investigations threatening his decade of political dominance.

Love him or loathe him, the election is all about Netanyahu.

Although the names of parties will be on ballot papers, the vote will amount to a referendum on Netanyahu in the shadow of his legal woes. If he wins, he will become Israel's longest-serving prime minister this summer.

"There's no central issue other than Netanyahu's reign and clean government - whether he remains prime minister and what the price is for corruption," said Tamar Hermann, a political science professor with the Israel Democracy Institute.

Opinion polls show Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win about 30 seats in the 120-member parliament, enough for the right-wing leader, now 69 and in his fourth term, to form the type of nationalist-religious coalition government he already heads.

He faces a strong challenge from former armed forces chief Benny Gantz. But Gantz's centrist Resilience party, which is second in opinion polls, would need to pursue groundbreaking political alliances to outstrip a right-wing bloc.

In power since 2009, after the first stint as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, the man ardent supporters hail as "King Bibi" has struck a chord with an electorate that has moved to the right and watched with delight as, under Trump, Washington lined up with many of Netanyahu's policies.

That has included US withdrawal from the international deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and a cut-off of US aid to the Palestinian Authority over its refusal to resume peace talks that collapsed in 2014.

"He (Netanyahu) has brought us excellent achievements, he represents me with dignity. I feel like my country is flourishing because of him," said Ronit Levy, a 49-year-old insurance agent from the northern city of Afula who goes by the handle of "Ronit the Bibi'ite" on Twitter and Facebook.

The sign on the giant city-centre billboards featuring Netanyahu and Trump says: "Netanyahu. In a different league." 
 
Corruption Cases

But in three corruption cases, Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in alleged bids for favourable coverage in an Israeli newspaper and a website.

He has denied wrongdoing, saying he is a victim of a left-wing witchhunt to topple him and that he has no intention of resigning. But his opponents are attacking his record and underlining the need for clean governance.

In a speech that boosted his ratings on January 29, Gantz said Israel's present leadership encouraged incitement, subversion and hatred, and was so detached from the people that it had adopted "the mannerisms of a French royal house".

"There was already a king who said: 'The State is me,' Gantz said, referring to King Louis XIV of France. "But no. Not here. No Israeli leader is a king. The state is not me. The state is you. The state is actually us. The state is all of us."

Netanyahu's legal saga looks set to enter a new chapter soon. Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit could announce by the end of February whether he intends to file criminal charges, as police have recommended, in the three corruption investigations.

The indictment in court would await the outcome of pre-trial hearings in which Netanyahu would try to dissuade Mandelblit from filing formal charges.

Those hearings would be unlikely to be wrapped up before the election, meaning voters would go to the polls aware that the attorney-general believes there is sufficient evidence to convict Netanyahu of criminal activity.

"The mere notion that in Israel a prime minister can remain in office while under indictment is ridiculous," Gantz said. 
 
Palestinian Issue

Palestinian leaders have had little to say about the Israeli election, maintaining their traditional policy of watching quietly from the sidelines.

They have already broken off contacts with the Trump administration, accusing it of pro-Israel bias. Any new Netanyahu government would be likely to include veteran allies opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Comments last week by Gantz that Israel must find a way "not to have dominion over other people" -- a reference to its continued occupation of the West Bank -- won praise from a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"It's encouraging if he succeeds and he sticks to this opinion," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said.

Trump intends to present a long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan only after the election and has been trying to enlist the support of US&nbsp;Arab allies in the region. But expectations of a breakthrough are low.

Another question looms for after the election: will coalition partners still stick with Netanyahu if Mandelblit, after a hearing, moves ahead with the indictment?

Knives are already out: former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an erstwhile political ally of Netanyahu, has predicted that right-wing parties now pledging their support would eventually turn on the Israeli leader.

Hermann, of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Netanyahu enjoys loyalty from his core supporters of lower-income Israelis who see him as their champion.

Netanyahu's backers, many of them Jews with roots in the Middle East and North Africa, hold grudges against left-wing parties that once dominated Israeli politics, accusing them of maltreating immigrants from those regions.

"It doesn't matter what he does, they don't expect him to conduct himself by the same moral standards that bind ordinary people," Hermann said. "You don't regard the king the same way you do a peasant."

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US President Donald Trump.

By Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face beams down from election billboards depicting him as a statesman, shaking hands with US President Donald Trump. Opponents portray him as a criminal. Even before he called an election for April 9, he was branded "CRIME MINISTER" in huge banners at protest rallies, a reference to three corruption investigations threatening his decade of political dominance. Love him or loathe him, the election is all about Netanyahu. Although the names of parties will be on ballot papers, the vote will amount to a referendum on Netanyahu in the shadow of his legal woes. If he wins, he will become Israel's longest-serving prime minister this summer. "There's no central issue other than Netanyahu's reign and clean government - whether he remains prime minister and what the price is for corruption," said Tamar Hermann, a political science professor with the Israel Democracy Institute. Opinion polls show Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win about 30 seats in the 120-member parliament, enough for the right-wing leader, now 69 and in his fourth term, to form the type of nationalist-religious coalition government he already heads. He faces a strong challenge from former armed forces chief Benny Gantz. But Gantz's centrist Resilience party, which is second in opinion polls, would need to pursue groundbreaking political alliances to outstrip a right-wing bloc. In power since 2009, after the first stint as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, the man ardent supporters hail as "King Bibi" has struck a chord with an electorate that has moved to the right and watched with delight as, under Trump, Washington lined up with many of Netanyahu's policies. That has included US withdrawal from the international deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme, Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and a cut-off of US aid to the Palestinian Authority over its refusal to resume peace talks that collapsed in 2014. "He (Netanyahu) has brought us excellent achievements, he represents me with dignity. I feel like my country is flourishing because of him," said Ronit Levy, a 49-year-old insurance agent from the northern city of Afula who goes by the handle of "Ronit the Bibi'ite" on Twitter and Facebook. The sign on the giant city-centre billboards featuring Netanyahu and Trump says: "Netanyahu. In a different league." Corruption Cases But in three corruption cases, Netanyahu is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in alleged bids for favourable coverage in an Israeli newspaper and a website. He has denied wrongdoing, saying he is a victim of a left-wing witchhunt to topple him and that he has no intention of resigning. But his opponents are attacking his record and underlining the need for clean governance. In a speech that boosted his ratings on January 29, Gantz said Israel's present leadership encouraged incitement, subversion and hatred, and was so detached from the people that it had adopted "the mannerisms of a French royal house". "There was already a king who said: 'The State is me,' Gantz said, referring to King Louis XIV of France. "But no. Not here. No Israeli leader is a king. The state is not me. The state is you. The state is actually us. The state is all of us." Netanyahu's legal saga looks set to enter a new chapter soon. Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit could announce by the end of February whether he intends to file criminal charges, as police have recommended, in the three corruption investigations. The indictment in court would await the outcome of pre-trial hearings in which Netanyahu would try to dissuade Mandelblit from filing formal charges. Those hearings would be unlikely to be wrapped up before the election, meaning voters would go to the polls aware that the attorney-general believes there is sufficient evidence to convict Netanyahu of criminal activity. "The mere notion that in Israel a prime minister can remain in office while under indictment is ridiculous," Gantz said. Palestinian Issue Palestinian leaders have had little to say about the Israeli election, maintaining their traditional policy of watching quietly from the sidelines. They have already broken off contacts with the Trump administration, accusing it of pro-Israel bias. Any new Netanyahu government would be likely to include veteran allies opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state. Comments last week by Gantz that Israel must find a way "not to have dominion over other people" -- a reference to its continued occupation of the West Bank -- won praise from a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "It's encouraging if he succeeds and he sticks to this opinion," the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said. Trump intends to present a long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan only after the election and has been trying to enlist the support of US Arab allies in the region. But expectations of a breakthrough are low. Another question looms for after the election: will coalition partners still stick with Netanyahu if Mandelblit, after a hearing, moves ahead with the indictment? Knives are already out: former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an erstwhile political ally of Netanyahu, has predicted that right-wing parties now pledging their support would eventually turn on the Israeli leader. Hermann, of the Israel Democracy Institute, said Netanyahu enjoys loyalty from his core supporters of lower-income Israelis who see him as their champion. Netanyahu's backers, many of them Jews with roots in the Middle East and North Africa, hold grudges against left-wing parties that once dominated Israeli politics, accusing them of maltreating immigrants from those regions. "It doesn't matter what he does, they don't expect him to conduct himself by the same moral standards that bind ordinary people," Hermann said. "You don't regard the king the same way you do a peasant." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Love him or loathe him, Israeli election is all about Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to a naval base in the northern port of Haifa, Netanyahu said, "The missiles you see behind me can go very far, against any enemy, including Iran's proxies in our region" -- an apparent reference to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement.

"We are constantly working according to our u

nderstanding and the need to prevent Iran and its proxies from entrenching on our northern border and in our region in general," Netanyahu added.

"We are doing everything necessary," said Netanyahu, as he inspected Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel would not allow Iran and its ally Hezbollah to entrench themselves in neighbouring Syria where they are backing the Damascus regime against rebels and jihadists.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

On Wednesday the Israeli prime minister is set to take part in an international conference in Warsaw co-organised by the United States and Poland.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month announced the two-day conference saying it would focus on the "destabilising influence" of Iran in the Middle East.

But with few RSVPs coming, Poland and the US have toned down the agenda to focus on ways of promoting peace and security in the Middle East.

During the conference, US President Donald Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has been putting final touches on a "deal of the century" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, will make a rare speaking appearance.

Kushner may offer hints of the US peace proposal but is not expected to unveil the full deal until after the April 9 election in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East. Speaking during a visit to a naval base in the northern port of Haifa, Netanyahu said, "The missiles you see behind me can go very far, against any enemy, including Iran's proxies in our region" -- an apparent reference to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement. "We are constantly working according to our u nderstanding and the need to prevent Iran and its proxies from entrenching on our northern border and in our region in general," Netanyahu added. "We are doing everything necessary," said Netanyahu, as he inspected Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system. Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel would not allow Iran and its ally Hezbollah to entrench themselves in neighbouring Syria where they are backing the Damascus regime against rebels and jihadists. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets. On Wednesday the Israeli prime minister is set to take part in an international conference in Warsaw co-organised by the United States and Poland. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month announced the two-day conference saying it would focus on the "destabilising influence" of Iran in the Middle East. But with few RSVPs coming, Poland and the US have toned down the agenda to focus on ways of promoting peace and security in the Middle East. During the conference, US President Donald Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has been putting final touches on a "deal of the century" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, will make a rare speaking appearance. Kushner may offer hints of the US peace proposal but is not expected to unveil the full deal until after the April 9 election in Israel.

Israel warns Iran that its missiles can travel 'very far'

Israeli security forces arrested a Palestinian man on Saturday suspected of killing an Israeli woman found dead two days ago in a forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem, police said.

The Israeli Shin Bet internal security service and police said in a statement that the 29-year-old Palestinian suspect was seized over the killing of the 19-year-old woman during a raid in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Shin Bet said the suspect left his home in the Palestinian city of Hebron carrying a knife, saw the victim in the forest and killed her. It was still investigating the motive.

Palestinian authorities did not immediately comment.

Israel's Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said he viewed it as a terrorist attack. "We're talking about a wide phenomenon of terrorism we're dealing with here," he told Reshet TV.

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and a bid by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump to restart negotiations has so far shown little progress.

Israeli security forces arrested a Palestinian man on Saturday suspected of killing an Israeli woman found dead two days ago in a forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem, police said.

Israeli security forces arrested a Palestinian man on Saturday suspected of killing an Israeli woman found dead two days ago in a forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem, police said. The Israeli Shin Bet internal security service and police said in a statement that the 29-year-old Palestinian suspect was seized over the killing of the 19-year-old woman during a raid in the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Shin Bet said the suspect left his home in the Palestinian city of Hebron carrying a knife, saw the victim in the forest and killed her. It was still investigating the motive. Palestinian authorities did not immediately comment. Israel's Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said he viewed it as a terrorist attack. "We're talking about a wide phenomenon of terrorism we're dealing with here," he told Reshet TV. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014 and a bid by US President Donald Trump to restart negotiations has so far shown little progress.

Israel arrests Palestinian over killing of Israeli woman

Iran warned Israel on Tuesday of a "firm and appropriate" response if it continued attacking targets in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces in their nearly eight-year war against rebels and militants.

Israel, which views Iran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria. With an election looming in April, Israel has been increasingly open about carrying out its air strikes.

In a meeting with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moalem in Tehran, the secretary of Iran's National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said the Israeli attacks violated Syria's territorial integrity and were "unacceptable".

"If these actions continue, we will activate some calculated measures as a deterrent and as a firm and appropriate response to teach a lesson to the criminal and lying rulers of Israel," Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that Israeli forces would continue to attack Iranians in Syria and warned them to "get out of there" fast.

In January, Israeli warplanes carried out an attack on what they called an Iranian arms cache in Syria.

Syria's Moalem was quoted on Tuesday by a Hezbollah-run media unit as saying: "The Syrian government considers it to be its duty to keep Iranian security forces in Syrian territory."

Iran has also repeatedly said it will keep military forces in Syria.

Iran warned Israel on Tuesday of a "firm and appropriate" response if it continued attacking targets in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces in their nearly eight-year war against rebels and militants.

Iran warned Israel on Tuesday of a "firm and appropriate" response if it continued attacking targets in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces in their nearly eight-year war against rebels and militants. Israel, which views Iran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria. With an election looming in April, Israel has been increasingly open about carrying out its air strikes. In a meeting with Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moalem in Tehran, the secretary of Iran's National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said the Israeli attacks violated Syria's territorial integrity and were "unacceptable". "If these actions continue, we will activate some calculated measures as a deterrent and as a firm and appropriate response to teach a lesson to the criminal and lying rulers of Israel," Shamkhani was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that Israeli forces would continue to attack Iranians in Syria and warned them to "get out of there" fast. In January, Israeli warplanes carried out an attack on what they called an Iranian arms cache in Syria. Syria's Moalem was quoted on Tuesday by a Hezbollah-run media unit as saying: "The Syrian government considers it to be its duty to keep Iranian security forces in Syrian territory." Iran has also repeatedly said it will keep military forces in Syria.

Iran warns Israel against further air strikes in Syria

Turkey has "strongly" condemned Israel's decision not to renew the mandate of an international monitoring group in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.

"We strongly condemn Israel's unilateral termination of the mandate of the 'Temporary International Presence in Hebron' (TIPH) ... and expect this political decision to be reversed," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement late on Friday.

The Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) was established after a massacre of Palestinians in 1994.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he would not extend its mandate, accusing it of bias.&nbsp;

Ankara, however, dismissed the Israeli claim.&nbsp;

"We decisively reject the allegation that the TIPH has been working against Israel, which is presented by Israel as a justification for its decision."

In a series of Twitter posts on Saturday, Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), slammed the Israeli move as a "new step to cover up illegalities" and said it must be condemned.&nbsp;

"This Israeli step shows new aggressions are in the planning," he said, urging the world "to be more careful" about the situation in Hebron.

Turkey has observers in the Norway-led team tasked with promoting security for Palestinians in Hebron, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews and has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian and European officials have also expressed concern and regret over the Israeli decision.&nbsp;

Turkey has "strongly" condemned Israel's decision not to renew the mandate of an international monitoring group in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. "We strongly condemn Israel's unilateral termination of the mandate of the 'Temporary International Presence in Hebron' (TIPH) .

Turkey has "strongly" condemned Israel's decision not to renew the mandate of an international monitoring group in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. "We strongly condemn Israel's unilateral termination of the mandate of the 'Temporary International Presence in Hebron' (TIPH) ... and expect this political decision to be reversed," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement late on Friday. The Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) was established after a massacre of Palestinians in 1994. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he would not extend its mandate, accusing it of bias. Ankara, however, dismissed the Israeli claim. "We decisively reject the allegation that the TIPH has been working against Israel, which is presented by Israel as a justification for its decision." In a series of Twitter posts on Saturday, Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), slammed the Israeli move as a "new step to cover up illegalities" and said it must be condemned. "This Israeli step shows new aggressions are in the planning," he said, urging the world "to be more careful" about the situation in Hebron. Turkey has observers in the Norway-led team tasked with promoting security for Palestinians in Hebron, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews and has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinian and European officials have also expressed concern and regret over the Israeli decision.

Turkey denounces Israel's decision over Hebron monitoring

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