Israeli warplanes hit Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Monday after a rocket fired by Palestinians slammed into southern Israel, the army said.

It did not elaborate on the targets but Palestinian security sources said several missiles were fired at farmland east of Rafah in the south of the coastal enclave.

Israeli &quot;fighter jets targeted underground infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, in response to the projectile that was launched at Israel earlier,&quot; an army statement said.

No casualties were reported in either incident.

The strikes followed fierce exchanges over the weekend in which <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-after-blast-wounds-four-soldiers-33212" target="_blank">Israeli ground forces killed two Palestinian teenagers</a> in the enclave in cross-border fire.

Warplanes also pounded 18 Hamas facilities in two waves of air strikes, according to the Israeli military.

Those raids were in response to an explosion Saturday in which four Israeli soldiers inspecting the border fence were injured by an apparent Palestinian booby trap.

Two of the men were severely wounded but their lives were not in danger, the army said.

The blast and the retaliatory fire marked one of the most serious escalations in the Hamas-ruled territory since the Islamist movement and Israel fought a war in 2014.

The strikes followed fierce exchanges over the weekend in which Israeli ground forces killed two Palestinian teenagers in the enclave in cross-border fire

Israeli warplanes hit Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early on Monday after a rocket fired by Palestinians slammed into southern Israel, the army said. It did not elaborate on the targets but Palestinian security sources said several missiles were fired at farmland east of Rafah in the south of the coastal enclave. Israeli "fighter jets targeted underground infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, in response to the projectile that was launched at Israel earlier," an army statement said. No casualties were reported in either incident. The strikes followed fierce exchanges over the weekend in which Israeli ground forces killed two Palestinian teenagers in the enclave in cross-border fire. Warplanes also pounded 18 Hamas facilities in two waves of air strikes, according to the Israeli military. Those raids were in response to an explosion Saturday in which four Israeli soldiers inspecting the border fence were injured by an apparent Palestinian booby trap. Two of the men were severely wounded but their lives were not in danger, the army said. The blast and the retaliatory fire marked one of the most serious escalations in the Hamas-ruled territory since the Islamist movement and Israel fought a war in 2014.

Israeli warplanes hit Gaza again after new rocket attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would act against Iran, not just its allies in the Middle East, if needed, reiterating that Tehran was the world&#39;s greatest threat.

Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: &quot;Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck.

&quot;We will act if necessary not just against Iran&#39;s proxies but against Iran itself,&quot; he said.

Addressing the Munich event for the first time, Netanyahu urged gathered U.S. and European officials and diplomats to counter Iran immediately, displaying a map showing what he said was Iran&#39;s growing presence in the Middle East.

He said Iran was increasing its power as the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria regains territory from militants.

&quot;The unfortunate thing is that as ISIS compresses and Iran moves in, it is trying to establish this continuous empire surrounding the Middle East from the south in Yemen but also trying to create a land bridge from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza,&quot; Netanyahu said.

&quot;This is a very dangerous development for our region.&quot;

Tensions surged on Feb. 10 when anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria.

That was the most serious confrontation yet between Israel and Iranian-backed forces based across the border.

Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: "Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would act against Iran, not just its allies in the Middle East, if needed, reiterating that Tehran was the world's greatest threat. Holding a piece of what he said was an Iranian drone after its incursion into Israeli airspace earlier this month, Netanyahu told the Munich Security Conference: "Israel will not allow the regime to put a noose of terror around our neck. "We will act if necessary not just against Iran's proxies but against Iran itself," he said. Addressing the Munich event for the first time, Netanyahu urged gathered U.S. and European officials and diplomats to counter Iran immediately, displaying a map showing what he said was Iran's growing presence in the Middle East. He said Iran was increasing its power as the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria regains territory from militants. "The unfortunate thing is that as ISIS compresses and Iran moves in, it is trying to establish this continuous empire surrounding the Middle East from the south in Yemen but also trying to create a land bridge from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza," Netanyahu said. "This is a very dangerous development for our region." Tensions surged on Feb. 10 when anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria. That was the most serious confrontation yet between Israel and Iranian-backed forces based across the border.

Benjamin Netanyahu could act against Iran's 'empire'

Israel arrested six Palestinians suspected of planning attacks targeting Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other Israelis in the occupied West Bank, security agency Shin Bet said today.

Shin Bet said the six were affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group and were active in the Bethlehem area where they sought to carry out shootings against Israeli civilians and security forces.

In addition, some of the group had been planning to target Lieberman&#39;s vehicle when he travelled to his home in a West Bank settlement.

According to a Shin Bet statement, the suspects had been &quot;trying to obtain explosives to make a bomb, and even reached out to terror elements in (Gaza) for funding.&quot;

&quot;Upon failing to acquire the materials, they decided to create a fake device to receive recognition for their action and enable further attacks,&quot; the statement read.

The six will be charged in an Israeli military court later today.

In 2014, Shin Bet said it had apprehended a Hamas group planning to assassinate then-foreign minister Lieberman by firing a rocket-propelled grenade at his convoy.&nbsp;

According to a Shin Bet statement, the suspects had been 'trying to obtain explosives to make a bomb'

Israel arrested six Palestinians suspected of planning attacks targeting Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other Israelis in the occupied West Bank, security agency Shin Bet said today. Shin Bet said the six were affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group and were active in the Bethlehem area where they sought to carry out shootings against Israeli civilians and security forces. In addition, some of the group had been planning to target Lieberman's vehicle when he travelled to his home in a West Bank settlement. According to a Shin Bet statement, the suspects had been "trying to obtain explosives to make a bomb, and even reached out to terror elements in (Gaza) for funding." "Upon failing to acquire the materials, they decided to create a fake device to receive recognition for their action and enable further attacks," the statement read. The six will be charged in an Israeli military court later today. In 2014, Shin Bet said it had apprehended a Hamas group planning to assassinate then-foreign minister Lieberman by firing a rocket-propelled grenade at his convoy.

Israel arrests Palestinians planning attack on defence minister

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in Gaza in a flare-up after soldiers were wounded by an explosive device along the Palestinian enclave&#39;s border, Gaza medical sources said Sunday.

The fatalities were identified by the Gaza health ministry as Salam Sabah and Abdullah Abu Sheikha, both 17, who were killed during a strike east of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-after-blast-wounds-four-soldiers-33212" target="_blank">Israeli jets hit Gaza after IED wounds four soldiers</a>

According to Palestinian eye witnesses, the two were killed by shots near the border.

The Israeli army said that its forces had fired &quot;warning shots&quot; at a number of Palestinians approaching the border fence &quot;in a suspicious manner&quot;.

Their death comes after Israel launched a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-gaza-after-blast-wounds-four-soldiers-33212" target="_blank">series of air strikes</a> targeting 18 &quot;terror targets belonging to Hamas&quot; in Gaza, after the explosive device wounded soldiers and a projectile from Gaza hit in an Israeli border town.

The fatalities were identified by the Gaza health ministry as Salam Sabah and Abdullah Abu Sheikha, both 17, who were killed during a strike east of Rafah in southern Gaza

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in Gaza in a flare-up after soldiers were wounded by an explosive device along the Palestinian enclave's border, Gaza medical sources said Sunday. The fatalities were identified by the Gaza health ministry as Salam Sabah and Abdullah Abu Sheikha, both 17, who were killed during a strike east of Rafah in southern Gaza. Also read: Israeli jets hit Gaza after IED wounds four soldiers According to Palestinian eye witnesses, the two were killed by shots near the border. The Israeli army said that its forces had fired "warning shots" at a number of Palestinians approaching the border fence "in a suspicious manner". Their death comes after Israel launched a series of air strikes targeting 18 "terror targets belonging to Hamas" in Gaza, after the explosive device wounded soldiers and a projectile from Gaza hit in an Israeli border town.

Two Palestinians killed by Israeli Army: Medics

Israeli lawmakers today gave a nod to a bill that will withhold tax collected for the Palestinian Authority.&nbsp;

The bill was drafted under the leadership of Israel&#39;s Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The bill is now all set to be sent to parliament to be passed as a law.&nbsp;

&quot;Soon there will be an end to this theatre of absurd,&quot; Lieberman wrote in Hebrew on Twitter.

He also added that the money confiscated would be used to ward off terror and compensate victims.

An annual report of payments made to &quot;terror activists&quot; by the Palestinian Authority will be also be presented by Lieberman.&nbsp;

&quot;Based on the report, the sum will be deducted from payments handed from Israel to the Palestinian Authority,&quot; AFP reported.&nbsp;

The bill is likely to be debated in the Israeli parliament. Israel&#39;s move has been condemned by the Palestinian government who called it an instance of &quot;piracy and theft&quot; as well as a breach of international law.&nbsp;

A total sum of around $127 million is recovered in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets. These commodities transit through Israeli ports.&nbsp;

The US Senate also considers a bill approved by the House of Representatives to withhold aid to the PA if it does not stop the controversial practice of so-called martyr payments to families of Palestinians convicted of terrorist attacks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

The bill was drafted under the leadership of Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Israeli lawmakers today gave a nod to a bill that will withhold tax collected for the Palestinian Authority. The bill was drafted under the leadership of Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The bill is now all set to be sent to parliament to be passed as a law. "Soon there will be an end to this theatre of absurd," Lieberman wrote in Hebrew on Twitter. He also added that the money confiscated would be used to ward off terror and compensate victims. An annual report of payments made to "terror activists" by the Palestinian Authority will be also be presented by Lieberman. "Based on the report, the sum will be deducted from payments handed from Israel to the Palestinian Authority," AFP reported. The bill is likely to be debated in the Israeli parliament. Israel's move has been condemned by the Palestinian government who called it an instance of "piracy and theft" as well as a breach of international law. A total sum of around $127 million is recovered in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets. These commodities transit through Israeli ports. The US Senate also considers a bill approved by the House of Representatives to withhold aid to the PA if it does not stop the controversial practice of so-called martyr payments to families of Palestinians convicted of terrorist attacks. (With inputs from AFP)

Israel readies bill cutting Palestinian funding over 'terror'

Israeli jets struck the Gaza Strip on Saturday after four soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive device blew up along the border with the Palestinian enclave.

The explosion earlier Saturday, which left two of the Israeli soldiers severely injured, was one of the most serious incidents on the border of the Hamas-ruled enclave since the Islamist movement and Israel fought a war in 2014.

In response Israel&#39;s army said &quot;fighter jets targeted six military targets in Gaza belonging to Hamas, including: a terror tunnel in the Zaytun area and military compounds near Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis&quot;.

The army then reported a &quot;launch was identified from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory&quot;.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a security conference in Munich called the Gaza border incident &quot;very serious&quot; and pledged to &quot;respond appropriately&quot;.&nbsp;

A Palestinian security source said the Israeli air strikes hit three bases belonging to Hamas in the east of the blockaded Gaza enclave.

Two Palestinians were injured in the raids, Palestinian medical sources said.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day the army said &quot;two soldiers were severely wounded, one moderately and one slightly&quot; when an improvised explosive device blew up along the border fence with Gaza.

None of the soldiers&#39; lives were in danger, a spokesman clarified.

In response Israeli forces said a tank quickly opened fire at an &quot;observation post&quot; in southern Gaza, causing no injuries on the Palestinian side.

Palestinian security sources said the explosion took place east of the city of Khan Yunis.

Rogue group

Spokesman Jonathan Conricus said a &quot;rogue group&quot; had claimed responsibility for the blast, likely indicating one of the more radical Islamist groups who are present in Gaza.&nbsp;

But he insisted that &quot;from our point of view Hamas is responsible&quot; and said the explosive had been planted during a protest arranged by the group on Friday.&nbsp;

Israel holds the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas responsible for any fire coming from the blockaded coastal enclave.

The Israeli army responds automatically to any strikes on its territory, generally targeting Hamas facilities.

Hamas&#39;s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in a statement said they had fired at the Israeli jets overhead.

But Israeli army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said there was no truth to the claim.

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008, and the last conflict in 2014 was waged in part over tunnels from Gaza that were used to launch attacks.

Israeli aircraft hit Hamas targets in the southern Gaza Strip repeatedly in early February, after it said Palestinians there fired a rocket into the Jewish state.

Tensions between the Palestinians and Israel have been high since US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state in December.

Netanyahu will visit the White House next month, a senior US administration official told AFP on Friday.

The March 5 visit comes after a war of words between close allies Israel and the US over settlements, and a scandal that has seen police recommend Netanyahu be indicted for graft.

Two of the soldiers were severely injured

Israeli jets struck the Gaza Strip on Saturday after four soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive device blew up along the border with the Palestinian enclave. The explosion earlier Saturday, which left two of the Israeli soldiers severely injured, was one of the most serious incidents on the border of the Hamas-ruled enclave since the Islamist movement and Israel fought a war in 2014. In response Israel's army said "fighter jets targeted six military targets in Gaza belonging to Hamas, including: a terror tunnel in the Zaytun area and military compounds near Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis". The army then reported a "launch was identified from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a security conference in Munich called the Gaza border incident "very serious" and pledged to "respond appropriately". A Palestinian security source said the Israeli air strikes hit three bases belonging to Hamas in the east of the blockaded Gaza enclave. Two Palestinians were injured in the raids, Palestinian medical sources said. Earlier in the day the army said "two soldiers were severely wounded, one moderately and one slightly" when an improvised explosive device blew up along the border fence with Gaza. None of the soldiers' lives were in danger, a spokesman clarified. In response Israeli forces said a tank quickly opened fire at an "observation post" in southern Gaza, causing no injuries on the Palestinian side. Palestinian security sources said the explosion took place east of the city of Khan Yunis. Rogue group Spokesman Jonathan Conricus said a "rogue group" had claimed responsibility for the blast, likely indicating one of the more radical Islamist groups who are present in Gaza. But he insisted that "from our point of view Hamas is responsible" and said the explosive had been planted during a protest arranged by the group on Friday. Israel holds the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas responsible for any fire coming from the blockaded coastal enclave. The Israeli army responds automatically to any strikes on its territory, generally targeting Hamas facilities. Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in a statement said they had fired at the Israeli jets overhead. But Israeli army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, said there was no truth to the claim. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008, and the last conflict in 2014 was waged in part over tunnels from Gaza that were used to launch attacks. Israeli aircraft hit Hamas targets in the southern Gaza Strip repeatedly in early February, after it said Palestinians there fired a rocket into the Jewish state. Tensions between the Palestinians and Israel have been high since US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state in December. Netanyahu will visit the White House next month, a senior US administration official told AFP on Friday. The March 5 visit comes after a war of words between close allies Israel and the US over settlements, and a scandal that has seen police recommend Netanyahu be indicted for graft.

Israeli jets hit Gaza after IED wounds four soldiers

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/74-polling-in-tripura-assembly-elections-ec-33265" target="_blank">74% polling in Tripura assembly elections: Election Commission</a>

The total voter turnout stood at 74 per cent in the single-phase Tripura Assembly polls Sunday, 17 per cent less than the last Assembly election when the polling percentage was recorded at 91.82.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-test-israel-netanyahu-tells-iran-brandishing-drone-piece-33252" target="_blank">&#39;Do not test Israel&#39;, Netanyahu tells Iran, brandishing drone &#39;piece&#39;</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran on Sunday over aggressions by what he called Iran and its &quot;proxies&quot; in Syria, while showing what he claimed was a piece of an Iranian drone shot down in Israeli airspace.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-airline-retracts-toll-of-66-dead-in-plane-crash-media-33250" target="_blank">Iran airline retracts toll of 66 dead in plane crash: Media</a>

Iran`s Aseman Airlines on Sunday retracted its statement that all 66 people aboard a passenger plane had died after it crashed, as rescue teams struggled to find the wreckage.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-arrested-bank-officials-refusing-to-cooperate-say-cbi-sources-33238" target="_blank">PNB scam: Arrested bank officials refusing to cooperate, say CBI sources</a>

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources Sunday said the Punjab National Bank officials (PNB) arrested are not co-operating in the investigation of the fraudulent transaction scam of Rs 11,400 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-deal-must-survive-former-us-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-33261" target="_blank">Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry</a>

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is &quot;absolutely critical&quot; that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

74% polling in Tripura assembly elections: Election Commission The total voter turnout stood at 74 per cent in the single-phase Tripura Assembly polls Sunday, 17 per cent less than the last Assembly election when the polling percentage was recorded at 91.82. 'Do not test Israel', Netanyahu tells Iran, brandishing drone 'piece' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran on Sunday over aggressions by what he called Iran and its "proxies" in Syria, while showing what he claimed was a piece of an Iranian drone shot down in Israeli airspace. Iran airline retracts toll of 66 dead in plane crash: Media Iran`s Aseman Airlines on Sunday retracted its statement that all 66 people aboard a passenger plane had died after it crashed, as rescue teams struggled to find the wreckage. PNB scam: Arrested bank officials refusing to cooperate, say CBI sources The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources Sunday said the Punjab National Bank officials (PNB) arrested are not co-operating in the investigation of the fraudulent transaction scam of Rs 11,400 crore. Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is "absolutely critical" that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.

WION Evening News brief, February 18, 2018

Israeli&#39;s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel will not let &#39;the historical truth about the Holocaust to be rewritten.&nbsp;

Israel and Poland experience strained ties after Israeli leaders accused Poland&#39;s prime minister of anti-Semitism. Isreal allegedly equated Polish perpetrators in the Holocaust to &#39;Jewish perpetrators.&#39;

The two countries also face&nbsp;unpleasant relations owing to a new Polish law that criminalised some statements about the country&#39;s actions during World War II.

Netanyahu spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and remembered the fact that nearly 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis. He further added that the incident will never be forgotten, nor will the historical truth about the Holocaust will ever be allowed to be rewritten.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israel and Poland experience strained ties after Israeli leaders accused Poland's prime minister of anti-Semitism

Israeli's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel will not let 'the historical truth about the Holocaust to be rewritten. Israel and Poland experience strained ties after Israeli leaders accused Poland's prime minister of anti-Semitism. Isreal allegedly equated Polish perpetrators in the Holocaust to 'Jewish perpetrators.' The two countries also face unpleasant relations owing to a new Polish law that criminalised some statements about the country's actions during World War II. Netanyahu spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and remembered the fact that nearly 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis. He further added that the incident will never be forgotten, nor will the historical truth about the Holocaust will ever be allowed to be rewritten. (With inputs from agencies)

Won't allow rewriting of historical truth about the Holocaust: Netanyahu to Poland

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader&#39;s political survival.

Against the backdrop of Israeli flags in a televised speech at his residence, a sombre Netanyahu called the allegations baseless and vowed to complete his fourth term in office.

It will be up to Israel&#39;s attorney general to decide whether to file charges, a process that could take weeks if not months.

The recommendations, which police made public on Tuesday night, were at the more serious end of the range of charges that had been expected to be levelled against Netanyahu in two criminal investigations that have gone on for more than a year.

One of the cases, known as Case 1000, alleged the &quot;committing of crimes of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.&quot;

In a detailed statement, police named Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian businessman James Packer, saying that for nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016, they gave gifts that included champagne, cigars and jewellery to Netanyahu and his family.

In all, the merchandise was worth more than one million shekels ($280,000), the statement said. Any legal proceedings would likely focus on whether political favours were sought or granted.

Netanyahu&#39;s lawyers said the presents were simply tokens of friendship.

The second, case 2000, also alleged &quot;bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister&quot; and by the publisher of the biggest-selling Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes. The two men, police said, discussed ways of slowing the growth of a rival daily newspaper, Israel Hayom, &quot;through legislation and other means&quot;.

Netanyahu, who has denied wrongdoing, has been questioned several times by police since the start of 2017.

In his television appearance, minutes after police made their recommendations public, Netanyahu, 68, recounted his military service as a commando and said he had never sought personal gain from politics.

&quot;I will continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully for as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you,&quot; he said. &quot;I am certain, I am certain, that the truth will be revealed, and I am certain that at the next elections, which will be held on schedule, I will earn your trust again, with God&#39;s help.&quot;

Israel is next scheduled to go to the polls in late 2019.

&quot;Because I know the truth, I tell you ... things will end in nothing,&quot; Netanyahu said.

Israel&#39;s Channel 10 television quoted a lawyer for Milchan as saying that occasional gift-giving was devoid of any business interests.

Milchan or New Regency Productions, a Hollywood movie studio he founded and chairs, have produced more than 100 films, including recent Oscar best picture winners &quot;12 Years a Slave&quot;, &quot;Birdman&quot;, and &quot;The Revenant&quot;. New Regency did not immediately return a request for comment.

A spokesman for Packer said, &quot;There is no allegation of wrongdoing on Packer&#39;s behalf. The Israeli and Australian police have confirmed that he was interviewed as a witness, not a suspect.&quot;

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, asked about the police decision, cited Washington&#39;s &quot;very strong relationship&quot; with Netanyahu and the Israeli government.

&quot;We&#39;re certainly aware of it, but we consider it to be an internal Israeli matter,&quot; Nauert said.

Israelis have seen their leaders embroiled in legal trouble before. Last year, Ehud Olmert, prime minister from 2006 to 2009, was released from prison after serving 19 months of a 27-month sentence over a variety of corruption charges.

One of the cases, known as Case 1000, alleged the "committing of crimes of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu."

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader's political survival. Against the backdrop of Israeli flags in a televised speech at his residence, a sombre Netanyahu called the allegations baseless and vowed to complete his fourth term in office. It will be up to Israel's attorney general to decide whether to file charges, a process that could take weeks if not months. The recommendations, which police made public on Tuesday night, were at the more serious end of the range of charges that had been expected to be levelled against Netanyahu in two criminal investigations that have gone on for more than a year. One of the cases, known as Case 1000, alleged the "committing of crimes of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu." In a detailed statement, police named Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian businessman James Packer, saying that for nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016, they gave gifts that included champagne, cigars and jewellery to Netanyahu and his family. In all, the merchandise was worth more than one million shekels ($280,000), the statement said. Any legal proceedings would likely focus on whether political favours were sought or granted. Netanyahu's lawyers said the presents were simply tokens of friendship. The second, case 2000, also alleged "bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister" and by the publisher of the biggest-selling Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes. The two men, police said, discussed ways of slowing the growth of a rival daily newspaper, Israel Hayom, "through legislation and other means". Netanyahu, who has denied wrongdoing, has been questioned several times by police since the start of 2017. In his television appearance, minutes after police made their recommendations public, Netanyahu, 68, recounted his military service as a commando and said he had never sought personal gain from politics. "I will continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully for as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you," he said. "I am certain, I am certain, that the truth will be revealed, and I am certain that at the next elections, which will be held on schedule, I will earn your trust again, with God's help." Israel is next scheduled to go to the polls in late 2019. "Because I know the truth, I tell you ... things will end in nothing," Netanyahu said. Israel's Channel 10 television quoted a lawyer for Milchan as saying that occasional gift-giving was devoid of any business interests. Milchan or New Regency Productions, a Hollywood movie studio he founded and chairs, have produced more than 100 films, including recent Oscar best picture winners "12 Years a Slave", "Birdman", and "The Revenant". New Regency did not immediately return a request for comment. A spokesman for Packer said, "There is no allegation of wrongdoing on Packer's behalf. The Israeli and Australian police have confirmed that he was interviewed as a witness, not a suspect." In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, asked about the police decision, cited Washington's "very strong relationship" with Netanyahu and the Israeli government. "We're certainly aware of it, but we consider it to be an internal Israeli matter," Nauert said. Israelis have seen their leaders embroiled in legal trouble before. Last year, Ehud Olmert, prime minister from 2006 to 2009, was released from prison after serving 19 months of a 27-month sentence over a variety of corruption charges.

Israeli police recommends  bribery, fraud charge against PM Netanyahu

US vice president Mike Pence said today that the US embassy will move from Tel Aviv to&nbsp;Jerusalem next year.

The vice president said the US embassy will open &quot;by end of 2019&quot;.

On Iran, the US vice president said: &quot;US will never allow&nbsp;Iran to have a nuclear weapon.&quot;

President Trump last month had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal which triggered large-scale violence in West Asia.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu while talking to reporters on US moving its embassy to Jerusalem during his visit to India had said: &quot;My solid assessment is that it will go much faster than you think - within a year from now.&quot;

Although US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said last month that the move could take at least &quot;three years&quot;, indicating that Trump&#39;s term would be at an end by then.

The vice-president said the US embassy will open "by end of 2019".

US vice president Mike Pence said today that the US embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem next year. The vice president said the US embassy will open "by end of 2019". On Iran, the US vice president said: "US will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." President Trump last month had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal which triggered large-scale violence in West Asia. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu while talking to reporters on US moving its embassy to Jerusalem during his visit to India had said: "My solid assessment is that it will go much faster than you think - within a year from now." Although US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had said last month that the move could take at least "three years", indicating that Trump's term would be at an end by then.

US embassy will open in Jerusalem next year: US vice president Mike Pence

US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to withhold aid to the Palestinians if they did not pursue peace with Israel, saying they had snubbed the United States by not meeting Vice President Mike Pence during a recent visit.

Trump, speaking after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum, said he wanted peace. However, his remarks could further frustrate the aim of reviving long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Palestinians shunned Pence&#39;s visit to the region this month after Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital and vowed to begin moving the U.S. embassy to the city, whose status is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump&#39;s endorsement in December of Israel&#39;s claim to Jerusalem as its capital drew universal condemnation from Arab leaders and criticism around the world. It also broke with decades of U.S. policy that the city&#39;s status must be decided in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

&quot;When they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice president to see them, and we give them hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and support, tremendous numbers, numbers that nobody understands -- that money is on the table and that money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace,&quot; Trump said.

The United States said this month it would withhold $65 million of $125 million it had planned to send to the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees. The UNRWA agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from U.N. states and the United states is the largest contributor.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the United States had taken itself &quot;off the table&quot; as a peace mediator since it recognised Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s capital.

&quot;Palestinian rights are not up to any bargain and Jerusalem is not for sale. The United States can&#39;t have any role unless it retreats its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital,&quot; spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah told Reuters by phone from Jordan.

Abbas has called Trump&#39;s Jerusalem declaration a &quot;slap in the face&quot; and has rejected Washington as an honest broker in any future talks with Israel. Abbas left for an overseas visit before Pence arrived.

Abbas has said he would only accept a broad, internationally backed panel to broker any peace talks with Israel. The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley also criticized Abbas.

Israel&#39;s government regards Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the country, although that is not recognised internationally. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Speaking in Davos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said only the United States could broker a peace deal.

&quot;I think there&#39;s no substitute for the United States. As the honest broker, as a facilitator, there&#39;s no other international body that would do it,&quot; Netanyahu said.

Trump said Palestinians had to come to the negotiating table.

&quot;Because I can tell you that Israel does want to make peace and they&#39;re going to have to want to make peace too or we&#39;re going to have nothing to do with them any longer,&quot; Trump said.

Trump said his administration had a peace proposal in the works that was a &quot;great proposal for Palestinians&quot; which covers &quot;a lot of the things that were over the years discussed or agreed on&quot;, without providing specifics.

Trump said his declaration on Jerusalem took it off the negotiating table &quot;and Israel will pay for that&quot;, adding &quot;they&#39;ll do something that will be a very good thing&quot; without elaborating.

Earlier at the World Economic Forum, Jordanian King Abdullah said Jerusalem had to be part of a comprehensive solution.

He said Trump&#39;s decision had created a backlash, frustrating Palestinians who felt there was no honest broker.

But he added: &quot;I&#39;d like to reserve judgement because we&#39;re still waiting for the Americans to come out with their plan.&quot;

King Abdullah&rsquo;s Hashemite dynasty is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, making Jordan particularly sensitive to any changes of status there.

The last talks collapsed in 2014, partly due to Israel&#39;s opposition to an attempted unity pact between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, and because of Israeli settlement building on occupied land that Palestinians seek for a state, among other factors.

Palestinians want the West Bank for a future state, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Most countries consider as illegal the Israeli settlements built in the territory which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel denies its settlements are illegal and says their future should be determined in peace talks.

The United States has said it would support a two-state solution if the Israelis and Palestinians agreed to it.

Trump added that the Palestinians had snubbed the United States by not meeting Vice-President Mike Pence during a recent visit

US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to withhold aid to the Palestinians if they did not pursue peace with Israel, saying they had snubbed the United States by not meeting Vice President Mike Pence during a recent visit. Trump, speaking after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum, said he wanted peace. However, his remarks could further frustrate the aim of reviving long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian talks. Palestinians shunned Pence's visit to the region this month after Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and vowed to begin moving the U.S. embassy to the city, whose status is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump's endorsement in December of Israel's claim to Jerusalem as its capital drew universal condemnation from Arab leaders and criticism around the world. It also broke with decades of U.S. policy that the city's status must be decided in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. "When they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice president to see them, and we give them hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and support, tremendous numbers, numbers that nobody understands -- that money is on the table and that money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace," Trump said. The United States said this month it would withhold $65 million of $125 million it had planned to send to the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees. The UNRWA agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from U.N. states and the United states is the largest contributor. A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the United States had taken itself "off the table" as a peace mediator since it recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. "Palestinian rights are not up to any bargain and Jerusalem is not for sale. The United States can't have any role unless it retreats its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital," spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah told Reuters by phone from Jordan. Abbas has called Trump's Jerusalem declaration a "slap in the face" and has rejected Washington as an honest broker in any future talks with Israel. Abbas left for an overseas visit before Pence arrived. Abbas has said he would only accept a broad, internationally backed panel to broker any peace talks with Israel. The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley also criticized Abbas. Israel's government regards Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the country, although that is not recognised internationally. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Speaking in Davos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said only the United States could broker a peace deal. "I think there's no substitute for the United States. As the honest broker, as a facilitator, there's no other international body that would do it," Netanyahu said. Trump said Palestinians had to come to the negotiating table. "Because I can tell you that Israel does want to make peace and they're going to have to want to make peace too or we're going to have nothing to do with them any longer," Trump said. Trump said his administration had a peace proposal in the works that was a "great proposal for Palestinians" which covers "a lot of the things that were over the years discussed or agreed on", without providing specifics. Trump said his declaration on Jerusalem took it off the negotiating table "and Israel will pay for that", adding "they'll do something that will be a very good thing" without elaborating. Earlier at the World Economic Forum, Jordanian King Abdullah said Jerusalem had to be part of a comprehensive solution. He said Trump's decision had created a backlash, frustrating Palestinians who felt there was no honest broker. But he added: "I'd like to reserve judgement because we're still waiting for the Americans to come out with their plan." King Abdullah’s Hashemite dynasty is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, making Jordan particularly sensitive to any changes of status there. The last talks collapsed in 2014, partly due to Israel's opposition to an attempted unity pact between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, and because of Israeli settlement building on occupied land that Palestinians seek for a state, among other factors. Palestinians want the West Bank for a future state, along with East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Most countries consider as illegal the Israeli settlements built in the territory which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel denies its settlements are illegal and says their future should be determined in peace talks. The United States has said it would support a two-state solution if the Israelis and Palestinians agreed to it.

Make peace with Israel or lose aid, Trump tells Palestinians

Israel has been in talks with the US over annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a spokesman noted on Monday.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been discussing legislation with the United States on the same, the spokesman added.

&quot;Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it,&quot; Netanyahu told lawmakers according to comments relayed by a spokesman.

Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such move with the United States because of the country&#39;s strategic importance to Israel.

The comments come as Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank.

Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend.

Netanyahu stressed recently that Israel must retain security control in the Palestinian territories under any peace arrangement.

&quot;Whether or not it&#39;s defined as a state when we have the military control is another matter, but I&#39;d rather not discuss labels, but substance,&quot; he said when meeting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on January 31.

Trump&#39;s ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has in the past been a supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The move is likely to hit the prospects for a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

The move is likely to hit the prospects for a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel has been in talks with the US over annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank, a spokesman noted on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been discussing legislation with the United States on the same, the spokesman added. "Regarding the issue of applying sovereignty, I can tell you that I have for some time been speaking with the Americans about it," Netanyahu told lawmakers according to comments relayed by a spokesman. Netanyahu said he wanted to coordinate any such move with the United States because of the country's strategic importance to Israel. The comments come as Netanyahu is under pressure from right-wing politicians to move ahead with legislation that would apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu blocked it from being advanced on Sunday, with officials citing the need to focus on security issues following a confrontation that led to Israeli air strikes in Syria at the weekend. Netanyahu stressed recently that Israel must retain security control in the Palestinian territories under any peace arrangement. "Whether or not it's defined as a state when we have the military control is another matter, but I'd rather not discuss labels, but substance," he said when meeting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on January 31. Trump's ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has in the past been a supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The move is likely to hit the prospects for a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (With inputs from AFP)

Netanyahu says discussing annexing West Bank settlements with US

Israel&#39;s Attorney General has asked the police to delay issuing their recommendations into corruption allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

One of the two probes reportedly concerns Netanyahu improperly receiving lavish gifts from Hollywood and business figures while the other one concerns alleged secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper.

According to reports, Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in a free pro-Netanyahu daily.

An interim delay has been asked for until the Supreme Court hears a petition against Netanyahu. The police were supposed to present their findings this week.&nbsp;

The Israeli Prime Minister has denied all allegations and has dismissed the accusations calling them orchestrated by a hostile media.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

One of the probes reportedly concerns Netanyahu improperly receiving lavish gifts from Hollywood and business figures

Israel's Attorney General has asked the police to delay issuing their recommendations into corruption allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One of the two probes reportedly concerns Netanyahu improperly receiving lavish gifts from Hollywood and business figures while the other one concerns alleged secret talks with the publisher of a major Israeli newspaper. According to reports, Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in a free pro-Netanyahu daily. An interim delay has been asked for until the Supreme Court hears a petition against Netanyahu. The police were supposed to present their findings this week. The Israeli Prime Minister has denied all allegations and has dismissed the accusations calling them orchestrated by a hostile media. (With inputs from agencies)

Netanyahu corruption probe: Israeli Attorney General delays police report

Israel issued stark warnings on Sunday over Iran&#39;s presence in neighbouring Syria after a confrontation threatened to open a new and unpredictable period in the country&#39;s seven-year civil war.

Israel carried out major air raids in Syria on Saturday, including against what it described as Iranian targets -- the first time it had publicly acknowledged doing so since the war began.

The raids came after an Israeli F16 fighter was shot down by Syrian air defences. The pilots survived, but it was Israel&#39;s first loss of a warplane in battle since 1982.

&quot;We inflicted on Saturday a heavy blow to Iranian and Syrian forces,&quot; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday&#39;s cabinet meeting.

&quot;We made clear to everyone that our rules of engagement will not change in any way. We will continue to harm anyone who tries to harm us. This was our policy and this will remain our policy.&quot;

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<h5>The raids came after an Israeli F16 fighter was shot down by Syrian air defences. The pilots survived, but it was Israel&#39;s first loss of a warplane in battle since 1982</h5>
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Other Israeli ministers spoke of refusing to accept Iran entrenching itself militarily in Syria, as Netanyahu has said repeatedly. Tehran denies it is doing so.

While several analysts said they did not expect a further escalation in the coming days, some spoke of the possibility of the Syrian war entering a new phase.

Syria has become more emboldened to try to stop Israeli strikes inside the country, while Israel wants to maintain its ability to operate there when it sees fit, said Ofer Zalzberg of the International Crisis Group think tank.

Israel has sought to stay out of direct involvement in the Syrian war, but it acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it describes as deliveries of advanced weapons to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

Israel fought a devastating war in 2006 with Hezbollah, which along with Iran and Russia backs the Syrian regime in the conflict.

&quot;I think this incident is more likely to be contained because fundamentally it is a gradual attempt to renegotiate the so-called rules of the game,&quot; Zalzberg said, adding that Russia should mediate.

Witnesses said Israel had deployed a missile defence system in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the demarcation line with Syria on Sunday morning.

&#39;Playing with fire&#39; 
Saturday&#39;s events began with Israel shooting down what it described as an Iranian drone that had entered Israeli airspace from Syria -- which Tehran has denied.

On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus alleged the drone was a copy of a US model captured by Iran in 2011. He said the conclusion was made from an analysis of the drone&#39;s debris.

Israel responded on Saturday with a raid on what it said was the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the drone.

During that raid, the Israeli F16 met heavy Syrian anti-aircraft fire and was hit, Israeli Air Force Brigadier General Amnon Ein Dar told army radio.

The pilots ejected and the plane crashed inside Israel. One crew member was severely wounded, but his condition was said to be improving on Sunday.

Israel then carried out what it called &quot;large-scale&quot; air strikes inside Syria, including against what it described as Iranian targets.

Conricus warned on Saturday that Syria and Iran were &quot;playing with fire&quot;, but stressed that Israel was not seeking an escalation.

&quot;This is the most blatant and severe Iranian violation of Israeli sovereignty&quot; in recent years, Conricus said.

Iran dismissed Israeli &quot;lies&quot; and said Syria had the right to defend itself against Israeli attacks.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said &quot;Iran does not have a military presence in Syria, and has only sent military advisers at the request of the Syrian government.&quot;

Russia stressed the need to &quot;avoid any measure that could lead to a dangerous escalation&quot;.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation.&nbsp;

Netanyahu spoke with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after Saturday&#39;s confrontation.

Washington backed Israel and blamed Iran for the escalation.

Tillerson on Sunday begins a Middle East tour that will take him to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait.

Netanyahu has met regularly with Putin in recent months in a bid to convince Russia to keep Iranian forces away from Israeli territory.

Russia and Israel have also established a hotline to avoid accidental clashes in Syria.

Israel is technically at war with Syria and occupies a swathe of the Golan Heights that it seized in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel carried out major air raids in Syria on Saturday, including against what it described as Iranian targets

Israel issued stark warnings on Sunday over Iran's presence in neighbouring Syria after a confrontation threatened to open a new and unpredictable period in the country's seven-year civil war. Israel carried out major air raids in Syria on Saturday, including against what it described as Iranian targets -- the first time it had publicly acknowledged doing so since the war began. The raids came after an Israeli F16 fighter was shot down by Syrian air defences. The pilots survived, but it was Israel's first loss of a warplane in battle since 1982. "We inflicted on Saturday a heavy blow to Iranian and Syrian forces," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting. "We made clear to everyone that our rules of engagement will not change in any way. We will continue to harm anyone who tries to harm us. This was our policy and this will remain our policy." The raids came after an Israeli F16 fighter was shot down by Syrian air defences. The pilots survived, but it was Israel's first loss of a warplane in battle since 1982 × Other Israeli ministers spoke of refusing to accept Iran entrenching itself militarily in Syria, as Netanyahu has said repeatedly. Tehran denies it is doing so. While several analysts said they did not expect a further escalation in the coming days, some spoke of the possibility of the Syrian war entering a new phase. Syria has become more emboldened to try to stop Israeli strikes inside the country, while Israel wants to maintain its ability to operate there when it sees fit, said Ofer Zalzberg of the International Crisis Group think tank. Israel has sought to stay out of direct involvement in the Syrian war, but it acknowledges carrying out dozens of air strikes there to stop what it describes as deliveries of advanced weapons to Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. Israel fought a devastating war in 2006 with Hezbollah, which along with Iran and Russia backs the Syrian regime in the conflict. "I think this incident is more likely to be contained because fundamentally it is a gradual attempt to renegotiate the so-called rules of the game," Zalzberg said, adding that Russia should mediate. Witnesses said Israel had deployed a missile defence system in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the demarcation line with Syria on Sunday morning. 'Playing with fire' Saturday's events began with Israel shooting down what it described as an Iranian drone that had entered Israeli airspace from Syria -- which Tehran has denied. On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus alleged the drone was a copy of a US model captured by Iran in 2011. He said the conclusion was made from an analysis of the drone's debris. Israel responded on Saturday with a raid on what it said was the Iranian control systems in Syria that sent the drone. During that raid, the Israeli F16 met heavy Syrian anti-aircraft fire and was hit, Israeli Air Force Brigadier General Amnon Ein Dar told army radio. The pilots ejected and the plane crashed inside Israel. One crew member was severely wounded, but his condition was said to be improving on Sunday. Israel then carried out what it called "large-scale" air strikes inside Syria, including against what it described as Iranian targets. Conricus warned on Saturday that Syria and Iran were "playing with fire", but stressed that Israel was not seeking an escalation. "This is the most blatant and severe Iranian violation of Israeli sovereignty" in recent years, Conricus said. Iran dismissed Israeli "lies" and said Syria had the right to defend itself against Israeli attacks. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said "Iran does not have a military presence in Syria, and has only sent military advisers at the request of the Syrian government." Russia stressed the need to "avoid any measure that could lead to a dangerous escalation". United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation. Netanyahu spoke with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after Saturday's confrontation. Washington backed Israel and blamed Iran for the escalation. Tillerson on Sunday begins a Middle East tour that will take him to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait. Netanyahu has met regularly with Putin in recent months in a bid to convince Russia to keep Iranian forces away from Israeli territory. Russia and Israel have also established a hotline to avoid accidental clashes in Syria. Israel is technically at war with Syria and occupies a swathe of the Golan Heights that it seized in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

'We will continue to harm anyone who tries to harm us,' Israel tells Iran, Syria

&nbsp;Iran, Israel&#39;s regional arch-enemy, rejected as &quot;ridiculous&quot; reports that Israel had intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria on Saturday, state TV reported.

Separately, a Revolutionary Guards&#39; official said he could not confirm the report because Israelis were &quot;liars&quot;.

Israel said it launched air strikes against air defences and Iranian targets in Syria on Saturday and the Syrian army claimed to have hit an Israeli F-16 that crashed in northern Israel in a major escalation of tension.

&quot;Reports of downing an Iranian drone flying over Israel and also Iran&#39;s involvement in attacking an Israeli jet are so ridiculous,&quot; state TV quoted Iran&#39;s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying.

Shi&#39;ite-dominated Iran is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad&rsquo;s main regional ally and denies having any conventional armed forces in Syria, though it has acknowledged having military advisers and volunteers from its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria.

&quot;Iran only provides military advice to Syria based on the request of the country&#39;s legitimate government,&quot; Qasemi said.

The Israeli military said the F-16 jet crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria, where Iranian and Iran-backed forces have established a major foothold while fighting in support of Assad.

Israel said it had sent its jets into Syria after shooting down an Iranian drone flying over Israeli territory on Saturday. Israel said its warplanes came under fire in Syria, though it was still unclear why the jet had come down.

&quot;Syria&#39;s legitimate government has every right to defend its soil and territory against any foreign aggressor,&quot; Qasemi said, state TV reported.

Earlier the deputy head of Iran&#39;s IRGC declined to comment on the reports, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

&quot;We cannot confirm this report on the drone because Israelis are liars ... if Syrians confirm it, Iran will confirm it as well,&quot; Brigadier General Hossein Salami said.

Iran, Israel's regional arch-enemy, rejected as 'ridiculous' reports that Israel had intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria on Saturday, state TV reported

Iran, Israel's regional arch-enemy, rejected as "ridiculous" reports that Israel had intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria on Saturday, state TV reported. Separately, a Revolutionary Guards' official said he could not confirm the report because Israelis were "liars". Israel said it launched air strikes against air defences and Iranian targets in Syria on Saturday and the Syrian army claimed to have hit an Israeli F-16 that crashed in northern Israel in a major escalation of tension. "Reports of downing an Iranian drone flying over Israel and also Iran's involvement in attacking an Israeli jet are so ridiculous," state TV quoted Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying. Shi'ite-dominated Iran is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s main regional ally and denies having any conventional armed forces in Syria, though it has acknowledged having military advisers and volunteers from its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria. "Iran only provides military advice to Syria based on the request of the country's legitimate government," Qasemi said. The Israeli military said the F-16 jet crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria, where Iranian and Iran-backed forces have established a major foothold while fighting in support of Assad. Israel said it had sent its jets into Syria after shooting down an Iranian drone flying over Israeli territory on Saturday. Israel said its warplanes came under fire in Syria, though it was still unclear why the jet had come down. "Syria's legitimate government has every right to defend its soil and territory against any foreign aggressor," Qasemi said, state TV reported. Earlier the deputy head of Iran's IRGC declined to comment on the reports, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. "We cannot confirm this report on the drone because Israelis are liars ... if Syrians confirm it, Iran will confirm it as well," Brigadier General Hossein Salami said.

Iran sneers at reports of Israel downing Iranian drone: State TV

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would do whatever was necessary to protect its sovereignty and security.&nbsp;Netanyahu&#39;s statement comes&nbsp;after an anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria earlier in the day.

In a video statement in English, Netanyahu said he held Iran and Syria responsible for the day&#39;s aggression. In a separate statement in Hebrew, he added that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and both agreed to continue coordination between the two states&#39; armies, according to Reuters.

The F-16, one of at least eight Israeli planes despatched in response to what Israel said was an Iranian drone&#39;s incursion into its airspace earlier in the day, was hit by a Syrian anti-aircraft missile and crashed in northern Israel, an Israeli official told Reuters. Both pilots ejected and were injured, one critically.

Israel then launched a second and more intensive air raid, hitting what it said were 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defence systems.

In a video statement in English, Netanyahu said he held Iran and Syria responsible for the day's aggression.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would do whatever was necessary to protect its sovereignty and security. Netanyahu's statement comes after an anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria earlier in the day. In a video statement in English, Netanyahu said he held Iran and Syria responsible for the day's aggression. In a separate statement in Hebrew, he added that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and both agreed to continue coordination between the two states' armies, according to Reuters. The F-16, one of at least eight Israeli planes despatched in response to what Israel said was an Iranian drone's incursion into its airspace earlier in the day, was hit by a Syrian anti-aircraft missile and crashed in northern Israel, an Israeli official told Reuters. Both pilots ejected and were injured, one critically. Israel then launched a second and more intensive air raid, hitting what it said were 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defence systems.

Israel will do 'whatever is necessary' to defend itself against aggression: Netanyahu

The United States fully supports Israel`s right to defend itself against threats, a Pentagon spokesman said after Israel said it struck 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense systems.

&quot;The (US) Department of Defense did not participate in this military operation,&quot; Pentagon spokesman Adrian Rankine-Galloway said. &quot;Israel is our closest security partner in the region and we fully support Israel`s inherent right to defend itself against threats to its territory and its people.&quot;

Israel launched the air strikes after anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli F-16 warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria on Saturday. 
 
&quot;We share the concerns of many throughout the region that Iran`s destabilizing activities that threaten international peace and security, and we seek greater international resolve in countering Iran`s malign activities,&quot; Rankine-Galloway said.

Israel launched the air strikes after anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli F-16 warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria on Saturday

The United States fully supports Israel`s right to defend itself against threats, a Pentagon spokesman said after Israel said it struck 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense systems. "The (US) Department of Defense did not participate in this military operation," Pentagon spokesman Adrian Rankine-Galloway said. "Israel is our closest security partner in the region and we fully support Israel`s inherent right to defend itself against threats to its territory and its people." Israel launched the air strikes after anti-aircraft fire downed an Israeli F-16 warplane returning from a bombing raid on Iran-backed positions in Syria on Saturday. "We share the concerns of many throughout the region that Iran`s destabilizing activities that threaten international peace and security, and we seek greater international resolve in countering Iran`s malign activities," Rankine-Galloway said.

US supports Israel's right to defend itself: Pentagon

Israel said it launched air strikes against air defences and Iranian targets in Syria on Saturday and the Syrian army claimed to have hit an<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/israel-jet-crashes-after-iranian-targets-attacked-in-syria-32392"> Israeli F-16 that crashed in northern Israel</a> in a major escalation of tension.

The Israeli military said the F-16 jet crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria, where Iranian and Iran-backed forces have established a major foothold while fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel said it had sent its jets into Syria after shooting down an Iranian drone flying over Israeli territory earlier on Saturday. Israel said its warplanes came under fire in Syria, though it was still unclear why the jet had come down.

&quot;Twelve targets, including three aerial defense batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran&#39;s military establishment in Syria were attacked,&quot; the Israeli military said in a statement.

&quot;During the attack, anti-aircraft missiles were fired towards Israel, triggering alarms that were heard in Northern Israel,&quot; the military said.

Syrian state media reported two separate Israeli attacks.

In the first one, a military source said Syrian air defences had opened fire in response to an Israeli act of &quot;aggression&quot; against a military base, hitting &quot;more than one plane&quot;.

Later, Syrian state media said air defences were responding to a new Israeli assault and air defences had thwarted attacks on military positions in southern Syria.

Iran&#39;s expanding clout during Syria&#39;s nearly seven-year-long war, including deployments of Iran-backed forces near the Golan frontier, has raised alarm in Israel, which has said it would act against any threat from its regional arch-enemy Tehran.

The clashes marked a dangerous new confrontation between the international powers caught up in Syria&#39;s seven-year-old war.

Iranian and Iran-backed Shi&#39;ite forces, including Lebanon&#39;s Hezbollah, have deployed widely in support of Assad. Iran&#39;s military chief warned Israel last October against breaching Syrian airspace and territory.

&quot;Massive anti-air fire

Israel said one of its attack helicopters shot down an Iranian drone at around 4.30 am (0230 GMT) that had come from Syrian into Israel. &quot;In response, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) targeted Iranian targets in Syria,&quot; the military said.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said a &quot;substantial&quot; number of Israeli warplanes on the mission had come under &quot;massive Syrian anti-air fire&quot;, and only one Israeli jet was harmed.

The F-16 came down in a field near the northern Israeli village of Harduf, television footage showed, and one of the pilots was injured as they ejected, the military said.

David Ivry, a former Israeli Air Force chief, told Reuters he believed it was the first time an Israeli F-16 was brought down since Israel began using the jets in the 1980s.

&quot;We don&#39;t know if the pilots ejected because of the (Syrian)fire,&quot; Conricus said. It was also unclear at what stage of the mission they ejected, he said, &quot;but it is of extreme concern to us if they were shot down.&quot;

Flights temporarily suspended

Tensions have also spiked across the frontier between Israel and Lebanon over Israeli plans for border wall, and Lebanese plans to exploit an offshore energy block which is partly located in disputed waters.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel had targeted areas in the countryside southwest of Damascus, near the Syrian-Lebanon border west of Damascus and in the eastern countryside of Homs province for several hours since dawn.

One set of raids hit positions belonging to the Syrian government and its allies in central Syria around the T4 airbase and in the Homs desert, the Britain-based Observatory said.

It said another set of raids hit southwest of Damascus, and another hit around the Damascus-Beirut highway near the border with Lebanon.

In Israel, uniformed military personnel could be seen gathered around the burnt and tangled metal in Harduf by mid-morning, with what appeared to be white foam on the surrounding grass. Others knelt in the grass, inspecting pieces of the jet.

Rocket alert sirens sounded in the Israeli-held Golan Heights and in northern Israel and there were no reports of casualties.

Flights in to Israel&#39;s main airport near Tel Aviv were suspended for about 15 minutes and take-offs were held for about 20 minutes on Saturday morning. &quot;Ben Gurion Airport is now operating as usual,&quot; Israeli Airport Authority spokesman Ofer Lefler said.

The airport&#39;s online live flight schedule showed flights were departing and landing. 
&nbsp;

Israel said it launched air strikes against air defences and Iranian targets in Syria on Saturday and the Syrian army claimed to have hit an Israeli F-16 that crashed in northern Israel in a major escalation of tension

Israel said it launched air strikes against air defences and Iranian targets in Syria on Saturday and the Syrian army claimed to have hit an Israeli F-16 that crashed in northern Israel in a major escalation of tension. The Israeli military said the F-16 jet crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria, where Iranian and Iran-backed forces have established a major foothold while fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad. Israel said it had sent its jets into Syria after shooting down an Iranian drone flying over Israeli territory earlier on Saturday. Israel said its warplanes came under fire in Syria, though it was still unclear why the jet had come down. "Twelve targets, including three aerial defense batteries and four Iranian targets that are part of Iran's military establishment in Syria were attacked," the Israeli military said in a statement. "During the attack, anti-aircraft missiles were fired towards Israel, triggering alarms that were heard in Northern Israel," the military said. Syrian state media reported two separate Israeli attacks. In the first one, a military source said Syrian air defences had opened fire in response to an Israeli act of "aggression" against a military base, hitting "more than one plane". Later, Syrian state media said air defences were responding to a new Israeli assault and air defences had thwarted attacks on military positions in southern Syria. Iran's expanding clout during Syria's nearly seven-year-long war, including deployments of Iran-backed forces near the Golan frontier, has raised alarm in Israel, which has said it would act against any threat from its regional arch-enemy Tehran. The clashes marked a dangerous new confrontation between the international powers caught up in Syria's seven-year-old war. Iranian and Iran-backed Shi'ite forces, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, have deployed widely in support of Assad. Iran's military chief warned Israel last October against breaching Syrian airspace and territory. "Massive anti-air fire Israel said one of its attack helicopters shot down an Iranian drone at around 4.30 am (0230 GMT) that had come from Syrian into Israel. "In response, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) targeted Iranian targets in Syria," the military said. Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said a "substantial" number of Israeli warplanes on the mission had come under "massive Syrian anti-air fire", and only one Israeli jet was harmed. The F-16 came down in a field near the northern Israeli village of Harduf, television footage showed, and one of the pilots was injured as they ejected, the military said. David Ivry, a former Israeli Air Force chief, told Reuters he believed it was the first time an Israeli F-16 was brought down since Israel began using the jets in the 1980s. "We don't know if the pilots ejected because of the (Syrian)fire," Conricus said. It was also unclear at what stage of the mission they ejected, he said, "but it is of extreme concern to us if they were shot down." Flights temporarily suspended Tensions have also spiked across the frontier between Israel and Lebanon over Israeli plans for border wall, and Lebanese plans to exploit an offshore energy block which is partly located in disputed waters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel had targeted areas in the countryside southwest of Damascus, near the Syrian-Lebanon border west of Damascus and in the eastern countryside of Homs province for several hours since dawn. One set of raids hit positions belonging to the Syrian government and its allies in central Syria around the T4 airbase and in the Homs desert, the Britain-based Observatory said. It said another set of raids hit southwest of Damascus, and another hit around the Damascus-Beirut highway near the border with Lebanon. In Israel, uniformed military personnel could be seen gathered around the burnt and tangled metal in Harduf by mid-morning, with what appeared to be white foam on the surrounding grass. Others knelt in the grass, inspecting pieces of the jet. Rocket alert sirens sounded in the Israeli-held Golan Heights and in northern Israel and there were no reports of casualties. Flights in to Israel's main airport near Tel Aviv were suspended for about 15 minutes and take-offs were held for about 20 minutes on Saturday morning. "Ben Gurion Airport is now operating as usual," Israeli Airport Authority spokesman Ofer Lefler said. The airport's online live flight schedule showed flights were departing and landing.

Israel launches attacks in Syria after F-16 crashes

A Palestinian stabbed and killed an Israeli man near a major West Bank settlement on Monday before fleeing the scene, Israeli authorities said.

&quot;Israeli man murdered in stabbing attack in Ariel,&quot; police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said in a statement, referring to the settlement in the occupied West Bank.

He said that security forces were searching for the attacker.

The Israeli army identified the attacker as a Palestinian and said the incident occurred at a bus stop at the entrance to Ariel.

The victim was identified by an internal settler communique as Itamar Ben Gal, in his 40s and a resident of the Har Bracha settlement in the northern West Bank.

Ariel is one of the largest settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, located 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Jerusalem.

It was the second fatal attack on Israelis in the northern West Bank in a month after Rabbi Raziel Shevah was shot dead on January 8.

A Palestinian stabbed and killed an Israeli man near a major West Bank settlement on Monday before fleeing the scene, Israeli authorities said

A Palestinian stabbed and killed an Israeli man near a major West Bank settlement on Monday before fleeing the scene, Israeli authorities said. "Israeli man murdered in stabbing attack in Ariel," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said in a statement, referring to the settlement in the occupied West Bank. He said that security forces were searching for the attacker. The Israeli army identified the attacker as a Palestinian and said the incident occurred at a bus stop at the entrance to Ariel. The victim was identified by an internal settler communique as Itamar Ben Gal, in his 40s and a resident of the Har Bracha settlement in the northern West Bank. Ariel is one of the largest settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, located 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Jerusalem. It was the second fatal attack on Israelis in the northern West Bank in a month after Rabbi Raziel Shevah was shot dead on January 8.

Palestinian stabs Israeli dead near West Bank settlement: Police

A 19-year-old Palestinian man shot dead by an Israeli army soldier during clashes carried out due to raid in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said on Saturday.

The man was shot in the head and critically wounded before he was pronounced dead at a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The health ministry identified the dead man as Ahmad Abu Obeid, 19.

The Israeli army had carried out a military campaign in the Jenin area on Saturday seeking to arrest Palestinians reportedly involved in killing an Israeli rabbi in January.&nbsp;

An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the campaign in the Jenin area and said that the army arrested a number of suspected Palestinians and took them in for questioning.

Raziel Shevah, a 35-year-old rabbi, was shot dead near Havat Gilad, a wildcat Jewish settlement outpost in the Nablus area, on January 9.

The army has since launched multiple violent raids to search for the suspected killer, 22-year-old Ahmed Jarrar.

Jarrar is the son of Nasser Jarrar, a member of Islamist militant movement Hamas who was killed while fighting Israeli forces during the second Palestinian intifada.

The army did not say if he had been caught during the raid.

The health ministry identified the dead man as Ahmad Abu Obeid, 19

A 19-year-old Palestinian man shot dead by an Israeli army soldier during clashes carried out due to raid in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said on Saturday. The man was shot in the head and critically wounded before he was pronounced dead at a hospital in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The health ministry identified the dead man as Ahmad Abu Obeid, 19. The Israeli army had carried out a military campaign in the Jenin area on Saturday seeking to arrest Palestinians reportedly involved in killing an Israeli rabbi in January. An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the campaign in the Jenin area and said that the army arrested a number of suspected Palestinians and took them in for questioning. Raziel Shevah, a 35-year-old rabbi, was shot dead near Havat Gilad, a wildcat Jewish settlement outpost in the Nablus area, on January 9. The army has since launched multiple violent raids to search for the suspected killer, 22-year-old Ahmed Jarrar. Jarrar is the son of Nasser Jarrar, a member of Islamist militant movement Hamas who was killed while fighting Israeli forces during the second Palestinian intifada. The army did not say if he had been caught during the raid.

Palestine man shot dead by Israeli army soldier during clashes

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned Israel on Wednesday that it faced growing frustration in Europe amid concern for the future of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Gabriel adopted a markedly different tone to that of US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence, who on a visit to Israel last week embraced President Donald Trump&#39;s December 6 announcement that his administration recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that it will move the US&nbsp;Embassy to the city.

&quot;With regard to the Palestinians and the Iran question the Americans are taking your side more clearly than ever before. But is this really only a good thing?&quot; Gabriel said in Tel Aviv.

Citing past successes of US&nbsp;diplomacy in the region, he asked: &quot;Can the Americans still play such a role if they take sides so openly? Will others try to step into their shoes?&quot;

In a thinly veiled threat about cutting off aid, he said some members of Israel&#39;s cabinet were &quot;explicitly against the two-state solution&quot; but that such a solution &quot;has always been the foundation of our engagement for Israeli-Palestinian peace and for a large amount of funding&quot; from Germany and Europe.

&quot;These &ndash; at best mixed &ndash; signals do not go unnoticed in Europe, where there is clearly growing frustration with Israel&#39;s actions,&quot; he told an Israeli security conference.

Gabriel cited disagreements even within his own Social Democratic Party about what some see as &quot;unfair&quot; treatment of the Palestinians.

No shortcut

&quot;It is increasingly difficult for people like me to explain to them the reasons why our support for Israel must persist,&quot; he said. Gabriel pointed to concerns about violence, hatred, and Israeli settlement-building in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for a future independent state.

&quot;Germany is looking forward to the day when it will be able to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. But let me add: in two states with Jerusalem as their capital. There is no shortcut here.&quot;

Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israeli in a 1967 war, for their future capital. Israel regards Jerusalem as its eternal, indivisible capital. 
Gabriel spoke after meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier in the day Netanyahu corrected the record during a joint news conference held with his German visitor after Gabriel said he was encouraged that Netanyahu&#39;s government supported a two-state solution &quot;with secure Israeli borders&quot;.

&quot;That we will control security west of the Jordan (river). That is the first condition,&quot; Netanyahu objected, cutting Gabriel off and adding, &quot;Whether it&rsquo;s defined as a state when we have the military control is another matter. I`d rather not discuss labels, but substance.&quot;

Gabriel suggested that the discussion might be revisited at another time, &quot;far away from now&quot;.

Gabriel has been an outspoken supporter of greater efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Germany, including the creation of a new government commissioner post to oversee such initiatives.

At the same time, he is under pressure at home to take a hard line on the continued building of Israeli settlements in violation of international law.

Gabriel adopted a markedly different tone to that of US Vice President Mike Pence

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned Israel on Wednesday that it faced growing frustration in Europe amid concern for the future of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gabriel adopted a markedly different tone to that of US Vice President Mike Pence, who on a visit to Israel last week embraced President Donald Trump's December 6 announcement that his administration recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that it will move the US Embassy to the city. "With regard to the Palestinians and the Iran question the Americans are taking your side more clearly than ever before. But is this really only a good thing?" Gabriel said in Tel Aviv. Citing past successes of US diplomacy in the region, he asked: "Can the Americans still play such a role if they take sides so openly? Will others try to step into their shoes?" In a thinly veiled threat about cutting off aid, he said some members of Israel's cabinet were "explicitly against the two-state solution" but that such a solution "has always been the foundation of our engagement for Israeli-Palestinian peace and for a large amount of funding" from Germany and Europe. "These – at best mixed – signals do not go unnoticed in Europe, where there is clearly growing frustration with Israel's actions," he told an Israeli security conference. Gabriel cited disagreements even within his own Social Democratic Party about what some see as "unfair" treatment of the Palestinians. No shortcut "It is increasingly difficult for people like me to explain to them the reasons why our support for Israel must persist," he said. Gabriel pointed to concerns about violence, hatred, and Israeli settlement-building in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for a future independent state. "Germany is looking forward to the day when it will be able to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. But let me add: in two states with Jerusalem as their capital. There is no shortcut here." Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israeli in a 1967 war, for their future capital. Israel regards Jerusalem as its eternal, indivisible capital. Gabriel spoke after meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Earlier in the day Netanyahu corrected the record during a joint news conference held with his German visitor after Gabriel said he was encouraged that Netanyahu's government supported a two-state solution "with secure Israeli borders". "That we will control security west of the Jordan (river). That is the first condition," Netanyahu objected, cutting Gabriel off and adding, "Whether it’s defined as a state when we have the military control is another matter. I`d rather not discuss labels, but substance." Gabriel suggested that the discussion might be revisited at another time, "far away from now". Gabriel has been an outspoken supporter of greater efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Germany, including the creation of a new government commissioner post to oversee such initiatives. At the same time, he is under pressure at home to take a hard line on the continued building of Israeli settlements in violation of international law.

German minister warns Israel it faces growing frustration in Europe

The Modi government has attracted the considerable attention in the global affairs. There is an increasing global recognition of India&rsquo;s assertive role in the international affairs.

&nbsp;

PM Modi&rsquo;s policy broadly operates within the foundational structure and principles of non-alignment; albeit in more realist manner and has been successful in protecting and securing India&rsquo;s interest first. This policy is most visible and evident in the region of West Asia, particularly in relations with GCC, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

&nbsp;

PM Modi will be on 4 days, 3 nation tour from 9th to 12th February to Palestine, Oman and UAE during which he will hold talks with the leadership in these countries on &quot;matters of mutual interest.&rdquo; This visit to Palestine also comes after Modi hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on six-day visit to India between 14-19 January as the two countries marked the completion of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

&nbsp;

PM Modi&rsquo;s visit is significant as he is the first Prime Minister to visit Palestine which has dispelled the considerable perception at the global and domestic level that India is ignoring the legitimate cause of Palestinian nationhood at the behest of Israel and Israeli lobby at the USA. In this context, it may be noted that India under the leadership of Modi has opposed the Trump&rsquo;s administration declaration of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

&nbsp;

PM Modi will be visiting Ramallah alone and not Israel, like the way he did last year when he visited only Tel Aviv, not Ramallah. As a visit to both these places is considered a customary stop for world leaders. In the past, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had done so.

&nbsp;

PM Modi is wedded to the doctrine of realism and he recognises the fundamental change that has taken place in the structure of International Relations in post-Soviet era. This demands that India must pursue a pragmatic foreign policy with centers of global powers.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Since 1991 all prime ministers have diluted the ideological component of nonalignment and brought necessary pragmatism in its foreign policy by cultivating a strong relationship with all major powers of the world, such as Western European countries, USA, Israel, Japan, Australia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In his upcoming visit, PM Modi will attend the World Government Summit in the UAE where he has been accorded &ldquo;guest of honour&rdquo; status. This is his second visit to the Emirates. PM Modi had previously visited the UAE in August 2015. Also, he will be visiting Oman, to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade and defence.

&nbsp;

The same trend has been pursued more rigorously under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi.

&nbsp;

However, contrary to the critical perception, PM Modi has paid more attention in cultivating good relationships with the countries of West Asia than other regions and countries of the world. This can be seen from a number of visits that PM Modi has made to countries of West Asia particularly UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel as well as making the crown prince of Abu Dhabi as a republic day guest in 2017.

&nbsp;

The underlying reasons behind PM Modi intensive policy in West Asia are the following:

&nbsp;

1) India has a strong diasporic presence in this world, with the largest concentration in the Gulf countries.

&nbsp;

The region contributes largest remittance which is critical for the stability of India&rsquo;s economy. Seven million Indians live and work in the Arab region and sends back remittances between $35 and $4o billion annually.

&nbsp;

2) India needs to acquire an uninterrupted supply of gas and oil and store at a time when the global price of oil and gas is very low

&nbsp;

3) The region has a huge basket of sovereign wealth and they are looking towards India as a major destination country for their investment.

&nbsp;

4) The region is a critical source of support to Pakistan. PM Modi has successfully exposed the terror face of Pakistan and has isolated it in the region.

&nbsp;

However, at the same time, the Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, he is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine. To conclude, Indian foreign policy has become more realistic, pragmatic in orientation and less concerned about ideological and symbolic actions.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, Narendra Modi is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine.

The Modi government has attracted the considerable attention in the global affairs. There is an increasing global recognition of India’s assertive role in the international affairs. PM Modi’s policy broadly operates within the foundational structure and principles of non-alignment; albeit in more realist manner and has been successful in protecting and securing India’s interest first. This policy is most visible and evident in the region of West Asia, particularly in relations with GCC, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. PM Modi will be on 4 days, 3 nation tour from 9th to 12th February to Palestine, Oman and UAE during which he will hold talks with the leadership in these countries on "matters of mutual interest.” This visit to Palestine also comes after Modi hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on six-day visit to India between 14-19 January as the two countries marked the completion of 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. PM Modi’s visit is significant as he is the first Prime Minister to visit Palestine which has dispelled the considerable perception at the global and domestic level that India is ignoring the legitimate cause of Palestinian nationhood at the behest of Israel and Israeli lobby at the USA. In this context, it may be noted that India under the leadership of Modi has opposed the Trump’s administration declaration of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. PM Modi will be visiting Ramallah alone and not Israel, like the way he did last year when he visited only Tel Aviv, not Ramallah. As a visit to both these places is considered a customary stop for world leaders. In the past, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had done so. PM Modi is wedded to the doctrine of realism and he recognises the fundamental change that has taken place in the structure of International Relations in post-Soviet era. This demands that India must pursue a pragmatic foreign policy with centers of global powers. Since 1991 all prime ministers have diluted the ideological component of nonalignment and brought necessary pragmatism in its foreign policy by cultivating a strong relationship with all major powers of the world, such as Western European countries, USA, Israel, Japan, Australia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In his upcoming visit, PM Modi will attend the World Government Summit in the UAE where he has been accorded “guest of honour” status. This is his second visit to the Emirates. PM Modi had previously visited the UAE in August 2015. Also, he will be visiting Oman, to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade and defence. The same trend has been pursued more rigorously under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi. However, contrary to the critical perception, PM Modi has paid more attention in cultivating good relationships with the countries of West Asia than other regions and countries of the world. This can be seen from a number of visits that PM Modi has made to countries of West Asia particularly UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel as well as making the crown prince of Abu Dhabi as a republic day guest in 2017. The underlying reasons behind PM Modi intensive policy in West Asia are the following: 1) India has a strong diasporic presence in this world, with the largest concentration in the Gulf countries. The region contributes largest remittance which is critical for the stability of India’s economy. Seven million Indians live and work in the Arab region and sends back remittances between $35 and $4o billion annually. 2) India needs to acquire an uninterrupted supply of gas and oil and store at a time when the global price of oil and gas is very low 3) The region has a huge basket of sovereign wealth and they are looking towards India as a major destination country for their investment. 4) The region is a critical source of support to Pakistan. PM Modi has successfully exposed the terror face of Pakistan and has isolated it in the region. However, at the same time, the Indian government is keenly aware of the Arab sensitivity on the question of Palestine and, therefore, he is successful in maintaining a diplomatic balance between Israel and Palestine. To conclude, Indian foreign policy has become more realistic, pragmatic in orientation and less concerned about ideological and symbolic actions. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: PM Modi's visit to Palestine will be a step in right direction. This is why.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-lifts-ban-on-refugees-from-11-countries-31145" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-lifts-ban-on-refugees-from-11-countries-31145" target="_blank">&nbsp;lifts ban on refugees from 11 countries</a>

The United States announced Monday it was lifting its ban on refugees from 11 &quot;high-risk&quot; countries, but said those seeking to enter the US would come under much tougher scrutiny than in the past.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-aiming-to-interfere-in-coming-us-elections-warns-cia-chief-31153" target="_blank">Russia is aiming to interfere </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-aiming-to-interfere-in-coming-us-elections-warns-cia-chief-31153" target="_blank">in coming</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-aiming-to-interfere-in-coming-us-elections-warns-cia-chief-31153" target="_blank"> US elections, warns CIA chief</a>

Russian election interference has not stopped and Moscow can be expected to meddle in the 2018 US vote, Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo said in an interview published Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-su-27-fighter-jet-intercepted-us-spy-plane-us-protests-31164" target="_blank">Russia says Su-27 fighter jet intercepted US spy plane; US protests</a>

A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, prompting the US State Department to protest the maneuver as &ldquo;an unsafe interaction.&rdquo;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/punishments-in-1984-anti-sikh-riots-cases-would-have-led-to-a-different-india-delhi-high-court-31163" target="_blank">Punishments in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases would have led to a different India: Delhi High Court</a>

If those responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots had been punished back then, India would have been different now, the Delhi High Court today said, while asking the police to take action against those involved in the recent attacks on properties of lawyers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-lashes-out-at-iran-in-talks-with-putin-31154" target="_blank">Netanyahu lashes out at Iran in talks with Putin</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after accusing Iran of wanting &quot;to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site&quot;.

US lifts ban on refugees from 11 countries The United States announced Monday it was lifting its ban on refugees from 11 "high-risk" countries, but said those seeking to enter the US would come under much tougher scrutiny than in the past. Russia is aiming to interfere in coming US elections, warns CIA chief Russian election interference has not stopped and Moscow can be expected to meddle in the 2018 US vote, Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo said in an interview published Monday. Russia says Su-27 fighter jet intercepted US spy plane; US protests A Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, prompting the US State Department to protest the maneuver as “an unsafe interaction.” Punishments in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases would have led to a different India: Delhi High Court If those responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots had been punished back then, India would have been different now, the Delhi High Court today said, while asking the police to take action against those involved in the recent attacks on properties of lawyers. Netanyahu lashes out at Iran in talks with Putin Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after accusing Iran of wanting "to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site".

WION Morning News Brief, January 30, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after accusing Iran of wanting &quot;to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site&quot;.

He made his comments before leaving for Moscow, where he again said Iran wanted to &quot;destroy&quot; the Jewish state.

Netanyahu has held a series of discussions with Putin in recent months on Iran&#39;s influence in war-torn Syria and in Lebanon, seeking to persuade Russia to limit Iran&#39;s presence near Israeli territory and to stop it from entrenching itself militarily in Syria.

Russia, Iran and Lebanon&#39;s Shiite Muslim militant group Hezbollah -- which is backed by Tehran -- all support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country&#39;s civil war.

Netanyahu said before he left Israel that he planned to discuss with Putin Iran&#39;s &quot;relentless efforts to establish a military presence in Syria, which we strongly oppose and are also taking action against&quot;.

&quot;We will also discuss Iran&#39;s effort to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site, a site for precision missiles against the state of Israel, which we will not tolerate.&quot;

After viewing an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 1943 uprising at the Sobibor Nazi death camp, Netanyahu said that Israel is &quot;still ready to prevent any attempts of this type of ideology, in the first place Iran, which speaks of the intention to destroy us&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;We will stand before them (Iran) with all our might,&quot; Netanyahu said. &quot;There will not be another Holocaust.&quot;&nbsp;

The two leaders also took part in a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at Moscow&#39;s Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center and watched parts of a Russian-made film on the Sobibor uprising.&nbsp;

Putin said modern political and religious leaders should do &quot;everything possible to preserve historical memory in the 21st century and prevent the weeds of nationalist ideology spreading in whatever form it takes: anti-Semitism, Russophobia and other phobias built on hatred&quot;.&nbsp;

Netanyahu has held a series of discussions with Putin in recent months on Iran's influence in war-torn Syria and in Lebanon, seeking to persuade Russia to limit Iran's presence near Israeli territory and to stop it from entrenching itself militarily in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after accusing Iran of wanting "to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site". He made his comments before leaving for Moscow, where he again said Iran wanted to "destroy" the Jewish state. Netanyahu has held a series of discussions with Putin in recent months on Iran's influence in war-torn Syria and in Lebanon, seeking to persuade Russia to limit Iran's presence near Israeli territory and to stop it from entrenching itself militarily in Syria. Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Shiite Muslim militant group Hezbollah -- which is backed by Tehran -- all support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war. Netanyahu said before he left Israel that he planned to discuss with Putin Iran's "relentless efforts to establish a military presence in Syria, which we strongly oppose and are also taking action against". "We will also discuss Iran's effort to turn Lebanon into one giant missile site, a site for precision missiles against the state of Israel, which we will not tolerate." After viewing an exhibition in Moscow dedicated to the 1943 uprising at the Sobibor Nazi death camp, Netanyahu said that Israel is "still ready to prevent any attempts of this type of ideology, in the first place Iran, which speaks of the intention to destroy us". "We will stand before them (Iran) with all our might," Netanyahu said. "There will not be another Holocaust." The two leaders also took part in a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at Moscow's Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center and watched parts of a Russian-made film on the Sobibor uprising. Putin said modern political and religious leaders should do "everything possible to preserve historical memory in the 21st century and prevent the weeds of nationalist ideology spreading in whatever form it takes: anti-Semitism, Russophobia and other phobias built on hatred".

Netanyahu lashes out at Iran in talks with Putin

Years ago, Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi had done a film together called Kyun! Hogaya Na&hellip;&nbsp;There were rumours that the two even started dating during the making of the film. The alleged affair created havoc in Aishwarya Rai&#39;s life as her former boyfriend Salman Khan disapproved of the relationship and threatened Vivek Oberoi one night with incessant calls. Vivek Oberoi promptly held a press conference to talk about Khan&#39;s behaviour and we all know how went downhill for Oberoi&#39;s career after that.&nbsp; 
 
Aishwarya was irked by the incident and was quick to distance herself from both Salman and Vivek soon after. That was in 2004. The three have avoided each other since then. Ash has not worked with either of them in any films and they usually avoid crossing each other&#39;s path at filmy events. The two are now married to different people. Aishwarya married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and Vivek Oberoi married Priyanka Alva in 2010. 
 
On Thursday, things were a tad different.<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/shalom-bollywood-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-meets-indian-celebs-in-mumbai-29994"> Bollywood played host to Israel PM &nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu at an event called Shalom Bollywood. </a>In attendance were Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Imtiaz Ali, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sara Ali Khan along with Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi.&nbsp; 
 
The celebrities came together for the perfect selfie along with Netanyahu. The selfie has Amitabh, Abhishek, and Aishwarya standing in one corner and Vivek standing at the other along with Karan Johar.&nbsp; 
 
The epic selfie was posted by Netanyahu himself on his Twitter account. Here, have a look.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Will my Bollywood selfie beat <a href="https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheEllenShow</a> Hollywood selfie at the Oscars? <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SrBachchan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/juniorbachchan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@juniorbachchan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rajcheerfull?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajcheerfull</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/imbhandarkar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imbhandarkar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vivek_oberoi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vivek_oberoi</a> @ <a href="https://t.co/v1r0GIhKLy">pic.twitter.com/v1r0GIhKLy</a>
&mdash; Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/954037352749387776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes a selfie with Bollywood personalities during Shalom Bollywood an evening to celebrate Israeli and Indian Bollywood relations during his visit in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI)
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Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Devendra Fadnavis pose with the Israel PM. (Twitter)
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Vivek Oberoi and his wife Priyanka pose with the Israel PM. (Twitter)
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What the filmmakers haven&#39;t been able to do for so many years, the Israeli PM managed to do during his visit to India. We just hope the two have creased out their differences and do share screen space together&nbsp;again.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The former couple were under the same roof on Thursday night for an event in honour of Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Years ago, Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi had done a film together called Kyun! Hogaya Na… There were rumours that the two even started dating during the making of the film. The alleged affair created havoc in Aishwarya Rai's life as her former boyfriend Salman Khan disapproved of the relationship and threatened Vivek Oberoi one night with incessant calls. Vivek Oberoi promptly held a press conference to talk about Khan's behaviour and we all know how went downhill for Oberoi's career after that. Aishwarya was irked by the incident and was quick to distance herself from both Salman and Vivek soon after. That was in 2004. The three have avoided each other since then. Ash has not worked with either of them in any films and they usually avoid crossing each other's path at filmy events. The two are now married to different people. Aishwarya married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and Vivek Oberoi married Priyanka Alva in 2010. On Thursday, things were a tad different. Bollywood played host to Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu at an event called Shalom Bollywood. In attendance were Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Imtiaz Ali, Madhur Bhandarkar, Sara Ali Khan along with Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi. The celebrities came together for the perfect selfie along with Netanyahu. The selfie has Amitabh, Abhishek, and Aishwarya standing in one corner and Vivek standing at the other along with Karan Johar. The epic selfie was posted by Netanyahu himself on his Twitter account. Here, have a look. Will my Bollywood selfie beat @TheEllenShow Hollywood selfie at the Oscars? @SrBachchan @juniorbachchan @rajcheerfull @imbhandarkar @vivek_oberoi @ pic.twitter.com/v1r0GIhKLy — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 18, 2018 × Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes a selfie with Bollywood personalities during Shalom Bollywood an evening to celebrate Israeli and Indian Bollywood relations during his visit in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI) × Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Devendra Fadnavis pose with the Israel PM. (Twitter) × Vivek Oberoi and his wife Priyanka pose with the Israel PM. (Twitter) × What the filmmakers haven't been able to do for so many years, the Israeli PM managed to do during his visit to India. We just hope the two have creased out their differences and do share screen space together again.

When Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi posed for a selfie together

On a six-day trip to India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a series of events, places of historical and cultural significance and brushed shoulders with business leaders.

Netanyahu was expected to meet Bollywood celebrities at the Shalom Bollywood event in Mumbai today evening.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-when-aishwarya-rai-and-vivek-oberoi-posed-for-a-selfie-together-30007">Also see: Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi came under the same roof at this event.</a>

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World loves Bollywood ,Israel loves Bollywood ,I love Bollywood: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenjaminNetanyahu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenjaminNetanyahu</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shalombollywood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shalombollywood</a> in Mumbai <a href="https://t.co/5QTMZKypMW">pic.twitter.com/5QTMZKypMW</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954028102039912448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The event witnessed eminent Bollywood personalities like megastar Amitabh Bachchan in attendance.&nbsp;

Maharashtra&#39;s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the stage a short while ago.&nbsp;

&quot;Indian cinema has gone truly global, it is liked in every part of the world,&quot; Fadnavis noted.&nbsp;

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Indian cinema has gone truly global, it is liked in every part of the world: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shalombollywood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shalombollywood</a> event. Israel PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenjaminNetanyahu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenjaminNetanyahu</a> also in attendance <a href="https://t.co/kPBwzUsCYO">pic.twitter.com/kPBwzUsCYO</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954024027751792645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and Bollywood director/producer Karan Johar were also spotted.&nbsp;

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala and Karan Johar greet Israel PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenjaminNetanyahu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenjaminNetanyahu</a> in Mumbai. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shalombollywood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shalombollywood</a> <a href="https://t.co/6qPEtbaMN9">pic.twitter.com/6qPEtbaMN9</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954027759197503489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Netanyahu also called members of the Bollywood fraternity on stage for a quick selfie and noted that his wife&nbsp;is a fan of Indian cinema.&nbsp;

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes a selfie with Bollywood personalities during Shalom Bollywood an evening to celebrate Israeli and Indian Bollywood relations during his visit in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI)
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Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar,Subhash Ghai,Imtiaz Ali,Ronnie Screwvala,Sara Ali Khan and others with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shalombollywood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shalombollywood</a> <a href="https://t.co/JsmX8xsdRH">pic.twitter.com/JsmX8xsdRH</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954029634672214016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Director/producer Ronnie Screwvala, Saif Ali Khan&#39;s daughter Sara Ali Khan, Abhisekh Bachchan and director Imtiaz Ali were is also in attendance.&nbsp;

 
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Netanyahu called members of the Bollywood fraternity on stage for a quick selfie

On a six-day trip to India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a series of events, places of historical and cultural significance and brushed shoulders with business leaders. Netanyahu was expected to meet Bollywood celebrities at the Shalom Bollywood event in Mumbai today evening. Also see: Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi came under the same roof at this event. World loves Bollywood ,Israel loves Bollywood ,I love Bollywood: PM #BenjaminNetanyahu at #shalombollywood in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/5QTMZKypMW — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × The event witnessed eminent Bollywood personalities like megastar Amitabh Bachchan in attendance. Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the stage a short while ago. "Indian cinema has gone truly global, it is liked in every part of the world," Fadnavis noted. Indian cinema has gone truly global, it is liked in every part of the world: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis at #shalombollywood event. Israel PM #BenjaminNetanyahu also in attendance pic.twitter.com/kPBwzUsCYO — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and Bollywood director/producer Karan Johar were also spotted. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala and Karan Johar greet Israel PM #BenjaminNetanyahu in Mumbai. #shalombollywood pic.twitter.com/6qPEtbaMN9 — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × Netanyahu also called members of the Bollywood fraternity on stage for a quick selfie and noted that his wife is a fan of Indian cinema. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes a selfie with Bollywood personalities during Shalom Bollywood an evening to celebrate Israeli and Indian Bollywood relations during his visit in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI) × Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar,Subhash Ghai,Imtiaz Ali,Ronnie Screwvala,Sara Ali Khan and others with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. #shalombollywood pic.twitter.com/JsmX8xsdRH — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × Director/producer Ronnie Screwvala, Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara Ali Khan, Abhisekh Bachchan and director Imtiaz Ali were is also in attendance.

Israel loves Bollywood, I love Bollywood: Netanyahu at Shalom Bollywood event in Mumbai

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a step back on Thursday from comments, challenged by U.S. President Donald Trump, that envisioned a one-year timeframe for the planned relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

An official in Netanyahu&#39;s office said the prime minister recognised that construction of a new embassy will take years but believes Washington is considering &quot;interim measures that could result in an embassy opening much faster&quot;.

The official, who declined to be named, did not define those steps or mention any dates for a Jerusalem embassy to begin operating. In the past, Israeli media have speculated that, before a building is ready, the U.S. ambassador would operate part of the time out of a temporary location in Jerusalem.

Reversing decades of U.S. policy, Trump in early December recognised Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s capital and set in motion the process of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv, imperilling Middle East peace efforts and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies alike.

Netanyahu, according to Israeli reporters travelling with him on a trip to India, said on Wednesday: &quot;My solid assessment is that it will go much faster than you think - within a year from now.&quot;

Asked about Netanyahu&rsquo;s comment, Trump told Reuters in an interview that was not the case. &quot;By the end of the year? We&rsquo;re talking about different scenarios - I mean obviously that would be on a temporary basis. We&rsquo;re not really looking at that. That&#39;s no.&quot;

The Israeli official, responding to Trump&#39;s remarks, said: &quot;The president and the prime minister are not saying anything different&quot;.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month the embassy move was &quot;probably no earlier than three years out, and that&rsquo;s pretty ambitious&quot;, a timeframe that administration officials have attributed to the logistics of finding and securing a site as well as arranging housing for diplomats.

Jerusalem is home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed in a move not recognised internationally, as the capital of their future state.

An official in Netanyahu's office said the prime minister recognised that construction of a new embassy will take years

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a step back on Thursday from comments, challenged by U.S. President Donald Trump, that envisioned a one-year timeframe for the planned relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. An official in Netanyahu's office said the prime minister recognised that construction of a new embassy will take years but believes Washington is considering "interim measures that could result in an embassy opening much faster". The official, who declined to be named, did not define those steps or mention any dates for a Jerusalem embassy to begin operating. In the past, Israeli media have speculated that, before a building is ready, the U.S. ambassador would operate part of the time out of a temporary location in Jerusalem. Reversing decades of U.S. policy, Trump in early December recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and set in motion the process of moving the embassy from Tel Aviv, imperilling Middle East peace efforts and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies alike. Netanyahu, according to Israeli reporters travelling with him on a trip to India, said on Wednesday: "My solid assessment is that it will go much faster than you think - within a year from now." Asked about Netanyahu’s comment, Trump told Reuters in an interview that was not the case. "By the end of the year? We’re talking about different scenarios - I mean obviously that would be on a temporary basis. We’re not really looking at that. That's no." The Israeli official, responding to Trump's remarks, said: "The president and the prime minister are not saying anything different". U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month the embassy move was "probably no earlier than three years out, and that’s pretty ambitious", a timeframe that administration officials have attributed to the logistics of finding and securing a site as well as arranging housing for diplomats. Jerusalem is home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed in a move not recognised internationally, as the capital of their future state.

After Trump denial, Netanyahu clarifies remarks on timeframe for US embassy in Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-cancels-spike-anti-tank-guided-missiles-deal-with-israel-28444">India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile </a>deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported.

The Spike guided missile&nbsp;is a fire-and-forget heat-seeking system fitted with infrared seekers manufactured by Israel&#39;s Rafael Advance Defence Systems. It&nbsp;was due to be brought by India but the Indian defence ministry rejected the deal ahead of Netanyahu&#39;s visit.

The deal between Rafael and India was worth $500 million.

However, on Wednesday, Israel&#39;s Jerusalem Post reported the deal was back on track after the newspaper quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that, &quot;India will buy Israel&#39;s anti-tank spike missiles,&quot; Israel&#39;s daily newspaper Haaretz added that the final details of the deal were being worked out.

The deal was &quot;back on the table&quot;, Haaretz reported. The paper also quoted &nbsp;Israel&#39;s national security adviser Meir Ben- Shabbat declaring that current talks were moving in a positive direction.

In a statement later, Netanyahu said:&nbsp;&quot;Following the talks I had with my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government has informed us that it is putting the Spike deal back on track.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;This is very important and there will be many more deals,&quot; the Israeli PM added.

Netanyahu said India was ready to review the 2014 agreement.

Prior to Netanyahu&#39;s visit, India&#39;s defence ministry had announced India will be buying 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel.

The deal between Rafael and India was worth $500 million

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported. The Spike guided missile is a fire-and-forget heat-seeking system fitted with infrared seekers manufactured by Israel's Rafael Advance Defence Systems. It was due to be brought by India but the Indian defence ministry rejected the deal ahead of Netanyahu's visit. The deal between Rafael and India was worth $500 million. However, on Wednesday, Israel's Jerusalem Post reported the deal was back on track after the newspaper quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that, "India will buy Israel's anti-tank spike missiles," Israel's daily newspaper Haaretz added that the final details of the deal were being worked out. The deal was "back on the table", Haaretz reported. The paper also quoted Israel's national security adviser Meir Ben- Shabbat declaring that current talks were moving in a positive direction. In a statement later, Netanyahu said: "Following the talks I had with my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government has informed us that it is putting the Spike deal back on track." "This is very important and there will be many more deals," the Israeli PM added. Netanyahu said India was ready to review the 2014 agreement. Prior to Netanyahu's visit, India's defence ministry had announced India will be buying 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel.

Spike anti-tank missile deal with India back on track: Netanyahu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-pm-modi-netanyahu-to-hold-open-jeep-roadshow-in-ahmedabad-29784">attended the inauguration of the iCreate centre</a> in Ahmedabad today.

At the event, both the leaders talked about the significance of technology and how it can help in cementing India-Israel ties.&nbsp;

PM Modi noted that technology and innovation can bring India and Israel closer.&nbsp;

&quot;I am pleased that today, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Israel, the country is getting an institution dedicated to innovators,&quot; PM Modi noted.

&quot;Israel&#39;s creativity and technology inspire and affect the entire world,&quot; PM Modi noted.

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मुझे खुशी है कि आज, इजराइल के प्रधानमंत्री की उपस्थिति में, देश के नौजवान innovators को समर्पित इस संस्थान का लोकार्पण हो रहा है : PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/953553191727083520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Prime Minister addressed the youth of the nation and noted that today&#39;s youngsters are full of energy and ideas, all they need is a small nudge in the right direction, some mentorship, encouragement and institutional support.

&quot;We are trying to make India an innovation-friendly nation. Intent will lead to innovations and with the power of innovations we will build a new India,&quot; PM noted.

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इजरायल की technology एवं creativity पूरे विश्व को प्रभावित करती है: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Rik6M6WK2">https://t.co/3Rik6M6WK2</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/953554728805281792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi also noted that during his visit to Israel last year, a gigantic fund worth $40 million was created as a joint-venture between the two countries.

&quot;The fund will help the talent and youth of the two countries in the field of innovation and technology. The joint venture will pay special attention to the area of food, water, diseases and energy,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;

&quot;These collaborations between India and Israel are very important for the bright future of both the countries. In the 21st century, both the countries will write new chapters in the history of humanity,&quot; noted PM Modi.

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भारत और इजरायल के बीच ये सहयोग, ये परस्पर विकास की भावना, दोनों ही देशों के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। 21वीं सदी में दोनों देशों का ये साथ मानवता के इतिहास में नया अध्याय लिखेगा: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/953560686260404224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his delight at being able to attend the event.

&quot;The world knows about iPads and iPods, there is one more &#39;i&#39; that the world needs to know about, that is iCreate,&quot; Netanyahu exclaimed.&nbsp;

&quot;Now, Prime Minister Modi is changing India by the force and vision of his leadership. He is revolutionizing India as one of the world&#39;s great power. He and I are both very young and both very optimistic, we are young in our thinking and optimistic about the future,&quot; Netanyahu asserted.

PM Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Sabarmati Ashram earlier today and also held a grand roadshow in Ahmedabad.

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Here is how Gujarat welcomed Mrs. Netanyahu and PM <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netanyahu</a>. <a href="https://t.co/mEKFfiNk0t">pic.twitter.com/mEKFfiNk0t</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/953531609457737729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Netanyahu and his wife Sara wrote their comments in the visitor&#39;s log book at the Sabarmati Ashram where the Israeli PM described his visit as &quot;inspiring&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;An inspiring visit to the hearth of one of humanity&#39;s great prophets of inspiration - Mahatma Gandhi,&quot; Netanyahu wrote in the book.&nbsp;

The two dignitaries also tried their hands at the &#39;charkha&#39;, the hand spinning wheel which was emblematic of India&#39;s quest for self-reliance during the freedom struggle.&nbsp;

&quot;The quest for modernity &amp; innovation is being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots, and this can upset the international system. One of the ways to overcome this is to strengthen the relationship between our two great democracies,&quot; PM Netanyahu noted earlier yesterday.&nbsp;

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PM: The quest for modernity &amp; innovation is being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots, and this can upset the international system. One of the ways to overcome this is to strengthen the relationship between our two great democracies<a href="https://t.co/unt8hbxJ4X">https://t.co/unt8hbxJ4X</a>
&mdash; PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/953333599746609153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Both the leaders talked about the significance of technology and how can it help cement India-Israel ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attended the inauguration of the iCreate centre in Ahmedabad today. At the event, both the leaders talked about the significance of technology and how it can help in cementing India-Israel ties. PM Modi noted that technology and innovation can bring India and Israel closer. "I am pleased that today, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Israel, the country is getting an institution dedicated to innovators," PM Modi noted. "Israel's creativity and technology inspire and affect the entire world," PM Modi noted. मुझे खुशी है कि आज, इजराइल के प्रधानमंत्री की उपस्थिति में, देश के नौजवान innovators को समर्पित इस संस्थान का लोकार्पण हो रहा है : PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2018 × The Prime Minister addressed the youth of the nation and noted that today's youngsters are full of energy and ideas, all they need is a small nudge in the right direction, some mentorship, encouragement and institutional support. "We are trying to make India an innovation-friendly nation. Intent will lead to innovations and with the power of innovations we will build a new India," PM noted. इजरायल की technology एवं creativity पूरे विश्व को प्रभावित करती है: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/3Rik6M6WK2 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2018 × PM Modi also noted that during his visit to Israel last year, a gigantic fund worth $40 million was created as a joint-venture between the two countries. "The fund will help the talent and youth of the two countries in the field of innovation and technology. The joint venture will pay special attention to the area of food, water, diseases and energy," he noted. "These collaborations between India and Israel are very important for the bright future of both the countries. In the 21st century, both the countries will write new chapters in the history of humanity," noted PM Modi. भारत और इजरायल के बीच ये सहयोग, ये परस्पर विकास की भावना, दोनों ही देशों के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। 21वीं सदी में दोनों देशों का ये साथ मानवता के इतिहास में नया अध्याय लिखेगा: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2018 × Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his delight at being able to attend the event. "The world knows about iPads and iPods, there is one more 'i' that the world needs to know about, that is iCreate," Netanyahu exclaimed. "Now, Prime Minister Modi is changing India by the force and vision of his leadership. He is revolutionizing India as one of the world's great power. He and I are both very young and both very optimistic, we are young in our thinking and optimistic about the future," Netanyahu asserted. PM Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Sabarmati Ashram earlier today and also held a grand roadshow in Ahmedabad. Here is how Gujarat welcomed Mrs. Netanyahu and PM @netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/mEKFfiNk0t — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2018 × Netanyahu and his wife Sara wrote their comments in the visitor's log book at the Sabarmati Ashram where the Israeli PM described his visit as "inspiring". "An inspiring visit to the hearth of one of humanity's great prophets of inspiration - Mahatma Gandhi," Netanyahu wrote in the book. The two dignitaries also tried their hands at the 'charkha', the hand spinning wheel which was emblematic of India's quest for self-reliance during the freedom struggle. "The quest for modernity & innovation is being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots, and this can upset the international system. One of the ways to overcome this is to strengthen the relationship between our two great democracies," PM Netanyahu noted earlier yesterday. PM: The quest for modernity & innovation is being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots, and this can upset the international system. One of the ways to overcome this is to strengthen the relationship between our two great democracieshttps://t.co/unt8hbxJ4X — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 16, 2018 ×

PM Modi is changing India by vision of his leadership: Benjamin Netanyahu in Ahmedabad

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s India visit which comes within months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s path-breaking visit to Israel marks an interesting template for the bilateral relations. If the July visit set the political tone, this visit adds substance for the future. The second prime ministerial visit to India comes nearly 15 years after Atal Behari Vajpayee rolled out red carpet welcome to Ariel Sharon.&nbsp;

While strategic and economic relations have flourished since the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 1992, Indo-Israeli political engagements have been minimal and often happened when NDA government was in power. Until Modi&rsquo;s election, for example, only two External Affairs Ministers visited Israel, Jaswant Singh in July 2000 and S M Krishna in January 2012. Reciprocal visits from India did not materialise after the visits of President Ezer Weizman in 1996-97 and of Sharon in 2003.&nbsp;

For over two decades, the bilateral relations flourished or were allowed to flourish with little political exchanges between the two countries. Coalition compulsions under the UPA government and the geostrategic situation in the Middle East limited cabinet level exchanges between the two countries. During this phase much of the relations thrived because of various state governments&mdash;ruled by Congress, BJP and others, including the communist parties, who stepped and sought economic cooperation with the Jewish State.

Things changed dramatically since Modi became the prime minister. In tune with his more active engagement with foreign leaders, both bilaterally and multilaterally, Indo-Israeli engagements also expanded considerably. Since May 2014, there were two presidential visits, two prime ministerial visits and visits by External Affairs Minister, Defense Minister and Home Minister.

There were scores of other exchanges, meetings and social media exchanges and interactions between the two political leadership.

These interactions with Israel should not be seen in isolation but viewed within the larger context of Modi&rsquo;s extensive interactions with other Middle East countries.&nbsp;

Since 2014, Indian leaders --president, vice-president, prime minister or external affairs minister&mdash;have visited most of the countries. War-torn countries like Iraq, Syria and Lebanon saw the visit by MoS M J Akbar. Indeed, violence-torn Libya is the only country which did not see a political visit from India since 2014. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi had met a number of Arab-Islamic leaders during multilateral forums and he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas twice, including hosting him in May last year.

Another interesting pattern is emerging in the Indo-Israel relations. For long military-security consideration has dominated the bilateral relations and is often seen as the core component. Important as they are, the relations are getting diversified and encompass soft, less hyper and even unattractive areas, such as agriculture and water management. The joint statement issued on Monday between the two countries, for example, talks of &ldquo;strategic cooperation in Agriculture and Water.&rdquo; Until now these issues would never make it to the front pages of the media or would have escaped popular attention.&nbsp;

This in practical terms means that Indo-Israeli relations are no longer elite issues to be confined to the national capitals or urban centers but are pushed to rural India. This decentralisation has been taking place for over two decades but now they have assumed the center stage of the bilateral relations.&nbsp;

In short, security would continue to play an important role in the Indo-Israeli relations but its meaning and scope have changed. It is no longer confined to military security and fighting terrorism but also encompasses, food security, water security, environmental security and above energy security. This transformation of the Indo-Israeli ties would play a key role in the coming years.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Indo-Israeli relations are no longer elite issues to be confined to the national capitals or urban centers but are pushed to rural India.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s India visit which comes within months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s path-breaking visit to Israel marks an interesting template for the bilateral relations. If the July visit set the political tone, this visit adds substance for the future. The second prime ministerial visit to India comes nearly 15 years after Atal Behari Vajpayee rolled out red carpet welcome to Ariel Sharon. While strategic and economic relations have flourished since the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 1992, Indo-Israeli political engagements have been minimal and often happened when NDA government was in power. Until Modi’s election, for example, only two External Affairs Ministers visited Israel, Jaswant Singh in July 2000 and S M Krishna in January 2012. Reciprocal visits from India did not materialise after the visits of President Ezer Weizman in 1996-97 and of Sharon in 2003. For over two decades, the bilateral relations flourished or were allowed to flourish with little political exchanges between the two countries. Coalition compulsions under the UPA government and the geostrategic situation in the Middle East limited cabinet level exchanges between the two countries. During this phase much of the relations thrived because of various state governments—ruled by Congress, BJP and others, including the communist parties, who stepped and sought economic cooperation with the Jewish State. Things changed dramatically since Modi became the prime minister. In tune with his more active engagement with foreign leaders, both bilaterally and multilaterally, Indo-Israeli engagements also expanded considerably. Since May 2014, there were two presidential visits, two prime ministerial visits and visits by External Affairs Minister, Defense Minister and Home Minister. There were scores of other exchanges, meetings and social media exchanges and interactions between the two political leadership. These interactions with Israel should not be seen in isolation but viewed within the larger context of Modi’s extensive interactions with other Middle East countries. Since 2014, Indian leaders --president, vice-president, prime minister or external affairs minister—have visited most of the countries. War-torn countries like Iraq, Syria and Lebanon saw the visit by MoS M J Akbar. Indeed, violence-torn Libya is the only country which did not see a political visit from India since 2014. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi had met a number of Arab-Islamic leaders during multilateral forums and he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas twice, including hosting him in May last year. Another interesting pattern is emerging in the Indo-Israel relations. For long military-security consideration has dominated the bilateral relations and is often seen as the core component. Important as they are, the relations are getting diversified and encompass soft, less hyper and even unattractive areas, such as agriculture and water management. The joint statement issued on Monday between the two countries, for example, talks of “strategic cooperation in Agriculture and Water.” Until now these issues would never make it to the front pages of the media or would have escaped popular attention. This in practical terms means that Indo-Israeli relations are no longer elite issues to be confined to the national capitals or urban centers but are pushed to rural India. This decentralisation has been taking place for over two decades but now they have assumed the center stage of the bilateral relations. In short, security would continue to play an important role in the Indo-Israeli relations but its meaning and scope have changed. It is no longer confined to military security and fighting terrorism but also encompasses, food security, water security, environmental security and above energy security. This transformation of the Indo-Israeli ties would play a key role in the coming years. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: India-Israel relation takes a new turn beyond terrorism

Israeli security forces have found a cell-phone bomb in Joseph&#39;s Tomb near West Bank, reports said.

The security forces removed the bomb from the tomb and denoted it later, Israel&#39;s Defense Forces(IDF) said in a statement.

The IDF forces also seized two weapons during an operation in Silwad village, near Ramallah.

Developing

The security forces removed the bomb from the tomb and denoted later, Israel's Defense Forces(IDF) said in a statement.

Israeli security forces have found a cell-phone bomb in Joseph's Tomb near West Bank, reports said. The security forces removed the bomb from the tomb and denoted it later, Israel's Defense Forces(IDF) said in a statement. The IDF forces also seized two weapons during an operation in Silwad village, near Ramallah. Developing

Cell-phone bomb found near Joseph's tomb in West Bank: Report

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