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☆ Israel’s democracy is at a crossroads as its top court debates a law limiting its power. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“The Supreme Court and the government alike possess a credible nuclear threat against the other side … if both sides are rational actors, they will … disarm themselves. That leaves the Supreme Court as the only check on the executive and legislative branches of government. Striking down a Basic Law would be uncharted territory for the Supreme Court, although it has examined and commented on Basic Laws before. Thousands of military reservists and even some active duty soldiers have vowed not to serve if the judicial overhaul went into effect. Or for the Supreme Court that might say we have a right to demonstrate, the right to strike by our so to speak legal system,” Tomer said.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, –, Netanyahu, “, ”, Amit Segal, Netanyahu’s, Biden, Israel doesn’t, Esther Hayut, Aryeh Deri, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ohad, Yariv Levin, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, ” Segal, it’s, Banks, Haim Tomer, Hassan Nasrallah, ‘, ’ ” Tomer, Joe Biden, Tomer, ” Tomer, he’s, Isaac Herzog’s, Isaac Herzog, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronen Zvulun, Ben Gvir Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Jerusalem CNN — Israel’s, Israel’s, Supreme, CNN, of Defense, United, National Security, United Nations General Assembly Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, United Kingdom, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia

☆ Israel Supreme Court set for historic judicial overhaul session
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Maayan Lubell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Israel's Supreme Court is set on Tuesday to hear arguments against a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to curb bench powers, in a historic session that has already inflamed a crisis which has gripped the country for months. The legislation removed one, but not all, of the tools the Supreme Court had for voiding government and ministers' decisions if it deemed them "unreasonable". In its legal response to the petitions, the government has said the Supreme Court has no authority to even review amendments to a quasi-constitutional Basic Law, and said the debate could "lead to anarchy". Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges he denies, says the judicial changes are meant to balance a Supreme Court that has become too interventionist. However, with two more appeals scheduled this month, a court ruling could come as late as January, leaving time for the sides to agree on reforms.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronen, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Maayan, Grant McCool Organizations: Israeli, REUTERS, Rights, Netanyahu's, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem

☆ Roman-era swords, likely Jewish rebel booty, unearthed in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Ancient swords, believed by the Israel Antiquities Authority to be from the Roman era dating back 1,900 years and found in a weapons cache in a cave in an Israeli desert, are displayed in Jerusalem, September 6, 2023. The fashioning of three of the blades recalls Roman "spatha" swords, and the fourth has a ring-pommel handle consistent with the period, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said. The rare find included a shafted Roman "pilum" spear. A coin from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132-135 AD was found at the entrance to the cave. "Obviously, the rebels did not want to be caught by the Roman authorities carrying these weapons."

Persons: Ronen, Eitan Klein, Dan Williams, Christina Fincher Organizations: Israel Antiquities Authority, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Israel

☆ Bank of Israel to stay on hold as inflation eases but hike cycle may not be done: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO-The Bank of Israel building is seen in Jerusalem June 16, 2020. Israel's annual inflation rate dropped to 3.3% in July from 4.2% in June, its lowest rate since March 2022 but above a government target range of 1-3%. "The central bank will leave the door open for further rate hikes and maintain its relatively hawkish stance, given that the shekel remains weak and exposed to domestic political developments," said Goldman Sachs economist Tadas Gedminas. The Bank of Israel left its key rate unchanged in July after an aggressive rate hike cycle that took the rate from 0.1%. Minutes of the meeting showed policymakers were concerned the shekel could keep inflation from moving back to its target and that further rate increases were possible.

Persons: Ronen, Zalina Alborova, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Goldman Sachs, Tadas Gedminas, Morgan Stanley's Georgi Deyanov, Bhumika Gupta, Steven Scheer, Frances Kerry Organizations: Bank of, REUTERS, Reuters, Bank of Israel, Barclays, Citi, The Bank of Israel, Thomson Locations: Bank of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel

☆ Israeli finance minister to renew funds to Arab communities after backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a news conference after announcing that he will sign an order to seize Palestinian Authority funds and transfer them to the families of victims of Palestinian attacks, at Israel's Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, January 8, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday his ministry would unblock funds for Arab communities that he suspended saying the money was fuelling crime, triggering outrage from Arab mayors and some Arab and Jewish lawmakers. Arab councils held a strike last week in protest and community leaders demonstrated outside government offices. In a statement on Monday, Smotrich appeared to reverse course and said an oversight mechanism had been created to transfer funds to the Arab communities. "We are stopping the criminal organisations from taking over the budgets that go to the Arab authorities," Smotrich said.

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Ronen, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Smotrich, Emily Rose, Alison Williams Organizations: Palestinian, Israel's Finance Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Israeli, National Committee of, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Israel

☆ Netanyahu judicial overhaul faces showdown in Israeli Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Maayan Lubell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

CONSTITUTIONAL QUAGMIREThe reasonableness amendment is part of Israel's so-called "Basic Laws" that the court so far has refrained from quashing. Striking down a basic law or an amendment to one has been described in Israel as the Supreme Court using a legal doomsday weapon. As Israel has no written constitution, it relies instead on these Basic Laws which enshrine some rights and liberties and establish rules of governance. In its legal response ahead of Tuesday's hearing, the government argued that the Supreme Court does not have legal authority to review basic laws. From mid-October those vacancies will include the chief justice and another Supreme Court justice.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Israel, Esther Hayut, Aryeh Deri, Ronen, NETANYAHU, Yariv Levin, Levin, Maayan Lubell, James Mackenzie, Howard Goller, Michael Perry Organizations: reining, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Israel, Israel's, Jerusalem

☆ Civil unrest, legal appeals and military disobedience: What Israel may face after Supreme Court law change
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Striking down a Basic Law would be uncharted territory for the Supreme Court, although the court has examined and commented on Basic Laws before. Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images People in Tel Aviv, Israel, demonstrate against the judicial overhaul plan on Saturday, July 22. Saeed Qaq/NurPhoto via Getty Images Protesters from Tel Aviv walk the entrance road to Jerusalem after a four-day march on July 22. Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters Protesters block the main entrance to the Ministry of Defense during a protest in Tel Aviv on July 18. Israeli military reservist signs pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation, near the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 19.

Persons: CNN —, Israel doesn’t, Benjamin Netanyahu, Esther Hayut, ”, ” Hayut, Barak Medina, ” Medina, ” Yohanan Plesner, Ron Dermer, “, Plesner, Netanyahu, Monday, Amir Cohen, Corinna Kern, Oded, Jack Guez, Hazem Bader, Ammar Awad, Aryeh Deri, Shas, Ronaldo Schemidt, Ohad, Mahmoud Illean, Ronen Zvulun, Dar Yaskil, Saeed Qaq, Matan Golan, Eyal Warshavsky, Menahem Kahana, Ilan Rosenberg, Amir Levy, Medina, ” Plesner, Israel, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, ” Dermer, Biden hadn’t, Martin Indyk, Dan Kurtzer, Indyk, Israel hasn’t Organizations: CNN, Law, Supreme, Nation State Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s, of Law, Israel Democracy Institute, Strategic, Israel Medical Association, IMA, High Tech, ”, Reuters, Getty, AP, Protesters, Getty Images, Reuters Protesters, AP People, Ministry of Defense, Air, House Press, New York Times, State Department Locations: Israel’s, United States, Israel, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israeli, AFP, Reuters Israeli

It was enacted as an amendment to one of Israel’s Basic Laws, which the justices have never previously struck down. Originally, Basic Laws, which can be passed by a simple parliamentary majority, were not necessarily superior to other laws. Then in 1992, the Knesset passed a Basic Law that guaranteed dignity and liberty. “Proportionality is a balancing test,” said Rivka Weill, another law professor at Reichman University. But if the government removed Ms. Baharav-Miara, it would “cross a red line for the court,” Professor Weill said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, —, Oded, Adam Shinar, “, it’s, ”, Kim Lane Scheppele, Aharon Barak, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronaldo Schemidt, Shinar, Rivka Weill, Weill, Gil Cohen Magen “, Aryeh Deri, Deri, Scheppele, Ronen Zvulun Organizations: Monday, Reichman University, Princeton University, ., Agence France, Princeton, Senate Locations: Israel, Israel’s, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Jerusalem, Gali Baharav, Britain, United States

☆ Israel passes law to strip Supreme Court of power to block government decisions, defying months of protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Ivana Kottasová Richard Allen Greene Hadas Gold Amir Tal | Ivana Kottasová | Richard Allen Greene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The so-called reasonableness law takes away the Supreme Court’s power to block government decisions by declaring them unreasonable. Saeed Qaq/NurPhoto via Getty Images Protesters from Tel Aviv walk the entrance road to Jerusalem after a four-day march on July 22. Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters Protesters block the main entrance to the Ministry of Defense during a protest in Tel Aviv on July 18. Israel, which has no written constitution and no upper chamber of the parliament, has had a relatively powerful Supreme Court, which supporters of the changes argue is problematic. He has argued that the Supreme Court has become an insular, elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people.

Persons: –, Yair Lapid, Ohad, Ammar Awad, Benjamin Netanyahu, Aryeh Deri, Shas, Ronaldo Schemidt, Mahmoud Illean, Netanyahu, Ronen Zvulun, Hazem Bader, Dar Yaskil, Saeed Qaq, Matan Golan, Menahem Kahana, Ilan Rosenberg, Amir Levy, Jack Guez, Joe Biden, “, Israel, ” Biden, Biden, Thomas Friedman, ”, Maya Alleruzzo, Isaac Herzog Organizations: CNN, Israel Police, Air Force, Israeli, Quality Government, Supreme, AP, Reuters, Getty Images, Protesters, Reuters Protesters, Getty, Ministry of Defense, New York Times, TA, West Bank, Israel Bar Association, Association Locations: Israeli, Jerusalem, Reuters Israeli, AFP, Tel Aviv, Israel, United States

☆ Israeli military assessing reservists' protest letter over judicial overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunJERUSALEM, July 21 (Reuters) - Israel's military said on Friday it was examining the impact of a letter sent by air force reservists who threatened to stop volunteering for service if the government goes ahead with a planned judicial overhaul. Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military was checking details of the letter that he said was initialled by more than 1,100 reservists and "accordingly, will examine the implications". The letter, published in Israeli media without listing the signatories, was the latest sign of opposition within the military to judicial changes being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition. Air force veterans say reservists who volunteer after completing their mandatory military service make up around half of crews sent on combat sorties. On Monday, Netanyahu pledged to crack down on no-shows for military reserve duty, which he said risked inviting attack by Israel's foes and undermining its democracy.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Daniel Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Bezalel Smotrich, Yoav Gallant, Hagari, Netanyahu, Henriette Chacar, Ari Rabinovitch, Alison Williams, David Holmes Organizations: Protesters, Israeli, REUTERS, Critics, ., Reuters, Thomson Locations: Shoresh, Israel, Jerusalem, Ronen, JERUSALEM

☆ Israel's Knesset gives initial nod to contested Supreme Court bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Maayan Lubell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, July 10 (Reuters) - Israel's parliament gave preliminary approval to a bill that limits some Supreme Court power, part of a rebooted judicial overhaul by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that has set off a deep political crisis. The new bill seeks a curb on the Supreme Court's power to void decisions made by the government, ministers and elected officials by ruling them unreasonable. "It is not the end of democracy, it strengthens democracy," Netanyahu said in a video statement released at sundown as the Knesset debated the bill. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo"Even after the amendment court independence and civil rights in Israel will not be harmed in any way.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ronen, Amir Yaron, Yaron, Isaac Herzog, Herzog, Steven Scheer, Maayan Lubell, William Maclean, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Israel, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, Bank

Armed men attended the funeral on Wednesday of the Palestinians killed during the Israeli military operation. People stand by rubble and the remains of a destroyed vehicle outside a mosque in Jenin, West Bank, on Wednesday, July 5. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images People attend the funeral of Palestinians who were killed during the Israeli military operation. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images Aerial vehicles fly during the Israeli military operation in Jenin on Monday. “Military bulldozers destroyed multiple roads leading to the Jenin refugee camp, making it nearly impossible for ambulances to reach patients,” the group said.

Persons: Crews, Ammar Awad, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel “, Ahmad Gharabli, Robaldo Schemidt, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, Nedal, Nasser Nasser, Raneen Sawafta, Jaafar Ashitiyeh, Issam, Majdi Mohammed, Ronen Zvulun, Ayman Nobani, there’s, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, it’s, ” Vanessa Huguenin, “ Organizations: CNN, West, West Bank ., Militant, United Nations, Hamas, Reuters, West Bank, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Israel, Getty, People, Getty Images People, Anadolu Agency, AP Palestinian, AP, Israel’s West Bank, National, Palestinian Authority, UN, Islamic, Jenin Brigade, Palestinian, International, “, US State Department Locations: West Bank, Jenin, Wednesday, Israeli, Tel Aviv, Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, Nablus, West, AFP, Monday, Raneen, Sunday, Issam, Israel’s, Islamic Jihad

The military operation remained ongoing Tuesday morning with Israeli forces searching for 10 remaining primary targets in the Jenin refugee camp, according to the IDF. A military source said Monday the operation is the largest military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin in more than 20 years. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images Aerial vehicles fly during the Israeli military operation in Jenin on Monday. Raneen Sawafta/Reuters Palestinians run for cover during the Israeli military operation in Jenin. Majdi Mohammed/AP Palestinian women react Monday during the Israeli military operation in Jenin.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Hagari, “, ” Hagari, Nedal, Nasser Nasser, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, Raneen Sawafta, Jaafar Ashitiyeh, Issam, Majdi Mohammed, Ronen Zvulun, Ayman Nobani, Lina Amouri, ”, ” Amouri, Mohamad Torokman, Reuters Duha, ” Turkman, ” “, Mohammed Jarrar, Crescent, Mahmoud al, Saadi, ” “ It’s, Mahmoud Abbas, Israel “, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, West, Israel Defense Forces, Israel Securities Authority, Israel Border Police, IDF, Twitter, Palestinian, Crescent, West Bank, Anadolu Agency, AP Palestinian, Getty, Reuters, AP, CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Palestinian Authority, Militant, Hamas Locations: Jerusalem, West Bank, Jenin, Tel Aviv, ”, West, Monday, AFP, Raneen, Palestinian, Sunday, Issam, it’s, Egypt

☆ Huwara: The settler attack on this West Bank town was called a 'pogrom' by Israel's military. Videos show soldiers did little to stop it
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Gianluca Mezzofiore Celine Alkhaldi Abeer Salman Nima Elbagir | Gianluca Mezzofiore | Celine Alkhaldi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

Smoke rises over Huwara after Israeli settlers rampaged through the town, setting fire to homes, businesses and cars. Videos chronolocated at 8:25 p.m. show fire trucks and ambulances being stopped by Israeli soldiers at the roundabout leading to Huwara’s main street. Soon after, they returned with a group of Israeli soldiers in tow, Abdalmenem said. Israeli soldiers are now on permanent patrol of the town, periodically closing roads and forcing shops to shutter, according to residents, who said it is impacting their livelihoods. A man inspects the damage to a restaurant following a reported attack by Israeli settlers in Huwara on March 28.

Persons: ”, Herzi Halevi, “, Bezalel Smotrich, Nawal Dumeidi, Eyal Warshavsky, Hillel Menachem Yaniv, Ya’acov, Hillel, Yagel, Ilia Yefimovich, Kfar Tapuach, FakeReporter, Limor Son, —, Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma, Zvi Sukkot, Gil Cohen, Achiya Schatz, Huwara, Ronen Zvulun, ” Schatz, Hisham K, Abu Shaqra, Ziad Dumaidi, Dumaidi, Hana Abu Saris, Ronaldo Schemidt, ” Dumeidi, Sameh, Abdalmenem, Aqtash, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, won’t, Tzvi, Sukkot’s, Gabòr Friesen, Chris Osieck, ” Dumaidi, What’s Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Israel Border Police, Zionism, Magen, Getty, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Palestine, Palestinian Civil Defense, Red Crescent Society, Israeli, United Nations, Twitter, “ Locations: Huwara, ”, Har Bracha, Nablus, Palestinian, Yitzhar, Samaria, ” Israel, Judea, Tapuach, Jerusalem, AFP, Israel, WhatsApp, “, Dubai, Za’tara, Kfar Tapuach, West

☆ Prehistoric bird-wing flutes music to the ears of archaeologists in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The research team made replicas of the fragile originals, which they found emitted high-pitched trills resembling the calls of birds of prey. One theory is that the flutes were used attract the birds of prey - namely the Eurasian Sparrowhawk and the Common Kestrel - to frighten waterfowl, making them easier to catch. Over 500 million birds pass through the Hula Valley each year as they migrate between Europe and Africa, making it a popular destination for bird watchers. The use of flutes to communicate with the birds, Simmons said, was "really cementing that transition to a time when the relationship between humans and animals began to change". Reporting by Dedi Hayun and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jérusalem, Tal Simmons, Simmons, Dedi Hayun, Ari Rabinovitch, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, REUTERS, de Recherche, Israel Antiquities Authority, Tal Simmons of Virginia Commonwealth University, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Ronen, JERUSALEM, Israel, recherche, Europe, Africa, Ain

☆ Israeli forces kill Palestinian officer in clashes, WAFA says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Israeli settlers walk past structures that were erected for a new Jewish seminary school, in the settler outpost of Homesh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunJENIN, West Bank, May 29 (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed a Palestinian security officer during clashes in the occupied West Bank flashpoint city of Jenin on Monday, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said. In another part of the West Bank on Monday, Jewish settlers inaugurated a seminary in an area that has been a focus of U.S. scrutiny, drawing Palestinian condemnation. "With God's help ... there will be many more new settlements in northern Samaria," he said, referring to the West Bank by its biblical name. "Statements of condemnation are no longer enough in the face of the (Israeli) extremist right-wing government," said his spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh.

☆ Factbox: What is 'Jerusalem Day' and why is it an Israeli-Palestinian flashpoint?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Israelis and Palestinians stand opposite to each other near Damascus gate to Jerusalem's Old city as Israel mark Jerusalem Day, in Jerusalem May 18, 2023. Here are details on "Jerusalem Day" and why it stirs fears of renewed violence:WHAT IS JERUSALEM DAY? Israel fought a number of Arab armies in a 1967 war, during which it captured territories including East Jerusalem. Israel has since annexed East Jerusalem, in a move that has not won international recognition, and regards the entire city as its eternal and undivided capital. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

Jerusalem CNN —Thousands of Israelis waving Star of David flags streamed into the Old City of Jerusalem Thursday, as part of a contentious march taking place at a time of high tensions in the region. Israelis sing and dance with flags by Damascus gate to Jerusalem's Old city as they mark Jerusalem Day. Ronen Zvulun/ReutersThe march marks Jerusalem Day, when Israelis celebrate capturing east Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war. Israelis wave national flags during a march marking Jerusalem Day, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. A number of Palestinian shopkeepers told CNN before the event that they would close their shops in the Old City for fear of attacks by far-right Jewish nationalists.

☆ Israel's 'Flag March' in Jerusalem rattles Palestinians
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Rami Amichay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/13] Israelis sing and dance with flags by Damascus gate to Jerusalem's Old city as they mark Jerusalem Day, in Jerusalem May 18, 2023. The parade is the main celebration on Jerusalem Day, when Israel marks its capture of Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Many Palestinian shopkeers shuttered their businesses in the Old City, where march organisers hung Israeli flags along the narrow alleyways. Earlier on Thursday, hundreds of Jewish pilgrims, including members of parliament, toured the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City. Hamas has cast itself as a defender of Jerusalem's Palestinians and Muslim holy sites in recent years.

☆ Ron DeSantis Dominates Florida Legislative Session Ahead of Expected Presidential Run
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Alex Leary | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called a lawsuit filed by Disney ‘political’ while speaking in Jerusalem on Thursday. The company is suing the Republican for waging what it called a ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation.’ Photo: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersWhat Ron DeSantis wanted, he got. The Florida governor dominated the 60-day legislative session in Tallahassee that ends Friday, racking up conservative policy victories that will serve as the backbone of his soon-expected entry into the 2024 presidential race. Those wins could boost him in the GOP primary contest—even as some allies are concerned about how far to the right he pushed, particularly on abortion.

☆ Thousands rally in Jerusalem in favor of planned judicial overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Dedi Hayun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Right-wing demonstrators hold flags as they attend a protest calling on the Israeli government to complete its planned judicial overhaul, in Jerusalem, April 27, 2023. "The nation demands a judicial reform," demonstrators chanted. Demonstrations against the judicial overhaul plans, however, have gripped the country for weeks and have garnered large crowds in cities across the country, mostly and consecutively every Saturday night since the plans were announced. Recent polls have found the overhaul plans are deeply unpopular. "The nation demands a judicial reform," the crowd chanted in response.

☆ Israel approves 'national guard' sought by far-right security minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was not immediately clear who would have direct authority over the national guard. Having moderated some of his positions, he wields an expanded law-and-order portfolio in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist governing coalition. Ben Gvir has described the planned national guard in media interviews as an update of the previous government's initiative. "Why does the State of Israel - which has an army, police, military intelligence, the Shin Bet, Mossad, National Security Council, Prisons Service, riot police, a SWAT team - need another national guard?" He said that the national guard would take months to get off the ground and that he was trying to fill police posts in parallel.

[1/5] People hold Israeli flags during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's plan for judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel April 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunJERUSALEM, April 1 (Reuters) - Protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul showed no sign of abating on Saturday, despite its suspension by the embattled premier this week, as tens of thousands took to the streets to demand it be scrapped entirely. Israeli media estimated more than 150,000 people attended anti-government protests nationwide on Saturday, the largest in commercial hub Tel Aviv. We cannot live in a state that is not democratic," said Limor Moyal, at the Tel Aviv demonstration. Additional reporting by Natalie Thomas in Tel Aviv Writing by Maayan Lubell Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Fighting for our country': Israeli protest group make more than half a million flags
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM, March 30 (Reuters) - Early on Thursday Moshe Peretz and his team of volunteers gathered outside his Tel Aviv apartment block for what has become a regular activity - flag-making. The group say they have made more than half a million of them, distributed to protesters marching against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul drive, and production is not stopping, despite Netanyahu putting legislation on ice. [1/5] Volunteers assemble Israeli flags in preparation for more mass protests against judicial overhaul, outside a private apartment building in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 30, 2023. Netanyahu says judicial changes are needed to strengthen democracy. Reporting by Natalie Thomas; editing by Maytaal Angel and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Israeli turmoil alarms business leaders: There's 'fear over what happens next'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Jason Gewirtz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The uncertainty in Israel's political situation extends deep into the business sector. This month, ratings service Fitch warned that the courts controversy "could weaken Israel's credit profile." Weingarten's big fear is an irreparable divide in Israel, a country where a great degree of unity was once seen as a given. Such a drop would make the prime minister push his right-wing coalition partners into a deal that's more aligned with the country's citizens at large. Women dressed as handmaidens from "The Handmaid's Tale" attend a demonstration after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the defense minister and his nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Jerusalem on March 27, 2023.

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