Former Shin Bet informant gets life sentence for killing elderly Holocaust survivor The Tel Aviv District Court also ordered Shalhoub to pay NIS 258,000 ($81,000) to Lipovsky’s family. January 4, 2026
Knesset approves law commemorating Israel’s Moroccan Jewish heritage The legislation calls for schools across Israel to teach about the heritage of Moroccan Jewry and for a special session to be held in the Knesset each year. January 1, 2026
Israeli High Court halts comptroller’s probe of Oct. 7 massacre Petitioners warned that allowing the comptroller to investigate such issues could prejudice future inquiries and infringe on due process rights. December 31, 2025
One in three Israelis seek mental health support after two years of war Israelis have also turned increasingly to self-medication, with purchases of over-the-counter sleep and calming medications rising 14 percent. December 31, 2025
Tel Aviv metro project faces major delays and cost overruns, state comptroller warns Preliminary estimates suggest the project cost may exceed the approved budget by up to NIS 12 billion ($3.77 billion). December 30, 2025
Israel to allow daytime Jewish prayer at Joseph’s Tomb for first time in 25 years Shechem is located in Area A under the administrative and security jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. December 29, 2025
Israel delivers the first operational laser air-defense system in history According to defense officials, the system has already proven itself in an extensive series of trials, successfully intercepting multiple types of aerial threats under realistic operational conditions. December 28, 2025
‘Speaking up is a matter of survival’: Canadian model confronts online antisemitism Mattova believes stronger verification measures are necessary, including linking accounts to verified identification or financial credentials. December 26, 2025
Israel confirms killing Iranian Quds Force terrorist near Tyre The Quds Force is an elite, specialized branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It conducts covert intelligence, military, and proxy operations outside Iran. December 25, 2025
‘Every year they burn trees’: Jenin church firebombing renews scrutiny of PA While Christians comprised 11% of the population of the entire Holy Land in 1922, today, they account for just 1% of the population in the Palestinian Authority. December 24, 2025
Jerusalem security barrier fails to prevent illegal entry, state watchdog warns According to the report, between 2,000 and 2,400 people illegally entered Israel through the Jerusalem area each quarter during 2022-2024. December 24, 2025
Israel’s tech sector surges in 2025 despite fewer deals, $15.6B in funding Business Software led private funding with $4.5 billion, followed closely by Cybersecurity at $4.1 billion. December 23, 2025
Israeli security officials confirm detained Gaza men not linked to Oct. 7 attack The arrests were part of a broader enforcement campaign launched about a month ago targeting violent crime and weapons offenses in the Bedouin sector. December 22, 2025
Drone imagery and machine learning revolutionize mapping of archaeological sites The researchers found that the tool performed accurately even at sites with dense vegetation, varied soil colors, or partial preservation—conditions that typically complicate archaeological documentation. December 19, 2025
Israel greenlights $35 billion gas export agreement with Egypt The agreement also includes planned investments of NIS 15-16 billion in Israeli gas infrastructure, aimed at increasing output from the Leviathan reservoir and expanding pipeline capacity to meet growing domestic demand. December 19, 2025
Israel gearing up for post-war Christmas tourism Nazareth’s central Christmas processions, known for their vibrant and festive atmosphere, are expected to attract both international and domestic tourists. December 17, 2025
Trade momentum builds as German business leaders visit Israel The German delegation includes dozens of CEOs and senior executives from major companies, including Rolls-Royce, Renk Group, OHB Systems and Quantum Systems. December 17, 2025
Israeli exports on the rise, approaching pre-war peak Services exports, which account for more than half of total exports, are expected to grow 9% to $101 billion, up from $92.7 billion in 2024. December 16, 2025
CyberDome drill highlights growing digital threats to Israel’s national systems More than 120 Israeli specialists from the military’s two cyber units participated in the CyberDome exercise in the U.S., training together, 'keyboard to keyboard, shoulder to shoulder,' against various threats, the IDF said. December 16, 2025
Israel’s High Court overturns government’s attempt to remove attorney general According to the Supreme Court, the procedural changes were applied retrospectively and lacked consultation, alternatives, or a proper factual and legal foundation. December 14, 2025
Negev cities to receive 31.8 million dollars boost for housing, R&D, and airport plans Netanyahu described the upcoming budget as 'a significant and essential step toward completing the vision and national policy of developing the Negev and attracting population to the south.' December 11, 2025
Haredi enlistment would ease army and economic strain, Bank of Israel says Expanding enlistment by 7,500 Haredim annually—adding around 20,000 over time—could cut the economic burden of reservists by NIS 9–14 billion ($2.8-$4.3 billion) a year. December 11, 2025
First material evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield discovered near Jerusalem The bullets were found in a cluster on the slope facing the ancient Jerusalem-Hebron road, exactly where the Seleucid army is said to have advanced. December 10, 2025
Israel reports sharp decline in illegal border crossings from Egypt The infiltrator population represents just over 10 percent of Israel’s total foreign resident population, which the CBS now estimates at 260,400 people. December 10, 2025
Cyber weaknesses put Israeli elections, democracy at risk, state comptroller warns Approximately 4.2 million Israelis cast ballots in the country’s most recent national election in November 2022, a turnout of 70.3% of eligible voters. December 9, 2025
Israel bids farewell to fallen hostage as body returns to Thailand Rinthalak, 42, was killed by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri, and his body was taken to Gaza. December 9, 2025
Israel, Costa Rica sign free trade deal, eliminate over 90% of tariffs Currently, annual Israeli exports to Costa Rica average around $32 million, but officials expect the new agreement to significantly expand trade across multiple sectors. December 9, 2025
Israeli parents favor traditional names while Mohammed shows declining popularity All ten names from 2023’s top rankings remained in the top ten for 2024, though with slight shifts in their positions. December 8, 2025
Injured Israeli soldiers needing care to hit 100,000, ministry says The ministry said it now receives about 1,500 new applications each month from wounded seeking official recognition. December 8, 2025
Rethinking navigation app’s walking options could boost commuter health, Israeli scientists say A brisk 20-minute daily walk has been associated with reducing the risk of early death by up to 25%, making integrated movement a practical option for people with demanding schedules. December 7, 2025
Israeli archaeologists uncover remains of dramatic mountaintop royal palace The site played a central role in the violent struggles within the Hasmonean dynasty and later in Herod’s rise, serving at various times as a place of imprisonment, hospitality, and even royal burial. December 4, 2025
New film examines UNRWA’s role as UN readies mandate renewal vote UNraveling UNRWA has already been recognized in the documentary circuit, winning the Investigative Documentary Award at the 2025 Haifa International Film Festival. December 3, 2025
Einstein like you’ve never seen him: Rare personal letter surfaces in Tel Aviv The letter was addressed to Nahum Hinitz, an author in Israel who was then editing a book about the Jewish community in Brisk. December 2, 2025
Israel failed for years to protect critical infrastructure from missile threats, audit finds Critical infrastructure hit during attacks included Ben-Gurion Airport, the Bazan oil refinery at Haifa’s port, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, and Beer-Sheva’s Soroka Hospital. December 2, 2025
Skulls on the map: Israel’s top diplomat exposes incitement in Palestinian schools The Palestinian Authority allocates more than $350 million annually to pay salaries to terrorists in Israeli prisons and to the families of killed terrorists. November 30, 2025
New trade initiatives aim to strengthen Israeli-Argentine ties Saar announced that Israel will open new economic attaché offices in Buenos Aires in 2026 to support expanding trade activity. November 26, 2025
Israel wasted 2.6 million tons of food in 2024, worth $7.2 billion According to the report’s analysis approximately 485,000 Israeli households currently live in conditions of food insecurity, representing 16.2 percent of all households. November 25, 2025
Bank of Israel cuts interest rate to 4.25% for first time in nearly two years Estimates from the Mortgage Advisors Association suggest annual savings for mortgage holders will range from NIS 720-2,300 ($220-$700). November 24, 2025
Israel boosts readiness following assassination of Hezbollah’s top commander Tabatabai, long one of the most senior commanders in Hezbollah’s hierarchy, was designated an international terrorist in 2016. November 24, 2025
‘Eyewitnesses’ from Gaza? Many are tweeting from abroad, X transparency tool shows X said it is testing a further update that could flag users employing VPNs to hide their location, making such manipulations increasingly difficult. November 23, 2025
Alona Ben Natan climbs to No. 1 female spot after strong finish in Dubai Baja Other races on the Baja World Cup circuit include Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. November 23, 2025
Israel boosts air defenses with $8.7 billion U.S.-backed Iron Dome expansion Romania became the first European buyer of an Israeli Iron Dome with a €2 billion ($2.3 billion) deal signed in May. November 20, 2025
Victims of sexual violence struggle for justice as most cases go uncharged, Israeli report finds The nine rape crisis centers serving Jewish and Arab communities received 55,044 total contacts in 2023, including 17,484 new cases. November 20, 2025
Beersheba fires spark arson probe after night of rescues Many of the locations were older buildings with enclosed stairwells, allowing smoke to spread quickly and complicating evacuations. November 20, 2025
Five soldiers among suspects in Syrian arms smuggling network, Israel says The smuggled weapons included explosives, RPG missiles, assault rifles, and large quantities of ammunition. November 19, 2025
‘Failing grade’: Israeli higher education system falling short for reservists A striking 41% of surveyed students indicated they were dissatisfied with the assistance their institutions offered due to absences from reserve duty. November 18, 2025
Historic Mount of Olives to welcome pilgrims with new security measures The new visitor education center will incorporate a police substation, more than 230 security cameras, and around-the-clock monitoring. November 17, 2025
‘Charlie is gone, but the truth he fought for is not’: Jerusalem remembers Charlie Kirk Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University in September. November 17, 2025
Israel tests banking system with nationwide cybersecurity drill The exercise aimed to strengthen recovery processes and ensure continuity of banking services in the event of an incident. November 16, 2025
Man caught entering Israel with 186 exotic animals stuffed in his suitcase The suspect had arrived at Ben Gurion on a flight from Thailand. November 13, 2025
Shocking discovery: Loaded Hamas rifles found in Israeli kindergarten two years after massacre More than 100 residents of the kibbutz were killed and 32 were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. November 12, 2025
Sa’ar: Iran attempted to assassinate multiple Israeli diplomats Sa'ar noted that the diplomatic mission in Estonia is the third new embassy he has opened this year. November 12, 2025
After 75 years, Israel’s Army Radio to shut down Defense Minister Katz argued that continuing the station’s operation drags the IDF into political discourse and harms its reputation as the people’s army. November 12, 2025
Israel military’s internal probes of Hamas attack criticized as inadequate The panel praised the efforts of frontline intelligence personnel and civilian rapid-response teams, who acted professionally and courageously despite the chaos. November 11, 2025
Herzl Budinger, architect of Israel’s air power in Lebanon, passes away at 82 Under his command, the IAF improved long-range strike capabilities, introduced Black Hawk helicopters, and decided to procure F-15I fighter jets. November 10, 2025
Israeli coalition rift deepens as ultra-Orthodox leader rejects terrorist death penalty The law would allow the death penalty to be imposed by majority vote and eliminate any possibility of mitigation once a final sentence has been issued. November 10, 2025
‘A new Israeli dream’: Government earmarks $310 million to transform Beersheba and Negev The initiative aims to expand the ecosystem connecting academia, industry, and the military while promoting innovation, cyber technologies, employment, tourism, and the revitalization of Beersheba’s Old City. November 9, 2025
Netanyahu to face Knesset debate on inquiry into October 7 failures Netanyahu has resisted calls for a formal state commission of inquiry, calling it 'politically biased.' November 9, 2025
Even traumatized parents can shield their children from war’s emotional toll, Israeli study finds The novel insight: even highly stressed or traumatized parents can protect their children if they use adaptive emotional support strategies, known as interpersonal emotion regulation (IER). November 5, 2025
Diaspora Affairs minister urges New York Jews to move to Israel As of recent estimates, approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million Jews live in the city, making up roughly 13% of the total population. November 5, 2025
