The State Attorney’s Office said the offenses amounted to “effective treason.” 

By JNS

Israel’s State Attorney’s Office has filed its first-of-its-kind request to revoke the citizenship of two Arab Israelis convicted of conspiring to assist the enemy during wartime and passing information to the enemy with intent to harm state security, Ynet reported on Wednesday.

Rani Ouf and Shadi Eidi, who were both employees of Israeli telecommunications provider Cellcom, were convicted in 2024 of planning to disable the company’s systems to aid Hamas during a future military confrontation with the Palestinian terrorist organization.

They were arrested and charged in 2022 after years of contact with Hamas operatives and repeated attempts to disable Cellcom’s networks during wartime.

Ouf was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in the failed terrorist plot, while Eidi received a five-and-a-half-year sentence.

The State Attorney’s Office said the request to revoke their citizenship was based on a 2023 amendment to Israel’s Citizenship Law, which permits citizenship revocation for security prisoners convicted of aiding the enemy during wartime.

The office said the offenses amounted to “effective treason,” describing the terror plot as “an extreme and exceptional case of violating the duty of loyalty owed by citizens to the state.”

The request was submitted at the behest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also holds the powers of interim interior minister, and was approved by outgoing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the office said.

In practical terms, the consequences of revoking citizenship may be limited.

An individual who does not hold another nationality and whose Israeli citizenship is rescinded is still entitled to permanent residency status and may continue living in the Jewish state.

However, the move carries substantial symbolic and civic ramifications. Loss of citizenship affects civil status, including the right to vote, and is likely to carry a lasting public stigma.

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Holon runs neighborhood mapping and solar group purchasing initiatives, while Beitar Illit uses an educational board game to promote energy awareness.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on Sunday published a new national guide marking a strategic shift in energy policy toward locally driven execution, with municipalities positioned as key engines for delivering renewable energy and efficiency projects.

The guide outlines the establishment of “Implementation Centers for Promoting Sustainable Energy” in local authorities.

These centers are designed to turn national climate and energy goals into practical, community-level action—helping residents and businesses adopt solar energy, improve efficiency, and reduce electricity costs.

The framework defines three levels of municipal involvement: basic public information and outreach; an intermediate model including training, supplier lists, and community programs; and an advanced model in which municipalities actively manage projects, coordinate purchasing groups, and provide end-to-end support for households and businesses.

Several Israeli authorities are already operating similar models.

In Netanya, a “House of Energy” platform provides digital tools and WhatsApp consultations.

Holon runs neighborhood mapping and solar group purchasing initiatives, while Beitar Illit uses an educational board game to promote energy awareness.

The Western Negev Authorities Cluster is leading regional pilots targeting energy poverty and solar adoption.

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, said the guide is a key pillar of the “100,000 Solar Roofs” program launched in 2025, aimed at expanding rooftop solar and strengthening energy independence.

The ministry expects additional local authorities to establish implementation centers in the coming months, tailored to urban, rural, and Arabic-speaking communities.

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The case has been handed over to Lebanon’s judiciary, which will decide Tartakovsky’s fate.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A dual Israel-British citizen and freelance journalist with ties to the US was arrested in Lebanon.

A Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper, Al Akhbar, identified him as Joshua Tartakovsky.

The report says he entered Beirut a few weeks ago along with a group of other journalists covering the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

The reason for the arrest has not yet been announced, although its worth noting that he traveled to Lebanon with a British passport and also was carrying an Israeli identity card.

According to Lebanese law, it is illegal for Israelis to enter the country.

Tartakovsky had been in southern Lebanon reporting on airstrikes in the area.

The Arab news outlet said, “He entered Lebanon as part of a group of foreign journalists who arrived in Beirut to cover the ongoing events in Lebanon and who visit the southern suburb and certain areas on a daily basis under the pretext of inspecting the destruction.”

The case has been handed over to Lebanon’s judiciary, which will decide Tartakovsky’s fate.

One source told Arab News, “There is a strong inclination to deport the detained journalist without awaiting any extradition request. In this case, he would be handed over to the British embassy, which would facilitate his deportation from Lebanon.”

Tartakovsky describes himself as a “freelance journalist” and studied at Brown University and the London School of Economics.

He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family, but currently, has been associated with left-wing causes.

Despite having a background of IDF service with the rank of First Sergeant, more recently, Tartakovsky has been allied to anti-Israel causes.

Tartakovsky has contributed to “Zo Haderech,” a website associated with Israel’s far-left and anti-Zionist movements.

The detention of Tartakovsky happened after Lebanon detained German war correspondent Paul Ronzheimer after he reported on the conflict with Lebanon with Israeli TV.

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