Oct 06 Amid rising infections, Israeli ultra-Orthodox defy lockdown By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews make up roughly 10% of the population, yet account for over one-third of the country’s coronavirus patients. Segments of the community refuse to comply with safety regulations and insist on maintaining a tight-knit way of life. Continue reading
Sep 15 Watch 3:08 The shared interests and concerns that led to Israel's normalization with Bahrain and UAE By Nick Schifrin The first Arab-Israeli agreement in 25 years was signed Tuesday on the White House South Lawn, as Israel normalized relations with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Joined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and foreign ministers from Bahrain and… Continue watching
Sep 11 Watch 4:32 News Wrap: Bahrain becomes 4th Arab country to normalize relations with Israel In our news wrap Friday, Bahrain became the fourth Arab country to normalize ties with Israel. President Trump made the announcement only weeks after the United Arab Emirates took the same step. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the move… Continue watching
Sep 11 WATCH: Trump speaks about Bahrain from the White House By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to agree to normalize ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Donald Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish state into the Middle East. Continue reading
Sep 10 Politics complicate Israeli virus response ahead of holidays By Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press With the coronavirus pandemic raging and the Jewish High Holidays approaching, Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself caught between his ultra-Orthodox partners and the need to drive down surging infection rates. Continue reading
Sep 06 Israel imposes overnight curfews as virus deaths pass 1,000 By Josef Federman, Associated Press The curfews will go into effect Monday night at 7 p.m. and will last until 5 a.m. It was not known how long they will remain in place. People will not be allowed to venture more than 500 meters (yards)… Continue reading
Aug 29 UAE formally ends Israel boycott amid US-brokered deal By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued a decree Saturday formally ending the country’s boycott of Israel amid a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two countries. Continue reading
Aug 23 Israel's Netanyahu accepts compromise, avoids election By Josef Federman, Associated Press Netanyahu and his rival and coalition partner, Benny Gantz, had faced a Monday night deadline to agree on a budget. Otherwise, the government would have collapsed and automatically triggered a new vote. Continue reading
Aug 18 Officials say Israel, Sudan close to peace agreement By Josef Federman, Associated Press Israel and Sudan on Tuesday said they are close to reaching a peace agreement — setting the stage for a possible second dramatic diplomatic breakthrough for Israel with its Arab neighbors in a matter of days. Continue reading
Aug 16 Telephone service begins between UAE and Israel as ties open By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Telephone service between the United Arab Emirates and Israel began working Sunday as the two countries opened diplomatic ties, part of a deal brokered by the U.S. that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex West Bank land… Continue reading