Former Israeli PM: Putin promised not to kill Zelenskyy
February 5, 2023 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia's war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart.
Israeli ministers to run as partners in upcoming elections
July 10, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — The leaders of two parties in Israel's outgoing government coalition announced Sunday that they would run as political partners in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The announcement by Gideon Saar and Benny Gantz was the first shift in Israel's political landscape since the Knesset voted to dissolve itself June 30 and send the country back to the polls to elect a new parliament.
Israel’s caretaker PM Lapid holds first Cabinet meeting
July 3, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid held his first Cabinet meeting on Sunday since taking over as leader, promising a functional government despite the political instability that is sending Israel to its fifth elections in less than four years.
As Israel heads back to elections, Lapid stakes out vision
June 30, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament voted Thursday to dissolve itself, triggering the country's fifth election in just over three years and thrusting veteran politician Yair Lapid into the role of interim prime minister as he tries to persuade a deeply polarized nation to embrace his centrist vision.
Israeli PM Bennett won’t run in upcoming election
June 29, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who led a broad but fragile coalition government that came unraveled barely a year after taking office, announced Wednesday that he will not run in upcoming elections.
Hamas says captive Israeli’s condition has deteriorated
June 27, 2022 GMTGAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Hamas rulers on Monday said the condition of one of the Israelis it is holding captive has deteriorated.
The announcement marked a rare piece of information about the Israelis in Hamas captivity.
Israeli PM convenes Cabinet before parliament is dissolved
June 26, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett convened what is likely his last Cabinet meeting as premier on Sunday, with parliament expected to dissolve itself this week, triggering new elections in the fall.
Israel lawmakers take 1st step toward dissolving parliament
June 22, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli lawmakers voted in favor of dissolving parliament in a preliminary vote on Wednesday, setting the wheels in motion to send the country to its fifth national election in 3 1/2 years.
Lapid, set to be Israel’s next premier, faces critical test
June 21, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — In a 10-year political career, Israel's Yair Lapid has transformed himself from an upstart political novice to a feisty opposition leader to the savvy operator who toppled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli government fast-tracks bill to dissolve parliament
June 21, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's outgoing coalition government will fast-track a bill this week to dissolve parliament, setting up the country for its fifth elections in three years, a Cabinet minister said Tuesday.
EU looks to east Mediterranean as gas alternative to Russia
June 14, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — European leaders visiting Israel on Tuesday expressed hope that natural gas supplies from the eastern Mediterranean could help reduce dependence on Russia as the Ukraine war drags on.
Israeli ruling coalition teeters as it marks year in office
June 13, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A member of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's party said Monday he would cease voting with the governing coalition, dealing yet another blow to the teetering government as it marks one year in office.
Israeli PM Bennett in snap UAE visit amid standoff with Iran
June 9, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran.
Israeli coalition suffers loss, faces uncertain prospects
June 6, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s government on Monday failed to pass a bill extending legal protections for settlers in the occupied West Bank, marking a major setback for the fragile coalition that could hasten its demise and send the country to new elections.
Israel raises Iran concerns with visiting UN nuclear chief
June 3, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Iran of deceiving the international community about its atomic activities as he met with the visiting head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Friday.
UN atomic agency chief arrives in Israel for talks
June 2, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — The director of the U.N.'s atomic watchdog arrived in Israel on Thursday and is set to hold talks with top officials.
The visit comes as Israel expresses mounting concerns about Iran's atomic activities and any return to the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers.
Israel says Iran spied on nuclear inspectors two decades ago
May 31, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Tuesday it has proof that Iran stole classified documents from the U.N. atomic energy agency nearly two decades ago and used them to conceal its nuclear activities from international inspectors.
Israel, UAE sign free trade deal, first with an Arab country
May 31, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a free trade agreement on Tuesday, the first of its kind that Israel has concluded with an Arab country.
The UAE agreed to normalize relations with Israel in a U.S.-brokered deal in 2020, the first of the so-called Abraham Accords that Israel eventually concluded with four Arab nations.
Israeli PM defends march marked by violence, racism
May 30, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday defended the decision to hold an annual march that celebrates Israel's takeover of east Jerusalem and was marked by violence and anti-Palestinian racism.
Arizona governor in Israel for trade, water, security talks
May 29, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is in Israel for five days of talks with political and business leaders of the Middle Eastern country.
Ducey arrived in Israel on Sunday morning, accompanied by the heads of the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Israeli Arab lawmaker rejoins coalition days after quitting
May 22, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — An Arab Israeli lawmaker who quit the ruling coalition said Sunday that she was returning to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's 60-member alliance, ending a crisis that lasted just a few days.
Shaky Israeli coalition is jolted as another lawmaker quits
May 19, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Another member of Israel's parliament said Thursday she was quitting the ruling coalition, leaving embattled Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in control of a crumbling minority government.
Israeli PM welcomes expansion of West Bank settlements
May 17, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday welcomed a recent decision to expand Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank that the Palestinians and most of the international community view as illegal.
Embattled Israeli leader vows to keep government afloat
May 9, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's embattled prime minister on Monday vowed to continue to lead the country as his shaky government limped into the opening of parliament's summer session on the verge of collapse.
Israel police arrest woman suspected in threats to PM family
May 9, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police arrested on Monday a 65-year-old woman suspected of sending death threats with bullets to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's family last month.
A statement from the police only identified the woman as a resident of southern Israel; police said further details of the case remained under a court-issued gag order.
Israel says Putin apologized over his FM’s Holocaust remarks
May 5, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he accepted an apology from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday for controversial remarks about the Holocaust made by Moscow's top diplomat.
Hecklers interrupt Israel PM’s Memorial Day speech on unity
May 4, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Hecklers interrupted Israel's prime minister for several minutes during a Memorial Day address on Wednesday in which he called for unity, laying bare the country's internal divisions even as it mourns its dead.
Israeli PM’s family receives death threat and bullet in mail
April 28, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's teenage son has received a death threat and bullet in the mail, Israeli officials said Thursday, he second such warning against the Israeli leader's family this week.
Israel halts for Holocaust day, honors 6 million Jews killed
April 28, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Sirens blared across Israel early Thursday as the country came to a standstill in an annual ritual honoring the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
People halted where they were walking, and drivers stopped their cars to get out of the vehicles as people bowed their heads in memory of the victims of the Nazi genocide.
Ushering in Holocaust day, Israeli PM warns of polarization
April 27, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett delivered a stark message Wednesday as the country ushered in its annual Holocaust memorial day, warning Jews against letting internal divisions tear society apart.
Israeli police probe death threat to prime minister’s family
April 26, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police said Tuesday they have launched an investigation into a death threat made against the country's prime minister.
The police issued a statement saying that a letter containing a death threat and a live bullet was sent to Naftali Bennett's family.
Israeli parliament sanctions critic of PM Bennett, his party
April 26, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli parliamentary committee has sanctioned a breakaway member of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's party, handing a small political victory to the Israeli leader as he seeks to stabilize his fragile government and deter any other rebel lawmakers.
Israeli minister: Parties trying to keep coalition afloat
April 25, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A key partner in Israel's governing coalition said Monday that all the factions are working to try and keep the fragile coalition afloat, less than a year after it was sworn into office.
Biden accepts invitation to visit Israel in coming months
April 24, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — President Joe Biden has accepted an invitation to visit Israel in the coming months, the two countries announced on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke to Biden on Sunday afternoon, discussing recent Israeli-Palestinian unrest in Jerusalem as well as their shared concerns about Iran, both of their offices said.
Israel successfully tests new laser missile defense system
April 14, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's new laser missile-defense system has successfully intercepted mortars, rockets and anti-tank missiles in recent tests, Israeli leaders said Thursday.
The Israeli-made laser system, known as the “Iron Beam,” is designed to complement a series of aerial defense systems, including the more costly rocket-intercepting Iron Dome.
Israeli forces shoot, kill 2 Palestinians; one was unarmed
April 10, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinians, including an unarmed woman, in confrontations across Israel and the occupied West Bank on Sunday, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.
Israel government loses majority as religious lawmaker quits
April 6, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A lawmaker quit Israel’s ruling coalition on Wednesday after a dispute over religious observance during the Passover holiday, throwing the fragile alliance into disarray without a majority in parliament and raising the prospect of a new round of elections.
Palestinian gunman kills 5 in 3rd attack in Israel in a week
March 30, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A gunman on a motorcycle opened fire in a city in central Israel late Tuesday, methodically gunning down victims as he killed at least five people in the third such street attack in a week.
Israeli PM tests positive for COVID, is working from home
March 28, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s prime minister has tested positive for the coronavirus and is working from home, his office said Monday, after he held a series of in-person meetings that included U.S.
Gunmen kill 2 in central Israel attack, Israeli police say
March 27, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A pair of Arab gunmen killed two people and wounded four others Sunday in a shooting spree in central Israel before they were killed by police, according to police and medical officials.
Israeli PM, UAE crown prince in Egypt for diplomatic talks
March 21, 2022 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Israel's prime minister and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi were in Egypt for meetings with its president on Monday, officials said, including discussions on the repercussions of the war in Ukraine.
Prominent ultra-Orthodox Israeli rabbi Kanievsky dies at 94
March 18, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the most influential leaders in Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, died Friday at the age of 94.
Condolences poured in, including from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who called him a "true public leader” who lived modestly but led tens of thousands through “wisdom, reason and a rare level of knowledge.”
Israel’s Bennett emerges as a mediator in Russia-Ukraine war
March 16, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — A year ago, Naftali Bennett was struggling for his political survival as Israel headed toward its fourth consecutive election. Today, the Israeli prime minister is at the forefront of global efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine central to Blinken talks with Israel minister
March 7, 2022 GMTRIGA, Latvia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday thanked Israel for its efforts to end Russia’s war with Ukraine as he and his Israeli counterpart met to discuss the conflict and ongoing nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna.
Macron keeps an open line to Putin as war in Ukraine rages
March 7, 2022 GMTNICE, France (AP) — While most of the world is shunning President Vladimir Putin over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of the few leaders keeping an open line of communication is French President Emmanuel Macron.
EXPLAINER: Why Israel is mediating between Russia, Ukraine
March 6, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — With his surprise visit to Moscow on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is assuming the unlikely role of mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
Bennett, who has helmed the country for less than a year and is largely untested on the world stage, positioned Israel in an uncomfortable middle ground between Russia and Ukraine in the lead up to the war, creating a launching pad from which to emerge as a player in diplomatic efforts.
German leader visits Israel as Russia-Ukraine war rages
March 2, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Israel on Wednesday, briefly leaving Europe as the continent's largest ground war in generations rages between Russia and Ukraine.
Scholz arrived in Israel Tuesday evening and will return to Germany later Wednesday in a visit — his first to Israel since becoming German leader — that was planned before the fighting erupted.
Israeli PM: Iran nuke deal will bring ‘more violent’ Mideast
February 20, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister on Sunday criticized an emerging deal over Iran's nuclear program, saying it would be weaker than a previous agreement and would create a “more violent, more volatile Middle East.”
Israel to allow unvaccinated tourists into country
February 20, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel announced Sunday that it would allow unvaccinated tourists to enter the country beginning next month as the latest wave of the coronavirus recedes.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that foreign tourists, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, would be required to take PCR coronavirus tests before their flights and upon landing.
Israel to scrap COVID passport system as omicron wanes
February 17, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister says the country’s coronavirus vaccination “green pass” system will be suspended as new daily cases of COVID-19 continue to decline.
Naftali Bennett said Thursday after meeting with health officials that Israel’s omicron wave “has been broken” and that additional reductions in coronavirus restrictions were forthcoming.
As Iran talks stall, Israeli PM makes snap trip to Bahrain
February 14, 2022 GMTMANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett landed in the Gulf state of Bahrain on Monday, cementing ties between the new allies in a clear message of cooperation aimed at regional archrival Iran.
Israeli leader talks to Biden about Islamic State, Iran
February 6, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's prime minister on Sunday congratulated President Joe Biden for last week's deadly raid in Syria that killed the leader of the Islamic State group, the Israeli premier's office announced.
Israeli PM to speed up rollout of lasers for missile defense
February 1, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s prime minister on Tuesday acknowledged that its Iron Dome defense system is too expensive and the country is speeding the rollout of laser technology to help protect it from rocket attacks.
President to make first UAE visit by Israeli head of state
January 25, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's figurehead president will make the first visit to the United Arab Emirates by the country's head of state next week, his office said Tuesday.
The high profile visit by President Isaac Herzog aims at further cementing the burgeoning ties between the two states following the normalization of relations under the so-called “Abraham Accords.”
Israel launches state probe into German submarine purchase
January 23, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Cabinet approved Sunday the launch of a state investigation into an affair involving the purchase of submarines and other warships from Germany, a case that has embroiled close confidants of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel says 500K have received 4th vaccine dose
January 14, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has administered a 4th vaccine dose to more than 500,000 people, the Health Ministry said Friday.
Israel began administering second boosters to the most vulnerable late last month and later began offering them to everyone over 60.
Israeli nationalists protest against settlement evacuation
January 13, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Israeli nationalists staged a protest Thursday outside the parliament building in Jerusalem, urging the government not to demolish a West Bank settlement outpost.
The demonstration came a month after a Palestinian gunman fired on a car filled with seminary students at the Homesh outpost, near the West Bank city of Nablus, killing 25-year-old Yehuda Dimentman and wounding two people.
Two Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire
January 13, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Two Israeli soldiers were killed by friendly fire overnight while on a security patrol near a military base in the Jordan Valley, the military said early Thursday.
It said they were misidentified and mistakenly killed by fellow soldiers.
Israeli PM: Omicron unstoppable but no need for ‘hysteria’
January 11, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday tried to calm Israelis anxious about the rapid spread of the omicron variant, insisting the government is managing the crisis better than most and ruling out a national shutdown.
Israeli defense chief meets Jordanian king in reset of ties
January 5, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's defense minister met with the Jordanian king on Wednesday, both sides said, part of a reset of ties between the two countries.
According to Benny Gantz' office, the two discussed “security and policy topics.” Gantz “welcomed the expansion of relations between Jordan and the current Israeli government.”