7/31/18

* Syria proclaims control of borders with Israel = Iranian/Hizballah forces now face IDF Golan positions Three glaring inaccuracies appeared in the Syrian claim on Tuesday, July 31, that its army had won control of the entire border with Israel, which failed to credit Hizballah and pro-Iranian Shiites.

* Syria boots IS from Golan Heights, retaking full control of frontier with Israel Assad forces complete six-week-long bloody campaign to regain command of war-torn country's southwest corner for first time in seven years.

* Russian ambassador to Israel: We can't force Iran to leave Syria Anatoly Viktorov says Iranian-backed forces have a 'very important role' in fighting opponents of Assad regime.

* Russia's endgame in Syria: Iran for Ukraine? Russia wants to use the gains it made in Syria as a bargaining chip with the US on Ukraine and the economic sanctions.

* Iran's long game in Syria While the Obama administration was joyous over its nuclear deal with Iran, they paid little or no attention to Iran's efforts supporting terrorists in the Middle East and their increasingly active involvement in the Syrian civil war.

* Caroline Glick: The Stakes in Syria Continue to Rise The threat that Iran will choose to initiate a devastating war in the Middle East, from its perch in Syria, continues to rise.

* The Secret Reason Arabs Reject the Jewish Nation-State Law Some Israeli Arab leaders speak disparagingly about Israel for publicity.

* Eurozone Economic Growth Slows, Inflation Accelerates as U.S. Trade Talks Loom Eurozone economic growth eased to its slowest pace in two years last quarter, according to an early estimate from the region's statistics office, but a faster reading for currency area inflation suggests the European Central Bank will likely keep its current interest rate and asset purchase plans in place despite the unexpected weakness.

* The Legitimacy of Israel's Nationality Law Upon passing the Nationality Law in Israel's Knesset (Parliament) by a vote of 62 to 55, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the podium and declared, "One hundred and twenty-two years after Theodore Herzl published his vision we have enshrined into the law the basic principle of our existence."

* Majority of Israeli Jews Support Nation-State Law, Polls Determine 61% of Israeli Jews do not think the law will impact the Druze community's commitment to the state of Israel, one poll found.

7/30/18

* Abbas Warns 'Fateful and Dangerous' Measures In The Works Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that the Palestinians are planning to make "fateful and dangerous decisions on important issues in the next two months," leading to speculation that he intends to sever ties with Israel.

* 'Abbas is directly responsible for attack' Economy Minister: 'Anyone who talks of political settlement and desire to live in peace cannot finance murderers and martyrs.'

* Hamas Claims Gaza Protests are 'Peaceful,' Then Calls for Killing Every Jew One of the top Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip last week again claimed that ongoing demonstrations along the coastal enclave's border with Israel are "peaceful" in nature.

* Dignity for the Palestinians Given that all Palestinian leaderships have called for a Palestinian state that will encompass and obliterate the state of Israel, it is not surprising that they cannot bear to accept any proposal that will give them only one small state (or two small states) in the territory allotted to them by the United Nations in 1947.

* Israel's Nationality Law: What, exactly, does it say? Claims that the law is not strong enough conflict with claims of racism and apartheid. What's the truth? Read the new law in full.

* Saudi Arabia: No peace talks without eastern Jerusalem Saudi Arabia reportedly tells allies it will not endorse any Middle East peace plan that fails to address Jerusalem or "right of return".

* A majority of Leave voters now believe May's Brexit deal will be bad for Britain More than half (51%) of Leave voters and two-thirds (65%) of the public now believe the outcome of Brexit negotiations will be bad for Britain, according to a Sky poll.

* Churches may have to pay taxes, and members of Congress may pay politically Members of Congress should be able to work together to protect houses of worship from having to pay taxes, especially in an election year when both parties want to earn the faith community's vote.

* Newly released minutes show US pressure on Israel to leave West Bank in '78 Marking 40 years to Camp David accords, the Center for Israel Education is rolling out memos detailing negotiations that led to Israel-Egypt peace treaty.

* Religious IDF soldiers forced to listen to transgender lecture Soldiers in commanders course complain after being forced to listen speech lauding transgender lifestyle. IDF says lecture was a mistake.

7/28/18

* Dozens Of Palestinians Riot At Temple Mount Following Friday Prayers During the dispersal of the rioters, the police used stun and smoke grenades to control the clashes as police forces arrested a number of suspects.

* Syria regime now on Israel’s doorstep after seizing Quneitra province Syrian government forces on Thursday raised the flag in the buffer zone separating Syrian-held territory from the Israeli Golan, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

* Pence: Religious persecution happens in free countries, too US VP Pence cites attacks on European Jews to make a point about bigotry.

* Iran general warns Trump war would 'destroy all you possess' An Iranian special forces commander has warned President Donald Trump if the US attacks Iran it "will destroy all that you possess".

* Abbas's Fatah: Israel Planning To Destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque The Palestinians have since used the incident to revive their long-standing charge that Israel was planning to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to rebuild the Third Temple.

* Report: U.S. Considering Military Options To Keep Strait Of Hormuz Open Officials claim that any military action would be carried by U.S allies, not the U.S armed forces, with the Saudis being the logical choice.

* Erdoğan's Turkey: Unwanted in Arab Lands In June, crowds gathered at a square in Tehran to protest Iran's sliding currency and other economic woes.

* Exclusive: Polls point to anti-EU surge in European Parliament Eurosceptic parties could expand their strength in the European Parliament by over 60 percent at elections next May, adding pressure on EU leaders pressing for deeper integration after Brexit, a survey by Reuters of national opinion polls suggests.

* Military Affairs: Can Israel Handle A Multi-Front War? With fronts ripe for conflict to break out at any moment, the IDF’s ability to operate effectively on multiple fronts simultaneously is crucial for Israel to deal with the region’s unpredictability.

* Arab Media Claims Israel Wielding the Forces of Nature in War Against Islam In addition to its military prowess, some Arab journalists are now telling their readers that Israel is wielding the very forces of nature in its supposed war against the Muslim world.

7/27/18

* Dozens of Palestinians riot at Temple Mount following Friday prayers During the dispersal of the rioters, the police used stun and smoke grenades to control the clashes as police forces arrested a number of suspects.

* Austria's Sebastian Kurz tells Theresa May to avoid 'hard Brexit' Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz has told Theresa May it is "important to avoid a hard Brexit", after talks with the UK prime minister.

* UK voters back Brexit deal referendum as May's ratings plunge: polls The proportion of voters who favor a referendum on the final terms of any Brexit deal has overtaken those who do not for the first time, while Prime Minister Theresa May's approval ratings have plunged, according to opinion polls.

* Syria regime now on Israel's doorstep after seizing Quneitra province Assad's forces raise flag in buffer zone bordering strategic Israeli Golan Heights following ouster of rebels.

* Netanyahu to recruits: 'We are managing tough fronts, in the south and the north' PM speaks to 2018 IDF recruits. 'We are at battle. This involves exchange of blows, but ultimately it is a test of strength of will.'

* 3.7 Earthquake hits Sea of Galilee and surrounding area Dozens of tremors have been felt around northern Israel in recent weeks.

* Pence: Religious persecution happens in free countries, too US VP Pence cites attacks on European Jews to make a point about bigotry.

* Iran general warns Trump war would 'destroy all you possess' An Iranian special forces commander has warned President Donald Trump if the US attacks Iran it "will destroy all that you possess".

* Erdogan's Turkey: Unwanted in Arab Lands "[Erdogan] does not even understand that Turks are not Arabs and Arabs have no intention go back to Ottoman rule."- Arab attache.

* Two Gazans, including 14-year-old, said killed in border riots Over 40 Palestinians reported injured as thousands rally near security fence, attack troops with bombs, rocks; IDF strikes balloon-launching squad, causing no casualties.

7/26/18

* Rocket shot down by Iron Dome as Gaza border violence persists IDF says nine projectiles fired at Israel since Wednesday evening as fighting ramps up after soldier injured by sniper and Israel retaliates.

* Netanyahu: We will do what is necessary to maintain security "We are in a battle, but it is a test of willpower, we are exhausting all the possibilities, but we are very, very determined to defend our borders."

* Scoop: Israel turns down Putin's offer to host summit with Palestinians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to organize a summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow because he didn't want to undercut President Trump's forthcoming Middle East peace plan, according to Israeli officials.

* What is behind the Hamas-Iran rapprochement? On July 16, Qassem Sulaimani, the commander of the Quds Force within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was scheduled to address a conference in Gaza via a satellite link from Tehran.

* Hamas official urges killing of Zionist Jews, praises ‘peaceful’ Gaza protests Alluding to recent violence and fears of war, Fathi Hamad says armed factions in the enclave have their 'finger on the trigger'

* Will Friday Night's Blood Moon Eclipse Determine How the Messiah Will Come? On the night of Friday, July 27th, the longest lunar eclipse of the century will appear in the heavens over Israel, with one rabbi labeling it "an omen for Israel."

* Abbas's Fatah: Israel planning to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque The Palestinians have since used the incident to revive their long-standing charge that Israel was planning to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to rebuild the Third Temple.

* Syrian flag raised in Quneitra, on Syrian side of Golan Heights Pro-Assad forces raised the Syrian flag in Quneitra on Thursday, as the government continued its push to regain full control of the Syrian Golan Heights, strategic territory that borders Israel and Jordan.

* Exclusive: Polls point to anti-EU surge in European Parliament Eurosceptic parties could expand their strength in the European Parliament by over 60 percent at elections next May, adding pressure on EU leaders pressing for deeper integration after Brexit, a survey by Reuters of national opinion polls suggests.

* Israel's two fronts explode: IDF officer hurt in Gaza. Russia praises IDF strike on ISIS letting Syria, Hizballah reach Kinneret The surreal effect of the latest happenings on Israel's Gaza and northern fronts is caused by at least six cooks stirring two volatile broths, of which the IDF is the least pro-active.

7/25/18

* Century's longest 'blood moon' stokes doomsday fears Celestial event triggers apocalyptic predictions from Evangelicals linking the lunar eclipse to the US Jerusalem embassy move.

* Iraq is finally taking action as protests and public dissent continue to build A lump sum of $15 million is being extracted from the Iraqi government's emergency budget for crisis containment solutions - specifically regarding the out of control protests and widespread chaos currently engulfing southern Iraq.

* Special Report: How Iraq's agricultural heartland is dying of thirst One day in June, a giant irrigation pump deep in the Mosul Dam Lake sputtered briefly into life.

* How BBC radio programmes misled by adding one letter and a plural "Settlements are communities established by Israel on land occupied in the 1967 Middle East war."

* Wave of the future: Over half the newest immigrants are under 17 Over half of Wednesday's newest immigrants are children, and 35% of the immigrants will reside in Israel's periphery.

* Western Wall not about to crumble, experts say after stone comes crashing down Hebrew University academics emphasize that while constant monitoring and a early warning system are necessary, the monumental Herodian-era site should stay open to the public.

* PA: What is "Zionist ISIS-ism"? Israeli MPs visiting the Temple Mount Jewish Israeli MPs "defile" Muslim holy sites, says Abbas' antisemitic advisor: Allowing Israeli MPs to visit the Temple Mount is "Zionist ISIS-ism"

* Arab Media Claims Israel Wielding the Forces of Nature in War Against Islam In addition to its military prowess, some Arab journalists are now telling their readers that Israel is wielding the very forces of nature in its supposed war against the Muslim world.

* Palestinian Authority Silences Students By targeting Palestinian journalists and university students, the Palestinian Authority shows that it has turned the territories under its control into a dictatorship that systematically grinds public freedoms into the ground.

* The Third Temple and the Messianic Era: What's the connection? Interview with the head of Machon Shilo, Rabbi David Bar-Hayim.

7/24/18

* Israel Downs Syrian Fighter Jet with Patriot Missiles The last time a Syrian jet was downed by Israel was in 2014.

* IDF after downing plane: We warned Syria against entering Israeli airspace Israeli military says it stressed repeatedly it would not allow breach; adds Sukhoi fighter jet took off from Iran-linked base, traveled two kilometers over Golan Heights border.

* Turkish President Erdogan says 'spirit of Hitler has re-emerged in racist Israel' President Erdogan of Turkey has launched an astonishing attack on Israel - saying the "spirit of Hitler has re-emerged" among administrators.

* Israel rebukes Turkey's Erdogan over 'Hitler' comparison Israel's prime minister has angrily rebuffed comments by the Turkish president who called Israel the "most fascist, racist state" in the world.

* Rabbis Worried After Stone Falls Out of Jerusalem's Western Wall One of the large ancient cut stones making up what's now known as the "Western Wall" of Jerusalem's Temple Mount fell from its place and crashed to the platform below early Monday morning.

* How Iran Could Use a Chinese Military Strategy to Wage War Against America After reading the whole report, along with just a quick parsing of many other documents and resources on Iran's military over the years, one can easily come to the conclusion that Iran's forces, when confronted close to its shores, would not be easily subdued.

* The Real Conflict with Iran The mullahs should fear financial warfare, not a military assault.

* Should We Be Anticipating War With Iran? No, but It Could Get Nasty The escalating invective between President Trump and Iran's leaders, reminiscent of the president's bombastic exchanges with North Korea, have raised fears of a military confrontation in the Persian Gulf - a vital conduit for global oil supplies - or perhaps even something bigger.

* The US in Eurasia: New Challenges EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the US the sole indisputable world power with almost unlimited resources.

* Netanyahu's message to parents around the world PM Netanyahu tells parents around the world about terrorist attack on preschool as the children were playing. 'Hug your children'. 

7/23/18

* In a First: Israel Fires Two David Sling Interceptor Missiles The Syrian rockets landed in Syria. Israel suffered no damage or injuries from the rockets.

* Israel rebuffs Russian offer to keep Iranian forces from Golan: official Israel rebuffed on Monday a new Russian offer to keep Iranian forces in Syria away from the Golan Heights ceasefire line, an Israeli official said, complicating Moscow's bid to stabilize the country as the civil war there wanes.

* ANALYSIS: Israel in Crisis Mode as Assad Regime Forces Reach Golan Border While the Israeli army was busy saving the lives of 800 members of the Syrian rescue organization "White Helmets" this weekend, the Russian-Iranian-backed Assad regime forces mercilessly pounded the last pockets of resistance in the Yarmouk Basin.

* Iran's Rouhani Warns Trump: War with Iran 'Is the Mother of all Wars' U.S. President Donald Trump was warned Sunday not to pursue hostile policies against Tehran, because "America should know... war with Iran is the mother of all wars."

* Putin's top officials sent to Jerusalem after DEBKAfile disclosed his rift with Netanyahu. Israeli David's Wand in first operation Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chief of Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov were sent urgently to Israel on Monday, July 23 over the Putin-Netanyahu rift that was exclusively disclosed by DEBKAfile.

* Over 1,000 Jews ascend Temple Mount Hundreds of Jews arrive this morning to Temple Mount for Tisha B'Av fast. 9 detained by police.

* Is evidence of Temple's destruction being destroyed by a bid for Jewish unity? Archaeologist Prof. Dan Bahat files a High Court petition to stop Western Wall construction.

* Jordan condemns Jewish visitors to Temple Mount Jordan issues official condemnation against mass Jewish visit to Jerusalem holy site.

* Brexit: What would a 'no deal' look like? "No deal" can be a confusing term in the Brexit debate because there are, in fact, several potential deals waiting to be done.

* Award Winning Archaeologist: Smashed Idols Show Biblical Jerusalem Was Religious Archeologists in Jerusalem say they have uncovered evidence from the Temple Mount that appears to corroborate large sections of the Bible's description of religious practice in the ancient city.

7/21/18

* This comparison shows how Russia’s latest nuclear weapons dwarf America’s (and everyone else’s) When it comes to nuclear weapons, there’s no denying that the United States and Russia remain the only heavyweight contenders on the planet.

* Russian Ambassador: Moscow Ready to Discuss Putin Visit to White House Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Friday that Moscow is ready to discuss the possibility of President Vladimir Putin visiting the White House, but added it was important to “deal with the results” of the meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Helsinki before arranging another talk.

* How Russia wangled Israel into phony Gaza “ceasefire,” and acceptance of Iranian/Hizballah in the north Israel came out of its “wide-scale” operation against Hamas terror on Friday night, July 20, leaving Hamas holding the initiative for the next round of violence. The IDF operation was almost as phony as the Gaza “ceasefire.”

* Idf Soldier Killed On Gaza Border; Hamas Agrees To Ceasefire The Israel Air Force struck over 60 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip during the intensive confrontation in Gaza Friday night, a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson's Office stated.

* Israeli soldier killed by Hamas sniper. Snipers used for the first time by Hamas killed an Israeli solder in cross-fire from Gaza on Friday, July 20. 

* FBI Director: Russia is a concern, but China represents the ‘most significant threat we face’ Despite America’s focus on Russia’s ongoing efforts to exert influence over the American people, FBI Director Christopher Wray made a point not to lose sight of what many consider to be a far more significant threat to America’s long-term security: China.

* Turkey: American Pastor Brunson in Prison; ISIS Terrorists Roam Free A Turkish court has decided to continue holding American Pastor Andrew Brunson in prison, to await a fourth hearing on October 12.

* For these I weep The oft-quoted verse from Lamentations 1:16, read on eve of the 9th of Av fast, is as apt today as it was when the Prophet Jeremiah said it while mourning the destroyed first Holy Temple.

* Brexit: What would a 'no deal' look like? "No deal" can be a confusing term in the Brexit debate because there are, in fact, several potential deals waiting to be done.

* Large Number Of Israelis Fast On Tisha B'av, Poll Finds The findings come from a new study by Professor Camil Fuchs for the Jewish People Policy Institute and was published ahead of Tisha B’Av which falls on Saturday night and Sunday.

7/20/18

* Tiptoeing past Armageddon: U.S. and Iranian forces' dangerous battlefield dance On Feb. 1, 2017, exactly 12 days after President Trump's inauguration, then-national security adviser Mike Flynn strode to the White House lectern to deliver a 101-second statement that excoriated Iran for its "destabilizing behavior across the entire Middle East."

* Days after Helsinki summit, Russia shows off Putin's 'super weapons' Russia on Thursday broadcast a series of videos showing the testing and operation of a new generation of nuclear and conventional weapons, days after Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed how to avoid an arms race.

* A Syria without Iran: mission impossible? Putin and Trump have agreed to pressure Iran for the sake of Israel's "security."

* Netanyahu, Putin Speak as Assad Forces Poised to Control of Border Area PM Netanyahu and President Putin spoke by telephone four days after Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Moscow, in which both leaders spoke of the importance of Israel's security.

* Assad's return to Golan complicates Israel's war with Iran The Assad regime claims the 1974 agreement forbids the IAF from entering Syrian airspace in the Golan.

* ISIS Begins, a Novel of The Iraq War Ken Timmerman's new novel highlights the urgency of saving persecuted Christians.

* Palestinians Slam Nation-State Law as 'Racism, Apartheid' The Palestinian Authority's Information Ministry in Ramallah said that the nation-state law is a declaration of war on the Palestinians' land, rights, identity, and language.

* Saudi Arabia and Israel: Know Thine Enemy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel have reached new heights in the past two years, culminating in a recent report that a meeting had taken place between Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

* Discovery of Jewish Mosaics in Israel Bring Color to Biblical Accounts A site in Israel continues to turn up stunning polychromatic mosaics from the late Roman empire that challenge current notions of ancient Jewish aesthetics and the art of depicting scripture.

* We did not know: How Ethiopian Jews discovered the Second Temple was gone Up until the age of 9, I lived in a world where the Beit HaMikdash - the Holy Temple in Jerusalem - actually existed.

7/19/18

* Israel passes Jewish state law, enshrining 'national home of the Jewish people' After hours of furious debate, Knesset narrowly approve quasi-constitutional Basic Law, which critics say discriminates against Arabs and other minority communities.

* EU expresses concern over Israel's Jewish nation-state law The European Union on Thursday said it was concerned about a new Israeli law which declares that only Jews have the right of self determination, and said it would complicate a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

* In Israel, hard-right Hungarian PM hails himself and Netanyahu as 'patriots' Meeting with the premier, Viktor Orban celebrates 'excellent ties,' vows 'zero tolerance' for anti-Semitism, claims Jew-hatred declining in Eastern Europe while rising in the West.

* Why Netanyahu is cozying up to Europe's renegades As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bumps heads with Western European leaders over their support for their Iran nuclear deal and their ubiquitous criticism of Israeli settlements, he has found a different set of European allies.

* Russia concerned about military confrontation between Israel and Iran "We do everything possible to prevent the escalation of the conflict," said Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan.

* Did Isaac Newton Study Solomon's Temple to Learn About Physics? Saul Kullok, a scientist with many patents to his name who has used his mathematical genius to study the Bible, has discovered clues in the construction of Solomon's Temple that describe scientific principles with remarkable accuracy.

* Why Iran Supports Palestinian Terror Groups The Iranian general did not offer to build the Palestinians a hospital or a school.

* Unlikely partners? China and Israel deepening trade ties On paper Israel and China are unlikely close trading partners.

* British people would rather stay in the EU than accept a no-deal Brexit A new poll suggests Remain would defeat no-deal Brexit by 55% to 45% in three-way referendum based on first and second preference.

* Quneitra falls to Syrian army. Damascus: 1974 accord permits Syrian air flights over Israel's Golan border Syrian rebel resistance to the Syrian Army advance on Quneitra opposite the Israeli Golan crumbled on Thursday, July 19, in the absence of Israeli military support.

7/18/18

* Just Like Obama, Trump's Russia Policy Speaks Louder Than His Words Following Monday's summit in Helsinki, many American pundits and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle criticized President Trump for what they perceived as his failure to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

* In battle for Putin's affections, cupid favors Xi over Trump In the race to woo Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping is beating Donald Trump.

* The Impact on India of the Collapse of the Iran Nuclear Deal EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The withdrawal of the US from the Iran nuclear deal is likely to deal a blow to India's strategic investments in energy-rich Iran and land-locked Afghanistan as the Chinese strategic footprint there grows.

* How the World Really Views Israel The nations of the world want to know what Israel knows and have what Israel has -- whether they have formal diplomatic relations with Jerusalem or not.

* Trump and Putin Promised Israel Security. Someone Tell Iran. Trump and Putin suggested in Helsinki they're working to assure Israel's security, but Iran hasn't gotten the message.

* Watch: This Tisha B'Av - the people are ready Temple Institute: It is time to transform the mourning over the past into preparation for the future - the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.

* Jerusalem Mufti Warns That Israeli Excavations 'Endanger' Al-Aksa The mufti claimed that Israel was carrying out excavation works at the Umayyad palaces, under the northern part of the Islamic Museum, which is located west of al-Aksa Mosque.

* 'Earthquakes are an attempt to destroy Al-Aqsa mosque' Jordanian journalist claims Israel created recent earthquakes in order to destroy mosque, church.

* State Comptroller warns: 'Major earthquake would kill 7,000, destroy bridges' State Comptroller finds Israel only partially prepared for major earthquake, which would have devastating consequences.

* Is it time to do away with Tisha B'Av? So here I am, sitting in my car, crawling at a snail's pace in the midst of a traffic jam on Begin Boulevard, the cross-Jerusalem highway. Around me are hundreds of frustrated drivers.

7/17/18

* Trump says meeting with Putin was 'really good' for Israel US president tells Fox that Putin is a 'big fan' of Jewish state and Netanyahu, but does not go into specifics.

* Trump Touts Meeting With Putin as Boon for Israel, But Was It? The presence of Iranian forces in war-torn Syria was reportedly a major topic of discussion when US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday.

* Putin, Russia can't be trusted on Israel security pledge, experts warn Trump President Trump and Vladimir Putin hinted Monday that they had reached an agreement in principle to crack down on Iranian proxy groups in war-torn Syria and to guarantee Israel's security in the process - but experts warned that Moscow can't be trusted and said the White House is in danger of being played by the Russian president on the world stage.

* Trump and Putin agree on keeping Israel safe - not much else Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin told the press that their two-hour face-to-face on Monday, July 16, in Helsinki, was a success.

* 'IDF is prepared for any scenario', says Netanyahu in Gaza briefing Receiving situation assessment during visit to Gaza division with top military brass, including defense minister and IDF chief of staff, prime minister says 'we are doing the right things', deflects question on whether all-out campaign is necessary to put an end to terror gripping the border region.

* I visited the most contested city in Israel, where Israelis and Palestinians are separated by a gauntlet of military checkpoints - and the harsh, complicated truth of the conflict was immediately clear Hebron is the biggest city in the Palestinian West Bank with a population of 200,000 Palestinians and around 1,000 Israeli settlers.

* Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean Alliance EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Eastern Mediterranean Alliance (Israel, Greece, and Cyprus) is emerging at a time of increasing global instability.

* As Tensions With U.S. Worsen, Europe Courts New Partners President Trump is inciting a trade war, undermining NATO and painting Europe as a foe.

* Palestinians' Latest "Apartheid Fatwa" The mufti's position parallels that of a US Supreme Court judge.

* PA protests Tisha B'Av event in Jerusalem PA calls on international community to prevent march on eve of Tisha B'Av fast, which it says 'prevents a viable Palestinian state.'

7/16/18

* 'Our relationship had never been worse... but that changed four hours ago': Trump hails 'open and deeply productive' talks with Putin (and he even gave his new BFF a wink) US President Donald Trump has come face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.

* Trump-Putin Summit Could Pave Way to Mideast War, or Avert it The crucial talks, centered on Iran nuclear deal and Syria conflict, will have major ramifications for the region.

* Israel Broadens Fight Against Iran June strike on Syria-Iraq border aimed to thwart Tehran's effort to establish secure land route for weapons through Iraq to Syria and Lebanon.

* New Details Emerge on Unprecedented 'Israeli Strike' on Syria-Iraq Border According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel stuck a villa housing Shi'ite militias, Iranian forces in attempt to disrupt Iran's land corridor to Mediterranean.

* Khamenei:'There will be no Mideast peace deal, Israel will wither away' Ayatollah blasts President Trump's plans to broker peace between Israel, PA, says Israel will disappear, leaving only Palestinian state.

* Netanyahu to Hamas: Whoever Hurts Israel Will be Hit with 'Great Strength' TEL AVIV - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday sent a warning message to Hamas that "whoever hurts Israel" will be targeted swiftly and harshly and the Jewish state will respond to any and all provocations, including the launching of incendiary kites and balloons into Israeli territory.

* Analysis: If Moscow's 'Deal of the Century' for Iran Works, Both Damascus and Jerusalem Will Smile Reports from Russia after Putin's meeting with Netanyahu show that Russia indeed plans to act to withdraw the Iranian forces in exchange for an Israeli promise not to hurt Assad or his regime.

* What are the Palestinians Fighting For? If someone were to ask what it is the Palestinians are fighting for, one might answer: "For a Palestinian state in the occupied territories.

* After tremors, experts warn a huge quake is the greatest threat facing Israel Scientists say thousands could die because Israel, which sits on a major fault line, has ignored warnings to strengthen homes and schools.

* Massive Syrian-Hizballah Golan war preparations tie IDF down from reining in Gaza terror "The countdown has started for the battle of Quneitra," Syrian and Iranian propaganda machines trumpeted on Friday, July 13.

7/14/18

* Israel exchange intense fire Hamas militants in Gaza and The Israeli military carried out its largest daytime airstrike campaign in Gaza since the 2014 war Saturday as Hamas militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel throughout the day, threatening to trigger an all-out war after weeks of growing tensions along the volatile border.

* 90 Projectiles Launched From Gaza In Iaf And Hamas Confrontation Over 40 targets were struck across the Gaza Strip following incessent rocket fire and launching of aerial incendiary devices.

* Security Cabinet to convene for emergency meeting as Gaza violence intensifies Egypt, UN envoy reportedly working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian terror groups after one of the heaviest days of fighting since 2014

* Putin hosts Abbas in Moscow, days after Netanyahu visit Russian leader updates PA President on his recent talks with Israeli PM; Abbas complains about US moving its embassy to Jerusalem

* Kenneth R. Timmerman: Indictment arguments aside, Trump is right to meet with Putin Calls by some Democrats in Congress for President Trump to cancel his Monday summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin – in response to the indictment Friday of 12 Russian intelligence officers accused of hacking emails of the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton – make no sense.

* Putin to Meet Iran’s Rouhani, Turkey’s Erdogan in Tehran for Syria War Talk The Iranian government claimed Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will “soon” head to Tehran to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the status of Syria’s civil war.

* What Syria Deal Will Trump And Putin Reach In Helsinki? “We’ll see what happens when the two of them get together,” said US National Security Advisor John Bolton, fresh off a trip to Moscow to finalize plans for the summit.

* Cal Thomas: Is Europe awakening to the threat? Much of Europe was asleep, or in denial, when the Nazis took power and began rebuilding their military in violation of the Versailles Treaty that brought World War I to an end.

* You have to know the past to understand our future Remember Menachem Begin.

* Palestinian Sovereignty after Abbas Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas’s recent illnesses have again raised the matter of his successor.

* Khamenei aide: We'll only withdraw from Syria if asked Ali Akbar Velayati says Iran would immediately withdraw from Syria and Iraq if their governments want it to.

7/13/18

* No 'Grand Bargain' with Putin The national security adviser was ecstatic. The presidents of the United States and of Russia had agreed to a ceasefire in Syria, where years of civil war had killed some half a million people and created refugees of millions more.

* Israeli official: 'There's realistic opportunity to push Iran out of Syria' 'Russia, too, is not fond of Iranian presence in Syria, and even Assad understands that the Iranians are exploiting him to promote their own interests in the area,' says high-ranking Israeli official following Netanyahu-Putin meeting.

* Countering Netanyahu, top US senator again warns Israel about Syrian regime Without Assad's support, Hezbollah and Iran would not be at 'Israel's front door,' says South Carolina lawmaker Lindsey Graham.

* With Trump as President, why isn't Netanyahu building more settlements? "Not one single brick" was Netanyahu's slogan for whenever settler leaders urged him to approve new construction, a reference to a phrase he heard from Obama in one of their first meetings.

* ANALYSIS: Russia and Iran increasingly threaten Israel's security from Syria As Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu arrived in Moscow for the third time in six months to hold "very important talks" with Russian president Vladimir Putin the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shot downa Syrian or Iranian drone which was already flying in Israeli airspace 10 kilometers.

* Did Romans Hunt Jonah's Whales Into Extinction? An archaeological dig in Gibraltar may have Biblical significance, indicating that whales were far more common in the Mediterranean than previously thought.

* Syrian Peace Deal Won't Bring Peace For Israel Thousands of Syrians who had fled fighting began to return to their homes Friday after the Syrian rebels in southern Syria reached an agreement with Russia.

* End of Days Expert on Iran: 'Things Are About to Get Biblical!' As Iran and Israel come into direct conflict in Syria and world leaders wonder what to do about Iran's nuclear program, Rabbinic authorities look to prophecy to find clear answers for a developing situation that one end-of-days expert says is "about to get Biblical."

* Donald Trump: US-UK trade deal 'absolutely possible' A trade deal between the US and UK "will absolutely be possible", Donald Trump has said, hours after he told the Sun Theresa May's Brexit plan could kill an agreement.

* New US-Israeli "Project Iran" is headed by IDF's Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon "Project Iran" was set up during Israel's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gady Eisenkott's talks with top US brass in Washington on June 29 for coordinated US-Israeli military operations against Iran.

7/12/18

* Netanyahu: Israel has 'no problem' with Assad government PM Netanyahu says Russia has pushed Iran away from Israeli border, Israel has 'no problem' with Assad regime.

* Satellite photos show Russia fortifying facilities near the Baltics, upgrading nuclear weapon sites Since the military annexation of Crimea by Russian forces in 2014, NATO has adopted a far more aggressive posture throughout much of Eastern Europe.

* Israeli right dreams of third temple in Jerusalem The ban imposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on visits by government ministers and Knesset members to Jerusalem's Temple Mount lasted three straight years, barring some experimental interruptions in 2017.

* Liberman wants Dublin embassy shut over Ireland's anti-settlement legislation 'We won't turn the other cheek,' defense minister says after Irish Senate advances bill to ban settlement goods, despite Irish FM opposing it.

* Assad Determined to Make Syrians Hate Israel Again Syrian dictator Bashar Assad might soon win the war for control over his country, but he's largely lost the battle for hearts and minds concerning the "Zionist entity."

* Archaeological Find Reveals Secret: Early Muslim Holy Land Rule Not So Tolerant of Christianity A recent archaeological discovery contained a secret which, when revealed, graphically illustrated the difficult position of Christians living under early Muslim rule in Israel in the seventh century CE.

* Abbas' deputy to Americans:"We don't want your flour, your wheat, or your aid" At a Fatah demonstration earlier this month, Abbas' deputy chairman of Fatah, Mahmoud Al-Aloul, announced that Palestinians don't want US aid, because US is "forming an alliance" with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, "the Israeli enemy".

* Why Do Palestinian Leaders Oppose Helping Their People? Mahmoud Abbas and his West Bank-based government seek to prolong the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

* High School Students Celebrate Receiving Torah at Masada Atop Mount Masada, where Jews faced annihilation thousands of years ago, students from Alexander Muss High School in Israel celebrated their heritage by welcoming a new Torah scroll.

* Caroline Glick: NATO is the Author of its own demise Is President Donald Trump going to destroy the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) when he attends its summit in Brussels on July 12?

7/11/18

* Syrian/pro-Iranian column from Daraa heading to Syrian-Israeli-Jordanian border junction The army column is expected to reach Israel's southern Golan border by the end of the week.

* There Are Fears of New Conflicts at One of Israel's Quietest Borders A reinforced deployment of tanks and heavy guns is parked along Israel's frontier with Syria as the civil war that transformed the balance of power in the Middle East appears headed into its final stretch.

* PA Furious Over US's Gaza-Centric Peace Plan The Palestinian Authority is furious over the White House's intent to push a regional peace plan regardless of PA leader Mahmoud Abbas' objections, Ramallah sources told Israel Hayom on Sunday.

* Liberman: Pro-Iranian forces setting up 'terror infrastructure' in Syrian Golan On tour of the northern border, defense minister warns that Assad regime troops who enter demilitarized zone are 'endangering their own lives.

* Top Iranian General: Islamic Army in Syria Awaiting Orders to Eradicate Zionist Regime Hossein Salami, the vice commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, recently gave a speech full of threats aimed directly at Israel, referring to the Palestinians as Iran's main tool against their true enemy: the United States.

* Benjamin Netanyahu Is Cozying Up to Europe's Worst Authoritarians "Europe needs to decide whether it wants to live and prosper, or it will disappear."

* Russia is bargain hunting their way to becoming a legitimate threat With Russia so frequently dominating the headlines of the American media, one could be forgiven for believing we're amid a full scale resurgence of the Cold War.

* Ancient city gate uncovered in the Galilee may have tie to biblical King David Site where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes was possibly the biblical-era city Tzer, where the Bible's most famous king once claimed a bride.

* Who does the Western Wall belong to? Chief Rabbis demand regulations for the preservation of holy sites be changed so that the authority is exclusive to the Chief Rabbinate.

* Russian navy missile drill in Med set for dates of NATO summit, Putin's talks with Trump, Netanyahu The Russian navy has announced cruise missile-firing drills off the Syrian coast starting on July 11 and 12.

7/10/18

* Trump's Europe trip: Where he's going on his 7-day visit with NATO allies and Putin President Donald Trump departs Tuesday for the seventh foreign trip of his presidency, visiting Western European countries and then sitting down for a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* European Council President: US 'won't have a better ally' than EU President of the European Council Donald Tusk told President Donald Trump early Tuesday morning that the US "won't have a better ally" than the EU ahead of his European trip this week.

* Record number of tourists visit Israel in first half of 2018 2.1 million tourist entries were recorded in the first half of 2018, a 19% increase compared to same period last year.

* Assad, Aided by Russia, Poised to Snuff Out 'Cradle' of Revolt Assad, whose control was once reduced to a fraction of Syria, now holds the largest chunk of the country with crucial help from his Russian and Iranian allies.

* Rivlin warns discrimination in nationality bill hurts Jewish people While PM Netanyahu seeks to pass the nationality bill into a law next week, President Reuven Rivlin sends a harsh letter criticizing article 7b of the legislation, saying it doesn't reflect the Zionist vision.

* Letter by Martin Luther calling Jews 'devils incarnate' up for auction 1543 note expected to be sold for more than $300,000.

* Scientist: Creation of Earth Calibrated to Mount Moriah The scientist who mathematically proved prophecy claims his formula has cosmic implications, showing that the creation of the world was calibrated according to the location of Jerusalem and the return of the Jews to Israel.

* What does Boris Johnson's resignation mean for UK-Israel relations? Johnson did not shy away from making clear his strong support for Israel while foreign minister.

* Syrian Muslim Brotherhood revives amid ongoing civil war, lashes out at the U.S. and Israel The Syrian Civil War, which has lasted more than seven years, has claimed the lives of at least 500,000 people, displaced more than 12 million from their homes and cost others, too many to count, their arms and legs, each victim lost in the fog of war.

* Biblical 'Spies' Revealed in 1,500-Year-Old Mosaic An ancient depiction of Moses' scouts in Canaan has been discovered in an "unparalleled" house of worship in Israel.

7/9/18

* Israel ranked 8th most powerful country in the world US magazine poll of 21,000 people lists Jewish state above Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia; Israel is 30th-best country for second year in a row.

* Iranian official: We will fight the enemy from Lebanon Senior Revolutionary Guard official explains the 'problem' of Israel's existence, says Hezbollah has over 100,000 missiles ready for launch.

* Top Iranian general: Forces in Syria 'awaiting orders' to destroy Israel Hossein Salami says Tehran also 'creating might in Lebanon to fight our enemy from there with all our strength' and eradicate 'evil Zionist regime'.

* Defense Ministry to hold emergency meeting Defense Ministry schedules emergency meeting for Wednesday after series of earthquakes hits Israel's north.

* Report: N. Korea Tried to Blackmail Israel, $1 Billion to Cancel Iran Missile Deal On Monday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that in 1999, the North Korean government made an offer to the Israeli government: they would cancel their agreement to sell missile technology to Iran and other enemies of Israel in exchange for $1 billion cash.

* Three Knesset Members Ascend Temple Mount, Continuing Wave of Visits Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lifted a three-year ban permitting Knesset members to ascend the Temple Mount.

* Temple Mount Activist: We Are Writing the 25th Book of the Bible This Year Last year set a record for the number of Jews ascending to the Temple Mount but this week, with two months still left until the Jewish new year, that record was broken.

* Boris Goneson: Boris Johnson RESIGNS over 'turd' Brexit plan hours after David Davis in hammer blow to Theresa May Mr Davis warned this morning that Mrs May is pursuing a "dangerous strategy" in talks with Brussels - but insisted he's not trying to force the PM out of power.

* The Memorization Study Bible: An Interview with Thomas Meyer Technology has information at our fingertips. But our relationship with God needs to be one of the heart, not the smartphone.

* Unto the Nations: The making of a Bible In 1933, Eliyahu Koren, a typographer and graphic designer immigrated to Palestine from Germany.

7/7/18

* UK tabloid claims William is now devoting himself to Mideast peace 'This is the start of something new,' 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge said to tell aides after being 'deeply moved' by Israel-PA visit

* Putin To Meet Netanyahu Five Days Before Trump PM calls on European leaders to stop appeasing Iran, especially after Iranian-backed bombing plot in Paris.

* Russia resumes Daraa air strikes, calls Iran’s exit from Syria “absolutely unrealistic” Russian and Syrian air bombardment of Daraa resumed late Wednesday, July 4, after a short pause, with the collapse of Russian ceasefire talks with rebel leaders and Jordan. 

* North Korea: US is making 'gangster-like' demands on denuclearisation North Korea has accused the US of using "gangster-like" tactics to push it towards nuclear disarmament after a fresh round of high-level talks.

* US Air Force flies 24/7 over Syrian battlefield with Israeli overflights A double layer of US and Israeli warplanes is cruising 24/7 over the southwestern Syrian battlefields ready to go into action if shared red lines are crossed. 

* Slovakia Announces Intention To Move Embassy To Jerusalem As The Sixth Country To Do So Just as many predicted, several countries are beginning to follow the United States' lead and move their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem in defiance of the European Union.

* Israel Assembles Task Force to Enforce Slashing PA Terrorism Payments A new task force to track the payments the Palestinian Authority makes to convicted terrorists and their families was established by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday, just one day after the Knesset passed a law slashing tax revenues to the body in the amount paid to terrorists.

* Jerusalem illuminated in magical light festival The 10th annual Jerusalem Light Festival featured 40 large-scale light installations in the Old City’s Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim Quarters, including some interactive displays.

* Minister: It's official - More Jews in Israel than US Immigration Minister confirms that Israel now home to world's largest Jewish community, surpassing the US.

* Israelis demand: Let the IDF win Nearly 60% of Israelis believe US Pres. Trump is the most pro-Israel president, 68% believe Oslo was a 'failure.'

7/6/18

* Expert warns major earthquake expected soon Following a series of tremors over the last few days, retired IDF Home Front colonel says Israeli residents should prepare for a major earthquake to rip through Israel from north to south.

* Expert: 'Strong earthquake in Israel just a matter of time' Geologist Dr. Ariel Heiman says the earthquakes felt in recent days should not worry Israelis any more than they did in the past.

* Surge of hardliner support for Rouhani after his anti-Israel words Revolutionary Guards' head thanks president for 'wise and appropriate' words while his hawkish comments imply he may block the Strait of Hormuz.

* Oslo is Obsolete: Time for a victory mindset "The Palestinian goal was and remains not the end of the conflict, but the end of Israel's existence."

* Israel Must Stop Syria's Advance Southward EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Israel must halt the reconsolidation of the Syrian regime, especially in the country's south.

* Israeli Lawmakers Still Can't Freely Visit Israel's Holiest Site Israel is a country that prides itself on the level of religious freedom enjoyed by all citizens, regardless of race or creed.

* Syria: The unstoppable momentum of Assad's war Damascus feels different. The centre of the city was barely damaged in the last seven years of war, unlike many of the suburbs, which have been turned into rubble.

* Israel threatens Syria over Golan deployment, extends refugee aid An Israeli cabinet minister warned Syria and its backer Russia on Thursday that Israel could attack Damascus' forces if they try to deploy in a demilitarized border zone while advancing against rebels in the region.

* Number of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem drops to 3-year low Shabak reports 220 attacks in June, with just six occurring within Jerusalem's borders.

7/5/18

* Report: Netanyahu to Let MKS Ascend Temple Mount Again Likud MK Yehudah Glick went up in January, one month after his wife Yafi's death to honor her memory, but there have been prohibitions on MKs going to the Mount for some two years.

* Putin to meet Netanyahu five days before Trump PM calls on European leaders to stop appeasing Iran, especially after Iranian-backed bombing plot in Paris.

* Russia: Complete Iran pullout from Syria 'unrealistic' Moscow's FM Lavrov says Tehran is one of the key powers in the region, and it would be 'absolutely unrealistic' to expect it to abandon its interests.

* Syrian rebels of Tafas go over to ISIS, spark battles closer to Quneitra Heavy fighting erupted early Monday, July 2, in the southern Syrian town of Tafas.

* The China-US Confrontation: A Russian View EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: China and the US have different geopolitical imperatives, so tensions are bound to increase between the two powers.

* 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Northern Israel A major earthquake is statistically due every 80-100 years.

* Secular Redeemer: Commemorating Herzl's Death Theodor Herzl, who turned the Zionist vision into reality, died 114 years ago, on July 3, 1904.

* Israeli officials celebrate July 4: 'Much to be thankful for' Israeli officials participate in US embassy event, emphasizing strength of US-Israel relationship during the Trump administration.

* Russia resumes Daraa air strikes, calls Iran's exit from Syria "absolutely unrealistic" Russian and Syrian air bombardment of Daraa resumed late Wednesday, July 4, after a short pause, with the collapse of Russian ceasefire talks with rebel leaders and Jordan.

* Germany: Migration Deal Keeps Merkel in Power, For Now "No country in the world can take in refugees indefinitely."

7/3/18

Minister: It's official - More Jews in Israel than US Immigration Minister confirms that Israel now home to world's largest Jewish community, surpassing the US.

* Poll shows most Israelis have little hope for Trump peace plan As Palestinians continue boycotting US administration, over half of respondents support peace talks -- but less than a fifth think they will bear fruit.

* Jewish West Bank Communities: The Kernel of a Tolerant Palestinian State EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Just as Israel is a Jewish state of nearly 9 million citizens, where some 2 million non-Jews live in peace and security, there is no reason why a Palestinian Arab state should not host a sizable Jewish minority living in peace and security with the Arab majority.

* Syria Challenge: How will Netanyahu act? For Israel, the main threat in Syria in the last several years has been Iran's penetration of the country.

* Report: Israel attacks Iranian weapons depots in Syria Syrian media reports attacks on warehouses of Iranian weapons near Dara-Damascus road.

* 1,900 Year-Old Coin Found in Jerusalem A rare coin minted 1,949 years ago was found last week in a dig in the City of David in Jerusalem.

* U.N. Expert: Israel Moving Closer to Formal West Bank Annexation In the past few years, the international community has grown increasingly concerned about Israeli actions, which it holds are tantamount to de-facto annexation.

* German Intel: Iran Wants to Expand Weapons Into Nuclear Arsenal "Iran, North Korea, Syria and Pakistan are making efforts to expand their conventional weapons arsenal through the production of weapons of mass destruction," the Bavarian intelligence agency said.

* Netanyahu: Strong Stance Against Iran Deal Paying Off The Iranian regime is well aware of the approaching renewal of sanctions against it, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said during Sunday's Government meeting.

* Transfer of powers for Western Wall plan approved Knesset approves transfer of authority in committee dealing with Western Wall plan from Regev and Shaked to Netanyahu and Steinitz.