Israel opposes any F-35 sale to UAE despite their warming ties

Tel Aviv-Yafo: Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday told reporters that Israel must not risk its security interests as part of a normalisation agreement with the United Arab Emirates, announced last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump.

"We must not take any security risks. At the same time I repeatedly tell you that we should promote this agreement," Gantz told reporters in his Tel Aviv office, shortly after he left Israeli hospital where he recovered from a back surgery. Gantz's comments followed a report in Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that the Trump administration planned a "giant" sale of advanced F-35 jets to United Arab Emirates as part of the Gulf country's move last week to normalise ties with Israel.

A statement from Netanyahu's office earlier on Tuesday said that Israel has not softened its opposition to any U.S. arms sales to the United Arab Emirates that could diminish its military superiority as part of the U.S.-brokered normalisation of their ties. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and representatives of the UAE government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Under understandings dating back decades, Washington has refrained from Middle East arms sales that could blunt Israel's "qualitative military edge" (QME). This has applied to the F-35, denied to Arab states, while Israel has bought and deployed it.

The Trump administration has signalled that UAE could clinch unspecified new U.S. arms sales after last Thursday's (August 13) normalisation announcement.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen, an observer in Netanyahu's security cabinet, said the decision-making forum had held no discussion about any changes to QME policy and that Israel had not agreed to any changes by the United States.

Israeli jeweller makes $1.5 million gold COVID-19 Face Mask, The World's Most Expensive

Motza, Jerusalem, Israel: Art rather than ostentation is the rationale behind the world's most expensive coronavirus mask, say the Israeli jewellers who are crafting the $1.5 million object for an unnamed U.S.-based client.

Made out of 18 carat gold and studded with 3,600 black and white diamonds, the mask will be fitted with an N99 filter to offer a high level of protection, said Isaac Levy, owner of the Yvel jewellery brand. "I don't think he is going to use it going to the supermarket but he is going to use it here and there, I'm sure," said Levy. He described the client as a Chinese art collector living in the United States.

"He is a young-old customer of ours, very charming, very outgoing, very wealthy and he likes to stand out," Levy said. The jeweller plans to deliver the mask personally when it is completed, in October. The mask, which a team of around 25 artisans is working on, might be viewed a vulgar display of wealth during hard economic times, but for Levy it is above all a work of art.

"We are very proud to be able to create such a mask that provides so much work to so many people that desperately need these jobs in theses challenging times." he said.

protest across Israel against Benjamin Netanyahu's government's handling of the coronavirus crisis

Jerusalem, Israel: Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday night, August 1 to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alleged corruption and against his government's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Israeli media estimated that some 15,000 protesters arrived at Netanyahu's state residence in Jerusalem where they carried banners calling on him to resign and to save Israeli democracy. Saturday's protest was reported to be the biggest in a weeks-long weekly demonstrations near Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. Protesters also arrived outside his private house in the Israeli city of Caesarea. Hundreds also gathered to protest in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu faces nationwide protests over the state of the economy, hit by the coronavirus, further weakening his appeal to many in the Israeli public who find him unfit to lead the country while he faces trial for corruption charges, in which he denies wrong doing.

Netanyahu has rebuked the protesters, tweeting: "Don't drag the country towards anarchy, violence and attacks against the police."

But critics say Netanyahu- who normally receives high marks for his economic policies- appeared to lose interest in managing the crisis and failed to prepare a clear exit strategy after the first lockdown.

Promised financial aid has been slow to arrive, and has been dogged by bureaucracy, businesses say. Some Israelis believe Netanyahu was distracted by plans to annex parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Others say his attention turned to a corruption case against him, in which he denies any wrong doing.

Israelis protest government handling of pandemic, as Netanyahu supporters hold counter protest

Jerusalem, Israel: Thousands of Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Thursday, July 23 against his handling of the coronavirus crisis and alleged corruption.

Wearing protective masks, protesters held up signs that read "Crime Minister" and chanted for the five-term premier to step down. Reimposed coronavirus curbs after a spike in new COVID-19 cases have prompted Israelis demanding better state aid to take to the streets in almost daily demonstrations. Public anger has been also been fuelled by corruption alleged against Netanyahu, who went on trial in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges he denies.

Netanyahu has announced numerous economic aid packages. But frustrated by red tape and a slow pace, many Israelis say the aid is coming too little, too late. In his televised conference on Thursday evening, he called the protesters to not '"drag the country towards anarchy, violence and property damage or spread disease through terrible sanitary practices."

Pro Netanyahu supporters held a counter demonstration dancing and holding flags near the prime minister's residence. Israel lifted in May a partial lockdown that had flattened an infection curve. But a second surge of COVID-19 cases and ensuing restrictions has seen Netanyahu's approval ratings plunge to under 30% and employment soar to 21% Police did not provide a figure for the number of demonstrators. 

Israeli media said the protest drew thousands from across the country. With a population of 9 million, Israel has reported more than 57,453 coronavirus cases and 440 deaths.

Anti-government protesters in Jerusalem dispersed with water cannon

Jerusalem: Israeli police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators rallying near the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, in the early hours of Friday, July 24.

Several protesters were arrested as scuffles broke out when police pushed demonstrators back. Police say the ongoing protest is causing a public disturbance to the residents who live in the area.

Wearing protective masks, protesters held up signs and chanted for the five-term premier to step down, angered over Netanyahu's handling of a worsening coronavirus crisis and alleged corruption. Reimposed coronavirus curbs after a rise in new COVID-19 cases have prompted Israelis demanding better state aid to take to the streets in almost daily demonstrations.

Public anger has also been fuelled by corruption alleged against Netanyahu, who went on trial in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges he denies. Pro-Netanyahu supporters held a counter demonstration nearby, dancing and holding flags.

Police did not provide a figure for the number of demonstrators gathered late on Wednesday into Thursday. Israeli media said the protest drew thousands from across the country. Israel has reported more than 57,453 coronavirus cases and 440 deaths.

Corona Crisis: Tears for toddler's return to Israel after accidental coronavirus exile

Afula, Israel: Melaniya Petrushanska spent almost a sixth of her life in accidental exile after Israel sealed its borders while she was abroad on what was meant to be a short holiday.

The three-year-old daughter of Ukrainian immigrants had a tearful reunion with her parents this week after an Israeli airline agreed to bring her back, with a special escort, from Kyiv, where she had flown with her grandmother in January. Return flights had dried up as Israel imposed closures to stem the spread of the pandemic - with initial success, though the country is now struggling with a resurgence.

Petrushanska's mother Alona recalled how, speaking to her stranded daughter by video conference, she had explained that "the planes are sick ... that there was no way to return her because everyone was sick". Although Petrushanska was an Israeli citizen, her grandmother was not, which made it impossible for her to enter the country during lockdown on one of the few planes still available, Alona said.

The girl's parents also felt marooned. Flying to Ukraine would have entailed two 14-day quarantines, there and upon returning. Alona said she and her husband could not afford that, given their shaky job prospects as Israel's economy tanked. Israir was the only airline that agreed to take such a young unaccompanied minor, Alona said. She added that Israir footed the bill for a representative assigned to escort the girl.

The fact Melaniya now has to self-isolate as a coronavirus precaution is shrugged off by the family, though she hankers for the outdoors."Now we are feeling great, because ... finally we are together after such a long and difficult period," Alona said.

Israelis protest against government handling of coronavirus crisis

Jerusalem: Around 2,000 Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday, July 21 as protests mounted against him over his handling of a worsening coronavirus crisis and alleged corruption.

Wearing protective masks, the demonstrators marched from Netanyahu's official residence to Israel's parliament, holding up signs that read "Crime Minister" and calling on the five-term premier to step down. Reimposed coronavirus curbs after a spike in new COVID-19 cases have prompted Israelis demanding better state aid to take to the streets in almost daily demonstrations.

Public anger has been also been fuelled by corruption alleged against Netanyahu, who went on trial in May for bribery, fraud and breach of trust - charges he denies. Netanyahu has announced numerous economic aid packages. But frustrated by red tape and a slow pace, many Israelis say the aid is coming too little, too late.

As part of the protest, restaurant owners set up a free buffet for the demonstrators, demanding their businesses keep open or else receive comprehensive compensation. Israel lifted in May a partial lockdown that had flattened an infection curve. But a second surge of COVID-19 cases and ensuing restrictions has seen Netanyahu's approval ratings plunge to under 30% and employment soar to 21% Police did not provide a figure for the number of demonstrators. Israeli media said the protest drew thousands from across the country. With a population of 9 million, Israel has reported more than 50,000 coronavirus cases and 422 deaths.

Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes amid coronavirus protests

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's graft trial resumed on Sunday, July 19 after a two-month break amid mounting protests over his alleged corruption and handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Netanyahu, the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, did not attend what a spokesman for the prosecution said would be a technical discussion. His presence was not required at the session in Jerusalem District Court, where he appeared in May at the opening of the trial to deny charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu, 70, was indicted in November 2019 in cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for favourable coverage. After clinching a coalition deal three months ago with centrist Benny Gantz, his main rival in three inconclusive elections since April 2019, Netanyahu took centre stage in ordering restrictions that flattened Israel's first wave of coronavirus infections.

But after a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, high unemployment and reimposed coronavirus curbs in recent weeks, Israelis have taken to the streets in almost daily demonstrations against him, with public anger compounded by the corruption allegations.

On the night between Saturday (July 18) and Sunday, police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators around Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence. In Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial hub, thousands gathered to demand better state aid to businesses hurt in the health crisis.

Bribery charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine. Fraud and breach of trust carry a prison sentence of up to three years.