The Washington Times Topics: Israel

Cracks emerging in Israel's military as reservists threaten not to serve if government plan passes

Tia Goldenberg — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:08:54 -0400

JERUSALEM — Cracks are emerging in Israel’s military.

The Middle East’s best equipped and most powerful force is under one of the worst assaults it has encountered — a battle within its own ranks.

A contentious government plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary has cleaved deep rifts within Israeli society. …

As Israel's rightward shift spurs protests, crowded GOP field vies for Christian Zionist vote

Tiffany Stanley — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:41:48 -0400

ARLINGTON, Va. — When John McCain was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, he was forced to reject megachurch pastor John Hagee’s endorsement after a sermon surfaced that was derided as antisemitic.

But as the 2024 campaign for the White House intensifies, Hagee and his organization, Christians United for Israel, …

Israel's President Isaac Herzog touts unity with U.S. against Iran

Guy Taylor — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:39:16 -0400

Israeli President Isaac Herzog drew cheers from a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday by stressing the U.S. and Israel must remain united on preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon — regardless of current tensions between the Biden administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

The relationship has been …

Israeli president says his speech to Congress highlights an 'unbreakable bond' despite U.S. unease

Farnoush Amiri, Zeke Miller, Ellen Knickmeyer — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:09:21 -0400

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel’s president speaks to Congress on Wednesday in an appearance aimed at demonstrating what he calls the “unbreakable bond” between Israel and the United States, despite U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul and settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

Isaac Herzog becomes the …

Israel to allow Palestinian Americans entry in bid to qualify for U.S. visa waiver program

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:22:43 -0400

JERUSALEM — Israel announced Wednesday that it would be allowing all American citizens, including dual-nationality Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to enter the country through its international airport as part of an agreement to qualify for a visa waiver program with the U.S.

Israel has pushed for …

House passes resolution rejecting antisemitism ahead of Israeli president's address

Alex Miller — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:02:11 -0400

Nine House Democrats voted against a GOP-authored resolution that rejected all forms of antisemitism and says Israel is "not a racist apartheid state" following comments from Rep. Pramila Jayapal that criticized the Middle Eastern democracy.

The measure from Rep. August Pfluger, Texas Republican, breezed through the chamber, 412-9. Rep. Betty …

Joe Biden takes heat ahead of meeting with Israel's Isaac Herzog

Jeff Mordock — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:31:51 -0400

President Biden is facing fire for his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog as Republicans blast Mr. Biden for snubbing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and progressives complain the invite is an affront to Palestinians.

The White House and Mr. Herzog’s office have promoted Tuesday's meeting as a way to …

House GOP tees up vote to condemn antisemitism, declare Israel 'not a racist state'

Tom Howell Jr. — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 08:53:18 -0400

The House will vote Tuesday on a resolution that rejects all forms of antisemitism and says Israel is “not a racist or apartheid state,” as Democrats squirm over Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s criticism of Israel on the cusp of a Washington visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

House Majority Leader Steve …

Israeli protesters block highways in 'day of disruption' against Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan

Sam McNeil — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 02:18:43 -0400

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli protesters blocked highways and gathered outside Tel Aviv's stock exchange and military headquarters on Tuesday in the latest countrywide demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned judicial overhaul.

The latest “day of disruption” came as longtime allies of the prime minister pushed a contentious …

House GOP drives wedge into Democratic Party with antisemitism vote

Alex Miller — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:43:54 -0400

House Republicans on Tuesday hammered Democratic lawmakers for anti-Israel rhetoric as the chamber prepared to go on record about where members stand on antisemitism.

The vote on a GOP-backed resolution condemning antisemitism, which follows a Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal calling Israel a “racist state,” comes ahead of Israeli President Isaac …

Israel's Herzog will meet with Biden as U.S. concerns over settlements and judicial overhaul simmer

Zeke Miller — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:10:42 -0400

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Biden on Tuesday is hosting Israel's figurehead president, Isaac Herzog, at the White House, as they seek to sustain ties despite U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plans to overhaul his country’s judicial system and ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.

Herzog's visit …

Joe Biden meets with Israel's Herzog amid lingering tensions, political criticism

Jeff Mordock — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:43:28 -0400

President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday with tensions between the two countries mounting over Israel’s plans to overhaul the nation’s judicial system.

And Mr. Biden played host amid withering criticism from both Democrats and Republicans about his stance toward Israel.

Still, …

Pramila Jayapal tries to soften anti-Israel comments but still gets pummeled by Jewish Democrats

Tom Howell Jr. — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:32:43 -0400

Democrats on Monday scolded one of their own, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, in a scramble to smooth over her anti-Israel rhetoric ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress this week.

Ms. Jayapal, a prominent progressive from Washington state, apologized over the weekend for calling Israel a “racist state.” She …

Ron DeSantis woos Christian conservatives with pro-Israel message

Seth McLaughlin — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:52:36 -0400

Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed Monday that if he is elected president he will “never waver” in his support for Israel, and pledged to take a hard-nosed approach to a “hostile” Iranian regime.

The Florida governor, who is competing with GOP rivals for the crucial Christian conservative vote ahead of next …

Rep. Pramila Jayapal walks back comments dubbing Israel a 'racist state'

Tom Howell Jr. — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:09:32 -0400

Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington is apologizing for calling Israel a “racist state,” saying she was trying to defuse a tense situation involving pro-Palestine protesters at a conference.

Ms. Jayapal’s words caused a headache for Democratic leadership ahead of a Capitol Hill visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday.

…

Joe Biden concerned about judicial overhaul as he extends invite to Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu

Zeke Miller — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:29:19 -0400

President Joe Biden on Monday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him in the U.S. this fall, the White House said, even as he expressed ongoing concern about Netanyahu's controversial plans to overhaul his country's judicial system.

Monday's phone conversation between the U.S. and Israeli leaders came …

Israel's governing coalition presses ahead with plan to overhaul courts ahead of expected protests

Tia Goldenberg — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:42:03 -0400

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's governing coalition pushed ahead on Monday with its contentious plan to overhaul the country's judiciary, despite growing opposition from within the country's military and a wave of mass protests expected this week.

A parliamentary committee was preparing a bill that would limit judicial oversight …

Palestinian gunman opens fire on a car in the occupied West Bank, wounding 3, including 2 girls

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 03:16:49 -0400

TEL AVIV, Israel — A Palestinian gunman opened fire on a car in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, wounding three Israelis, including two girls, Israeli authorities said. The suspect fled the scene of the shooting, but he was later captured.

The bloodshed was the latest in a relentless cycle …

Israel's Netanyahu is discharged from hospital after an overnight stay following a dizzy spell

Tia Goldenberg — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 02:10:42 -0400

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was discharged on Sunday after an overnight hospital stay for check-ups and monitoring following a dizzy spell.

Netanyahu, 73, was rushed to Sheba Medical Center on Saturday after feeling mild dizziness. His office said he had left the hospital around midday …

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to hospital, his office says he is in 'good condition'

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 10:25:22 -0400

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to a hospital on Saturday, but was in “good condition” as he underwent a medical evaluation, his office said.

The Israeli leader's office said he was being treated at Israel's Sheba Hospital, near the coastal city of Tel Aviv, but gave …