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Netanyahu will not be arrested in US, Trump says, as New York mayor mulls options

Netanyahu will not be arrested in US, Trump says, as New York mayor mulls options

By Doina Chiacu July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested when he visits the U.S., after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was still considering the move.
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Israel's Economic Reforms Impact U.S.-Israel Trade and Consumer Protection

Israel's Economic Reforms Impact U.S.-Israel Trade and Consumer Protection

Israel's Knesset has passed a series of economic and consumer protection laws during a marathon legislative session. These include a new credit database to lower borrowing costs for small businesses, stricter rules on telephone sales, and expanded recognition of U.S.-approved products. The reforms aim to increase market competition and consumer protection, with significant changes in how telephone sales are conducted and recorded. However, several major economic reforms were postponed, including those addressing traffic congestion and open-banking legislation.
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Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump at White House, hoping to generate pressure on Israel

Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump at White House, hoping to generate pressure on Israel

By Maya Gebeily and Tom Perry BEIRUT, July 19 (Reuters) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will make his first trip to the White House this week to present a plan to U.S. President Donald Trump on how to disarm Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.
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Israel's Economic Reforms Aim to Boost Competition and Consumer Protection

Israel's Economic Reforms Aim to Boost Competition and Consumer Protection

Israel's Knesset has passed a series of economic and consumer protection laws aimed at enhancing competition and safeguarding consumers. Key measures include the establishment of a Small and Medium-Sized Business Credit Database, which is expected to lower borrowing costs and increase competition among lenders. This initiative is designed to address a significant failure in Israel's credit market, where a majority of small businesses rely heavily on a single bank for credit. Additionally, new regulations require businesses to record telephone sales transactions over 750 shekels, a move intended to combat fraud and protect consumers, particularly the elderly, from financial scams. The reforms also include provisions to ease the import of U.S.-approved products into Israel, potentially lowering consumer prices by increasing market competition.
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IDF's Mandatory Service Extension Fails to Address Troop Shortage, Warns Military Official

IDF's Mandatory Service Extension Fails to Address Troop Shortage, Warns Military Official

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is facing a significant manpower shortage, despite the recent extension of mandatory service approved by the Knesset. The new legislation extends mandatory service to 32 months, but Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, has expressed concerns that this measure alone will not resolve the issue. The IDF is currently short of approximately 12,000 soldiers, including 7,500 combat troops. The extension was passed amid debates over equality in military service and includes economic compensation for soldiers whose service is extended. The IDF chief of staff has warned that without further action, the military could face severe operational challenges.
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Israel's Economic Reforms Aim to Lower Business Loan Costs and Enhance Consumer Protections

Israel's Economic Reforms Aim to Lower Business Loan Costs and Enhance Consumer Protections

In a recent legislative session, the Knesset passed a series of economic reforms designed to impact Israeli households and businesses significantly. Among the key measures is the Small and Medium-Sized Business Credit Database Law, developed by the Bank of Israel and the Finance Ministry. This law aims to address inefficiencies in Israel's credit market by creating a database to increase competition among lenders, potentially saving businesses around 1.5 billion shekels ($500 million) annually. Additionally, the Knesset approved amendments to the Consumer Protection Law to combat fraud in telephone sales, requiring businesses to record sales calls and provide recordings to customers upon request. The reforms also include easing the import of U.S.-approved products into Israel, which is expected to enhance market competition and reduce consumer prices.
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Knesset Passes Law to Commemorate October 7 Massacre with New Memorial Authority

Knesset Passes Law to Commemorate October 7 Massacre with New Memorial Authority

The Knesset has passed a law to commemorate the October 7 massacre, establishing a Memorial Authority and designating a national remembrance day. The law, approved just before the Knesset's dissolution, outlines the creation of memorial projects, including a national memorial site and museum in the Gaza border region. The remembrance day will be observed annually on the 24th of Tishrei, with flags at half-staff and state ceremonies. The Memorial Authority will be managed by a council of government representatives and community members, tasked with implementing the law's objectives.
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FM Sa'ar Reveals Links Between Terrorist Organizations and Left-Wing Activists

FM Sa'ar Reveals Links Between Terrorist Organizations and Left-Wing Activists

During a conference on political terrorism in Washington, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar disclosed connections between the Global Sumud Flotilla activists and Hamas. Sa'ar highlighted how radical left-wing movements in the West are allegedly linked to Islamist terrorist organizations, posing a threat to democratic values. He pointed to the Global Sumud Flotilla as an example of how terrorist groups use activist movements as a cover. Sa'ar claimed that the flotilla, which attempted to breach Israel's naval blockade on Gaza, was backed by Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. He accused these organizations of using left-wing activists to legitimize their activities and criticized Western media for falling for these tactics.
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Pianist Igor Levit Returns to Israel for First Recital Since October 7 Attacks

Pianist Igor Levit Returns to Israel for First Recital Since October 7 Attacks

Pianist Igor Levit Returns to Israel for First Recital Since October 7 Attacks
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AIPAC has spent a record amount on Michigan's Senate primary, the biggest test of its influence yet

AIPAC has spent a record amount on Michigan's Senate primary, the biggest test of its influence yet

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is benefiting from tens of millions in pro-Israel spending in her race to be the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan
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House Rejects Rashida Tlaib's Bill to Withdraw U.S. Troops from Lebanon

House Rejects Rashida Tlaib's Bill to Withdraw U.S. Troops from Lebanon

The U.S. House of Representatives voted against a bill proposed by Representative Rashida Tlaib that sought to withdraw U.S. troops from hostilities in Lebanon. Tlaib argued that the U.S. was involved in unauthorized military actions supporting Israel's operations in Lebanon, violating the War Powers Act. However, opponents, including Rep. Brian Mast, contended that no American soldiers were present in Lebanon and that the bill could jeopardize peace efforts between Israel, Lebanon, and the U.S. The bill's rejection reflects ongoing debates over U.S. military involvement in the Middle East.
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Hamas names Khalil Al-Hayya as new overall leader

Hamas names Khalil Al-Hayya as new overall leader

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Eman Abouhassira CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) - Hamas has named Khalil Al-Hayya as its overall leader, according to a statement from the Palestinian militant group on Monday, in a move an analyst says could signal a tougher stance by the group towards disarmament calls.