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Daily Briefing Feb. 18 – Israel moves to take over biblical sites in West Bank

Daily Briefing Feb. 18 – Israel moves to take over biblical sites in West Bank

Settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon on a push for Israeli administrative control over Judea and Samaria and religion reporter Rossella Tercatin on...

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The Times of Israel

Amanda Borschel-Dan

Israeli arrested aboard cruise ship in Florida over child sex abuse material

Israeli arrested aboard cruise ship in Florida over child sex abuse material

Basilios Grayeb, 29, from Haifa held on $2,500 bond after police find video on his phone; ICE issues immigration hold

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

Nazis restored old manuscripts to hunt down Jewish ancestry, researcher finds

Nazis restored old manuscripts to hunt down Jewish ancestry, researcher finds

University of Oxford expert uncovers role of paper restorers and bookbinders in deciphering church and civil records to compile ‘hitlist’ of Jews

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

US-Iran war could be imminent and take weeks, sources warn after latest nuclear talks

US-Iran war could be imminent and take weeks, sources warn after latest nuclear talks

Ex-IDF Military Intelligence chief says we’re ‘much closer than before’ to conflict, as US energy secretary warns Washington will stop Tehran...

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

France arrests 2 more over fatal beating of far-right activist, 11 now detained

France arrests 2 more over fatal beating of far-right activist, 11 now detained

Quentin Deranque, 23, died after attack at Lyon protest; hard-left lawmaker fires aide who was among those detained over suspected ‘intentional...

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The Times of Israel

Afp

Cops given access to raw interview material that sparked probe of PM’s chief of staff

Cops given access to raw interview material that sparked probe of PM’s chief of staff

Court rejects petition by Kan journalist against handing over content from session with former Netanyahu aide Feldstein, but excludes remarks made...

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

IDF soldier killed in ‘friendly fire’ incident in southern Gaza

IDF soldier killed in ‘friendly fire’ incident in southern Gaza

Initial military probe finds Staff Sgt. Ofri Yafe was killed near Yellow Line in Khan Younis area around 2 a.m. after being mistakenly identified as...

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The Times of Israel

Emanuel Fabian

Spike Lee defends pro-Palestinian outfit, says not meant to disrespect Avdija

Spike Lee defends pro-Palestinian outfit, says not meant to disrespect Avdija

Filmmaker says he was unaware Avdija was first Israeli NBA All-Star when he wore keffiyeh sweater to game, getup was ‘not intended as a gesture of...

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

Top religious Zionist rabbis urge Netanyahu to keep women out of IDF tanks

Top religious Zionist rabbis urge Netanyahu to keep women out of IDF tanks

Rabbis say army ‘capitulating to foreign social agenda’ with Armored Corps pilot for female troops; warn it would put Orthodox soldiers in...

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The Times of Israel

Emanuel Fabian

Andorra carnival features mock execution of Israeli effigy

Andorra carnival features mock execution of Israeli effigy

Tiny Jewish community reels after annual event includes trial, hanging, and burning of figure in blue with Israeli flag painted on its face

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The Times of Israel

Grace Gilson

British woman who removed Israeli hostage poster from memorial is convicted of theft

British woman who removed Israeli hostage poster from memorial is convicted of theft

Fiona Monro escapes conviction for criminal damage over 2024 incident in Brighton when she removed photo of Tzachi Idan, who was abducted on Oct. 7...

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The Times of Israel

JTA

Smotrich: Next government should ‘encourage migration’ of West Bank Palestinians

Smotrich: Next government should ‘encourage migration’ of West Bank Palestinians

Religious Zionist party leader pushes controversial move as 85 countries slam Israel for recent decision on West Bank land registration and rampant...

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The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Former Hamas captive Eli Sharabi’s memoir ‘Hostage’ named Jewish book of the year

Former Hamas captive Eli Sharabi’s memoir ‘Hostage’ named Jewish book of the year

Sharabi, grateful for prestigious literature honor from Jewish Book Council, says recognition meaningful for ‘memory of all those we lost’

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The Times of Israel

Andrew Silow-Carroll

Immigration judge rejects Trump effort to deport anti-Israel Palestinian student

Immigration judge rejects Trump effort to deport anti-Israel Palestinian student

Judge finds US Department of Homeland Security failed to meet its burden of proving activist Mohsen Mahdawi was removable; DHS calls judge an...

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The Times of Israel

Agencies

Watching the watchers: Exhibit looks into the lives of IDF surveillance troops

Watching the watchers: Exhibit looks into the lives of IDF surveillance troops

In a new installation at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art until April 11, director Talya Lavie records testimonies by female field observers, commemorating...

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The Times of Israel

Jessica Steinberg

Dozens of film figures slam Berlin Film Festival’s ‘silence’ on ‘ongoing genocide’ in Gaza

Dozens of film figures slam Berlin Film Festival’s ‘silence’ on ‘ongoing genocide’ in Gaza

Over 80 industry figures sign letter railing at Berlinale, which they claim must ‘fulfill its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to...

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The Times of Israel

Afp

Reunifying Arab parties aim for more power, but may wind up with more Netanyahu

Reunifying Arab parties aim for more power, but may wind up with more Netanyahu

As the Joint List of Arab parties mull uniting again, there are worries that the juggernaut will end up weakening the anti-Netanyahu bloc,...

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The Times of Israel

Ariela Karmel

American Jewish speedskater Emery Lehman wins silver medal at Winter Olympics

American Jewish speedskater Emery Lehman wins silver medal at Winter Olympics

Four-time Olympian picks up second medal of his career during 2026 Games in Italy, which he has said will be his last

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The Times of Israel

Jacob Gurvis

Madrid museum ejects 3 elderly Israeli tourists who displayed Israeli flag, Star of David

Madrid museum ejects 3 elderly Israeli tourists who displayed Israeli flag, Star of David

Video shows the women being called ‘genocidal maniacs’ and ‘murderers’ at Reina Sofía Museum, which Jewish groups condemn for ‘removing the...

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The Times of Israel

Grace Gilson

What to know about key waterway that Iran declared closed as it holds military drill

What to know about key waterway that Iran declared closed as it holds military drill

Temporary closure of parts of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil passes, comes as US and Islamic Republic hold nuclear talks...

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The Times of Israel

Jon Gambrell

Smotrich says next government should ‘encourage migration’ of Palestinians from West Bank

Smotrich says next government should ‘encourage migration’ of Palestinians from West Bank

85 countries back statement condemning Israel for deepening its control of West Bank * Settlers reportedly raid Palestinian Bedouin hamlets; no...

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

Vance: Nuclear talks showed some progress, but Iran won’t acknowledge Trump’s red lines

Vance: Nuclear talks showed some progress, but Iran won’t acknowledge Trump’s red lines

Israeli officials said to think negotiations likely doomed, US president determined to strike, as flight trackers show dozens of American fighter jets...

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The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Local and state government trade blame over delays upgrading Western Wall egalitarian plaza

Local and state government trade blame over delays upgrading Western Wall egalitarian plaza

High Court of Justice holds hearing on status of religious right at Jerusalem’s holy site for first time in years, demands answers on why 2017...

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The Times of Israel

Rossella Tercatin

Many Muslims, including in Holy Land, start marking month of Ramadan after moon sighting

Many Muslims, including in Holy Land, start marking month of Ramadan after moon sighting

Annual holy month marked by daily fasting, prayer and giving of charity; IDF publishes social media post wishing Muslims a peaceful Ramadan

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The Times of Israel

Lazar Berman

Bezalel Zini said to deny knowing large sums of cash he got were from Gaza smuggling

Bezalel Zini said to deny knowing large sums of cash he got were from Gaza smuggling

Shin Bet chief’s brother reportedly says unspecified ‘personal problems’ stopped him from reporting suspects once he found out about smuggling

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The Times of Israel

Charlie Summers

Jubilant Israeli team celebrates last-place finish in Olympic 2-man bobsleigh event

Jubilant Israeli team celebrates last-place finish in Olympic 2-man bobsleigh event

With eyes already on upcoming four-man race, team pilot AJ Edelman says after wrapping up first event that ‘we’re very proud — Israel is in the...

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The Times of Israel

Amy Spiro

Hezbollah rejects Lebanese government’s four-month plan for phase 2 of disarmament

Hezbollah rejects Lebanese government’s four-month plan for phase 2 of disarmament

Hezbollah lawmaker says terror group ‘cannot be lenient’ on matter after leader decries ‘major mistake’ that ‘serves the goals of Israeli aggression’

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The Times of Israel

Agencies

Backed by Trump’s son, Israeli-founded AI drone startup plans to go public on Nasdaq

Backed by Trump’s son, Israeli-founded AI drone startup plans to go public on Nasdaq

Eric Trump invests in $1.5 billion merger between XTEND, an Israeli maker of an AI operating system for drones and robots, and US construction firm...

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The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Oscar-winning documentarian Frederick Wiseman, shut out for being a Jew, dies at 96

Oscar-winning documentarian Frederick Wiseman, shut out for being a Jew, dies at 96

The director of ‘City Hall,’ ‘The Store’ and dozens of other films fought antisemitism as a college student

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The Times of Israel

Andrew Lapin

IDF, police nab four ISIS-linked jihadists in West Bank said to plan terror attack

IDF, police nab four ISIS-linked jihadists in West Bank said to plan terror attack

Three suspects arrested last week, then another on Monday in raids on Jericho; separately, commandos detain Palestinian arms dealer in Ramallah

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The Times of Israel

Emanuel Fabian

Russian, Belarusian athletes allowed to compete under own flags at 2026 Paralympics

Russian, Belarusian athletes allowed to compete under own flags at 2026 Paralympics

Paralympic committee says two countries to be treated like any other, ending partial suspension imposed after invasion of Ukraine forcing athletes to...

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The Times of Israel

Afp

Iranian regime holds memorial for thousands killed in protests it violently quashed

Iranian regime holds memorial for thousands killed in protests it violently quashed

Revolutionary Guard chief vows ‘consequences’ for supporters of ‘rioters and terrorists’ whom the government blames for mass bloodshed at...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Agencies

State report finds Israel unprepared to ensure gas keeps flowing during emergencies

State report finds Israel unprepared to ensure gas keeps flowing during emergencies

State comptroller appears to urge government to rethink decision to close Haifa refinery, but office claims it is just seeking to guarantee energy...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In first, Bennett implies he won’t sit in a government under Netanyahu

In first, Bennett implies he won’t sit in a government under Netanyahu

Former premier and current PM’s main election rival says ‘failed leadership’ can’t continue, suggests premier should step aside for overseeing...

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The Times of Israel

Ariela Karmel

Settler rabbis warn against ‘violence of any sort,’ amid attacks on Palestinians

Settler rabbis warn against ‘violence of any sort,’ amid attacks on Palestinians

Leaders from settlements in northern West Bank praise new outposts, but say misguided youth and bad actors are harming reputation of all settlers,...

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The Times of Israel

Emanuel Fabian

Iran’s FM says ‘guiding principles’ agreed on with US after 2nd round of nuclear talks

Iran’s FM says ‘guiding principles’ agreed on with US after 2nd round of nuclear talks

After Trump and Khamenei traded threats, Araghchi calls Geneva talks ‘constructive’; Iran insists dialogue will only cover nuclear program,...

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The Times of Israel

Agencies

IDF says Palestinian child killed in West Bank while playing with unexploded ordnance

IDF says Palestinian child killed in West Bank while playing with unexploded ordnance

Army says ammunition exploded as kids handled it in shooting range, troops treated two others hurt in incident

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The Times of Israel

Emanuel Fabian

Rev. Jesse Jackson, US civil rights icon with rocky ties to Jews, dies at 81

Rev. Jesse Jackson, US civil rights icon with rocky ties to Jews, dies at 81

Protege of Martin Luther King, Jr. led Black causes for decades and broke barriers as a presidential candidate; he also had to apologize for referring...

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The Times of Israel

Agencies

Court extends restrictions on PM’s chief of staff, citing ‘strengthened’ suspicions

Court extends restrictions on PM’s chief of staff, citing ‘strengthened’ suspicions

Braverman, the designated ambassador to the UK, is still barred from leaving the country, contacting Netanyahu; judge strongly criticizes lower court...

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The Times of Israel

Jeremy Sharon

Smotrich to Arab MKs: It’s not the government’s fault ‘you murder one another’

Smotrich to Arab MKs: It’s not the government’s fault ‘you murder one another’

‘Educate your public to stop murdering,’ far-right minister says; opposition lawmakers accuse him of racism, rail at government for failing to...

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The Times of Israel

Sam Sokol

Daily Briefing Feb. 17 – Will US sanctions bring Iran to heel in nuclear talks?

Daily Briefing Feb. 17 – Will US sanctions bring Iran to heel in nuclear talks?

US bureau chief Jacob Magid on what we can expect from today’s Geneva discussions, a preview of Thursday’s DC-based Board of Peace meetup, and a...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Amanda Borschel-Dan

Swiss TV calls Israeli Olympic bobsled captain a ‘supporter of genocide’ in Gaza

Swiss TV calls Israeli Olympic bobsled captain a ‘supporter of genocide’ in Gaza

Broadcaster uses entire 2-minute run to slam AJ Edelman, complain that Israelis are allowed to compete while Russia is banned; Edelman: I refuse to...

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The Times of Israel

Amy Spiro

Man indicted for kidnapping, torturing victim with burning poker over debt

Man indicted for kidnapping, torturing victim with burning poker over debt

Muhammad Zoabi accused of luring victim into car in the northern city of Afula, beating him for hours until police arrive; alleged accomplice remains...

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The Times of Israel

Toi Staff

Bnei Brak riot shows that to integrate Haredim, Israel should expect strife

Bnei Brak riot shows that to integrate Haredim, Israel should expect strife

A recent study found that by 2050, nearly one in four Israelis will be ultra-Orthodox; leaders have only started to grapple with how that will change...

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The Times of Israel

Ben Sales

Levin refuses to say he’d obey court order to convene Judicial Selection Committee

Levin refuses to say he’d obey court order to convene Judicial Selection Committee

High Court has ordered justice minister to explain refusal to convene the panel for past year, despite dozens of vacancies; he vows to change court...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Jeremy Sharon

High Court to hold hearing on Western Wall egalitarian services for first time in years

High Court to hold hearing on Western Wall egalitarian services for first time in years

Liberal Jewish groups seek to ensure full rights for egalitarian prayers despite ultra-Orthodox opposition, long after government nixed compromise on...

yesterday 40

The Times of Israel

Rossella Tercatin

Lebanon says next phase of Hezbollah disarmament to take around 4 months

Lebanon says next phase of Hezbollah disarmament to take around 4 months

Minister sats timeframe is extendable, depending on available capabilities, hindrances on the ground and attacks from Israel, which rejects that 1st...

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The Times of Israel

Afp

Israeli police say they’ll deploy around Temple Mount compound during Ramadan

Israeli police say they’ll deploy around Temple Mount compound during Ramadan

PA says it was informed that permits for Palestinians will be restricted to men over 55 and women over 50, mirroring last year’s criteria; Waqf...

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The Times of Israel

Afp

US conducts 1st air transport of nuke microreactor in bid to show technology’s viability

US conducts 1st air transport of nuke microreactor in bid to show technology’s viability

Device flown on cargo plane from California to Utah to demonstrate potential to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use

yesterday 40

The Times of Israel

Valerie Volcovici

Spike Lee wears pro-Palestinian outfit to NBA All-Star Game featuring 1st Israeli player

Spike Lee wears pro-Palestinian outfit to NBA All-Star Game featuring 1st Israeli player

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving wears “PRESS” t-shirt dedicated to journalists killed in Gaza, with some pro-Israel fans claiming wardrobe choice...

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The Times of Israel

Philissa Cramer