The announcement comes just two days after Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a freeze on tenders for new settler homes in a bid to give a chance to US-led efforts to revive peace talks.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s signalling of a return to “business as usual” may indicate that Israel does not expect an immediate retaliation for this weekend’s airstrikes.
The EU has considerable leverage in the region, yet is taking a back-seat to the US – which dithers as relations in the region break-down. It’s time for a change, writes Emer Costello MEP.
Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Turkey for a deadly 2010 flotilla raid and announced a full resumption of diplomatic ties as well as compensation for the families of those killed.
The Minister for Justice also told an Israeli newspaper that he had been the target of some anti-Semitism during his time in politics but that it had been “extremely rare”.
The Defence Minister, speaking at the beginning of a tour of Lebanon and Israel, said increased tension could lead to involvement of more peacekeepers at Golan Heights. Niamh Fleming-Farrell reports from Beirut.
Israel has confirmed it held Ben Zygier in solitary confinement on security grounds and said he later took his own life but few other details are clear about the alleged Mossad agent.
The secret incarceration of ‘Prisoner X’ by Israel in 2010 caused controversy and now an Australia TV channel claims that the prisoner was an Australian citizen and Mossad agent Ben Zygier.
The 120-seat Israeli parliament, the Knesset, is now evenly divided between right wing and centre-left parties but Netanyahu is expected to negotiate a coalition and third term as prime minister.
A government of hardline, right wing and religious parties is expected to come together after elections to the 120-seat Knesset today with polls opening this morning.
Tens of thousands of people attended a rally in the Gaza Strip to mark the 25th anniversary of Hamas and the return from exile of its political leader, Khaled Meshaal.
“The majority of people in this country consume alcohol in a moderate, responsible manner that is entirely compatible with a healthy lifestyle and in line with European norms,” said Kathryn D’Arcy, director of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland.
Some people can no longer afford to drink alcohol, others could be looking after their health, while many have suggested that the reduction in consumption could be related to emigration rates.
So today we want to know what do you think. Have you reduced your alcohol consumption in the past year?
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