PA: Hebron tensions could erupt into all-out confrontation

The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday called on the Israeli government to pull all the settlers out of Hebron and warned that the growing tensions in the city could erupt into an all-out confrontation.

Qassams, mortars hit Negev; council head says 'war of attrition in south'

Three Qassam rockets fired from northern Gaza at around noon Wednesday landed in open areas within the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council limits. Earlier another rocket and 10 mortars were fired toward Israeli  communities surrounding the Hamas-controlled territory.

Israeli youth seriously wounded by stone-throwers in Hebron

A fragile calm appeared to have returned to Hebron on Tuesday afternooon, after Palestinians and settlers clashed earlier in the day. An Israeli youth, who was hit in the head by a rock, was seriously injured in the scuffles. Some 1,500 right-wing activists had poured into the city Monday night on the heels of rumors that the police was preparing to evacuate Beit Hashalom.

IDF kills Palestinian gunman in Gaza

Paratrooper unit spots cell approaching border fence near Khan Younis in attempt to plant explosive device. Gaza sources say one man killed, four injured in clash with soldiers. At least one Palestinian gunman was killed Friday by IDF soldiers east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip

Ramon joins calls for Olmert to go now

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should suspend himself now, Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon said on Saturday night. "I look at him as a friend and tell him that I don't see why it is good for him to stay on," Ramon said on Channel 2's Meet the Press program.

Foreign Ministry: All missing Israelis now accounted for

The Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that contact had been made with the last of the Israelis who were considered "missing" following the terror attacks in Mumbai, India which started last Wednesday and came to an end Saturday morning.

Livni calls on Olmert to take leave of absence

Kadima chairwoman says prime minister 'has no other option' but to leave office in light of Mazuz's decision to seek an indictment against him over double-billing affair. 'Olmert must conduct the battle to clear his name from home and not from his Knesset seat,' she adds

Barak: Hebron house will be vacated by force, if needed

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the state would use force to evacauate settlers illegally inhabiting a house in the West Bank city of Hebron, if the squatters do not vacate the premises voluntarily.

Hamas leaders abroad question group's iron grip on Gaza

Internal Hamas correspondence intercepted by the Palestinian Authority and obtained by Haaretz reveals a deep divide between the organization's leadership abroad and its West Bank leadership, on the one hand, and the Gaza leadership on the other.

Ze'ev Jabotinsky's grandson joins Likud

Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu enjoyed three weeks of good press from the return of former ministers Bennie Begin and Dan Meridor and the joining of former IDF chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Moshe Ya'alon.

Treasury submits 'safety net' plan

The plan would protect only people aged 60 and above and will only supply protection as of its initiation date and not retroactively. "It would be impossible to return the losses of 2008, considering the vast sums of money," a source at the Treasury said.

Hebron settler mob caught on video clashing with IDF troops

During the clashes that erupted early Thursday, some settlers began to attack Palestinian locals while others wounded an IDF soldier by pouring turpentine on him as he tried to stop them from throwing stones at Palestinians.

Polls show Likud heading to victory in elections

Following a string of newcomers joining Likud, including former IDF chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon and former science minister Bennie Begin, three polls showed the party opening up a substantial lead over Kadima, with Labor continuing to slide.

Livni: Israel not a rabbis' monopoly

Foreign minister addresses UJC's General Assembly in Jerusalem, says 'Jewish state is the nature, tradition and history of our people, regardless of what one chooses to do at one's own home on Shabbat and holidays'

Palestinians: Mortars fired at IDF tanks that entered Gaza

IDF tanks entered the Gaza Strip briefly on Tuesday, for the first time in a week, Palestinian residents said. Terror groups said they fired rockets and mortars at the tanks.

Mobster Yaakov Alperon assassinated

Mob kingpin Yaakov Alperon was killed Monday when a bomb exploded in his car on a crowded Tel Aviv thoroughfare. Medics said that three other people were wounded, including a 13-year-old boy, when the car went up in flames on the corner of Yehuda Hamaccabi and Derech Namir.

Netanyahu pledges to continue negotiations with Palestinians

Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu pledged on Sunday to continue talks with the Palestinians if elected prime minister, saying he would base such talks on economic development.

Five rockets slam into Ashkelon area

Five Grad-type Katyusha rockets were fired at the region, one of which hit the city center and another that landed on its outskirts. Three more struck open areas. Shortly afterwards, another Kassam rocket landed in a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. Also, a mortar shell exploded near the Kissufim area.

IDF closes Gaza crossing after intel of terror attack received

The IDF on Thursday afternoon closed the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported, due to intelligence received that terror organizations were planning an attack in the area.

6 mortar shells fired at western Negev

Several hours after IDF kills four terrorists attempting to carry out attack in Gaza region, Palestinians target southern Israel; no injuries or damages reported in attack, local residents urged to stay close to fortified sites.

Tight mayoral races in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem galvanize voters

As polling stations opened for mayoral and municipal elections across Israel Tuesday, residents of the country's major cities voted in relatively higher numbers in the closely watched races.

Olmert at Rabin memorial: We must give up parts of J'lem

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday used a Jerusalem memorial ceremony for former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to reiterate that Israel must be willing to cede parts of the capital.

Livni: We see the need for a Palestine, as long as it's not a terror state

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Sunday that progress had been achieved in peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, and that Israel recognizes the need to establish a Palestinian state, on condition that an independent Palestine does not sponsor terrorism.

Israeli leaders congratulate Obama on presidential victory

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama on his victory, saying that Israelis were "impressed by his commitment to the peace and security of Israel" during his recent visit.

Kadima resolves Mofaz dispute

The Kadima Party took a key step toward maintaining its image as a centrist party on Monday when its faction in the Knesset unanimously approved a plan to reserve the second slot on its list in the February 10 election for right-leaning Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Alleged Lebanon spy was tracking Hezbollah for Israel

The Lebanese citizen who was recently arrested for allegedly spying on behalf of Israel has been identified as Ali Jarrah, the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported on Monday. Jarrah is suspected of monitoring the movements of senior Hezbollah officials, according to the report. 

Shin Bet Chief: Israel far-right may use political murder to thwart peace

Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin warned on Sunday that Israel's radical right-wing could resort to armed attacks, including assassination of an Israeli leader, to scupper any accord under which the West Bank would be ceded to the Palestinians.

MKs turn to Mazuz in bid to stop Olmert resuming Syria talks

Likud MKs on Friday asked Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz to examine whether Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has the authority to resume peace talks with Syria while he only heads a transitional government.

Academic year to open as planned following budget talks

The 2008-2009 academic year will open as planned on Sunday after government officials and university heads came to an agreement regarding the year's budget. Fears that the year would not open on time emerged after the Council of University Presidents threatened to strike until a solution was met.

27 international activists sail into Gaza to protest blockade

A boat carrying 27 international activists sailed into the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to draw attention to the blockade sanctions on the Hamas-controlled territory. Israel threatened to block the boat, but navy ships did not intervene, and the boat sailed into a Gaza harbor, where it was greeted by Hamas policemen and Palestinian activists.

Kadima pulls Knesset dispersal bill, pushes for Feb. 10 election

Kadima faction head Yoel Hasson announced Tuesday that the party would push for holding elections on February 10 2009, 111 days after Monday's declaration by President Shimon Peres that he was not giving anyone the mandate to form a government in the current Knesset.

Barak: Time to trade capitalism for responsible financial doctrine

Labor chairman undeterred by polls predicting party's doom in upcoming elections, says party willing to fight for rightful place. Kadima leader Livni urges all parties to support bid for dissolution of Knesset  

Livni delays meeting with Peres to continue coalition talks

After announcing earlier in the day that she intended to approach President Shimon Peres in the afternoon and recommend going to general elections, Kadima leader Tzipi Livni made a last-minute decision on Sunday to postpone the meeting until 5:30 p.m., setting off speculation that coalition negotiations were still in the works.

Hamas gives Schalit letter from his dad

Hamas has passed on a letter to captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit written by his father, Noam. Noam Schalit said Friday French diplomats told him his letter was given to his son sometime in the last few weeks. He said the content was "personal" but did not offer more details.

Family found dead in Hod Hasharon

Two parents and two children were found dead in their apartment in Hod Hasharon on Thursday morning in what police suspect to be a murder-suicide. A Magen David Adom team pronounced the family of four dead upon arrival at the scene.

Soldier wounded in clashes with settlers in southern Hebron Hills

An IDF soldier was wounded Wednesday after he was attacked by a group of masked far-right Israeli activists while his unit was protecting Palestinian farmers harvesting their olive trees near the settlement of Otniel in the southern Hebron Hills.

Peres grants Livni two more weeks to form coalition gov't

President Shimon Peres on Monday granted Kadima leader Tzipi Livni a two-week extension to put together a coalition government. During the meeting, Livni told the president that she was serious about the obligation bestowed upon her to form a government, and that she hopes to complete the task as soon as possible.

Noam Schalit to Barak: The gov't had two years without protests

Responding to Defense Minister Ehud Barak's comments that demonstrations only raise the price that will be demanded for kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit's release, the captured soldiers father, Noam Schalit, commented that the government has had over two years without demonstrations to bring about a solution.

Woman killed in Tel Aviv hit-and-run

27-year-old Meital Aharonson was killed and another woman was moderately injured in the early hours of Friday morning in a hit-and-run road accident next to Tel Aviv's Rabin Square.

Six Israelis freed from captivity in Caribbean

Fifteen Israeli real estate contractors were taken hostage this week on the Caribbean island of West Caicos, due to an apparent labor dispute involving hundreds of Chinese laborers. The Foreign Ministry said Thursday it was working to ensure that the contractors, who have been in captivity for three days, would be released soon.

Report: Israel ready to free all prisoners Hamas demands for Shalit

The Saudi newspaper Ukaz on Thursday quoted a Palestinian source as saying that Israel has relayed to Hamas it is ready to release all the Palestinian prisoners the militant group demands in return for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Driver accused of sparking Acre riots released to house arrest

Jamal Taufik, the driver who entered Jewish east Acre on the evening of Yom Kippur and who is blamed by police for sparking a provocation that deteriorated into several nights of racial violence and rioting, was released to a week's house arrest on Wednesday and his driving license was confiscated for 30 days.

Peres in Acre: Both religions must live in mutual respect

Following the first quiet night in Acre since the outbreak of Arab-Jewish violence on the eve of Yom Kippur, President Shimon Peres arrived in the divided town and met with Arab and Jewish leaders. The president expressed surprise over the good will that existed between the two sides, and stressed the need to keep the clashes from boiling over and spreading to other mixed towns.

Arab driver apologizes for incident

Jamal Taufik, 48, of Acre's Old City, the Arab driver who drove though a Jewish part of the city on Yom Kippur, spoke at a meeting of the Knesset's Internal Affairs and Environment Committee on Sunday afternoon

Dichter vows to put Acre rioters, inciters 'behind lock and key'

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter vowed Friday to put the "perpetrators and inciters" of the Yom Kippur violence in Acre "behind lock and key." Following a meeting with Acre Mayor Shimon Lancry, Dichter said police had no prior intelligence of the violence and that the riots did not appear to be planned.

Report: Hezbollah says Ron Arad died in 1988

An Israel Air Force airman captured in Lebanon in 1986 escaped two years later but probably died while trying to reach Israel on foot, the Hezbollah guerrilla group said in a report published by Maariv, an Israeli daily, on Wednesday.

Olmert meets Medvedev in bid to dissuade arming of Syria, Iran

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Monday with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the Kremlin, the first tete-a-tete between the two leaders. Olmert seeks to persuade Medvedev not to sell weapons to Iran and Syria, but with little chance of success, diplomatic sources said.

Olmert: Livni not obligated by my stance

Talking to reporters before leaving for Moscow, prime minister clarifies that his views expressed in Yedioth Ahronoth interview, that Israel should quit most occupied land, are his private views and do not compel new Kadima chairwoman

Mofaz ends 'time-out' from politics

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz showed up for Sunday morning's cabinet meeting, almost three weeks after he announced a "time-out" from politics after losing the Kadima leadership primary to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

'US radar could jeopardize IDF secrets'

"Even a husband and wife have a few things they would like to keep from each other," one Israeli official tells Time Magazine.

Olmert refuses to respond to questions on Rishon Tours affair

Outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday was questioned for the eighth time at his official residence in Jerusalem, his first meeting with police investigators since stepping down earlier this month.

Qassam lands on Palestinian territory

A Shana Tova greeting from terror organizations: A Qassam rocket was fired Monday afternoon from the northern Gaza Strip towards Israel, but landed on the Palestinian side of the border. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Holy site closed to 'punish' settlers

Following recent settler violence in the West Bank, the IDF Central Command canceled a number of scheduled visits to Joseph's Tomb in Nablus last week and says it will not permit any until the settler leadership forcefully condemns the attacks, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Hamas calls for suicide attacks as thousands march in Gaza

A Hamas parliamentarian called on Friday for more suicide attacks against Israel as thousands of Palestinians marched through Gaza in honour of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day, an Iranian-declared observance.

C'tee presents PM with Schalit swap list

A committee of four ministers headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon on Thursday presented Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with a list of 450 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.

767 lands safely in TA after false alarm

A passenger plane from Paris was intercepted by fighter jets and escorted to Ben Gurion International Airport Wednesday night after information was received that there may be an explosive on board.

Four Palestinians arrested after trying to run over soldiers

Four Palestinians were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after they tried to run over IDF soldiers near Ma'ale Levona north of Ramallah. No one was wounded and no damage was done.

'My son's no terrorist, it was a car accident'

The family of a Palestinian shot dead after his car plowed into pedestrians at a busy Jerusalem intersection challenged on Tuesday Israeli police allegations that he had carried out a deliberate terror attack.

19 hurt as terrorist plows car into Jerusalem crowd

At least 19 people were wounded at around 11 P.M. Monday night when a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem drove his car into a crowd of Israel Defense Forces soldiers at a busy intersection in the capital.

Livni likely to be tapped Monday evening to form government

President Shimon Peres is likely to ask Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to try to form a new coalition government, a Peres spokeswoman said on Monday, a day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned.

Olmert to give resignation to Peres Sunday evening

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will submit his resignation to President Shimon Peres at the latter's official residence in Jerusalem at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, hours after announcing his decision to step down at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

Hamas lays out three conditions for the release of Gilad Shalit

Hamas will not renew negotiations for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit unless Israel meets its preconditions, the London-based newspaper Asharq Alawsat quoted a senior official of the Islamist group as saying Friday.

Mofaz announces temporary withdrawal from politics

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who lost the Kadima primary election to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni by a small margin on Wednesday night, announced Thursday evening that he was leaving the government and the Knesset.

Man jailed for 16 years for deadly crash

Bracha, convicted of six counts of manslaughter for driving through a red light at Ginaton Junction while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, was also given a four-year suspended sentence and his driving license was suspended.

Kadima primaries underway

Ruling party's 114 polling stations open nationwide, candidates cast their votes at their hometowns. Livni calls on 'everyone to come and vote,' Mofaz predicts 'a good ending to this evening.' Olmert says he 'voted well'

Shalit family: Stop funneling funds to Gaza

The parents of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit  demanded Tuesday that Israel stop funneling funds to Gaza and convene a cabinet meeting which would discuss their son's abduction. Should their demand be turned down, they threatened, they would petition the High Court of Justice.

Palestinian stabs IDF soldier near Dead Sea

A Palestinian stabbed an IDF soldier Monday afternoon at Almog Junction, located on the Jerusalem-Dead Sea road near Ma'aleh Adumim. The soldier was lightly-moderately injured, and was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem.

Gaza militant: Gilad Shalit is living in paradise

Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Gaza militants in 2006, is "living in paradise," the British newspaper Sunday Times quoted a leader of the Gaza Strip Doghmush clan as saying.

Citizens bid farewell to 4-year-old Rose

Since appearance of red suitcase on Yarkon riverbed carrying body of missing little girl, Israelis flock to area to say goodbye to young child who 'has no one to mourn her'

Police find suitcase believed to hold remains of missing 4-year-old girl

Police divers on Thursday found a red suitcase in the Yarkon River believed to contain the remains of 4-year-old Rose Pizem, who has been missing since May. Diver reported locating a suitcase that matches the description of the one Pizem's grandfather described.

Israeli scientists join experiment to break open 'Big Bang'

International physicists at the vast underground complex near Geneva inaugurated a 20-year project on Wednesday that will try to reenact the Big Bang, in an attempt to explain the origins of the universe and how it came to harbor life.

Report: IDF officers abroad urged to return over Hezbollah threats

Israel has issued a warning to all Israel Defense Forces reserves officers outside the country, urging them to return to Israel at once for fear that they may be targeted by Hezbollah, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jarida reported Tuesday.

Three hurt in suspected mob hit in Netanya

Assailants on mopeds fired into a Netanya kiosk on Monday, wounding one person critically and another two moderately, police said, in a suspected gangland assassination attempt.

Assad: We won't cut our ties with Hezbollah, despite Israel talks

Bashar Assad on Thursday said he will not cut Syria's ties with Hezbollah, despite other statements the Syrian President made during the day signaling progress in peace talks with Israel. A key Israeli demand in the indirect negotiations is that Syria cease its support for the Lebanese militia.

Israel allows weapons transfer to Palestinians

An Israeli security official on Friday said Israel allowed Palestinian security forces to receive a shipment of around 1,000 rifles and tens of thousands of bullents in a step aimed at bolstering the moderate Palestinian government.

Assad: Syria has handed peace proposal to Israel, awaiting response

Damascus has handed proposals for peace with Israel to Turkish mediators and is waiting for Israel's response before holding any face-to-face negotiations, Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Thursday.  

'Woman who killed her son was concerned over his disability'

Regina Kruchkov, the mother who was arrested Tuesday night for allegedly drowning her four-year-old son, Michael, was extremely devoted to him and had shown no signs of abusiveness, according to Sandra Kulyuk, the social worker who had dealt with the family's case.

Hamas leader Meshal 'leaves Syria for Sudan'

Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai reported Tuesday that Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal has left Damascus to live in Sudan at Syria's request, in a move stemming from Syria's desire to advance indirect peace talks with Israel.

Nigeria gunmen release Israeli hostage after 6 days

Nigerian militants on Monday released an Israeli businessman abducted at gunpoint from his home in Port Harcourt last Tuesday. Ehud Avni, a 60-year-old project manager, was seized after an event held at the home of the governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, in honor of Israel's ambassador, Moshe Ram.

Olmert meets with Abbas, draws fire for Jerusalem proposal

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem on Sunday, even as his plan to propose international involvement in negotiations over the capital drew fire from cabinet ministers.

Report: West fears Hezbollah setting up cells in Venezuela

The budding strategic partnership between Venezuela and Iran has prompted fears from Western governments that Hezbollah is establishing a growing number of operational cells in the South American country, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site on Thursday.

Nigerian group demands ransom of $12m for kidnapped Israeli

The Nigerian gang that kidnapped an Israeli employee of a construction company operating in Nigeria has demanded $12 million in ransom - the highest demand of this kind in the country's history, Haaretz revealed Friday.

Israeli businessman snatched at gunpoint in Nigeria

A group of gunmen kidnapped a 60-year-old Israeli man Tuesday night in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt. The gunmen ambushed the businessman as he entered his home in the port city. "The man, an Israeli, was abducted in his house last night by gunmen," said Rita Inoma-Abbey, spokeswoman for the Rivers state police.

Missing girl's grandfather suspected of killing her

45 year-old Netanya resident Ronny Ron is suspected of having murdered his granddaughter, 4-year-old Rose Ron, who has been missing for three months, stuffing her body into a suitcase which he allegedly dumped in the Yarkon River

Israel frees prisoners in gesture to Abbas

Israel on Monday freed nearly 200 jailed Palestinians — including a militant mastermind from the 1970s — in a goodwill gesture just hours before U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to begin her latest peace mission to the region.

Israeli Arab charged with spying for Al-Qaida

The Be'er Sheva District Court on Friday charged an Israeli Arab man with spying on Israel on behalf of the Al-Qaida terror organization. A gag order lifted Friday revealed that Khaled Abu Rakak, a 24-year-old resident of Tel Sheva, was arrested in late July following a year-long Shin Bet investigation.

U.S. won't sell refueling jets to Israel, fearing strike on Iran

It emerged on Wednesday that the United States has refused to sell Jerusalem new refueling planes, fearing such a transaction could be interpreted as support for an Israeli attack on Iran. Jerusalem denied that report.

Olmert to Zubari: Your Olympic win brings tears of joy to Israel

Israeli windsurfer Shahar Zubari won a bronze medal on Wednesday as he sailed his final race in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. It was Israel's first medal of the Beijing games, and its seventh of all time. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Zubari after the race to congratulate him on his win.

Israel reopens key Gaza commercial crossing

Israel has allowed food and other supplies to enter the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip through a key commercial crossing that had been closed for months, Israeli and Palestinian officials said on Tuesday.

'McCain stronger on Israeli security'

Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain has a more stalwart view of Israel's security needs than his Democratic opponent, and would be better able to deal with Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, former Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee said Monday.

PMO: Israel won't take in any Palestinian refugees

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel will not allow the return of any Palestinian refugees as part of a future statehood deal, Olmert's office said on Thursday. The rare official statement was issued in response to the reports that Olmert had proposed absorbing 20,000 refugees per year for 10 years as part of an agreement to establish a Palestinian state in most of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip.

Cabinet okays release of 200 prisoners

The cabinet gave the green light Sunday morning to the release of some 200 Palestinian security prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

U.S. puts brakes on Israeli plan for attack on Iran nuclear facilities

To compensate for rejection, U.S. offers Israel improved defenses against surface-to-surface missiles. The American administration has rejected an Israeli request for military equipment and support that would improve Israel's ability to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

PRC: Our new rocket can reach as far as Ashdod

The Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees has unveiled what it calls a new missile capable of reaching the nothern Negev cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, according to media reports released this week. The group said the improved rocket can travel up to 26 kilometers, double the range of the previous version.

Two El Al planes set off to evacuate Israelis from Georgia

Flights come after Arkia said Mon. it couldn't fly out Israeli nationals waiting to leave war-torn country.Two El Al Israel Airlines plane set off on Tuesday on special flights to Tbilisi in order to evacuate Israeli nationals waiting to leave war-torn Georgia.

Olympics / After his father's death, swimmer Alon Mandel sets new Israeli record

Despite their loss, Mandel's family encouraged him to compete in Beijing and watched with bated breath.

On Tisha B'Av, rightists see Gush Katif as symbol of loss

Over the last three years, since Israel evacuated the settlements of the Gaza Strip, those who left their homes have felt a sense of loss. For these Israelis, and the religious Zionist community as a whole, this sense of loss has often manifested itself in comparisons between the loss of the Gaza settlement bloc on Tisha B'Av three years ago.

Abbas to demand release of Marwan Barghouti, PFLP head in meeting with Olmert

Meeting between Olmert and Abbas is first since Olmert announced he would step down.

Mofaz gets blessing from Shas leader

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz visited the home of Shas spiritual mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood on Tuesday, and received a blessing from him ahead of the start of his campaign for the Kadima leadership.

Mofaz: Iran on way to major nuclear breakthrough

"As soon as 2010 (Iran) will have the option to reach (uranium production) at military levels," he told an audience in Washington. However, Mofaz said he supported diplomacy and spoke of other options as "last resort" said Mofazon Friday.

Olmert questioned for 5th time on corrupiton affairs

Fraud unit investigators interrogate PM on Talansky, Cremieux Street affairs and double claims for travel expenses he allegedly made as trade minister.

ANALYSIS: Israeli security forces losing control in the West Bank

Recent protests around the village of Na'alin in opposition to the separation fence seem to show a loss of control. The death of a 9-year-old, apparently shot by a Border Policeman, is the most serious turn of events so far.

PM accuses 'political rival' of communicating with Assad

Olmert tells Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee "there are those in Israel seeking informal contact with the Syrians. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday morning that Israeli public figures may be trying

Police free settlers arrested for seizing soldier's weapon

Police release men arrested for snatching rifle from soldier after determining initial report by army had been incorrect. In second incident, IDF says settler pulled out knife during altercation with troops, pressed it to soldier's throat. Settlers deny report, threaten to sue IDF for libel.

Talansky says police statement forced out of him

Third day of cross-examination proves dramatic as PM's legal team gets key witness to admit police investigators pressured him into less than truthful statements. Olmert's lawyers: Talansky probe may be investigated by state comptroller.