A healthy two-month-old infant, a resident of northern Israel, passed away as a result of influenza.

The Ministry of Health recommends continued vaccination of the entire population as soon as possible. Although vaccination is not possible at this age, vaccinating people in close contact provides some protection, and therefore, vaccinating the entire population is important.

The Ministry emphasizes that although the flu vaccine does not completely prevent illness, it reduces severity in most cases.  

The vaccine is available and free of charge at the health funds.

Based on the precautionary principle, the Ministry of Health recommends that at-risk populations consider wearing masks in enclosed spaces and at gatherings. The Ministry also recommends wearing masks for medical staff and visitors in nursing homes and geriatric institutions.
 

The prize committee convened, headed by Dr. Haim Perlman and with the participation of members Prof. Gilad Dubeshen and Dr. Nurit Sircus-Bank.

The prize committee noted in its reasoning that Yaacov Agam’s work resonates with a many-year contribution to Israeli and international art for seven decades. According to the committee, Agam broke the boundaries of plastic art as it was known and innovated languages of kinetic art and Op Art.

The committee further noted that the central innovative element in his work over the years is the idea of internal change, both within the artwork itself and from the viewer’s changing perspective. His works combine visual elements with musical elements in motion in space and time, reflecting a dynamic and renewing reality. His work expresses a concept that art must be mobile and changing, just as reality itself is constantly created and shaped.

The israel prize is the most important and prestigious prize awarded in the State of Israel. The prizes will be awarded on the evening of Israel’s 78th Independence Day.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A healthy two-month-old child from northern Israel has died from the flu, the Ministry of Health reported. This marks the sixth pediatric flu-related death in Israel this year.

While infants under six months cannot be vaccinated, the ministry stressed that vaccinating those around them can offer indirect protection. Health officials urged the public to get vaccinated, noting the vaccine reduces disease severity even if it doesn’t fully prevent infection.

The ministry continues to recommend masks for at-risk populations, medical staff, and visitors in nursing and geriatric facilities.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon will take place on Friday, March 27, organizers announced. Tens of thousands of runners from Israel and abroad are expected. The event, organized by the Jerusalem Municipality and sponsored by Toto Winner, showcases Jerusalem’s historic landmarks.

Which academic institution will lead the next groundbreaking research on preventing dust emissions from quarries? Which researchers will combine drones with renewable energy? And who is the professor who wants to develop a system that will generate electricity from the sound of the sea and wave movements?
The Chief Scientist Unit at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is publishing today the list of 21 academic research projects that have received support totaling approximately NIS 10 million. These are researchers from 11 academic institutions across the country, including the Technion, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University, and others. Agreements are currently being signed with the academic institutions, and the research projects will commence for a period of one to three years, with some of them potentially becoming technologies that will impact every home in Israel.

Among the winning research projects is the proposal by Prof. Daniel Nissim from Bar-Ilan University on developing an innovative method for treating PET plastic waste, used for soft drink bottles. The idea behind the research is to break down the polymer in an electrochemical cell and produce fuels, while simultaneously using the hydrocarbon mixture as raw material for producing fuels and various high-value chemical products. This is a highly innovative research that could lead to an unknown breakthrough in the plastic recycling industry. For the execution of this research, the Ministry will provide a grant of NIS 499,600. 

Another groundbreaking research will focus on developing an innovative system that generates electricity from the sound of the sea and wave motion, with the aim of powering small marine monitoring devices. The research will be conducted by Prof. Roi Diamant from the University of Haifa, and he will receive a grant of NIS 657,100.

Further research that may leave its mark on the energy sector is that of Prof. Yitzhak Katreh from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who will examine the development of a system for monitoring and preventing dust emissions from quarries. The goal of the research is to assist in determining appropriate policy for Israel in the field of quarries and in improving air quality. For this purpose, the researcher received a grant from the Ministry amounting to NIS 685,937.

Dr. Amichai Horesh from the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, and Prof. David Zerok from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have also received support from the Ministry to conduct a joint research project examining the possibility of developing a drone integrated with innovative sound wave-based technology for cleaning solar panels without the use of water. Both researchers received a grant from the Ministry for this research amounting to NIS 999,000. 

Last year, the Ministry awarded approximately NIS 8 million to 11 research projects from 6 different academic institutions across the country.

Attached is the full list of winners and the total grants for this year. 

Prof. Brian Rosen, Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure: “The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure places great importance on strengthening applied academic research in Israel, and on providing tools that will help bring innovative technologies out of the laboratories, for the significant benefit of the energy, water, and quarry sectors. Strengthening applied research in Israeli academic research institutions will ensure that Israel remains at the global forefront of scientific breakthroughs leading to technological developments in the fields of energy, water, quarries, and the environment.”

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel carried out a controlled demolition of three minefields along its border with Jordan as part of the building of a security barrier, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The operation destroyed around 500 old anti-tank mines laid in the area in the late 1960s.

The barrier project spans roughly 500 km from the southern Golan Heights to the Samar Sands north of Eilat. The $1.7 billion initiative includes a multi-layered system of fences, radars, cameras, and advanced IT capabilities.

Job Description

Senior Coordinator (Local Committees Liaison), Salary Grades 39-40, 11 MAHAR, District Planning Bureau – Northern District, for:

• Supervising the work of local committees in all their statutory duties – preparing plans, expropriation of land or buildings (Sec. 28).
• Collecting data, submitting opinions on the activities of local committees, and accompanying plans submitted to district committees.
• Monitoring the reports of the local committee or the committee engineer, on any matter related to the planning area’s needs, its direction and estimated development character, areas designated for construction, housing unit inventory, and the like.
• Promoting local committees and guiding them towards their accreditation as independent committees.
• Serving as the Minister of Interior’s representative and providing advisory opinions in local committee meetings.
• Coordinating between the Local Government Unit and the Planning Bureau regarding the allocation of resources for the development needs of settlements according to the pace of plan implementation and removing obstacles due to budget shortages, as well as responsibility for examining and updating the budget of regional committees.
• Liaising with outline plans for settlements, led by the district, the Planning Administration, or the local committees.
• Performing other similar tasks as instructed by the supervisor.

Job Requirements

Education:

Academic education (Bachelor’s degree) in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, or Architecture.
*Details of recognized degrees in Urban and Regional Planning that meet the tender’s educational requirements are listed below in the notes.
Licenses:
For Architects – Registration in the Engineers and Architects Registry.

Experience:

 Years of experience for holders of a Master’s degree in Planning and Construction.
3 years of experience for holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and Construction.
*Experience prior to obtaining the degree may be counted if it is relevant to the required experience.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Good knowledge of the Planning and Construction Law.
• Good knowledge of national and district planning and construction procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• High-level verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to face an audience and representational skills.

Scope of Position

Full-time position.

Application Details

Thank you for your interest in applying for this position.
To submit your application, you will be redirected to the Civil Service Commission website. In the job listing, scroll left and click the “Submit Application” button.
Last date for submitting applications for the tender: 20/01/2026

Here you can find extended information about the submission process and the tender process.

Notes

This document is written in gender-neutral language according to Hebrew language rules and addresses both women and men.

This position is eligible for a recruitment bonus. For information on this topic – click here

On the 16th of Tevet, 5786 (January 5, 2026), an application was filed to register a party named: The Zionist Way.

Jerusalem, 7 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police arrested ten suspects for involvement in a murder in the Negev Bedouin settlement of Ar’ara BaNegev, located southeast of Be’er Sheva. An initial investigation, said the police, indicates that the shooting was related to a family feud in the Bedouin community and, as such, would be yet another example of the continuing violent crimes in israel’s Arab communities.

The police launched an investigation overnight following a shooting incident in Ar’ara, during which a local resident in his 20s was shot. The injured man was evacuated from the scene to receive medical treatment at Soroka Hospital, and his death was later confirmed

Police forces operated at the scene of the incident, collecting evidence and findings, and within a short time, ten suspects, residents of Aroer in the Negev, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the shooting incident.