Politics

By Ehud Amiton/TPS • June 10, 2025

Jerusalem, 10 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Navy missile boats struck targets at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida in western Yemen early Tuesday, in what Defense Minister Israel Katz called a direct response to ongoing Houthi attacks on Israel.

“We have warned the Houthi terror organization that if they continue to shoot at Israel, they will face a powerful response and be under a naval and aerial blockade,” Katz said. “This is what we did today, and we will continue to do so in the future.”

The Israel Defense Forces said that the Navy’s ability to operate from close range without needing to return to Israel for refueling provided strategic advantages in targeting the port, which had proven more difficult for the Air Force to hit in previous attacks. Since July 2024, the Air Force has conducted roughly ten strikes on Houthi targets across Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport and other strategic infrastructure.

“The strike was intended to deepen the damage to the military use of the port,” the IDF said. “It continues to be used for terror activity, serving as yet another example of the Houthi terror regime’s cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure.”

The strike followed a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. Since the last Israeli airstrike on May 28, the Houthis have launched seven ballistic missiles and at least one drone at Israel. One missile fired late Monday reportedly fell short of its target. In total, since the war began, the Houthis have launched more than 400 projectiles at Israel, though the IDF only began retaliating after a Houthi drone killed an Israeli civilian in Tel Aviv in July 2024.

Israeli air defenses have intercepted most of the Houthi missiles and drones.

Several major international airlines canceled flights to Tel Aviv on May 4 after a ballistic missile fired from Yemen struck within Ben Gurion International Airport’s grounds — the first time a missile has landed inside the airport complex.

On Monday night, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee warned Yemenis to evacuate the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif.

Media outlets affiliated with the Houthis reported two strikes on the port of Hodeida Tuesday morning, marking the first naval assault by Israel on the city since the start of the conflict. “Israel’s long hand in the air and at sea will reach everywhere,” Katz said following the operation.

Tuesday’s attack marks the tenth Israeli strike in Yemen since Hamas’s deadly assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7, when at least 1,180 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage. Of the 55 remaining hostages, 33 are believed to be dead.

By Pesach Benson • June 10, 2025

Jerusalem, 10 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The brave actions of Kibbutz Erez’s civilian defense squad, reinforced by volunteers from neighboring Kibbutz Or Ha’Ner, prevented a potential massacre when Hamas terrorists attempted to overrun the Gaza border community during the October 7, 2023 onslaught, according to a military investigation released Tuesday.

“Their brave fighting in the kibbutz prevented a massacre,” the Israel Defense Forces probe concluded, praising residents and civilian security team members who “demonstrated courage, determination to engage, and camaraderie” during hours of fierce combat against 15 to 20 infiltrating terrorists.

The investigation, conducted by Lt. Col. (res.) Israel Shitrit, revealed that local security officers eliminated at least two terrorists at the kibbutz’s edge, while soldiers killed six more near the Gaza border fence. The remaining attackers apparently retreated to Gaza. One defender, Major (res.) Amir Manzhor Naim, a member of the local security team, was killed during the fighting, and several other civilians were wounded.

The battle began at 6:28 a.m., just one minute before Hamas launched over 1,000 rockets at Israel. An IDF company commander spotted two drones overhead and opened fire, downing one while the second struck his position. As air raid sirens wailed across southern Israel, Erez’s security coordinator, who was in Jerusalem that morning, immediately activated the community’s local defense team.

The kibbutz’s former security coordinator, who was present in the community, took command of the civil defense squad. Crucially, 12 of the kibbutz’s 16 assault rifles were stored in the homes of local security officers rather than in a central armory, allowing immediate access to weapons when many other border communities faced delays in arming their defenders.

At 6:38 a.m., the area’s IDF company commander ordered a tank to position itself between the Gaza border fence and the kibbutz. The tank crew engaged the first wave of infiltrating terrorists, running over some attackers on motorcycles before being hit by anti-tank missile fire.

The most intense fighting erupted at 7:05 a.m. when civil defense squad members spotted several pickup trucks approaching the kibbutz’s back entrance. “Fierce fighting” ensued as terrorists disembarked and exchanged fire with the defenders at the rear gate.

During the prolonged battle, one security officer was wounded in the head by a grenade at 7:15 a.m. but continued fighting. Another was hit by gunfire at 7:40 a.m. and evacuated for medical treatment. The terrorists fired RPGs at kibbutz homes during the assault.

At 7:45 a.m., Naim was fatally wounded while fighting from a home’s yard near the back entrance. As the Erez defenders found themselves pinned down and running low on ammunition, reinforcements from Or Ha’Ner arrived at 8 a.m., followed by additional volunteers at 8:15 a.m.

The former Erez security coordinator organized a rescue mission to reach trapped civil defense squad members. Under heavy fire, the rescue team reached the embattled post at 8:45 a.m. and successfully evacuated the local security officers by 9 a.m.

After another RPG struck a house near the back entrance, injuring several defenders and civilians, the security officers regrouped and rescued the family living in the targeted home. The defenders then moved to the kibbutz’s perimeter fence, where terrorists had been spotted using drones.

During this final phase, terrorists managed to breach the fence using explosives and briefly enter the kibbutz before being repelled by the security officers. The fighting ended around 10:30 a.m.

“The IDF struggled until the afternoon to form a clear picture of events in Erez, while the local security team had a general understanding by morning,” the probe noted. A small paratroopers force finally arrived at 10:45 a.m., followed by Shin Bet officers at 1 p.m.

The investigation acknowledged that the IDF “failed in its mission to protect” Erez, primarily because the military was unprepared for such a widespread, simultaneous attack on multiple communities. However, it credited the tank deployment and Israeli Air Force strikes with disrupting terrorist plans and preventing larger infiltrations.

“Erez was infiltrated by terrorists during the onslaught, but was never conquered at any stage,” the investigation concluded, highlighting how civilian courage under fire saved their community from devastation.

Civilian security teams are trained in basic military and first aid skills, and are equipped with defensive gear and weapons to handle threats until official security forces arrive. Since October 7, frontline communities have been strengthening their teams.

Tuesday’s report is the latest in a series of detailed army probes — summaries of which have been released in recent weeks — of how some 5,000 terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad managed to attack numerous Israeli communities and overrun the army’s border positions. The army’s chain of command broke amid the chaos and soldiers were outnumbered.

The investigations found that the army misunderstood Hamas’s intentions for years, and as October 7 approached, intelligence about the looming attack was misinterpreted. The military was also more focused on threats from Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The IDF probes only deal with issues of operations, intelligence and command, not decisions made by the political echelon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted calls for a state commission of inquiry, saying he opposes a “politically biased” probe. Critics accuse Netanyahu of delaying the inquiry and trying to water down its mandate.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 55 remaining hostages, 33 are believed to be dead.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar today (10 June 2025) met with the Foreign Minister of Zambia Mulambo Haimbe. Following is FM Sa’ar’s statement alongside FM Mulambo Haimbe.

FM Sa’ar: “We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures. I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

Full Remarks:

“It is my honor to welcome Zambia’s Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe to Jerusalem, our eternal capital.

I’d like to begin with condolences on behalf of the people and government of Israel – for the passing of former President Edgar Lungu a few days ago.

President Lungu opened Zambia’s embassy in Israel.

Our thoughts are with the people of Zambia and the President’s family.

****

Minister, this is your first visit to Israel.

I believe it symbolizes a new stage in relations between our nations and I’m happy that you were able to see some Biblical sites in Jerusalem and Samaraia.

These relations go back to Zambia’s independence in 1964.

Zambia’s first President, Kenneth Kaunda, formed relations with Israel and was a true friend.

That spirit of friendship continues today under President Hichilema.

I commend Zambia for its moral stance alongside Israel in the ICJ: opposing the political procedure against Israel there.

****

Minister, in the past we had an embassy in Zambia. It was closed a long time ago.

That was a mistake. Now I’m fixing it.

It is my honor and privilege to open a new Israeli embassy in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital.

I intend to come to Zambia and inaugurate the embassy in August.

This important step will bring our nations closer.

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved my proposal to appoint Ofra Farhi as our resident Ambassador to Zambia.

Anbassador Farhi served as our non-resident Ambassador to your country in recent years.

She has a strong knowledge of our relations and I’m convinced that she will succeed in her position.

In our meeting we discussed expanding partnerships [including in agriculture, food security, health, water management and more].

We discussed the trauma unit Israel is establishing in a hospital in Livingston.

This will directly contribute to the local health system.

Israel is proud to help its friends.

Relations between our countries are not only based on common interests.

They are rooted in shared values.

These are relations between two nations of believers:

Believers in ancient traditions based on our Bible.

****

Deepening relations with Zambia is part of our strategy for 2025 – to strengthen Israel’s engagement with the African continent.

In the past, relations between Israel and Africa flourished.

Unfortunately, they decreased with the years.

We are now changing direction.

****

Israel is committed to bringing home all of its hostages. We discussed it in our meeting.

Israel has demonstrated that commitment once again in the past week.

In two special operations – Israeli forces returned the bodies of two Israeli hostages, Judy Weinstein and Gadi Hagai, and a Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta.

In a few minutes we will hold a ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport to mark the return of his body to Thailand.

Israel is serious in its will to secure a hostage deal.

There has recently been certain progress. In light of past experience, I don’t want to overstate it at this point.

But we are interested in reaching a deal, which will include a ceasefire.

We are committed to bringing all of our hostages home, alive and dead.

****

This morning, Israeli forces attacked terror targets of the Houthis in the Hudaydah Port.

The Houthis threaten the stability of the Middle East, Africa and international shipping lanes.

They use the civil port for the purposes of terror.

They have attacked Israel since October 7th, unprovoked, even though we share no border.

They continue to fire missiles and drones at our communities.

Israel will continue to fight terror – in all forms and on all fronts.

****

On early Monday morning, the “Selfie Yacht”, a PR stunt, was safely brought to the shores of Israel by the IDF.

Greta, persona-non-greta, received food and good treatment.

Israel acted in a peaceful manner.

I want to be clear: These personae-non-greta will not be allowed to stay in Israel.

Greta departed Israel for Sweden earlier today. Another person departed and two others will leave later today.

Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan has so far refused to sign deportation documents – as have 7 others.

According to Israeli law: they should be brought before a judicial authority to authorize their deportation.

Greta and her friends brought in a tiny amount of aid on their “celebrity yacht”. They did not help the people of Gaza.

This was nothing but a ridiculous gimmick. A publicity stunt and nothing more.

In any case – it is our intention to deliver to Gaza the tiny amount of aid on the yacht that they did not consume.

But over 1,200 aid trucks entered Gaza from Israel within the last two weeks.

Over 11 million meals were directly delivered to the civilians of Gaza by the GHF, on top of it.

Finally, we were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list.

It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.

I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the President of Argentina: “Javier, you are a real friend of Israel!” 

President Milei commended the Prime Minister’s strength in conducting the multi-front war and expressed unwavering support for the State of Israel and the justice of its cause. He added that Israel’s victory in the war will constitute a victory for the entire Western world.

The Prime Minister praised President Milei for the market economy he is leading in his country, which has greatly contributed to its prosperity and effected change.

The two leaders agreed to continue being in close personal contact and to increase bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 10 June 2025), at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, met with Argentine President Javier Milei.

President Milei commended the Prime Minister’s strength in conducting the multi-front war and expressed unwavering support for the State of Israel and the justice of its cause. He added that Israel’s victory in the war will constitute a victory for the entire Western world.

The Prime Minister praised President Milei for the market economy he is leading in his country, which has greatly contributed to its prosperity and effected change.

The two leaders agreed to continue being in close personal contact and to increase bilateral cooperation.

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog today (Tuesday, 10 June 2025), met with President Javier Milei, who was making a state visit to Israel.

President Herzog welcomed President Milei at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem in a special ceremony with an honor guard, and the playing of both national anthems.

Before the two presidents went on to hold a bilateral working meeting, the two made public statements.

President Herzog: “Welcome, my friend President Javier Milei, to Israel. On behalf of the State of Israel – I am very pleased to host you again. Just a few months ago, we marked 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Israel – in a ceremony I had the honor to participate in, alongside our friend Ambassador Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish. I am glad that thanks to your leadership, my friend Mr. President, and your friendship – after all, your name “Javier” resembles the Hebrew word for “friend” – we are able today to mark not only 75 years of bilateral relations, but also a historic peak in the warm relations between our countries.”

“The relations between Argentina and Israel have deep historical roots. A key milestone among them was the establishment of the Argentine Embassy in Israel – the first among Latin American nations. Additionally, both the Jewish community in Argentina and the Argentine community in Israel represent magnificent bridges that contribute to the strong alliance between our nations.

“During your presidency, my friend Milei, our relations have reached new heights – and will continue to rise. You love Israel – and we love you. A wonderful example of the strengthening of relations between our countries, which you are leading with determination and commitment, is your initiative – the new and important Memorandum of Understanding, concerning “the protection of liberty and democracy, and the fight against terror and antisemitism.”

“The partnership between our countries, especially in the fight against antisemitism and terror, is critical – and this memorandum once again proves how courageous an ally you are in this cause.

“I am confident that the coming year – in which Argentina will take over the presidency of the IHRA from Israel – will showcase your firm agenda on the matter.

“Mr. President, it is no secret that true friends are measured in times of crisis. The Jewish people are a people who remember. The State of Israel, and I at its head, will always remember your standing by Israel and your arrival here to stand with us in our time of great hardship. We will always remember your resolute calls and actions for the immediate return of all the hostages, including those who hold Argentine citizenship. Hostages who are still being tortured, even at this very moment – by Hamas murderers, criminals against humanity.

“Together with you, my friend President, I cry out from here to all humanity – to act by every means and with all strength, and to bring about the urgent release of all the hostages home – to Israel. Some for healing and returning to their homes, and some to be laid to rest in dignity. Until the very last of them!

“This is a duty placed on all of humanity – not to rest and not to be silent until all the hostages return to their homeland.

“With your permission, I now call on all the leaders of the free world—to stand with unified, determined resolve—and to declare unequivocally: no diplomatic progress can be made until the hostages are released. Hamas and its supporters, even at the state level, see great success in dividing us—the nations that seek stability, quiet, and peace. But such a unified front will be not only moral—it will also be effective. Effective for the release of the hostages—and for changing the reality in our region.

“The State of Israel will always remember your unequivocal support for Israel’s right to defend itself; your determination to see with your own eyes the horrific atrocities that befell the citizens of Israel in the communities of the Western Negev. I will never forget your tears of sorrow during our joint visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz; nor your decision to declare two days of mourning in Argentina upon learning of the bitter fate of the Bibas family—Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, of blessed memory—who were brutally murdered by vile terrorists in an act of unmatched cruelty.

“I could not help but think of them—of the Bibas family—when I recently visited the bereaved family of Yaron Lischinsky, a diplomat at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, who was murdered by a vile terrorist, together with his partner, Sarah Milgrim, a young American woman who also worked with him. Yaron’s father—Daniel—is a proud Argentine citizen, who grew up in Argentina. My conversation with him, in the shadow of the terrible tragedy that struck his family, also brought to light the deep bond—sometimes a painful one—between our two countries.

“Mr. President, as you know, the entire family of nations now finds itself at the heart of a historic challenge. The Iranian octopus of evil is growing stronger and sending its tentacles of hatred and terror across the globe, including through its proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, and of course, the Houthis, who regularly fire missiles at Israeli civilians and whose impact on global shipping routes has harmed the entire world economy.

“I take this opportunity, by your side, Mr. President, to stress emphatically: In the face of the Iranian threat—a threat to all humanity—we must stand united, determined, and resolute. Against terror, against hatred and antisemitism, and most urgently: against Iran’s nuclear program.

“Israel cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran. Our allies cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran. The world cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran.

“The State of Israel greatly appreciates your country’s declaration that Hezbollah and Hamas are terrorist organizations; and we are certain that the same is true for the driving force behind these terror groups—the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

“Mr. President, one of the famous teachings of the great Lubavitcher Rebbe is that “it is the small acts, done on a daily basis, that turn ‘me and you’ into ‘us.’” The many actions you have taken—and continue to take—give practical expression to the Rebbe’s words.

“These are important, moral, and ethical acts that turn two individuals—or in this case, two nations—from “me and you” into “us.”You are a true friend. And your words of truth ring clear. I thank you for your commitment to truth and for the many efforts you make to stand with us and to reflect reality as it is.

“On my behalf and on behalf of the entire People of Israel, I wish you, your country, and the entire Argentine people “blessing and success.”

I have no doubt that under your leadership, our relations will continue to grow, to deepen, and to flourish—in the areas of tourism, trade, and economy, of course—for the benefit of the Argentine and Israeli peoples, for the benefit of the cherished Jewish community in Argentina, and for the benefit of the entire free world that longs for peace and prosperity. Thank you very much, President Milei. Thank you very much, Javier—a true friend of Israel.”

President Milei: “I would first like to thank President Herzog for the invitation, especially at this time of such great fatigue and pain for the people of Israel.

“The friendship between our two states and peoples is a diplomatic pillar of our administration. As a nation, we wish to stand firmly by your side as you go through these somber days. We will not give in in the face of criticism arising out of cowardly attitudes or directly out of complicity with barbarity. The fight against terrorism is a cause that unites us as nations and to which we are firmly committed. In addition to the terrible bombings of the AMIA and the Israeli Embassy perpetrated on our territory, the heinous attack of October 7 also included 27 Argentinian citizens who lost the lives, and also 21 were kidnapped. We continue to demand the unconditional return of the four Argentines who are still held captive, Eitan Horn, Ariel and David Cunio, and Lior Rudaeff, and all those kidnapped, still held by the terrorist organization Hamas.

“Israel, in its rejection of the cowardly surrender in the face of terrorism is currently a lighthouse shining a light on the path of freedom and a commitment to civilization. Argentina, with its own epic in defense of freedom, also intends to shine light in the same direction.

“We hope to be able to continue to enhance the ties between our nations based on these common goals and long standing ties.

“The future needs our collaboration in order to spread light and keep the darkness at bay. We will never give up and demanding the unconditional release of all those kidnapped of still held, and we also insist on accompanying the people of Israel in these tragic years.

“Once again, I thank the Israeli President for this generous invitation, and I trust that this visit will be a milestone in the strengthening the friendship between Argentina and Israel.

“May God bless Israel. May God bless Argentina. And may the force of Heaven be with us. Long live freedom!”

By Pesach Benson • June 9, 2025

Jerusalem, 9 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Three people were killed in northern Israel on Sunday evening and overnight in separate incidents, adding to a surge in homicides that brought the weekly death toll to 14.

Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, blamed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, saying he has “utterly failed in his duty” to oversee law enforcement.

In the Arab town of Umm al-Fahm, a 60-year-old woman was fatally stabbed. Her 28-year-old son was arrested after allegedly also stabbing his pregnant wife, who was hospitalized in moderate condition. Police said the suspect, found covered in blood, threatened officers with a sharp object before being subdued.

In Daburiyya, a 27-year-old man was shot dead and another man, 22, was lightly injured. Police said the shooting appeared to be criminal in nature.

Earlier that evening, a 21-year-old from Kfar Hittim was shot in Tiberias and later died at the hospital. The motive remains unknown and the shooter fled the scene.

Much of the deadly violence has affected Arab Israeli towns and villages. The Abraham Initiatives, a non-profit organization that promotes Arab integration into Israeli society, reported 107 violent deaths in the Arab community this year — 91 by gunfire — up from 90 at this time last year.

The spike is a continuation of the Arab sector’s 230 murders in 2024. In 2023, a record number of 244 Israeli-Arabs were murdered, more than double the 120 homicides in 2022.

The surge in violence is attributed to organized crime groups fighting turf battles and trying to eliminate rivals. Arab criminal organizations have been involved in extortion, money laundering, and trafficking in weapons, drugs and women.

Critics argue the crime wave has worsened since Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, became National Security Minister in 2022.

By Pesach Benson and Noa Aidan • June 9, 2025

Jerusalem, 9 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s coalition crisis deepened on Monday when the Haredi Orthodox Shas party announced it would support a preliminary vote to disperse the Knesset on Wednesday, prompting one analyst to tell The Press Service of Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has run out of options to keep the government afloat. Without controversial legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service, Shas will join the United Torah Judaism party in quitting the coalition.

“If there is nothing serious…that we can bring before the rabbis and say, ‘Here is an achievement we can discuss, that we can put our minds to,’ then as we promised and said, we will need to vote for dispersing the Knesset,” Shas spokesperson Asher Medina told Kol Berama Radio.

Medina insisted that Shas has no interest in elections but said the party had “reached the limit, especially out of the attempt to humiliate the haredim,” citing criticism from Likud MK Yuli Edelstein, who chairs the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which any legislation will have to pass through. Medina blamed Netanyahu for failing to produce an acceptable compromise, though noted Netanyahu recently “entered the heart of the issue.”

United Torah Judaism has already announced support for dissolving the Knesset, making both major ultra-Orthodox parties potential coalition-breakers. Even if the dissolution bill passes its preliminary reading, it requires three additional Knesset votes—a process that could extend for weeks.

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s legal team is crafting new legislation that would establish annual draft quotas from the haredi sector, eventually reaching 50% of each graduating class. The bill would include sanctions for individuals ignoring draft orders. Since the previous legal exemption expired in June 2024, approximately 24,000 draft orders to haredi men have been largely ignored. The IDF has already acknowledged it won’t meet its High Court commitment of 4,800 haredi draftees by June 30, 2025.

If the new bill doesn’t pass by the Knesset’s summer recess in late July, the current law requiring all eligible haredi men to serve will remain in effect until at least October. However, if the Knesset dissolves, legislative progress becomes impossible.

In a bid to buy time, coalition lawmakers planned to bring 50 bills to the plenum agenda. In response, opposition National Unity chairman Benny Gantz ordered his party to withdraw all legislation from Wednesday’s plenum agenda except the dissolution bill.

But Professor Emmanuel Navon, who lectures on political science at Tel Aviv University told TPS-IL that there’s no room for a compromise that would be acceptable to both the Haredi parties and the High Court of Justice. Firing Edelstein as committee chairman, as some MKs have called for, won’t make any difference either.

“Netanyahu doesn’t really have options,” Navon said. “Let’s say he fires Edelstein — then what? Maybe he’ll get a more agreeable chair for the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee who will promote a conscription law that the Haredim demand — but it won’t pass the High Court. And practically, it will be disqualified. No Knesset legal advisor or committee advisor will agree to promote such a law.”

Navon added that in the unlikely event such legislation were promoted, “the law would get struck down and won’t be accepted by the public. Promoting a draft-evasion law will only strengthen Netanyahu’s rivals, especially in upcoming elections. So Netanyahu has no interest in making the next election about conscription or the exemption law — that would anger a large part of his voters.”

The controversy has divided Israeli society for years, but a recent High Court ruling and the prolonged war with Hamas has made the exemptions harder to sell to voters, Navon explained.

“Most Israelis now feel there’s no reason not everyone should contribute to the war effort. Unfortunately, we’ve had many casualties, and the burden is very heavy. Reservists are being required to serve three months a year — that’s a lot. Regular soldiers had their service extended by a year. Meanwhile, a large part of the population is not contributing. That damages tolerance in Israeli society,” Navon told TPS-IL.

The military began making plans to draft yeshiva students after Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled in June that exemptions for the Haredi community were illegal.

The army told lawmakers it faces a critical manpower shortage, needing approximately 12,000 new recruits, including 7,000 combat soldiers and seeks to recruit 4,800 Haredi men annually, a figure expected to rise over time.

Military service is compulsory for all Israeli citizens. However, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, and the country’s leading rabbis agreed to a status quo that deferred military service for Haredi men studying in yeshivot, or religious institutions. At the time, no more than several hundred men were studying in yeshivot.

However, the Orthodox community has grown significantly since Israel’s founding. In January 2023, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported that Haredim are Israel’s fastest-growing community and projected it would constitute 16% of the population by the end of the decade. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, the number of yeshiva students exceeded 138,000 in 2021.

By Pesach Benson • June 9, 2025

Jerusalem, 9 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli Health Ministry’s 2023 Health Equity Report, released Monday, highlighted wide gaps in health outcomes and services between different population groups and regions, with the war driving a sharp drop in life expectancy—especially among Jewish men.

“Inequality in health services remains a significant challenge, affecting the lives of many citizens,” said Health Minister Uriel Bosso.” Reducing health inequalities is a national value of the highest order.”

According to the report, the national average life expectancy in 2023 was 83.8 years. However, after accounting for war casualties, the figure dropped to 83.3 years—a reduction of nearly one year for Jewish men.

“The war that began in the last quarter of 2023 led to a decrease of 11 months in life expectancy for Jewish men and four months for Jewish women,” the report said.

Despite the toll of war, life expectancy showed an overall upward trend compared to pre-COVID levels, with the adjusted average still higher than the 2019 figure of 82.9 years. Among demographic groups, Jewish and other women had the highest life expectancy at 85.8 years, while Arab men had the lowest at 78.2.

Regional disparities were also significant. The North, South, and Haifa districts all reported life expectancies below the national average between 2021 and 2023. The Judea and Samaria district recorded the highest at 84.4 years, followed by the Central district at 84.2. The lowest figures were in the South (81.6) and North (81.9), which the report attributes in part to differences in population composition.

Infant mortality figures also underscore persistent inequalities. While the national rate stood at 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births — better than the OECD average of 3.7 — the disparity between Jewish and Arab populations remained stark. Among Jews, the rate was 1.9 per 1,000, compared to 5.2 among Arabs. The gap was most severe in the Southern district, where Arab infant mortality was four times higher than that of Jews.

Health infrastructure continues to lag behind international standards. As of December 2023, Israel had just 1.716 general hospital beds per 1,000 people, far below the 2022 OECD average of 3.81. This shortfall is even more acute in the periphery, where residents face limited access to hospital beds, oncology treatments, and rehabilitation services.

“Sixty percent of oncology treatments in Israel are concentrated in four large hospitals in the center,” the report said, forcing patients in peripheral areas to travel long distances for care.

By Crystal Jones • June 8, 2025

Jerusalem, 8 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — An expert has called for changes to be made in dealing with criminals who break Israeli maritime law, in light of anti-Israeli ‘activist’ Greta Thunberg’s expected Gaza boat landing in the coming days.

Thunberg, 22, and several others, including Irish Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, 64, boarded a small ‘pleasure’ boat which left the shore of Italy last Sunday.

The group claim to be taking aid to Palestinians in Gaza on board their 12-person boat named ‘Madleen’, breaking the law of a blockade that has been in place since 2009.

Those on board the flotilla have been regularly posting on their website and had a tracker indicating where they are, which was turned off this morning, for reasons which are yet unclear.

At the last glance, on Sunday morning, it looked as though the boat was at least 48 hours away from landing, but the crew told British media outlets on Sunday morning that they expect to arrive in Gaza tomorrow (Monday).

It is expected that Israel will let the boat reach Gazan shores, and then arrest the crew, before putting them back on a plane to their respective countries.

But this stance has been criticized by legal experts and activists.

Lt.-Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch told TPS-IL that instead of allowing the boat to moor, it should be ‘blown out of the water’ before it reaches land, as a deterrent to others who may wish to enact copy-cat crimes.

Hirsch, a previous Director of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria and current advisor to Israel’s Ministry of Defense said: “There hasn’t been a case where Israel has prosecuted any [maritime criminals] to date.

“We aren’t interested in doing that, as it would mean they’d have to be in Israel, and we are not interested in them being here for a trial, so it is unlikely we will do that.

“We will put Greta [and the others] her on the first plane available. We just hold them, we may interrogate them, and seize the vessels.

“The boat may be taken in by the court in Haifa, and the boat may be forfeited, but people are just expelled. Even those the ones who were on board the Mavi Marmara in 2010 weren’t prosecuted.”

The Mavi Marmara was one of a fleet of ships, claiming to be a ‘Gaza Freedom Flotilla’ driven by Pro-Palestinians 15 years ago towards the strip, and was found to be carrying multiple weapons.

There has been a bloackade imposed by Israel on boats carrying aid into Gaza since 2009, in an attempt to weaken aid to Hamas.

Hirsch continued: “This isn’t the first [attempt to breach the blockade] – there have been half a dozen since 2010, and there will probably be more.

“What we’ve done in the past is moor them and turn them around, and that allows them to enjoy their media fest, and then they return back as heroes, having supposedly ‘challenged’ the Israeli occupation.

“That whole cycle does nothing for Israel. On the other hand, Israel has other options which should be explored and that would enhance Israel’s deterrent – i.e anyone who tries to breach the blockade and refuses to heed that should be blown out of the water.

“As harsh as it sounds, these events would let them know that Israel means business.”

He went on to state that as well as taking such drastic measures, there could be other methods too: “There are other options other than mooring. Instead of allowing this, the boat could have been stopped very much earlier.

“So it could have been addressed in a different way, we could have blown them out the water, or once they moor, there should be a media black out, so they can’t play up to the circus they’re trying to create.

“They could also be paraded alongside the minimal aid they’re bringing, parading them in front of the press and exposing this fraud as it is.”

As well as Thunberg and Cunningham, ten others are on board the boat, including a German self-described ‘activist’ who openly celebrates when Iran bombs Israel, and French politician Rima Hassan who has attended pro Hamas rallies in Jordan and blamed Israel for the killing on the Bibas family, who were murdered by Hamas in captivity.

Others have expressed support for Hezbollah and hail from Brazil and Turkey.

David Lange, Executive Director of Israellycool Israel Advocacy, who researched the social media backgrounds of all those on board, finding that many are supporters of terror groups, told TPS-IL he would like to see Israel at least searching the ship before it gets to Gaza, to ensure no weapons are on board.

He said: “Because we have these people who have shown they support Hamas and Hezbollah, we should at least stop the ship and check for weapons, as they have shown clear hatred for Israel.”

Other than that, he said it doesn’t ‘bother’ him if they wish to enter Gaza, but echoing Hirsch’s sentiments that the voyage is more about a PR attack on Israel than aid for Gaza, he said: “Its performative.

“They want to embarrass Israel, and by stopping them, in a way, we’re playing into their narrative, but we do need to make sure weapons don’t get through to the strip, which is a high probability.

“In principle, I don’t mind them going there, it doesn’t bother me, but they are trying to push us into a corner. Its a PR stunt.

“It’s not just the sentiments of some of those on board, but in the past, there have been some violent people on board boats travelling to Gaza.”

Last week, Defense Minister Israel Katz gave instructions to the IDF to take ‘any measures’ necessary to prevent the boat from reaching Gaza.

He announced today: “The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza — whose primary purpose is to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas, a murderous terrorist organization that holds our hostages and commits war crimes.

“I have instructed the IDF to act to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza. To the antisemitic Greta and her Hamas propaganda-spreading friends — I say clearly; you would be wise to turn back, because you will not reach Gaza.

“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or aid terrorist organizations — by sea, by air, and on land.”