I received with a heavy heart the bitter news of the passing of Uri Lupolianski, may he rest in peace – former Mayor of Jerusalem, founder and chairman of the ‘Yad Sarah’ charity organization, and a wonderful person who connected all parts of Israeli society.

I knew Uri decades ago. From the first glance, I was impressed that his name matched his personality traits – a pleasant countenance, pleasant manners, and giving honor to others. He was imbued with love for the people and the land, for the Torah of Israel, and of course for Jerusalem.

As one who constantly stands, as the Prime Minister of Israel, guard of our capital Jerusalem, I found in Uri a loyal partner in strengthening Jerusalem‘s status under Israeli sovereignty. In his years as Mayor, he vigorously contributed to building Jerusalem as a city that was joined together.
 
To this was added the giant enterprise ‘Yad Sarah’ for lending medical equipment. Uri revolutionized this field of auxiliary services for the sick and injured. Tens of thousands of citizens are helped each year by ‘Yad Sarah’ volunteers – and all of them are accompanied by Uri’s credo: “Every day I ask myself not how much good I did yesterday, but how I can help tomorrow.”

At this moment, as the wonderful Uri is laid to eternal rest in the land of Jerusalem, my wife Sara and I extend our deepest condolences to the extensive Lupolianski family.

May his memory be blessed.
 

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel-based Cytora Therapeutics has partnered with two U.S. companies to manufacture and commercialize its allogeneic stem cell therapy in the United States, targeting non-healing diabetic foot ulcers and other indications.

Under the agreement, Made Scientific, a U.S. cell therapy CDMO headquartered in New Jersey, will serve as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner, while Florida-based Zeo ScientifiX will lead commercialization and market access. The collaboration will initially pursue commercialization in Florida under the state’s recently enacted stem cell access law, while advancing parallel U.S. FDA Phase 2b clinical trials.

Cytora will continue overseeing clinical and regulatory development from Israel.

According to estimates by the Meteorological Service, the severe weather expected tomorrow (Friday) will be characterized by extremely strong winds, very high waves, and intermittent rains from the north to the northern Negev, accompanied by thunderstorms.

Between noon and night, significant flash floods are expected in the northern and central Dead Sea, and in the Judean Desert, as well as disruptions on Road 90, and local flooding in the northern Negev.

During the night, the rain will gradually weaken and stop in most areas. The winds will also weaken.

The rain system will be accompanied by very strong and even unusual winds with the potential for damage, and very high waves with the potential to affect beaches.

Accordingly, Israel Police officers will be deployed in the relevant areas to provide optimal service to road users, particularly on main roads and routes, all with the aim of preserving the lives and safety of all citizens of Israel.

The police will publish any information regarding road closures and traffic disruptions due to the weather and recommend that the public avoid areas where weather hazards are feared and to pay attention to weather forecasts.

The police call on the public to drive with great caution and not to approach areas where there is a fear of flooding, due to the existing dangers of falling, being swept away, and drowning.

Here are guidelines for the public and safety rules for proper conduct in rainy weather:

• It is important to stay updated on the weather forecast and act according to the forecasting alerts.
   
• Non-essential trips or excursions to streams and flood-prone areas that may be flooded due to the weather should be avoided.
   
• Contact the authorized bodies before going on a trip to the field to receive essential and up-to-date information.
   
• It is forbidden to cross flooded roads, watercourses, puddles, and water holes by any means of transportation, and not to approach them. This is a life-threatening danger.
   
• Hikers are requested not to enter life-threatening areas.
   
• Do not enter elevators and underground parking lots while they are flooded.
   
• Strong winds – loose objects or those that may detach in strong winds, such as antennas, flower pots, sheds, loose cables, etc., should be secured and fixed.
   
• For drivers – driving must be adapted to road conditions.

Information about changes in traffic arrangements can also be obtained through the Israel Police National Information Center at number 110 and via chatbot, as well as through the Traffic Division’s Telegram channel.

For any unusual event requiring immediate police intervention, contact the police emergency center at number 100 without delay.

Attached is an information letter, a sync video, and a link to the 110 center’s chatbot:
https://go.gov.il/110

And the Traffic Division’s Telegram channel chatbot
https://t.me/Atanpolice

In recent weeks, as part of a joint operation by the General Security Service and Northern District Police, a minor (15) from the North was arrested on suspicion of being in contact with terror elements.

During his interrogation at the Shin Bet and the Galilee District’s Unit for Combating Crime, it emerged that the minor had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) organization and that detailed instructions for manufacturing an explosive belt were found in his possession. Furthermore, it was revealed that as part of his connections with individuals identified with the organization abroad, he took practical steps to prepare himself for carrying out an attack.

The investigation materials also indicated that the minor expressed identification with past attacks against the state of Israel, alongside wishes for its destruction. In addition, he participated in extremist discourse against people of other faiths, including Christians and Muslims who do not share his extremist worldview. At the conclusion of the investigation, an indictment will be filed against him today.

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces said it detected a failed rocket launch from Gaza City toward Israeli territory on Thursday, with the projectile falling short and landing inside the Gaza Strip near a hospital.

in response, the IDF struck the launch site.

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Innoviz Technologies has teamed up with South Korea’s Vueron Technology to make AI for cars and smart city systems faster and easier. The partnership lets Innoviz’s LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, which “see” like a human driver, work directly with Vueron’s AI platform to automatically label and train data. This reduces the time and effort needed to develop self-driving car technology and smart infrastructure systems.

The joint system is being demonstrated at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Innoviz CEO Omer Keilaf said the collaboration will help bring advanced LiDAR technology to market more quickly and easily.

The amended indictment, filed by Adv. Daniel Gilad from the Southern District Attorney’s Office, to which the defendants confessed, states that over a period of time, the two operated a systematic network to obtain matriculation exam questionnaires in real-time and distribute solutions to hundreds of examinees, in approximately 20 different matriculation exams, for a fee.

To this end, they used social networks under pseudonyms, recruited an exam proctor who photographed and transmitted the questionnaires to them during the exams, operated a collection system designed to disguise the source of the funds, and even instructed students on how to smuggle electronic devices into the exam rooms. In total, the defendants generated profits amounting to approximately ₪600,000.

In accordance with their confession, the defendants were convicted of offenses of obtaining something by fraud under aggravated circumstances, tax offenses, and money laundering.

During the sentencing arguments, Adv. Gilad argued that the defendants severely harmed the integrity of the exams, public order, the principle of equality, and public trust in the education system.

It was further argued that their actions harmed the education of youth and moral and integrity values, as they provided fraudulent services to minors and school students.

In the verdict, Judge Alon Gabizon stated: “Since the defendants called upon minors and high school students to cheat on matriculation exams, their actions also constitute harm to the values of education and integrity. The message of copying in exams and illegal ‘shortcuts’ is worthy of condemnation, and even more so when it is conveyed to young people.”

The judge further noted: “The defendants’ great audacity highlights the severity of their actions. The defendants, as well as the other conspirators, did not hesitate to use social networks and digital media to reach a large number of students, turning the internet space into an accessible and convenient platform for criminal activity… The defendants did not hesitate to distribute a TikTok video in which they offered fraudulent services.” And that the defendants’ actions indicate a blatant disregard for state institutions and norms of law observance.

In light of the foregoing, the court sentenced Shorouk Tzaluk to 44 months of actual imprisonment, a suspended sentence, and a fine of ₪300,000; and Wafa Tzaluk was sentenced to 36 months of actual imprisonment, a suspended sentence, and a fine of ₪250,000.

The third defendant, Majd Suad, who worked as a matriculation exam proctor, was convicted in accordance with his confession of the offense of aiding in obtaining something by fraud, and was sentenced to 400 hours of community service and a suspended sentence.

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli police arrested a man at Ben Gurion Airport after finding eight pistols in his luggage, authorities announced on Thursday.

In what police said was a carefully planned undercover operation, officers tracked the suspect, a resident of Be’er Yaakov, as he retrieved his luggage after arriving on a flight from Germany on Wednesday night.

Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli digital asset infrastructure company Fireblocks has acquired TRES Finance, a Tel Aviv–based enterprise platform for financial reporting and audit-ready blockchain data. The move aims to create the first unified operating system for onchain finance, allowing institutions to manage transactions, reconciliation, and compliance within a single workflow. Financial details of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

TRES, which serves more than 200 organizations including U.S.-based Alchemy, Swiss Bank Frick, and global firms like PwC, will integrate its financial intelligence into Fireblocks’ secure platform. Together, they seek to provide scalable, compliant, and end-to-end solutions for institutional digital asset operations worldwide.