Israel

04 Jan 2022; MEMO: Israeli officials attacked Harry Potter star Emma Watson after she uploaded a pro-Palestinian post on her official Instagram page.

Watson, who played the lead role Hermione Granger in the global franchise, shared an image which read "solidarity is a verb", imposed over images of a Palestinian solidarity demonstration, and stated it was a 'repost' from the 'Bad Activist Collective'.

JERUSALEM, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Israel said on Monday it will admit foreigners with presumed COVID-19 immunity from countries deemed medium-risk next week, partially reversing a ban imposed in late November in response to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

The change suggests Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's government sees waning value in sweeping travel curbs - which wrecked winter tourism - as domestic coronavirus cases surge.

JERUSALEM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems will provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force with electronic warfare (EW) protection systems, the company announced on Monday.

The systems, purchased for 53-million U.S. dollars, are intended to protect the UAE's Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aerial refueling and transport aircraft.

The contract includes direct infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems, which use an infrared beam to protect aircraft from heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Egyptian officials Sunday pushed for Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip to rein in hostilities and adhere to a cease-fire in place since the war in May.

The Egyptian efforts came a day after Hamas militants launched rockets into the Mediterranean Sea off central Israel, prompting Israel to carry out airstrikes on militant positions in Gaza early Sunday. No casualties were reported.

02 Jan 2022; MEMO: Scores of Israeli settlers on Sunday forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, according to a Palestinian agency, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a statement, the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf Department, which oversees holy sites in Jerusalem, said the settlers entered the complex through the Al-Mugharbah Gate under Israeli police protection.

03 Jan 2022; MEMO: It is in Israel's interest to have a strong and stable Palestinian Authority, the Israeli communications minister announced yesterday.

Yoaz Handel told Kan that he was against the meeting held recently between the Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. "If a meeting of this kind helps Gantz—it's his decision. I personally would not do it," he said.

31 Dec 2021; MEMO: Israel has signed a deal with the United States to buy 12 Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 refuelling planes, the Israeli Defence Ministry announced today.

The Ministry said the deal is worth around $3.1 billion adding that the procurement is "part of a wider programme to strengthen the capabilities of the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] and preparedness to face current and developing threats."

01 Jan 2022; MEMO: The Israeli occupation army has closed Hatzav, a major intelligence unit specialising in monitoring mass media in the Arab world, Akka News website revealed on Friday.

JERUSALEM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Ministry has signed deals with the United States to purchase a dozen Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky helicopters and two Boeing KC-46 refuelling planes, Israeli officials said Friday.

In a statement, the ministry estimated the scope of the helicopter agreement at 2 billion U.S. dollars, and the two refuelling aircraft at 1.1 billion dollars.

The ministry said the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky helicopters will replace the Israel Air Force's current "Yasur" helicopters. The deal also includes an option to buy six additional helicopters.

31 Dec 2021; MEMO: Egypt and the United Nations are trying to pressure Israel to end the detention of Palestinian prisoner and hunger striker Hisham Abu Hawash, media reported yesterday.

Al-Mayadeen quoted sources as saying that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement Secretary-General, Daoud Shehab, informed Egyptian authorities that the resistance would not remain "silent upon Israel's attempts to kill Abu Hawash."