Israel

JERUSALEM, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Israel said on Wednesday that a U.S. plan to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem that has traditionally been a base for diplomatic outreach to Palestinians is a "bad idea" and could destabilise Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's new government.

The prior administration of President Donald Trump signalled support for Israel's claim on Jerusalem as its capital by moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv and subsuming the consulate in that mission.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Wednesday approved a series of measures easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip, including opening the main commercial crossing with the Palestinian enclave to imports.

31 Aug 2021; MEMO: Seven Palestinian journalists were arrested by Israeli occupation forces on Friday while covering nonviolent protests in the occupied South Hebron Hills.

31 Aug 2021; MEMO: Palestinian media reported yesterday that an Israeli court rejecting the release of a Palestinian woman who is nine months pregnant and due to give birth in detention.

Twenty-five-year-old Al-Deek from the Kafr Ni'ma town west of Ramallah, who has two children, was detained when she was four months pregnant.

JERUSALEM, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sought on Monday to play down any notion of a move towards renewed peace negotiations with the Palestinians after the highest-level Israeli-Palestinian meeting in years.

Hours after Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met, the main Israeli media outlets quoted "a source close to the prime minister" as saying: "There is no diplomatic process with the Palestinians, nor will there be one."

26 Aug 2021; MEMO: As many as 72.8 per cent of Israelis oppose the reopening of a US consulate in Jerusalem as the de facto mission for Palestinians, a new poll showed.

Israel's Channel 7 said the poll was commissioned by Member of the Knesset Nir Barkat.

26 Aug 2021; MEMO: Israel's top Jewish religious authorities have told the Vatican they are concerned about comments that Pope Francis made about their books of sacred law and have asked for a clarification.

In a letter seen by Reuters, Rabbi Rasson Arousi, chair of the Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel for Dialogue with the Holy See, said the comments appeared to suggest Jewish law was obsolete.

Vatican authorities said they were studying the letter and were considering a response.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said that it would be easing commercial restrictions on the Gaza Strip and expand entry of goods to the Palestinian enclave following days of heightened tensions.

The announcement came after hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated Wednesday near the Israeli border, calling on Israel to ease a crippling blockade days after a similar gathering ended in deadly clashes with the Israeli army.

25 Aug 2021; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the New York Times yesterday that there would be no peace with the Palestinians and the Israeli siege on Gaza will continue as long as Hamas rules the coastal enclave.

25 Aug 2021; MEMO: An Arab Israeli lawmaker died from a heart attack in southern Israel today, according to a statement by his party.

Said Al-Harumi, 49, from the Ra'am Party, was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack but he was pronounced dead, local media outlets reported.

"May God have mercy on Said and guide him in peace. We extend our condolences to Said's family and the people of the Negev," the party said in a statement.