Yesterday, Peres visited the Kosel & Chacham Yosef Shlita after winning the Israeli presidency. Today, he visited the grave of Ben Gurion.
After interference from illegal pirated radio stations, Ben Gurion Airport was shut down for approximately one hour.
A few moments after a Bulgarian Airliner took off from BG Airport, it radio that it had a malfunction on board and would need to return to the airport. The plane circled over sea to dump it’s fuel and was then permitted to return to the airport – but with the Israeli Air Force escorting it. It is not clear as to why the IAF chose to do this – but it is being reported that they suspected that the plane did not have a malfunction. Upon landing at the airport, all passengers needed to go through intense security screening.
Israeli Police seized 40,000 Ecstasy pills found in a passenger’s suitcase at Ben Gurion Airport this afternoon – according to Ynet. The seizure comes after surveillance of a drugs-smuggling ring whose members include a father and his two sons.
In an Haaretz exclusive, an insider leaked to the news agency that there are serious flaws in the security structure at Ben Gurion Airport. The flaws are reported to be at the new Terminal 3 building which had cost a whopping $1 billion to build. The report states that Terminal 3 is not prepared for a large scale accident or security-related incident. In response to the findings, Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed the IAA to immediately find solutions for the security flaws.
A confidential internal document submitted by flight controllers at Ben-Gurion International Airport to the director of the Airports Authority warns of serious safety problems posing dangers to flights taking off and landing. The document, which the Haaretz News Agency obtained calls for “urgent action.”
Lightning struck a Lufthansa airplane during landing at Ben Gurion airport Thursday evening during a thunderstorm. B”H No one was injured, but the company has decided to ground the plane to check for damage.
UPS Israel has commenced building its new state of the art distribution facility in Ben Gurion Airport. In a statement issued last week by Mr. Lior Sagie, UPS Israeli operations manager, Sagie said that all legal formalities had been completed and he expected moving in, in early 2008.
An Israel Airports Authority workers’ union strike disrupted flights at Ben Gurion International Airport for the second straight day on Thursday.
Red alert sirens blared at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday in central Israel, the Sharon and the Shefela, including in the cities of Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Rosh Haayin, Ra’anana, Kfar Saba, Beer Yaakov, Petach Tikva, Kiryat Ono, Givat Shmuel, Givatayim, and Bat Yam. Residents of the area reported hearing loud booms. Sirens were also heard in northern Israel. One rocket hit the Ben-Gurion Airport area but Baruch Hashem, did not cause major damage or injuries. However, shrapnel fell in the area and an El Al flight to Paris was delayed on the runway. About half an hour after the incident, the Israel Airport Authority announced that the airport had resumed normal operations, and El Al announced that none of its aircraft was damaged. A large missile fragment fell inside a parked car in Ra’anana but miraculously caused no injuries: Following the impact, the Israel Airports Authority halted takeoffs and landings. An entire unexploded rocket was found on the grounds of Ben-Gurion Airport: Following the sirens, which sounded in at least 179 locations in Israel, the IDF spokesperson said that projectiles were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon. “Aalerts were activated in several areas in the north and center of the country due to launches that crossed from Lebanon,” the IDF spokesperson said. “The details are being investigated.” The Air Force reported that they successfully intercepted several rockets. The IDF later said that Hezbollah fired 11 rockets into central Israel. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The IDF said on Monday evening that the Air Force intercepted five drones over the Mediterranean Sea. The drones, which were fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon late Monday afternoon, were downed before they reached Israeli airspace. Traffic at Ben-Gurion Airport was briefly halted as the drones headed toward Israel. Following the interceptions, normal air traffic resumed. On Monday evening, residents of Tel Aviv reported hearing the sound of an explosion. Shortly later, the IDF spokesperson reported that a projectile launched from Lebanon fell in an open area. In accordance with protocol, no sirens were sounded. Earlier Monday, air traffic at Ben-Gurion was halted for half an hour due to fear of a security incident. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A growing number of foreign airlines are suspending flights to and from Ben-Gurion Airport due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Tuesday, Wizz Air, British Airways, and Azerbaijan Airlines canceled all flights to the airport, further tightening travel restrictions in and out of the country. The Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, announced on Monday that it would be extending its suspension of flights until at least October 14. This follows earlier suspensions implemented in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack and the subsequent conflict. Many airlines had only recently resumed flights after halting them earlier this year due to the volatile security situation. However, amid renewed fighting and ongoing safety concerns, several international carriers are once again suspending services. Travel advisories from various governments continue to discourage flights to the region due to heightened risks. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
There was great anger among numerous Israelis on Sunday following the Histadrut’s announcement calling a general strike on Monday to “protest” against the government rather than against Hamas for the heinous executions of six hostages. Fortunately, unlike the last time the Histadrut abused its power and shut down the country in a politically motivated strike, almost all cities and companies refused to join the strike, and several legal appeals were filed against it, forcing Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David to capitulate and tell the Labor Court in Bat Yam that he will end the strike on Monday at 6 p.m. rather than Tuesday morning. However, the Court ruled early Monday afternoon that the strike must end by 2:30 p.m. at the latest, saying its ruling that the strike is politically motivated. Even before the ruling, the strike was unsuccessful at “shutting down the country,” and instead was met with an overwhelming refusal from dozens of municipalities and companies, with only the cities of Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, and Givatayim joining in the strike. Flights at Ben-Gurion took off as usual on Monday after only slight delays and most flights are expected to take off on time the rest of the day. Some malls, banks, and several high-tech companies joined the strike but the overwhelming majority did not. Many Israelis, especially bereaved relatives of fallen soldiers and those whose loved ones fought or are fighting in Gaza, expressed fury at Bar-David, slamming him for behaving like a bully by calling an irresponsible strike that only aids Hamas in its relentless mission to divide Israeli society. The Tikva Forum, which represents the family members of some hostages, stated on Sunday: “The announcement by Arnon Bar-David and his friends of a general strike in the economy is a death sentence for the surviving hostages and a reward for Sinwar for the murder of six hostages. We call on the citizens of Israel to ignore the Histadrut’s irresponsible and dangerous strike and prove to the whole world that ‘Am Yisrael Chai.’ We won’t break despite the overwhelming pain and we’ll continue to fight the murderers until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is destroyed.” Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich filed an injunction request to Israel’s Labor Court on Sunday to declare the protest illegal. Additionally, a number of relatives of fallen soldiers filed an appeal to the Labor Court as well as the Supreme Court against the strike. Smotrich also announced that any workers who participate in the strike will not receive their salaries. In a statement to the press, Smotrich slammed Bar-David as “fulfilling Sinwar’s dream and representing the interests of Hamas rather than those of Israeli workers.” Bereaved parents were especially furious about the strike. Bereaved father Itzik Bontzal, the father of fallen soldier, First Sgt. Amit Bonzel, H’yd, who fell in battle in Gaza in December, spoke to reporters outside the Labor Court, excoriating Bar-David for his cooperation with Hamas. “Hisdatrus chairman, you’re a savage animal (פרא אדם) and we’re going to stop you,” he said. Bereaved father Chagay Lober, father of fallen soldier Elisha Yonatan Lober, H”yd, also slammed Bar-David for his tyrannical actions; “My son was not killed on your mission and didn’t go to battle on your order. What right do you have to interfere in war decisions that
Israel destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers on Sunday morning after it became clear that Hezbollah intended to carry out a massive attack on Israel on Sunday morning at about 5 a.m. Hezbollah planned to target strategic sites in central Tel Aviv, including Ben-Gurion Airport and the Glilot base near Hertzliya, where the Mossad headquarters and 8200 intelligence unit are located. The IDF struck over 40 launch sites in Lebanon, destroying about 6,000 launchers, drones and rockets. At about 5 a.m., Israel Airports Authority announced that Ben-Gurion Airport has been closed and arriving flights will be redirected to other airports. The airport re-opened about two hours later and flights resumed shortly later. However, some airlines canceled their flights to Israel and according to reports, the flight schedule was significantly disrupted and it will take some time until normal operations are resumed (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A 24-year-old resident of Bnei Brak visited Iraq and was arrested by the Shin Bet at Ben-Gurion Airport when he returned to Israel, Ynet reported on Sunday. The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court placed a gag order on the case in March at the request of security officials as part of what was classified as a “security investigation.” The gag order was lifted after a few weeks and Ynet revealed the details of the investigation. The suspect, who held a foreign passport along with an Israeli one, aroused the suspicion of security officers when he landed in Ben-Gurion. An initial investigation revealed that he had visited Iraq, an enemy country that Israelis are prohibited by law from entering. The case was investigated by the Shin Bet for several weeks. The detention of the suspect, who claimed he was just traveling in Iraq, was extended several times by the court. The Shin Bet ruled out the suspect’s involvement in a security-related crime but a criminal investigation is still ongoing. Sources in the law enforcement system defined the suspect as an “adventurer.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
It was revealed for publication on Thursday that the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and IDF uncovered a terror cell planning serious terror attacks throughout Israel, including the assassination of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the abduction of IDF soldiers. Over the past few months, Israeli security forces arrested a large number of suspects, including seven Arab-Israelis, residents of central Israel and the Negev, and four Palestinian residents of Jenin and Tulkarem. The suspects were planning to carry out attacks against IDF bases, including the abduction of soldiers, and secure facilities such as Ben-Gurion Airport and the Jerusalem government complex. They also were planning an attack in Kiryat Arba, which included a plan to assassinate Ben-Gvir with an RPG missile. The terror cell had already recruited operatives for the attacks and had even prepared a plan to rent a plot of land in Rahat [an Arab-Bedouin town in southern Israel] or in the Shomron to establish a factory and build an underground complex to manufacture explosives and weapons and engage in training. One of the suspects was in contact with a Hamas terrorist in the Gaza Strip, who offered him funding to carry out attacks in Israel. The Southern District Attorney’s Office on Thursday filed serious indictments against ten of the suspects at the Be’er Sheva District Court. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A protest began at Ben-Gurion Airport at about 3:30 pm. on Tuesday, with police limiting protesters to a designated area outside the airport. However, hundreds of protesters showed up and as the area became crowded, protesters began breaking through the designated areas, blocking the road leading from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1, the road to Terminal 3, and a parking area. Five protesters were arrested by the police for disturbing public order. Many protesters left the airport toward the evening and headed to a protest outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv. Police Chief Kobi Shabtai told Kan News that reports of overcrowding at Ben-Gurion are false and that there is plenty of room for protesters to move around if needed. Shabtai also reported that 71 protesters throughout the country have been arrested, of whom 45 were already released. According to a full police report, despite the protests, all flights took off and landed as scheduled on Tuesday. “By 7 p.m., 71,707 passengers passed through the airport, and by midnight, 84,000 passengers are expected to pass through, arriving or departing on 510 international flights.” “The Airport Authority and Ben-Gurion Airport prepared in accordance with the events with increased work teams during the hours the protests took place. Throughout the day, Ben-Gurion Airport managed to maintain high operational precision, especially in relation to the busy summer season and the existing congestion in European airspace.” "זה ייגמר באסון": מפגינים מתריעים על דוחק קיצוני בשטח ההפגנה בנתב"ג | במשטרה עונים: "המתחם רחב ידיים, אל תידחקו באזור הגדרות"https://t.co/sEmdcosQzG צילום: חיים גולדברג, פלאש 90 pic.twitter.com/QuTwn8bd4H — החדשות – N12 (@N12News) July 11, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Clashes broke out between Israel Police officers and anarchists at a protest at Ben-Gurion airport on Monday afternoon. Hundreds of protesters created chaos at Terminal 3 and refused police orders to leave the area. Police officers began evacuating protesters by force and clashes between the police and the protesters ensued. Four protesters were arrested. A source at the airport said that they received information that the anarchists purchased discounted plane tickets and came to the airport with luggage in order to create chaos at the boarding gates. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
In a tense turn of events, a level 2 emergency was declared at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Saturday night as United Airlines Flight UAL91 encountered a harrowing situation. The flight, scheduled to travel from Tel Aviv to Newark, found itself in distress due to a broken window on the aircraft. With 339 passengers on board, the situation demanded immediate action and the crew swiftly declared an emergency. FlightRadar24, a popular flight tracking service, revealed that the airplane had been circling over the Mediterranean and engaging in fuel dumping procedures since 12:40 PM. These maneuvers were undertaken to reduce the plane’s weight and ensure a safe landing back at Ben Gurion Airport. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, emergency response teams were promptly deployed at the airport, standing by with readiness and expertise. The distressed aircraft managed to touch down safely only moments before 1 AM, putting an end to the nerve-wracking ordeal. The pilots exhibited skill and composure as they executed an emergency landing, ensuring the welfare and security of all passengers and crew members. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
In the wake of the widespread outrage over the politically motivated strike at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday, Pinchas Idan, the head of the workers’ union at the Israel Airports Authority, admitted to Kan News on Tuesday evening that the strike was illegal. “I had to respect the chairman of the Histadrut,” he said, adding: “If I had known it would last a long time, I would have limited it to an hour and a half. I understood that it would last for an hour, an hour and a half. We were waiting for the prime minister’s press conference, which didn’t take place [until much later that night].” Idan called to all the passengers affected by the strike: “Go to court, file a lawsuit against me and the Histadrut and I’ll comply with whatever the court decides.” He added: “I called a strike because the chairman of the Histadrut requested it. The Histadrut is above us. If I say that the strike was legal, I’ll be lying. If he ordered it, he apparently checked into it. I received instructions and I can’t refuse them. I’m in favor of the reform.” Meanwhile, Likud MK Boaz Bizmut is leading an initiative to dismiss Idan, a veteran member of Likud, from the party. “We are preparing to submit a petition to the Likud court with the aim of terminating the membership of Pinchas Idan who announced an illegal political strike – that caused a financial loss to many Israelis – and sought to sabotage the advancement of necessary reform to the justice system,” Bismut stated in the petition. “We invite all Likud members to add their names to the petition and send an unequivocal message to anyone who tries to use Likud to promote foreign interests rather than nationalist values. Join us. Together we’ll stop the bullying and strengthen the Likud!” So far, only four Likud members signed the petition, apparently due to the fact that Idan is one of the most powerful figures in the Likud who polls thousands of votes and has a major influence on Likud list positions. Idan told Ynet regarding the Likud petition: “With all due respect [to those who signed it], who are they anyway? I was in Likud even before they were born.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Many Israeli expressed outrage at the closure of Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday for political purposes, inconveniencing thousands of people at a peak traveling time. What aroused even more fury was the frivolous way in which it was closed – on the whim of one man – the chairman of the workers’ union of Israel Airports Authority, Pinchas Idan, who is also a member of Likud. During a press conference by the head of the Histadrut calling for a strike [which may have been illegal], Idan went to the stage, took out his phone, and called an unknown official at Ben-Gurion. “I’m announcing that from this moment on there are no take-offs,” Idan said. “Who is this? Hello? Stop all take-offs right now. Landings will continue as usual. Stop the take-offs. We’ll talk about everything later. Bye.” Journalist Yehudah Schlesinger wrote: “The conversation and the way it was carried out angered many on social media who called to check whether it was legal. What is this thing? People prepare for months – business trips, vacations, flights, hotels, cars. And some clown comes and decides: ‘Halt the flights for me.’ That’s it.” “Shouldn’t a dramatic decision to close the gates of the State of Israel be made by a minister? Committee? Board of directors?” Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli (Likud) wrote: “Pinchas Idan – someone who takes Israeli citizens as hostages has no place in the Likud movement – which works for citizens and doesn’t use them as political bargaining chips. Put the keys on the table tonight. Thanks.” Many right-wing social media users also expressed anger at retail outlets that joined in the political strike, with many calling to boycott the stores that closed on Monday, such as the Fox clothing store. אנשים מצלמים את עצמם קורעים כרטיסי קנייה של פוקס ומעלים לרשת pic.twitter.com/rKLhHDMPQ0 — אנסטסיה שוקן🗨 (@anastasiashok) March 27, 2023 בעקבות שחברת פוקס החליטה להשבית את החנות במטרה למנוע את הרפורמה אלפי פעילי ימין החליטו להחרים את החנות. ועכשיו גם אני לא קונה בפוקס!! pic.twitter.com/DFmAnSApPW — ידידיה אפשטיין (@yedidya_epstien) March 28, 2023 אל תתנו להם להמשיך להשתין עלינו בקשת מחרימים את קבוצת פוקס pic.twitter.com/o5Ylt2FnvK — Daniel Neeman (@NeemanDaniel) March 27, 2023 ביוש pic.twitter.com/TwVEoPnRad — ינון מגל (@YinonMagal) March 27, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The chairman of the workers’ union of Israel Airports Authority, Pinchas Idan, announced on Monday morning at about 10:30 a.m. that beginning immediately, there will be no take-offs abroad from Ben-Gurion Airport in protest of the “judicial revolution” and the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Idan made the announcement during a press conference of the Histadrust labor union during which its chairman Arnon Bar-David announced a general strike of the Israeli economy in protest of the judicial reform. Bar-David emphasized that public transportation will be excluded from the strike. Bar-David announced a “historic strike” in order to “stop the madness.” “We are all coming together to shut down the State of Israel. The malls and factories will close. We have a mission to stop this wave of legislation and we will win. We will return the State of Israel to sanity.” The strike includes all workplaces in the public sector as well as in the business sector. Hospitals will operate in “Shabbat mode” as well as MDA and firefighting and rescue services and the Israel Electric Company. Some banks announced that they are closing their branches on Monday at noon. The “Big” mall chain, the Azrieli Group and other retail chains also announced that they are joining the Histadrut strike and that starting at noon on Monday, all the shopping centers they own will be closed. Pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open. Many universities have canceled classes and schools have canceled their Pesach day camp programs. Special education settings will continue to operate as usual. In a rare step, the Israel Medical Association also announced on Monday morning a full strike of the health care system in protest of the judicial reform. The strike will include all public hospitals and all community clinics. The Medical Association will operate an Exceptions Committee as usual to allow life-saving treatments and services. I explain Israel for a living. But I don't have the words to adequately explain the insanity we are witnessing now. — Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) March 27, 2023 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Protests against the Netanyahu government were launched across Israel on Thursday as part of what the protesters have dubbed as “Resistance Day,” with protesters blocking traffic at Ben-Gurion airport, as well as traffic on major highways and intersections across the country and sailing routes at the Haifa port Protesters focused their efforts on Ben-Gurion Airport due to the scheduled flight of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Italy at 2 p.m. The prime minister arrived at the airport in a helicopter due to the protests. Hundreds of protesters at the airport managed to block the access road to Terminal 3, despite the police announcing that it would have zero tolerance toward protesters blocking traffic at the airport. The police announced beforehand that anyone blocking traffic at the airport would be fined NIS 500 and four points on their license. Netanyahu and his wife arriving at the airport in a helicopter: Protests in Tel Aviv: Meanwhile, protesters in Haifa blocked maritime traffic at the port in a “protest flotilla.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A couple about to fly to Brussels via Ryanair on Tuesday was arrested instead after they allegedly abandoned their baby at the airport. The couple was apparently unaware that they were required to purchase a ticket for their baby and when they were informed of the fact, they began arguing with the airport staff. At a certain point, the couple then allegedly left their baby behind in the stroller and proceeded to walk to passport control. According to Channel 12 New report, flight attendants noticed the baby and quickly called the airport police. The police ran to locate the parents and detained them. The couple was taken for questioning together with their baby. The manager of Ryanair at Ben-Gurion said: “All the employees today are in shock. We’ve never encountered anything like this. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
A second Neturei Karta member who visited Jenin was arrested on Monday evening at Ben-Gurion Airport. The suspect had left Israel after his visit to Jenin for a trip abroad. Meanwhile, arrest warrants were issued for him and two other suspects for the alleged crimes of entering Area A and contact with a terrorist organization. The suspect was transferred for questioning by the Jerusalem police. On Tuesday, the police brought him to court to request an extension of his detention. A first suspect was arrested last week and released four days later under restrictive conditions. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Exactly 70 years ago, on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan in 1952, the talk of the day in Israel centered on the fascinating meeting of the Chazon Ish and Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. The statements during the meeting has been quoted countless times and has been the source of numerous ideological discussions. What prompted the famous meeting? Ben-Gurion was making great efforts to gather a majority for a bill for national service for girls who were exempted from service in the IDF due to religious reasons. The Chareidi Rabbanim and the Rabbanut expressed strong opposition to the bill and Ben-Gurion realized that if he wanted the support of the Chareidi parties, he would have to gain the support of their leaders. Since the representatives of the Chareidi party, Poalei Agudas Yisrael (PAGI), often said that they had to consult with the “Chazon Ish,” Ben-Gurion decided that he had to meet this influential leader of Chareidi Jewry. Ben-Gurion sent his military commander Nechemia Argov to find out if such a meeting could take place. The Chazon Ish responded: “The door is always open.” The meeting was arranged through PAGI representative Binyamin Mintz. Ben-Gurion, accompanied by his personal secretary [and future Israeli president] Yitzchak Navon, visited the Chazon Ish that evening in his humble Bnei Brak apartment. Close associates had offered to buy the Gadol new furniture in honor of the meeting but he firmly refused. Navon, who was the only witness to the meeting apart from the Chazon Ish and Ben-Gurion, later wrote: “I too went into the room and sat down in the corner and recorded the conversation. I saw a short Jew, with a handsome face, bent over, a table, a chair, a rickety bed and books, books, books. Everyone thought he would talk to him about the recruitment of girls but there was not one word about that. They sat opposite each other, across a small table.” Ben-Gurion wrote in his diary later: “I asked him the question to which I have yet to receive a sufficient answer from my observant friends. How will we, religious and non-religious Jews, live (together) without exploding from within? We have different views. How do we live together?” The Chazon Ish responded: “If two camels meet on a path, and one camel is bearing a load and the other is not bearing a load, the one without a load must give way to the camel bearing a load. We religious Jews are likened to the camel bearing a load – we have a burden of many mitzvos.” The Chazon Ish provided the nimshal as well, saying: “We, the frum Jews, are carrying the burden of Torah and mitzvos, and the non-religious Zionists, ‘whose wagon is empty’ must step aside for us.” According to Yitzchak Navon [as quoted by Yediot Achranot], Ben-Gurion then replied: “And on this camel is there no burden of a mitzvah? And the mitzvah of settling the land is not a mitzvah? And is it not a burden? And the mitzvah of protecting life is not a mitzvah? And what are the young men doing that you are so opposed to, and they are sitting on the borders and guarding you, isn’t that a mitzvah?” Chazon Ish: “They are sustained because we learn Torah.” Ben-Gurion: “If those young men
Arab students waved PLO flags and sang anti-Israel songs at Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva on Monday at a pro-Palestinian demonstration approved by the administration. Jewish students waving Israeli flags held a counter-demonstration nearby and dozens of security guards secured the area to ensure no violence would break out. One of the university’s security guards was seen waving a PLO flag along with the students! Following the incident, Beer Sheva Mayor Ruvik Danilovich sent a scathing letter to the president of the university, Prof. Daniel Haimovich. “I received a shocking video from the campus of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, here in the State of Israel, and I could not remain indifferent,” he wrote. “Palestinian flags are being waved proudly amid songs of praise for Israel’s enemies, whose sole desire is to eliminate it.” “Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is part of the city of Be’er Sheva and the State of Israel. It cannot convey weakness. My heart goes out to our dear bereaved families who lost their loved ones and are watching this disgrace. Where are the days when the university banned political activities and definitely a blatant and defiant protest against the State of Israel? Another red line was crossed today. I must tell you, I am ashamed.” The university’s response was that “the university is a meeting point where it’s possible to become familiar with people with new ideas and different world views. Therefore, we allowed two political rallies with opposing views.” “The images we saw this morning from Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva are unfathomable,” Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton said. “Incidents such as these will be examined in the evaluation we carry out with the Higher Education Council regarding students involved in incitement, violence or harm to state symbols.” Last week, three Arabs were arrested at Tel Aviv University for physically assaulting Jews holding a counter-demonstration opposite the Nakba Day ceremony held by Arab students. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Passengers about to take off on a flight from Ben-Gurion Airport to Turkey on Tuesday received a scare when they received photos of crashed planes on their cell phones. The passengers, who received the photos while the plane was taxiing to the runway, reported the incident to the flight crew. The crew returned the plane to the gate and passengers were returned to the terminal. Some of the passengers were detained for questioning on suspicion of sending the photos. According to a spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority (IAI), the photos were sent by several passengers via AirDrop, an Apple app that allows files to be transferred between nearby devices. The passengers responsible for the incident were transferred for questioning. The Boeing 737 plane was operated by AnadoluJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines. After airport security crew carried out searches of the plane and re-checked the passengers’ luggage, it was determined that the plane was not at risk and the remaining passengers boarded the plane and it took off for Turkey. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Mandatory COVID testing at Ben-Gurion Airport will end next week, on Friday, May 20, Israel’s Health Ministry announced on Sunday. “Passengers arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport will no longer be required to carry out PCR tests beginning on May 20, 2022,” the ministry stated. “The decision was made in light of the decline in the infection rate and following discussion between Health Ministry professionals and the Airports Authority staff.” “Additionally, beginning this Tuesday [May 10], foreign nationals flying to Israel will be permitted to be tested with antigen tests [and not only PCR tests] prior to boarding the flight. Tourists who choose the antigen alternative will be required to perform the test in the 24 hours prior to departure to Israel.” The ministry added that the testing system at the airport will be maintained in order to quickly reactivate it in the future if necessary. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Israel’s Health Ministry is on the verge of a decision to end the requirement for COVID testing for travelers arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport, Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday evening. The restriction is likely to be eased in just two to three weeks, the report said. Some senior health officials are opposed to the move as in recent days about 25% of new infections have been diagnosed in Israelis returning from abroad. Additionally, three cases of a new COVID variant were discovered in travelers who arrived at Ben-Gurion last week. Despite these concerns, the decision has been made to end testing. However, the testing system will remain in place in order to allow tests to be resumed in the event of the discovery of new variants. There is also a discussion on the possibility of implementing random testing of arriving passengers. There have been multiple calls by senior Israeli officials and some health experts to end the testing at the airport. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Hours after Israel’s Tourism Minister called for an end to COVID testing at Ben-Gurion Airport, Israel’s Health Ministry announced on Monday that three cases of a new COVID variant have been discovered in travelers who arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport last week. The new variant is the BA.4 Omicron subvariant which is currently spreading in South Africa, leading to an increase in the infection rate there. According to the ministry, one of the travelers had returned from South Africa, one from Singapore, and one from Italy. “Beyond that, there is not yet any further information about this variant and the Health Ministry is continuing to monitor and update [the public] as needed,” the ministry stated. Earlier on Monday, Israel’s Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov called for an end to COVID testing at Ben-Gurion Airport and a Channel 12 News report said that the Health Ministry is considering the move. However, following the discovery of the new variant in Israel, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said: “This indicates the importance of the tests we carry out at Ben-Gurion. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet taken leave of COVID, not us nor the world. We survived the Omicron, not COVID. If we need to take new steps, we’ll take them.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Israel’s Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid) on Monday called for an end to coronavirus testing for those arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel. “Enough with PCR tests upon entering Israel,” Razvozov stated. “Mandatory PCR testing is a financial burden and the main reason for the lines at Ben-Gurion.” “As long as COVID is decreasing, it’s possible and necessary to make it even easier for Israelis and tourists arriving here. The cancelation of the PCR test as a condition of entry is a necessary step that will result in an improved flight experience and a reduction of vacation costs in Israel.” Earlier this week, former coronavirus czar Prof. Ronni Gamzu also called for an end of COVID testing at Ben-Gurion, saying that carrying out the tests is unreasonable since the number of positive cases found among incoming travelers is only a small percentage of daily cases. “Why aren’t we testing everybody if there are many more cases within Israel?” Gamzu said. “Essentially we’re testing healthy people and forcing them to pay from their own pockets.” According to a Channel 12 News report, the Health Ministry is considering the move. On Motzei Shabbos, Israel lifted the requirement to wear masks in indoor places, one of the few remaining coronavirus restrictions that was still being imposed. Masks are still required in hospitals and nursing homes and on flights. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Ben-Gurion Airport officials announced on Monday that only ticket-holders will be allowed into passenger terminals, with non-passengers barred from entering. Entry to terminals 1 and 3 will only be allowed to passengers holding a boarding ticket up to four hours before their departure, with only minors and passengers with disabilities permitted to be accompanied into the terminal by non-ticket holders. Virus cases in Israel have continued to rise and the number of seriously ill patients surpassed 100 on Monday for the first time in months, which Health Ministry Director-General Prof. Nachman Ash called “troubling.” Some health officials have called to implement tighter travel restrictions but the Bennett-Lapid government has been reluctant to implement too many virus rules, only voting last week to reinstate the “green pass” system, allowing only vaccinated and recovered patients to attend some public events. Contrary to the government, a poll carried out for Radio 103FM showed surprising results: 59% of the Israeli public think that closing Ben-Gurion is an appropriate restriction versus 41% of the public who are opposed to the measure. The poll results also showed that 48% of the public support a further tightening of coronavirus restrictions versus 52% who prefer the existing situation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Following reports of new coronavirus outbreaks in Israel over the past week and amid fears of the spread of the Indian virus variant, a Kan News report on Monday said that 168 coronavirus carriers entered Israel in the past month alone. Around 100 of the travelers who tested positive for the coronavirus were vaccinated. The largest amount of coronavirus carriers, 31, traveled from Russia, followed by 24 carriers who traveled from the United Arab Emirates, 12 from the US, and 10 from France. A Channel 12 News report said that 40% of coronavirus cases in Israel this month originated abroad, with 112 of the 264 coronavirus carriers identified since the beginning of June catching the virus while traveling. After Prime Minister Naftali Bennett consulted with health officials on Sunday night, he ordered Israel Police to increase forces to enforce quarantine for travelers and instructed the Health Ministry to expand the coronavirus testing site at Ben-Gurion Airport. The testing site at the airport has been inadequate to handle the recent high volume of travelers and on Friday, about 3,000 travelers went home without being tested. According to a Ynet report, there were also long lines at the Ben-Gurion testing site on Sunday and some passengers went home without being tested. Israelis traveling abroad will be required to declare that they’re not traveling to high-risk countries including Argentina, Russia, India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. Coronavirus czar Prof. Nachman Ash told Ynet on Monday that he doesn’t recommend that parents with unvaccinated children travel abroad this summer. “I think that this summer, with the morbidity and the variants, traveling abroad with unvaccinated children is irresponsible and shouldn’t be done…Travel abroad only if necessary.” Ash was also asked about advancing the plan for bringing in tourists to the country. “Right now it’s happening. I don’t know if it will still be happening in another week and a half but right now it’s happening. We’ll need to reevaluate in the coming days in accordance with the morbidity here. We want to do it in a safe way, with only vaccinated [tourists] coming only from countries with trustworthy vaccines – and while doing all the tests before and after.” Two of Israel’s Kupot Cholim, Maccabi and Clalit, said on Monday that there has been a sharp increase in vaccination appointments for children aged 12-15 in recent days. There are currently 358 active coronavirus cases in Israel, with 24 patients in serious condition and 17 ventilated. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
The Central Elections Committee will deploy drones to monitor lines at polling stations to thwart overcrowding, Central Elections Committee head Orly Ades said last week. The committee is sending shuttles to transport virus carriers and those in quarantine to the hundreds of special polling stations being set up for them. A total of 349 polling stations are being set up for coronavirus patients and 409 stations for those in quarantine. Some of the locations where the polling stations will be established are Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, Ramat Gan Stadium and Netanya Stadium, Shlomo Group Arena in Tel Aviv, as well as many parking lots, including the Beit Dagan Cemetery parking lot, according to a Ynet report. About 547 polling stations will also be set up at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In addition, in a first in Israeli history, four polling stations will be set up at Ben-Gurion Airport for returning Israelis to vote before traveling home to enter quarantine. A total of 13,035 polling stations will be established across Israel. The votes will be counted at the Knesset and in tents in the Knesset’s parking lots and balconies. About 20,000 police officers will be deployed across the country on Election Day. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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