Category: Israel

Historic Turnaround: Israel Opens Embassy in Slovenia

Deepening diplomatic ties in Europe, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar inaugurated the Embassy of Israel in Slovenia on Wednesday in Ljubljana. The newly established mission marks Israel’s first permanent resident embassy in the country and the fifth new Israeli embassy opened worldwide in just a year and a half. Ambassador Ruth Cohen-Dar will lead the mission.

Gideon Sa’ar and his Slovenian counterpart | Photo: Shalev Man

The historic launch comes after years of diplomatic chill between Jerusalem and Ljubljana. The previous Slovenian administration was known for adopting sharply hostile positions toward Israel, which included suspending direct Israir flights to the capital, freezing bilateral defense procurements, and even declaring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persona non grata.

A dramatic strategic shift followed the swearing-in of a new government last June, led by Prime Minister Janez Janša—a stalwart friend of Israel. The new administration swiftly scrapped prior restrictions, restored normalized engagement, and began actively backing Israel within international forums and the European Union.

Gideon Sa’ar and his Slovenian counterpart | Photo: Shalev Man

During the diplomatic visit, the two nations signed expansive bilateral cooperation agreements covering education, sports, academic research, and student exchange scholarships. Accompanying Foreign Minister Sa’ar was an Israeli commercial delegation comprising senior executives from leading economic bodies and enterprises, who participated in a joint Israeli-Slovenian business forum.

“We are inaugurating this embassy just two days before Rosh Hashanah, a holy day for the Jewish people,” stated Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. “This serves as a distinct symbol of fresh beginnings and renewed hope in bilateral relations between our countries.” Slovenian Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer added: “Today, we signed comprehensive cooperation agreements between our two nations across multiple fields. We aspire for relations with Israel to be open, robust, and grounded in mutual trust.”

September 9, 2026
IDF, Shin Bet Strike 3 Terror Weapons Depots in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces recently identified sustained activity by Hamas terrorists at concealed weapons depots across the Gaza Strip, reflecting attempts by the terror network to reassert territorial control on the ground. According to a joint statement released by the IDF and the Shin Bet (ISA), terrorists were observed arriving at these stockpiles and drawing firearms to carry out armed patrols and guard duties.

Following the intelligence identification, the IDF and the Shin Bet carried out precision strikes on Tuesday across several sectors of the enclave, successfully destroying three weapons depots operated by Hamas and ‘Palestinian’ Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

Photo: Flash90

Concealed inside the targeted facilities were dozens of varying munitions, including rockets, Kalashnikov assault rifles, and auxiliary combat materiel. Alongside the storage sites, forces eliminated a rocket-launching pit previously utilized during the war to fire barrages toward Israeli territory.

The military emphasized that Southern Command forces remain deployed across the arena in accordance with operational arrangements and will continue to actively dismantle any attempts by terror factions to rehabilitate operational capabilities, hoard weaponry, and re-establish their grip on the Gaza Strip.

September 9, 2026
3 ‘PA’ Officers Arrested for Illegal Roadblock, Assault

Israeli security forces arrested three officers belonging to the ‘Palestinian’ Authority security apparatus this week after they were directly involved in establishing an unauthorized roadblock inside Area C near Beitunia, and in the subsequent abduction and physical assault of an IDF reservist, in clear “violation of their operational authority in the area.”

Photo: Wisam Hashlamoun / Flash90

The three PA officers were transferred to Israeli security forces for interrogation. The defense establishment characterized the incident as a “grave breach” by the ‘Palestinian’ security apparatus, emphasizing that the Israeli citizen faced an immediate, life-threatening danger during the incident and was subjected to severe, aggressive physical violence. The IDF underscored that routine security coordination with ‘PA’ mechanisms continues under directives from the political echelon, but made clear that unauthorized activity and deviations from established protocols and jurisdictional limits will be met with zero tolerance.

September 9, 2026
Jordan, UAE, Saudis welcome UK sanctions on Israel

The foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt have published a coordinated joint statement regarding London’s diplomatic measures against Israel.

In the declaration, the foreign ministers welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to institute commercial sanctions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The British government’s punitive maneuver has garnered widespread diplomatic backing from foreign ministries across the Middle East and the broader Muslim world.

September 9, 2026
Cave of the Patriarchs Renovation Finished in Hebron

An extensive roofing and renovation project at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron was completed on Wednesday after months of intensive construction. The overhaul was carried out pursuant to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s policy decision to nullify municipal aspects of the Hebron Agreement and transfer direct planning and building jurisdiction away from the local municipality.

Photo: Wisam Hashlamoun, Flash 90

Speaking at the site, Minister Smotrich declared: “The Cave of the Patriarchs is the first sovereign acquisition of the Jewish people. The ground purchased by our forefather Abraham from Ephron the Hittite became the eternal symbol of our sovereignty in this Land. This morning, thanks to determined and professional execution across all governing bodies, we crossed the finish line of this vital roofing and renovation project.”

Smotrich conveyed his gratitude to key partners in the initiative, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Minister Orit Strock, the Head of Central Command, personnel from the Civil Administration, COGAT, and the Defense Ministry’s Construction Directorate: “This represents an historic closing of the circle. Thanks to this unified effort, vast multitudes of the Jewish people will be able to pray here in dignified, appropriate conditions this coming Rosh Hashanah.”

September 9, 2026
Europe Shifts Course, Expands Defense Deals with Israel

The European Union is seeking to forge closer defense and technological partnerships with Jerusalem as part of an expansive initiative to overhaul its air and space defense infrastructure. As part of these efforts, Israel Space Agency head Shimrit Maman met in Brussels this week with the EU Commissioner for Innovation to discuss joint initiatives in artificial intelligence and advanced robotics.

European Union headquarters | Photo: Shutterstock

The tightening diplomatic contacts follow a period of cooler relations stemming from political friction surrounding the war in Gaza. A 2024 European initiative to establish a unified air defense network stalled over reluctance to rely heavily on Israeli technology. Still, mounting strategic competition from Washington, Moscow, and Beijing has tipped the scales. Europe’s urgent requirement for advanced industrial and defense capabilities is now overriding political hesitations, catalyzing a fresh wave of high-value defense procurements and strategic alliances.

A primary catalyst behind the collaboration is Israel’s battle-tested operational record in early-warning systems and multi-layered missile interception. As Maman explained, Israel’s proven capability to warn civilian populations in real time and mitigate casualties—demonstrated vividly during direct combat engagements against Iranian missile barrages—has generated intense interest among Western allies. European officials are showing strong demand for “dual-use” technologies that use satellite networks and AI systems to counter both military threats and civil emergencies, including wildfires, severe flooding, and protracted droughts.

Photo: Flash 90

The strategic shift is already tangible on the ground through a series of major defense agreements concluded across the continent. Israeli defense giant Rafael confirmed plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Germany to produce Iron Dome components at a former Volkswagen facility. Meanwhile, the Greek government signed a landmark €3 billion defense agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense to build a bespoke multi-tiered air defense network designed to counter drones, cruise missiles, rockets, and hostile aircraft.

These developments underscore that escalating global threats increasingly prevent nations from operating in isolation. Integrating Israel’s operational experience and technological edge with the European Union’s resources and strategic requirements marks a new chapter in bilateral security relations—one in which Israel’s multi-layered defense doctrine and rapid innovation are becoming foundational pillars of Europe’s security architecture.

September 9, 2026
New Jewish Town Founded in Response to UK Sanctions

The first residential units have been positioned in the newly established community of Metzokei Eretz, situated along the strategic Alon Highway in eastern Binyamin. According to the Binyamin Regional Council, the founding pioneer families are scheduled to move into their homes within the coming weeks.

Regional council authorities said that alongside placing these structures, accelerated engineering work is underway to connect the site to running water and electric grids, pave formal access roads, and construct the locality’s first public building. The initial structures are designated to house the community’s founding core families. The Binyamin Regional Council emphasized that Metzokei Eretz was fully planned and officially authorized through standard statutory channels. The council hailed its establishment as an historic milestone, noting that it represents the first newly founded Jewish community along the strategic Alon Highway corridor in decades.

The community of Metzokei Eretz, along the Alon Highway in eastern Binyamin | Photo: Binyamin Regional Council Spokesperson

The placement of the homes comes directly against the backdrop of newly announced British trade boycotts and sanctions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, as well as efforts to recruit additional Western nations to the punitive campaign. Binyamin Governor and Yesha Council Chairman Israel Gantz declared: “Our answer to sanctions and boycotts is right here, anchored in the ground. While Britain attempts to penalize Jews simply for living and building across Judea and Samaria, we are establishing the first homes of a brand-new community in the land of our forefathers.”

“The British Mandate ended long ago, and boycotts dispatched from London will not dictate the future of Judea and Samaria,” Gantz continued. “Let them attempt to boycott—we will continue to build. More families, more homes, more Jewish communities, and Israeli sovereignty.”

September 9, 2026
Qatar’s Double Standard: Condemning Israel, Excusing Iran

Exactly one year ago on Wednesday, Israel carried out an unprecedented strike in the heart of Doha, the capital of Qatar. The designated target was the operational headquarters of senior Hamas leadership in the city, centered on senior terrorist official Khalil al-Hayya. Although the targeted assassination did not succeed, a profound, telling divergence emerges when comparing Qatar’s diplomatic fury toward the Israeli action with its muted reaction after Iran struck Qatari soil for the first time during Operation “Lion’s Roar.”

The strike in the heart of Doha | Photo: Arab social media

One year ago, in September 2025, officials in Doha responded with vitriolic condemnations. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the targeted strike as a “cowardly terrorist attack.”
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli terrorist attack that targeted the residential headquarters of several members of the Hamas political bureau in Doha, the capital of Qatar,” the ministry declared at the time.

The Qatari statement went further: “This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms and poses a grave threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents of Qatar.” State authorities subsequently announced that domestic security agencies, civil defense teams, and relevant ministries mobilized immediately to mitigate the fallout and guarantee the safety of surrounding civilian areas.

Photo: Arab social media

Fast forward five months to February 28, 2026—the outbreak of Operation “Lion’s Roar,” in which Iran carried out direct strikes into Qatari territory—and Doha’s rhetoric took on a completely different tone. “The Ministry of Interior announces that thanks to the successful interception of the attacks directed toward the country’s territory, the attack caused no damage whatsoever,” the Qatari Interior Ministry statement read.

The statement continued: “According to initial field assessments, no casualties or material damage were recorded in residential zones. Competent authorities emphasize that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors remains the top priority, and emergency response teams are operating around the clock to monitor developments.”

Qatari Ministry of Interior Statement Regarding the Attacks that Targeted the State’s Territories

Notably absent from the Qatari response was any condemnation, any charge of a “blatant violation of sovereignty,” or any mention of “terrorism.” Crucially, Qatar completely avoided naming Iran as the perpetrator—framing the incoming strikes merely as anonymous “attacks directed toward the country’s territory.”

The policy divergence extends well beyond rhetoric. In September of last year, following the Israeli operation against Hamas chiefs, Qatar retaliated diplomatically by suspending its hostage-and-ceasefire mediation track between Israel and Hamas, which was at peak momentum. Yet following direct Iranian missile aggression in late February, Doha did not retaliate or suspend ties; instead, it called for redoubling diplomatic mediation between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions.

September 9, 2026
U.S. Rep. Fine: Sanction Israel, Lose Access to Florida

Congressman Randy Fine tells C14’s Sophia Tupolev that the United Kingdom’s newly announced sanctions on Israel will trigger an existing Florida law that bars companies boycotting Israel from doing business in the state, a consequence he says British firms have not fully reckoned with. Speaking with C14 a day after the UK said eleven other countries were joining it in sanctioning Israel, Fine pointed to the anti-BDS bill he authored as a Florida state legislator in 2018. The law blocks any company engaged in a boycott of Israel from contracting with state or local government, and from obtaining the permits, licenses, or tax clearances many businesses need to operate.

Fine said the law was tested in 2019, when Airbnb moved to boycott listings in parts of Judea and Samaria. He said the company reversed course within months rather than lose access to Florida, its largest market. Under the statute, companies must certify they are not participating in a boycott before doing business with the state; once the UK sanctions take effect, Fine said, British firms would no longer be able to make that certification.

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband | Screenshot

He noted the UK measures carry a six-to-nine-month delay before taking force, which he said gives companies a narrow window to still sign the required certification. Florida is not alone. Fine said 38 US states have adopted similar anti-boycott laws since 2018, and that the combined economic weight of states like Florida and Texas already exceeds the UK’s.

If those states enforce their statutes in parallel, he said, the effect on British companies doing business in the US could be severe. On a federal response, Fine was skeptical that Congress would act, saying support for Israel among Democrats has eroded to the point where a bill would struggle to reach 60 votes in the Senate. He said any federal move was more likely to come from the White House, adding that President Trump has already signaled displeasure with the UK’s decision.

Photo: Shutterstock

Fine, a member of the Sharia Free America Caucus, also discussed the group’s legislative priorities, including a push to bar the use of Sharia law in US courts and to strip nonprofit status from organizations he described as fronts for designated terrorist groups. He framed the UK’s sanctions as part of a broader ideological contest, describing Israel as central to what he called a wider conflict over Western civilization.

September 9, 2026
Netanyahu at Hermon Summit: Close to Toppling Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Hermon Crown outpost in Syria on Wednesday, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai. During the operational tour, the prime minister received an extensive security briefing on ground activities and force deployments from the Head of Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, and Commander of the 210th “Bashan” Division, Brig. Gen. Yair Peli.

Netanyahu at the Hermon Crown | Photo: Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson

Netanyahu stated that Israel maintains firm operational control over the entire strategic expanse stretching from the Hermon Crown down to the Yarmouk River, directly addressing the regional security posture along the frontier: “We will not allow any terror army to entrench itself along our border, and this stands as one of the immense achievements we have secured in the War of Revival.”

The Prime Minister went on to emphasize that decisively confronting Tehran remains his primary strategic focus: “The central mission before us is to defeat the terror regime in Iran. We are very close to achieving this. We know that the entire axis will ultimately collapse. We are fully committed to carrying this out, and we will do it.”

Netanyahu at the Hermon Crown | Photo: Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson

Concluding his tour, Netanyahu extended Jewish New Year greetings to Israeli citizens and frontline troops: “I wish a Shana Tova to the citizens of Israel and to our heroic soldiers who are doing the work right here.”

September 9, 2026