The Times of Israel liveblogged Sunday’s events as they happened.
Protesters rally outside home of Tel Aviv police chief who resigned, in show of support
Anti-government protesters rally outside the home of Amichai Eshed, who resigned from the force earlier this month before being moved to a minor role over what he alleges were “political considerations” relating to coalition supporters’ criticism over his handling of the rallies.
Eshed comes out to speak with the dozens of demonstrators, thanking them for showing support.
Mounted officer investigated on suspicion of assaulting protester

The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department today questioned a mounted police officer filmed knocking over and running over an anti-government protester in Tel Aviv last week.
The officer, who was questioned under caution, insisted he acted per police regulations and denied intentionally attacking the demonstrator, according to the Haaretz daily.
He was later released without conditions.
Netanyahu said to bash Israeli envoy to US over his lack of invite to White House
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog during a meeting last week over the government’s strained ties with the Biden administration, according to Channel 13 news.
Unidentified diplomatic sources tell the network that Netanyahu’s main bone of contention was his lack of invitation to the White House since returning to office in late December.
“You should be doing more to obtain a White House invitation,” Netanyahu is quoted as telling Herzog.
Herzog reportedly responded that he has been working for months with the US administration to find a date.
The report also cites diplomatic sources saying Netanyahu is displeased by President Isaac Herzog’s trip this week to New York and Washington, which will include a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House. Netanyahu told the ambassador — who is the president’s brother — that he thought the trip would give the White House legitimacy to avoid inviting the premier in the near future.
Gallant said to discuss military readiness with IDF brass, amid reservists’ protests

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met today with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other top officers to discuss the possible fallout if military reservists — particularly pilots — stop showing up for volunteer duty in protest of the judicial overhaul, according to Hebrew media reports.
The reports say Gallant and Halevi told the officers they were considering speaking in the coming days with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to relay the concerns over the potential negative impact on military readiness.
The Israel Defense Forces reportedly has not detected any immediate harm to the army’s fitness, but is regularly holding assessments to determine whether such a point is nearing and has warned unity in the ranks has been hurt.
Gantz accuses PM of ‘surrendering to extremists’ with special plenum session Sunday

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz rails at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the coalition’s plans to convene the Knesset plenum next Sunday, as part of the legislative push to overhaul the judiciary.
Gantz says that instead of convening ministers to address the security, diplomatic, and economic challenges that Israel is facing, “Netanyahu will continue surrendering to extremists.”
“On the eve of Tisha B’Av, Netanyahu again chooses to tear apart the nation. It’s still not too late to stop,” adds Gantz, referring to the fast day mourning the destruction of the Second Temple that begins in the evening of Wednesday, July 26 and carries through Thursday, July 27.
Coalition plans irregular Sunday plenum session to advance ‘reasonableness’ bill
In an irregular move, the coalition plans to convene the Knesset plenum next Sunday — when it does not traditionally meet — as part of its efforts to pass the “reasonableness” bill into law before parliament recesses at the end of the month.
FM Cohen considering Israeli-American Trump supporter as special envoy to US

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is reportedly considering appointing an Israeli-American Trump supporter as a special envoy to the United States, according to the Walla news site, a move likely to irk the Biden administration.
Citing unnamed Israeli officials, the report says the Foreign Ministry brass was concerned by the proposal in light of Joe Zevuloni’s political affiliations.
In response, Cohen’s office says he’ll soon appoint a number of senior envoys but stresses no decision has been made yet regarding Zevuloni, who is also a supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ruling Likud party.
Overhaul opponents plan protests at train platforms on ‘resistance’ Tuesday

Opponents of the judicial overhaul will rally at train platforms Tuesday afternoon as part of a planned “day of resistance.”
Organizers say that as part of the demonstrations, protesters will also hold a march in Tel Aviv to the headquarters of the Histadrut labor federation and an evening demonstration on the coastal city’s Kaplan Street and other locations across Israel.
Gunman in West Bank terror shooting said to be a Hamas operative
Following his arrest, the suspect in today’s West Bank terror shooting is identified in reports as Amar al-Najjar, a 26-year-old Hamas activist from Hebron who previously served time in Israeli prison.
Opposition seeks to delay Knesset committee’s vote on ‘reasonableness’ bill

Opposition members of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee ask Knesset legal adviser Sagit Afik to instruct they be given more time to submit objections to the so-called reasonableness bill, in an effort to push off tomorrow’s scheduled vote to approve the contentious measure for its final plenum readings.
In a letter to Afik on behalf of the opposition lawmakers, Yesh Atid MK Yoav Segalovitz swipes at committee chairman Simcha Rothman’s handling of the deliberations and requests they be provided today with the minutes of all the panel’s meetings on the legislation.
Wife of Likud activist denies he was booted from party: ‘Everything’s OK, Bibi spoke with us’

The wife of prominent Likud activist Itzik Zarka denies Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered her husband’s removal from the party for telling anti-government protesters he wished “another six million would be burned.”
“No one is getting thrown out, it’s just a condemnation,” Hani Zarka tells the Kan public broadcaster. “Everything is all right, Bibi [Netanyahu] spoke with us.”
She also insists “the story is over” after Zarka issued an apology and claimed he was provoked.
Herzog to be joined on US trip by mother of IDF soldier whose body is held by Hamas

President Isaac Herzog will bring Leah Goldin — whose son Hadar was killed in the Gaza war in 2014 and whose body is being held by Hamas — with him during this week’s visit to Washington and New York City, his office announces.
Goldin will be present during Herzog’s meetings in Congress and with the UN secretary-general and will bring up the Israelis being held in Gaza.
Along with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Herzog will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The purpose of the visit is to strengthen ties between the two countries, says the president’s office, and to display the depth of the bilateral relationship. The visit comes amid tensions between the White House and Israel’s government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In New York, Herzog will meet UN chief Antonio Guterres, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Jewish community leaders, including a reception thrown by the UJA-Federation of New York.
FM Eli Cohen arrives in Kenya for African Union meeting

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen lands in Kenya for the African Union’s midyear coordination meeting in Nairobi. Cohen was invited by Kenyan President William Ruto and Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua.
While in Nairobi, Cohen will also meet other African leaders. Kenya supports Israel’s observer status at the AU, which has been a major point of contention within the 55-state bloc.
Liberman urges boycott of final plenum votes on ‘reasonableness’ bill

Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman urges fellow opposition party leaders to boycott the final votes on the coalition’s controversial “reasonableness” bill, which a Knesset committee is expected to approve tomorrow for its second and third plenum readings.
Citing the government’s “unilateral advancement of the legislation,” Liberman says such a boycott would cause the bill to be approved “64-0, like in North Korea.”
“We cannot give legitimacy to legislation that harms Israeli democracy and national resilience,” Liberman tweets
IDF launches military exercises in Golan Heights

The Israel Defense Forces says it is holding a preplanned military drill in the Golan Heights.
The exercise began this morning and will last until Thursday, according to the IDF.
The army notifies residents that they may see increased security forces in the area and hear sounds of explosions and gunfire amid the drill.
According to the IDF, the drill is preplanned, meaning it did not stem from a fresh security assessment.
Lapid rails at government for not condemning Hungary’s LGBTQ policies
Opposition leader Yair Lapid hits out at the government for not signing a joint statement slamming Hungary’s LGTBQ policies.
“This is a moral and ethical disgrace and another failed diplomatic move. The Israeli government has been kidnapped by an extremist minority of fanatics,” Lapid charges in a statement.
“Where are the the liberals in Likud?” he adds, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.
Thirty-eight countries, including the United States and all European Union nations but Poland, signed the letter, which was published before the Budapest Pride parade yesterday.
Iraqi PM meets with Assad in Syria for first time in over a decade

DAMASCUS, Syria — Iraq’s prime minister holds a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus during the first trip of its kind to the war-torn country since the 12-year conflict began.
Iraq and Syria have had close relations for years even after many Arab countries withdrew their ambassadors from Damascus and Syria’s membership in the 22-member Arab League was suspended because of the crackdown on protesters in 2011.
Assad receives Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who was heading a high-ranking delegation, at the presidential palace in Damascus. They discuss mutual relations and cooperation between the two neighboring countries among other issues, according to the office of Syria’s president.
Al-Sudani’s office says in a statement that talks revolved around ways of expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, transportation, tourism, how to combat climate change and collaboration to fight terrorism.
Security cooperation against extremist groups is likely to be on top of the two-day visit’s agenda. The two countries, where Iran enjoys wide influence, have a joint 600 kilometers-long (373 miles) border. In June 2014, the Islamic State group declared the establishment of a self-styled “caliphate,” a traditional model of Islamic rule, in wide areas under its control in Iraq and Syria.
After a yearslong campaign that left tens of thousands dead in both countries, IS was defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in March 2019 in Syria. Over the past years, Syrian government forces regained control of much of Syria with the help of Russia and Iran.
Earlier this year, Syria’s membership in the Arab League was reinstated and Assad attended the Arab summit that was held in Saudi Arabia in May.
Al-Sudani was invited to visit Damascus during a trip by Syria’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad to Baghdad last month.
Gallant hails capture of shooting attack suspect: ‘Every terrorist will pay a heavy price’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hails Israeli forces for nabbing the alleged gunman who carried out the West Bank shooting attack earlier today.
“As we proved today, any time it’s necessary we will prove… every terrorist will pay a heavy price,” Gallant tweets. “We will chase after and reach our enemies.”
He also wishes a speedy recovery to the Israeli man and his two daughters who were wounded in the attack.
Israeli forces detain alleged gunman in West Bank terror shooting

The Israel Defense Forces says the suspect who allegedly carried out a terror shooting near the West Bank settlement of Tekoa earlier has been detained.
The alleged gunman is arrested by IDF and Border Police forces in the nearby city of Bethlehem, the military says.
The suspect is not immediately named.
An Israeli father was seriously wounded and his two daughters were lightly wounded in the attack earlier.
Man shot dead in central city of Ramle
A man is shot dead in the central city of Ramle, in a suspected murder.
Police launch an investigation after the man’s death is declared at a local hospital, with officers searching for suspects and gathering evidence from the scene.
Israeli troops enter Bethlehem after nearby terror shooting

Israeli forces are seen operating in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to footage published by Palestinian media.
According to the reports, the military is deploying tear gas in the area.
The daytime raid comes as the Israel Defense Forces searches for suspects who carried out a terror shooting attack outside the nearby settlement of Tekoa this morning.
An Israeli man was seriously hurt and his two daughters were lightly wounded in the attack. The gunman or gunmen fled.
#صورة | قوات الإحتـلال تطلق قنابل الغاز صوب الشبان قرب مسجد الرباط في بيت لحم.#الضفة_تقاوم pic.twitter.com/30wOyv5J2q
— قناة الأقصى الفضائية (@SerajSat) July 16, 2023
Deliberations indefinitely delayed on bill to let Ben Gvir order administrative detentions

A government panel postpones discussion on a bill to give National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir unprecedented powers to fight crime, which the far-right leaders claims he needs to address surging criminal violence in Arab communities.
This is the fourth week in a row that the Ministerial Committee on Legislation has delayed taking a stance on the Otzma Yehudit-backed bill, though today is the first time it pushed off deliberations without announcing when it would again consider the proposal.
The moves comes a day after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly warned Justice Minister Yariv Levin that handing Ben Gvir the power to put suspects in administrative detention could undermine the legitimacy of the controversial tool as a counterterror measure, and thus harm national security.
Israel reportedly refused to sign joint statement criticizing Hungary’s discriminatory LGBTQ+ laws
Israel refused to join a joint statement signed by 37 Western countries calling on Hungary’s government to retract laws seen as limiting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the Walla news site.
Citing Foreign Ministry officials, the report says the US State Department asked Israel to sign the statement — which was issued Friday before the Budapest Pride parade — but was turned down. Israel was reportedly wary of alienating Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, which has blocked a number of EU measures against Jerusalem.
“We did not want to take part in an attack on Hungary’s government,” a senior ministry official is quoted as saying.
Besides the US, other countries that joined the statement included Ukraine and every EU country except Poland.
Putin: Ukraine counteroffensive ‘not successful’

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin says Kyiv’s counteroffensive, launched last month to push back Moscow’s forces, is failing.
“All enemy attempts to break through our defenses… they have not succeeded since the offensive began. The enemy is not successful,” Putin says in a televised interview broadcast today.
After protest crackdown, Iran’s morality police return to enforce Islamic dress code

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iranian authorities announce a new campaign to force women to wear the Islamic headscarf, and morality police return to the streets, 10 months after the death of a woman in their custody sparked nationwide protests.
The morality police had largely pulled back following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last September, as authorities struggled to contain mass protests calling for the overthrow of the theocracy that has ruled Iran for over four decades.
The protests largely died down earlier this year following a heavy crackdown in which over 500 protesters were killed and nearly 20,000 detained. But many women continued to flaunt the official dress code, especially in the capital, Tehran, and other cities.
The morality police were only rarely seen patrolling the streets, and in December, there were even some reports — later denied — that they had been disbanded.
Authorities insisted throughout the crisis that the rules had not changed. Iran’s clerical rulers view the hijab as a key pillar of the Islamic revolution that brought them to power, and consider more casual dress a sign of Western decadence.
Today, Gen. Saeed Montazerolmahdi, a police spokesman, says the morality police would resume notifying and then detaining women not wearing a hijab in public. In Tehran, the men and women of the morality police can be seen patrolling the streets in marked vans.
Top IDF officer said to tell mayors chance of conflict with Hezbollah appears low

IDF Northern Command chief Uri Gordon told mayors of towns near the Lebanese border that the military believes the prospects of an immediate conflict with the Hezbollah terror group are low, Hebrew media outlets report.
According to the reports, Gordon shared the assessment during a meeting Friday with municipal leaders and said residents should continue going about their daily lives. He also reportedly updated them about the military’s preparations for various potential scenarios.
The report comes follow several recent incidents instigated by Hezbollah, including yesterday when a Lebanese lawmaker and other crossed the border into Israeli territory, before troops chased them back with warning shots.
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