Before heading to US, Herzog says he’ll discuss Iran threat, Lebanon deal with Biden

US Justice Department chief accuses China of trying to ‘undermine’ American judicial system

The US Justice Department chief accuses China of interfering with the American justice system, as he announces indictments of 13 Chinese nationals who allegedly worked for Beijing’s spy agencies.

Three separate cases unveiled show that “the government of China sought to interfere with the rights and freedoms of individuals in the United States and to undermine our judicial system that protects those rights,” says Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Iran says it won’t remain ‘indifferent’ if Russian use of its drones is proven

Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will not remain “indifferent” if it becomes evident Russia is using Iranian-made drones in Ukraine.

“During the war in Ukraine… we are against arming both Russia and Ukraine,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says in video remarks published by local media.

“We have not supplied Russia with any weapons or drones for use in the war against Ukraine,” he continues, reiterating previous denials while acknowledging that the two countries have defense cooperation.

Iran’s top diplomat reaffirms his country’s willingness to hold direct talks with Ukraine on the matter, and says that he conveyed this to European foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in the past days.

“I stressed to Mr. Borrell that if… it becomes clear to us that Russia has used Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine, we will definitely not be indifferent about this issue.”

Police arrest Palestinian armed with M16 rifle in West Bank

A Palestinian man armed with an M16 rifle is arrested by officers in the Gush Etzion settlement block, police say.

According to police, the 30-year-old from Bethlehem was stopped during a routine check of suspicious vehicles in the area.

“During a search of the vehicle, an M16 firearm, magazines and ammunition were found,” police say.

The suspect has been taken for further questioning.

It is not yet clear if he sought to commit an attack or was involved in a weapons sale or smuggling attempt.

2 election polls again predict deadlock; Shaked quitting race doesn’t affect outcome

A pair of fresh election polls again predict a deadlock after next week’s Knesset election, with the bloc of parties supporting opposition chief Benjamin Netanyahu getting 60 seats in both — one short of a majority.

In a Channel 12 survey conducted by Midgam institute along with iPanel, Netanyahu’s Likud party gets 32 seats, Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid 24, Benny Gantz’s National Unity 13, Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism 13, Shas 8, United Torah Judaism 7, Yisrael Beytenu 5, Meretz 5, Labor 5, Hadash-Ta’al 4, and Ra’am 4.

The poll predicts that Balad will get 2% of the votes and Ayelet Shaked’s Jewish Home will get 1.8%, far below the 3.25% electoral threshold.

If Shaked drops out — which she has said today she will not do — nothing changes in the makeup of Knesset seats, the poll finds.

Asked whether they intend to vote, 80% of the supporters of the outgoing coalition said they do, versus 75% of the supporters of the pro-Netanyahu bloc.

The poll suggests that 72% of Israel’s Jews intend to vote, compared with only 46% of Arabs.

Meanwhile, a separate survey by the Kan public broadcaster predicts that Likud will get 31 seats, Yesh Atid 24, Religious Zionism 13, National Unity 12, Shas 9, United Torah Judaism 7, Yisrael Beytenu 6, Meretz 5, Labor 5, Hadash-Ta’al 4, and Ra’am 4.

Among the parties that fail to enter the Knesset, Balad gets 1.8% and Jewish Home gets 1.6%.

2 injured, 1 seriously, in apparent criminal shooting in Bat Yam — police

A man is seriously injured and a woman is lightly wounded in a shooting incident in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam, according to the Israel Police.

They have been taken to Wolfson hospital in Holon, and police forces have started investigating and searching for suspects.

Police say the incident is criminal in nature, not terrorism-related.

NATO chief: Russia must not use false dirty bomb claim to escalate Ukraine conflict

NATO rejects Russia’s “false claims” that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory, saying Moscow must not use it as a pretext to escalate the conflict.

“NATO Allies reject this allegation. Russia must not use it as a pretext for escalation. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine,” NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg tweets, after a meeting with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and British Defense Minister Ben Wallace.

Amid Kanye West antisemitism scandal, ex-wife Kim Kardashian issues tame statement

US star Kim Kardashian, the ex-wife of rapper Kanye West who has been facing a publish backlash after making a series of antisemitic remarks, issues a statement saying that “hate speech is never OK or excusable.”

However, the tweet makes no mention of Kanye or others accused of anti-Jewish bigotry.

Hate speech is never OK or excusable. I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric towards them to come to an immediate end.

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) October 24, 2022

Smotrich sorry for calling Netanyahu a liar, refuses to say if ex-PM sought coalition with Ra’am

Chairman of the Religious Zionism party MK Bezalel Smotrich presents his party's 'Law and Justice' program during a press conference in Kfar Maccabiah in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

Far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich apologizes for calling opposition chief Benjamin Netanyahu a liar and “trouble” in a leaked recording aired last night by the Kan public broadcaster, but avoids answering whether Netanyahu tried to pressure him into accepting a government that relied on the Islamist Ra’am party.

The recording showed the Religious Zionism party chair claiming Netanyahu had “desperately wanted” his right-wing coalition to sit with the Islamist party Ra’am following the 2021 elections and accusing the Likud leader of “lying through his teeth” on the matter.

Netanyahu has gone on to make the inclusion of Ra’am in the current coalition a central part of his election campaign against the government, saying it is an illegitimate coalition partner.

In an interview with Kan, Smotrich stresses that it was a private conversation leaked to the media a week before Knesset elections.

“I said things I wasn’t supposed to say, I’m sorry for that… I apologize to Netanyahu and to anyone who was offended, I’ve learned my lesson,” he says. “There are disagreements between us, and sometimes things are said that shouldn’t be said.”

He notes that he regards Netanyahu as the “best” possible candidate at the moment to be prime minister.

After being recorded saying Netanyahu may be eventually convicted in his ongoing graft trial, Smotrich says he believes Netanyahu will be acquitted of the corruption charges since they are “trumped up.”

But despite being pressed several times on the matter, Smotrich pointedly refuses to answer the question of whether Netanyahu wanted to form a government with Ra’am — after saying countless times in the past that the former premier did want that, and taking pride in preventing such a coalition. Ra’am chief Mansour Abbas has similarly said advanced negotiations were held on forming one.

Ukraine says it has pushed out Russian forces from villages in country’s northeast

The Ukrainian military claims to have pushed out Russian forces from several villages in the northeast of the country, in Kyiv’s first recent announcement of territorial gains in Donbas.

“Due to successful actions, our troops pushed the enemy out of the settlements of Karmazynivka, Myasozharivka, and Nevske, in the Luhansk region, and Novosadove in the Donetsk region,” the Ukrainian military says in a statement.

Before heading to US, Herzog says he’ll discuss Iran threat, Lebanon deal with Biden

President Isaac Herzog releases a statement ahead of his departure tonight to the United States for a two-day visit that will see him meet US President Joe Biden, other senior administration officials, congressmembers and local Jewish community leaders.

Noting that he is traveling at the invitation of “my friend” Biden, Herzog says his visit will focus on regional developments, chief among them “the Iranian threat, which is destabilizing not only the Middle East, but the entire world, requiring a firm and united stand against it.”

He will also discuss the Abraham Accords, the imminent maritime border deal with Lebanon, and “our desire and hope to have more nations join the circle of regional peace.”

“We will also discuss other issues, including the climate crisis, the climate challenge — a danger to the entire world and humanity — as well as the opportunities for trade and diplomacy, business relations and others, which of course emanate from the unique Israel-United States partnership,” he says.

As new IDF chief Halevi is set to take over, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram is named as his deputy

An undated photo of Maj. Gen. Amir Baram. (Israel Defense Forces)

Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, former commander of the military’s Northern Command, has been named as the next deputy chief of staff.

Baram will enter the role when the current deputy, Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, becomes chief of the Israel Defense Forces.

The decision to appoint Baram was made by Defense Minister Benny Gantz, following recommendations made by Halevi and by outgoing military chief Aviv Kohavi.

IDF suspends soldier who assaulted Palestinian, 2 others who failed to intervene

The Israel Defense Forces suspends a soldier who assaulted a Palestinian man in Hebron last night, as well as an officer and another soldier who did not intervene.

According to the IDF, an argument broke out between the soldier and the Palestinian at a checkpoint in the West Bank city.

אירוע גרוע בחברון: שני לוחמים מגדוד צבר מגבעתי היכו פלסטיני סמוך לחסם שוטר. קצין ולוחם שהיו בסמוך לא התערבו. המג"ד השעה את שני הלוחמים מפעילות מבצעית ונפתחה חקירת מצ"ח. הרמטכ"ל כוכבי: "אירוע חמור החורג באופן בוטה מערכי צה"ל, מרוח צה"ל ומהנורמות המצופות מלוחמי צה"ל וממפקדיו". pic.twitter.com/a3f69AZlPO

— איתי בלומנטל Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) October 24, 2022

The IDF says the soldier “acted with severe violence against the Palestinian” as the officer and other soldier stood by.

The trio will not continue combat duty, as the Military Police investigate the incident — after which the Military Prosecution will review the case.

Military chief Aviv Kohavi condemns the violence in a statement.

“This is a serious incident that blatantly deviates from IDF values, the spirit of the IDF and the norms expected of IDF soldiers and their commanders,” Kohavi says.

Meeting Dutch PM, Lapid confirms Lebanon border deal will be signed on Thursday

Prime Minister Yair Lapid (R) meets Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Jerusalem on October 24, 2022. (Haim Zach/GPO)

Ahead of his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Prime Minister Yair Lapid confirms that “on Thursday, we are going to sign a historic agreement with Lebanon,” a day after that date was announced by the US official who brokered the talks on the maritime border deal.

Lapid adds that Israel is going to become a major gas supplier to Europe “in the near future,” but does not expand on how that gas will reach Europe’s shores.

The premier also calls ongoing demonstrations in Iran “an inspiration to all of us.”

Lapid thanks the Netherlands for its help in restoring the EU-Israel Association Council, and expresses hope that the Dutch-Israeli Cooperation Forum, which was established in 2013, will be revived.

Rutte says he was “struck” by Lapid’s UN General Assembly speech backing a two-state solution, and by Israel being able to reach the maritime border agreement with Lebanon.

Rutte notes that he will be visiting the Palestinian Authority on this trip as well.

Israeli cycling team hires exiled Afghan champion: ‘I’ll race for all women in Afghanistan’

Afghanistan's national cycling champion Fariba Hashimi (R) meets the owner of Women’s WorldTour team Israel – Premier Tech Roland, Sylvan Adams, in Aigle, Switzerland, October 23, 2022. (Noa Arnon/courtesy)

An Israeli cycling team has recruited exiled Afghan athlete Fariba Hashimi, a day after she won her national championship — held in Switzerland since the women’s sports event has been banned by the ruling Taliban.

Hashimi, 19, and her sister Yulduz — who took second place in the event — fled Afghanistan days before the ultra-conservative Taliban entered Kabul last year and took over the country, carrying out a crackdown on women’s rights.

Now building a new life in Italy, Fariba Hashimi has accepted an invitation to join Women’s WorldTour team Israel – Premier Tech Roland, extended by the team’s owner Sylvan Adams, according to a statement on the team’s behalf.

The statement says Yulduz will join the team as well next year, “with the announcement of a U23 Continental team in the works.”

“We are making history here as these two brave women become the first from their country to reach this level of the sport,” Adams says. “It is part of our commitment to helping young cyclists from all over the world – from developing nations to war zones.”

Afghanistan’s national cycling champion Fariba Hashimi (2R) and her sister Yulduz (2L) receive their contracts from the owner of Women’s WorldTour team Israel – Premier Tech Roland, Sylvan Adams, in Aigle, Switzerland, October 23, 2022. (Noa Arnon/courtesy)

“I can’t lie – it’s so exciting but it’s pressure, too,” says Fariba Hashimi. “Honestly, I didn’t think I would get this opportunity to ride for a WorldTour team and a chance to race in the Tour de France.

“I will take the challenge head-on and race for all the women in Afghanistan. My country today is dangerous for many of the women living there. Women are not free to live and thrive as they wish, but if they see me riding in the TDF with the Afghan colors they will see that everything is possible.”

Israel, France sign MOU on countering terror funding, financial crimes

The Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tracfin, France’s anti-money laundering outfit on October 20, the French embassy announces. The agreement is designed to help the countries cooperate in countering terror financing and financial crimes.

Gabriel Attal, France’s public action and accounts minister, calls the MOU “another step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.”

ישראל וצרפת מחזקות את שיתוף הפעולה המודיעיני: הרשות לאיסור הלבנת הון ומימון טרור וארגון המודיעין הצרפתי לעיבוד ופעולה נגד רשתות פיננסיות לא חוקיות, חתמו היום על מזכר הבנות הקובע את הבסיס לשיתוף פעולה הדדי משופר, כדי להתמודד עם הלבנת הון, מימון טרור ופעילות פלילית קשורה. pic.twitter.com/0DnAYrIBsL

— משרד המשפטים – Israel Ministry of Justice (@JusticeGov) October 24, 2022

He adds that fighting financial crimes is a top priority for Paris, and that the agreement will strengthen financial intelligence for both nations.

Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar says that international cooperation “is the cornerstone of our strategy to fight financial crimes and terror financing.”

Officials from IMPA and Tracfin will meet regularly to follow up on the MOU.

Israeli cyber chief meets Albania’s PM, praises country for cutting ties with Iran

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama meets with Gaby Portnoy, head of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate.

Portnoy presents the Albanian leader with Israel’s broad approach to cyber security, its active defense measures, and its national cyber “Iron Dome.” He also offers several options for assistance and cooperation in cyber defense.

According to the Israeli readout of the meeting, Rama expresses particular interest in Israel’s approach to cybersecurity, especially regarding critical national infrastructure.

“Iran doesn’t pay enough of a price for its nonstop attempts to cause harm in the civilian cyber realm without distinction,” says Portnoy. “The approach Albania’s government took when it condemned and imposed sanctions on Iran gets the message across that there is a price for aggressive activities, and this approach must be continued.”

The professional echelon in both countries will hold a series of videoconferences in order to flesh out how the two countries will cooperate in cybersecurity moving forward.

Albania, a NATO member, cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in September after a series of cyberattacks over the summer that it attributes to the Islamic Republic.

Zelensky says Russia-Iran alliance wouldn’t have happened had Israel helped Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells an Israeli conference that Russia wouldn’t have been collaborating militarily with Iran if Jerusalem hadn’t decided not to send military aid to Kyiv.

The Russia-Iran alliance would not have happened if Israeli leaders had agreed to help protect Ukraine’s skies, he tells a conference organized by the Haaretz daily, speaking on video.

Zelensky adds that the Moscow-Tehran alliance will likely see Russia help Iran develop its nuclear program in exchange for the drones supplied by the Islamic Republic.

He whether Israel is “with the democratic world, which is fighting side by side against the existential threat to its existence? Or with those who turn a blind eye to Russian terror, even when the cost of continued terror is the complete destruction of global security?”

Rishi Sunak to become Britain’s next prime minister as last rival withdraws

Conservative Party leadership candidate Rishi Sunak leaves his campaign office, in London, October 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Rishi Sunak has won the race to be the leader of the Conservative Party and will become Britain’s next prime minister — the third this year.

The former Treasury chief will be Britain’s first leader of color, and faces the task of stabilizing the party and country at a time of economic and political turbulence.

His only rival, Penny Mordaunt, has conceded and withdrawn.

As leader of the governing party, he will take over as prime minister from Liz Truss, who quit last week after 45 tumultuous days in office.

Genetic test disproves couple’s claim that they’re biological parents of mistakenly implanted embryo

A genetic test has rejected the position of a couple claiming to be the biological parents of a fetus mistakenly implanted in a woman who was not its mother during fertility treatments at Rishon Lezion’s Assuta Medical Center.

The child is due within days, and the Lod District Court ruled last week that a genetic test must be conducted “immediately” to identify the biological parents.

However, the test finds that the couple claiming to be the parents have no genetic connection to the fetus.

Now, the hospital will need to test some 40 potential women in order to identify the embryo’s biological mother with certainty. When this happens, a legal process will follow to determine who receives custody over the newborn.

Such a case appears to be unprecedented in Israel.

Syria says soldier injured, damage caused in alleged Israeli strike near Damascus

Syrian state media says a soldier has been wounded and damage has been caused in an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Damascus area.

According to the state-run SANA news agency, citing a military source, Syrian air defenses managed to intercept several of the Israeli missiles.

There are no immediate details on the sites that were allegedly struck.

Syrian media accuses Israel of rare daylight strike in Damascus

Syrian state media accuses Israel of being behind explosions heard in Damascus, adding that air defense systems were activated.

If true, this would be a rare daylight strike by Israel, which has waged a campaign against Iranian entrenchment in its northern neighbor.

On Friday night, Syria accused Israel of launching airstrikes against targets near Damascus.

Dutch PM Rutte arrives in Israel for 2-day visit

Longtime Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives in Israel for a two-day visit focused on energy, water and food security.

Rutte is slated to meet Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

He is greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Modi Ephraim and Foreign Ministry official Gil Haskel.

Gantz speaks with Ukraine defense chief, pledges humanitarian support but no weapons

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, right, gives a statement to the media at the IDF Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem, on March 30, 2022, and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov attends peace talks in the Gomel region, Belarus, February 28, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90; Sergei Kholodilin/BelTA Pool Photo via AP)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaks on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov, pledging Israel’s support for Ukraine in face of Russia’s invasion but clarifying that due to “operative restrictions,” it cannot hand Kyiv weapons.

According to a statement from Gantz’s office, he received an update on the war and expressed his condolences for the lives lost and the severe humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Gantz stressed Israel’s humanitarian support and help in saving lives by supplying defense systems, his office says.

The ministers agree to hold immediate talks for Israel to supply civilian alert systems and to stay in contact over the next weeks to discuss other matters.

Russia claims Ukraine in ‘final stage’ of creating ‘dirty bomb’

Moscow says Ukraine has nearly completed building a “dirty bomb,” after Russia’s defense minister in calls with NATO counterparts claimed Kyiv’s forces are planning to deploy the weapon.

“According to the information we have, two organizations in Ukraine have specific instructions to create a so-called ‘dirty bomb.’ This work is in its final stage,” Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov says in a statement.

The United States has dismissed Russia’s accusations on the matter as “transparently false.”

Ukrainian club urges FIFA to bar Iran from soccer World Cup over support for Russia

Ukraine’s top soccer club urges world soccer body FIFA to remove Iran from the World Cup because of the country’s alleged military support to the Russian invasion.

Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin accuses Iran of “direct participation in terrorist attacks on Ukrainians,” suggesting his own country’s team should play in Qatar instead as a replacement.

“This will be a fair decision that should draw the attention of the whole world to a regime that kills its best people and helps kill Ukrainians,” Palkin says in a statement one day before his team plays at Celtic in the Champions League.

The White House said Thursday that the US has evidence that Iranian troops are “directly engaged on the ground” in Crimea supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population. And the head of Ukraine’s intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, said in an interview published today that Russian forces have used about 330 Iranian-built Shahed drones as of Saturday — and that more have been ordered. Russia and Iran have both denied that the drones used are Iranian-built.

Iran plays in the second game of the World Cup, on November 21 against England, and then faces Wales and the United States in Group B. Wales qualified by beating Ukraine in the playoffs in June in a game that was delayed from March by the war.

FIFA does not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, if an Asian team is suspended, there is no precedent for FIFA to replace it with a European team at the World Cup.

Soccer’s world body does not typically suspend member federations because of military decisions by a national government, though Yugoslavia was barred from trying to qualify for the 1994 World Cup after United Nations sanctions were imposed during the war in the Balkans.

FIFA is also resisting calls this month from Iranian fan groups to suspend the national team during a national crackdown on street protests in support of women’s rights and because of a long-time policy stopping women from freely attending games in soccer and other sports.

Syrian state media reports explosions over Damascus

Syrian state media reports explosions heard over the capital Damascus.

The state-run SANA news agency says the cause of the explosions is still being investigated.

On Friday night, Syria accused Israel of launching airstrikes against targets near Damascus.

Man seriously injured in Jerusalem stabbing regains consciousness

A 23-year-old man seriously hurt in Saturday’s stabbing attack in Jerusalem has regained consciousness, Shaare Zedek Medical Center says.

After undergoing surgery, the man has been taken off anesthetics and is able to communicate, hospital officials say.

The man is still listed in serious but stable condition, the hospital adds.

IDF detains 9 Palestinians in overnight West Bank raids

Israeli troops operate in the West Bank, early October 24, 2022. (Israel Defense Forces)

The Israel Defense Forces says troops detained nine wanted Palestinians during overnight arrest raids across the West Bank.

The detainees have been taken by the Shin Bet security agency for further questioning.

The arrests come amid an ongoing IDF anti-terror offensive in the West Bank following a series of Palestinian attacks that killed 19 people earlier this year. Four soldiers have been killed in the West Bank in attacks and during the arrest operations.

The IDF adds that during overnight operations, Palestinians hurled explosive devices, stones and Molotov cocktails at troops near the northern West Bank town of Zababdeh.

“Forces responded with riot dispersal means and live fire,” the military says.

No soldiers are hurt in the incidents.

Netanyahu says he ‘forgives’ Smotrich for his ‘defamatory words’

Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Bezalel Smotrich in the Knesset on June 21, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/FLASH90)

Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu reacts publicly for the first time to a recording — aired last night by the Kan public broadcaster — of his intended senior coalition partner Bezalel Smotrich calling the Likud party leader a “liar” and “trouble.”

In his statement, Netanyahu says he forgives Smotrich’s “defamatory” words but avoids commenting directly on the content of Smotrich’s accusation.

In his comments, which were reportedly made in a conversation during the past year, the far-right Smotrich is heard saying Netanyahu “desperately wanted” to ally with the Islamist Ra’am party after the elections last year, and that the former prime minister was “lying through his teeth” for denying this.

Netanyahu has gone on to make the inclusion of Ra’am in the current coalition a central part of his election campaign against the government, saying it is an illegitimate coalition partner.

Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism party, also called Netanyahu “trouble” and said he may yet be found guilty in his criminal trial.

But Netanyahu brushes all that aside, saying in his statement that “we must stop the friendly fire and recruit the entire right to prevent the continuation of the Lapid-Abbas government, which endangers the future of Israel.”