Michael Bachner

Turkish "televangelist" Adnan Oktar on March 31, 2010. (CC-BY-SA-4.0,3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0 Harun Yahya International/Wikipedia)

July 11, 2018, 12:47 pm

Turkish police arrest Islamic ‘televangelist’ with anti-Semitic history

Hundreds of followers of Adnan Oktar - a controversial figure embraced by some Israelis - also to be detained in case involving a criminal gang, fraud and sexual abuse

By AP and Michael Bachner

A composite image of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Bezeq controlling shareholder Shaul Elovitch. (Flash90; Ohad Zwigenberg/POOL)

July 11, 2018, 9:06 am

Media tycoon said to admit altering Netanyahu coverage at PM’s wife’s request

But Shaul Elovitch reportedly denies during interrogation that he expected regulatory favors in return for intervening in Walla news site

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

The leader of the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, waves as he arrives for a meeting with the Palestinian Authority's prime minister and other officials in Gaza City on October 2, 2017. (AFP Photo/Said Khatib)

July 10, 2018, 3:05 pm

Hamas leader in Gaza breaks arm in traffic accident – report

Palestinian site says Yahya Sinwar's health is good, no suspicion of foul play

By Michael Bachner

Damage caused to houses in the city of Tiberias in northern Israel after earthquakes shook the area, on July 9, 2018. (David Cohen/Flash90)

July 10, 2018, 2:08 pm

State to invest billions in reinforcing buildings amid quake fears – report

In meeting with local council heads, Finance Minister Kahlon promises widespread program will be approved by ministers next week

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Illustrative: A participant wears a kippah during a 'wear a kippah' gathering to protest against anti-Semitism in front of the Jewish Community House on April 25, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Carsten Koall/Getty Images via JTA)

July 10, 2018, 12:46 pm

German Jews call for crackdown on anti-Semitism, including among Muslims

Almost 40 Jewish groups urge Berlin to require organizations to publicly renounce anti-Jewish sentiment and BDS as a condition for receiving funds

By Michael Bachner

A Jewish Agency-supported Reform service in Israel. (courtesy JAFI)

July 10, 2018, 1:28 am

Majority of Likud voters support recognition of non-Orthodox Judaism

Reform Movement survey also finds most Likud supporters want Jerusalem to invest 'significant resources' in ties with Diaspora

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

El Al flight seen at the airstrip at the Ben Gurion International Airport. February 26, 2015. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)

July 10, 2018, 12:57 am

Record 2.1 million tourists visit Israel in first half of 2018

Ministry data shows country earned more than NIS 12 billion from tourism between January and June

By Michael Bachner

Damage caused to houses in the city of Tiberias in northern Israel after earthquakes shook the area, July 9, 2018. (David Cohen/ Flash90)

July 9, 2018, 10:23 pm

New earthquake hits northern Israel, as cracks in readiness exposed

More than 40 tremors rattle Sea of Galilee region in last several days; just 53 of 1,600 schools at risk of collapse have been reinforced, according to report

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Jonathan Erlich during a Davis Cup match between Israeli and France, in Rouen, western France, Saturday Feb. 2, 2013. (AP/Remy de la Mauviniere)

July 9, 2018, 8:57 pm

Last Israeli crashes out of Wimbledon tennis tourney

Jonathan Erlich and men's doubles partner Marcin Matkowski drop 2-set lead to lose in dramatic fashion in London

By Michael Bachner

Two of three new F-35 fighter jets land on an airstrip in the Israeli Air Force's Nevatim base in southern Israel on June 24, 2018. (Israel Defense Forces)

July 8, 2018, 4:52 pm

Israel ranked 8th most powerful country in the world

US magazine poll of 21,000 people lists Jewish state above Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia; Israel is 30th-best country for second year in a row

By Michael Bachner

Illustrative photo of IDF soldiers checking Palestinian cars at a checkpoint in the West Bank village of Yatta, near Hebron, February 10, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

July 8, 2018, 2:36 pm

Arab Israeli sentenced to 8 years for plotting to attack soldiers

Firas al-Omari, 46, was convicted of joining Hamas and planning a terror attack in the Negev to avenge the outlawing of Northern Branch of Islamic Movement

By Michael Bachner

Shas MK David Azoulay during a Knesset committee meeting. February 13, 2013. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

July 8, 2018, 12:25 pm

Egalitarian Western Wall plaza construction delayed as minister quits committee

David Azoulay of ultra-Orthodox party Shas writes to Netanyahu that he can't 'act against my beliefs'; joins two other ministers who resigned last week

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel visiting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on July 8, 2018. (Courtesy)

July 8, 2018, 10:13 am

First cabinet member enters Temple Mount after 3 years as PM lifts ban

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel the first to make use of new decision letting MKs visit flashpoint Jerusalem holy site once every 3 months; calls for completely free access

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Taylor Swift performs on stage in concert at Wembley Stadium in west London, Friday, June 22, 2018. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

July 3, 2018, 11:59 pm

Taylor Swift fans threaten to sue El Al for missing show

Group of Israelis say airline 'caused us great anguish' with canceled flight, demand compensation for London concert ticket and other expenses

By Michael Bachner

Israel's Netta Barzilai performing 'Toy' in the first Eurovision 2018 semifinal, May 8, 2018. (Screen capture: YouTube)

July 3, 2018, 10:50 pm

Israel’s Eurovision win in jeopardy as US label claims Netta’s ‘Toy’ was copied

Universal Music Studios sends pre-suit notice letter to composers, citing similarity between winning entry and White Stripe's Seven Nation Army

By Michael Bachner