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Bill to dissolve Knesset passes unanimously, officially beginning election recess

BY IDAN KWELLER AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:05:44 GMT

"We are completing a four year term, we have passed nine budgets, hundreds of laws," said Coalition whip Ofir Katz ahead of the bill's passing.

'Strength of next generation': Israeli youth bridge teams claim three European silver medals

BY JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:28:14 GMT

The achievement follows the two bronze medals recently won by Israel’s Open and Mixed Pairs teams at the European Championship for senior national teams.

Israel's Yarden Garzon: ‘I’ll make it to the WNBA, I’m sure!’

BY JOSHUA HALICKMAN — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:33:32 GMT

After starring in high school and local youth leagues in Israel, women's basketball player Yarden Garzon was recruited by colleges in the United States and chose to attend Indiana.

Knesset passes bill to extend mandatory military service to 32 months to 'meet IDF's goals'

BY MIRIAM SELA-EITAM — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:54:29 GMT

The passage of the bill comes amid the coalition's legislative blitz before the Knesset recesses ahead of the upcoming elections. Forty-three MKs voted in favor, with 12 against and one abstention.

Israeli gov't gives Jordan Valley farmers drones, rangers to deter 'Palestinian terror state'

BY EITAN ELIAS — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:09:37 GMT

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Missions Minister Orit Strock both attended the ceremony at which the equipment was presented to support farms and outposts in the West Bank.

Assaf Machnes's 'Where to?' wins top prize at Jerusalem Film Festival

BY HANNAH BROWN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:01:13 GMT

The festival awarded prizes totaling approximately NIS 1 million across its Israeli and international competitions, as well as its short-film, experimental-film, and industry programs.

Hamas unable to conduct terror infiltration, repeat of October 7, IDF commander tells soldiers

BY JAMES GENN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:11:33 GMT

Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth made the remarks during a change of command ceremony for the reservist 99th Division near the Gaza border.

What are some of the main laws pushed during Knesset's legislative blitz? - explainer

BY SHIR PERETS AND KESHET NEEV — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:27:17 GMT

Four major bills passed during the Knesset’s final blitz, with implications for the IDF, the judiciary, state benefits and press freedom.

Israel launches major reform for wounded soldiers as PTSD cases continue to surge

BY YONAH JEREMY BOB — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:15:22 GMT

The reform is based on the June 7 recommendations of a government committee that suggested radical changes to the handling of 50,000 emotional trauma cases of former IDF soldiers.

Knesset passes into law controversial overhaul of Israel's broadcasting sector

BY KESHET NEEV — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:35:22 GMT

Legislation passes 53-48, granting the government sweeping broadcasting powers amid warnings of harm to media freedom.

Human skull fragments found in cave west of Jerusalem, police probe incident

BY JAMES GENN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:52:20 GMT

Forensic scientists are investigating suspicions that the bones are skull fragments, Israeli media reported.

Israel must 'open its eyes' as House votes on US-Israel aid, JCFA pres. tells 'Post' - interview

BY MATHILDA HELLER — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:39:24 GMT

"It's clear that the Democratic Party has moved consequentially to the left, and that they are much more heavily influenced by people on the progressive flank," Diker told the Post.

Cautious optimism at JFF panel on post-October 7 Israeli cinema

BY HANNAH BROWN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:34:07 GMT

“This country is full of remarkable talent… Israel has everything a major film industry needs: great film schools, a strong tradition, outstanding artists," said Israeli director Avi Nesher.

High Court names nine-justice panel to hear petitions on law halting arrest of haredi draft dodgers

BY SARAH BEN-NUN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:30:39 GMT

The dispute comes after a succession of increasingly forceful High Court judgments on inequality in military service and the government’s failure to enforce the existing draft law.

Netanyahu's wife, sons to receive extended Shin Bet protection, PM granted lifelong security

BY JAMES GENN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:16:19 GMT

Sara Netanyahu will receive protection for as long as her husband is alive, while Yair and Avner Netanyahu will be protected for at least five years.

Israel to produce its own JDAM bombs en masse within two years, in bid for arms independence

BY YONAH JEREMY BOB — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:16:10 GMT

Move is part of broader push to reduce Israel's reliance on foreign munitions, expand domestic weapons production • Germany deals lead to quadrupled Arrow production

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block Israel's Highway 4, call police 'antisemites,' injure one officer

BY JAMES GENN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:53:32 GMT

The highway was closed between the Aluf Sade Interchange, south of Ramat Gan, and the Em Hamoshavot Interchange, north of Bnei Brak, police added.

Israel denies German flotilla activist's claim of alleged rape in Israeli detention

BY SARAH BEN-NUN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:46:18 GMT

According to the complaint and Liedtke’s account, the alleged assault occurred on October 10, 2025, after she was transferred to Givon Prison following the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla.

WATCH: Israel Police arrest crime organization boss Yossi Musli after Japanika grenade attacks

BY HODAYA RAN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:44:35 GMT

The arrest was carried out as part of the investigation into the wave of grenade attacks, arson, and shootings that has hit central and northern Israel in recent days.

Mifal HaPais presented its 2026 Landau Prizes for Arts and Sciences to leading Israeli researchers

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:21:05 GMT

Each of the nine winners received a NIS 150,000 grant. The ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the Landau Prize, which recognizes exceptional achievements and contributions to Israeli research.

Eighty Israelis come together to compete in Rubik's Cube event with hundreds spectating

BY EITAN ELIAS — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:45:19 GMT

The annual competition saw record-high registration rates as interest in the Rubik's Cube world in Israel grows.

‘Levites Way’: Route 443 renamed in memory of late foreign minister, links major Israeli regions

BY HADAR KATSMAN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:39:21 GMT

The proposal, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, aimed to honor the late foreign affairs minister David Levy and the Tribe of Levi's connection to Israel.

Israeli singer-songwriter Ehud Banai’s music transforms Beit Guvrin caves in immersive exhibition

BY HANNAH BROWN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:17:38 GMT

The Eighth Sound exhibition brings together Banai’s songs and texts with video art by Ronen Tanchum. Created specifically for the ancient caves.

Shas leader Arye Deri accuses IDF chief of 'helping the Left' with ultra-Orthodox draft stance

BY KESHET NEEV — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:34:04 GMT

Deri on Zamir: 'He has lost it. What the chief of staff did... was an attempt to help the left-wing bloc' • PM hopefuls Bennett, Eisenkot swiftly condemn Shas leader's attack on IDF chief

Haredi women, academics file petition against Israel's new gender-segregated education law

BY SARAH BEN-NUN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:30:40 GMT

The petition was filed hours after the Knesset approved an amendment to the law which expressly allows the Council for Higher Education to approve separate programs for men and women.

Israel works to restore diplomatic ties with Colombia, new embassy to be established in Jerusalem

BY SHIR PERETS — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:18:51 GMT

The proposed embassy would represent a significant upgrade in relations and mark formal Colombian recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

IDF finds dead body tied to stretcher in southern Lebanon, launches investigation

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:42:06 GMT

The body was passed to the police for further investigation.

Netanyahu postpones planned visit to US after Lindsey Graham's funeral delayed

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:31:48 GMT

Previously, Netanyahu had been set to fly to Washington on Saturday night to attend former senator Lindsey Graham's funeral and to meet with US President Donald Trump.

IDF soldier arrested over suspected role in grenade supply network, stealing military weapons

BY HODAYA RAN — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:20:54 GMT

The arrest comes after a series of grenade attacks hit central Israel with no injuries recorded, raising suspicions that IDF weapons have been illicitly distributed.

US rejects Israeli plan to move military aircraft from Ben-Gurion as parking crisis continues

BY AMIR BOHBOT — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:16:46 GMT

While the Transportation Ministry announced Wednesday that a solution had been reached to relocate the US assets to other sites, American sources now say alternative solutions do not meet its needs.