Topic: Yedioth Ahronoth Group

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Why Israel's Netanyahu doesn't fully trust Obama on Iran

Part of the friction comes from Obama making the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a top priority early on, putting off Netanyahu's demands for urgent action on the Iran nuclear program.
Israel celebrates Nobel Prize, but worries about declining prowess

Dan Shechtman, who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry, is part of a tradition of scientific achievement that's considered a key asset to Israel's military and its reputation as a mini-Silicon Valley.
Israel's tent protests transition to next stage: political fight

A day after their main Tel Aviv encampment was dismantled, it's unclear whether Israel's tent protesters can translate the summer's street momentum into lasting political change.
Israel retaliates against Gaza, but deterrence game has changed

Egypt's weakening control in the Sinai, from which militants launched attacks that killed eight Israelis yesterday, is a wild card in the policy of mutual deterrence between Israel and Hamas.
In Israel, raft of new laws shows rise of the right

A spate of right-wing legislation is picking up supporters in the Israeli public, frustrated with uncertainty and their international isolation.
Israel's new friend: Why Greece is thwarting Gaza flotilla

Since last year's flotilla debacle killed nine Turkish activists, Israel has cultivated ties with Greece, offering the debt-ridden country generous military aid.
Did a Jerusalem court really sentence a dog to death by stoning?

The BBC, Agence France Presse, and Time magazine all erroneously reported that a rabbinical court in Jerusalem had sentenced a dog to death by stoning. How did they fall for it?
Obama's AIPAC comments can't conceal mutual mistrust, say Israeli analysts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed 'appreciation' for President Obama's comments to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Sunday.
Amid Syria's turmoil, Israel sees Assad as the lesser evil

While Syria's 40-year Assad regime has fought multiple conflicts with Israel, it has also been a stable neighbor – making Israelis uneasy about the prospects of Islamists gaining power next door.
Palestinian unity deal gives Netanyahu new line of attack

In upcoming visits to the US and Europe, Israel's prime minister is likely to argue against UN recognition of Palestinian statehood now that Hamas is joining Fatah at the helm.
Israel's Gaza flotilla probe findings could hurt Israel-Turkey ties

An Israeli investigation into last year's Gaza flotilla raid reinforces the government's position in a spat with Turkey that has brought bilateral ties between two US allies to the breaking point.
Israel concerned about possible fallout from Lebanon government split

As regional efforts to mediate Lebanon's political standoff fail, Israelis nervously watch their border with Lebanon and wonder whether potential violence will spread to Israel.
Israel's Lieberman tweaks Turkey. Is he flanking Netanyahu?

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized Turkey in an apparent attempt to outflank Prime Minister Netanyahu on the right and pick up support from hardline nationalists disillusioned with the peace process.
Israel warns Gaza missiles could provoke new offensive against militants

Gaza militants fired 15 mortars or rockets into Israel on Monday and Tuesday in an unexpected flare-up two years after Israel's devastating offensive on the Hamas-controlled coastal strip.
Israel greets WikiLeaks cables as vindication of its Iran policy

The latest WikiLeaks release of documents gives Israel proof that its Arab neighbors, even those that are sworn enemies of the Jewish state, share its concerns about Iran.
Terrorism & Security
Gates: Military force is not the only way to deter Iran

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that American diplomatic and economic efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program need more time, rebuffing Israel's call for military force.
A new Israeli settlement freeze? What's behind Netanyahu's offer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a new Israeli settlement freeze, as ally Obama eagerly seeks progress toward peace before US elections next month.
Round 2 of Israeli-Palestinian talks begins in Egypt

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faces an urgent test of mediation savvy in Israeli-Palestinian talks, which could break down over the settlement freeze set to expire Sept. 26.
Israel's Netanyahu scores big victory with direct peace talks – for now

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that a peace treaty with the Palestinians would be possible once direct talks start next week.
Rocket attacks on Israel and Jordan highlight how Hamas could use Sinai

Rocket attacks against Israeli and Jordanian resort towns on the Red Sea are believed to have come from Egypt's Sinai, raising fresh concerns about militant activity – possibly including Hamas – there.
Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system not a silver bullet

Israel finished testing its Iron Dome missile defense system today, four years after Hezbollah exposed Israel's vulnerability to rocket attacks. While impressive, the system is not foolproof, say analysts.
Terrorism & Security
Turkey closes airspace to Israeli flights, says Erdogan

Turkey closed its airspace to Israeli military flights, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed Monday, underscoring tensions in the wake of the Gaza flotilla raid. The ban reportedly will not affect commercial planes.
Battered Israel relieved to take back seat on Iran sanctions

While Israel had called for 'crippling' Iran sanctions, in the wake of its fatal Gaza flotilla raid officials knows they have little political capital to push for more aggressive action than the US has taken.
Israel's Netanyahu balks at UN investigation of Gaza flotilla raid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed a proposal from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to have an international panel investigate last week's deadly Gaza flotilla raid.
Israeli settlements standoff with US: Netanyahu fails to defuse tensions

Two weeks after Israeli settlements touched off unusually high tensions with Israel's closest ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads home from Washington without a resolution.