Israeli Prime Minister Benjain Netanyahu made it clear that Israel would take all necessary actions to maintain security on the Temple Mount, without changing the status quo, in a phone call Friday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Avi Gabbay, a former environment protection minister, won the race for the leadership of the Labor party which he joined only six months ago. In a runoff election, he beat the former Labor chairman Amir Peretz, a former Defence Minister.

“The Jewish people’s glorious history in Israel started in Hebron. No UNESCO lies and FAKE HISTORY can change that. Truth is eternal..’’

Haredi leaders Deri and Gafni storm out of meeting but return later to continue negotiations.

Cabinet also approves conversion law giving sole power to Chief Rabbinate.

Passengers asked to move their seat because of their gender will qualify as discrimination and as such prohibited.

Israel is in talks with Egypt and the EU over the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip.

As Israel is to mark Yom Haatzmaut or Independence Day, the country 69th anniversary, its population has risen to nearly 8.7 million, according to the data released by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

Israel marked Yom Hazikaron, the country’s day of remembrance for its 23,544 fallen soldiers, members of security forces and victims of terror. Included in the total are over 3,000 civilians.

Each year, Israeli movers and shakers are selected to light a beacon, in line with the annual theme.