The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that Iran had removed about a third of its inspectors from inspection of its nuclear facilities. The agency's director, Rafael Grossi, strongly condemned the move.
The Prime Minister's Office responded to the issue in an unusual manner at the height of the holiday: "Israel is not surprised by Iran's steps, which prove that it is violating all its obligations to the international community and intends to arm itself with nuclear weapons. The prime minister reiterates that Israel will do whatever is necessary to defend itself against this threat."
Inspectors from Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, photo: AP
Report: Saudi Arabia asked to suspend normalization talks
Journalist Majdi Halabi reported this morning on the Saudi Elaph website that Saudi Arabia had asked to suspend normalization talks with Israel, according to a senior official in Netanyahu's office.
According to the report, the senior Israeli official noted that the reason for this was the opposition of key elements in Netanyahu's government to any gesture towards the Palestinians. This is in addition to Netanyahu's acceptance of the demands of the Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism parties. According to the source, this torpedoes any possibility of rapprochement with the Palestinians, and therefore also with the Saudis.
A step back?, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20z summit, photo: AP
Gaza riots: Palestinian demonstrators march towards border
Palestinians reportedly protested in the Gaza Strip today and have been advancing toward the border fence since the afternoon. Some set tires on fire and detonated IEDs near the border east of Gaza. IDF forces respond with crowd control measures.
The demonstrators are protesting against the "settler invasion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque," against the backdrop of Palestinian anger over the arrival of Jews on the Temple Mount during the holiday. The calls began to be heard after footage was posted on social networks of a Jewish worshipper who was documented near the Temple Mount blowing the shofar.
Palestinians outraged: Jew blows shofar on Temple Mount // Photo: Arab networks
Biden-Netanyahu meeting finalized
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take off this evening, the eve of the holiday, for an eight-day trip to the United States, culminating in meetings with US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as his speech at the UN on Friday.
Netanyahu's meeting with the American president was scheduled for Wednesday. Biden has abstained in an extroverted and precedent-setting manner from inviting Netanyahu to the United States for ten months, so that the meeting between the two next week will put an end to the temporary rift between the leaders.
Netanyahu and Biden. Expected to meet after the speech at the UN General Assembly (archive), photo: Amos Ben Gershom GPO
Road accidents: Two fatalities in two accidents in Tel Aviv and Route 6
A 40-year-old man was killed today when a vehicle overturned on Route 6, and two other men aged about 40 were moderately injured. The police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Earlier, a motorcyclist was killed as a result of an accident on Haim Levanon Street in Tel Aviv.
The scene of the vehicle overturning near the Sorek interchange on Highway 6, photo: MDA operational documentation
UN recognizes Tel Jericho as a heritage site in "Palestine"
Following the exposure of Israel Hayom: The Associated Press reported today that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the antiquities of Jericho as a World Heritage Site in "Palestine." The vote took place at a meeting of the committee in Riyadh, which was also attended by a delegation from Israel, in a precedent-setting manner.
The decision was expected, and sparked anger in Israel. The Knesset's Eretz Israel Caucus held a meeting in Tel Jericho earlier this month, during which Minister Orit Struk (Religious Zionism) addressed the committee: "We appeal to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay: Do not take upon yourself this disgrace. Don't reward heritage destroyers."
Jericho Antiquities, Photo: AFP
Nazareth mayoral candidate withdraws candidacy after being shot
Mus'ab Dukan withdrew his candidacy for mayor of Nazareth due to death threats and pressure from his family, after he was shot and moderately wounded last month.
A senior source in the Nazareth municipality told Israel Hayom after Dukan's resignation: "Crime is rampant and has penetrated all the Arab councils. Contestants withdraw their contest due to threats and shots fired at them. I hope that the government and the police will intervene and stop the wave of violence and crime, especially in Nazareth and the Arab communities, because if not, the state is on its way to bankruptcy."
Mus'ab Dukan and the scene of the shooting, photo: Use under section 27A of the Copyright Law
On the eve of the holiday: Ben-Gurion's statue on the beach in Tel Aviv was set on fire
The statue of the first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion on the beach in Tel Aviv was set on fire tonight. The iconic statue is located between Frishman Beach and Bograshov Beach, and shows Ben-Gurion standing on his head. The arson of the statue apparently occurred around 04:40 a.m., when a fire crew was dispatched to the scene and brought the fire under control. Hours later, police announced they had arrested a suspect: a 34-year-old street dweller.
The statue of Ben Gurion burnt on the beach of Tel Aviv // The use is made in accordance with section 27A of the Copyright Law
IDF attacks Hamas military position in northern Gaza Strip
Palestinian sources reported on Friday that a Hamas observation post had been shelled in the Gaza Strip. It was also reported that there were no casualties in the attack on the post. Gaza reports that a Hamas policeman was injured in the attack and evacuated to hospital.
Throwing a Grenade and Firing a Pistol: Documentation of the Riots at the Gaza Border Fence // Arab Networks
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