ZION NEWS

1. 300 Asylum Seekers given humanitarian status

After years of delay, the state has just granted humanitarian status and a-5 visas to 300 Sudanese Asylum Seekers living in Israel. Still though this is seen as a major win for this community which has been petitioning for full refugee status for nearly a decade, tens of thousands of applications remain unanswered.
2. Russia gives Iran ultimatum

There’ve been a lot of question marks around Russia’s involvement in Syria. Specifically, Israel has lobbied hard for Russia to keep Iran off of the Southern border away from Israel’s front door. Well Russia’s Foreign Minister has now delivered a very public ultimatum, one that seem directed right at the Islamic republic.

1. Israel building an undersea barrier
   Israeli construction teams have just begun a massive new undertaking, the building of an undersea barrier through Gaza-Israel waters. The project is designed to thwart Hamas Terror and potential infiltration coming from the sea and the army believes construction will be fully completed by the end of the year.
2. Poll says 50% of France holds Anti-Semitic views
   Daniel Ben Simon, Former Knesset Member; France Expert speaking at ILTV Studio about the new poll that was conducted by the Union of Jewish students in France and how half of respondents agree that Zionism is a 'global & racist, conspiracy'.
   5. Sara Netanyahu faces criminal indictment  
   It looks like Israel’s Attorney General is preparing to indict Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with criminal charges. Sara is accused of abusing state funds for her own personal use and in the event this comes to court that means the charges would likely be fraud and breach of trust.
3. ‘No reporters allowed!’

In possibly related developments, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party is proposing new restrictions on the media to block reports on public figures under investigation, here with the details is ILTV’S Brett Allen Smith.
7. T.A.U. Innovation Conference 2018
Fayruze Rizqalla, Dir. Of the Innovations Dept. At the Student Union of T.A.U. speaking at ILTV Studio about Tel Aviv University's Annual innovation conference, which the first place team of innovators will be awarded $150,000.
8. Enrique Iglesias heats up Tel Aviv
Well if you felt the earth itself quiver last night around ten P.M, no, it wasn’t an earthquake, it was probably tens of thousands of Israeli fans screaming their hearts out during a concert of their one and only “Hero”, the one, the only, Enrique Iglesias!
9. Miri Regev - step aside

You may not think it, but the Cannes Film Festival has much more to offer than just an array of different international films. The red carpet events have turned into a fashion runway - and in the last couple of years - there have been some, let’s just say , questionable fashion choices being made, ILTV’S Emanuelle Kadosh has the details.

1. Israeli app keeps teen safe
   The parents of an Arizona teenager were able to rescue their son from almost certain danger recently. They discovered that their 13-year-old teen was in a sexual relationship with his 27-year-old teacher with an Israeli app installed on their son’s phone told them about the relationship after detecting illicit content being sent to him on his smartphone.
   11. Artifact of Isaiah to go public
   In just a few short weeks, the world will get finally it’s first-ever look at an incredible archaeological find made right here in Israel. The Israel antiquities authority is pleased to announce that clay seals, which are believed to have been used by both Isaiah the prophet, and King Hezekiah, will go on display beginning June 10th..
   12. Hebrew word Of The Day: LEHAGEN | להגן = TO PROTECT

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "Lehagen" which means "To Protect"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. I.D.F. soldier succumbs to wounds

After fighting for his life in the hospital, an I-D-F soldier from the Elite Duvdevan unit has succumbed to wounds sustained in the line of duty and passed away. Sergeant Ronen Lubarsky was part of a team conducting overnight arrests in a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank last Thursday.

1. I.D.F. shells Islamic Jihad outpost in Gaza

Violence erupted along the Gaza border early this morning. Palestinians from the Islamic Jihad Terror group attempted to injure I-D-F troops with an improvised explosive device disguised as a pair of wire-cutters. The army detected and destroyed the I-E-d with no injuries reported.

1. I.A.F. allegedly strikes Hezbollah base in Syria
   Dr. Nir Boms, Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center at T.A.U. and Dr. Martin Sherman, Founder & Executive Director of the IISS speaking at ILTV Studio about this weekend's airstrikes near Damascus.
2. Harvey Weinstein arrested; posts bail
   Disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, whose alleged sex crimes against women sparked the watershed ‘me-too’ movement has finally surrendered to police. Weinstein has been arrested in New York City, where he has just been charged with rape in the first and third degree.
   5. Israeli paramedical workers go on strike
   Thousands of paramedical workers across the state of Israel began an open-ended strike this morning to protest what they say is abuse in their sector.
3. Uh oh! Are startups slowing down?

Now Israel is, of course, known as the ‘start-up’ nation of the world. But it looks like that title may be in jeopardy right about now. Despite the massive grown of these start-up firms over the last decade, new census figures show that the companies are also shutting down in record numbers.
7. Israel to receive Royal visitor  
Well the royal wedding may be over but the U.K.’s royal family is set to make history yet again next month. Prince William will be visiting Israel for three days in the end of June, the first-ever state visit by a member of British Royalty since the time of the British mandate more than 70 years ago.
8. Hunting for the cure to mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a particularly fatal form of cancer that develops in the body’s organ tissue. Life expectancy in patients ranges from only twelve to twenty-one months and nearly half of all patients die within the first year, and a team spearheaded by Israeli researchers has put this disease dead in their crosshairs and now, they may have just finally cracked the breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for.
9. Tel Aviv introduces cocktail week!

It’s no secret that Israelis love their liquor. Let me put it this way: cocktail bars are to Tel Aviv what Starbucks cafes are to every city in the United States. So it’s only fitting that Tel Aviv is about to host its first official cocktail week

1. An Israeli film fest with a very special lineup
   A film festival in Jerusalem this week is featuring a very special kind of lineup. The ‘reframing reality film festival’ will screen over twenty feature films created by, for, or about people with special needs. This amazing fest kicks things off tomorrow night at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, one of the country’s most prestigious theaters.
   11. Hebrew word Of The Day: WISKI | וויסקי = WHISKEY

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "Wiski" which means "Whiskey"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. Palestinian opens fire on Israeli cops
   This morning a Palestinian man pulled out a pistol, and opened fire on a group of Israeli border police at a checkpoint in the West Bank – just south of Jerusalem. No officers have been reported injured at this time. The suspect was captured and arrested after police gave chase.
2. P.A. accepted to chemical weapons convention

The Palestinians have just ramped up their bid for official recognition of the state of Palestine in a major way. They’ve just been cordially accepted to two U.N. agencies as well as the world’s foremost chemical watchdog agency, the chemical weapons convention.

1. Israel losing favor among U.S. Democrats
   Amb. Zalman Shoval, Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.A. speaking at ILTV Studio about the evolving relationships between Israel and the American left after polls show the American 'left' shifts further and further away.
   4. More recognitions on the way?
   As if the United States recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital wasn’t enough, it looks like the U.S. may have yet another surprise in store to delight Israelis. Israel’s Intelligence Minister says talks are currently underway with the White House to officially recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
   5. Courts freeze deportation of H.R.W. worker
   Earlier this month, Israel’s Interior Ministry moved to deport a representative of the human rights watch from the country. The edict accuses the man of consistently backing the B-D-S Boycott of Israel during his tenure here and now the high court of Israel has just halted the deportation igniting a new wave of public debate.
2. Knesset to ban filming I.D.F. soldiers on duty?

The Knesset has just introduced a new bill that would make it illegal for N-G-O’s to film or photograph I-D-F soldiers in the line of duty. This bill specifically targets groups like B’tselem and ‘breaking the silence’ who claim that they document human rights violations committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.

1. Israeli concert to get royal visitor
   Today the U-K is celebrating Israel’s seventieth birthday with a massive concert fit for a king! Prince Charles himself has just been named the guest of honor at today’s big event. The concert will kick off at the Historic Royal Albert Hall in London and the headliner is none other than top Israeli super-group Balkan beat box.
   8. Accessibility and translation for live shows
   Yonat Burlin, CEO Of Galapro speaking at ILTV Studio about the amazing app that will able to walk into any performance in any language and be able to follow it like the locals.
   9. Tradition starts going digital

For one Hasidic community in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh all they have for a synagogue is a small trailer. But their dream is to build a huge, brand-new house of prayer complex well the group has just turned to crowdfunding to find the necessary funds and they’ve already raised over a million bucks!
10. Season 2 of ‘Fauda’ hits Netflix!
It’s finally here! The wait is over! So stop what you’re doing and go check your Netflix because you can now officially stream the entire second season of the hit Israeli series ‘Fauda’ anywhere in the world.

1. Top 5 Israeli T.V shows to binge
   And now ILTV’S EMANUELLE kadosh is here with this week’s top 5, about the must watch shows on Netflix.
   12. Hebrew word Of The Day: HAR GA’ASH | הַר גַעַשׁ = VOLCANO

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "Har Ga'ash" which means "Volcano"

1. The Weather Forecast

Tonight will be partly cloudy but warm, with a low of about seventy, or twenty-one degrees Celsius. Temperatures are not expected to change over the weekend as skies will be clear to partly cloudy and the high will be about eighty-eight or thirty-one degrees Celsius.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. I.D.F. strikes Hamas targets in Gaza Strip
   Israeli jets have just struck a number of Hamas targets in the Gaza strip. The airstrikes hit an underground Hamas terror tunnel, as well as two naval vessels belonging to the terror group. The I-D-F says these measures are in response to yesterday’s incident on the Gaza border.
2. White House may punish P.A. for I.C.C. campaign

Yesterday the Palestinians officially appealed to the I-C-C International Court to investigate Israel for war crimes. They claim the I-D-F willingly committed these crimes during the recent clashes along the Gaza border. Israel has defended its conduct throughout this difficult period citing countless attempts by Palestinians to overrun or destroy the security barrier.

1. What is the future of Turkey-Israel relations?
   Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, Expert on Turkey – The Moshe Dayan Center at T.A.U. speaking at ILTV Studio about the future of Israel-Turkey relations.
   4. Israeli couple found after two days in the desert
   Now here is one unbelievable story. An Israeli couple has just been found lost in the middle of the desert. The two hikers in their 30’s were missing for two days but luckily they were smart enough to form a massive S.O.S sign with rocks on the ground that caught the attention of a helicopter passing by.
2. Israel to sue Arab nations for equality
   For decades now, Israeli athletes have faced constant prejudice in sporting events all over the world, particularly in Arab nations where their nation’s symbols are forbidden to appea, well now Israel is taking this issue to court with a lawsuit hoping to force Arab countries to give these athletes the same basic freedom as any other athlete in competition.
3. Will Eurovision 2019 be held in Israel?

You may not want to book your tickets to Israel for the 2019 Eurovision because it looks like the international song contest may not actually be held in the country. There are rumors going around that the event is being politicized and may not be held in Jerusalem

1. Israel urges water conservation amid drought fear
   Unfortunately the intense summer temperatures are taking a dangerous toll on Israel’s water supply. The country has officially been in drought for six years running now. The water authority is urging Israelis to do whatever they can to conserve water because Israel is “drying out again.”
2. El Al lists Taiwan as part of China
   For the last several decades, Taiwan has functioned with its own democracy and national identity after formally separating from china in 1949. But today the Chinese government is doing everything it can to undo that separation, China has actually just threatened severe consequences if the world’s airlines don’t recognize Taiwan as part of china.
3. The best Diabetes management on the market

Zvi Ben-David, CFO Dariohealth Corp. speaking at ILTV Studio about the system that helps manage both your personalized treatment and the cost it incurs of diabetes.
10. Mobileye self-driving car runs red light
The Israeli company Mobileye is test driving its autonomous vehicles in Jerusalem, before 8 million of them go to market in 2021 and one of Mobileye’s self-driving cars actually just accidentally ran a red light in Jerusalem.  

1. Taking recycling to the next level
   Well Israeli innovation has done it again! A start-up firm based in Tel Aviv has just brought the entire idea of recycling to the next level. The company has managed to take common household garbage, dirty diapers, banana peels, you name it and transform it into everyday commercial products like a brand-new chair.
2. World stamp championship heads to Israel
   If you were one of those kids that always loved collecting stamps it may be time to head to Israel. The world stamp championship is coming to Jerusalem from May 27th to May 31st.
   13. Hebrew word Of The Day: BUL | בול = STAMP

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "bul" which means "Stamp"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Palestinians have just ramped up their bid for official recognition of the state of Palestine in a major way. They’ve just been cordially accepted to two U.N. agencies as well as the world’s foremost chemical watchdog agency, the chemical weapons convention.

The Knesset has just introduced a new bill that would make it illegal for N-G-O’s to film or photograph I-D-F soldiers in the line of duty. This bill specifically targets groups like B’tselem and ‘breaking the silence’ who claim that they document human rights violations committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.

For one Hasidic community in the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh all they have for a synagogue is a small trailer. But their dream is to build a huge, brand-new house of prayer complex well the group has just turned to crowdfunding to find the necessary funds and they’ve already raised over a million bucks!
10. Season 2 of ‘Fauda’ hits Netflix!
It’s finally here! The wait is over! So stop what you’re doing and go check your Netflix because you can now officially stream the entire second season of the hit Israeli series ‘Fauda’ anywhere in the world.

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "Har Ga'ash" which means "Volcano"

Tonight will be partly cloudy but warm, with a low of about seventy, or twenty-one degrees Celsius. Temperatures are not expected to change over the weekend as skies will be clear to partly cloudy and the high will be about eighty-eight or thirty-one degrees Celsius.  

Yesterday the Palestinians officially appealed to the I-C-C International Court to investigate Israel for war crimes. They claim the I-D-F willingly committed these crimes during the recent clashes along the Gaza border. Israel has defended its conduct throughout this difficult period citing countless attempts by Palestinians to overrun or destroy the security barrier.

You may not want to book your tickets to Israel for the 2019 Eurovision because it looks like the international song contest may not actually be held in the country. There are rumors going around that the event is being politicized and may not be held in Jerusalem

Zvi Ben-David, CFO Dariohealth Corp. speaking at ILTV Studio about the system that helps manage both your personalized treatment and the cost it incurs of diabetes.
10. Mobileye self-driving car runs red light
The Israeli company Mobileye is test driving its autonomous vehicles in Jerusalem, before 8 million of them go to market in 2021 and one of Mobileye’s self-driving cars actually just accidentally ran a red light in Jerusalem.  

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "bul" which means "Stamp"

1. Palestinians breach Gaza border
   A group of Palestinians from Gaza managed to breach the security fence and enter Israeli territory early this morning. The suspects immediately set fire to an abandoned I-D-F position nearby recently used by Israeli snipers during the six week-long border protests.
2. Israeli car comes under gunfire in W. Bank

Tensions along the Gaza border have begun to spread to the West Bank. This morning an Israeli car was driving outside the Palestinian village of Kafr Ni’ma near Ramallah where it suddenly came under gunfire in an apparent drive-by shooting.

1. First details of Trump peace plan emerge
   We’re hearing reports that the White House will release its much-anticipated plan for Middle East peace next month, apparently the details of this supposed plan have already made their way to the Knesset and word is that team Trump has proposed offering a suburb in East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinians state.
2. Government changes Asylum Seekers’ visa numbers
   Israel recently announced that it could not proceed with its plan to forcibly deport nearly 40,000 African men, women and children living in Israel as Asylum Seekers. We’ve now learned that the state has just blocked hundreds of Asylum Seekers from accessing their bank accounts by suddenly changing their visa numbers with no prior warning.
   5. How much will Iran take before stepping back?
   Brig. Gen. (ret.) Ram Shmueli, Former Head of Israeli Air Force Intelligence speaking at ILTV Studio about what must Israel prepare to do to end the existential Iranian threat in Syria.
3. Dutch parody of ‘Toy’ not so playful

This may be hard to believe, but apparently, not everyone loved Netta Barzilai’s killer, Eurovision-winning performance of “toy.” In fact her song was just parodied on Dutch state-funded television, but some say the spoof goes a little too far and simply becomes an excuse to hurl dangerous Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel stereotypes.  
7. I.A.F. holds largest int’l confab in 20 years
Israel’s Air Force is today holding its biggest international conference in nearly two decades, and the three-day event is bringing representatives from over 20 national militaries around the world right here to Israel. Israel’s Air Force is considered one of the strongest, if not the strongest in the world.

1. Israeli tech gives google bot a voice
   Earlier this month, the geniuses at Google unveiled the next generation in autonomous technology. Dubbed ‘google duplex’, the tech featured a completely human-sounding voice that could actually make phone calls and interact with other humans like a robotic personal assistant.
   9. ‘Not worth a headpin’

Rachel Sukman, Chief Curator Of The Office In Tel Aviv Gallery speaking at ILTV Studio about the new solo exhibition by Maggy Rom that opens in 'the office in Tel Aviv' gallery.
10. Meet Jerusalem’s cutest new ‘toy’
Are you ready for a cuteness overload? Then prepare to meet the brand-new member of the Jerusalem biblical zoo, an adorable baby giraffe who was actually also born the night of the Eurovision final, and zookeepers knew there was only one name to give her: “toy”!

1. First evidence of Semitic alphabet found
   Believe it or not, we now have another shocking archaeological discovery on our hands. Experts believe the earliest-known evidence of the Semitic alphabet, most likely used by the ancient Canaanites has been found in Egypt. The symbols were inscribed on a piece of limestone that’s nearly 3,400 years old.
   12. Hebrew word Of The Day: ALEPH-BET | אלף בית = ALPHABET

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "Aleph-bet" which means "Alphabet"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. Explosion rocks Iranian base in Syria
   Explosions have just been reported at an Iranian military site in Syria just outside of Damascus. This comes just a few days after another mysterious explosion was reported hitting a Syrian base in the region, a blast that left at least twenty-eight people dead.
2. Paraguay officially moves Embassy to Jerusalem

Paraguay has become the second country to follow the United States’ example, and move its Embassy to Jerusalem. President Horacio Cartes arrived in Israel yesterday to oversee today’s ceremony. Prime Minister Netanyahu has hailed this as a “great day for Israel, a great day for Paraguay, and a great day for our friendship.”
3. U.N. condemns Israeli conduct in Gaza protests
Protests have surged against Israel, accusing misconduct in the army’s handling of the latest Gaza border rallies. The U.N.’s Human Rights Council has just voted for an official investigation into the death of at least 112 Palestinians shot by the I-D-F during the last two months.

1. Free Gaza (from Hamas)
   Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin, Former Media Advisor to the P.M. speaking at ILTV Studio about the wake of the 'March of Return' protests along the Gaza border.
   5. Trump collusion probe reaches Israel
   The F.B.I. has long been in the middle of an investigation into possible collusion by Donald Trump’s campaign to interfere with the 2016 election, and now its spread to Israel three months before the election, several top members of team Trump apparently met with an Israeli specialist in social media manipulation.
2. Abbas hospitalized 3rd time this week

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has just been sent to the hospital for the third time this week. For years now, many have suspected that the eighty-three year-old leader’s health has been rapidly deteriorating.
7. Israeli protests polish ‘Holocaust law’
Earlier this year, Poland passed a controversial law making it illegal to refer to Nazi Death camps as “polish death camps.” One Israeli soldier in the I.D.F.’S reserves just visited Auschwitz on an army trip and made his views much known posing with a hand-written sign that reads: “you too had a part”.
8. Making finance more accessible
Noy Misgav, Designer & Developer Of Shkalkalim App speaking at ILTV Studio about the new Israeli app that helps with induvial money management.
9. Argentinian nat. team still set to play in Israel

Argentinian national soccer team will still be coming to Israel to play against the Israeli national team. There were lots of rumors that the game was in jeopardy because of security concerns but have no fear, star player Lionel Messi will still be gracing the Holy Land with his presence.
10. History in the making
It has finally happened, Prince Harry has married actress Meghan Markle, or as we should now call her, the duchess of sussex. Joining us now with how Israel took part, or didn’t is ILTV’S Emanuelle Kadosh.

1. Self Driving Israeli tech to go in 8 million cars
   The future is here! Eight million partially automated cars will be hitting the streets in 2021 and its all thank to the Israeli company Mobileye.
   12. Hebrew word Of The Day: MALCHOUTI | מלכותי = ROYAL

Learn a New Hebrew word every day. Today’s word is "malchouti" which means "royal"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.