Israel & the Region

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy waves after taking part in a Fair-Side Chat with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP/Jeff Roberson)

Long-shot GOP candidate Ramaswamy says Abraham Accords should replace aid to Israel

Businessman who recently closed gap with Desantis but remains far behind Trump suggests that once integrated into Middle East, Israel will no longer need US dollars for defense

An Oscars statue outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 21, 2015. (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

Academy of Motion Pictures mum on how Jews fit into new inclusion standards

By Luke Tress

Journalist Oren Kessler, author of 'Palestine 1936.' (Hadas Parush)

ToI podcastWhat Matters Now to author Oren Kessler: 1936 Palestine’s missed peace deal

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Illustrative: A police officer keeps watch from an observation tower at the Gilboa Prison in northern Israel on September 6, 2021. (Jalaa Marey / AFP)

Some 1,000 Hamas prisoners warn they’ll launch hunger strike over conditions

By ToI Staff

Palestinian children enjoy the company of cats on the opening day of Meow Cafe in Gaza City, August 17, 2023. (AP/Fatima Shbair)

August 18, 2023, 10:40 am

Gaza’s first cat cafe offers distraction for enclave’s residents

Cafe’s founder says spending time with cats is ‘global anti-depressant’; psychologist says such a venue can serve as therapy for war-weary Gazans

By Agencies

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks at the Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City, December 12, 2022. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

August 18, 2023, 10:04 am

New York Mayor Eric Adams set for 3-day visit to Israel next week

Adams, who has strong ties to NY Jewish community, will meet politicians and business leaders, discuss efforts to tackle antisemitism and learn about Israeli tech

By ToI Staff

August 18, 2023, 7:21 am

What Matters Now to author Oren Kessler: 1936 Palestine’s missed peace deal

In ‘Palestine 1936,’ Kessler delves into dusty archives to bring to life the overlooked saga of the 3-year Arab Revolt that arguably forms the roots of today’s Middle East conflict

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

August 18, 2023, 5:36 am

Academy of Motion Pictures mum on how Jews fit into new inclusion standards

Rules taking effect for next year’s Best Picture award aim to encourage diversity in film industry, raising questions and criticism

By Luke Tress

August 18, 2023, 5:35 am

Long-shot GOP candidate Ramaswamy says Abraham Accords should replace aid to Israel

Businessman who recently closed gap with Desantis but remains far behind Trump suggests that once integrated into Middle East, Israel will no longer need US dollars for defense

By Gabe Friedman

Palestinian women line up at the Qalandia security checkpoint crossing from the West Bank into Jerusalem, for Friday Ramadan prayers, Friday, April 14, 2023. (AP/Nasser Nasser)

August 18, 2023, 4:08 am

Blinken presses Dermer for steps to calm region, as US awaits pledged boost for PA

DC sit-down comes month after Jerusalem agreed to help PA deal with crises to mollify Washington, but never actually followed through; Smotrich blamed for delay

By Jacob Magid

August 18, 2023, 2:36 am

After nearly 5 years, Turkey to release Israeli caught smuggling khat — minister

Danny Aweke, under house arrest and banned from leaving, said to be deteriorating mentally, leading to diplomatic intervention on humanitarian grounds, Foreign Ministry says

By ToI Staff

August 18, 2023, 12:51 am

Some 1,000 Hamas prisoners warn they’ll launch hunger strike over conditions

Prisoner representatives have raged against transfers of inmates and other limitations; Minister Ben Gvir’s visit to Ofer Prison also seen as provocative

By ToI Staff

US President Joe Biden, center, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, talk to reporters before a lunch with Senate Democrats on his upcoming budget and political agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

August 18, 2023, 12:29 am

White House said briefing top Democrats on Saudi-Israel normalization talks

Meetings part of tacit effort to rally support for deal, keeping lawmakers in the loop regarding negotiations

By Jacob Magid

Iranian drone Shahed-129 is displayed at a rally in Tehran, Iran, on February 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

August 17, 2023, 10:46 pm

Report: Russian drone experts took cover in Tehran hotel during alleged Mossad strike

Leaked documents obtained by Washington Post shed light on January incident at Shahed-136 UAV factory, reveal Iran helping Moscow make progress on advanced drone production

By ToI Staff

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, left, and his associate Daniel Kholodny are seen on a TV screen as they appear in a video link provided by the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service, during a hearing in the colony, in Melekhovo, Vladimir region, about 260 kilometers (163 miles) northeast of Moscow, Russia, on Friday, August 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

August 17, 2023, 10:21 pm

US sanctions Russian FSB agents accused in poisoning of Putin critic Navalny

One of the operatives allegedly tailed Navalny prior to poisoning; the other 3 are from a secret FSB laboratory that reportedly works with poisons

By FATIMA HUSSEIN

A woman in the Cypriot capital Nicosia looks at a screen on November 4, 2022, displaying an undated video of Iranian journalist Nazila Maroufian, who according to a Norway-based human rights organisation, was arrested by the Iranian authorities on October 30, after she interviewed the father of Mahsa Amini. (Alex Mita/AFP)

August 17, 2023, 9:45 pm

Iran reporter defiant after release from prison for posting photo without headscarf

Nazila Maroufian, who was first arrested after interviewing Mahsa Amini’s father, says she has no regrets after pictures twice landed her in jail

By AFP

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan hold a joint press conference in Riyadh on August 17, 2023. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)

August 17, 2023, 8:00 pm

On 1st Saudi visit since ties restored, Iran FM touts Islamic unity, slams ‘Zionists’

As Riyadh engages in talks with US to potentially normalize with Israel, Tehran’s top diplomat tells counterpart, ‘Zionist regime will continue effort to divide Muslim world’

By AFP and ToI Staff

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, right, and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan shake hands prior to their meeting in Tehran, Iran, on June 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

August 17, 2023, 2:35 pm

Iran’s foreign minister in Saudi Arabia on first such trip in years as tensions ease

Visit comes after reestablishment of diplomatic ties between regional rivals; Iran’s new ambassador to kingdom joins trip

By Jon Gambrell

An ultra-Orthodox Jew walks outside the army recruitment office in Jerusalem, August 16, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

August 17, 2023, 2:07 pm

Daily Briefing Aug. 17: Why the Haredim may halt support for the judicial overhaul

Editor David Horovitz on front-page ads in support of IDF chief Herzi Halevi and how ultra-Orthodox priorities may have shifted; environment reporter Sue Surkes on worst polluters

By ToI Staff