Israel

Four decades after the Reagan Doctrine and the launch of the "Star Wars program" to deploy advanced weapons including the use of high-energy laser beams to counter enemy ballistic nuclear attacks, Israel managed to implement Reagan's strategic thinking in actual defense technology by developing the "Iron Beam" air defense system.

Israeli and Palestinian envoys to the United Nations on Thursday traded heated barbs at a Security Council meeting over the controversial visit by an Israeli minister to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called the session "pathetic" and "absurd" while the Palestinian envoy accused the Jewish state of acting "with absolute contempt."

Turkey condemned on Tuesday a "provocative act" by Israel's new far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, referring to his visit to Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Ankara's statement came amid efforts by Turkey and Israel to normalize ties, after a four-year deterioration in relations, and mutual appointment of ambassadors.

Israel wants to tighten its relations with Türkiye and bring the two leading countries of the region back to the places they deserve, Israeli Economy Minister Orna Barbivai has told the daily Milliyet.

Israel's prime minister said Tuesday that the country has reached an "historic agreement" with neighboring Lebanon over their shared maritime border after months of U.S.-brokered negotiations.

Premier Yair Lapid called the deal an "historic achievement that will strengthen Israel's security, inject billions into Israel's economy, and ensure the stability of our northern border."

A Turkish Consulate employee outside its premises in Jerusalem, August 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

The two countries pledged to appoint ambassadors and consul generals, announcement that follows normalisation attempts by both sides in recent months involving high-level visits from senior officials.

President Joe Biden arrived in Israel on Wednesday to open the first visit to the Middle East of his presidency, a whirlwind four-day trip in which he will hold talks with Israeli, Palestinian, and Saudi Arabian officials.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will visit Türkiye next week, his office said on June, days after he urged Israelis to leave that country over threats of attacks by Iranian operatives.

The European Union, Israel and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding for the export of gas from the Jewish state through the Arab Republic to Europe, Al Jazeera reported, quoted by BGNES.

According to the document, the agreement is for three years with an automatic extension for another two years.

A view of Istanbul. Photo: Pixabay/Sulox32

"We call on Israelis not to fly to Istanbul, and if it is not necessary, do not fly to Turkey," he added. "If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible… If you planned a flight to Istanbul, cancel … No vacation is worth your life." Lapid told the Israeli parliament.