Israel National News

Nine-year-old Baruch Neria of Pardes Hana died Thursday at Rambam Hospital after contracting the rare “brain-eating” Naegleria fowleri amoeba. An epidemiological investigation found that Baruch had swum at Kursi Beach in the Sea of Galilee six days before his hospitalization. The Health Ministry said the extremely rare infection occurs when contaminated water enters through the nose and reaches the brain. It cannot be contracted by drinking water and does not spread from person to person. Full story in the comments.

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Could the question of partnership with Arab parties shift votes within the Change Bloc? A Maagar Mochot-Revavim Institute poll conducted for Arutz Sheva’s Election Barometer found major differences between the bloc’s voters. Opposition to partnership is particularly high among supporters of Liberman and the Hendel-Zelekha party, while most Democrats supporters favor partnership with Ra’am. If forming a Change Bloc government without Arab parties proves impossible, voters equivalent to approximately five Knesset seats could reconsider their choice, including switching blocs, not voting, or remaining undecided. Full poll results in the comments.

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Israel’s Ambassador to the US Dr. Yechiel Leiter arrived in Israel and rushed to the bedside of his son Neria, who remains in life-threatening condition after being critically wounded in the Route 443 terrorist attack. “The night was very complicated,” Leiter said, adding that doctors succeeded in stabilizing Neria’s condition. He contrasted the vigil with the death of his son Moshe in Gaza nearly three years ago: “There was no opportunity for us to gather around his bedside, say Psalms and mobilize the people of Israel to pray.” Leiter said Jews and Christians around the world are praying for his son: “Continue the prayers. We need a miracle.” Full story in the comments.

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IDF reservist Neria Leiter, son of Israel’s Ambassador to the US Dr. Yechiel Leiter and his wife Chana, was wounded in Wednesday’s terrorist attack near Route 443. Ambassador Leiter is returning to Israel from New York as medical teams fight to save his son’s life. “I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria needs a miracle,” Ambassador Leiter said. Neria continued serving in the reserves after his older brother, Maj. (res.) Moshe Yedidya Leiter, fell in battle in Gaza, and has served hundreds of reserve-duty days since October 7. The family is asking the public to pray for Neria Dov ben Chana.

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The Board of Peace unveiled a six-month recovery program for Gaza consisting of 66 programs with an estimated cost of approximately $2.45 billion. The plan covers infrastructure, human development, economic recovery, digital transformation, legal recovery, and peace and security, including shelters, hospitals, schools, roads, water and power infrastructure, and jobs. Nickolay E. Mladenov said the programs are ready to begin once funding and access allow: “Not a wish list, a plan.” Full story in the comments.

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“You have a heart as big as this etrog.” US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee received a giant etrog ahead of Sukkot from Duvi Honig, founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and Rabbi Chaim Michoel Gutterman of the Shuvu educational network. The gift was presented as an expression of appreciation for Huckabee’s support and solidarity with the Jewish people. Huckabee responded: “I've never seen anything like this.” Full story in the comments.

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Trump's first hint of support for Netanyahu? The US President shared a report highlighting a poll showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc taking the lead ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections. Trump posted the Newsmax article on Truth Social under the headline, “Netanyahu Bloc Takes Lead in Latest Israeli Election Poll.” Trump did not explicitly endorse Netanyahu. However, his decision to share a report specifically highlighting the Prime Minister’s improved polling drew attention after he repeatedly declined to explicitly endorse Netanyahu when asked about the Israeli elections. Full story in the comments.

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“I know what it’s like to be collateral damage. For 505 days, that’s what I was.” Former hostage Omer Shem Tov, who spent 505 days in Hamas captivity after being abducted from the Nova music festival, criticized the film “NAZA” in a column published by The Wall Street Journal. Shem Tov described fearing not only his Hamas captors, hunger and the possibility that he would never see his family again, but also being accidentally killed in an Israeli strike. “Hamas knew where I was and left me to die,” he wrote, contrasting his captors’ actions with Israeli efforts to warn civilians and minimize casualties. Full story in the comments.

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The Central Elections Committee has voted to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh from running in the elections for the 26th Knesset, accepting a request submitted by Otzma Yehudit. Thirty-one committee members voted in favor of the disqualification and four opposed it. In an unusual move, committee chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg departed from the customary neutrality of the position and voted in favor. Earlier Wednesday, the committee also voted to disqualify MK Ofer Cassif from running in the elections. Full story in the comments.

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Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a series of warnings to Hamas and its supporters during a memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Yom Kippur War at Mount Herzl. Katz said Israel would maintain security zones beyond its borders in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria until its war objectives are achieved, and would not withdraw from the Yellow Line in Gaza as long as Hamas remains and the territory has not been demilitarized. He also issued a direct warning over any future abduction of an Israeli soldier or civilian, saying such an incident would lead Israel to evacuate Gaza City’s population southward and treat the city as it did Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which lay in ruin. Full story in the comments.

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16-year-old Yoav, the eldest son of Netanel Shakron, recites 'Kaddish' at his father's funeral, a day after Netanel's murder in a terror attack hours before Yom Kippur. Video: Chaim Snow

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Sixteen-year-old Yoav Shakron has recounted the horrific moment he witnessed the murder of his father, Netanel, in Sunday’s shooting attack in the Binyamin region. “I turned my head, and I saw the terrorist literally shooting Dad,” Yoav recalled. He fled from the car as the terrorist continued firing at him, hiding in nearby bushes until IDF soldiers arrived. Speaking about his father, Yoav said: “I had a very good relationship with him; he always helped me with everything. He wanted people to remember his smile, and for them to smile a lot as well.” Full story in the comments.

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Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Meir Park for the Ne’ila prayer service marking the conclusion of Yom Kippur, organized by Rosh Yehudi. Many others participated in prayer services at the park throughout the Day of Atonement.

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Three Years after October 7: Yom Kippur services returns to Hostages Square Families of hostages and fallen soldiers, rabbis, and public figures gathered for a joint prayer at the square—this time expressing gratitude for those who returned, remembering the fallen, and praying for the safety of soldiers and the recovery of the wounded.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recited the prayer for soldiers of the IDF and the security forces during the final selichot service at the Western Wall on Saturday night.

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President Isaac Herzog has granted Elor Azaria’s request to shorten the period during which his criminal record will remain on file, nearly a decade after the case that sparked widespread controversy in Israel. Herzog signed the decision on the eve of Yom Kippur, citing the time that has passed, Azaria’s completion of his sentence, changes in his personal and family circumstances, and obstacles he has faced in seeking employment. The President emphasized that the decision does not alter the verdict or reopen the legal proceedings, describing presidential clemency as an “institution of mercy” rather than an appeals court. Herzog accepted the recommendation of Defense Minister Israel Katz and ordered the immediate shortening of the period of Azaria’s criminal record. Full story in the comments. Photo: Flash 90

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