Israel

A special committee overlooking the military's death notification procedures seeks to prevent families from finding out about the death of a loved one on social media.

Arab Israelis are constantly conflicted by questions of political and national loyalty, and the majority of them have little faith in Israel's law enforcement agencies, a study by defense-oriented NGO Habithonistim shows.

The novel, which opens with the words, "If you will it, it is not a dream," is a depiction of the Jewish state to be established following the realization of Theodor Herzl's Zionist vision.

In a bid to maintain government, new coalition whip says he is willing to work with any party, including the Joint Arab List, to pass legislation. PM said to be looking to replace Ra'am with United Torah Judaism in the coalition.

The communities of Etz Efraim and Sha'arei Tikva, previously belonging to the Samaria Regional Council, will now be unified under one local council.

"Being an MK is worse than being a plumber," says United Torah Judaism's Yitzhak Pindrus, adding that he sees no reason to promote Haredi integration in Israeli society, as only Torah studies can make a difference. Knesset speaker denounces "grave incitement against the judiciary"; Justice Minister Sa'ar: Pindrus' dream is Israel's public's nightmare.

With the prospect of early elections tangible and almost any lawmaker holding the power to push parliament to the brink, PM Bennett will have to work very hard to keep his government viable.

Mansour Abbas faced criticism for "enabling the Israeli government's settlement policy" and "aggression" on the Temple Mount. As concerns over snap elections grow, Labor rejects Meretz MK's plea to form a joint ticket.

Official ceremony on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem echoes with calls for national unity and features, for the first time, a silent pyrotechnic show so as not to trigger veterans' PTSD. Thousands of Israelis gather by the Western Wall in the capital to celebrate, foreign envoys offer their congratulations.