Move follows Russian Foreign Ministry's summoning of Iran's ambassador over detention of Yulia Yuzik. Moscow has close economic and political ties with Tehran, and it is unusual for the latter to target Russian citizens.

The project to excavate the foundations of the Western Wall – the hewn blocks of stone at the foundation of the sacred site – never stops revealing archaeological surprises.

The 35th government will not be sworn in so long as Blue and White keeps its maximalist demands, and this could take a while. For now, any unity deal is a nonstarter.

Since becoming involved in the Syrian civil war in 2015, Moscow has set up a deconfliction channel with Jerusalem to avoid mishaps and pledged understanding for Israel's major concerns over Iranian entrenchment. However, Russia has also condemned Israeli airstrikes in Syria designed to prevent that very entrenchment.

Israel sees 44% increase in incoming tourism in September compared to 2018. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin hails industry as "a growth engine for the Israeli economy and a means for improving our image around the world."