As Israel's top security officials prepare to convene Thursday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already set the wheels in motion. A high-level source confided to Israel Hayom that Netanyahu, acting on his own authority, greenlit sending negotiators to pursue talks on the hostage situation. The prime minister remained adamant, however, that military operations would persist until Israel achieved its stated goals.

The current plan submitted by the mediators has generated buzz in Israeli circles, with some dubbing it "the most promising offer yet." Hamas, too, has signaled a positive reception to the plan put forward by mediators. This potential breakthrough comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions, as Israel's northern frontier saw intense fighting following the targeted elimination of a key Hezbollah figure and a subsequent deluge of rocket and drone attacks.

In the early hours of Thursday, Hamas revealed that Ismail Haniyeh, who heads the group's political wing, had been locked in discussions with Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries. These talks centered on strategies to broker an end to the war. Haniyeh also touched base with Turkish officials to brief them on the latest developments. Hamas has expressed cautious optimism about the direction of these conversations.

Previously, Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, confirmed receipt of Hamas's response to the proposed framework for a hostage deal. Israeli decision-makers are now carefully weighing their options before crafting their reply.

The unfolding negotiations have captured global attention, with stakeholders from Washington to Cairo watching closely. As the situation evolves, the international community remains on edge, hoping for a resolution that might pave the way for broader peace talks in this war-torn region.

The post Netanyahu unilaterally authorizes Hamas talks ahead of key meeting appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Morocco's king invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an official visit, the Prime Minister's Office office said in a statement on Wednesday, two days after Israel recognized the kingdom's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

In a personal letter, which was confirmed by Morocco's national news agency, MAP, King Mohammed VI thanked Israel for its position and said Netanyahu's visit "would open new opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations".

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita agreed on Wednesday to set a date "in the near future" for what would be Netanyahu's first visit to the kingdom, the prime minister's statement said.

Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there. In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump recognized Morocco's claim to the territory in return for Morocco's resumption of diplomatic ties with Israel.

Earlier on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson told reporters that the US recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara remains unchanged.

Twenty-eight other countries – mostly African and Arab  – have opened consulates in the Western Saharan cities of Dakhla or Laayoune, in what Morocco sees as tangible support for its Western Saharan rule.

According to MAP, the king also welcomed Israel's decision to mull opening a consulate in Western Sahara in his letter.

After Israel's announcement on Monday, a Moroccan senior government official told Reuters that efforts to upgrade Morocco's liaison office in Israel to an embassy are "ongoing," without offering a specific date.

The official added that Israel's recognition would not affect Morocco's "principles" in defending the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Morocco's king invites PM for official visit after Western Sahara recognition appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

After winning the gold medal in the women's 50-meter breaststroke at the World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi on Friday, teen swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko scored another gold on Sunday when she won the 100-meter medley final.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Gorbenko completed her swim in 57.80, a new personal best.

"This is my best time, what more could I ask? I came to have fun with my friends and do the best I can," Gorbenko said.

Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper said, "Anastasia Gorbenko does it again, proving herself a great athlete! Another gold medal in Abu Dhabi, and an unprecedented achievement. Congratulations on the second win, which is the result of hard work, leading to an enormous victory. We're proud of you, Anastasia."

On Friday, Gorbenko became the first Israeli to win a gold medal at the Short Course Championships.

"It's special to me and my country being here in Abu Dhabi after we have peace with them [the UAE]. Representing my county is such an honor," the swimmer said after her victory Friday.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Israeli teen swimmer takes 2nd gold in Abu Dhabi appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Monday with Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, the first meeting the two leaders have held.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, Bennett was greeted by an honor guard and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed.

"I appreciate your warm welcome," Bennett said, adding that he was "very excited" to be there on his first visit as the leader of Israel.

In an interview to the official Emirati news outlet WAM published Monday, Bennett said, "The message that I wish to deliver to the UAE leaders and Emirati citizens is that mutual partnership and friendship are natural … The period since the signing of the Abraham Accords is the best evidence that developing bilateral relations is a precious treasure for us and the entire region."

"The values of tolerance, peace and dialogue are common, and that is why the friendship that unites us developed at such a high speed," Bennett said.

Bennett told WAM that the accords provided a "new, deep and solid structure for diplomatic, economic and cultural relations" in the region.

"In my opinion, this is the peace and the new reality this region is witnessing, and we are working together to ensure a better future for our children," Bennett said.

Bennett said that Israeli-Emirati relations have strengthened in all sectors, with many agreements signed for cooperation in trade, research and development, cybersecurity, health, education, aviation and more.

"I look forward to the continued development and consolidation of relations," the prime minister said.

In his meeting with the crown prince, Bennett expected to present information about the deployment of pro-Iranian militias and drone units recently discovered by the Israeli intelligence apparatus.

High-ranking Israeli officials say that the information will be presented in an attempt to keep the UAE from moving closer to Iran.

Bennett and bin Zayed were also expected to discuss additional cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, and a number of diplomatic and security issues. Some Israeli officials are worried that the Emiratis will step up pressure for Israel to sell them its Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems, in a deal that could be worth billions.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Bennett: Israel, UAE working together toward a better future for our children appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Israel is very worried about the prospect of the United Arab Emirates and Iran forming closer ties as a delegation of senior Emirati officials is slated to depart for Tehran soon to discuss bolstering bilateral ties.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The delegation was coordinated at a recent meeting between Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, and head of the Iranian delegation to the nuclear talks in Vienna, Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bakri Kani.

Speaking to the media, Gargash said, "I hope that it [the delegation's visit] will take place as soon as possible, and all our friends are aware of that. Our goal is to turn over a new page [between the UAE and Iran]."

Gargash spoke after Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed visited Damascus, an ally of Tehran, and after bin Zayed held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

This latest development is of great concern to Israel, a senior diplomatic official told Israel Hayom.

"The Emirates are on their way to playing the Qatari game," the official said, referring to the good ties Qatar enjoys with the West, including the US, as well as the excellent relations between Qatar and Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, and a  number of radical Islamic elements.

The Israeli official attributed the Emiratis' outreach to Iran to what he called American weakness.

"The Abraham Accords were born because the US projected that it was strong and could be depended upon. When that's not the situation, all sides draw conclusions," he said.

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar remarks last week.

"They are starting to move in Iran's direction because they feel that there is weakness here. They feel that there was a change in Washington and a change in Jerusalem. The breakthrough between the Gulf states and Israel is in danger," Netanyahu warned.

Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog spoke by telephone on Friday with Emirati Crown Prince bin Zayed. Herzog's office said that the conversation, the first between Herzog and the crown prince, was warm and friendly and addressed a number of bilateral and regional issues.

Herzog congratulated bin Zahed on the 50^th anniversary of the formation of the UAE. Bin Zayed thanked Herzog and said he expected him to visit the Emirates. Herzog thanked him for the invitation and told bin Zayed how positive the responses in Israel and the region had been to the implementation of the Abraham Accords.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Israel worried UAE playing 'Qatari game' by moving closer to Iran appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Recent cooperation and military exercises Israel has carried out with the US and Gulf states are part of preparations for a possible future military conflict with Iran, head of the North American desk in the IDF's Foreign Relations Unit Lt. Col. Shahar Shoshanna has confirmed to Israel Hayom.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Shoshanna, who coordinated the IDF's preparations for US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield's visit to Israel last week, explained that the IDF viewed the visit as "a continuation of the same spirit and policy of the past few months."

"This policy allows us to expand our freedom of action and publicly do things that previously were carried out in secrecy. We are experiencing new regional cooperations. A group of countries that are speaking together has been formed. We want to build a space that is capable of handling radical Islam – primarily, Iran," Shoshanna said.

In response to a query by Israel Hayom, Shoshanna confirmed that last week's drill in the Red Sea – in which the IDF, the United States Fifth Fleet and Gulf state militaries participated – was one of the "cooperations" to which he was referring.

Shoshanna said that the joint drills and the footage from them, including photos of Israeli Air Force aircraft and US bombers flying over Israel, were the result of the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel transferred from EUCOM to CENTCOM.

"Putting Israel under CENTCOM is very dramatic, because that is the command that is responsible for dealing with the Iranian threat … CENTCOM has identified Iran as a main threat. This is its worst-case scenario, and it is preparing itself to take action against Iran just like we are preparing ourselves in light of our own worst-case scenarios," Shoshanna said.

According to Shoshanna, "The Americans are preparing for this as their number one problem, and together with the states that have normalized [with Israel, i.e. the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain], an opportunity has been created to build a regional net and military capability to confront Iran. Because of the normalization agreements, we are building more advanced capabilities. Things that happened in secrecy until less than a year ago are now public."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post IDF: Joint exercises with US, Gulf militaries preparation for conflict with Iran appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

On Oct. 21, the Turkish paper Sabah reported that an extensive operation by Turkish security forces had resulted in the arrest of 15 Mossad agents. The surprising report didn't upset us especially, since it was clear that it wasn't the most reliable article of the year. But the report should have been a warning light. Israel didn't respond, rightfully, but Turkey should have been expected to. Ankara couldn't ignore a story like that, especially one that ran in a newspaper identified with the regime.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Nine days ago, Israeli tourists Mordy and Natalie Oknin, were on vacation in Istanbul, visiting the Çamlıca Tower on the Asian side of the magical city, and taking pictures of the views. Since the Turkish report about the supposed arrests of Mossad agents hadn't resulted in a travel warning, they were convinced (justifiably) that there was no risk in taking a picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's private residence, which is documented on social media.

Who would have believed that the innocent picture would send them to prison and create a diplomatic crisis between the two countries, which were nevertheless able to handle it efficiently and with perfect coordination between various systems. On Thursday, an entire country was able to breathe easy (may social media forgive me, but in the case of the couple's arrest, users acted as if they were exempt from the laws of the state).

President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and Mossad Director David Barnea successfully navigated their first crisis. Not everything is about position – there is also a need to calm things down. The government can be praised when it succeeds. The country belongs to all of us. Everyone wondered what Erdogan got. Some say the Turkish president wants someone to listen to him and received a phone call with President Herzog. In a difficult time for Erdogan's Turkey, which went too far in adopting political Islam, a happy ending like this one gives it credit in the international community.

Turkey, which is engulfed in a major economic crisis and dealing with a difficult PR problem, is looking to improve its public relations. It doesn't cost us much, and for Turkey, it's worth its weight in gold. It's too bad that the Oknins didn't know that their all-inclusive trip would include spending eight days behind bars. Thank God, they made it home.

The banality of the relations

This week, I returned to the United Arab Emirates after I hadn't been there for a long time. The last time I was there was in January 2010. Since then, plenty of water has flown under the bridge, even if, apparently, not enough. This time, I entered the country on an Israeli passport for the first time. What a difference. No longer on a French passport that allowed me into Iraq during the Gulf War via Qatar, Kuwait, and most enjoyably, the Emirates. The Abraham Accords have made the Israeli passport not only relevant in the Gulf, but into a friendly and even sought-after one.

I visited Abu Dhabi and from there left for a visit to United Arab Emirates University in the desert capital Al Ain. And Dubai, of course. How could a visit miss that amazing city, which never stops developing? I spoke Hebrew, I heard Hebrew, and of course at the expo in Dubai I saw an endless stream of locals and tourists visiting our booth and taking pictures with our flag in the background. They call this peace between the peoples. Not peace between leaders. Not peace in the dark. Not relations with a concubine. That's over.

And that's the amazing thing about the Abraham Accords. People have tried to play down their importance. Do you remember? They tried to say it was just a banal agreement. That it was a deal intended to secure F-35s. Very quickly, we saw that was nonsense. This peace is in the interest of the Emirates, who very bravely gambled on ties with us. For their people, for us, and for the region. Yes, at the expo the Palestinian booth was set up next to the Emiratis', because when you're a country like the UAE you need to balance things all the time. But as our diplomatic correspondent Ariel Kahana reported, an Emirati source said, "We talk to everyone." And that is why they are great.

This banal agreement has made our ties to a large Arab population into something banal. Therein lies the greatness of the accords – the banality of the relations. Indirectly, it has also contributed to warmer ties with Egypt and Jordan, who understand that they now have competitors, and that peace between peoples is better than peace between leaders. Peace without feelings of inferiority.

Let's get back to Turkey. Do you remember David Ben-Gurion's peripheral alliance, when he realized that there was a need to form regional ties? And that without Arab friends, he reached out to Turkey, Iran, Chad, and Ethiopia. Today, all that has been upended.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Iran is far from being a friend and is even our biggest enemy. When it comes to Turkey and political Islam (the Muslim Brotherhood), which it is spreading in Libya, Jerusalem, and even throughout Africa, the country under Erdogan isn't exactly a lover of Zion. On the other hand, we have all of a sudden started to collect Arab friends in the Gulf and the Arab world. Ben-Gurion would be turning over in his grave.

But we should remember that Turkey and Iran today are not the Turkey and Iran of the 1950s. The Sunni Muslim Brotherhood and the Shiite ayatollahs weren't exactly part of the "peripheral alliance" back then. And our Arab neighbors, at least some of them, have undergone a massive change. People claim that a third state helped resolve the crisis, even if Jerusalem is insisting that even if one had been willing to step up, there was no need.

Either way, this has been an interesting and successful week. Mordy and Natalie Oknin are back home, and a crisis that could have lasted weeks if not months was solved by the effective work of the Bennett-Lapid government. Of course, the fact that they weren't really spies helped. The trip to the Emirates proved what I already knew: that the Abraham Accords were an immense achievement by the Trump administration and the Emirati crown prince, and of course the Israeli government. In particular, the direct flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, just like the outgoing flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi over Saudi Arabia, proved to us that there is indeed a new Middle East and mainly – that normalization is a vital condition for true peace.

We can assume that at this rate, if Elon Musk and Richard Branson will forgive me, we'll get to Saudi Arabia long before we get to the moon. The Abraham Accords created a new climate in the Middle East, one in which even Erdogan realizes that he might have to change the record. Israel did well in helping him out. And I don't know why, but I feel like saying thank you to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed.

The post The Abraham Accords: A successful call to the region to change the record appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

One of the Gulf region's most prestigious diamond and jewelry shows, Jewellery Arabia, is being held this year from Nov. 16-20 in Bahrain, and for the first time, Israel's diamond industry will be represented.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Israel Diamond Center (IDC) founder Avi Tavisal, who is also a founder of the Israel Diamond Exchange, designed and created the AlSakhra Collection, inspired by the Rock of Ascension and the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

AlSakhra was created in the spirit of Islamic faith and culture. The choice of the name is to Sakharat Al-Maraj, "the Rock of Ascension," from which Muhammad ascended to the heavens for his Night Journey, and the beautiful gilded Dome of the Rock above it.

Featuring Jerusalem stone, gold, and diamonds, the pieces in the collection will be unveiled at the expo and for sale at the company's booth.

When invited by the Israel Diamond Exchange to be one of the first diamond and fine jewelry dealers to represent Israel at the Jewellery Arabia exhibition, Tavisal – a seventh-generation Jerusalemite and second-generation jeweler – agreed immediately and began working with a team of craftsmen and advisors to produce the AlSakhra line.

"We are making history. This is a very exciting and important development. Dealing with diamonds connects me to a very special place – diamonds saved my father's life during World War II and gave me a rare opportunity to become one of the founders of the Israeli Diamond Exchange and industry. It is a privilege to use my skills, creativity and faith to honor Islam and our partners in the historic Abraham Accords," Tavisal said.

IDC VP of Business Development Shady Kheir explained that "The Abraham Accords motivated us to combine our vast experience in the diamond industry, artistic vision and great appreciation to the leaders who realized the historic peaceful relations in the region into this unique brand which has already stirred curiosity in the Gulf region.

"Israel is well known as the 'Start-up Nation' and as the No. 1 diamond exporter in the world. We are extremely delighted and honored to take part in this important event," said Kheir.

Jewellery Arabia is regularly attended by senior officials and dignitaries from the United Arab Emirates and all over the world. The Bahraini royal family plays an active role in hosting the event and will be present throughout the exhibition.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Israel's diamond industry to make first appearance at Bahrain jewelry expo appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman inaugurated on Monday evening the Friedman Center for Peace Through Strength, an initiative to implement and expand the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab states.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The opening event at Jerusalem's Museum of Tolerance, where the center is located, put details of the historic accords on display, including the agreements' economic aspects and potential initiatives on innovation.

Guest of honor included former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mrs. Sara Netanyahu, as well as numerous CEOs, entrepreneurs, and American, Israeli, and Arab government officials.

As part of the event, the center awarded its first Peace Through Strength award to Pompeo for his part in strengthening trilateral relations between the US, Israel, and Arab states.

The evening concluded with the world debut of the documentary film "Abraham Accords," a five-part creation that sheds like on the accords and the part played by former US President Donald Trump and Emirati Ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba. The film is a co-production by Friedman and the TBN network and is slated to be released internationally in the fall.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Friedman Center for Peace Through Strength opens in Jerusalem appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, currently visiting the United Arab Emirates, says in an exclusive interview to the Emirati news outlet The National that Israel under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will not consider the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Shaked told The National that the Bennett-Lapid coalition government had agreed not to tackle any issues that could cause rifts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Shaked, the government's stance was that "economic peace" would improve the lives of the Palestinians and in favor of mutual industrial zones. However, she stressed that Israel would "definitely" not support a Palestinian "state with an army."

The National pointed out that Shaked rejects the labeling of Israeli settlements "illegal," preferring to call them "territory under dispute." In the interview, she called the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel "hypocrites."

"BDS is a new form of antisemitism," Shaked said.

The interior minister told the paper that Israel had gained first-hand experience that showed that whenever it withdrew from a contested territory, a terrorist organization would spring up in the vacuum, citing southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as examples.

"We will not repeat this experiment again," Shaked said.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Shaked to Emirati paper: Israel will not consider Palestinian state appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.