In a significant development for US-Israel air travel, Israel's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has initiated talks with US regulators to enable Israir Airlines to operate direct flights to New York. The airline is simultaneously exploring options to wet-lease two wide-body aircraft for these operations, though the approval process could take several months. The carrier aims to launch direct service between Tel Aviv and Newark during the upcoming winter season.

The airline faces several hurdles before finalizing these plans. The lease agreement remains unsigned, and multiple complex conditions must be satisfied, including securing necessary US regulatory approvals and addressing challenges related to Israel's aviation services law regarding Israir's proposed expansion.

Under the proposed wet-lease structure, Israir would utilize aircraft and crews from a foreign carrier while operating flights under its own designation. Though negotiations continue, Israel's Transportation Ministry has granted preliminary approval from the Israeli perspective, marking an initial step in the complex process of establishing direct US routes.

The CAA has commenced discussions with US authorities to secure necessary approvals – a process that typically spans three months under normal circumstances. Officials are working to expedite these procedures, seeking rapid clearance for security requirements, landing slots, and other essential permits. This represents the beginning of an intricate process requiring multiple regulatory approvals and successful lease negotiations, suggesting a potentially extended timeline before implementation.

In the current landscape, El Al is the sole carrier maintaining direct New York service following the withdrawal of US airlines from the Israeli market. American Airlines suspended its Israel routes through September 2025, while United Airlines indefinitely halted services, and Delta suspended operations through March 2025.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev endorsed the initiative: "I thank the CAA for their thorough work that enables significant relief in the flight crisis created due to the war. Israeli companies are demonstrating national responsibility in their mobilization during this challenging period. I commend Rami Levy and Israir Airlines for their initiative to operate a New York route, a step that will contribute to healthy competition, expanded options for the public, and lower flight prices."

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Transportation Minister Miri Regev sparked controversy on Thursday when she gave details on the national memorial ceremony marking the anniversary of the October 7 tragedy when comment she made on those who boycotted appeared to draw comparisons with those memorializing terrorists with their victims in Israel.

The briefing comes as several communities near the Gaza border have announced they will not take part in the event. Tensions are rising due to strong emotions among area residents, who argue that the ceremony's nature does not align with local values and the losses they have suffered.

Responding to a question from Israel Hayom, the minister added that she does not oppose holding additional ceremonies in parallel, stating: "I call on everyone to participate and unite around the (national) ceremony. It's possible to hold an alternative ceremony, just as some hold an Israeli-Palestinian ceremony on Memorial Day. There is only one state ceremony."

Nahal Oz responded to the minister's remarks, saying: "We've said what we needed to say and are now focusing on how we'll commemorate the day in our own way. The government's ceremony is not relevant to us."

Reven quickly tried to contain the damage, saying, "I did not say that the kibbutzim are holding ceremonies with Palestinians. I did not compare the kibbutz ceremonies to the Israeli-Palestinian ceremony. I said that there can be alternative ceremonies on the seventh, just as there are alternative ceremonies on Memorial Day, for example, an Israeli-Palestinian ceremony, but there is still only one national ceremony on Memorial Day as well."

Regev opened her remarks by saying, "We are paying a heavy price in a war that could not be more justified. The people of Israel embrace the bereaved families, and it is our duty to continue the war so that it will not be in vain   until we bring back all the hostages."

Amid reports that the government was considering canceling the ceremony, Regev clarified that it will proceed. "I'm here today to set the record straight and explain the values underpinning the ceremony marking one year since the horrific massacre. This ceremony belongs to all of us as a society and a nation. It's been a year since the day that turned from the joyous holiday of Simchat Torah into a day when the gates of hell opened."

"This ceremony belongs to all of us as a society and a nation"

"I understand the feelings of those angry at the state, the government, the military, and the security forces. There was indeed a major failure, and I too have difficult questions, but the time for that will come," the minister added. Addressing the protest by massacre victims against holding the national ceremony, she said, "I'm willing to take hits, and I am taking hits from various directions without people knowing the facts. I ignore the noise and will continue to lead this ceremony as I did previous ones, out of respect for those who are angry and critical."

Minister Regev emphasized that "it's impossible not to commemorate the massacre's anniversary in a national manner, and the Israeli government was right to decide to hold a national ceremony. Just as we are working for the evacuees, the government decided to preserve and honor their dignity."

"There's no home in the country without a brother, acquaintance, relative, or neighbor who hasn't experienced this tragedy and pain. We are one people and one nation. I approach this with utmost reverence," Regev stressed.

"Although I always face criticism, I see it as my duty to lead the ceremony with sensitivity to those who are angry. The decisions for this ceremony stem from being sensitive to all the various factors involved. The national ceremony will express three values that reflect what we have experienced and are still experiencing. It's a dark day, but there's always light and hope behind the darkness, and we will continue to act until we bring everyone back and remove the threat from the south and north."

"Now, let me address the work I've done with the production company and the information center: The event will be held in the south in places that suffered heavy losses. Secondly, the chosen production company is still selecting suitable locations for the ceremony; nothing has been agreed upon with any party yet, so the headlines about refusals are premature."

"No one has been invited to the ceremony yet. The ceremony will be held without an audience out of respect for the memory of those killed and all the groups that were supposed to take part. So the ceremony will be without an audience to honor everyone who should have been invited. The ceremony will not be broadcast live to allow communities to hold their own ceremonies as well."

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The installation, displayed in Tel Aviv's central Rabin Square, is the latest twist in a summer of demonstrations against Netanyahu. In recent weeks, thousands of people have taken to the streets, calling on the premier to resign, angry over what they say is his bungled response to an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus and depicting him as a hedonist out of touch with common people.

In an interview earlier this week from his studio outside Tel Aviv, artist Itay Zalait said the installation, made of polymer materials and painted in lively colors, is meant to symbolize the "last supper of the Israeli democracy."

The 11-yard long table is filled with platters of juicy fruit, wads of cash, empty bottles of liquor, and a cigar – a jab at the expensive gifts Netanyahu is accused of improperly accepting from wealthy associates. Netanyahu, appearing pudgy and disheveled in a dark suit and red tie, is seen digging into a large cake – alone amid 12 empty chairs.

"You have the prime minister of Israel sitting in the center of the table and grabbing and sucking all this rich food to himself. Now he's practically finished this meal and he's now at the stage of the dessert, which is referring to the last minutes of time we can do something to save Israeli democracy," Zalait said.

Zalait said he found the imagery particularly poignant at a time when unemployment has skyrocketed and tens of thousands of families are struggling because of the coronavirus restrictions that have battered Israel's economy.

It's not the first time Zalait has taken to life-size art to express his opinion. Two years ago, he erected a statue of then-culture minister and current Transportation Minister Miri Regev wearing a long white dress and staring into a full-length mirror. The depiction was meant to protest Regev's calls for legislation requiring artists to show "loyalty" to the state.

Regev, for her part, condemned the anti-Netanyahu exhibit: "On the eve of Tisha B'Av some people have chosen to fan more and more hatred and polarization among our people. Some are perhaps hinting that the prime minister's future will resemble that of [Jesus Christ]? It's only a matter of time before we see an exhibit with a gallows and hangman's noose. This isn't incitement, it's a call to action. I call on [Tel Aviv Mayor] Ron Huldai to stop turning a blind eye and to take the exhibit down immediately."

Before the Regev statue, Zalait built a golden statue of Netanyahu to mock what he said was the idolatry of many Israelis toward the longtime leader.

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The airline had been in talks on a rescue package for weeks after suffering from the steep decline in air travel sparked by the virus. Since the outbreak, it has suspended passenger flights indefinitely and carried out scores of layoffs.

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Under the deal, the company will receive loans of $250 million, most of which will be guaranteed by the state. The company is expected to raise an additional $150 million by selling shares that, if they aren't sold entirely to the public, will be bought by the state. The agreement awaits approval by a Knesset committee.

"This evening the first step was taken to return El Al to the runway," said Transportation Minister Miri Regev. "We will work to assist the company during the interim as is needed with the aim of protecting Israel's aviation independence."

The company was previously state-owned until it was privatized more than 15 years ago. It has struggled repeatedly over the years, including with the arrival in Israel of international low-cost carriers.

Israelis view the company with a sense of national pride, since it was created at the same time as Israel's establishment, and has played a central role in flying in hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Jewish Diaspora throughout the years. It also has a reputation for some of the world's most stringent security protocols.

Nationalizing the airline runs counter to the economic ideology of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has worked throughout his career to push Israel away from its socialist roots and has encouraged privatization.

But letting the company fail would have left Israel, which is bordered by Arab states, largely dependent on foreign airlines for its international travel.

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However, our choice for the top sports moment of the past decade took place in another arena entirely and, if the trend continues, will open the door to even more successes in the next decade – perhaps in places still off-limits to Israeli athletes. Until then, here's hoping the next decade kicks off on a high note – at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo – where Israel is preparing to send its largest-ever delegation.

5: David slays Goliath for improbable 2013-2014 EuroLeague title

Number five on the list of the decade's most important sporting achievements is also the only one involving a team or individual not representing the blue and white flag.

In 2013-2014, a nondescript Maccabi Tel Aviv limped into the EuroLeague basketball tournament as more of an afterthought. Even the most optimistic pundits simply hoped the team would play respectably before being shown the door.

Yet, in one of the most remarkable underdog runs in modern basketball history, Maccabi unleashed a gritty spirit to overcome a string of powerful opponents and hoist the coveted trophy.

Led by coach David Blatt, captain Guy Pnini and a group of foreign imports – including future NBA stud Joe Ingles – Maccabi used two great comebacks – in Game 1 of the playoffs against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and in the semifinals against CSKA Moscow – to gain the required momentum to beat mighty Real Madrid in the championship game.

In the first game, Maccabi stunned the hosts from Milano by turning a 7-point deficit with 30 seconds remaining on the clock into a 101-99 overtime victory.

In the semifinals, Maccabi came from behind to defeat heavily favored CSKA Moscow with a last-second, game-winning lay-up by Tyrese Rice.

On May 18, 2014, Maccabi won its sixth EuroLeague championship, defeating Real Madrid in overtime by a score of 98–86.

Blatt said after the historic title game: "We tried to bring in a lot of character guys to our team and were successful. When you have guys like Devin Smith, Ricky Hickman, Yogev Ohayon, and Guy Pnini, and when you have experienced guys like David Blu, Joe Ingles, and Sofo (Greek national Sofoklis Schortsanitis) and incorporate new guys like Rice and [Alex] Tyus, then you have a really good chance to be successful from the inside, from the locker room. It all starts there – in the locker room."

And while it might seem ho-hum for Maccabi to win a title – the team has won 6 EuroLeague championships (including the 2001 FIBA SuproLeague), one Adriatic League championship, 52 Israeli League championships, 44 Israeli State Cup titles, and 7 Israeli League Cup titles – the sheer magnitude of its inexplicable David vs. Goliath-run in 2014 more than justifies its spot on this list.

4: Youth movement: Future of Israeli basketball continues to shine bright in 2019

The future of Israeli basketball, unlike its future on the soccer pitch, shined brightly in 2019.

This past July, for the second year running, the Israeli junior basketball team won the International Basketball Federation's Under-20 European Championship, defeating an undefeated Spanish squad 92-84.

The team's best player, NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija, scored 23 points and picked up the Most Valuable Player award.

The youth squad has now been in the finals for three consecutive years, winning its first championship in 2018, in Germany. In 2017, the team lost to Greece.

The Israeli team secured its spot in this year's championship with its 81-70 victory over France on Saturday.

Avdija is a rising star of Israeli basketball and in 2017 was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv.

3: Israeli distance runner Lonah Chemtai-Salpeter obliterated records in 2019.

"I'm happy that I broke the European record, and I'm heading in the right direction," Lonah Chemtai-Salpeter said with an eye to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where, with a bit of luck, she could headline the largest Israeli delegation ever. Chemtai-Salpeter's result of 30:04 also became a new Israeli women's record for the distance, as well as a course record for the Tilburg Ten Miles race.

In September, she clocked a time of 30:04 in the Tilburg Ten Miles race in the Dutch city of Tilburg, cutting a jaw-dropping 17 seconds off the European women's record for the 10K, set by legendary runner Paula Radcliffe in 2003.

2: Batter up: National Baseball team punches historic ticket to Tokyo

Israel's national baseball team made history and captured the country's attention in September by securing its spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It will be the first time an Israeli team has taken part in the Olympics Baseball tournament, and in fact, only the second time that Israel takes part in a team sport at the Olympics since the national soccer team competed in the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

On its way to the historic milestone, Israel won 5 out of 6 games in the qualifying tournament, becoming the only country so far that has secured a spot in the baseball event.

Only five other national baseball teams will get to compete for a medal in the summer games.

The Israeli baseball squad comprises mostly American Jews who already play in leagues in the United States.

Several of the players and coaches have seen action in the major leagues, while a smaller handful are native Israelis, like Tel Aviv-born pitcher Shlomo Lipetz and Ramat Gan-born catcher Tal Erel.

Former major leaguers include Danny Valencia, an infielder with seven MLB clubs over eight years, and utility man Ty Kelly, who played for the Mets and Phillies between 2016 and 2018.

1: Old walls come down as new horizons open to Israeli athletes

Ironically, Israel's greatest sporting achievement this decade was scored in the diplomatic arena, as long-standing barriers began to crumble across the Arab world, opening the door to Israeli delegations for the first time ever. The result of tireless diplomatic efforts, public campaigns and shifting regional interests, this new horizon for Israeli competitors cannot be understated as the Jewish state carries its struggle for regional acceptance into the next decade.

On Oct. 28, 2018, the Israeli national anthem played for the first time in an Arab country after Israeli judoka Sagi Muki won gold in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in the United Arab Emirates.

"We made history," Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev tweeted afterward.

In November, the Hatikvah was played again in Abu Dhabi after Alon Leviev, 17, was presented the gold medal at the Ju-Jitsu World Championship.

Also in November, a delegation of Israeli teens took second place at the unofficial "Robotics Olympics" in Dubai.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with the teens upon their return home, hailed their achievement and said their participation was "indicative of what is above water" in Israel's relations with Gulf states.

In August of 2018, the Tunisian Chess Federation agreed to allow 7-year-old Israeli girl Liel Levitan to take part in the World School Individual Chess Championships in Sousse.

In January, meanwhile, the International Paralympic Committee stripped Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 world para-swimming championships after the country banned Israeli athletes from participating.

Sports, as we know, is uniquely capable of connecting people from different and sometimes hostile backgrounds. As such, our hope for the coming decade is that more doors across the Arab world burst open for Israeli competitors, while our doors remain fully open in return.

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The Culture Ministry said Monday it had selected Jeff Finkelstein, the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, to light a torch on behalf of the Jewish Diaspora as part of the government's May 8 Independence Day festivities. It noted Finkelstein's work to lead "the Jewish community's efforts to cope and rebuild" after the Oct. 28 shooting, the deadliest attack against Jews in U.S. history.

In a statement, Culture Minister Miri Regev praised Finkelstein's embodiment of the "spirit of greatness and social cohesion among our people."

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