ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under fire again as official residence expenses near 1 million

Source: The Independent, 5-14-13

For the second time in as many days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire over the use of taxpayers’ money after it was revealed that spending at his official residence has increased by 80 per cent in just the last three years….READ MORE

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Netanyahu in Russia to discuss Syria with Putin

Source: JTA, 5-14-13

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Russia to discuss the situation in Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin….READ MORE 

ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS

In chat with Netanyahu, Putin urges restraint on Syria

Source: The Times of Israel, 5-14-13

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. (photo credit: AP/ Maxim Shipenkov)

After emergency meeting at Black Sea resort, no word from either head of state about Russia’s sale of sophisticated S-300 missiles to Assad….READ MORE

ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS

Israel’s Cabinet approves reduced defense cuts

Source: JTA, 5-13-13

Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal to moderate a cut to the defense budget, as part of sweeping austerity measures proposed for the 2013-2014 budget….READ MORE 

ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS

PM Netanyahu Receives First Fruits for Shavuot Holiday

Source: Arutz Sheva, 5-13-13

“First fruits” had to be one of the seven species that the Bible lists as Israel’s best crops – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates and each year’s “first fruits” would be brought to the Temple from the holiday of Shavuot….READ MORE

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Netanyahu slammed for spending $127000 on bed for flight to London

Source: The Times of Israel, 5-11-13

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced heavy criticism Saturday after it was revealed he spent $127,000 (over 450,000 shekels) of taxpayers’ money having an El Al plane fitted out with a double-bed in an enclosed bedroom for his five-hour flight to London…READ MORE

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Battle of wills at Western Wall

Source: Israel Hayom, 5-10-13

Women of the Wall conduct monthly prayer, this time with prayer shawls, prompting mass haredi demonstration • Haredim throw stones, trash bags at Women of the Wall • Jerusalem Police chief: Painful to see Western Wall turn into battlefield….READ MORE

ISRAEL POLITICAL BRIEF: ISRAEL NEWS

PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s China Visit

Prime Minister Netanyahu will start his visit in Shanghai where he will hold a series of meetings with Chinese government leaders and business people. He will also visit local industrial plants in order to expand bilateral economic cooperation and significantly increase Israeli exports to China. On Wednesday, 8 May 2013, the Prime Minister is due to arrive in Beijing where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and other senior officials.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is also due to give a lecture at a school for future leaders and give interviews to the Chinese media, as well as chat with students in order to expose the potential of the Israeli economy….READ MORE

• PM Netanyahu Meets with Incoming and Outgoing Chairmen of the China Development Bank 5-9-13

• PM Netanyahu Attends Festive Dinner with Senior Chinese Economic Leaders, Chinese Government Representatives and Israeli and Chinese Businesspeople 5-9-13

• PM Netanyahu Address Students at Chinese Future Leadership Training School 5-9-13

• PM Netanyahu Tours the Great Wall of China 5-9-13

• PM Netanyahu Holds Live Video Chat on Xinhuanet 5-8-13

• PM Netanyahu Welcomed by Chinese PM Li Keqiang at Official Ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing 5-8-13

• PM Netanyahu Attends Beijing Ceremony Marking the Signing of Cooperation Agreements between Israeli and Chinese Companies 5-8-13

• Agreement Signed on Expanding the Israeli-Chinese Financial Protocol by $400 Million 5-8-13

• PM Netanyahu and Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong Agree to Establish Joint Team to Advance Technological Cooperation 5-7-13

• PM Netanyahu Visits Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd 5-7-13

• PM Netanyahu Visits the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum 5-7-13

• PM Netanyahu Meets with Israeli Businesspeople who Represent Companies Operating in Shanghai 5-6-13

• PM Netanyahu Visits High-Tech Industrial Park in Shanghai 5-6-13

• PM Netanyahu to Visit China – May 2013 5-4-13

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Thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesting Women of the Wall prayer service in Jerusalem