Society

Prominent Tel Aviv Rabbi Ben Zion Nesher has passed away, leaving a legacy of 52 years of rabbinical service and a steadfast commitment to preserving Jewish tradition in the city.

Parents of a special education kindergarten in Gedera raise alarm over security breaches, leading to a sharp clash with a local education official who dismissed their concerns.

New 2025 PISA exam data revealed by i24NEWS shows a sharp decline in Israeli students' academic performance. Israel plummeted five places in reading, two in science, and one in mathematics compared to 2022.

Taisia Zamolotsky, a key complainant in the "Social Games" affair, has threatened rapper Ron Nesher with a defamation lawsuit over implied extortion claims made in a recent podcast interview.

Lili Ben-Ami, founder of the Michal Sela Forum, steps down as CEO after seven years. She is succeeded by Attorney Mey-Tal Graiver Schwartz, who previously directed the forum's protection division.

A new European Transport Safety Council report ranks Israel 27th out of 29 countries, showing a 27% spike in serious road injuries over a decade while Europe saw a 12.4% decline.

Erez Aviad Cohen, a 37-year-old Holon resident suspected of sexual offenses against minors, has been released from Abu Kabir detention under restrictive conditions despite recent police claims of stronger evidence.

A joint Knesset committee has approved the temporary rezoning of Mikveh Israel school lands to build a public transport terminal by 2031, absorbing 60% of the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station's traffic.

The Tel Aviv Family Court cancelled an elderly woman's will after Judge Gali Ron ruled that her two nephews manipulated her, incited her against her brother, and fabricated a new will to seize her estate.

The Tel Aviv Magistrates Court has acquitted a Sudanese national of an indecent act in Ramat Gan, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge Shlomit Ben-Yitzhak noted that while the complainant was credible, the high evidentiary threshold for a criminal conviction was not met.

The Rehovot Magistrates Court ordered Channel 14 and journalist Nati Langermann to pay 100,000 shekels to lobbyist Yosefa Barak over defamatory COVID-era publications, including unproven claims of bribery and threats.

Israel Police have reopened an investigation into a school transport escort who was recorded making inappropriate proposals to a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. The suspect was reassigned to another route by the municipality.

A report by "Green Now" warns that Israel's strategic Mountain Aquifer is facing severe contamination from 65 million cubic meters of untreated Palestinian sewage flowing annually into Judea and Samaria's groundwater.

The Sea of Galilee Crossing has been postponed from September 19 to November 14, 2026, following Ministry of Health guidelines. Purchased tickets remain valid, and full refunds are available.

The State Attorney's Office has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking a harsher sentence for Ziv Chen, who was jailed for 35 months after violently robbing an 87-year-old woman in Ramat-Gan.

The Israel Police filed an indictment against a teenager for stabbing a student during a violent brawl at an uninvited high school party in Petah Tikva last week. Three youths were lightly wounded in the incident.

The Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court has recognized a stroke suffered by a 60-year-old Israel Airports Authority supervisor as a work injury, linking it to a heated argument with a colleague.

An Israeli court extended the detention of a 20-year-old IDF soldier suspected of online sexual offenses against minors. Separately, former rabbi Moshe Yazdi was sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexual and financial exploitation of his students.

A 20-year-old Bat Yam resident was arrested for posing as a minor on social media to commit sexual offenses against underage girls. His detention has been extended until September 10.

The Tel Aviv Municipality has demolished a wooden memorial structure at Cliff Beach dedicated to October 7 victims and hostages, citing safety hazards and sparking public debate.

An indictment has been filed against police officer Amir Mazigit for allegedly choking an 18-year-old at a Herzliya care home, threatening him with a Taser, and turning off his body camera to cover up the assault.

Israeli police suspect that the 20-year-old Jerusalem resident accused of abducting 10-year-old Yahli Sofer has harmed other minors across the country. A Petah Tikva court extended his detention until Thursday.

Liri Louise Karent, a 25-year-old Rett syndrome patient, was brought to a Jerusalem court by ambulance to appeal the deportation of her caregiver of 18 years, Kumari Budhatoki Adhikari, following a prolonged visa dispute.

Students at the Afikim state-religious school in Bnei Brak found their gates welded shut on Monday, sparking police intervention and exposing deep tensions over co-education in the ultra-Orthodox city.

Sderot police and Border Police officers uncovered two cannabis farms near Ha-Shikmim Farm. Three suspects from Rahat were caught red-handed and arrested during a covert operation.

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air is expanding its Israeli operations, resuming 5 routes and boosting frequencies on 11 existing lines from Ben Gurion Airport to add 46 weekly flights to Europe.

Wizz Air has announced a major expansion in Israel, resuming five frozen routes including London Gatwick and boosting frequencies on 11 existing European routes from Ben Gurion Airport.

Yosef Hananel, 73, has been indicted in Jerusalem for conducting 131 unauthorized psychological evaluations and forging signatures, leading to the fraudulent allocation of 12.5 million shekels in education funds.

The State Attorney's Office has indicted Yosef Hananel, 73, for conducting 131 unauthorized psychological assessments, forging specialist signatures, and evading 1.55 million shekels in taxes. His fraudulent reports led the Ministry of Education to allocate 12.5 million shekels in support budgets.

The fine for riding unregistered electric scooters and e-bikes in Israel has risen to 750 NIS. Municipal inspectors can now issue fines using a network of urban traffic cameras.

Prosecutors filed an indictment in Nazareth against 51-year-old Majdal Shams resident Ravii Ben-Zivah. Investigators allege he attacked community police officer Nida Daer with a Bobcat during an attempt to recover a stolen phone.

A 17-year-old high school student from Kfar Yona was rushed to Meir Medical Center after losing consciousness from severe alcohol poisoning at an outdoor party on the eve of the school year.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced a one-year ban on AI tools for students up to 8th grade. The decision follows parental backlash and warnings from neuroscientists.

A coalition of 28 leading Israeli academics and NGO directors has demanded that political party leaders commit to implementing the National Food Security plan, as 27.1% of Israelis face food insecurity.

The Holon Municipality filed lawsuits against minors and their parents over vandalism in city parks. Mayor Shay Kenan vowed uncompromising enforcement to protect public property.

Israel Railways has announced a special holiday schedule for Rosh Hashanah, doubling Haifa-Tel Aviv services. Night trains from Herzliya will also be extended directly to Jerusalem to assist Selichot worshippers.

Police arrested Tarek Jarrar, a Palestinian from Jenin, after a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle belonging to Tel Aviv District Court Judge Alaa Masarwa. Jarrar's remand was extended until September 8, 2026.

At a private Jgive event in Jerusalem, former Mossad chief David Barnea and other leaders discussed social resilience. CEO Uri Ben-Shlomo presented his vision for philanthropy as Israel's fourth pillar of strength.

Three children were hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center with severe esophageal injuries after swallowing lithium button batteries. Doctors warn of rapid, life-threatening chemical burns and urge immediate emergency care.