Society

The young woman from Turkey who lives in Israel, defends it — and pays a heavy price
Turku Avci spoke out in defense of Israel after October 7 and was accused of "insulting President Erdogan." Now she cannot return to her homeland or communicate with her family, and is requesting legal status in Israel: "I have nowhere else to go."

Drama in Eilat: 10-year-old boy drowned — ER director who happened to be at the beach saved him
The boy went for an introductory dive with his family, and later entered the water with a mask connected to a snorkel. His parents noticed he was unresponsive and pulled him from the water blue, without a pulse or breathing. The director of the ER at Yoseftal Hospital, who had just finished a dive in the area, heard the calls for help and ran to the scene. He performed massive resuscitation on the...

Rain reached the center as well, after the "disappointing" weekend: all the data
After the rare system mostly bypassed Israel, rain was documented overnight and in the early morning hours along the coastal plain and in the center. In northern Tel Aviv, 7.9 mm of rain fell. Today, temperatures will rise slightly and it will be partly cloudy.

The Shabbat Test: Which city is the freest in Israel?
In which cities can you easily get around, buy essential goods, or enjoy leisure activities on Shabbat, and in which municipalities does everything close down on the residents' day off? 'Free Israel' (Israel Hofshit) checked 60 cities: 'The findings continue to reflect deep gaps between local authorities. And despite local attempts in some of them, the national situation still significantly limits...

The school custodian had no money for an apartment - the solution he found cost him his job
A middle school custodian in New York secretly lived for half a year in an abandoned room at the school and even hosted his four children there on weekends. After being exposed on security footage, he resigned, explaining that financial difficulties and heavy expenses left him unable to rent an apartment.

The forecast for an "unusual rain" ended in a drizzle: Why the rare system bypassed Israel
After forecasts of heavy rainfall and flooding, the rain event ended in most areas with only a few millimeters. The Meteorological Service explains that the center of the unusual upper-level trough shifted north, directing heavy rains toward Syria and Lebanon. In Israel, unusual winds and high waves were recorded, and temperatures on Mount Hermon dropped to 8 degrees.

After the deadly strike in Beit Shemesh - Torah scrolls were brought to burial
Months after the missile fall that claimed the lives of nine people, a burial ceremony was held for the Torah scrolls of the "Tiferet Yisrael" synagogue. Zion Revah, who lost his son in the event and is now burying the scroll he donated: "It brings me back to the blow I received." The structure is expected to open during the Tishrei holidays.

Bus driver loses consciousness: passenger prevents disaster in Eilat
During a trip in Eilat, an Egged bus driver lost consciousness, causing the vehicle to crash into a railing and a bus stop. Attorney Tomer Bizini, who was on board, acted decisively by entering the cabin and bringing the runaway bus to a halt, saving 20 passengers.

Massive delays and tens of thousands of passengers without luggage: internal investigation determines the cause of the chaos at Ben Gurion Airport
Employees leaving early, an overloaded sorting system, and a decision to halt check-in—this is how the crisis that paralyzed Ben Gurion Airport unfolded. Following the report, Workers' Committee Chairman Pinchas Idan interrupted the meeting, claiming the findings were known in advance.

Eli Sharabi to host the ceremony at Yarkon Park on October 7: "We must not blur the memory"
Hostage survivor and bereaved family member Eli Sharabi will host the national memorial ceremony in Tel Aviv alongside actress Shani Cohen. The families have called on the public to support the event's funding, emphasizing their commitment to a unifying, all-Israeli commemoration.

One of the Golan settlement veterans: Yoni Ben Ari has passed away
The father of Major Hagai Ben Ari, a Paratrooper reconnaissance unit commander who was critically wounded in Operation Iron Swords and passed away years later, has passed away and will be laid to rest in Hispin. Yoni, one of the pioneers of Moshav Nov, cared for his son at home and dedicated his life to commemorating him.

Man of the hour: Yehuda Poliker prevents suicide in Tel Aviv via phone call
A man threatening to jump from a building roof demanded to speak with the singer. Police woke Yehuda Poliker in the middle of the night, and he successfully convinced the man to come down. A police source described the event as highly unusual.

Neighbors asked to block the access path. The court found an interim solution
A prenuptial agreement that left the husband without rights to two apartments was canceled after the court determined it was signed while exploiting his distress. The Civil Aviation Authority was ordered to compensate a pilot who was fired without a hearing. In a dispute over a shared access path in Safed, it was determined that the neighbors are allowed to cancel the right of passage, but must...

Severely wounded in Jabalia and returned to surfing: "I do not surrender to any disability"
Tamir Dudi was wounded in battle against terrorists, underwent 17 surgeries, and eventually had to part with his arm. Now, aiming for the podium at the World Surfing Championship, the Nahal Brigade officer tells of the moments of survival in Jabalia, the long road back to the water, and the love that began with a Facebook post: "If I had to, I would go out a thousand more times to fight for the...

Returning to the water holes, the market and the square: The new residents of Kiryat Shmona are breathing life into the city's symbol
"Whoever wants to bash the city presents Hermon Square and says 'This city is dead, everything here is closed'". After years of standing desolate, a group of families who moved north and settled in Kiryat Shmona are inaugurating a cultural center in the square, aimed at reviving the city's symbol. A representative of the city's veterans says: "These families give us light".

Bnei Brak Municipality U-turn: "We Approved Closing the Bridge, the Majority Observes Shabbat"
Despite initial denials, the Bnei Brak Municipality confirmed it authorized the closure of the bridge in the Soferim neighborhood on Shabbat. Police stated the proper procedures were not followed, while the opposition chairman claims the chaos is being fueled by external interests.

Firefighters discover: Safety officer killed in accident alongside 17-year-old
In an accident in the Galilee, teenager Rian Asad from Kasra and Hurfeish resident Srour Amar, head of the occupational safety and training department at the Fire and Rescue Authority headquarters, were killed. The driver from the fatal hit-and-run in Eshkol has not yet been located.

Haredi Shabbat protests expand: They set up barriers and prevent buses from entering Jerusalem
Dozens of Haredim are blocking buses at the entrance to Jerusalem to protest public transport on Shabbat. Similar demonstrations are taking place in Safed and Bnei Brak.

Opposite the expensive neighborhoods of Tel Aviv - 4 rooms for about 6,300 shekels: So why are secular young people left out?
Just 4 kilometers from Tel Aviv, in the Sofrim complex in Bnei Brak, new apartments are offered for thousands of shekels less. Roy arrived with his partner and was told there is "no room for a couple of men," Shahar the reservist heard that his uniform would "cause problems," and Reut endured shouts of "shiksa." Three testimonies that raise the question: who is the neighborhood really intended...

1,700 years later: The exciting discovery under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
A comprehensive excavation project under the floor of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has revealed an ancient landscape of a quarry, agricultural plots, and rock-cut tombs - matching the descriptions in the New Testament amazingly well and confirming a 1,700-year-old tradition.

Rare August rains: weather forecast for the weekend
Local rain is expected from the afternoon in the north, spreading to the center at night. Thunderstorms and minor flooding are possible along the coastal plain. By Sunday morning, the rain will reach the northern Negev before tapering off.

Moments before Shabbat: containers placed at the entrance to a mixed neighborhood in Bnei Brak
Municipal officials, who deny this was an official initiative, placed containers on the access road to the 'Mitham HaSofrim' neighborhood before the start of Shabbat and blocked it. Hours later, the police cleared the containers and summoned the driver who placed them for questioning. A police source stated: "The secular residents are also provoking the Haredim by driving wildly and doing...

Weather update: Heavy rains will not reach Israel
A shift in the forecast: the rain expected on the night between Saturday and Sunday will be less intense than previously predicted. The Meteorological Service director stated that while the rains remain unusual for August, they are not expected to cause significant disruptions or flooding.

"If I am to die, then at home": The study that raises questions about the evacuation of border settlements
A study conducted by Dr. Nivin Ali-Saleh Darawshe and Dr. Sagit Lev dealt with the heavy price of evacuating border-line settlements during the war, examining 14 of the elders of the village of Arab al-Aramshe. The study will be presented next week at the Binyanei HaUma in Jerusalem, under the title "Between Routine and Emergency - Challenges, Opportunities and Spaces for Growth".

Five-year-old child in critical condition after being found in a lake at Park Darom, Tel Aviv
The child entered the water and did not return, while his friend came out alone, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. The boy has been evacuated to Ichilov Hospital.

5-year-old child rescued from lake in Tel Aviv in critical condition
Emergency services were called on Friday to Menachem Begin Park (Darom Park) following reports of a child who went missing in the lake. It is believed the child entered the water with a friend, who later exited alone. The child was rescued by a bystander using a kayak and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Rain, flooding, and hail: An unusual forecast for late August
Extreme rainfall is expected starting the night between Saturday and Sunday. A slight drop in temperatures begins today, with the first rains arriving tomorrow. Thunderstorms are forecast for the north, and there is a risk of flooding on the coastal plain due to the intensity of the precipitation.

They fought for their home — now they are building it in the Gaza envelope
10 families of reserve soldiers are in the process of moving to Holit, Kerem Shalom, and Sufa. As part of the "Homes for Fighters" pilot, the families will receive a grant of $100,000 to purchase a home in the kibbutz, subject to their acceptance as members.

"My second family": Widow of man murdered in Be'eri will be allowed to enter Israel
Jovel's husband, Paul, was murdered in a kibbutz in the Gaza envelope alongside Evyatar Kipnis, whom he cared for as a caregiver. Jovel was initially forbidden from attending his son's wedding with her toddler, but the Population and Immigration Authority has now agreed to allow them to visit the country on the condition of depositing a 100,000 shekel bond for each, with a pre-set departure date.

Hail expected in August: Main rain centers and concerns for the future — "Israel must have a national plan"
An extreme summer rain event is expected on the night between Saturday and Sunday, potentially causing flooding and hail along the northern coast, in Haifa, and the Sharon area. Experts warn of insufficient funding for drainage systems and call for a comprehensive national strategy to combat the climate crisis.

Two elderly people found unconscious in an apartment in Jerusalem; circumstances not yet clear
The two, in their 70s, were found lying on the bedroom floor while breathing. MADA teams are treating them on the spot. Firefighters are conducting searches and checks in the apartment. At this stage, the circumstances of the incident are not yet clear.

The fire does not wait: how to deal with fires in extreme conditions
The Israeli summer brings heat waves, dryness, and winds that increase the danger of fires and reduce response time. Operational preparation, the use of technology, and early activity in the field are the first line of defense — but the public also has a crucial role in preventing the next disaster.

New Nahal Modi'im Bridge Opens to Traffic in Binyamin
Traffic has been diverted to the new Nahal Modi'im bridge with two lanes open in each direction, replacing the temporary bypass. The project is a key milestone in the ongoing expansion of Highway 446.

Jerusalem Light Rail to Bypass Teddy Stadium After Major Matches
A new station was built near the stadium, but trains will not stop there immediately following high-attendance matches. While fans are frustrated by the walk to the next station, Jerusalem Municipality officials state the measure is essential for crowd control.

Following reports of smoke: Yitzhak Navon train station in Jerusalem evacuated
The Yitzhak Navon train station in Jerusalem was evacuated this morning following reports of smoke. Firefighters arrived at the scene, found no source of danger, and station operations soon returned to normal.

Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon Station Evacuated Due to Suspected Smoke
Passengers were evacuated from the Yitzhak Navon station following reports of smoke. Inspections revealed the source was dust from nearby construction work. No danger was found, and station operations have resumed.

A Summer of Aliyah: Over 1,100 immigrants from North America arrived in Israel during August
About 150 immigrants are arriving in Israel today on 6 different flights as part of an impressive Aliyah season. Over 2,200 new immigrants, including about 480 families, are expected to land in Israel between June and September, arriving via nearly 100 group flights from the USA and Canada.

Heavy heat load before unusual rain on the weekend — when will the peak arrive?
Today there will not yet be a significant change in the weather, a heavy heat load is expected in the coastal area and 43 degrees are expected in Eilat. Tomorrow temperatures will drop slightly, and on Saturday the rain will arrive: in the morning there may be drizzles in the north, at night rain is expected also in the center and there may be thunderstorms alongside a fear of flooding on the...

Yael Shevach: The story of the gold bracelet that survived the fire in Samaria
A month after her home in the settlement of Havat Gilad in Judea and Samaria was destroyed in a severe fire, terror widow Yael Shevach shared the moving story of a family heirloom that survived the flames. An antique gold bracelet inherited from her grandmother remained intact despite the inferno.

Meteorological Service warns of "unprecedented rain event" and flood risk in Gush Dan
A sharp change in weather over the weekend: starting Saturday night, widespread rain, thunderstorms, and hail are expected. 20–30 mm may fall on the coast within a few hours, potentially breaking the historical rainfall record for August.