Sunday, October 18
Seven stories that matter in Israel right now, each one compared across the newsrooms that covered it.
Sunday's news in Israel ranged from a fiery haredi protest and diplomatic tensions in Samaria to a record philanthropic gift and budget belt-tightening for security. Here's your evening brief.
- 1Ultra-Orthodox Protest Draft Dodger Arrests, Block Highway
Times of Israel reports dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked a central highway over the arrest of draft dodgers, prompting police to use stun grenades to clear the road after two hours. The flare-up underscores how military exemptions for haredim remain a live political flashpoint ahead of elections.
- 2Masked Assailants Attack EU Diplomats in Samaria, Police Seek Cooperation
Cursor Info reports masked assailants wielding iron bars attacked European diplomats at an olive harvest event in Taybeh, Samaria, with taunts aimed at France; police are now seeking the diplomats' cooperation to identify the attackers in an area under Israeli control.
- 3TV Host Calls Political Rival a 'Monkey,' Sparking Outrage
According to Ice, TV host Yinon Magal drew accusations of racism after calling political rival Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey" controlled by Ashkenazi elites, with commentator Daphna Liel blasting his later clarification as making things worse; Eisenkot called the remark beneath him.
- 4Israel Eyes 4.9% Budget Cuts Across Ministries for Security Funding
Ashams reports the government is weighing a 4.9% across-the-board cut to ministry budgets—hitting education, health, welfare and transportation—to fund 2.6 billion shekels in new security procurements, though full details remain unclear.
- 5Israeli Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident in Thailand
Ynetnews reports Ofir Deli, a resident of the settlement of Eli, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Krabi, Thailand, leaving behind his wife Shira and their six children.
- 6Israel Completes Jerusalem Highway Upgrade, Easing Traffic
Mignews reports Israel's Transport Ministry completed a 490 million shekel upgrade to Highway 60, opening a 2-kilometer stretch linking Gush Etzion to Jerusalem to ease congestion for tens of thousands of daily commuters, with remaining work slated for completion by early 2027.
- 7Billionaire John Paulson Gives Record $250 Million to Hebrew University
Haaretz reports billionaire and Trump adviser John Paulson donated $250 million to Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the largest single gift in the institution's history.