Israel readies 4th shots for over 60s * Ancient shipwrecked treasure found off Caesarea * Most US immigrants since 1973 * US envoy to PM on Iran: We need common strategy

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Presented by [American Friends of Sheba Medical Center]( [In world first, Israel set to give 4th COVID shot to over 60s, at-risk groups]( By [TOI staff]( [Hailing recommendation by panel of health experts, Bennett orders swift roll-out of extra vaccine booster for people over 60, immunocompromised and health care workers]( [Omicron case tally doubles to 341 in single day as Bennett urges ‘easy restrictions’]( By [TOI staff]( [Knesset panel okays US travel ban from midnight in race to curb Omicron spread]( By [AFP]( [Underwater treasure: 1,700-year-old coins among shipwrecked items found off Caesarea]( By [Amy Spiro]( [Divers’ discoveries include gold ring with green gemstone carved with Christian image of the ‘Good Shepherd’ – an early depiction of Jesus – and carved image of ‘David’s Harp’]( [Liberman tells cabinet ‘Omicron no worse than flu,’ draws ire of top health official]( By [TOI staff]( [In leaked recordings, Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis says new fast-spreading variant could cause major problems for more than a million Israelis who do not have booster shots]( [Sharp case drop could indicate South Africa’s Omicron peak has passed]( By [ANDREW MELDRUM]( [Full text: New COVID rules at schools and malls approved by ministers]( By [TOI staff]( [Israeli study urges ‘rethink’ of COVID’s nature, indicates antioxidants may help]( By [Nathan Jeffay]( [Ben Gurion University geneticists suggest illness primarily targets the immune system, not the lungs, and say if the hypothesis is true, it may open up a new treatment possibility]( [Netanyahu exits quarantine following Omicron exposure, after 2 negative tests]( By [TOI staff]( [Fighting anti-vaxxers among Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jews, nurses write 140-page rebuttal]( By [Ben Sales]( from our sponsor [Will you help us support this work?]( [When wounded IDF soldiers need rehabilitation, they all go to Israel’s National Center For Rehabilitation of injured soldiers, at SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER]( Live updates [LIVE: 4,000 US immigrants moved to Israel this year, the highest annual figure since 1973]( By [TOI staff]( [27,050 people made the Jewish state their new home in 2021, up 30% from the year before but still below pre-COVID numbers]( [Meeting Bennett on Iran, Biden envoy says US, Israel must develop ‘common strategy’]( By [Amy Spiro]( [In shadow of Vienna talks, Jake Sullivan tells PM two countries need to find a joint way forward to face major security issues; Bennett downplays reported snub by White House]( [Herzog: With or without a deal, Iran’s nuclear program ‘must be neutralized’]( By [TOI staff]( [Biden said ignoring Bennett’s request for phone call, as US officials meet Herzog]( By [TOI staff]( ToI podcast [Daily Briefing Dec. 22 – Is the US listening to Israeli warnings on Iran?]( By [TOI staff]( [US correspondent Jacob Magid on Israel’s influence over Iranian nuclear talks in Vienna; and political reporter Tal Schneider on Aryeh Deri’s get-out-of-jail-free card]( [US negotiator warns of ‘escalating crisis’ if no Iran deal in next few weeks]( By [AFP]( [Far-right MK Ben Gvir pulls gun on Arab security guards in clash over parking]( By [Stuart Winer]( [Lawmaker says he felt his life was in danger as one guard threatened him with violence; video clips show guard and MK trading threats in underground Tel Aviv lot]( [Police arrest suspects months after beard-cutting attack on Haredi lawmaker]( By [TOI staff]( Top Ops [Nathan Wirtschafter]( [Put the COVID-19 cabinet meetings on TV]( [If the government is going to radically limit citizens’ freedom of movement and impose other far-reaching restrictions, the process must be totally transparent]( [Audrey N. Glickman]( [Packing our parents in wool]( [If your aging mother starts making burnt noodle sandwiches, she may need some help, but talk to her about her lifestyle before you swoop in to change it]( ToI Video [State of Jerusalem: The Christian Community]( [‘State of Jerusalem’ is a three-part miniseries that describes relationships among various communities in the city]( [Jewish Israelis grounded by Omicron turn to Nazareth for Christmas vacation]( By [Daniella Cheslow]( [Introducing ToI’s Tech Israel]( By [Ricky Ben-David]( [The Israeli tech industry has changed dramatically in the near-decade since The Times of Israel launched; this section’s new name recognizes that journey]( [Mastercard to buy Israeli tech firm Dynamic Yield from McDonald’s]( By [Ricky Ben-David]( [Hospital reverses course, says COVID-linked death was Delta, not Omicron]( By [Amy Spiro]( [After several days of rising infections, new cases tick slightly downward as the number of those getting a first vaccine dose trends upward]( [Israel records first Omicron death, but it’s not clear that’s what he died of]( By [TOI staff]( [Another COVID wave unstoppable, Bennett says as ministers spar over new curbs]( By [TOI staff]( [Driver killed in fiery wreck after suspected West Bank ramming attack]( By [TOI staff]( [Body of alleged attacker pulled from burning, crashed vehicle after incident near settlement; Hamas praises ‘new act of resistance’]( [Study accuses EU of failing to push PA on terror stipends, incitement]( By [TOI staff]( [CRM]( [Early humans repeatedly killed off the biggest beasts around, Israeli study finds]( By [Luke Tress]( [After running out of large prey, prehistoric hunters gradually turned to smaller animals and eventually agriculture, researchers say after analyzing bones from sites around region]( [Energy Ministry directs $6.3 million in grants for 16 energy storage prototypes]( By [Sue Surkes]( [25,000 tons of old batteries in Gaza pose risk to health, environment]( By [Agencies]( [US Muslim activist continues attacks on ‘Zionists’ as she begins sabbatical]( By [Ron Kampeas]( [Zahra Billoo claims she is in the ‘middle of a prolonged Zionist onslaught’ after criticism of comments she made about American Jewish organizations]( [US watchdog demands action as Duke University pro-Israel group denied recognition]( By [Ron Kampeas]( [Israeli startup WoodSpoon app connects home chefs with hungry New Yorkers]( By [Luke Tress]( [Platform provides certification, advertising, payment system for cooks; Israelis, other immigrant communities find niche on application]( [CRM]( [Hungary leads Europe in kosher foie gras production — to Viktor Orban’s advantage]( By [Cnaan Liphshiz]( [During the COVID era, Hungarian kosher meat production ramped up. Between the appearance of religious tolerance and the many jobs created, there’s a net gain for the government]( More Headlines [Israeli-made documentary on Nazis in US shortlisted for Academy Award]( By [Amy Spiro]( [NSO’s Pegasus used to target Khashoggi’s wife before his murder — Washington Post]( By [TOI staff]( [Israel’s rising housing prices will ‘moderate’ in 2022, says finance minister]( By [Ricky Ben-David]( [Jewish scholars gather under shadow of Omicron, heartening many, rankling others]( By [Rachel Kohn]( [Ex-Netanyahu aide says at trial: ‘He shredded everything, even grocery lists’]( By [TOI staff]( [Girls, aged 5 and 9, injured falling from bus window in Negev]( By [Stuart Winer]( [Obituary / Baruch Levine, NYU Judaic studies professor and Bible scholar, dies at 91]( By [Andrew Silow-Carroll]( [Reigning the name game / Muhammad and Maya top list of Israeli newborn’s names in 2020]( By [Stuart Winer]( [Psychotherapist convicted of sexually abusing client in plea deal]( By [TOI staff]( [US life expectancy dropped by nearly 2 years in 2020 due to COVID]( By [AFP]( [All her roots / This musician sings ballads with electric guitars and masenqos]( By [Jessica Steinberg]( [A 'zissel' love story / Man proposes to fiancée in NY Yiddish library]( By [julia GERGELY]( [The daily edition]() [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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