MKs OK initial vote for elections * Polls show Netanyahu near majority * Must-watch original ToI video: Dead Sea Walking * Ancient mosque found * 920 die in Afghan quake

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Presented by [HadassahÂ]( [Knesset passes initial vote to disperse, setting Israel on path to elections]( By [Carrie Keller-Lynn]( [Earliest parliament is expected to complete process of disbanding is Monday; opposition MKs rejoice as coalition lawmakers decry ‘sad day for democracy’]( [Rebel Ra’am, Meretz MKs bow out of their parties after turbulent stints]( By [TOI staff]( [Knesset appears to kill bill that would bar Netanyahu from becoming premier]( By [TOI staff]( [Polls point to return of dreaded deadlock in next elections, unless alliances shift]( By [Michael Horovitz]( [Surveys aired by major TV networks show Likud at top but without enough allies for a government; nearly half of respondents to Channel 12 survey want Netanyahu back as PM]( [Expected upcoming election will cost Israel up to NIS 2.9 billion, experts say]( By [TOI staff]( [Gantz throws cold water on possibility of reuniting with Netanyahu]( By [TOI staff]( ToI Original Video [Into the Land: Dead Sea Walking]( [The first episode of The Times of Israel’s original ‘Into the Land’ docuseries – taking a deeper look at some of Israel’s most complex social, environmental and historical issues.]( FROM OUR SPONSOR [Diabetes: A Word, Not A Sentence]( [Can diabetes be reversed? Could having COVID-19 increase my risk? We talk types, triggers and tools in managing diabetes in our new episode with Prof. Avivit Cahn, MD.]( Archaeology [One of the oldest known mosques in the world uncovered in Negev Bedouin city Rahat]( By [Amanda Borschel-Dan]( [New discovery joins a second very early mosque dated to the 7th century, when Islam was just beginning to spread in the Holy Land]( [At least 920 killed as earthquake hits eastern Afghanistan]( By [FAZEL RAHMAN FAIZI]( [Rescue efforts likely to be hampered by lack of international organizations in the country since Taliban takeover; rescuers arriving by helicopter]( [Set to become prime minister, Lapid faces critical test against resurgent Netanyahu]( By [Josef Federman]( [Foreign minister, expected to be sworn in as caretaker PM next week, vows to face Israel’s challenges as country hurtles toward another round of elections]( [Lapid gets extra security, plans to live in PM’s residence without family — report]( By [TOI staff]( [Little hope for change in Ramallah as Israel switches out governments again]( By [Aaron Boxerman]( [Daily Briefing Jun 22: Does Netanyahu have tricks up his sleeve to form a gov’t now?]( [listen to the podcast]( Live updates [LIVE: Damascus airport to reopen, nearly two weeks after raid attributed to Israel]( By [TOI staff]( [Syrian Transport Ministry says repair work to runways and equipment damaged in June 10 airstrike completed; air traffic to resume Thursday]( [Palestinian stabbed to death during West Bank brawl with settlers]( By [Emanuel Fabian and Aaron Boxerman]( [PA health ministry, Israeli rights group say Ali Hassan Harb, 22, killed near settlement of Ariel after dispute over tent turns violent; identity of stabber not known]( [After terror attacks, Israel reinforces part of West Bank barrier with 9-meter wall]( By [Emanuel Fabian]( [Police: Would-be Palestinian stabber turns himself in after having second thoughts]( By [Emanuel Fabian]( Top Ops [Marjorie Ordene]( [‘Arabs hid my father’s family during the Hebron massacre’]( [The matriarch of the family was a righteous woman who had made the Hajj to Mecca. When the mob said, ’We know you are hiding Jews’ she told them, ‘No, we’re not!’]( [Alon Tal]( [4 lessons from Israel’s Government of Change]( [How can diverse parties come together once again and agree to put certain hot-button issues aside to get things done and create a better country for all?]( [AG says new IDF chief can be chosen during election season only if ‘essential need’]( By [Emanuel Fabian]( [Gantz insists appointment is ‘critical impact on the security of the state’; says he’ll consult with everyone who’s relevant to the process, including ex-premier Netanyahu]( [Gantz vows to tap next IDF chief as opposition moves to block new appointments]( By [Emanuel Fabian]( [Officials unveil ‘Israeli Guard’ riot police unit to handle internal unrest]( By [Emanuel Fabian]( [Israel keeping US out of loop on alleged covert attacks in Iran — report]( By [TOI staff]( [Sources tell CNN that US not informed about Israel’s efforts against Iran’s nuclear program, including assassination of IRGC Colonel Khodaei]( [After Damascus airport strike, private Syrian airline flies to Russian airbase]( By [Albert Aji]( [Iran Guards chief says Israel in ‘political collapse’ as government crumbles]( By [TOI staff]( [Despite warnings of Iranian threats in Istanbul, life for local Jews hasn’t changed]( By [David I. Klein]( [Turkey’s chief rabbis say Israeli officials’ calls to heed danger have had little impact on expats or city’s 15,000-strong local Jewish community]( [1.5 million children at home as teachers union ups the ante with full-day strike]( By [TOI staff]( [Some towns find solutions by expanding afternoon programs or using teaching assistants; National Parents Council criticizes union for striking amid negotiations]( [Chaos at Ben Gurion Airport seems to worsen as lines stretch out of terminal]( By [TOI staff]( [CRM]( [US taps top Nazi hunter as lead investigator into war crimes in Ukraine]( By [AFP and TOI staff]( [Eli Rosenbaum was involved in over 100 cases to deport or revoke citizenship from Nazis; US attorney general during Ukraine visit: ‘There is no hiding place for war criminals’]( [Ukrainian journalist, soldier killed in April were ‘coldly executed,’ watchdog says]( By [John Leicester]( [‘The impossible’: Ukraine’s secret, deadly rescue missions to Azovstal]( By [John Leicester and HANNA ARHIROVA]( [US official: Demise of coalition could delay planned visa-free entry for Israelis]( By [Lazar Berman]( [Senior embassy staffer says Bennett government made unprecedented headway on joining Visa Waiver Program]( [Bennett, Blinken stress ongoing cooperation on Iran, despite political turmoil]( By [Lazar Berman]( [Blinken speaks with Bennett, Lapid, vows support for Israel amid political turmoil]( By [Agencies, TOI staff and Jacob Magid]( Interview [NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom brings Holocaust education to Muslim school in Brooklyn]( By [Jacob Henry]( [Raised in Turkey, the basketball center is outspoken about human rights violations in his home country and around the world, and believes knowledge of the genocide can unite people]( [CRM]( Photo essay [‘Mini Gaza’: The IDF’s Urban Warfare Training Center, a town that’s known only war]( By [AP and TOI staff]( [In maze of tight alleyways and drab buildings, decorated by army’s sole official graffiti artist, soldiers hone skills needed for conflict in Gaza Strip, West Bank or even Lebanon]( More Headlines [Banner with Jewish soldier as pig being removed from German art show, after protests]( By [AP]( [‘Counter to my oath’: GOP state officials detail Trump pressure to overturn election]( By [LISA MASCARO and Farnoush Amiri]( [US Supreme Court says religious schools can’t be barred from state tuition aid]( By [AP and TOI staff]( [Bill de Blasio seeks forgiveness in bid for Orthodox votes in Borough Park]( By [Jacob Henry]( [Polish man who rescued dozens of Jews during Holocaust dies at age 102]( By [Agencies]( [US Supreme Court justice: Ruling may lead to more public funds for religious schools]( By [Ron Kampeas]( [Pitching in / Jewish baseball legend Sandy Koufax immortalized with a statue]( By [jacob gurvis]( [Texas police chief: Response to Uvalde shooting was ‘abject failure’]( By [JIM VERTUNO and Jake Bleiberg]( [US-based Leonardo DRS acquires Israel’s RADA in major defense deal]( By [Luke Tress]( [A decade after split, Hamas and Syria said in talks to renew ties]( By [Michael Horovitz]( [Sinking feeling / Desert island drama ‘Triangle of Sadness’ to open Jerusalem Film Fest]( By [Jessica Steinberg]( [Full stream ahead / Netflix CEO tells Israeli students he’s looking for ‘local stories’]( By [Jessica Steinberg]( [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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