IDF chief queries Netanyahu; Smotrich accuses him of politicization * New law lets convict Deri return as minister; top court seeks answers * J’lem bus stop bomber caught

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Presented by [Comedy for Koby]( [In rare call, IDF chief presses Netanyahu over plan to put MKs in chain of command]( By Emanuel Fabian Outgoing military head Aviv Kohavi and incoming PM agree military-linked legislation will be advanced only after IDF ‘presents the consequences and significance’ of such bills [Smotrich accuses IDF chief of politicization after he warns against coalition plans]( By TOI staff [Days before coalition is to take power, law clears path for ministers Deri, Smotrich]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn Ahead of Thursday’s planned swear-in, Netanyahu and allies pass their 2nd politically required law – giving Smotrich a post in Defense Ministry, removing obstacles to Deri’s return [Top court demands MKs justify law allowing Deri as minister; won’t block it for now]( By TOI staff [High Court orders Netanyahu, Ben Gvir to respond to petition against nomination]( By Jeremy Sharon and Tobias Siegal [Arab Israeli with Islamic State ties arrested for bombings at Jerusalem bus stops]( By Emanuel Fabian Shin Bet and police say Eslam Froukh committed deadly attack in November on his own, and allegedly planned further attacks before being detained [Troops come under fire during West Bank raids; 16 terror suspects arrested]( By Emanuel Fabian from our sponsor [Laugh like you never laughed before]( Comedy for Koby presents world renown comedians for a night of laughter in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beit Shemesh, Gush Etzion, Modiin and Raanana. Click here for tickets > Live updates [LIVE: High Court nixes Netanyahu request for new hearing on order to return $270,000 gift]( By TOI staff Court had ordered incoming PM to return money to estate of his deceased cousin and former benefactor Nathan Milikowsky, ruling that the funds were an illicit gift [Bank bans credit for bigots as firms in Israel decry planned pro-discrimination laws]( By Sharon Wrobel Microsoft, Wiz among businesses expressing concern incoming government will seek to amend rules to allow firms to refuse services if it violates their religious beliefs [Likud stalwart Bitan says Netanyahu ‘lost it’ in negotiations, blasts far-right MKs]( By TOI staff [Levin resigns as Knesset speaker to take up Justice post; vote Thursday on successor]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn After a tumultuous two weeks shepherding critical legislation through most of its process, Likud MK quits so he can be sworn in as a minister with the new government [Netanyahu government set for swearing-in Thursday, but hurdles remain]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn [Ex-Likud minister Meridor bashes Netanyahu for ‘paying any price’ to return to power]( By Tal Schneider [Israeli solar tech on the moon & a new day dawns in Knesset]( [listen to the podcast]( Archaeology [Bible scholar’s sensational Hezekiah inscription claims prompt researchers’ outcry]( By Amanda Borschel-Dan Academics publish open letter calling for scientific treatment of ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ claims after new round of unsupported popular press headlines regarding Jerusalem ‘discovery’ [On porous Jordan border, Israel starts to see success against rampant gun-smuggling]( By Emanuel Fabian IDF and police field commanders tell ToI they have managed to foil around 80% of attempts this year, seizing nearly 500 guns; but along the eastern frontier, challenges persist [‘I said I was Jew-ish’: GOP Congressman-elect walks back biography ’embellishments’]( By Jacob Magid After media reports reveal he isn’t grandson of German refugees who fled the Nazis, a former Goldman Sachs employee or a college graduate, George Santos says he’s not quitting Top Ops Benyamin Moalem [The outgoing government’s unsung right-wing virtues]( What could explain the right’s failure to laud the Lapid-Bennett team for increasing security, blocking the Iran nuke deal and curbing inflation? Ester Kurz [What Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer did for US-Israel ties]( The outgoing US Speaker and Majority Leader strengthened the relationship immeasurably through their public actions and, especially, behind the scenes [Israel’s newly reinstated envoy to Turkey presents credentials to Erdogan]( By Lazar Berman Irit Lillian, key player in the two countries’ reconciliation, fills a post that has been vacant since 2018; Turkey’s ambassador expected to officially start work in January [Erdogan makes unfounded claim Ronaldo ‘banned’ at World Cup for backing Palestinians]( By TOI staff [Shas spiritual figure vows party will not push bills that ‘harm’ secular Israelis]( By TOI staff Rabbi David Yosef, member of Shas’ Council of Torah Sages and a son of late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, says he wants to ‘calm secular people down’ [UTJ’s Goldknopf withdraws demand for security cabinet seat after protests]( By TOI staff [UTJ deal set to reverse phase out of 2G, 3G networks; officials slam retrograde step]( By TOI staff [In video, Iran threatens to raze Tel Aviv, destroy Dimona if Israel hits nuke sites]( By TOI staff Revolutionary Guards missile units would hit targets in Israel ‘within 7 minutes of an attack,’ then follow up with 2nd wave of rockets, according to state television video [Iranian president vows ‘no mercy’ toward ‘hostile’ protesters]( By AFP [Family of Iranian soccer star who backed protests prevented from leaving country]( By AP Interview [Disney+ documentary traces Idina Menzel’s rise, from bat mitzvah circuit to Broadway]( By Stephen Silver ‘Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage’ follows the ‘Frozen’ star’s 2018 arena tour on- and off-stage, and uses archival footage to show the singer’s early life and career [Israeli-led study claims to uncover 100,000 previously unknown viruses]( By TOI staff Researchers hope groundbreaking findings into RNA pathogens could help develop new kinds of antimicrobial drugs and protect against agriculturally harmful fungi and parasites [CRM]( More Headlines [‘Blizzard of the century’ leaves nearly 50 dead across US]( By Joed Viera [Man pulled unconscious from floodwaters in south as heavy rains drench Israel]( By TOI staff [Six killed in Islamic State attack on SDF security HQ in Raqqa]( By HOGIR AL ABDO [Ukrainian foreign minister aims for February peace summit at UN]( By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO and HANNA ARHIROVA [Can artificial skin be used to help burn victims? Growing industry eyes ‘revolution’]( By Marie-Morgane LE MOEL and Daniel Lawler [Elon Musk says nearly 100 Starlink internet terminals ‘active’ in Iran]( By AFP [Maccabi Haifa fans brawl with police in Netanya, 4 arrested]( By TOI staff [Iran holds funerals for 400 unidentified soldiers killed in 1980s Iran-Iraq war]( By AP [Sinking feeling / Hebrew Academy picks ‘sinkhole’ as its word of 2022]( By Amy Spiro [TAMA Pajama-rama / Ringing in 90th birthday, Tel Aviv Museum of Art to party like it’s 1932]( 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? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2022 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved