US envoy: ’Pump the brakes’ on judicial overhaul; PM: ’I’d like to calm our friends’ * More huge demos ahead of first Knesset votes tomorrow * Police chief fears violence

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Sunday, February 19, 2023 [US envoy: We’re telling Netanyahu to ‘pump the brakes’ on judicial overhaul push]( By Jacob Magid Nides says US not dictating details to Israel, but wants it to build consensus before moving forward, claims warnings about proposals’ economic impact have PM’s attention [Netanyahu: ‘I’d like to calm our friends — Israel will remain a vibrant democracy’]( By Alexander Fulbright [With first Knesset readings due Monday, tens of thousands protest judicial overhaul]( By Ash Obel and ToI Staff Levin says legislative push will move forward as demonstrators gather across country for 7th straight week; at J’lem rally, right-wingers urge gov’t to adopt Herzog’s compromise Live updates [Russia condemns Israeli strike on Syria as ‘flagrant violation’ of international law]( By Michael Bachner Moscow urges Jerusalem to ‘refrain from steps that are fraught with dangerous consequences for the entire region’ [Bills to ban hametz, expand powers of rabbinic courts breeze through committee]( By Judah Ari Gross AG comes out against proposal criminalizing bringing leavened goods into hospitals during Passover; groups representing ‘chained’ women oppose letting rabbis adjudicate civil cases [Police chief warns of potential for political assassination: ‘Lower the flames’]( By Ash Obel ‘The situation keeps me awake at night,’ Kobi Shabtai says of deepening divisions over overhaul, pledges cops ‘will do everything we can to prevent harm to any public figure’ [Likud bill would limit ability to remove PM, as group seeks to disqualify Netanyahu]( By Ash Obel Proposal sponsored by MK Ofir Katz comes as High Court reviews petition demanding Israeli leader be required to step down for breaching conflict of interest agreement [Report: Netanyahu to ask state to fund family’s expenses at 2 private homes]( By ToI Staff [Israel mends fences with Ukraine, won’t provide David’s Sling]( [listen to the podcast]( Interview [Julian Schlossberg’s new memoir covers 6 decades working with Jewish showbiz royalty]( By Stephen Silver ‘Try Not to Hold It Against Me: A Producer’s Life’ tells how the 81-year-old producer worked and partied with celebs like Barbra Streisand, Mel Brooks and close friend Elaine May [South Africa governing party hails ouster of Israeli envoy from African Union summit]( By AFP Sharon Bar-li was escorted out of regional assembly, apparently at behest of South Africa and Algeria, in move one official says was coordinated by Iran [Syria says 5 killed, 15 wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus residential area]( By Emanuel Fabian Heavy damage inflicted to buildings in Kafar Sousah neighborhood, an area said to house Iranian sites; state-run news agency says victims mostly civilians [North Korea tests ICBM, warns US and South Korea of more powerful steps]( By Hyung-Jin Kim [Russia after a year of war: Critics purged and nationalism soaring]( By Dasha Litvinova As death toll of war in Ukraine rises, ordinary civilians are facing growing repression at home as families are ripped apart by mobilization [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Feb 19: Israel mends fences with Ukraine, won’t provide David’s Sling]( By ToI Staff [US accuses Russia of committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine]( By Karl Ritter and Geir Moulson Top Ops Jacob Olidort [Jordan sits out the Negev Forum with Washington’s tacit approval]( The Biden administration appeases the Palestinians and minimizes steps toward peace by Israel and its regional partners Avi Gil [An apartheid state will not cure terrorism]( Yes, there were errors made during Oslo, but the approach has real advantages as a long-term strategy against terrorism [Palestinian activists in East Jerusalem call for general strike, civil disobedience]( By ToI Staff Organizers in Shuafat refugee camp say increased police activity part of ‘policy of harassment’ following spate of terror attacks; Issawiya, Jabel Mukaber, Anata residents to join [Netanyahu says Ben Gvir to chair task force on Palestinian incitement to terror]( By ToI Staff Following deadly attacks in Jerusalem, PM says he and police minister have agreed to form a panel ‘to fight against those inciting acts of murder against us’ [Blinken calls Abbas, Netanyahu as US works to block UN resolution on settlements]( By Jacob Magid [CRM]( [False report leads to MK erroneously announcing death of Labor stalwart Yael Dayan]( By Ash Obel Party’s Gilad Kariv interjects during committee meeting to convey tidings of the passing of ‘our friend and our teacher,’ based on an incorrect news report More Headlines [Environment minister said to meet with climate change skeptics]( By ToI Staff [Former US president Jimmy Carter, 98, enters home hospice care]( By Agencies [Earthquake sends tremors through Turkey’s already fragile economy]( By AFP [Iran indicts woman for throwing headscarf to ground in protest during event]( By AFP [Raz Hershko wins Israel’s second gold at judo Grand Slam in Tel Aviv]( By ToI Staff [Iranian struggle for freedom takes on starring role at Berlin film festival]( By Deborah Cole [Clutch performance / Israeli scores late game-winner for English soccer club Fulham]( By AP [Drama queens? / ‘South Park’ rips into Harry and Meghan in latest episode]( By Harry Roper [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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