Key fighter squadron to skip training session in anti-overhaul protest * Entebbe rescue squad slams PM * Likud MK: Let’s pause *Smotrich walks back ’wipe out Huwara’ call

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Sunday, March 5, 2023 [37 of 40 reserve pilots in key fighter squadron refuse to train over judicial shakeup]( By Emanuel Fabian Most in 69th Squadron – which operates F-15I jets, struck Syria’s nuclear reactor – won’t show up to train Wed. in protest of gov’t moves, but will report for operational missions [Lapid opposes reservists’ threats to refuse service, says he understands their fears]( By ToI Staff [Hundreds of thousands protest government; new ‘disruption day’ called for Thursday]( By ToI Staff Police use water cannon, horses as hundreds attempt to block Ayalon Highway; former Likud minister urges her party’s MKs to oppose overhaul: ‘Why do you stay silent?’ [Likud accuses Dan Halutz of incitement after he draws line between Netanyahu, Hitler]( By ToI Staff [Likud’s Regev likens protesters who surrounded Sara Netanyahu at salon to terrorists]( By ToI Staff [Smotrich says his call to ‘wipe out’ Huwara was an ’emotional slip of the tongue’]( By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid Officials say White House holding discussions over whether to grant far-right minister a visa for US visit next week, but indicate he is unlikely to be barred [Netanyahu welcomes Smotrich’s retraction of ‘inappropriate’ call to wipe out Huwara]( By Michael Bachner and Jacob Magid [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Mar. 5: Mr. Smotrich may go to Washington, but will anyone meet him?]( By ToI Staff Live updates [LIVE: As refusal calls grow, Gantz tells IDF reservists to show up ‘without conditions’]( By Amy Spiro Former IDF chief of staff says those in reserve and active military duty angered by government’s plans should continue to fight for the country ‘in battle and in protest’ [Entebbe rescue squad blasts Netanyahu for ‘sacrificing country for own interests’]( By Michael Horovitz Veterans cite leadership of PM’s brother, killed during operation, while calling out premier for ‘divide and rule’ tactics, blast him for comparing demonstrators to Huwara rioters Op-ed David Horovitz [Pilots’ alarm shows Israel now in danger of entering a death spiral]( Only Netanyahu can avert catastrophe – by halting his bid to neuter the courts and instead negotiating genuine reform. It might cost him his coalition, but it would save the state [Mr. Smotrich may go to Washington, but will anyone meet him?]( [listen to the podcast]( [Coalition pitches Tuesday judicial overhaul talks; opposition: Halt the bills first]( By ToI Staff Lapid, Gantz swiftly reject negotiations initially proposed by business groups, noting government refusal to freeze legislative push; override bill advances out of committee [Likud’s Edelstein backs pausing judicial overhaul, says other MKs feel the same]( By ToI Staff Top Ops Avi Weiss [Aggressive compromise is a sign of strength, not weakness]( In the ’80s, I was sure the Jewish underground was right. Now I know better: Israel needs both right and left for balance Miriam Reisler [Do you know where your daughters are on Purim night?]( Are they out partying wildly? At home feeling bored or left-out? Revisit the essence of the day to help them (and you) celebrate better Shalom Wald [Hello, has anyone noticed China’s pivot against Israel?]( President Xi rebuked Israel in a statement co-signed by Iran’s president. That has never happened before Arik Ascherman [This Purim, skip or whisper the verses of slaughter. End the Had Gadya cycle]( Now is the time we are called to distinguish between good and evil, even as we seethe with anger and pain Interview Jacob Magid [Top Abbas aide: Israel hasn’t fulfilled Aqaba promise to transfer withheld PA funds]( Hussein al-Sheikh tells ToI Israel made additional unpublicized commitments at Jordan summit, but Netanyahu’s subsequent dismissal of confab puts planned Egypt gathering in doubt [Netanyahu slams IAEA chief for saying attacks on nuclear facilities ‘outlawed’]( By ToI Staff and Agencies PM says remarks ‘unworthy’ of Rafael Grossi, vows Israel will protect itself against ‘oppressors’ like Purim villain Haman [After Grossi visit to Tehran, IAEA says Iran to restart nuclear surveillance cameras]( By AFP [New cases of mysterious poisoning of schoolgirls hit different Iran regions]( By AFP Author interview [Is Iran really the existential threat Israel claims it is? This author thinks not]( By JP O’ Malley In his new book ‘Fear and Insecurity,’ Jonathan Leslie says Israeli politicians are blowing Iranian nuclear aspirations out of proportion – and they’re doing it for the votes [Gallant refuses to answer Ben Gvir call seeking answers on detained Huwara suspects]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff Far-right minister turns to Netanyahu after hitting dead end with defense minister as he demanded to know why alleged extremists were being held without charge [UK, France, Germany, others condemn West Bank violence, call to ‘restore calm’]( By AP and ToI Staff [Defying AG, ministers advance bill that would let Netanyahu keep financial gift]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn High Court has ruled PM must return $270,000 he received from his cousin to cover legal fees; Baharav-Miara warns bill could ‘open door to real governmental corruption’ [UTJ’s Porush returns as minister of Meron pilgrimage after getting powers he sought]( By ToI Staff [IDF: Troops targeted in drive-by shooting in West Bank; 7 terror suspects detained]( By Emanuel Fabian No soldiers hurt in attack near Shuweika; gunfire also heard by Israeli motorists near Beit Hagai [CRM]( [Trump pitches another term, slams Republican ‘fools’ at ‘MAGApalooza’ gathering]( By Frankie TAGGART Former US president hailed as superstar at CPAC event, repeats voter fraud conspiracies, avoids attacking rivals, presents himself as only candidate who can ‘prevent World War III’ [Founder of Peru’s only Jewish bakery turned Instagram star dishes food for thought]( By Jacob Kessler With Oh-jalá, Deborah Trapunsky serves up delectable challah and other baked goods while also sating a hunger for knowledge about Judaism among her 18,000 social media followers [Shufersal injects NIS 28 million to open Dutch SPAR chain in Israel]( By Sharon Wrobel Israel’s biggest supermarket chain inks deal to exclusively import and sell SPAR products in Israel, vowing to increase competition and bring down food prices [‘The ship has reached the shore’: UN agrees on ‘historic’ deal to protect oceans]( By AFP After 2 weeks of intense talks, negotiators hammer out conservation plan with goal of protecting 30% of world’s land and sea by 2030; text to be formally adopted at later date [Climate activists soak Israeli artist’s work in ‘oil’ at German parliament]( By AP More Headlines [Arson suspected as fire rips through Hapoel Tel Aviv training base hours before game]( By Ash Obel [Syrian man charged with spying on Israel for Hezbollah]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [Soldier arrested for trying to smuggle Palestinians through West Bank checkpoint]( By Emanuel Fabian [Ukrainians try to hold on in devastated Bakhmut as Russians surround city]( By AFP [Fashion hang up / American Eagle now has a mezuzah at its Times Square flagship]( By Jacob Henry [Ancient Roman vase is 1st evidence of gladiator battles on English soil]( By Ash Obel [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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