Poland fumes at Kirel’s ’victory’ remarks * TV host sorry for calling Haredim ’bloodsuckers’ * Analysis: Likud skews far-right * Seal Yulia returns * F-16s for Ukraine?

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Saturday, May 20, 2023 [‘It’s painful for us’: Poland invites Noa Kirel for visit after Eurovision remarks]( By ToI Staff Warsaw upset at pop star for calling the maximum 12 points she received from Poland at song competition a ‘victory,’ as most of her family perished there in Holocaust [TV host slammed for calling Haredim ‘bloodsuckers’ during panel on state budget]( By ToI Staff Galit Gutman issues apology after facing widespread criticism for accusing right-religious coalition of ‘simply milking its citizens’ [Support for Netanyahu goes up, but voters unhappy with policies for Haredim — poll]( By ToI Staff [Facing multiple crises, Israel’s high-tech looking to emerge stronger]( By Jonah Mandel Inside story Shalom Yerushalmi [On the way up to the Temple Mount, Likud is becoming Otzma Yehudit]( Most ruling party members have always shunned visits to the holy site, both for security and religious reasons, but a new breed of Likud MKs are following the lead of the far-right [Anti-overhaul protests set to enter 20th week as compromise talks remain stalled]( By ToI Staff Protest organizers rail against coalition’s budget, ‘deceptive negotiations,’ as rallies resume after pause due to Gaza rocket dangers last week [Far-right MK threatens to vote against budget if ‘Jewish identity’ unit not formed]( By ToI Staff Top Ops Sally Abrams [The song that binds me to Israel]( Not giving up on the Zionist miracle means believing that Israel is a place whose wonders have yet to cease — even now Ari Sacher [A demographic problem of biblical proportions]( If you do the math, and factor in ancient infant mortality rates, the only reasonable explanation for the Israelites’ exploding population is God [Yulia, the rare seal, briefly chased off Palmachim beach by overenthusiastic bathers]( By ToI Staff and Agencies Environmentalists urge public to keep their distance from celebrity Mediterranean monk seal as she makes short forays ashore to rest [MBS says Palestinians ‘the central issue’ for Arabs, as US pushes Israel-Saudi peace]( By Jacob Magid Saudi crown prince stresses backing for Palestinian state amid intensified US effort to secure normalization; Egypt’s Sissi, who mediated Gaza ceasefire, slams Israeli ‘escalation’ [‘A new phase of solidarity’: Assad caps return to Arab fold at Saudi-hosted summit]( By Haitham el-Tabei Analysis Lazar Berman [With Erdogan on cusp of keeping power, Israel has reason to root for former foe]( The longtime leader is seen as committed to the ongoing rapprochement with Jerusalem, while some fear longshot Kilicdaroglu could push Israel away by reorienting Ankara to the West [Biden backs F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots at G7 meeting]( By Zeke Miller, Foster Klug, Josh Boak and Elaine Kurtenbach US president tells leaders decisions on providing the fighter jets for use in battle will be made when the training is underway [Analysis / US helping Ukraine get F-16s shows that for military aid, ‘no’ can become ‘yes’]( By Lolita C. Baldor and TARA COPP [‘Peace will become closer today,’ says Zelensky, in Hiroshima for G7 talks]( By Foster Klug, Adam Schreck and Zeke Miller [Russia warns West taking ‘colossal risks’ with potential supply of F-16s to Ukraine]( By Agencies and ToI Staff Day after Biden approves training for Ukrainian pilots on US-made jets, Russia’s deputy foreign minister accuses Western countries of ‘still adhering to the escalation scenario’ [Head of Russian mercenary group claims total capture of Ukraine’s Bakhmut]( By AFP [Israel Museum enters new phase with new director Denis Weil]( By Jessica Steinberg Nation’s largest cultural institution looks to reach new audiences including Arab and Haredi communities, create new programming and develop new tech [Iran Guards chief threatens ‘final blow’ against US over 2020 killing of Soleimani]( By ToI Staff Head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps vows to drive US from Middle East, the latest in a series of threats following the assassination of the top general 3 years ago [US, French and UK naval commanders traverse key waterway in show of force to Iran]( By Jon Gambrell [Iran executes man convicted of leading a human trafficking and prostitution ring]( By AFP [UK posthumously honors Jewish diplomat blocked by Saudis in 1968 for being a Jew]( By Robert Philpot 19 years after his death, the British Foreign Office dedicates the ‘Phillips Room’ to Sir Horace Phillips, who overcame socioeconomic hurdles to become a long-serving ambassador [Director Jonathan Glazer’s horrifyingly ordinary Auschwitz tale chills Cannes]( By Emilie BICKERTON Jewish filmmaker’s long-awaited movie ‘The Zone of Interest’ depicts the family life of Nazi camp commander Rudolf Hoss, which proceeds as normal, just beyond the gas chambers [In first, Portuguese parliament passes resolution supporting Israel]( By ToI Staff Measure overwhelmingly approved for Jewish state’s 75th anniversary urges bilateral cooperation and a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [CRM]( [Over 500 rabbis say Biden’s antisemitism plan should embrace disputed IHRA definition]( By Ron Kampeas Letter is sent to White House endorsing outline for anti-Jewish bigotry that covers some Israel criticism, as progressive groups warn it will stifle legitimate debate [US antisemitism envoy pans attacks on Soros, after criticism by Diaspora minister]( By Jacob Magid More Headlines [Woman run over and killed while crossing road in northern Israel]( By ToI Staff [Gazan beekeeper returns to colony along border after latest fighting]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Health Ministry slams hospital’s handling of potential embryo mix-up]( By ToI Staff [Young boy in serious condition after choking on a grape]( By ToI Staff [Weight of New York’s buildings is causing the city to sink, study says]( By ToI Staff [Jeffrey Epstein-linked accounts transferred funds to Noam Chomsky, Bard College head]( By ToI Staff and JTA [Unsung hero / Asian-Jewish superhero fights 1970s Chinese mob in new comic book]( By Julian Voloj [Obituary / Jewish American real estate magnate Sam Zell dies at 81]( By Andrew Silow-Carroll [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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