Budget passes * PM says overhaul back on agenda * Epidemic kills all Eilat sea urchins; coral at risk * Israel tells US it won’t double settlers * Amanpour sorry to Dee

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Presented by [Anti-Defamation League]( [Knesset approves 2023-2024 budget in all-night vote, patching coalition rift]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff Lawmakers speed through hundreds of objections to pass fiscal roadmap decried as ‘reckless’ by critics opposed to earmarks for ultra-Orthodox [Lapid slams ‘most destructive budget in nation’s history’; Ben Gvir hails ‘new dawn’]( By ToI Staff and Carrie Keller-Lynn [MKs push budget bills through Knesset as PM boasts government will last full 4 years]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn [Netanyahu says judicial overhaul to return to agenda now that budget has passed]( By ToI Staff Bucking speculation he may attempt to quietly bury the plan, PM says he hopes talks will yield compromise; Lapid calls on Herzog to demand ‘immediate clarification’ from premier [US wants Israel to shelve judicial overhaul in return for Saudi normalization — TV]( By ToI Staff [In veiled threat to Iran, Gallant says air force preparing for ‘main goal’]( By Canaan Lidor Defense chief hails recent strikes in Gaza but says IDF readying for threat that is ‘more complex, more difficult, and more significant’; PM: Israel ‘constantly surprising Iran’ [Iran vows to work with inspectors after new tunnels near nuke site uncovered]( By Jon Gambrell [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing May 24: Tit-for-tat threats as IDF head delivers clear warning to Iran]( By ToI Staff from our sponsor [Antisemitic Incidents are Nearly 5x Higher Since 2013]( There are many ways to join the fight against antisemitism. Learn how you can take action with ADL today. Analysis Haviv Rettig Gur [Why the new state budget both favors and hurts Haredim… and deeply threatens Israel]( Haredim once had fewer children and high employment rates. Government policies changed that. As the community grows, it’s getting harder to justify living at someone else’s expense [Thousands in Jerusalem rally against budget, deals for ultra-Orthodox]( By AFP [All Eilat Bay urchins wiped out by disease; coral reefs face suffocation by algae]( By Sue Surkes Marine experts rush to understand cause of mass die-offs of keystone species that feeds on algae, as pathogenic parasite spreads quickly, killing the creatures within 48 hours [Three clean water startups win contest to pilot their technology in Africa]( By Sue Surkes [Beitar J’lem fans storm pitch after Cup win, Herzog evacuated; team may lose trophy]( By ToI Staff President rushed away under heavy security as awards ceremony canceled due to chaos on field, sparking threat from soccer association to strip team of first tourney win in 14 years [President to award Beitar soccer trophy after fan chaos on field mars Cup ceremony]( By AP and ToI Staff [Amid signs of expansion, Israel assures US it’s not planning to double settler numbers]( By Jacob Magid PM’s aides rush to do damage control after Smotrich reported to be aiming for 1 million settlers and IDF revokes order barring Israelis from return to evacuated Homesh settlement [CNN anchor Amanpour apologizes for calling terror attack on Dee family a ‘shootout’]( By ToI Staff Rabbi Leo Dee says he does not accept reporter’s apology for causing him ‘further pain,’ calling it ‘too little, too late’ six weeks after journalist’s original comments [Shin Bet says it foiled Hadera bus bombing by Umm al-Fahm man recruited by Hamas]( By Emanuel Fabian Agency alleges Muhammed Nadir Mahajneh was suffering financial pressure and mental distress before he was directed by Gaza-ruling terror group to carry out attack [Islamic Jihad chief: Gaza commanders were killed because they carried cellphones]( By Canaan Lidor [Tit-for-tat threats as IDF head delivers clear warning to Iran]( [listen to the podcast]( Top Ops Rivka Ravitz [What Haredi mothers want]( By law, my son receives 55% of the state funding allocated to Israel’s non-ultra-Orthodox students, and we’re the ’bloodsuckers’?! Joel Rubin [A US default would put both American and Israeli security at risk]( An end to global economic dominance would create an opportunity for Russia, Iran, ISIS, and China to step into the breach Live updates [LIVE: Bennett wins defamation lawsuit against rabbi who claimed he wasn’t Jewish]( By Amy Spiro Rabbi Ronen Shaulov issues statement apologizing for his false comments, is expected to pay damages that former prime minister has said he will donate to charity Interview Carrie Keller-Lynn [Protest leader says ‘grassroots’ initiative raised NIS 50m to fight judicial overhaul]( 20 weeks in, Shikma Bressler says movement is highly organized but loose structure that allows multiple strategies to counter coalition’s plans; acknowledges lack of positive goals Interview [Unsettled by Jewish history, a California lawmaker takes on his state’s housing woes]( By Louis Sallerson Co-chair of Sacramento’s Jewish Caucus, State Senator Scott Wiener cites his upbringing as inspiring legislation that will allow religious institutions to build homes on their land [Netanyahu gives Amsalem responsibility for sensitive atomic energy authority]( By ToI Staff While PM maintains ultimate control of Israel Atomic Energy Commission, Likud colleague will reportedly be his representative; opposition MK raps putting firebrand minister in role [Ben Gvir sanctions his party MK for insubordination on budget vote boycott]( By ToI Staff [Israeli metal man Adam Steel rocks design world with luxe works from aluminum to zinc]( By Danielle Nagler A wunderkind of metal interior architecture, Steel is creating unique, high quality fixtures like stairs and doors for private clients and large corporations around the world [CRM]( More Headlines [Russia extends detention of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich]( By Jackie Hajdenberg [Hungary’s Orban says Ukraine can’t win against Russia, calls for negotiated peace]( By AFP [Sara Netanyahu given okay to be present in London as Milchan testifies remotely]( By ToI Staff [Jaguar Land Rover launches Israeli hub to scout for local startups, mobility tech]( By Sharon Wrobel [Soldier questioned by Shin Bet for alleged racist attack on Arab minors]( By Emanuel Fabian [US police find Nazi flag in truck used for alleged ramming attempt near White House]( By AP [Germany clears anti-vaxxer who called Israel worse than Nazis]( By AP [Hezbollah sleeper who photographed US landmarks for possible attacks gets 12 years]( By AP and ToI Staff [Turkey said to bust Mossad ring operating against Iranian targets]( By Canaan Lidor [Report: Israel nixed QuaDream’s spyware deal with Morocco, leading to firm’s closure]( By ToI Staff [Man indicted for allegedly murdering wife, 2 young children by stabbing them to death]( By ToI Staff [No regrets / Chas Newby, briefly bassist for The Beatles, dies aged 81]( By ToI Staff [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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