Ancient Caesarea arch collapses * ’Very different’ COVID variant detected * Smotrich’s $180m settlement plan * Inclusive Oscars: Where do Jews fit? * TLV light rail opens

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Friday, August 18, 2023 [2,000-year-old arch in Caesarea aqueduct collapses; official: ‘We sounded the alarm’]( By ToI Staff Antiquities Authority issues angry statement saying repeated pleas for preservation work at famous site were ignored, warns Acre’s aqueduct faces even greater danger of ruin [‘We waited a long time for this’: Tel Aviv light rail sets off after years of delays]( By ToI Staff People come from across country to ride on inaugural trains, with 70-year-old Koti Elazar recognized as first passenger; ‘This rail will take Bat Yam forward,’ mayor vows [Inside Story / Tel Aviv light rail launches amid multiple challenges, criticism over Shabbat closure]( By Deborah Danan [New ‘very different’ COVID-19 variant detected in Israel, Denmark and US]( By Renee Ghert-Zand Health organizations worldwide monitoring Omicron variant with over 30 protein spike mutations; expert says it is too early to know its impact [Academy of Motion Pictures mum on how Jews fit into new inclusion standards]( By Luke Tress Rules taking effect for next year’s Best Picture award aim to encourage diversity in film industry, raising questions and criticism [Film frenzy / Films nominated for Israeli Oscars to get special screenings]( By Jessica Steinberg [Report: Smotrich to ask cabinet to approve $180m plan to expand settlements]( By ToI Staff Money includes millions for services like health, education and youth clubs, but also large amounts for promoting and enlarging Israel’s civilian footprint in the West Bank Top Ops Orly Erez Likhovski [I’ve been fighting for women’s rights in Israel for 20 years]( Israelis finally understand that discrimination against women is intolerable – just as the government wages war on women’s rights Lev Topor [The ‘hipardut’ rift would be a national disaster]( Separating secular and religious Jews into different countries would undermine the very essence of Judaism – and the Zionist dream ToI podcast [What Matters Now to author Oren Kessler: 1936 Palestine’s missed peace deal]( By Amanda Borschel-Dan In ‘Palestine 1936,’ Kessler delves into dusty archives to bring to life the overlooked saga of the 3-year Arab Revolt that arguably forms the roots of today’s Middle East conflict [Blinken presses Dermer for steps to calm region, as US awaits pledged boost for PA]( By Jacob Magid DC sit-down comes month after Jerusalem agreed to help PA deal with crises to mollify Washington, but never actually followed through; Smotrich blamed for delay [Some 1,000 Hamas prisoners warn they’ll launch hunger strike over conditions]( By ToI Staff [Palestinian man dies of injuries from May 2021 Temple Mount clash]( By Michael Horovitz Analysis Ron Kampeas [As IDF takes hit from reservist protests, US eyes threat to its security interests]( Israel’s preoccupation with its domestic turmoil ‘could mean that the US needs to do more in this region,’ says one expert. But ‘the US doesn’t want to do more in this region’ [After Israeli raids, Palestinian police struggle to reassert control in terror hotbed]( By Agencies [Report: Russian drone experts took cover in Tehran hotel during alleged Mossad strike]( By ToI Staff Leaked documents obtained by Washington Post shed light on January incident at Shahed-136 UAV factory, reveal Iran helping Moscow make progress on advanced drone production [New York Mayor Eric Adams set for 3-day visit to Israel next week]( By Luke Tress and ToI Staff Adams, who has strong ties to NY Jewish community, will meet politicians and business leaders, discuss efforts to tackle antisemitism and learn about Israeli tech [Long-shot GOP candidate Ramaswamy says Abraham Accords should replace aid to Israel]( By Gabe Friedman [Trump’s lawyers want his interference trial pushed to 2026, long after next election]( By AFP [White House said briefing top Democrats on Saudi-Israel normalization talks]( By Jacob Magid Meetings part of tacit effort to rally support for deal, keeping lawmakers in the loop regarding negotiations [On 1st Saudi visit since ties restored, Iran FM touts Islamic unity, slams ‘Zionists’]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Coalition seeks delay of court hearings on reasonableness law, as Hayut’s clock ticks]( By ToI Staff Court chief’s imminent retirement creates a hard deadline for her involvement; attorney for coalition argues complexity of issues demands ‘thorough and comprehensive’ preparation [Gantz said to rule out unity coalition with Netanyahu, while some in party back idea]( By ToI Staff [CRM]( [Ostensible bid for ‘dialogue’ with Haredim on bus devolves into angry singing match]( By Canaan Lidor Videos show women from Brothers in Arms protest movement and Bnei Brak-bound passengers trying to drown out each other’s words with song [Alex Edelman, the summer’s hottest comedian, finds tough Jewish crowd at senior home]( By julia GERGELY Although residents of NYC’s Inspir Carnegie Hill mostly liked the performer’s solo Broadway show ‘Just for Us,’ they were less impressed when he showed up at the facility in person More Headlines [After lapse, Israel extends Ukraine refugees’ health benefits till year’s end]( By ToI Staff [After nearly 5 years, Turkey to release Israeli caught smuggling khat — minister]( By ToI Staff [Police say 85 suspects arrested in operation targeting crime in Arab community]( By ToI Staff [Two firefighters dropped from operational activity after fatal pit rescue attempt]( By ToI Staff [UNRWA halts services in Lebanon camp to protest Palestinian gunmen on site]( By Agencies [A bit of fluff / Gaza’s first cat cafe offers distraction for enclave’s residents]( By Agencies [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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