Israel Weekly News Roundup - Jan 3, 2025
Five things you need to know
Israel at War - Day 455
1. Netanyahu Undergoes Radical Prostatectomy
PM Netanyahu underwent a medical procedure at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem to remove his prostate gland. The doctors who performed the procedure said it went well, they also said that the growth was benign and that PM Netanyahu will recover in a few days. He was instructed to stay at the hospital under supervision for a few days. It is important to say in this context that PM Netanyahu has not fully revealed his medical condition, therefore there were a lot of rumors around this procedure that is considered to be very simple and common. In addition, his wife, Sara is not in the country, and was not by his side. Actually she is staying in Miami FL with their oldest son, Yair, who moved there about two years ago.
A few months ago, before the war, PM Netanyahu was hospitalised during a vacation in the north, he said he was suffering from dehydration because he did not wear a hat, but it was later revealed that he had a procedure to implant a pacemaker.
Unfortunately PM Netanyahu had to leave the hospital early, and participate in a very important vote at the Knesset, to keep the coalition strong. He subsequently returned to the hospital.
2. 2025 Brought Meaningful Economic Cuts
The new State Budget to be presented to the Knesset for approval., has meaningful cuts. The Minister of Finance needs to address the huge expenses of the on going war. The opposition is angry because the coalition has not cut any of the budgets of the ministries they established to assemble the coalition two years ago.
The cuts include rise a of one percent of the VAT (Value Added Tax) to 18 percent, freezing of many of the state allowances to the elderly, children and other needy beneficiaries. Raised costs to consumers of many of the public services delivered by the state or the municipalities. Overall the cuts are going to strongly influence the cost of living in Israel in tens of percentage points, including raised prices of food and other products.
The government has to pass the State Budget by March, and if not, the government will fall resulting in new elections. Embedded in the procedure is the need to address the issue of the draft for the Haredi population. The Haredi parties will not support the state budget law in the Knesset unless there is a draft law that they can accept. This is a very complicated political situation that has now come to a breaking point..
The Knesset held an important vote earlier this week, on some chapters of the State Budget. Itamar Ben Gvir, the minister of national security, and the extreme-right member of the coalition, decided to vote against the suggested bills, and was strongly criticized by other members of the coalition.
3. Renewed Missile Launchs from Gaza, Igniting Concern Over Possibility of Ceasfire
Last Saturday, Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted two long-range rockets launched from Gaza, targeting the Jerusalem area. This incident is notable as it follows fifteen months of conflict in Gaza, during which no injuries or damages were reported. Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, long-range rocket fire from the region has significantly decreased, a trend attributed to ongoing IDF operations. In response to the recent missile launches from Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning of "unprecedented strikes in Gaza" if Hamas does not release hostages and continues its rocket attacks. Earlier this week, the IDF targeted and destroyed a rocket and arms facility in Rafah, resulting in the death of a Hamas commander linked to a previous assault.
As the conflict continues, concerns are mounting for the 100 hostages still held captive by Hamas, prompting their families to intensify efforts for their release. Yehuda Cohen, the father of kidnapped soldier Nimrod Cohen, expressed his determination to meet with the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan. He plans to urge Khan to apply pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to conclude the war in Gaza and negotiate a deal for the hostages' freedom. "I want to leverage these arrest warrants to enforce a ceasefire and facilitate a [hostage release] agreement," he stated.
With the January 20th US presidential inauguration approaching, families of the hostages remain hopeful that President Trump will intervene to promote a ceasefire and a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. When asked for his thoughts on the matter, President-elect Donald Trump remarked, "We're going to see what happens," adding, "I'll put it this way: They better let the hostages come back soon."
An Israeli delegation left today, Friday, to Doha to renew ceasefire/hostage deal negotiations.
4. Crucial Resignation From the Knesset: Yoav Gallant, Former Defense Minister Resigns
Former defense minister, Yoav Gallant announced his resignation from the Knesset in a live broadcast Wednesday night. Gallant explained that his resignation was prompted by the intention of PM Netanyahu’s government to pass a bill that will exempt the Haredi youth from the mandatory draft to the army. The public discussion around the recruitment of eighteen year old Haredi youth started when the state was established in 1948. The Rabbis asked the founders of the state to exempt their youth them so they can contain ue to study and maintain a meaningful tradition of learning holy scripture. At that time it was 400 students who were allowed to stay and learn at the Yeshiva, and not join the army. When the years passed the number of exempt youth grew, until now there are tens of thousands of Haredi boys who avoid recruitment into the IDF. There have been many attempts to close the gap, to get a consensus decision, that will address the dual needs of the army and equality for all Jewish citizens, while also allowing the Haredim to keep their tradition. These attempts failed, and now, the need of the army for more manpower is dire, due to the ongoing war. At the same time, there has been growing anger among those who do serve with some making the ultimate sacrifice. The Supreme Court also decided that it is time for the Knesset to pass legislation that will solve the problem. Gallant expressed a strong disapproval of such a law that will allow tens of thousands of Haredim to continue evading military service and not make a similar contribution to Israeli society. He was fired by PM Netanyahu on that ground, and now he decided to resign as an act of protest. He promised to return.
The Knesset needs to pass the law now, in order to conform with the Supreme Court ruling. But the dispute with the political leaders of the Haredi still remains unresolved in the absence of suitable legislation and there is currently no solution to solve it. This threatens the strength of the coalition.
5. Alleged Victim of Popular Singer Breaks the Silence in TV Interview
A sexual violence scandal involving one of Israel’s most prominent singers, Eyal Golan, has once again garnered significant public and media attention following a television interview with one of his alleged victims. Taisia (Tali) Zamolutzky, now 29 years old and a mother of two daughters, participated in a one-hour interview on Kan 11's investigative journalism program, revealing her identity for the first time.
During the interview, Taisia recounted in distressing detail the multiple instances of rape she endures, while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, perpetrated by Golan, his father, and other members of Golan’s entourage. At the time of her initial encounter with the singer, Taisia was a 17-year-old from a troubled background.
The scandal first emerged in 2013 when allegations were made against Golan and his father. In 2015, Golan's father was convicted of procuring prostitution and engaging in prostitution with minors, while Golan himself was exonerated due to insufficient evidence. Taisia and another plaintiff who testified against Golan were initially arrested and interrogated on suspicions of drug abuse and prostitution but were subsequently cleared of all allegations. In her interview, Taisia expressed the emotional scars left by the treatment she received from law enforcement and questioned why the police, who had intercepted communications among Golan’s entourage and were aware of the ongoing abuse, failed to intervene.
Following the interview, Taisia received an outpour of support on social media. Women’s rights organizations and social media users called for the cancellation of Golan’s scheduled performance at the Women’s Festival in Eilat, leading the festival organizers to announce the cancellation of his appearance. Additionally, the forum of female mayors declared that they would not extend invitations to Golan.
