Iran has been concentrating its military development on unconventional weapons such as missiles - but the end of the UN arms embargo could allow the regime to upgrade Iran’s aging air force, improve the accuracy of its missiles, and strengthen its ability to strike ships and shoot down aircraft

Ructions over expiring Iran arms embargo

May 15, 2020 | AIJAC staff

This Update is devoted to an issue likely to dominate international diplomacy regarding Iran over coming months – the ostensible lifting of the UN arms embargo on Iran this coming October under the terms of the JCPOA nuclear deal signed in 2015.

Bibigantz

Unity Government in Israel cleared to go ahead

May 8, 2020 | AIJAC staff

Yesterday, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the coalition deal signed between incumbent PM Binyamin Netanyahu and main rival Benny Gantz on April 20 can go ahead.

An antisemitic cartoon blaming Israel for spreading coronavirus

COVID-19 and Antisemitism/ COVID-19 and Arab Israelis

May 1, 2020 | AIJAC staff

This Update deals with the widely reported uptick in antisemitism that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes a piece suggesting the pandemic may be improving relations between Israel’s Jewish majority and its Arab minority – many of whom work in healthcare. 

Gantz (right) and Netanyahu (left) have been discussing a unity government at the request of President Rivlin (centre) over the past three inconclusive elections in Israel - but have not succeeded in reaching a deal until now.

Israel finally has a new “national emergency” government

April 22, 2020 | AIJAC staff

On Monday afternoon Israel time, acting Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz signed an agreement to form a national emergency government, apparently putting an end to an extended period of political turmoil in Israel, including three elections in a year, and 17 months without a duly elected government.

Iranian Firefighters disinfect streets in the capital Tehran in a bid to halt the wild spread of coronavirus on March 13 2020 (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran sanctions and coronavirus/ Coalition negotiations in Israel

April 3, 2020 | AIJAC staff

This Update focuses upon the debate over the calls by some to ease sanctions on Iran because of the coronavirus crisis – with even presumptive US Democratic candidate for President Joe Biden issuing such a call recently. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset on March 26, 2020. (Knesset)

Israel looks headed for unity government/ Coronavirus and Israeli security

March 27, 2020 | AIJAC staff

After more than a year of political deadlock, Israeli looks headed for a national unity government under a deal that is reportedly close to being finalised between incumbent PM Binyamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz. But Gantz’s Blue and White party has split as a result. 

People pass in front of the emergency entrance of the government-run Rafik Hariri Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, March 11, 2020 (Hussein Malla, AP)

Coronavirus shakes up the Middle East

March 20, 2020 | AIJAC staff

Following up on the previous Update detailing Israeli and Palestinian efforts to cope with the coronavirus crisis, here is an Update focussed on how countries and groups across the wider Middle East are dealing with it. 

An entrance to the Church of the Nativity is seen locked amid coronavirus precautions Bethlehem, March 11, 2020. (Mustafa Ganeyeh/Reuters). 

Coronavirus, Israel and the Palestinians

March 13, 2020 | AIJAC staff

Like almost every Western country, Israel is dealing with the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic – with in excess of 100 cases now. Israel’s measures to meet this challenge have been among the toughest in the democratic world

94d8346f 5fb2 4e3a A527 895338534c87

The aftermath of Israel’s March 2 election

March 6, 2020 | AIJAC staff

What a difference a few days makes in Israeli politics. On Tuesday, in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s general election on March 2, the third in a year, exit polls seemed to indicate that incumbent PM Netanyahu of the Likud party had won a convincing victory…

89f91316 1d44 47f8 862f 87173798962e

Israel goes to the polls for the third time in a year

February 28, 2020 | AIJAC staff

Israel is heading back to the polls next Monday, March 2, for the third time in less than a year. This Update explores why, what could happen, and what to watch out for as the results come in. 

RECENT POSTS

Palestinian solidarity rally in Sydney (Image: Shutterstock)

Australia’s shameful government has acted shamefully yet again

Senator Simon Birmingham (Image: Facebook)

AIJAC congratulates Senator Simon Birmingham

A plane takes off from Beirut International Airport as smoke rises from airstrike on Beirut southern suburbs, amid ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel (Image: Ali Chehade Farhat/ Shutterstock)

An opportunity for Lebanon, a blow for Hezbollah

Former Israeli justice and interior minister Ayelet Shaked (Image: Ashernet)

Federal government’s actions feed antisemitism here

(image: ffikretow/ Shutterstock)

AIJAC welcomes Lebanon ceasefire deal

Palestinian solidarity rally in Sydney (Image: Shutterstock)

Australia’s shameful government has acted shamefully yet again

Senator Simon Birmingham (Image: Facebook)

AIJAC congratulates Senator Simon Birmingham

A plane takes off from Beirut International Airport as smoke rises from airstrike on Beirut southern suburbs, amid ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel (Image: Ali Chehade Farhat/ Shutterstock)

An opportunity for Lebanon, a blow for Hezbollah

Former Israeli justice and interior minister Ayelet Shaked (Image: Ashernet)

Federal government’s actions feed antisemitism here

(image: ffikretow/ Shutterstock)

AIJAC welcomes Lebanon ceasefire deal

SORT BY TOPICS