Israeli lawmakers scrap Georgia trip after terror threat
(JNS) — Knesset lawmakers canceled their planned participation in an “Israeli Week” conference in Georgia after authorities received indications of a terrorist threat facing participants, Arutz 7 reported on Dec. 10.
“In light of a situational assessment conducted ahead of any travel by members of Knesset, a conversation was held with lawmakers by the Knesset Guard,” which protects lawmakers, the Knesset said in a statement. “We cannot elaborate further for security reasons.”
The conference, organized by the Israel-Georgian Chamber of Commerce, starts on Dec. 11 and will highlight business and public initiatives in support of the Jewish state, as well as campaigns to fight Jew-hatred.
Itsik Moshe, head of the Israel-Georgian Chamber of Commerce, told Arutz 7 that participants include mayors, representatives from global organizations and business leaders, including from the Jewish state.
Three years ago, a terrorist cell directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to assassinate Moshe in Tbilisi, he noted.
“Despite the diplomatic balancing act dictated by the regional environment, Georgia has long been considered one of the most pro-Israel countries among the former Soviet states,” said the businessman.
Netanyahu congratulates Paz on renewal of Israel-Bolivia ties
(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 10 congratulated Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on the renewal of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to Netanyahu’s office.
During a telephone conversation, “The two leaders agreed on the need to promote cooperation in various fields, with an emphasis on security, and to restore the vibrant tourism of many Israeli travelers to Bolivia’s natural landscapes and rich cultures,” according to the readout. “The Prime Minister invited the President of Bolivia to visit Israel, and the President said he looks forward to this visit soon and to a strong friendship between the two nations.”
The conversation came a day after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Bolivian counterpart Fernando Aramayo signed a Joint Communiqué on renewing diplomatic relations between the two countries at a ceremony in Washington. Bolivia’s Finance Minister José Gabriel Espinoza also participated in the event.
“I just had a warm and moving meeting with Bolivia’s Foreign Minister, Fernando Aramayo. I’m also glad to welcome Minister of Finance and Economy José Gabriel Espinoza. Thank you for participating. And I also learned a little bit about your planned economic reforms, which will hopefully, and this is our hope too, put Bolivia on the right path,” Sa’ar said in a speech at the signing ceremony, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
Iceland joins 4 other countries in boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s participation
(JTA) — The public broadcaster of Iceland announced on Dec. 10 that it will not participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after Israel’s participation was confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union last week.
The decision drew support from prominent Icelandic artists, including the singer Björk and the former Eurovision representative Paul Oscar, as well as a supportive rally outside of the broadcaster’s Reykjavik headquarters.
The decision by the Icelandic public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið, or RÚV, makes it the fifth country to bow out of the competition, following similar calls made by the public broadcasters of Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia. RÚV first signaled it would boycott competition with Israel in September.
The boycott decisions came after the EBU, which organizes the competition, dismissed calls for a vote on Israel’s participation last week. Instead, the EBU approved a new set of rules prohibiting voter interference from governments and third parties following allegations that Israel interfered in last year’s competition.
In a press release Wednesday, RÚV said its board had requested that the EBU remove Israel from the song competition, saying that such a move had the support of the Icelandic public.
Netanyahu and Modi talk renewed ties, said to be meeting ‘very soon’
(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Dec. 10, when they discussed bilateral ties and agreed to meet very soon, according to Netanyahu’s office.
“At the end of the warm and friendly conversation, the two leaders agreed to meet very soon,” the Prime Minister’s Office in Israel said about the phone conversation.
“PM Modi reaffirmed India’s support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza peace plan,” a statement from Modi’s office said.
According to the statement from New Delhi, “both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel strategic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit.”
They “strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the Indian statement said, adding they “agreed to remain in touch,” but did not mention a meeting.
Under Modi, India and Israel have significantly deepened their strategic, economic and defense ties, cooperation driven by shared security concerns and technological collaboration. Bilateral trade has surged, more than doubling since 2013 to a record-breaking $5 billion in 2024.
US envoy: ‘Fruitful’ talks on Turkey rejoining F-35 program
(JNS) — The United States and Turkey are engaged in discussions about Ankara’s potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Dec. 9.
Turkey must no longer operate or possess the Russian-made S-400 air defense system — per conditions set out in U.S. law — to rejoin the program, Barrack said in a social media post.
The ambassador described ongoing talks as “the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade,” crediting improved relations between President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The U.S. expelled Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 after Ankara acquired the S-400 system, which Washington said posed a security risk to the advanced fighter jets.
Barrack expressed hope the negotiations would produce “a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Turkey.”
Jerusalem opposes F-35 sales to Turkey, whose government openly supports Hamas and has grown increasingly hostile since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. Israel has also voiced formal concerns over reported U.S. plans to sell the stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, warning of risks to its regional air superiority, though some officials have signaled conditional acceptance tied to normalization.
