News Nosh 1.9.18

APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday, January 9, 2018

You Must Be Kidding: 
"I think it's time to annex the settlement blocs."
-- Finance Minister Moshe Kalon, said in a weekly government meeting

Front Page:
Haaretz
Israel Hayom
Times of Israel
Ynet News
i24 News

News Summary:
The Syrian army and Syrian opposition-affiliated media outlets said that Israel attacked Syrian military arms depots near Damascus last night. Some of the ground-to-ground missiles were intercepted, but others hit weapons caches, supposedly earmarked for Hezbollah. The Syrian regime warned the UN in a letter that "Israel’s aggressive attitude will lead to a regional conflagration and further exacerbate the situation [in order to] support terror and perpetuate the occupation of Arab lands." The regime also demanded that the Security Council "condemn the Israeli strikes and take steps to stop its aggression.”

Quick Hits:
  • Jerry Seinfeld and his family reportedly visited the Caliber 3 Israeli Counter Terror and Security Academy, a military fantasy camp in a West Bank settlement that boasts "a simulation of a suicide bombing in a Jerusalem marketplace, immediately followed by a stabbing attack, a live demonstration with attack dogs and a sniper tournament."
  • The Israeli Defense Ministry is drafting a bill that would deduct the welfare payments the Palestinian Authority pays to Palestinian prisoners and their families from the tax revenue that Israel transfers to the PA annually. 
  • Senior Hamas official Imad Al-Alami - supposedly a key link between Hezbollah and Iran - was shot in the head this morning and is in critical condition. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said Al-Alami accidentally discharged his own weapon while inspecting it.
  • The IDF's Judea Military Court continues to mull over the case of Ahed Tamimi and has scheduled a final hearing for January 15.
  • Israel's security cabinet has had several recent meetings about developments on the northern border and Iran's presence in Syria. The meetings are said to be "extremely significant".