All of Israel’s embassies around the world are on strike

(JTA) — As of Wednesday morning, Israel’s embassies and consulates across the globe are on strike.

“No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter,” one ambassador posted on Twitter. Those services include passport renewal and assistance to Israelis living abroad.

Why has Israel’s entire foreign service shut down? In a word: taxes.

Israeli diplomats get lump-sum expense stipends meant to cover a range of personal and official expenses. The Finance Ministry now says it wants the diplomats to submit individual receipts for those expenses and pay sales tax on the personal ones. The taxes would be applied retroactively, which would force the diplomats to pay back from previous years. Sales tax in Israel, which is known as a valued-added tax, or VAT, is currently 17 percent.

The Foreign Ministry is none too pleased.

“Israel’s representatives abroad strive to promote the country’s international standing and strength daily,” a ministry statement published Wednesday said. “The Ministry of Finance is impairing essential tools of the State of Israel and has unfortunately left us with no option other than the closing of all diplomatic missions.”

Here’s a shocker: The Finance Ministry sees thing differently. In a statement to JTA, the ministry said the diplomats are shutting down Israel’s international relations so they can maintain their comfortable lifestyles.

“Foreign Ministry employees are required to pay taxes like every other citizen of the state of Israel,” the ministry said. “It’s a shame that, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, Foreign Ministry employees are refusing to pay taxes and are hindering essential services. Foreign Ministry employees are not above the law.”

This is the latest in a string of grievances from Israeli diplomats, who have long complained of low pay and poor working conditions. Earlier this year, diplomats protested budget cuts to the ministry and, in September, briefly went on strike over another financial dispute. Earlier in September, Foreign Ministry spending was frozen briefly before an emergency cash infusion from the Finance Ministry.

In May, a State Comptroller report found that some Israeli diplomats live in dilapidated conditions.

Read more - https://www.jta.org/2019/10/30/israel/all-of-israels-embassies-are-on-strike

All of Israel’s embassies around the world are on strike

(JTA) — As of Wednesday morning, Israel’s embassies and consulates across the globe are on strike.

“No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter,” one ambassador posted on Twitter. Those services include passport renewal and assistance to Israelis living abroad.

Why has Israel’s entire foreign service shut down? In a word: taxes.

Israeli diplomats get lump-sum expense stipends meant to cover a range of personal and official expenses. The Finance Ministry now says it wants the diplomats to submit individual receipts for those expenses and pay sales tax on the personal ones. The taxes would be applied retroactively, which would force the diplomats to pay back from previous years. Sales tax in Israel, which is known as a valued-added tax, or VAT, is currently 17 percent.

The Foreign Ministry is none too pleased.

“Israel’s representatives abroad strive to promote the country’s international standing and strength daily,” a ministry statement published Wednesday said. “The Ministry of Finance is impairing essential tools of the State of Israel and has unfortunately left us with no option other than the closing of all diplomatic missions.”

Here’s a shocker: The Finance Ministry sees thing differently. In a statement to JTA, the ministry said the diplomats are shutting down Israel’s international relations so they can maintain their comfortable lifestyles.

“Foreign Ministry employees are required to pay taxes like every other citizen of the state of Israel,” the ministry said. “It’s a shame that, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, Foreign Ministry employees are refusing to pay taxes and are hindering essential services. Foreign Ministry employees are not above the law.”

This is the latest in a string of grievances from Israeli diplomats, who have long complained of low pay and poor working conditions. Earlier this year, diplomats protested budget cuts to the ministry and, in September, briefly went on strike over another financial dispute. Earlier in September, Foreign Ministry spending was frozen briefly before an emergency cash infusion from the Finance Ministry.

In May, a State Comptroller report found that some Israeli diplomats live in dilapidated conditions.

Read more - https://www.jta.org/2019/10/30/israel/all-of-israels-embassies-are-on-strike

All of Israel’s embassies around the world are on strike

(JTA) — As of Wednesday morning, Israel’s embassies and consulates across the globe are on strike.

“No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter,” one ambassador posted on Twitter. Those services include passport renewal and assistance to Israelis living abroad.

Why has Israel’s entire foreign service shut down? In a word: taxes.

Israeli diplomats get lump-sum expense stipends meant to cover a range of personal and official expenses. The Finance Ministry now says it wants the diplomats to submit individual receipts for those expenses and pay sales tax on the personal ones. The taxes would be applied retroactively, which would force the diplomats to pay back from previous years. Sales tax in Israel, which is known as a valued-added tax, or VAT, is currently 17 percent.

The Foreign Ministry is none too pleased.

“Israel’s representatives abroad strive to promote the country’s international standing and strength daily,” a ministry statement published Wednesday said. “The Ministry of Finance is impairing essential tools of the State of Israel and has unfortunately left us with no option other than the closing of all diplomatic missions.”

Here’s a shocker: The Finance Ministry sees thing differently. In a statement to JTA, the ministry said the diplomats are shutting down Israel’s international relations so they can maintain their comfortable lifestyles.

“Foreign Ministry employees are required to pay taxes like every other citizen of the state of Israel,” the ministry said. “It’s a shame that, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, Foreign Ministry employees are refusing to pay taxes and are hindering essential services. Foreign Ministry employees are not above the law.”

This is the latest in a string of grievances from Israeli diplomats, who have long complained of low pay and poor working conditions. Earlier this year, diplomats protested budget cuts to the ministry and, in September, briefly went on strike over another financial dispute. Earlier in September, Foreign Ministry spending was frozen briefly before an emergency cash infusion from the Finance Ministry.

In May, a State Comptroller report found that some Israeli diplomats live in dilapidated conditions.

Read more - https://www.jta.org/2019/10/30/israel/all-of-israels-embassies-are-on-strike

All of Israel’s embassies around the world are on strike

(JTA) — As of Wednesday morning, Israel’s embassies and consulates across the globe are on strike.

“No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter,” one ambassador posted on Twitter. Those services include passport renewal and assistance to Israelis living abroad.

Why has Israel’s entire foreign service shut down? In a word: taxes.

Israeli diplomats get lump-sum expense stipends meant to cover a range of personal and official expenses. The Finance Ministry now says it wants the diplomats to submit individual receipts for those expenses and pay sales tax on the personal ones. The taxes would be applied retroactively, which would force the diplomats to pay back from previous years. Sales tax in Israel, which is known as a valued-added tax, or VAT, is currently 17 percent.

The Foreign Ministry is none too pleased.

“Israel’s representatives abroad strive to promote the country’s international standing and strength daily,” a ministry statement published Wednesday said. “The Ministry of Finance is impairing essential tools of the State of Israel and has unfortunately left us with no option other than the closing of all diplomatic missions.”

Here’s a shocker: The Finance Ministry sees thing differently. In a statement to JTA, the ministry said the diplomats are shutting down Israel’s international relations so they can maintain their comfortable lifestyles.

“Foreign Ministry employees are required to pay taxes like every other citizen of the state of Israel,” the ministry said. “It’s a shame that, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, Foreign Ministry employees are refusing to pay taxes and are hindering essential services. Foreign Ministry employees are not above the law.”

This is the latest in a string of grievances from Israeli diplomats, who have long complained of low pay and poor working conditions. Earlier this year, diplomats protested budget cuts to the ministry and, in September, briefly went on strike over another financial dispute. Earlier in September, Foreign Ministry spending was frozen briefly before an emergency cash infusion from the Finance Ministry.

In May, a State Comptroller report found that some Israeli diplomats live in dilapidated conditions.

Read more - https://www.jta.org/2019/10/30/israel/all-of-israels-embassies-are-on-strike

All of Israel’s embassies around the world are on strike

(JTA) — As of Wednesday morning, Israel’s embassies and consulates across the globe are on strike.

“No consular services will be provided and no one will be allowed to enter,” one ambassador posted on Twitter. Those services include passport renewal and assistance to Israelis living abroad.

Why has Israel’s entire foreign service shut down? In a word: taxes.

Israeli diplomats get lump-sum expense stipends meant to cover a range of personal and official expenses. The Finance Ministry now says it wants the diplomats to submit individual receipts for those expenses and pay sales tax on the personal ones. The taxes would be applied retroactively, which would force the diplomats to pay back from previous years. Sales tax in Israel, which is known as a valued-added tax, or VAT, is currently 17 percent.

The Foreign Ministry is none too pleased.

“Israel’s representatives abroad strive to promote the country’s international standing and strength daily,” a ministry statement published Wednesday said. “The Ministry of Finance is impairing essential tools of the State of Israel and has unfortunately left us with no option other than the closing of all diplomatic missions.”

Here’s a shocker: The Finance Ministry sees thing differently. In a statement to JTA, the ministry said the diplomats are shutting down Israel’s international relations so they can maintain their comfortable lifestyles.

“Foreign Ministry employees are required to pay taxes like every other citizen of the state of Israel,” the ministry said. “It’s a shame that, in an attempt to improve their circumstances, Foreign Ministry employees are refusing to pay taxes and are hindering essential services. Foreign Ministry employees are not above the law.”

This is the latest in a string of grievances from Israeli diplomats, who have long complained of low pay and poor working conditions. Earlier this year, diplomats protested budget cuts to the ministry and, in September, briefly went on strike over another financial dispute. Earlier in September, Foreign Ministry spending was frozen briefly before an emergency cash infusion from the Finance Ministry.

In May, a State Comptroller report found that some Israeli diplomats live in dilapidated conditions.

Read more - https://www.jta.org/2019/10/30/israel/all-of-israels-embassies-are-on-strike

IDF jets shoot down drone over Gaza Strip

Israeli fighter jets shot down a drone that was flying at an “irregular altitude” over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said fighter jets were scrambled when the aircraft was detected and they shot it down.

“An unmanned aircraft flying was detected flying at an irregular altitude over the Gaza Strip. IDF fighter jets were sent toward it and they intercepted it,” the army said in a statement.

In general, the Israeli military does not interfere with drones flying over the Gaza Strip unless they approach the border or fly at especially high altitudes.

The incident came after a series of false alarms around Gaza in which rocket sirens were apparently triggered by terror groups’ training exercises in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in the community of Kibbutz Erez just north of the Gaza Strip in a false alarm.

And last Thursday, a more serious incident occurred in which Israeli troops unnecessarily fired at least two Iron Dome interceptor missiles, apparently after misidentifying two rocket launches from the Gaza Strip that were directed out to sea as heading toward Israel.

Read more - https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-gaza-strip/

IDF jets shoot down drone over Gaza Strip

Israeli fighter jets shot down a drone that was flying at an “irregular altitude” over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said fighter jets were scrambled when the aircraft was detected and they shot it down.

“An unmanned aircraft flying was detected flying at an irregular altitude over the Gaza Strip. IDF fighter jets were sent toward it and they intercepted it,” the army said in a statement.

In general, the Israeli military does not interfere with drones flying over the Gaza Strip unless they approach the border or fly at especially high altitudes.

The incident came after a series of false alarms around Gaza in which rocket sirens were apparently triggered by terror groups’ training exercises in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in the community of Kibbutz Erez just north of the Gaza Strip in a false alarm.

And last Thursday, a more serious incident occurred in which Israeli troops unnecessarily fired at least two Iron Dome interceptor missiles, apparently after misidentifying two rocket launches from the Gaza Strip that were directed out to sea as heading toward Israel.

Read more - https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-gaza-strip/

IDF jets shoot down drone over Gaza Strip

Israeli fighter jets shot down a drone that was flying at an “irregular altitude” over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said fighter jets were scrambled when the aircraft was detected and they shot it down.

“An unmanned aircraft flying was detected flying at an irregular altitude over the Gaza Strip. IDF fighter jets were sent toward it and they intercepted it,” the army said in a statement.

In general, the Israeli military does not interfere with drones flying over the Gaza Strip unless they approach the border or fly at especially high altitudes.

The incident came after a series of false alarms around Gaza in which rocket sirens were apparently triggered by terror groups’ training exercises in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in the community of Kibbutz Erez just north of the Gaza Strip in a false alarm.

And last Thursday, a more serious incident occurred in which Israeli troops unnecessarily fired at least two Iron Dome interceptor missiles, apparently after misidentifying two rocket launches from the Gaza Strip that were directed out to sea as heading toward Israel.

Read more - https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-gaza-strip/

IDF jets shoot down drone over Gaza Strip

Israeli fighter jets shot down a drone that was flying at an “irregular altitude” over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said fighter jets were scrambled when the aircraft was detected and they shot it down.

“An unmanned aircraft flying was detected flying at an irregular altitude over the Gaza Strip. IDF fighter jets were sent toward it and they intercepted it,” the army said in a statement.

In general, the Israeli military does not interfere with drones flying over the Gaza Strip unless they approach the border or fly at especially high altitudes.

The incident came after a series of false alarms around Gaza in which rocket sirens were apparently triggered by terror groups’ training exercises in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in the community of Kibbutz Erez just north of the Gaza Strip in a false alarm.

And last Thursday, a more serious incident occurred in which Israeli troops unnecessarily fired at least two Iron Dome interceptor missiles, apparently after misidentifying two rocket launches from the Gaza Strip that were directed out to sea as heading toward Israel.

Read more - https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-gaza-strip/

IDF jets shoot down drone over Gaza Strip

Israeli fighter jets shot down a drone that was flying at an “irregular altitude” over the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The military said fighter jets were scrambled when the aircraft was detected and they shot it down.

“An unmanned aircraft flying was detected flying at an irregular altitude over the Gaza Strip. IDF fighter jets were sent toward it and they intercepted it,” the army said in a statement.

In general, the Israeli military does not interfere with drones flying over the Gaza Strip unless they approach the border or fly at especially high altitudes.

The incident came after a series of false alarms around Gaza in which rocket sirens were apparently triggered by terror groups’ training exercises in the coastal enclave.

On Sunday, rocket sirens sounded in the community of Kibbutz Erez just north of the Gaza Strip in a false alarm.

And last Thursday, a more serious incident occurred in which Israeli troops unnecessarily fired at least two Iron Dome interceptor missiles, apparently after misidentifying two rocket launches from the Gaza Strip that were directed out to sea as heading toward Israel.

Read more - https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-gaza-strip/

Lebanon’s prime minister resigns after weeks of protests

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, has caved in to the demands of protesters after almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations by announcing his resignation. Mr Hariri on Tuesday said he had “reached a dead end” on finding a way forward, suggesting he had been unable to reach a compromise deal with partners in Lebanon’s power-sharing government to address the demands of protesters angry about economic decline and government corruption. His resignation throws heavily indebted Lebanon deeper into uncertainty as the country is gripped by a wave of popular anger unleashed by now-revoked plans to impose a tax on WhatsApp calls. Mr Hariri is likely to remain as the caretaker prime minister, but analysts said it was difficult to see a way forward until a government could be formed that was capable of addressing protesters’ demands and the economic crisis. In the past it has taken months, sometimes years, to agree on a new government.

Read more - https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Lebanon’s prime minister resigns after weeks of protests

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of
FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, has caved in to the demands of protesters after almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations by announcing his resignation.

Mr Hariri on Tuesday said he had “reached a dead end” on finding a way forward, suggesting he had been unable to reach a compromise deal with partners in Lebanon’s power-sharing government to address the demands of protesters angry about economic decline and government corruption.

His resignation throws heavily indebted Lebanon deeper into uncertainty as the country is gripped by a wave of popular anger unleashed by now-revoked plans to impose a tax on WhatsApp calls.

Mr Hariri is likely to remain as the caretaker prime minister, but analysts said it was difficult to see a way forward until a government could be formed that was capable of addressing protesters’ demands and the economic crisis. In the past it has taken months, sometimes years, to agree on a new government.

Read more - https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Lebanon’s prime minister resigns after weeks of protests

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of
FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, has caved in to the demands of protesters after almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations by announcing his resignation.

Mr Hariri on Tuesday said he had “reached a dead end” on finding a way forward, suggesting he had been unable to reach a compromise deal with partners in Lebanon’s power-sharing government to address the demands of protesters angry about economic decline and government corruption.

His resignation throws heavily indebted Lebanon deeper into uncertainty as the country is gripped by a wave of popular anger unleashed by now-revoked plans to impose a tax on WhatsApp calls.

Mr Hariri is likely to remain as the caretaker prime minister, but analysts said it was difficult to see a way forward until a government could be formed that was capable of addressing protesters’ demands and the economic crisis. In the past it has taken months, sometimes years, to agree on a new government.

Read more - https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Lebanon’s prime minister resigns after weeks of protests

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of
FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, has caved in to the demands of protesters after almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations by announcing his resignation.

Mr Hariri on Tuesday said he had “reached a dead end” on finding a way forward, suggesting he had been unable to reach a compromise deal with partners in Lebanon’s power-sharing government to address the demands of protesters angry about economic decline and government corruption.

His resignation throws heavily indebted Lebanon deeper into uncertainty as the country is gripped by a wave of popular anger unleashed by now-revoked plans to impose a tax on WhatsApp calls.

Mr Hariri is likely to remain as the caretaker prime minister, but analysts said it was difficult to see a way forward until a government could be formed that was capable of addressing protesters’ demands and the economic crisis. In the past it has taken months, sometimes years, to agree on a new government.

Read more - https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Lebanon’s prime minister resigns after weeks of protests

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found here.
https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Saad al-Hariri, Lebanon’s prime minister, has caved in to the demands of protesters after almost two weeks of nationwide demonstrations by announcing his resignation. Mr Hariri on Tuesday said he had “reached a dead end” on finding a way forward, suggesting he had been unable to reach a compromise deal with partners in Lebanon’s power-sharing government to address the demands of protesters angry about economic decline and government corruption. His resignation throws heavily indebted Lebanon deeper into uncertainty as the country is gripped by a wave of popular anger unleashed by now-revoked plans to impose a tax on WhatsApp calls. Mr Hariri is likely to remain as the caretaker prime minister, but analysts said it was difficult to see a way forward until a government could be formed that was capable of addressing protesters’ demands and the economic crisis. In the past it has taken months, sometimes years, to agree on a new government.

Read more - https://www.ft.com/content/67978e32-fa55-11e9-98fd-4d6c20050229?fbclid=IwAR3xZxtGD4NjdGWTs0u0D_OykCdWI154Un_EhUR9RIASDrnZRAAVq1p2Euk

Rare medicane to bring flooding to Egypt, Israel

We know about hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones. They're the same storm, but in different regions of the world. Then there is a storm called a "medicane," which is derived from Mediterranean and hurricane. But are they really hurricanes? Let's find out.

A rare storm system with tropical characteristics located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is expected to bring wind and flooding to portions of Egypt and southern Israel through the start of the weekend.

Known as medicanes, these semi-tropical storms form across the Mediterranean Sea and have similar characteristics of a tropical storm or hurricane.

A rare storm system with tropical characteristics located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is expected to bring wind and flooding to portions of Egypt and southern Israel through the start of the weekend.

Known as medicanes, these semi-tropical storms form across the Mediterranean Sea and have similar characteristics of a tropical storm or hurricane.

Real more - https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/rare-medicane-to-bring-flooding-to-egypt-israel/608078?utm_campaign=AccuWeather&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=1572025762&fbclid=IwAR34T_UwF7s0S8DOsGODhOmJF4kM2E_tqQl86Sdro5JCcKRBUdQkvhYOqRA