An Israeli conscientious objector has been released after five and a half months in jail.

Natan Blanc, 20, refused to serve in the Israel Defence Forces because of his opposition to the occupation and spent 178 days in prison.

Members of his family and Yesh Gvul – an organisation which supports conscientious objectors – greeted Mr Blanc when he was released earlier today.

Female Israeli soldiers based in southern Israel have been disciplined after pictures emerged of them posing in their underwear.

In one of the pictures, two newly recruited women expose their bottoms to the camera.

American State Secretary John Kerry is awaiting answers from Israel and the Palestinians on his compromise proposal for a return to negotiations between the two sides.

Meanwhile, he is promoting, along with Tony Blair, a multi-million-dollar economic plan to help the Palestinian Authority.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has confirmed that Moscow will provide Syria with defence missiles.

Sergei Ryabkov told the press today that Russia plans to ship long-range S-300 air defence missiles to Syria in order to prevent foreign intervention by “hotheads”.

Israeli Minister of Intelligence, International Relations and Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz condemned the deal.

Serious tensions have surfaced within the Israeli government over legislation on military enlistment for the Orthodox.

At a Peri Committee meeting held on Sunday and Monday, Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri and Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon argued over a proposal to imprison Orthodox men who avoid conscription.