Jerusalem may extend PA’s security powers

Israel and the Palestinians are discussing the potential transfer of security control over the West Bank city of Hebron to Fatah security forces in an effort to bolster Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Abbas's presidential term is due to end on January 9. In the absence of new elections, he will be replaced by Abdel Aziz Dweik, a senior Hamas official and speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, currently in an Israeli prison.

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Tel Aviv seeks ex-City workers

The Israeli embassy in London is stepping up its efforts to recruit workers from the City in the wake of the crisis sweeping the financial sector.

A commission set up by the Israeli government is recommending transforming Tel Aviv into a global financial centre. Last week, the Knesset authorised new tax laws that will exempt new immigrants and returning Israelis from taxation on property and share portfolios which they hold outside Israel.

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Tzipi Livni wins the Kadima elections

Foreign Minister hopes to become Israel's second woman Prime Minister

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni inched closer to becoming the second female prime minister in Israeli history on Wednesday night after she defeated her three opponents in the Kadima Party primaries, according to televised exit polls.

The three exit polls gave Ms Livni between 47 and 49 per cent of the vote against Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz's 37 per cent. The other two contenders, Meir Sheetrit and Avi Dichter, came in last, both with seven per cent.

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Tzipi Livni: A militant's daughter who worked for Mossad

Born in Tel Aviv in 1958 to former leaders of the radical militant group Etzel, Tzipora Malka Livni served as an IDF lieutenant before working for Mossad in the early 1980s, when she spent time as the caretaker of a safe house in Paris. She left in 1983 to get married. An attorney by profession, she received her law degree from Bar-Ilan University before practising for 10 years in a private firm, specialising in public and commercial law.

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The Kadima elections - who will win?

Profiles of the two front runners of the Kadima elections.

Tzipi Livni

Born in Tel Aviv in 1958 to former Irgun leaders, Tzipora Malka Livni served as an IDF lieutenant before working for Mossad from 1980 to1984. An attorney by profession, she received her law degree from Bar Ilan University before practising for 10 years in a private firm.

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IDF launches inquiry into draft-dodge organisation

In an effort to combat the growing phenomenon of draft dodging among Israeli youth, the Israeli attorney general has, in a rare move, decided to launch an investigation against a left-wing group that offers teenagers assistance in receiving exemptions from serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.

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Row over West Bank compensation deal

A government initiative to offer West Bank settlers compensation packages to evacuate their homes ahead of a peace deal with the Palestinians has infuriated right-wing groups.

However, the bill's backers claim that as many as 10,000 families would sign up for the programme.
The new legislation is being championed by Vice-Premier Haim Ramon and started as a grassroots effort by Labour Party MK Collette Avital and Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan.

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We send refugees back to hell, say IDF troops

Israeli soldiers have voiced disquiet over new orders to forcibly return African refugees to Egypt - where they face deportation back to Sudan, Eritrea or the other regimes they fled.

In Sudan, refugees who have been in Israel, an enemy state, face possible imprisonment or execution. In Eritrea, they face detention in a military prison and are likely to be tortured.

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Livni set to clean up in Kadima primaries

As the Kadima primaries enter their final lap this week, pressure is mounting on the two candidates with the least chances of winning to drop out of the race and help Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to sweep the vote in its first round.

The latest polls show Ms Livni defeating her main rival, Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, by 20 per cent in Wednesday's primaries, the winner of which could become the next prime minister.

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Send cards to kidnapped Gilad Shalit

Jews and non-Jews alike are being urged to send Rosh Hashanah cards to captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The 22-year-old was taken by Hamas militants at a border crossing with the Gaza Strip in June 2006. Exact details of his whereabouts are not known.

The cards will be given to Gilad Shalit's father, Noam, when he comes to the UK in two weeks' time. They should be sent to Gilad Shalit, c/o Embassy of Israel, 2 Palace Green, London, W8 4QB by Tuesday September 16. 

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