Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has appointed Israel's first woman ambassador to the United Nations. Professor Gabriela Shalev, who is currently rector of Israel's largest law school, Ono Academic College, has served in a number of national roles including as chair of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. She will replace Dan Gillerman, UN envoy since 2003.
The Three Faiths Forum launched its first Israel branch in a ceremony in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The project is designed to strengthen existing interfaith groups and organisations in Israel, as well as creating new opportunities for people to meet for dialogue.
Some 300 Anglican bishops - or a third of those in the world - are in Jerusalem for the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) which has been taking place in the city this week. Organised by the traditionalist wing of the church, which is opposed to the ordination of women and homosexual clergy, it was billed as a rival to next month's Lambeth Conference in London.
Auckland University student Harmeet Sooden, an has been deported from Israel. A Palestinian website has claimed that Mr Sooden, who was held captive in Iraq for four months, was targeted because of his past involvement with the International Solidarity Movement, which describes itself as a "Palestinian-led non-violent resistance movement". The Israeli Embassy in Canberra, which covers Australia and New Zealand, declined to comment.
a mass aviation disaster drill was staged at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday. The civil aviation authorities shut down airspace for an hour to simulate a flight disaster.
Arts
Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot has claimed that Sir Paul McCartney will play in Israel as part of his 100-destination farewell world tour before going into semi-retirement. The paper claims he will play in Israel between September 18 and 25 at Ramat Gan National Stadium or Hayarkon Park.
Meanwhile Leonard Cohen's scheduled appearance - due to take place at Ramat Gan Stadium on September 18 - has been cancelled less than a week after it was announced. Sources involved with Cohen's intended visit have attributed the cancellation to the refusal by several Israeli companies to sponsor the concert.
Legendary British rock band Deep Purple have announced they will be performing in Israel this autumn. The band, which had hits with Black Night and Smoke on the Water, plans to give performances on September 8 and 9 at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv Port.
The Spirit of Europe Chamber Orchestra is due to return to Israel to give concerts on July 2, 3 and 5. Conducted by Israeli-born Nissan Ronen, the orchestra will premiere Benjamin Yusupov's Con Moto, together with music by Haydn and Mozart.
Business
An aviation meeting in Israel this week attended by representatives of the International Air Transport Association looked at the feasibility of using the shekel as the currency for Israeli airfares. If the move is approved, airlines could quote and advertise prices in shekels. Currently airfares are priced in US dollars.
The number of Israeli millionaires grew by 13.6 per cent to 8,200 in 2007, more than double the global growth rate of 6 per cent, according to the 12th annual "World Wealth Report".
The Tel Aviv supermarket chain AM:PM has agreed to close on Shabbat. The closure is the result of religious pressure following boycotting of the Alon business group, which owns the chain.