The biggest story today is the one that cannot be openly written about—known as “Qatargate." This latest scandal centers around allegations that several individuals within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office received financial payments indirectly from Qatar. Reports about this story have circulated extensively over the past few weeks.
Reports have surfaced that individuals in Netanyahu’s office have received transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent months. However, as of today, due to a gag order issued at the request of the police, no new details can be disclosed for the next 30 days. The request for the gag order was initiated by the police no doubt acting on behalf of the security services, implying that there might be significant evidence supporting the allegations.
In a related development, Netanyahu announced that he is suing former Defense Minister Moshe “Boogie” Ya’alon for claiming that he had personally received money from the Qataris. Ya’alon responded by saying, “Someone is under a lot of pressure.”
LEBANON
Today, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that negotiations have begun with the Lebanese government to resolve longstanding border disputes that predate the war. As a gesture of goodwill toward Lebanon’s new president, Israel has released five Lebanese prisoners. These negotiations are taking place under pressure from both the United States and France.
At the same time, the ceasefire is being enforced by the Israeli Air Force, which attacked several targets in Lebanon today, including eliminating a Hezbollah operative responsible for anti-aircraft operations. The IDF described the target as follows:
Earlier today (Tuesday), an Israeli Air Force aircraft carried out a precision strike, guided by intelligence from the IDF Intelligence Directorate, in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon, targeting Hassan Abbas Az al-Din, the head of the air defense system in the regional “Badr” unit of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.
Hassan Abbas served as a key knowledge figure in Hezbollah’s air defense system and led efforts to rebuild the system after it suffered significant damage from IDF strikes during the fighting. In recent months, Hassan Abbas had been actively working to equip Hezbollah’s air defense system with new weaponry, posing a direct threat to Israeli aircraft.
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GAZA
Today, the IDF also struck two targets in Gaza. In one instance, five individuals from Gaza were killed while attempting to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Nitzanim corridor. Israel has reiterated its commitment to counter any efforts to place explosives that could threaten the safety of Israeli troops.
WEST BANK
Joint Statement from the IDF Spokesperson, Police Spokesperson, and Shin Bet Spokesperson:
Ongoing Operation in Northern Samaria: Yamam and Duvdevan Forces Eliminate Armed Terrorists in Jenin and Arrest Senior Militant; Two Weaponized Vehicles Destroyed. In the past few hours, Yamam counterterrorism officers, IDF forces from the Duvdevan Unit, Shin Bet operatives, and Border Police forces conducted operations in Kabatiya and Jenin, in the Menasha Brigade sector, as part of the ongoing counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria.
During the operation, Yamam officers encountered several armed terrorists who had barricaded themselves inside a building in Jenin. After an exchange of fire, two terrorists were eliminated, and another was wounded. Additionally, ten terrorists were arrested, including Liwaa Jaaz, a senior operative in the Jenin terror network.
Meanwhile, Duvdevan Unit soldiers eliminated another terrorist who opened fire on them during the operation in Jenin. Furthermore, security forces identified and destroyed two vehicles in Jenin that contained weapons and were intended for use in terrorist attacks. The captured terrorists and confiscated weapons have been transferred to security forces for further investigation. No IDF or security personnel were injured during the operation
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IRAN
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei responded today to President Trump's letter suggesting negotiations. Khamenei said he would not agree to negotiate under a threat. Nevertheless, he told Trump to do whatever he wants.
SECURITY VETERANS UNITE TO WARN AGAINST WAR AND THREATS TO DEMOCRACY
An interesting new committee has been discreetly established, comprised of former IDF Chiefs of Staff, the Heads of the Mossad, the Heads of the Police, and the Heads of the Intelligence Division of the Army and the former heads of the Shin Bet. Their objective is to alert the public to any threats to democracy or potential war risks.
The Israeli government has failed to properly manage the Dead Sea Works concession, resulting in substantial revenue losses and environmental concerns. According to a recent State Comptroller's report, regulatory negligence has allowed ICL (formerly Israel Chemicals Ltd.) to operate without adequate oversight, despite controlling an area approximately 11 times the size of Tel Aviv-Yafo.
The State Comptroller found that the government has lost significant revenue due to inadequate enforcement, which included:
Israel Land Authority: At least 112 million shekels lost over the past decade;
Quarry Rehabilitation Fund: 8.5 million shekels uncollected;
Ministry of Environmental Protection: Approximately 90 million shekels waived in landfill fees since 2007;
Additional uncollected revenues from electricity generation and land usage fees.
In addition, the State Comptroller describes the situation as a "multi-system regulatory and enforcement failure" involving several government entities:
1. Land Management Issues:
Unused portions of the 652 square kilometer concession have never been reclaimed because no government entity has requested their return;
The government lacks data on what materials are being extracted from the concession area;
Approximately 250 square kilometers of drained Dead Sea surface is being used by ICL without proper fees being assessed.
2. Environmental Concerns:
The Ministry of Energy has not enforced quarry rehabilitation requirements within the concession;
Abandoned areas have not undergone environmental restoration;
The Ministry of Environmental Protection only recently began mapping environmental hazards, despite the concession's imminent expiration in 2030.
3. Revenue Collection Failures:
A power plant operating since 2018 has generated no revenue for the government despite contractual provisions;
A 2022 valuation of over one billion shekels for land use was never sent to ICL;
No agency has taken responsibility for comprehensive oversight of the concession.
Implications for Future Management … With ICL's concession set to expire in 2030, the government must address these longstanding issues before initiating a new tender process. The State Comptroller’s report underscores the urgent need for improved oversight mechanisms, proper fee collection, and environmental protection measures for this valuable national resource.
BUSINESS
Sola
Sola, a cybersecurity startup founded by Guy Flechter in early 2024, has officially launched after securing $30 million in seed funding. The company aims to revolutionize cybersecurity by enabling professionals to build simple, agile tools for specific needs without lengthy procurement processes.
Flechter, who previously co-founded Cider Security (acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $300 million), envisions Sola doing for cybersecurity what Wix did for website building. The platform functions as a studio where users with cybersecurity expertise can create customized tools, targeting small and medium-sized businesses and innovative tech companies.
Initially, the platform will be free to encourage experimentation. The funding round was led by S Capital, with participation from Michael Moritz (former Sequoia Capital partner), Glilot Capital, and S32. The company currently employs 44 people. Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Flechter served in the Israeli Air Force's cyber unit and was CISO at Appsflyer.
Matrix and Magic
IT companies Matrix and Magic are finalizing a merger deal that will soon be presented to shareholders for approval. Both companies are under the control of Formula Systems, a holding company owned by Polish conglomerate Asseco.
Magic, led by CEO Guy Bernstein, is dual-listed in Tel Aviv and on Wall Street with a market value of approximately 2.2 billion shekels ($580 million). Matrix, headed by Moti Gutman, trades on the Tel Aviv exchange with a valuation of about 5.6 billion shekels. Formula Systems, which also owns Zap (previously acquired from Apax Partners), trades in Tel Aviv at a valuation of around 5 billion shekels ($1.4 billion on Wall Street). Formula holds approximately 47% of Magic and 48% of Matrix.
Both companies have performed well recently, with Magic's stock rising 20% and Matrix's stock increasing 15% over the past year. In Q3 2024, Magic reported a 10.4% revenue increase to $143 million and an 18% rise in net profit to $8.4 million. Matrix saw a 6.4% revenue growth to 1.4 billion shekels and a 23% increase in net profit to 69.7 million shekels compared to Q3 2023. Representatives from Magic, Matrix, and Formula Systems declined to comment on the merger.
As we continue our journey, we will pass through Moshav Shomera, within the jurisdiction of the Ma’ale Yosef Regional Council. Established in 1949 by Jewish immigrants from Hungary and Romania, Shomera was initially founded on the lands of the depopulated Arab village of Tarbikha. The original settlers left shortly after its establishment, but in 1950, the moshav was re-established by Jewish immigrants from Morocco.
The name “Shomera,” meaning “Guard” in Hebrew, reflects its proximity to the Lebanese border. The moshav has experienced population growth over the years; as of recent data, it had a population of 322.
In October 2023, during the Iron Swords War, due to threats and missile strikes, the village of Shomera was evacuated of its residents.
Shomera offers various accommodation options for visitors, including boutique hotels and vacation rentals. Notable establishments include Bikta Baglil and Lev Hahoresh Boutique Hotel, both of which have received positive reviews for their amenities and service. Additionally, platforms like Airbnb feature listings in Shomera, offering amenities such as: kitchens, Wi-Fi, pools, free parking, and air conditioning.
Our next step will be Maalot-Tarshisha. Let’s start off with some historical background … The area of Tarshiha has been inhabited since at least the 4th century, as evidenced by archaeological findings such as a burial cave containing a cross and a glass piece engraved with a menorah. During the Crusader period in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was referred to by various names, including Terschia, Torsia, and Tersigha. In 1160, Johannes of Haifa granted the village and surrounding areas. By 1217, it was likely inhabited by Crusaders, and in 1220, it was sold to the Teutonic Knights. The village experienced a raid by Crusader troops in 1266.
Ma’alot was established in 1957, as a development town for Jewish immigrants from Romania, Iran, and Morocco. The town’s growth was initially slow due to its mountainous location and proximity to Nahariya. However, establishing an industrial park and the Tefen Sculpture Garden later contributed to its development.
Merger and Modern Era: In 1963, the towns of Ma’alot and Tarshiha were merged to form Ma’alot-Tarshiha, symbolizing a unified community with a rich cultural tapestry. The city faced challenges, notably the tragic Ma’alot massacre in 1974, when terrorists attacked a local school, resulting in the deaths of 22 children. Despite such hardships, the city has grown and developed over the years, achieving official city status in 1996.
Here are a couple of points of interest surrounding Ma’alot-Tarshisha:
Montfort Lake (Agam Montfort): A central recreational spot offering boating activities, picnic areas, and scenic walking paths. The lake is a hub for both residents and visitors seeking leisure and relaxation
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The Tefen Open Museum, located within the Tefen Industrial Park in Israel’s Upper Galilee region, is a unique cultural institution that seamlessly blends art, industry, and history. Established in 1982 by industrialist and philanthropist Stef Wertheimer, the museum embodies a vision where industrial development coexists harmoniously with cultural enrichment.
What to look for Tefen’s Open Museum:
Sculpture Garden: The museum’s expansive sculpture garden showcases over 100 modern artworks by Israeli sculptors dating back to the 1920s. Notable artists featured include Menashe Kadishman, Yigal Tumarkin, Micha Ullman, and Ilan Averbuch. The garden offers visitors an immersive experience, intertwining art with the natural landscape.
German-Speaking Jewry Heritage Museum: Within the Tefen Open Museum complex, this museum was dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and contributions of German-speaking Jews. The exhibition focused on their rich cultural heritage and their significant impact on the development of Israel. However, as of 2020, the museum has been closed, and its collections are in the process of being transferred to the Hecht Museum in Haifa.
Art Galleries and Exhibitions: The museum hosts rotating art exhibitions, featuring both contemporary and historical works. These exhibitions provide insights into various artistic movements and highlight the talents of Israeli artists.
Industrial and Technological Displays: Reflecting its location within an industrial park, the museum also offers exhibits that delve into the evolution of industry and technology in Israel, emphasizing the synergy between industrial innovation and cultural development.
