הפוסט Website 'Maakav' Provides Daily News in 5 Languages הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a personal congratulatory letter today to former President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, even before the official results of the United States presidential election were announced.

"Congratulations on the greatest comeback in history!". Netanyahu wrote in the letter, signed by him and his wife Sarah. "Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a renewed and strengthened commitment to the great alliance between Israel and America," the Prime Minister added.

In closing the personal letter, Netanyahu noted "This is a huge victory!" and signed "In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sarah Netanyahu".

However, at the time of this report's publication, the official results of the United States election have not yet been announced.

הפוסט Netanyahu Crowns Trump Before Vote Count Complete הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Soon, the case will reach Israeli courts, and the truth may be exposed.

A dramatic revelation is shaking one of Russia's most prominent human rights organizations: The Alexei Navalny Foundation (FBK) is accused of providing protection to bank managers convicted of stealing billions of rubles, using the guise of opposition activities. Now, this explosive case is set to reach Israeli courts.

An explosive investigation published by Russian-Israeli blogger Maxim Katz exposes a sophisticated system of fraud and concealment, allegedly centered around the Navalny Foundation. According to the publication, the foundation serves as a protective umbrella for senior Russian banking industry officials who fled to Europe after being convicted of stealing vast sums. Instead of facing justice, Katz claims, these managers present themselves as victims of political persecution, with the Navalny Foundation providing them extensive lobbying services in Europe.

"This is a brilliantly cynical method," quote sources familiar with the investigation details. "While the world sees the Navalny Foundation as a symbol of anti-corruption struggle, it allegedly assists financial criminals in evading punishment by exploiting its reputation as a human rights organization".

In a heated interview with Russian channel "tvrain" (Dozhd), Katz leveled severe accusations: "These bankers robbed the Russian public, and now they're hiding behind a smoke screen of political persecution. The Navalny Foundation has become a sanctuary for white-collar criminals".

The Navalny Foundation's response was swift: a threat of a defamation lawsuit in Israel, where Katz holds citizenship. "They chose Israel as a legal battleground because they know the truth will come out here", Katz said confidently. "If the Israeli court confirms my investigation's findings, it could lead to a domino effect, collapsing the immunity they've built in Europe".

Russian courts have already established the guilt of the involved bank managers, but they managed to escape to Europe before imprisonment. Now, according to the investigation, they enjoy protection from a sophisticated lobbying network established by the Navalny Foundation, which presents them as persecuted freedom fighters.

The case raises pointed questions about the connection between human rights activities and black money, and how legitimate political struggles can be exploited as cover for criminal activity. Soon, Israeli courts may need to rule on these questions, in a decision that could resonate far beyond the country's borders.

Background Note on the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK)
The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK or ACF), a non-governmental organization in Russia established in 2011 by opposition figure Alexei Navalny, focused on exposing alleged corruption among senior Russian government officials. The foundation was funded through private donations. In 2019, the Russian Ministry of Justice declared the foundation a "foreign agent," and in 2021 it was declared an extremist organization and dissolved. Navalny, recognized as a significant opposition leader, announced the foundation's reopening as an international body in July 2022 while imprisoned.

The foundation's purpose, as presented by its manager Vladimir Ashurkov, was to generate public pressure on the government to push for internal reforms and provide an alternative to the existing system. The foundation was officially registered in September 2011, and according to Ashurkov, the founders gained experience in transparent public funding through the RosPil project, where activities were supported through donations via the Yandex.Money system. The foundation's goal was to permanently integrate professional lawyers and economists to expose and prevent corruption in the public procurement system.

The investigation into FBK included a series of serious accusations, including money laundering of about one billion rubles (later reduced to 75 million rubles), and lawsuits by state-owned companies against the foundation for "organizing riots." The foundation was required to pay for expenses that the police claimed were caused during demonstrations.

On October 9, 2019, the foundation was declared a "foreign agent" due to receiving civilian donations from abroad, including from the USA and Spain. Despite returning the donations, the Russian Ministry of Justice did not remove FBK from the list of "foreign agents".

הפוסט Navalny Foundation Suspected of Protecting Banking Criminals: Will Israeli Courts Decide הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Today, the IAA issued a dramatic update: Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport will close to international flights for approximately five months, starting this Friday and running until early April 2025. This decision comes against the backdrop of foreign airlines increasingly avoiding operations in Israel due to complex security conditions.

The figures tell the story: In the first nine months of this year, traffic at Terminal 1 dropped by 73% compared to the same period last year. Only 3,700 flights operated through the terminal from January, compared to 14,000 in the previous year. Passenger numbers also fell sharply, from 2.4 million to just 650,000.

Three key low-cost carriers—Hungarian Wizz Air, Irish Ryanair, and British easyJet—once the backbone of Terminal 1’s operations, have all frozen their flights to Israel. Wizz Air announced it would not resume flights until mid-January 2025, while easyJet postponed its return until the end of March 2025. Ryanair has yet to specify a date for resuming operations.

The escalating tensions with Iran are amplifying uncertainty in the aviation sector. More foreign airlines continue to cancel flights to Israel, with no signs of a turnaround in the foreseeable future. The decline in passenger traffic is evident in daily statistics as well: Yesterday, 47,000 passengers were recorded at Ben Gurion, and today’s numbers are expected to reach 44,000, down from the typical daily range of 60,000-70,000.

Under the new arrangements, all international flights will be concentrated in Terminal 3, while Terminal 1 will be used exclusively for domestic flights until further notice. This measure is intended to optimize staff deployment and address the current security personnel shortages at Ben Gurion.

The decision to close Terminal 1 for international flights underscores the depth of Israel’s aviation crisis and reflects IAA’s assessment that the current situation will likely persist until at least the second quarter of 2025. This step is another layer in the series of challenges facing Israel’s aviation industry in these times.

הפוסט Shutting Down Terminal 1: Deepening the International Aviation Crisis הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Dim Amor

Based on exclusive information we've obtained, the Kremlin demanded that the organization's member states send military forces to Russia's Kursk region but was met with firm refusal.

Senior diplomatic sources, who requested anonymity, revealed that President Vladimir Putin is furious over the negative response from his allies, especially Kazakhstan and Armenia. "Putin feels betrayed by his closest friends," the source said. "This explains his prolonged silence and absence from the media in recent weeks."

According to the agreement between CSTO member states, each country is obligated to provide military support in case of a threat to one of the members. However, it appears that member states are refusing to fulfill their part of this agreement. "We're not willing to send our citizens to die in an unnecessary war," said a senior official in the Kazakh government.

Armenia, which didn't receive support from Russia during its recent conflict with Azerbaijan, was even more blunt in its response. "This is Russia's war that's harming the international economy. We won't pay the price for Moscow's imperialistic ambitions," said an Armenian official.

In response to the refusal, the Kremlin officially denied requesting assistance from the organization. However, our sources confirm that this is a false denial, and the request was indeed formally transmitted to all member states.

The current crisis highlights Russia's growing weakness on the international stage. The entry of Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region, along with Putin's prolonged silence, indicate Russia's precarious situation. This could be the beginning of the end for the Russian empire. We're seeing cracks on all fronts – from Dagestan talking about independence, through Japan demanding the return of territories, to China eyeing Khabarovsk with desire.

The implications of the current crisis could be dramatic. Lithuania and Poland have already begun talks about the future of Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between them. Meanwhile, military sources report troop movements from Kaliningrad and Belgorod towards Kursk, leaving these areas exposed.

"Russia is in a state of unprecedented weakness. The refusal of its allies to assist in a time of crisis indicates its loss of influence in the region," said the source.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization, established in 1992 as an alternative to NATO in the former Soviet area, currently includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Ukraine, despite being a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, never joined this organization.

The current crisis raises serious questions about the organization's future and the level of trust between member states. "Russia promised equality and security to all members. But reality proved otherwise. The attacks in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014 showed that Russia is willing to act against its allies," said a diplomatic source.

As of today, the situation in the Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine's Kharkiv, continues to heat up. Local sources report a state of emergency in the area, with increased military movements and fears of further escalation.

A Weak Russia, Implications:

One of the immediate implications of this weakness is the growing calls for independence in various Russian regions. Dagestan serves as a prominent example of this. Increasingly loud calls for independence can be heard. The strengthening of this trend could lead to a domino effect and encourage additional separatist movements throughout the Russian Federation.

Russia's weakness also encourages neighboring countries to reconsider their historical borders. Japan, for instance, is renewing its claims over the Southern Kuril Islands, captured by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II. China, for its part, is expressing growing interest in the Khabarovsk region in Russia's far east, an area rich in natural resources and of strategic importance.

In the west, Lithuania and Poland are again raising the issue of Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg), the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania. Their claims are based on the area's long history as part of East Prussia, and the argument that Russia's control of this area is an anachronistic relic of the Cold War era.

The Kremlin continues to maintain silence regarding recent developments.

הפוסט First Publication: Crisis in the Kremlin – Russia's Allies Rebel Against Putin הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Dim Amor

This move marks the peak of growing tensions between the two countries following Norway's positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared on the social network X on August 8:
"Today I ordered the revocation of diplomatic status for 8 Norwegian diplomats in Israel who were involved in Palestinian Authority affairs.

Instead of fighting Palestinian terrorism after October 7 and supporting Israel in its war against the Iranian axis of evil, Norway chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists by recognizing a Palestinian state. But they didn't stop there – they also joined the baseless lawsuit against us at the International Criminal Court, requesting arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Norway has adopted a unilateral policy on the Palestinian issue and therefore will be excluded from any involvement in it.
Those who attack us and adopt unilateral policies against us will pay a price."

Katz accused Norway of choosing to "reward Hamas murderers and rapists by recognizing a Palestinian state" instead of supporting Israel in its fight against terrorism.

In response, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed his strong protest against the Israeli move.
In a press statement, Eide said:

"This is an extreme step that primarily affects our ability to assist the Palestinian population. It once again shows that the Netanyahu government is actively working against the two-state solution.

Norway is and always will be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people. At the same time, Norway has been clear in its criticism of the occupation, the way the war in Gaza has been conducted, and the suffering caused to the Palestinian civilian population. Today's decision will have implications for our relations with the Netanyahu government.
We are now considering what steps Norway will take to respond to the situation that the Netanyahu government has now created.

It is important for all countries that diplomatic channels remain open and well-functioning, especially when the situation in the region is as serious as it is now. Interfering with diplomats in their work is a serious matter.
Regardless of this decision, Norway's main priority is to work for peace and a diplomatic solution to conflicts in the Middle East."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry expanded on its position in an official statement on August 11, claiming that "the Norwegian government's policy towards Israel, since the brutal attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis and others against Israel, is extreme, one-sided and anti-Israeli." The ministry emphasized that Norway "has lost Israel's trust and its special role since the Oslo Accords."

The current crisis comes against the backdrop of a series of disputes between the two countries. Israel accuses Norway of supporting legal proceedings against it at the International Criminal Court (ICC), recognizing a Palestinian state, and refusing to declare Hamas a terrorist organization. On the other hand, Norway claims it is acting in accordance with the principles of international law and for the promotion of a two-state solution.

The crisis could adversely affect peace efforts in the region. Norway played a key role in the Oslo process and in later mediation efforts. Its removal from the scene could reduce opportunities for dialogue between the parties.

However, Israel is signaling to the international community that it will not accept unilateral intervention in the conflict. This may encourage other countries to adopt a more balanced approach.

הפוסט Crisis: Norway Claims – Israel Blocks Its Activities in Palestine הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

As a rocket fired from Lebanon hit a local soccer field, claiming the lives of ten people and injuring dozens more. The incident, described as the most serious in the area since the October War, raises grave concerns about further escalation on the northern border.

According to initial reports, the rocket hit the soccer field near a playground in the afternoon hours, while children and teenagers aged 10 to 20 were playing there. Medical sources reported that among the 29 casualties, ten were killed on the spot, six were severely injured, seven were moderately injured, and 16 were lightly wounded. Emergency teams arriving at the scene described the sights as a "battlefield," with numerous injured scattered across the area.

The IDF, in an official statement, attributed responsibility for the firing to Hezbollah, despite denials from the organization. "Following IDF assessments and the intelligence at our disposal, the firing at Majdal Shams was carried out by the terrorist organization Hezbollah," an IDF spokesperson stated. "Hezbollah is behind the launch of the rocket that hit the soccer field in Majdal Shams and caused numerous casualties, all civilians, including children."

The incident occurred following a heavy rocket barrage launched from Lebanon, apparently in response to the elimination of four militants from Hezbollah's Radwan Force by IDF forces earlier.

In response to the severe incident, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi convened an urgent situation assessment with senior IDF officials, including the Northern Command commander and the head of the Operations Division. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a visit to the United States, are holding urgent consultations regarding the Israeli response.

As the situation on the northern border continues to develop, eyes are on the Israeli response and Hezbollah's next moves. The tragic event in Majdal Shams serves as a painful reminder of the heavy price civilians pay in the ongoing conflict.

Content according to Section 27a

הפוסט Tragedy in the North: Ten Killed in Rocket Strike on Majdal Shams הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

The strike, approved in a secret cabinet meeting, caused significant damage and, according to local reports, resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, confirmed the attack and stated: "IDF fighter jets recently struck targets used for military purposes by the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hodeidah port area of Yemen, in response to hundreds of attacks against the State of Israel in recent months." He added that there are no changes to Home Front Command instructions.

According to reports from Yemen, the massive explosions heard in Hodeidah port caused huge fires in ammunition depots, oil refineries, and a power station. Local residents reported power outages and long queues at gas stations. Medical sources in Yemen claim that "dozens of deaths and injuries" were recorded as a result of the attack.

The Israeli strike comes just two days after a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, causing minor damage and light injuries. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have launched about 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems.

Among the Israeli casualties from Houthi attacks was Yevgeny Freder, who was killed by a missile strike in Eilat about two months ago. His death marked a turning point in the Israeli decision to respond forcefully against the Houthis.

American officials clarified shortly after the attack that "Israel acted alone," without coordination with the United States. However, the U.S. expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Houthi attacks.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened to respond harshly to the Israeli attack. In a speech broadcast on local television, he said: "The Israeli aggression will not go unanswered. We will respond with all means at our disposal."

Military analysts estimate that the Israeli attack was intended to damage the Houthis' military capabilities and disrupt the supply chain of weapons and combat equipment from Iran. However, they warn that the attack could lead to further escalation in the region.

Meanwhile, residents of Eilat and southern Israel reported heavy movement of Israeli fighter jets in the city's skies before the attack. The IDF announced that it will hold a special briefing this evening at 20:35 to provide further updates on the operation details.

This dramatic development marks a new phase in Israel's campaign against the Houthis and could affect the security situation in the entire region. Political sources in Jerusalem emphasize that Israel will continue to act decisively to protect its citizens and security interests.

Statement by IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari:

Good evening. A few hours ago, Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of Hodeidah port in Yemen, in response to Houthi attacks over the past nine months. Just minutes ago, our pilots landed and returned home safely.

In recent months, the Houthis have launched about 200 different aerial threats towards Israel, funded and directed by Iran and using Iranian weaponry. In yesterday's unmanned aerial vehicle attack, Yevgeny Freder was killed. We extend our condolences to the family from here.

Most of the threats launched towards Israel from Yemen were intercepted or shot down by an international coalition led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and by IDF forces in the air, sea, and land. I emphasize that there is no change in Home Front Command policy; if there are changes, we will update. We have reinforced our defense and attack arrays at sea, in the air, and on land, and we are prepared in all sectors. However, the defense is not hermetic, and one should act according to Home Front Command instructions.

At a distance of over 1,700 km from here, our pilots attacked the Hodeidah port area in Yemen. We attacked the port area because it serves as a supply route for transferring Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen and is a significant economic source for Houthi terrorism. In the port area, we attacked dual-use terrorist infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.

This is a complex operation, one of the longest and farthest ever carried out by the Israeli Air Force. It required meticulous planning and preparation for various possible threats in the area. Yemen is a large country, only part of which is controlled by Houthi terrorism. We have no intention of attacking the Yemeni people – we are operating against Houthi terrorism.

In recent months, the Houthis, under Iranian direction, have attacked dozens of ships and damaged global trade routes. Houthi terrorism, controlled and trained by Iran, harms freedom of navigation, regional ports, the Suez Canal, and global trade as a whole. Tonight, the IDF acted alone.

Israel expects countries affected by Iranian-directed Houthi terrorism to stand united against the terrorist threat carried out by the Houthis under Iranian direction. This is a shared international interest. Over the past nine months, we have been defending against and responding to various threats in several arenas. As part of the defense effort, hundreds of threats were intercepted and shot down, most of them outside the country's borders. The fighters, pilots, ship combatants, alongside air defense fighters, have been operating devotedly since the beginning of the war to defend the country. With tonight's attack, the campaign is not over. Iranian terrorism and its proxies on all borders will challenge us and require us to continue defending and acting where necessary.

הפוסט Israel Responds with Force: Extensive Airstrike on Houthi Targets in Yemen הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

A new bill from Likud seeks to transfer control of ratings measurement to the Minister of Communications, in a move that could undermine media independence and data reliability.

Last Monday, MK Shalom Danino (Likud) presented the "Viewer Rating Data Display Obligation Bill" to the Knesset. A thorough examination of the proposal reveals an attempt to eliminate the need for an independent ratings committee and transfer control over determining channel ratings in Israel to politicians – primarily Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.

Currently, ratings measurement in Israel is conducted using People-Meter technology, which has been standard worldwide since the 1980s. The Israeli Audience Research Board, an independent body funded by broadcasters and advertisers, is responsible for selecting a representative sample of about 700 households, including 2,200 Israelis. Ratings serve as a key tool in setting advertising rates across different channels.

The new bill claims that People-Meter technology is unsuitable for the digital age and that more accurate measurement tools are needed. However, instead of proposing advanced technological solutions, the bill focuses on transferring authority to the Communications Minister. According to the proposal, "The Minister will determine one or more systems for measuring viewing data, based on which a television broadcaster will present viewing data to the viewer."

This move raises serious concerns within the industry. The Audience Research Board has previously warned that "Putin's Russia is the only place in the world where the state controls viewing data," and that such a move is "undemocratic, unfeasible, and will harm competition." The committee emphasized that the proposal could open the door to "political and other manipulations" of viewing data.

It should be noted that a similar attempt was included in the "Karhi Law," which was shelved last summer after widespread opposition. The original law sought to subject the regulation of television broadcasts in Israel to the political echelon and undermine arrangements designed to preserve journalistic independence. The current bill is seen as an attempt to advance parts of that law in a piecemeal fashion, hoping to avoid widespread public opposition.

Experts warn that transferring control of ratings measurement to political entities could lead to a situation where government-affiliated channels gain an unfair advantage. This could affect the distribution of advertising budgets and harm critical or independent channels.

Opposition to the proposal has been expressed by a wide range of industry players, including Keshet (Channel 12), Reshet (Channel 13), the Public Broadcasting Corporation (Channel 11), Channel 9, HOT, Channel 24, the Association of Advertising Companies, and the Israeli Marketing Association. These entities emphasize the importance of maintaining an independent and reliable measurement system.

While the government claims the move is intended to improve the accuracy of ratings measurement in the digital age, critics argue it's another attempt to take control of the media and weaken public criticism. The central question that arises is whether Israel is indeed moving closer to the Russian model of government control over media, and what the implications of such a move would be for press freedom and democracy in Israel.

The proposal is expected to spark widespread public debate in the coming days, with professionals, civil society organizations, and media figures likely to express their opposition to the move. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to public pressure and whether it will continue to advance this controversial proposal.

Photo: Shlomo Karhi, from Shlomo Karhi's Facebook page, Vladimir Putin, photo by РБК (content according to Section 27a)

הפוסט Likud Promotes Nationalization of Ratings Measurement: Is Israel Heading Towards Putin's Method הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.

Dim Amor

While the FBI claims the incident is not staged, senior officials in Washington are raising doubts about the possibility of a more complex scenario.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, was identified as the shooter who attempted to assassinate Trump during a campaign rally. Crooks, who was shot dead by Secret Service agents, was allegedly a devoted Republican. This fact raises many questions about his motives and who might have been behind his actions.

Senior sources in the American administration, who asked to remain anonymous, raised the possibility that this was a staged event that got out of control. "There are elements interested in exploiting the current political tension to their advantage," said one source. "Someone may have tried to create a provocation, but did not anticipate the fatal consequences."

On the other hand, the FBI insists that this was a real, non-staged event. An official statement said that "all evidence indicates that Crooks acted alone, out of personal motives that are still being investigated." The agency even appealed to the public for assistance by submitting photos and videos from the event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson promised a comprehensive investigation of the incident. "We will summon all relevant parties to testify before the committee," Johnson said. "The American public deserves to know the full truth about what transpired."

Eyewitnesses recount the moments of terror at the rally. "I saw someone with a weapon on the roof," said John Smith, one of those present. "I yelled to the police, but within seconds the shooting began." Fortunately, Secret Service personnel responded quickly and eliminated the shooter, but not before casualties occurred in the crowd.

As the investigation continues, questions only multiply. Did Crooks indeed act alone? Were there other parties involved? And what were his true motives? The answers to these questions may shed light on one of the most dramatic events in American politics in recent years.

Meanwhile, the U.S. political system continues to shake from the implications of the event. Trump supporters claim this is an attempt to silence their candidate, while his opponents warn of further escalation in political violence. As the investigation progresses, we may get answers to some of the burning questions, but it's likely that the public debate surrounding this event will continue for a long time to come.

הפוסט The Trump Assassination Attempt: Mysterious Investigation Raises Questions About the Shooter's Motives הופיע לראשונה ב-מעקב.