Israel Returns Smuggled Artifacts to Egypt

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his recent decision to appoint Yisrael Beytanu leader Avigdor Lieberman as Defense Minister during a press conference Sunday, accusing detractors of the decision among the press of “whining” and “fear-mongering”. Meanwhile, the appointment gained praise from some senior Israeli defense figures and cautious support from the US.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it is returning two archeological relics to Egypt after they were seized by Israeli authorities from an antiquity dealer’s shop in east Jerusalem several years ago. The relics, both dating back over 3,000 years, were determined to have been illegally smuggled out of Egypt and their return was touted as a sign of warming ties between the two governments in Jerusalem and Cairo.

Israel’s swimming team collected two silver medals at the European Swimming Championships in London over the last week. In addition, several Israeli swimmers did well enough to qualify for the Olymics in Rio later this summer.

A new version of the Leviathan natural gas outline was approved by the Israeli Cabinet on Sunday, giving future governments more say on natural gas policy and removing a roadblock to the development of Israel’s hydrocarbon sector. Prime Minister Netanyahu declared the approval of the plan to be “a very important – even historic – step for the Israeli economy and especially the Israeli people.”