In a dramatic move Thursday evening, the Israel’s security cabinet approved the construction of a new settlement community in the West Bank, near the established community of Shiloh, to accommodate families who were evacuated from the recent demolition of the Amona settlement. The new community is the first authorized by the security cabinet in 25 years and comes amidst intense dialogue with the Trump Administration in the US regarding the future of Israeli settlement communities in the West Bank.

The Israel Football League held Israel Bowl X, the championship game of its 2016-17 season on Thursday evening between the Jerusalem Lions and the Tel Aviv Pioneers. In a tough and hard fought match, the Lions came away with a 42-36 victory, their first since Israel Bowl I ten years ago.

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism expressed satisfaction this week at the large increase in visitors from China after a multi-year campaign which has seen Jerusalem invest several million dollars in marketing to the Asian giant. Israeli hotel chains have caught on to the trend, offering traditional Chinese cuisine in the dining rooms as well as special features in rooms and public areas to make their Chinese guests feel welcome.

The UN refugee agency reported on Thursday that the number of refugees from Syria’s multi-faceted conflict who are living in temporary camps in surrounding countries including Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt has surpassed 5 million. The report added that nearly as many refugees are internally displaced within Syria and an appeal for $4.6 billion in funds to care for these refugees has resulted in only $298 million being pledged.

Police released a statement Thursday on a 49-year old Arab woman from East Jerusalem who attacked a Border Police office with a pair of scissors near the Damascus Gate to Jerusalem’s Old City Wednesday evening and was shot dead by security forces. Despite claims by her relatives that police used excessive force in the incident, Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld declared that “We have confirmed that it was a terrorist attack, and the Border Police officer responded at the scene properly.”

The new Trump administration, which is currently busy forming its foreign policy team and coping with domestic issues, has not yet had an opportunity to focus on foreign policy issues, particularly the Middle East. This means that Washington is losing precious time, while Russia, Turkey, and Iran are taking the lead in Syria, leaving less room for the U.S.

Hear expert testimony on the threat to the security of Israel and the broader Middle East from Iran’s ballistic missiles, support for terrorism and renegade nuclear program.