Israel’s incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caused yet another wrinkle in the upcoming third round of Knesset elections on Wednesday evening when he submitted a written request to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein for immunity from prosecution in the three criminal cases pending against him. “I will come to court and quash all the ridiculous libels against me,” Netanyahu said in a speech shortly after submitting the request. “The immunity law is intended to protect elected officials from manufactured cases, and guarantee that those elected by the people can serve the people according to their will and not the will of the legal officials.”

Bar-Ilan University archaeologist Dvir Raviv warned recently that remains of a site built during the Hasmonean Dynasty (2nd century BC) are being poorly managed by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises civil administrative control over the part of the West Bank where the site is located. “Since the site was discovered, it has been suffering from antique robbery,” Raviv told Ynet. “This is a very isolated spot in Area B, and the scope of the Israeli authorities’ law enforcement is limited. As soon as Palestinian residents of the area identified the archaeological site, they began to systematically search and dig ancient coins from the Second Temple period, which have tremendous value in the black market.”

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening to thank him for Israel’s support in light of the recent attack by Iranian-backed militia groups on the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. The call came ahead of Netanyahu’s departure Thursday for a summit with leaders of Greece and Cyprus to discuss cooperation on building natural gas infrastructure in the Mediterranean. “The gas pipeline that we are now going to promote…will revolutionize Israel’s energy picture,” Netanyahu told reporters on the tarmac en route to Athens.

A potentially game changing new laser system designated “Light Blade” and designed to shoot down incendiary devices sent into Israel attached to kites and balloons from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip for the purposes of starting fires was unveiled by security forces this week. The system has the potential to be used to defend against drones as well, and was developed by a cooperative effort between the IDF, Israel Police, Ben Gurion University and private industry. Meanwhile, the IDF announced the formation of a new, highly mobile combat unit this week.

Israel’s geographical position means it must stay agile and manage complex relations with its Muslim neighbors through quiet collaboration and smart use of its technological and economic advantages. Over the past two decades, Israel has discovered offshore gas, begun extensive seawater desalination, and dramatically expanded its navy’s platforms and missions. Ten years ago, Israel depended on Egypt’s natural gas; nowadays, Israel exports natural gas to Egypt and Jordan.

Iran’s empire has been created to help defend the Islamic Republic but the cost maintaining it threatens the economy and thus social stability. The regime has, once again, quelled unrest with the use of force. Not only were demonstrators attacked by the security forces but many others were massacred. However, forty years after the revolution, the regime’s grip on power appears unshaken.

Written by our team of media specialists in Jerusalem, these special reports will give you a closer look at the activities of the ICEJ both in Israel and around the world, including initiatives by our ICEJ Aid department to assist various communities in the Holy Land and our International Department’s educational and outreach efforts in the Nations.