U.S. Warns Iran Over Ballistic Missile Test

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley issued a statement at the Security Council on Tuesday that Iran’s recent test of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile was “absolutely unacceptable” and a a violation of the JCPOA nuclear deal. “They know that they are not supposed to be doing ballistic missile testing (of nuclear-capable weapons),” she added. “The United States is not naive. We are not going to stand by. You will see us call them out.”

Late Tuesday morning saw another wave of false bomb threats phoned into 11 Jewish community centers in several US States. No injuries were reported and leaders were urging their communities to return to their normal routines as quickly as possible once police had investigated the threats and declared the facilities to be safe.

An IDF official told Channel 2 News Wednesday that the Islamist terror militia Hamas had completely restocked all the rockets and other ammunition it expended during 2014’s Operation Protective Edge and was making preparations for further attacks on Israel, although the assessment is that Hamas is not looking to initiate hostilities in the near future.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin issued a statement of apology to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto for a  recent tweet PM Benjamin Netanyahu sent out supporting US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. “I am sorry for any hurt caused as a result of this misunderstanding, but we must remember that we are talking about a misunderstanding, and I am sure that we can put the issue behind us.”

During this January 30 policy forum, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi — a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and former Israeli ambassador to the United States Itamar Rabinovich offer their perspectives on these challenges and others confronting President Trump in the region.