December 23, 2021 — Meanwhile, Israel has added the US to a growing list of “red” nations where travel is banned. In addition to restrictions, Israel is soon to become the first nation to begin distributing a fourth Covid shot among particularly vulnerable citizens over 60.

December 22, 2021 — The news comes at a time when the number of travelers during the holiday season is especially high. Travel to and from Israel is generally high at the Christmas season, as tourists seek to visit the nation, while many Israelis travel to visit family and friends internationally. Israelis already out of the country will be required to quarantine for a week upon return to the nation.

December 21, 2021 — The other nations added to the Israeli travel ban were Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Switzerland, and Turkey. As many prepare for holiday travel, a growing percentage of the world will again face lockdowns and restrictions that will interrupt typical travel schedules.

December 20, 2021 — Several nations have joined the boycott of the BDS movement, but the addition of the UK would mark a significant step forward against the antisemitic initiative. In Germany, a 2019 resolution condemned BDS as antisemitism. In 2020, Austria also condemned BDS as antisemitic.

December 17, 2021 — The reported cyberattacks took place between 4 p.m. Tuesday until Wednesday morning. The hacking group, known as APT35 or the name Charming Kitten, has also been known for attacking Israeli sites in the past. Checkpoint has reportedly blocked more than 1.8 million attempts worldwide.

December 16, 2021 — Israel’s military leaders stand prepared to put a stop to chemical weapons development at the earliest stages if recent reports are accurate. The preemptive moves may also serve as a warning to Syria and perhaps Iran that any additional attempts to use chemical weapons will be met with swift intervention.

December 15, 2021 — The new plan includes renovation of numerous synagogues and cemeteries, including the Fes city cemetery, which includes more than 13,000 graves. The plan joins other recent efforts to preserve Jewish heritage in the nation, including multiple Jewish museums.

December 14, 2021 — An important aspect of the trip included discussions regarding Iran. Some nations have sought to relieve sanctions against Iran in recent months, seeking to restart the 2015 nuclear deal. However, both Israel and the UAE share ongoing concerns about Iran’s nuclear weapon development.

December 13, 2021 — Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled to the US to meet with military leaders and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to further discuss options to respond to Iran. Israel appears ready to work together with the US, but remains steadfast in its own capability to act independently if necessary to protect the world’s only Jewish state.

December 10, 2021 — The trip follows a recent communication to Israel from the US asking Israel to not act against Iran on its own. Israeli leaders quickly asserted their ability to act independently, if necessary, but appear to now be seeking further cooperation with Washington regarding all possible scenarios.

December 9, 2021 — The actions show the ongoing need to increase education regarding combating antisemitism and highlight the freedoms of the State of Israel. The Friends of Zion Heritage Centers serves as a resource dedicated to opposing all form of antisemitism and showing support to the Jewish people worldwide.

December 8, 2021 — Parents administering the at-home test had to complete a statement noting the child tested negative before returning to school. The widespread testing is part of Israel’s response to the recently discovered Omicron variant, first noted in South Africa. The variant is considered highly transmittable and has already been reported in numerous countries, including Israel.