Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday put Iran at the top of on his re-election campaign, pledging that halting Tehran's nuclear programme would be his first priority as premier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday put Iran at the top of on his re-election campaign, pledging that halting Tehran's nuclear programme would be his first priority as premier.

A smile on his lips, his voice direct and authoritative, his agenda rightwing but broadbased, Naftali Bennett is quickly turning into the newest darling of Israel's national religious bloc.

Israel's nationalist religious Jewish Home party is continuing to win support away from the rightwing Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of January 22 elections, according to a poll published Tuesday.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Monday confirmed a government decision to officially recognise the status of the first Israeli university established in the occupied West Bank.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Monday confirmed a government decision to officially recognise the status of the first settler university established in the occupied West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he aims to repatriate tens of thousands of African illegal migrants and that the inflow into Israel from the Sinai peninsula has been brought to a halt.

Israel's ex-foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, who quit this month after been charged with breach of trust five weeks ahead of a general election, may have the charges against him toughened, the justice ministry said Sunday.

A month before Israelis go to the polls in a snap election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has plenty to be confident about, with his only real challenges coming from within his own rightwing camp.

Israel pushed forward with plans for 3,658 new settler homes, most of them in annexed east Jerusalem, sparking Palestinian fury and condemnation at the United Nations.

An Israeli committee gave final approval on Wednesday to plans to build 2,610 new homes in Givat HaMatos, a settlement suburb of annexed east Jerusalem, an Israeli NGO told AFP.

Israeli authorities on Tuesday rejected a plan to build around 800 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, but were expected to approve more constructions elsewhere, triggering the ire of Washington.

Israeli authorities on Tuesday rejected a plan to build around 800 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, but were expected to approve more constructions elsewhere, triggering the ire of Washington.

Israeli planning committees are to weigh several plans for nearly 5,000 new settler homes in neighbourhoods of annexed east Jerusalem this week, with at least one major project set for final approval.

Israel gave the green light Monday for a plan denounced by Washington to build 1,500 settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, prompting the Palestinians to warn they would seek a UN Security Council meeting on the issue.

Israel gave the green light Monday for a plan denounced by Washington to build 1,500 settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, prompting the Palestinians to warn they would seek a UN Security Council meeting on the issue.

Israel's parliament is to meet in special session despite a pre-election recess, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off the closure of a debt-ridden commercial TV station, the government said on Sunday. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that he had agreed with Speaker Reuven Rivlin that the Knesset would reconvene "within the coming days to debate a proposed arrangement for the continued operation of Channel 10."

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday called the massacre of 20 children and six teachers at a US school atrocious and incomprehensible and said that Israelis' hearts were with the bereaved families.

Israel's controversial Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, 54, who resigned Friday after having been charged with breach of trust, has built up a reputation as a firebrand who has set his sights on leading the right-wing.

Israel's controversial Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, a key ally of the premier, resigned Friday after having been charged with breach of trust, barely five weeks ahead of general elections.