Pesach Benson

The discovery was made at the Lachish Crossing in southern Israel during a routine inspection.

Instead of replacing existing drugs, future therapies could focus on blocking the mechanisms that allow tumors to resist them, researchers said.

Roughly 23% of Israeli adults smoke, a figure that has remained largely unchanged despite years of anti-smoking campaigns.

Previous Previous Israel Police deploys first Bedouin undercover agent in major weapons, drug traf… The agent, codenamed "Nomad," infiltrated criminal networks and gathered evidenc… Next Up Next Up Teachers' union convention will consider multiple anti-Israel resolutions American Federation of Teachers delegates will vote on resolutions addressing Is… Pesach Benson/TPS-IL Jul 13, 2026 Posted 1 hr ago at 2: 15 AM Israel's adult smoking rate has remained virtually unchanged for nearly a decade despite government efforts to reduce tobacco use, while growing numbers of children and teens are experimenting with e-cigarettes, according to the Health Ministry's annual smoking report released Thursday. The Health Ministry submits the report to the Knesset each year, as required by law. It found that roughly 23% of Israeli adults smoke, a figure that has remained largely unchanged despite years of anti-smoking campaigns. “About half of smokers will die prematurely because of smoking,” Prof. Sigal Sadetzki, head of the Health Ministry's Public Health Services Division, wrote in the report. Researchers who reviewed 2022 mortality data found that roughly 12,386 deaths in Israel that year—about 23% of all deaths—could be attributed to active or passive smoking, meaning nearly one in four deaths was linked to tobacco use. That works out to an average of 33 deaths a day, the report found, marking an increase over a similar study conducted in 2014. Smoking rates varied sharply by community. Among Israeli-Arab men, the smoking rate stood at 46.2%, more than triple the 13.0% rate among Israeli-Arab women. Among the Jewish population, 27.5% of men and 15.7% of women smoked. The Haredi, or strictly Orthodox, Jewish community had a notably lower smoking rate of 10.6%, compared to 23.8% among non-Haredi Jews. Exposure to secondhand smoke was also widespread. Some 28.9% of the Jewish population and 48.5% of the Israeli-Arab population reported exposure to smoke from someone else's cigarette. The report flagged youth use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches as a growing concern. A 2025 international survey found that about 19% of Israeli students had tried conventional cigarettes, about 20% had tried e-cigarettes and roughly 16% had smoked a water pipe. Water pipes are commonly known in Israel as nargilas. The report noted a rise since 2023 in the share of eighth- and 10th-grade students who had tried cigarettes, and said the average age at which children first experiment with smoking products continues to fall, with many trying one as early as fifth or sixth grade. Among Israeli-Arab children, a quarter said they had tried a smoking product before age 10, compared to 9% of Jewish children. E-cigarettes a ‘gateway product' for youth Health Minister Haim Katz, in his foreword to the report, described e-cigarettes as a “gateway product” drawing a new generation into long-term nicotine addiction. “These are addictive and very dangerous products,” Katz wrote, adding that the ministry was committing resources to prevent children and teens from starting to smoke. Katz's warning echoed broader global concerns. Citing World Health Organization estimates, the report said about 15 million teens aged 13 to 15 worldwide are regular e-cigarette users and that roughly one in three will go on to become regular tobacco smokers. Worldwide, more than 8 million people die each year from smoking-related causes, the report said. The report also touched on smoking within the Israel Defense Forces, noting that 22.5% of new conscripts answered “yes” when asked about smoking during their 2025 induction screening, a slight increase over 2024. On the regulatory side, 2025 saw the completion of new rules requiring graphic health warnings on the packaging of all smoking products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and water pipes, along with quit-smoking hotline information, in addition to existing text warnings. The regulations entered into force in July 2025, with manufacturers required to comply by August 2026. The report said the move puts Israel among the first countries in the world to require graphic warnings on smoking accessories and one of the few to require text health warnings on every category of smoking product. How do you feel about this article? Choose from the options below. (0 Ratings)

A new study by a Tel Aviv University researcher offers a possible resolution to a question that has divided scholars of the Dead Sea Scrolls for decades.

If ceasefires with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas remain in place, the ratings agency expects the economy to expand by 3.7% this year and by 5% in 2027, following growth of 2.9% in 2025.

Pesach Benson/TPS-IL Jul 15, 2026 Posted 3 hrs ago at 3: 58 AM Moody's left Israel's sovereign credit rating unchanged at Baa1 with a stable outlook, signaling confidence in the economy's ability to withstand prolonged regional conflict while warning that security risks and elevated military spending continue to limit prospects for an upgrade. The international ratings agency said its latest report was a routine review rather than a formal rating decision. The agency last acted on Israel's rating in January, when it improved the outlook from negative to stable while keeping the Baa1 rating intact. “The Israeli economy has demonstrated resilience in the face of geopolitical shocks,” the agency said, adding that the current security situation nevertheless “continues to weigh on the country's economic and fiscal outlook.” Moody's believes the economy is poised for a stronger recovery if ceasefires with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas remain in place. While describing those arrangements as fragile, the agency said sustained calm would allow activity to rebound after a weak opening to 2026. Under that scenario, Israel's economy is expected to expand by 3.7% this year and by 5% in 2027, following growth of 2.9% in 2025. Those projections are somewhat more conservative than those published by the Bank of Israel and the Finance Ministry. Price pressures have also moderated. Annual inflation fell to 1.9% in May, helped by the appreciation of the shekel and Israel's relatively limited exposure to rising global energy costs. Moody's expects inflation to average about 2% over the next two years, consistent with the central bank's target. The agency cautioned, however, that Israel's fiscal position remains strained by permanently higher defense expenditures. It estimates spending on defense and national security will remain around 6% of gross domestic product each year, significantly above pre-war levels. As a result, Moody's forecasts the central government deficit will widen to 5.3% of GDP in 2026 before narrowing to 4.4% in 2027. Government debt is expected to level off at roughly 70% of GDP, compared with 68.5% at the end of last year. The report also highlighted the factors that could eventually change Israel's rating. A lasting improvement in regional stability, coupled with faster deficit reduction, could support a higher rating over time. At the same time, Moody's warned that renewed military escalation, a weakening of economic performance unrelated to security spending, or erosion of Israel's institutional strength could trigger negative rating pressure. The agency specifically pointed to concerns surrounding the judiciary, saying a downgrade could result from “a weakening of Israel's institutions (especially if the judicial system turns out to be weaker than expected following institutional reforms).” The unchanged rating leaves Israel four notches above non-investment grade, allowing the government to continue borrowing at investment-grade status as it confronts the economic costs of an extended regional conflict. How do you feel about this article? Choose from the options below. (0 Ratings)

The technology focuses ultrasound delivered through a device placed on the skin rather than through the urethra or rectum.

“These heroes fought for us — and we will fight for them,” said coalition chairman Ofir Katz.

Pesach Benson/TPS-IL Jul 16, 2026 Posted 52 mins ago at 4: 58 AM Israel's rehabilitation system for wounded soldiers and security personnel will undergo its largest overhaul in decades after the Knesset approved a reform package aimed at addressing the unprecedented demand created by the war with Hamas. The plan, based on recommendations by a government-appointed committee headed by professor Mor Yosef, will transform the Israeli Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department into a national authority with expanded powers, additional staff and greater independence. According to Defense Ministry figures, more than 26,000 Israel Defense Forces soldiers and security personnel have entered the rehabilitation system since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, with about 65% receiving treatment for psychological trauma. The ministry has warned that the number of wounded veterans under its care could surpass 90,000 by 2026 and reach approximately 100,000 by 2028. According to the government, the overhaul is intended to reduce administrative delays, improve access to medical and psychological care and simplify the process of receiving benefits and services. Among the approved changes is a case-management system under which each wounded service member will be assigned a professional coordinator to help navigate medical treatment, rehabilitation services and government benefits. The reform will also establish automated systems to identify individuals eligible for assistance and reduce paperwork requirements, while incorporating artificial intelligence tools to improve communication and service delivery. Additional measures include expanded mental health programs, specialized frameworks for individuals suffering combat-related trauma, increased support for family members and new rehabilitation tracks designed to help wounded soldiers return to employment. The state has an obligation to support those injured while serving, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The State of Israel owes them a deep debt. We cherish them, embrace them and their families, and are committed to standing by them all the way,” he continued. “The plan we approved will remove barriers, shorten queues, expand the range of services and ensure that each and every one of our wounded will be able to exercise their full rights and receive all the assistance they deserve,” he said. The government approval came shortly after the Knesset passed separate legislation formally recognizing "combat trauma" as a condition under Israeli law for the first time. The bill, which passed its second and third readings with support from 70 lawmakers and no opposition votes, defines combat trauma as a psychological response to a traumatic event that occurred during operational activity. It also provides a clearer legal framework for recognizing individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from combat experiences. Under the new law, the Rehabilitation Department will provide treatment tailored to recognized combat trauma victims. An assistance committee will also be empowered to provide benefits and compensation in exceptional cases involving wounded personnel or, under certain circumstances, their family members. Coalition chairman Ofir Katz (Likud), who spearheaded the legislation, said the law represented a commitment to those who fought. “These heroes fought for us — and we will fight for them,” said Katz. “This is a historic moment. They deserve everything.” How do you feel about this article? Choose from the options below. (0 Ratings)