The Economist publishes a piece on proposed judicial reforms, saying “Israel’s unwritten constitution is flawed, but the changes would make things worse by allowing nearly unchecked majority rule. That could make the country less prosperous, more polarised at home and more vulnerable abroad.” The Economist also publishes a second piece on reforms, arguing that “it is increasingly clear that the conflict is about more than the role of the country’s judges. The two sides are fighting over different visions of Israel.”

The Guardian reports on Mike Pompeo, the former US secretary of state, claiming that Israel has a biblical claim to the land and is therefore not occupying it. “[Israel] is not an occupying nation. As an evangelical Christian, I am convinced by my reading of the Bible that 3,000 years on now, despite the denial of so many, [this land] is the rightful homeland of the Jewish people,” he said.

 The Guardian, the BBC, Sky News, and The Times all report that Israel has passed legislation allowing the state to strip Arabs convicted of terror offences of citizenship or residency and deport them to the West Bank or Gaza Strip if they have accepted financial aid from the Palestinian Authority. The new law, which the Knesset voted for on Wednesday, is designed to discourage what Israel calls “pay for slay” stipends, which Palestinians view as assistance for the families of those imprisoned. Israel says the longstanding practice serves as an incentive to violence.

The Independent reports that Iran has been “mapping” the locations of the Jewish diaspora as part of laying the groundwork for a potential assassination campaign if Israel attacks the country’s nuclear facilities, according to a journalist who has gained access to high-level members of the ruling regime. Catherine Perez-Shakdam, who has previously been granted an audience with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and also met with Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s hardline president, told The Jewish Chronicle that it had been revealed at a meeting in Tehran that hit squads could be deployed if Israel ever attacked Iran.

Reuters reports that Israel’s economy grew 6.5% in 2022 – slower than 2021’s 8.6% expansion but still much stronger than most Western countries – the Central Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, citing solid growth in consumer spending, exports and investment. The full-year reading exceeded the 6.3% projected by the Bank of Israel and the Finance Ministry following a faster-than-expected annualised 5.8% expansion in the fourth quarter.

The Telegraph writes that the Israeli military has jailed a soldier for 10 days after he was filmed choking and kicking a Palestinian human rights activist mid-interview with a US journalist in the flashpoint city of Hebron in the West Bank. In a video that shows part of the incident, the unidentified soldier grabs activist Issa Amro by the throat during an argument. He then throws him to the ground before delivering a kick to his side. The soldier is then pulled away by a man in a red hoodie and khaki trousers, apparently another serviceman, as he is berated by onlookers, including the person filming the video.

The Guardian publishes a report on an Israeli firm that sought to influence more than 30 elections around the world for clients by hacking, sabotage and spreading disinformation. This is according to an undercover media investigation published on Wednesday. The firm was dubbed ‘Team Jorge’ by investigating journalists who posed as potential clients in order to gather information on its methods and capabilities. The Daily Mail reports on this and The Guardian further publishes a newsletter on the matter.

The Daily Mail also reports that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday that Washington was “deeply dismayed by Israel’s announcement that they will advance 1000s of new [homes] and retroactively legalise nine outposts in the West Bank that were until now illegal under Israeli law”. “The United States strongly opposes these unilateral measures, which exacerbates tensions, harms trust between the parties and undermine the geographic viability of the Two State solution.”

All the Israeli media continues to follow the proposed changes to the judiciary. According to Yediot Ahronot, the “takeover of justice system will be put to a vote on Monday.” Maariv leads with an exclusive claiming the way out of the crisis could be to revisit the plea bargain for Netanyahu. The paper reports that associates of the Prime Minister recently held “quiet and currently unofficial talks with representatives of the circles who are opposed to the revolution in order to find a solution. According to informed sources, potentially ending Netanyahu’s trial with a plea bargain was also on the agenda.” According to the paper, “there is an understanding that the only official capable of toning down or stopping the revolution is Netanyahu. However, in light of his trial and in view of the conflict-of-interest arrangement that he signed, he is completely barred from dealing with matters concerning the judicial reform. Recently Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara even gave a negative reply to his lawyers’ request to allow him to speak out regarding the president’s proposal in order to lead to a compromise.”  There is a suggestion to revisit the plea bargain proposed last year whereby Netanyahu would admit to charges of breach of trust and consent to end his political career after a certain period specified in an agreement. Meanwhile Haaretz suggests President Herzog has asked the Attorney General to permit Netanyahu to be involved in discussions over a compromise.

Maariv also reports that for the first time this Saturday night will see a right-wing protest calling on all sides to hold dialogue and accept President Yitzhak Herzog’s proposal in order to prevent a rift among the people. The demonstration is being led by former Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel, scheduled speakers include former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen, settler leader Pinchas Wallerstein and educator Rabbi Jeremy Stavisky.

Haaretz covers comments by Israel’s Police Chief Kobi Shabtai who has instructed police that their role at the protests is to act for the safety and security of the public, and that it must act in a “statesmanlike manner” and make decisions without external intervention other than the law. He added that “Protesting is a fundamental democratic right. We must control and manage it with as much equality, statehood, and restraint as possible, while keeping public safety and legal provisions in mind at all times. We knew how to accomplish it in the past, and we will do it again in the future.

Ynet publishes an exclusive this morning with a warning from a senior military officer that the proposed transfer of powers of the Civil Administration to Bezalel Smotrich as part of the coalition agreement is “detached from reality, may damage the security situation and be interpreted as de facto annexation.” They added that Defence Minister Galant and the security establishment are opposed to the changes.

Israel Hayom and Haaretz report that a UN resolution supported by the Palestinians could be put to a vote in the Security Council next week.  The resolution demands an immediate halt to all Israeli settlement activities, condemns Israeli attempts to annex settlements and outposts, “and calls for their immediate reversal.” However the papers note that the US State Department said it thought the current draft was “unhelpful,” suggesting they would either veto the resolution or tone it down.

Ynet reports on the latest speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Speaking yesterday Nasrallah said, “The Americans must know that if they push Lebanon to chaos and the Lebanese people suffer, we won’t stand idly by and watch the chaos. We will rather extend our hand to make you feel pain, even if that leads to the choice of war with your beloved Israel.” “If you push Lebanon to chaos, you will lose in Lebanon, and you should expect chaos in the entire region,” he continued, also claiming that Hezbollah might not allow Israel to continue producing gas from its offshore fields should “procrastination” continue. Commenting on domestic Israeli politics he said, “In Israel, they talk about the danger of a civil war, the leaders of the state are talking about the imminent explosion. For the first time, there are talks of immigration from Israel… This idiotic government can not only escalate the situation with the Palestinians but can also lead to a regional escalation, especially if anything should happen in Al-Aqsa. This is a matter that must be watched carefully and acted upon responsibly.”