Yoav Etiel

Yoav Etiel is the Arab affairs reporter for Walla.


 Civil defence members inspect the damage after a blast rocked the Mar Elias Church according to witnesses, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria June 22, 2025.

Israeli Christian leaders condemn church suicide bombing, urge Syria to act against terror

 A police officer investigates a crater at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Beersheba, Israel, June 20, 2025.

Ben-Gvir and Karhi crack down on foreign press coverage of war damage in Israel

 fire rises from the Bazan power plant in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, June 15, 2025.

Haifa oil refinery's facilities shut down following Iranian missile strike


Israeli woman missing in Crete, Greece, searches ongoing

Michal Peleg, 65, was last seen on Wednesday near her home in the village of Kavousi, a popular destination in eastern Crete known for hiking trails.

 Michal Peleg.

Hundreds in attendance as slain Israeli soldier Alon Farkas laid to rest

“You were always at the center of things, smiling and leaving your mark wherever you went," a representative of the IDF said.

 Family and friends of Israeli soldier St.-Sgt.-Maj. (Res.) Alon Farkas attend his funeral in Pardes Hanna, June 5, 2025

Police officers to compensate protesters for excessive force, court rules

The ruling followed a civil lawsuit filed by the two demonstrators, who alleged they were assaulted during a protest in Caesarea.

 ISRAEL POLICE officers detain a protester during a demonstration calling for the release of Gaza hostages, in Tel Aviv last month.

Free weekend stays for Israel Trail hikers at University of Haifa dorms

Free lodging for Israel Trail hikers is available in Carmel through a new university partnership with the Society for the Protection of Nature.

 Dorms at the University of Haifa.

Bat Yam resident to be extradited to US for massive crypto hack scandal

A suspect in a major 2022 US crypto breach was caught trying to flee from Israel under a new name and passport.

 Ben Gurion Airport

Israel must 'act immediately to prevent a massacre' of Syrian Druze, leader says during ceremony

Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif called on Israel to act: "Israel must not stand idly by while this is happening in Syria."

 Druze community military ceremony in Usfiya

Meteorological Service warns severe weather conditions to continue amid blazes

Firefighters have been remaining in close contact with the Meteorological Service as they work to contain multiple blazes.

 Firefighters try to extinguish a fire which broke out near Moshav Mesilat Zion, April 30, 2025.

'Bring them home now': Hundreds of people protest in Central Park

Hostages' relatives joined the protest including: Itay Chen's parents, Evyatar David's brother, Omri Miran's brother-in-law, and Abigail Idan's aunt.

 Hagit and Ruby Chen, the parents of Itay Chen.

Christians in Israel slam Netanyahu's 'disrespectful' response to Pope's death

This comes after several Israeli diplomatic missions deleted condolence messages after Pope Francis's passing.

 A framed photo of Pope Francis, presented by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, is seen outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, following Mass for the late pontiff April 23, 2025.

'No ministers, no respect': Druze community outraged over gov't snub at Remembrance Day ceremony

Instead of a government minister participating in the ceremony, Likud MK Eti Atiya will arrive in Daliyat al-Carmel as the government representative.

 Druze have been serving in the IDF since the state was born.

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