Tuesday 9 Cheshvan – Concern Over Detention of Chareidi Bachurim – Britain Threatens E1 Sanctions – Gantz Withdraws From Election & more…

Chareidi Avrichim who have not reported for military service could face substantially longer detention under tougher enforcement measures described in an interview published on Monday. Figures presented by journalist Shilo Fried put the number classified by the military as having failed to report at approximately 64,000.

Fried said the information came from an IDF response to a freedom-of-information request. He discussed the figures on Kikar HaShabbat’s Davar Rishon programme. The report said between 80,000 and 90,000 Chareidi young men who previously held exemptions or deferments had received notices since July 2024.

Under the framework described, failure to report for 540 days after an initial summons can expose an individual to criminal proceedings. Detention could then run to several months, rather than the shorter disciplinary sentences imposed in many earlier cases.

A reduction of that threshold to 365 days was also reported to be under consideration. That change has not been confirmed as adopted, and the figures do not mean that every young man concerned has been charged.

Germany summoned Iran’s ambassador on Monday following convictions over a plot to attack prominent Jewish and pro-Israel figures. The diplomatic protest concerned threats against Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society.

German prosecutors said the operation was directed by Iran’s Quds Force, the overseas branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The case involved plans to recruit help and obtain a weapon for the proposed attacks.

A Hamburg court sentenced Danish national Ali Hassan S. to eight and a half years in prison. An Afghan accomplice, identified as Tawab M., received a sentence of four and a half years. The convictions preceded Monday’s summons to the Foreign Ministry.

German officials condemned the targeting of Jewish life and people who publicly support Israel, and said Iranian threats would carry consequences. Tehran has denied the allegations. The ambassador’s summons marks a new diplomatic development following the court proceedings, rather than the discovery of a separate plot on Monday.

Britain warned companies and individuals on Monday that participation in Israel’s E1 housing project could expose them to sanctions. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband issued the statement on the deadline for bids for construction between Yerushalayim and Ma’aleh Adumim.

Miliband said the Government had created powers to sanction those involved in building settlements it considers illegal. He urged businesses not to submit bids, warning of legal and reputational consequences. Britain argues that the development threatens the prospect of a two-state solution.

The statement also reiterated the Government’s commitment to legislation banning imports of goods from settlements, alongside action concerning services that finance or facilitate them. It did not announce sanctions against a named contractor on Monday.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected the British warning, saying Israel would not accept foreign threats or attempts to dictate its policy. The tendering process is a stage before construction: proposals must still be evaluated, successful bidders selected and the necessary permits issued before building can begin.

A Wizz Air flight from London was cleared to land in Israel after a mistake in its crew information triggered a security concern, according to a report published on Monday. Officials had been preparing for the possibility of refusing the aircraft entry into Israeli airspace.

The concern arose when information supplied about the crew suggested that one of the pilots held Qatari citizenship. An urgent check with the airline established that the entry was incorrect, allowing the aircraft to continue to its destination.

The report said the aircraft had already departed London when the issue emerged. It described different deadlines for passenger and crew information: passenger details are supplied ahead of departure, while final crew information is submitted after the aircraft’s doors close.

That arrangement permits airlines to make late operational changes to their crews. In this case, however, the incorrect information prompted preparations for a possible refusal of entry. The account attributes the alarm to a data-entry error; it does not establish that a Qatari pilot was operating the flight.

Sterling reached its strongest level against the euro in 17 months on Monday, as unrest in France and higher energy prices weighed on the single currency. Stronger-than-expected British economic figures also helped support the pound.

The euro fell as low as 83.95p during the trading session, its weakest against sterling since May 2025. At the time of the report, it stood at about 84.11p. The pound’s performance against the dollar was different: sterling was slightly lower at approximately $1.3327.

The currency moves came as French government borrowing costs rose relative to German debt following the unrest. Natural gas prices also climbed, adding to concern about the outlook for European economies.

In Britain, attention is turning to the Budget on 28 October and the Bank of England’s response to energy costs. Governor Andrew Bailey said on Friday that the wider effects on British prices had so far appeared limited, while cautioning that it was too early to draw firm conclusions. Monday’s currency levels remain subject to market movements.

French authorities moved towards local curfews on Monday following a weekend of rioting and looting that damaged public buildings and businesses. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said regional officials had been instructed to introduce limited restrictions in affected areas.

The announcement followed an emergency meeting of senior government figures. Lecornu described the proposed curfews as tightly focused measures intended to prevent further violence, rather than a restriction covering the whole country.

The disorder followed large demonstrations over living costs and pressure on public services. Peaceful marches were accompanied in some places by attacks on shops, vehicles and public property. Authorities reported thousands of arrests over the weekend, although totals continued to change as information was updated.

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, while the Government faced questions over the scale of the damage and the police response. Ministers blamed radical groups for exploiting the protests. The precise boundaries and hours of restrictions are being set locally, so arrangements may differ between cities and change as authorities assess conditions.

Benny Gantz announced on Monday that Blue and White would not contest the 27 October election, ending his campaign eight days before polling day. Recent surveys had repeatedly shown the party falling short of the support needed to enter the Knesset.

Speaking at a press conference, the former IDF chief accepted responsibility for failing to persuade enough voters. He continued to advocate a broad unity government, the central message of a campaign in which he declined to commit himself to either the pro-Netanyahu or anti-Netanyahu bloc.

Opposition politicians welcomed the withdrawal, while parties competing for similar voters began appealing to Blue and White supporters. Members of the governing coalition also urged small right-wing parties at risk of missing the electoral threshold to stand aside.

Because of the late timing, Blue and White will still appear among the ballot options next week. Voters who intended to support the party therefore need to distinguish between its continued presence on the ballot and Gantz’s announcement that it is withdrawing from the contest.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered heightened readiness on Monday ahead of Israel’s 27 October election, including a freeze on soldiers’ leave from Thursday. The military said its task was to allow the vote to take place safely and on schedule.

During an assessment with senior officers, Zamir instructed commanders to maintain vigilance across all fronts. More senior officers are to be present in command centres, while the leave restrictions remain subject to continuing assessments of the security situation.

The Central Command will receive reinforcements, including personnel from the Paratroopers Brigade headquarters and additional units. Further forces may be allocated to other fronts according to operational requirements on land, at sea and in the air.

Visiting an airbase on Monday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Israel’s enemies against testing the country’s resolve. Separately, the military is preparing at least 850 polling stations for service personnel, with voting due to begin on Tuesday and continue through national election day. The readiness measures do not themselves establish that a particular attack is imminent.

Travellers seeking connections from Israel through Dubai face continuing uncertainty, with Flydubai’s return to Ben Gurion Airport reportedly delayed until at least the end of November. A report published on Monday said Emirates had restricted online bookings for itineraries using those connections.

The booking difficulties were linked to unresolved approval for Flydubai services to and from Israel. Talks aimed at restoring the flights were reported to have stalled, leaving the timetable uncertain rather than providing passengers with a confirmed restart date.

Dubai has been an important interchange for Israeli passengers travelling to destinations in Asia, including Japan. The report described difficulties extending beyond immediate travel, with some passengers encountering problems when looking for journeys around Pesach 2027.

The information concerns connecting itineraries involving the suspended Israel service; it should not be read as a cancellation of all Emirates flights worldwide. Neither a fixed reopening date nor the availability of any individual booking has been independently confirmed here. Passengers with existing reservations will need the status of their particular itinerary checked directly with the airline.

El Al announced on Monday that it would begin introducing new passenger amenities from November, including bedding, travel kits and revised menus. The changes will be phased in, with availability depending on the route and cabin.

The airline is working with Israeli textile company TAKEANAP on replacement blankets and pillows for economy, premium and business class. Business-class passengers are to receive memory-foam pillows with cooling features, while some routes will have additional sleeping amenities.

Premium-cabin travel kits have been developed with Jo Malone London and will include personal-care products and items such as socks and eye masks. The programme also includes changes to menus and onboard entertainment.

Separately, El Al’s planned Starlink internet service is scheduled to begin rolling out during 2027. Free access is intended on equipped flights, subject to the service’s terms. That timetable is distinct from the November cabin changes: the announcement does not mean that every aircraft will have the new internet service next month, or that all amenities will be available immediately throughout the fleet.