New Elections on the Horizon ... or Perhaps Not?

by Assaf Mishnayot and Hillel Fendel

Following a week's worth of doubts, it now appears nearly absolutely, certainly, 100% sure – almost – that a new government will not be formed in the current Knesset. Instead, general elections will be held in late October or early November, after the High Holidays and Sukkot.

In Israeli politics, of course, the only real certainty is that we can never actually know what will happen. Despite continued rushed efforts to find 61 MKs who will agree to band together in a new coalition headed by either Binyamin Netanyahu and/or the leader of a different party in rotation, it now truly seems that no such combination will be found before Wednesday night, at which time the final vote will be held to dissolve the Knesset.

IDF Prep Academy Cadets Explore the Hills of Jerusalem

Last week cadets at the Bet El IDF Prep Academy went on a camping trip and hike in the hills of Jerusalem. The trip included a quick, but socially and physically challenging navigation expedition, and a visit to soldiers in the Givati infantry brigade.

Iyar/Sivan at the Bet El IDF Prep Academy

The last month was a busy one in Israel, and the Bet El IDF Prep Academy was no exception! Cadets celebrated Lag B'Omer with a bonfire outside their temporary trailers (until the new campus is ready!), went on a bicycle trip in the hills of Binyamin, celebrated Yom Yerushalayim in the Old City, enjoyed the visit of several Rabbis, completed an army drill on the beach throughout the night, and spent the entire night of Shavuot performing the "Tikun leil Shavuot" with the entire student body and staff at the Academy. See pictures of all these activities below! 

Gas Prices Soar, Drilling Begins for Israeli Gas Despite Hizbullah Threats

by Hillel Fendel, based on an article published in gplanet.co.il

As Lebanon and Hizbullah make threatening, jealous noises, Egyptians cheer the largest drilling ship to ever pass through the Suez Canal – on its way to Israel's off-shore Karish oil fields northwest of Haifa.

The Old City Cable Car: Another Long-Awaited Success!

by Dr. Guy Bechor, www.gplanet.co.il, translated by Hillel Fendel 

Better a decade late than never: Final approval for the Jerusalem Old City Cable Car was received this week when the Supreme Court rejected the various objections submitted by left-wing organizations. It was in May 2013 - nine years ago - that we first reported that the project was approved and expected to be ready in two years' time…