Huge damage in arson at Melbourne shul; community slams gov’t for failing to protect it * Syrian rebel leader urges Israel support * Foreigners buy Israel homes ’in case’

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Friday, December 6, 2024 Presented by [Hungry for Victory]( [Melbourne synagogue sustains massive damage in predawn attack by masked arsonists]( By Agencies No serious injuries reported among Adass Israel congregants, some of whom were in the synagogue praying; board member says ‘inside completely gutted,’ holy books destroyed [Police hunt 2 suspects in devastating arson attack on Melbourne’s Addas Israel synagogue]( By ToI Staff and Agencies Live updates [LIVE: IDF bolstering forces on Israel’s border with Syria in light of civil war developments]( By Jacob Magid and Elana Kirsh Top Iran official: Tehran likely to send missiles, drones to Assad * IDF destroys rocket launchers in Lebanon aimed at Israel * 2 sought in devastating arson at Melbourne synagogue [Reports: As Syrian rebels take Hama, Israel preparing for possible collapse of regime]( By ToI Staff Netanyahu holds security deliberations, with officials said to believe rebel advance poses ‘real threat’ to Assad’s rule [Thousands flee as Syrian rebels advance on crossroads city of Homs]( By Reuters and ToI Staff [Israel’s defense chiefs discuss Syria fighting as rebel advance said to exceed expectations]( By Emanuel Fabian and AFP Promoted Campaign [IDF soldiers are still in Lebanon – please don’t forget them]( Barely any soldiers have left the border, and many who remain haven’t been home in months. Raya and Dina still need your help to help cook meals for over 6,000 soldiers. Interview Gianluca Pacchiani [Syrian rebel commander urges Israel to support uprising, strike Iran-backed forces]( In interview with ToI, a Free Syrian Army officer expresses hope for friendly relations with Jewish state, warns of Iranian militias propping up Assad: ‘They will come for Israel, too’ [Iran claims successful satellite launch said to improve Tehran’s ballistic missiles]( By AP [Father, son from northern Druze village accused of spying for Iran’s IRGC Quds Force]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff Shin Bet reveals it arrested duo from Mas’ade in November, charging they passed info on IDF activity in Golan Heights to Iranian handlers — the latest in flood of espionage cases [IDF strikes Syria-Lebanon border crossings used by Hezbollah to smuggle arms]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff Arida Crossing put out of service while other routes damaged in overnight attack; sirens sound in northern Israel, but army says it was a false alarm [US envoy: Israel shouldn’t make ‘small things into big things’ in tenuous Lebanon truce]( By Jacob Magid, Lazar Berman and ToI Staff [Israeli official: Egypt has proposed hostage deal with extended truce, not end to war]( By Lazar Berman Official says Israel open to discussing outline that has been handed to Hamas, in which ‘humanitarian’ category of hostages would be released, reportedly over 60 days [IDF says top commander in Hamas internal security forces killed in south Gaza airstrike]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( ToI podcast [What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: Iran’s solution for the Jewish state problem]( By ToI Staff Responding to an op-ed by Iran’s vice president for strategic affairs, ToI senior analyst says now is the time for the West to unite against a weak Islamic Republic [CRM]( ToI podcast [Daily Briefing Dec. 6: Day 427 – As Pope floats ‘genocide,’ a dive into Catholic-Jewish ties]( By ToI Staff After Pope Francis made headlines calling for an investigation into IDF operations in Gaza, diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman gives historical background to a fraught relationship Top Ops Ruthie Hollander [Are American Jews and Israeli Jews growing apart?]( The 6,000 miles separating my new-olah sister and my NY self represent more than physical distance; there’s a yawning gap between our perspectives Mijal Bitton [When enough is everything]( If sibling rivalry doesn’t provoke jealousy in you, then the materialism of the era probably will. So why wasn’t the biblical Jacob riddled with envy? (Vayetzei) Analysis Sam Sokol [Defeat of Knesset resolution on AG hints at limits of support for her ouster]( Knesset votes against holding a debate on firing Gali Baharav-Miara, even as Communications Minister Karhi works to mobilize cabinet to push her out [Poll: 60% pessimistic about the future of democratic governance in Israel]( By Sam Sokol [Ex-Shin Bet head says PM once asked him to wiretap top defense officials for fear of leaks]( By ToI Staff Analysis Jacob Magid [Trump nominations set stage for fresh clash between annexation, normalization backers]( US president-elect returns to office with plans to expand Abraham Accords, but those pushing for Israel to annex West Bank are still bullish about doing so over next four years [Smotrich said to tell Civil Administration of ‘great opportunity’ to annex West Bank]( By ToI Staff [As foreign airlines lay low during war, a new carrier is a boon for grounded Israelis]( By Sharon Wrobel Air Haifa took off in the middle of Israel’s ongoing conflict with flights to Larnaca, as the Cypriot airport becomes a hub for Israelis trying to reach the US and Europe [Political and security instability fears top Israeli investor concerns, survey finds]( By Sharon Wrobel [Feldstein, NCO to remain in detention as High Court studies intel leak case]( By ToI Staff Justice Alex Stein says he needs more time to review case material, with decision on whether the pair will remain in custody expected next week [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( [Fueled by fear and fraternity, foreigners start buying up Israeli homes, just in case]( By Shoshanna Solomon With antisemitism on the rise and many wanting to be more involved in Israel, property acquisitions by non-residents are surging, especially in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem Interview [Former minister talks ‘deep crisis’ in education and how Israel can dig itself out]( By Gavriel Fiske Rabbi Shai Piron, in new role as president of the Israel Professional College in Jerusalem, stresses importance of vocational training in the 21st century job market Israel Story [Wartime Diaries: Robbie Gringras]( Grateful for his safety and relative comfort in this war, one man says goodbye to his personal paradise. [Day 427 – As Pope floats ‘genocide,’ a dive into Catholic-Jewish ties]( [listen to the podcast]( Ballin' hard [Innovation delivers an array of instant matzah ball options]( By Rachel Ringler The food industry is putting a different spin on the old Jewish classic, making the comforting staple available to those lacking the time (or temerity) to cook them More Headlines [Five Israelis killed in Morocco car crash en route to pilgrimage site]( By ToI Staff [Bill Clinton: Young Americans shocked to learn Arafat turned down Palestinian state]( By ToI Staff [Germany joins US in rejecting Amnesty’s ‘genocide’ accusation against Israel]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Charges dismissed against NY rabbi accused of hitting Columbia protesters with car]( By Luke Tress [ICC prosecutor to stay on as UN investigates alleged sexual misconduct]( By Reuters and ToI Staff [More combat engineers, mechanized infantry: IDF Ground Forces lays out future plans]( By Emanuel Fabian [Police bar weekly Tel Aviv protest from Kaplan-Begin junction, citing recent low turnout]( By ToI Staff [Palestinian security forces battle gunmen in Jenin after PA vehicles stolen]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Trump names former PayPal COO David Sacks as White House ‘AI and crypto czar’]( By Reuters [Extra challenges / Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel Film Lab launches 13th year]( By Jessica Steinberg [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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