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Israel Denies Visa to German Journalist Over Apartheid Coverage · Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

• 0:08
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Israel Today Ongoing War Report. I'm Noah Levi.
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  Speaker 1: Israeli authorities have denied a work visa to German journalist
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  Speaker 1: Serena Balansery. The Population and Immigration Authority, acting on a
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  Speaker 1: recommendation from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism,
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  Speaker 1: blocked her appointment as the permanent Israel correspondent for the
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  Speaker 1: German newspaper Die Tage Zeitung. The decision was based on
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  Speaker 1: Bilansri's published articles accusing Israel of apartheid and advocating for
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  Speaker 1: international sanctions and boycotts. Avi Cohen-Skali, Director General of the Ministry,
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  Speaker 1: stated that anti-Israel actors and those who slander Israel should
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  Speaker 1: not set foot in the country, adding, We will not
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  Speaker 1: tolerate calls for a boycott of Israel under the guise
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  Speaker 1: of professional journalism. In domestic politics, opposition leader Yair Lapid
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  Speaker 1: reiterated his firm stance against any future coalition, with Prime
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  Speaker 1: Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lapid described comments by Naftali Bennett, suggesting
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  Speaker 1: such a possibility as unsuccessful irony, clarifying, we will not
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  Speaker 1: sit with Netanyahu under any circumstances. Lapid also warned that
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  Speaker 1: the current government's mismanagement could lead to another October 7th,
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  Speaker 1: and pointed to a significant exodus of professionals, including doctors
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  Speaker 1: from Israel. Meanwhile, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has made a
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  Speaker 1: political appeal to President Isaac Herzog. urging him to pardon
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  Speaker 1: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ohana cited former Attorney General Avichai
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  Speaker 1: Mandelblit's testimony regarding alleged failures and unlawful actions within the
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  Speaker 1: justice system during Netanyahu's trial. Ohana called for a just,
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  Speaker 1: courageous and appropriate decision on Netanyahu's pardon request, which was
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  Speaker 1: formally submitted in November 2025. The Home Forum, representing 14
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  Speaker 1: Gaza envelope communities severely impacted by the October 7 attacks,
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  Speaker 1: has presented a comprehensive set of demands to political parties
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  Speaker 1: for coalition agreements and the new government's agenda. Key demands
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  Speaker 1: include establishing a permanent security buffer with Gaza, securing long-term
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  Speaker 1: budgets for education, health and welfare post-Tekuma administration, strengthening agriculture
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  Speaker 1: and energy sectors and removing obstacles to community development. In
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  Speaker 1: local news, the mayor of Kwasaba, Rafi Sayar, and his
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  Speaker 1: wife have been arrested along with 22 others in a
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  Speaker 1: large public corruption investigation. Suspicions include bribery, fraud and breach
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  Speaker 1: of trust, linked to the alleged manipulation of public tenders
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  Speaker 1: for municipal services. On the regional front, Lebanese Prime Minister
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  Speaker 1: Nawaf Salam stated that his government will act forcefully against
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  Speaker 1: anyone harming Lebanon's security following the recent seizure of a
• 2:49
  Speaker 1: Hezbollah arms shipment. For continuing coverage of antisemitism around the world,
• 2:54
  Speaker 1: listen to Antisemitism Watch from Clockwork Media. Find it at clockwickmedia.org
• 2:59
  Speaker 1: slash watch. I'm Noah Levi, thank you for listening to
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: Israel Today ongoing war report. Stay safe and informed. Follow
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  Speaker 1: Israel Today ongoing war report in your podcast app so
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  Speaker 1: you don't miss the next update. Keep in mind that
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  Speaker 1: this AI generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult
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  Speaker 1: multiple sources for a comprehensive view.