2013 in Israel

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2013
in
Israel

Decades:
See also:

Events in the year 2013 in Israel.

Incumbents[edit]

Events[edit]

January[edit]

March 20, 2013 – President of the United States Barack Obama begins a four-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories
Snow in Jerusalem during Storm Alexa
Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, celebrating the unprecedented success of his party in the elections, January 24, 2013.
  • January 2 – Construction of the barrier on the Israeli–Egyptian border is completed in its main section.[1]
  • January 4 – Hundreds of thousands of people rally in Gaza in a show of unity between the governing Hamas, elected in 2006, and Fatah, in opposition since then.
  • January 18 – Benjamin Netanyahu says in an interview that he will not destroy any more Israeli settlements during his second term.
  • January 22 – The Elections for the 19th Knesset are held in Israel. The incumbent PM Benjamin Netanyahu's electoral alliance, Likud Yisrael Beiteinu, won a plurality of the seats in the legislative election, with 31 seats.
  • January 30 – Israel allegedly launches an airstrike on a Syrian convoy transporting weapons to Hezbollah.[2] Other sources stated the targeted site was a military research center in Jamraya responsible for developing biological and chemical weapons.[3]
  • January 31 – United Nations report says that Israeli settlements must be immediately withdrawn without preconditions, to comply with article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

February[edit]

March[edit]

April[edit]

May[edit]

  • May 3 – Two additional Israeli air strikes against Syria reportedly take place May 3 and 5. Both targeted long-ranged weapons sent from Iran to Hezbollah.[14][15]
  • 16 May – Moran Mazor represents Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Rak Bishvilo”, ("Only for Him").[16]
  • May 20 – 2013 Beersheba shootings; During a vendetta attack carried out in a Bank Hapoalim branch in Beersheba, an Israeli citizen enters a bank and opens fire with a pistol, killing four people and injuring five, then commits suicide.
  • May 21 – During mine-clearance work in the Golan Heights, an IDF soldier is killed after stepping on a land mine.

June[edit]

July[edit]

  • July 5 – According to anonymous U.S. officials, Israel launches an airstrike on Syria. It targeted Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles near the city of Latakia, and killed several Syrian troops.[17]
  • July 10–20 – Israel women's national lacrosse team competed in the 2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup, their first time competing in the competition, finishing 8th
  • 18–30 July – The 19th Maccabiah Games are held with 7,500 athletes from Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world competing in 34 sports.[18]
  • July 28 – As a "good will gesture" to restart peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Israel agrees to release 104 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom have been in jail since before the 1993 Oslo Accords.[19]

August[edit]

September[edit]

October[edit]

  • October 22 – Israel's municipal elections.
  • October 30 – Israel allegedly carries out an airstrike against a Syrian air defense site in Snawbar, 10 miles south of Latakia.[21]

November[edit]

  • November 6 – Former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's trial for fraud and breach of trust ends with an acquittal.[22]
  • November 11 – Avigdor Lieberman resumes his position as Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously been acting Foreign Minister, and had held the position in reserve for Lieberman should he be acquitted.[23]

December[edit]

  • December 10 – The Knesset passes the "Law to Advance Competition and Limit Monopolization", aimed at breaking up the large conglomerates controlling a large part of the Israeli economy and increasing economic competition, so as to significantly lower the cost of living. The law, which came as the result of the 2011 social justice protests, forces Israel's large monopolies to sell a large percentage of their assets by banning business pyramids.[24]
  • December 12 – Storm Alexa begins.[25] Israel, along with the occupied territories and other areas of the Middle East, sees days of heavy snowfall and rain. The storm causes widespread traffic disruptions and power outages, and forcing the temporary closure of several highways, schools, and Ben-Gurion International Airport. Jerusalem is completely paralyzed by deep snow and flooding, with residents told to stay indoors and roads leading to the city blocked.[26]
  • December 15 – Life begins returning to normal after Storm Alexa subsides.[27]
  • December 16 – Israeli naval officer Shlomi Cohen, who was driving along the Israel–Lebanon border, is killed when a Lebanese soldier, acting without any orders, opens fire at his vehicle, and then flees his post. A few hours later, IDF soldiers operating in the area shoot two Lebanese soldiers after seeing what was termed "suspicious movement" across the border.[28] The soldier who killed Cohen later turns himself in to Lebanese authorities, who promise that he will be prosecuted.[29]
  • December 22 – a pressure cooker bomb explodes on a public bus in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam, Israel. All casualties were averted because a few minutes earlier, a passenger on the bus had examined the contents of an unattended bag, and saw what looked like a bomb inside, which led all passengers and the driver to exit the vehicle.

Notable deaths[edit]

Amnon Dankner
Dvora Omer
Yoram Kaniuk
Ovadia Yosef

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Batsheva Sobelman (January 2, 2013). "Israel completes most of Egypt". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Israel strikes Syrian weapons en route to Hezbollah". The Jerusalem Post. Reuters. January 30, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Yaakov Lappin (January 31, 2013). "Analysis: Syria center long been on Israel's radar". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  4. ^ Rami Shani (March 5, 2013). הכי ארבה שהיה כאן: צפו בנחילים מכסים את הנגב – וואלה! חדשות [Most locusts ever here: Watch swarms cover the Negev] (in Hebrew). Walla!. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  5. ^ Tamir Steinman (March 6, 2013). חדשות 2 – הארבה בנגב הצטמצם בעקבות ריסוס של משרד החקלאות [Negev locust reduced following spraying by the Ministry of Agriculture] (in Hebrew). mako. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  6. ^ Marcy Oster (March 18, 2013). "Israel's Knesset approves new government". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  7. ^ Moran Azulay (March 18, 2013). "Netanyahu's new government sworn in, holds first meeting". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Obama vows Israeli friendship on first visit as president". BBC News. March 20, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  9. ^ James Warren (March 20, 2014). "Obama faces conflict-ridden Middle East during visit to a skeptical Israel". Daily News. New York. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Harriet Sherwood (March 20, 2013). "Barack Obama visits Israel in effort to boost relations with Netanyahu". The Guardian. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  11. ^ Solomon, Shoshanna; Ackerman, Gwen (March 30, 2013). "Israel Begins Gas Production at Tamar Field in Boost to Economy". Bloomberg. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  12. ^ Lewis, Ori (April 17, 2013). "Rockets hit southern Israeli resort of Eilat". Reuters. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  13. ^ Yaakov Lappin (April 25, 2013). "IAF shoots down drone from Lebanon off Haifa". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "IAF strike in Syria targeted arms from Iran". The Jerusalem Post. Reuters. May 4, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  15. ^ Cohen, Gili; Amos Harel (May 5, 2013). "Israel overnight strike targeted Iranian missile shipment meant for Hezbollah". Haaretz. Reuters. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "2013 Israel – Rak bishvilo". Diggiloo Thrush.
  17. ^ "Report: Israel behind recent strike on Syria missile depot, U.S. officials say". Haaretz. July 12, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Nineteenth Maccabiah". Maccabiah 21.
  19. ^ William Booth (July 28, 2013). "Peace talks set to begin after Israel agrees to free 104 Palestinian prisoners". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  20. ^ Maayana Miskin (August 16, 2014). "Haifa Launches 'Metronit' System". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  21. ^ Nicholas Blanford (October 31, 2013). "Israel blamed for airstrikes at Syrian missile base". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  22. ^ Elie Leshem; Haviv Rettig Gur (November 6, 2013). "Avigdor Lieberman acquitted, will return to Foreign Ministry". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  23. ^ Moran Azulay (November 11, 2013). "Knesset's Left in uproar: 'Lieberman's as FM – bomb in peace process'". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  24. ^ David Shamah (December 10, 2013). "New law makes business 'pyramids' history". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  25. ^ Sharon Udasin (October 21, 2013). "Israel begins to see snowfall as winter storm rolls in". Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  26. ^ "Massive snowstorm shuts down Jerusalem". Haaretz. December 14, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  27. ^ Yori Yalon; Efrat Forsher; Danny Brenner; Nitzi Yaakov; Yael Branovsky; Gideon Alon; Zeev Klein (December 17, 2013). "Life begins to return to normal in storm-hit country". Israel HaYom. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  28. ^ "Israel shoots 2 Lebanese troops after soldier killed". CBS News. Associated Press. December 16, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  29. ^ Yifa Yaakov (December 17, 2014). "Lebanon to prosecute serviceman who killed IDF soldier". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  30. ^ Yair Ettinger (January 1, 2013). "Hasidic leader Yaakov Friedman, the Admor of Sadigura, dies at 84". Haaretz. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  31. ^ Yudilovitch, Merav (January 2, 2013). "Actress Zaharira Harifai Dies". Ynetnews. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  32. ^ Brenner, Neri (January 8, 2013). "Israel Prize Laureate Prof. Zvi Yavetz Dies". Ynetnews. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  33. ^ "Israel Prize laureate Yehudith Birk passes away at age 87". The Jerusalem Post. January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  34. ^ Itamar Fleishman (January 18, 2013). "Itamar Fleishman". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  35. ^ "Zina Herman". Knesset. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  36. ^ Aviel Magnezi (February 6, 2013). "Justice Menachem Elon dies". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  37. ^ "Rabbi David Hartman dies at 81". Ynetnews. Associated Press. February 10, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  38. ^ David Lev (February 10, 2013). "Sarah Braverman, 'IDF's First Lady,' Passes Away". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  39. ^ "Musician Shmulik Kraus dies at 77". Ynetnews. February 17, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  40. ^ Chavie Lieber (March 4, 2013). "Rabbi Menachem Froman, religious West Bank leader, dies". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  41. ^ Yifa Yaakov (March 16, 2014). "Former MK Marina Solodkin dies of stroke at 60". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  42. ^ Yaron Druckman; Aviel Magnezi (April 3, 2014). הלך לעולמו השופט בדימוס ורדי זיילר [Retired judge Vardi Zeiler dies] (in Hebrew). Ynet. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  43. ^ Boaz Fyler (April 6, 2013). "Writer Amnon Dankner passes away at 67". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  44. ^ מרדכי (מוטי) משעני [Mordechai (Moti) Mishani] (in Hebrew). Knesset. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  45. ^ Keshet Rosenbloom (April 11, 2013). מת האדריכל רם כרמי [Architect Ram Karmi dies] (in Hebrew). Haaretz. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  46. ^ Elad Benari. "Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Passes Away". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  47. ^ "Efi Arazi, Israeli high-tech pioneer, passes away at age 76". Ynetnews. April 14, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  48. ^ הלך לעולמו פעיל העלייה הפרופ' בנימין פיין [Immigration activist Professor Benjamin Payne dies] (in Hebrew). Reshet Bet. April 15, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  49. ^ Ahiya Raved (April 30, 2013). "Former minister Grupper passes away at 88". Ynetnews. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  50. ^ "Writer Dvora Omer passes away at 80". Ynetnews. May 3, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  51. ^ חבר הכנסת לשעבר מנחם ידיד הלך לעולמו [Former Knesset Member Menachem Yedid dies] (in Hebrew). Arutz Sheva. May 6, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  52. ^ Maayan Efrat; Gil Hoffman (June 8, 2013). "Writer, painter Yoram Kaniuk dies at 83". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  53. ^ В Тель-Авиве ушла из жизни Алла Кушнир [In Tel Aviv, Alla Kushnir dies] (in Russian). Chess-News. August 11, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  54. ^ Former Knesset speaker Berman dies at 100
  55. ^ "Celebrated Hebrew Language Genius Passes at Age 106". Arutz Sheva. August 6, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  56. ^ Shir Hacham (August 19, 2013). "Yehudit Arnon, choreographer who won Israel Prize, dies at 87". Haaretz. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  57. ^ Ben Shalev (August 21, 2013). "Gabriel Balachsan: Every time he sang a song he died a little". Haaretz. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  58. ^ Kershner, Isabel (October 7, 2013). "Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Spiritual Leader of Israel's Sephardic Jews, Dies at 93". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  59. ^ Caspi, David (November 26, 2013). "Israeli Singer Arik Einstein Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 20, 2014.