New Media in Israel

This issue covers the period 13-16 December 2017. Israeli social media networks were preoccupied with three different topics. With the exception of a portion of the settler population, security developments have not been a major concern for the Israelis.

1. In a TV interview, Dr. Jamal Zahalka, MK of the Joint List, stated that his identity was Palestinian, not Israeli. Zahalka said he was not willing to sing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem.

2. The Israeli High Court rendered a decision, preventing the occupying government from detaining and entering into negotiations over the delivery of martyrs’ corpses unless a law is passed to this effect.

3. This week, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced a recovery and restructuring plan, including cuts and decisions to dismiss employees in the company’s branches in the country and around the world. Teva will lay off approximately 14,000 workers, a quarter of its global work force.