New party “Leyamin Zion" officially registered amid efforts to fill right-wing political vacuum, with talks underway with senior figures and internal polling suggesting potential for double-digit Knesset seats, source tells Arutz Sheva

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday evening with US President Donald Trump to congratulate him on the occasion of America's 250th Independence Day, the Prime Minister's Office said.</p><p>During their conversation, the Prime Minister stated that the United States is the guarantor of global liberty, and that Israel deeply appreciates the profound bond between the two nations.</p><p>Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, a new survey shows that one of the communities that has helped build the nation since its founding is facing a pervasive and escalating threat.

Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Shaike Megiddo, 55, a resident of Psagot, passed away after contracting a severe bacterial infection affecting his heart while serving in the reserve duty.

<p>Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded to remarks by Naor Narkis, a candidate in Yair Golan's Democrats party, who pledged to close all ritual baths in Israel if his political camp forms the next government.</p><p>“The candidate from Yair Golan’s party, Naor Narkis, the future Minister of Religious Services in an Eisenkot government, has confirmed it: ‘The day we take power, we will close all mikvahs for religious Jews.’ Listen to him. They intend to do exactly what they are saying," Smotrich said.</p>

Rabbi Benny Kalmanson said he and other Zionist rabbis are exploring a new right-wing party, citing disappointment with the Religious Zionist Party.

<p><i>Arutz Sheva-Israel National News</i> is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.</p><p>Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 20:31 Jerusalem time.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p>

<p>London court hands long prison terms to two Romanian hitmen for knifing dissident Iranian journalist.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>