Israel's Ministerial Committee on Legislation is expected to vote on a bill proposing the death penalty for terrorists. If approved, this law would sentence anyone who intentionally causes the death of an Israeli citizen with a racist motive, with the intent to harm the State of Israel and the Jewish people in its homeland to the death penalty. The bill is a response to growing concerns over the threat of terrorism in the country and has been supported by various coalition parties, including Otzma Yehudit and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The aim of this proposed law is to create heavy deterrence against acts of terrorism and cut off terror at its source. While there is no clear indication of what method would be used to carry out capital punishment, the bill represents a strong stance against terrorism and a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the Israeli people.

Israeli startups continue to attract significant investments from European companies, with a total of $1.66 billion raised in 2022 alone, according to research company IVC. Although fundraising from Europe decreased from the peak year of 2021, the average investment per deal increased by 55% from 2018 to 2022. Moreover, nine Israeli startups were purchased last year by European entities for a total of $2.336 billion, while 66 European investment entities are currently operating in Israel. The country's innovation and technology sectors continue to be a major draw for European investors, as businesses all over the world look for innovation, new products, and winning business models. With its reputation as a global leader in startup innovation, Israel remains an attractive destination for investment, and its continued success in this field is a testament to its entrepreneurial spirit and drive.

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot have developed a new type of microscope that can create novel quantum materials while simultaneously gazing into the most fundamental nature of their electrons. The quantum twisting microscope (QTM) involves the “twisting” or rotating of two single-atom layers of material with respect to one another. This new type of tool can visualize the quantum electronic waves directly, giving researchers a way to unravel the quantum dances they perform inside the material. The QTM will provide scientists with a new kind of 'lens' for observing and measuring the properties of quantum materials. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize emerging technologies and reveal fundamental truths about nature. Israeli innovations in science continue to lead the way in the world of scientific discovery.

SHULAMIT MUALEM-RAFAELI