President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, signaling a continued commitment to close U.S.-Israel relations. Known for his strong support of Israel, Huckabee is a prominent figure in American evangelical circles and has long championed Israel’s rights on the global stage. “Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel love him,” Trump stated. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East!”

The FBI has captured Asif William Rahman, a U.S. government employee suspected of leaking classified information on Israel’s planned retaliatory strikes against Iran. According to court documents, Rahman, who reportedly worked abroad for the CIA, was arrested in Cambodia on Tuesday and now faces charges of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. His first court appearance is scheduled in Guam later this week.

A groundbreaking discovery in northern Israel has revealed 12,000-year-old spindle whorls, pushing back the known history of textile production in the Levant by thousands of years. Researchers from Hebrew University announced Wednesday that these artifacts, associated with the ancient Natufian culture, represent a significant technological advancement as societies transitioned from nomadic hunting and gathering to agricultural and settled life.

Israel’s tech sector marked a significant achievement in October, with privately-held companies and startups raising nearly $1 billion, according to a recent report by Israeli business daily Globes. This surge in investment pushed the total raised for the first ten months of 2024 to over $8 billion, surpassing the $6.9 billion raised in all of 2023. The success of October’s fundraising highlights Israel’s continued role as a leader in technology and innovation, even amid challenging circumstances.