Yoav Etiel

Yoav Etiel is a journalist and reporter for Walla.

Smoke rises from the oil refineries in Haifa following a missile strike fired from Iran, in northern Israel, March 30, 2026

Haifa mayor demands parties commit to shutting down city's petrochemical industry by 2029

Israeli soldiers are seen outside the Sde Teiman military base near Beersheba, southern Israel, July 30, 2026.

Hind Rajab Foundation asks ICC to investigate Israeli doctors over alleged Sde Teiman torture

Bangkok Chabad, Thailand.

Thai police raid Chabad, Jewish institutions in Bangkok amid ongoing foreign business investigation


Global Sumud Flotilla recruiting for West Bank activism, Diaspora Affairs Ministry reveals

The organization has called for volunteers to join a program providing accompaniment and maintaining a presence alongside Palestinian communities ahead of the upcoming olive harvest.

A Palestinian flag is seen as people gather at the port of Ermoupolis before the departure of two sailing boats, Electra and Oxygen, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza and break Israel's naval blockade, on Syros island, Greece, September 14, 2025.

Cryptocurrency trading under scrutiny as two Israelis face multimillion-dollar tax evasion probes

Two Israelis face separate investigations into suspected cryptocurrency tax evasion involving millions of dollars, with authorities seizing digital wallets, foreign currency, and a luxury car.

Israel Tax Authority, Israel Land Authority, Bank of Israel.

Israelis unable to compete in FIDE amateur chess tournament taking place in Malaysia

FIDE's official announcement states that "all FIDE member federations and all eligible players are invited to participate." However, Malaysia's entry restrictions prevent Israelis from competing.

India's Vishwanathan Anand plays against Israel's Boris Gelfand during a tie-break of FIDE World chess championship match in State Tretyakovsky Gallery in Moscow on May 30, 2012.

Israelis remain stranded in Dubai as Israeli airlines cancel rescue flights

Despite reports of efforts to bring stranded Israelis home from the United Arab Emirates, Koster said she and the other members of her tour group still do not know how they will return to Israel.

Planes are parked at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport, following the United States and Israel strikes on Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 2, 2026.

Zohar Pinhasi charged with wire fraud after using cybersecurity company to pay off hackers

Zohar Pinhasi allegedly targeted business owners victimized by hackers and claimed to offer a service that decrypted data as an alternative to paying the hackers off.

Zohar Pinhasi

Namibia arrests Iranian women claiming to be Israeli, mistaken for Yahalomis

Rabbi Yosef Rahimi, the Chabad Lubavitch emissary in Namibia, told Walla that he immediately realized the two women were Iranian when he met them at the police station. 

Iranian woman pretending to be a member of the Yahalomi family in Namibia on October 7, 2026.

Italy deports two foreign nationals suspected of attacking Milan Chabad emissary

Walker Meghnagi, head of Milan's Jewish community, welcomed the deportations, calling the move "wonderful news."

 People demonstrate to express support for the Palestinians during a protest in Milan, Italy October 14, 2023; Illustrative.

Indian police detain Israeli for staying without valid travel documents following drug charges

Driham was dubbed an “Israeli drug baron” but was cleared after claiming that police had planted drugs. The arrest is an immigration-related detention rather than an arrest for a new drug offense.

Police personnel stand outside a closed lab following an advisory from the local authority to close shops and other establishments at Connaught Place in New Delhi on July 23, 2026.

London police urge students to reschedule October 7 pro-Palestinian march

The October 7 march is expected to be one of the most sensitive tests for British police since the start of the war.

A pro-Palestine demonstration during Day Two of the Green Party Conference at Brighton Centre on October 3, 2026 in Brighton, England.

US Jews cannot blame Israel, Israeli government for increasing antisemitism, JFNA CEO says

American Jews are engaging in self blame. They are afraid, forced to live their Jewish lives within confined spaces, and some accuse Israel of causing the surge in antisemitism.

Celebrants march in the Israel Day Parade on Fifth Avenue on May 18, 2025 in New York City.