* Private Israeli security firms offered foreign states COVID vaccines: Private Israeli security companies allegedly offered foreign governments to purchase Pfizer's coronavirus vaccines directly from them in violation of the agreement with the pharmaceutical giant. An investigation conducted by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth unveiled that at least two companies were in advanced negotiations with several countries earlier this year and were on the verge of signing contracts that apparently included a "non-disclosure" clause. (Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz)
* Gantz asks Bennett to remove gag order from coronavirus meetings: Defense Minister Benny Gantz Wednesday appealed to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to remove the 30-year gag order that was placed on minutes from the coronavirus cabinet's meetings last year. The order was put in place following an amendment to government protocols. (Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz)
* Judges reject request to delay Netanyahu graft trial until September: The judges in former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial on Wednesday rejected a request by his attorneys to delay proceedings until after the Jewish High Holidays in September, but did eventually agree to a three-week postponement. Netanyahu’s lawyers claimed the lengthy original postponement would allow them enough time to study prosecution material in Case 4000. (Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz)
* Israel swears in its first-ever deaf MK using sign language: For the first time in Israel’s history, a deaf member of Knesset was sworn in Wednesday morning using sign language. Shirly Pinto, 32, from the Yamina party was allowed to enter the Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s new government thanks to the Norwegian Law, which allowed her to replace Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana. (Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz)
* Bahrain in touch with Israel's new government to learn about peace policy: Bahrain's minister of foreign affairs, Abdullatif Al Zayani, said on Wednesday the kingdom is communicating with Israel's new government to learn about its policy on the efforts aiming to bring peace to the region by settling the Palestinian issue in line with the two-state solution. The communications are "driven by the Kingdom's approach which is based on understanding, dialogue and cooperation among people," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
