All News (Page 3)

For one mother of three, leaving an abusive relationship meant having to build her life again – and finding people who understood why that could take time.

“People think you just snap out of it, and that’s not true,” she told a WIZO conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. “I was looking for a sense of belonging.”

She was among three women who spoke about rebuilding their lives through Tzomchot Yachad, Hebrew for “Growing Together,” a WIZO program that supports women and their children after leaving abusive relationships or shelters. Their accounts focused on what comes after the immediate escape: managing daily life, helping children feel secure, and finding people who notice whether you are there.

The conference, held ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, examined prevention, protection and rehabilitation. For the women on the panel, recovery meant more than physical separation from an abusive partner.

“I found women who went through similar situations. I found a community,” the mother of three said. “People waited to see me and wanted to take care of me.”

Loneliness was ‘hardest thing’ about leaving shelter, mother of two says

Another participant, a mother of two, described leaving a shelter with her children and confronting a different kind of difficulty.

“The hardest thing was the loneliness when we got out,” she said.

She described how abuse could erode positive feelings, and how difficult that experience was to explain to someone who had not lived through it.

“Tzomchot is not just a community; it’s healing and opportunities,” she said.

The program combines weekly meetings and volunteer support with help accessing rights and services, finding employment, and strengthening parenting. It is intended to build a continuing network around women and children as they establish independent lives.

The program includes 12 communities across Israel, supporting approximately 200 women who have left abusive relationships and approximately 300 of their children.

The difficulties the program addresses can be practical and emotional. WIZO describes women leaving shelters as having to find housing and work after their lives have been interrupted, sometimes while coping with debts or financial commitments incurred during the abusive relationship.

Workplaces can also help recognize distress and connect women to support, Dr. Shlomit Kaminka, founder and CEO of the Israeli Society for Human Resource Management, told the conference.

“Sometimes we’re the people that see them more than their families,” she said.

Regular contact gives managers and human resources staff opportunities to notice changes in an employee’s behavior, she explained. Kaminka described a training program developed by the association and WIZO to prepare human resources professionals to serve as workplace contacts on violence against women, recognize warning signs and help managers respond sensitively.

“The way to get things going is from the bottom-up, to set facts on the ground,” Kaminka said.

Yasmin Rubin-Cooper, director of Sheatufim’s Drawing the Lines initiative to prevent intimate partner violence, described growing involvement by grassroots organizations. She also emphasized that men must be involved in prevention.

Rubin-Cooper: Men are part of the solution

“Men are 50% of the population,” she said, describing them as part of the solution.

For a third participant in the Tzomchot Yachad panel, a single mother who said her son has special needs, joining a community also meant overcoming fears about how her son would manage.

He was not verbal at the time, she said, and she worried about leaving him in the other room during the group’s activities. A few months later, she described a child who was talking, taking part, and asking for his friends throughout the war.

She had immigrated to Israel alone. She said she had felt guilty about raising her son without strong family connections, but had found friendship and a sense of community through the group.

“I finally feel like I can spread my roots,” she said.

The mother of two also spoke about the time children need to develop trust and learn how to communicate after growing up around violence. Finding the right support for them after leaving a shelter, she said, took time.

Their accounts gave concrete meaning to a question raised by philosopher and educator Dr. Shimon Azulay, who spoke about communities as places of healing: whether a person feels able to shape their life, or feels that life is being shaped for them.

Azulay described how growing up with poverty or violence could teach passivity. He distinguished that from laziness, explaining that the issue was a person’s sense of influence over their own circumstances.

The discussion also addressed rebuilding a sense of security while living through war. The mother who had immigrated alone recalled her son continuing to ask for his friends during that period, while Kaminka spoke about women facing the trauma of abuse alongside national trauma.

Business futurist Adi Yoffe discussed planning under uncertainty. Looking toward the coming decade, she argued that anticipating the future requires examining forces beyond day-to-day concerns, including war, geopolitical and social change, and technological developments. These disruptions, she said, have made it harder to anticipate even the immediate future.

The conference also addressed the responsibility of the wider public. According to WIZO’s summary of a survey it commissioned, 81% of respondents rejected the idea that domestic violence was a private matter in which others should not intervene.

Half believed that domestic violence had increased since October 7.

World WIZO CEO Marsel Asulin said public willingness to act needed to be matched by the ability to recognize distress and offer appropriate help. She also called for a government response with clear policies, targets and budgets.

“The fight against violence against women cannot rely solely on public vigilance or the work of civil society organizations,” she said.

The women described sustained support as changing how the raised their children and rebuilt their own lives.

“A whole family can be reborn,” the mother of three said.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Prosecutors on Tuesday submitted a declaration of intent to indict a 42-year-old east Jerusalem man suspected of following a woman home from a nightclub, breaking into her Tel Aviv apartment and raping her, Israel Police said.

His detention was extended until Thursday. Police said the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office was expected to file an indictment in the coming days, along with a request to keep him in custody until the end of the proceedings.

The declaration marks the stage between the completion of the investigation and the filing of charges, allowing prosecutors to seek continued detention while preparing an indictment. 

The investigation began on October 12, when a woman in her 20s arrived at the Jaffa police station and reported that a man she did not know had raped her in her home in central Tel Aviv.

According to police, he followed her after she left a nightclub near her home. After she entered the apartment, he allegedly broke in and raped her in her bedroom.

Suspect arrested on Election Day under court-issued warrant

Investigators collected testimony, carried out forensic examinations, and gathered technological evidence, police said. Officers arrested him on October 27 under a court-issued warrant.

Police said material found on the phone he was carrying when arrested allegedly linked him to indecent acts. 

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

US Sen. Jon Ossoff’s soaring popularity and cruise to reelection last Tuesday have spurred speculation about his political future – and whether he might aim to become the first Jewish president of the United States. 

Less than an hour after polls closed on Election Night, he was projected to handily defeat his Republican challenger Mike Collins. With a campaign focused on expanding affordability and fighting corruption, Ossoff built a broad coalition in one of the nation’s most diverse states, even earning Republican endorsements. Ultimately, he retained his seat by 59%-41%. 

The leading polling analyst Nate Silver said Saturday that Ossoff was his “slam dunk number one pick” for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2028, despite Ossoff’s insistence that he has “zero interest in running for president.”

Ossoff’s Jewish supporters have expressed pride in his affirmation of Southern Jewish history while leading a state with a fervent Christian population. But other Jewish constituents have said they feel betrayed by his mounting criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and it remains to be seen whether Georgia’s pro-Israel Jews would coalesce around Ossoff if he pursues the country’s highest office.

For Andrew Lewis, Ossoff is a worthy standard-bearer for the Jewish community. A board member of Atlanta’s oldest synagogue, the Temple – where Ossoff had his bar mitzvah – Lewis said the senator frequently cites the Temple’s role in the civil rights movement, a point of pride for Jewish Atlantans.

In 1958, white supremacists bombed the Temple because its rabbi, Jacob Rothschild, advocated desegregation and allied with Martin Luther King Jr. Ossoff was sworn into the Senate on Rothschild’s well-worn bible.

“Our Rabbi Rothschild worked with Dr. King and helped shepherd Atlanta’s Jewish community, and our city and nation, through a very different yet equally divisive time,” said Lewis, who also co-founded the interfaith organization First Five Freedoms. “I take a great deal of pride in that, and I see every time Jon Ossoff speaks about it, he takes equal pride.” 

Ossoff has said his entry into politics began with an internship for Rep. John Lewis, the late civil rights giant, which helped spur his career as an investigative documentarian before he ran for office. 

Ossoff’s fellow Georgian in the Senate, Raphael Warnock, serves as a pastor at King’s former pulpit, Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. When Ossoff and Warnock ran at the same time in the 2021 runoff elections for the state’s two Senate seats, they called attention to their rekindling of the Southern Black-Jewish alliance. 

Elise Eplan, a former president of the American Jewish Committee chapter in Atlanta, said she appreciated Ossoff’s references to his Jewish identity. Ossoff has said that his father descended from Ashkenazi immigrants and he grew up among relatives who were Holocaust survivors.

“When you grow up in the South, it used to be harder to talk about not being Christian, and being really open about it,” said Eplan. “I have admired the fact that he’s not shied away from that.”

Ossoff’s 2021 appeal to Atlanta’s Jewish community

During his 2021 run, Ossoff delivered a direct appeal to the state’s Jewish community in the Atlanta Jewish Times, saying his Jewish upbringing instilled “a conviction to fight for the marginalized, the persecuted and the dispossessed.” He noted to JTA in 2019 that his wife, physician Alisha Kramer, is also Jewish. The couple started dating in high school, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Two years ago, Ossoff faced blowback from Jewish institutions for supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders’ resolutions to block certain weapons sales to Israel. The local Anti-Defamation League Southeast chapter, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and an array of synagogues said they were “deeply disappointed” by his votes for the resolutions, which did not pass.

In 2025 and 2026, he voted for further measures to restrict offensive military aid to Israel, while supporting defensive arms sales. 

Ossoff stood by those votes during a debate with Collins last month. He also said he had “no doubt” that Israeli forces committed war crimes in Gaza, deferring the charge of genocide as “a question for the International Criminal Court (ICC).”

Michael Morris, the publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times, accused Ossoff in an open letter of “lying to me and your constituents” about his support for Israel by repeatedly voting against arms sales.

But when Ossoff emerged triumphant on November 3, the ADL offered him congratulations – despite denouncing other victorious Israel critics. 

ADL Southeast Director Todd Young rebuked Collins, Ossoff’s opponent, for links to white nationalists. “This race also underscored the importance of confronting antisemitism in Georgia politics,” he said in a statement. “Throughout the campaign, serious concerns emerged about individuals close to Mike Collins.”

Collins’ former staffers were accused of posting racist and antisemitic imagery and participating in a white nationalist group chat, while his son-in-law promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories online. Those controversies might have muffled Jewish groups’ objections to Ossoff’s voting record on Israel, according to Rebecca Stoil, a professor of US political history at Clemson University. 

“Ossoff, and his candidacy with Jewish voters, benefited from the clear concerns that Jewish voters had with Collins,” said Stoil, a member of Atlanta’s Jewish community. 

In his 2021 campaign, Ossoff accused his then-opponent, Sen. David Perdue, of antisemitic dog-whistling after a campaign ad depicting Ossoff with an elongated nose.

Ossoff says that he supports the security of Israelis as well as the safety and security of Palestinians. In a Senate speech in November 2023, he said, “Just as I pray for the freedom of hostages taken so cruelly from their families, as a pro-Israel Jewish American I urge mercy for the innocent civilians in Gaza.”

As a rising left flank of his party presses for the end of the US-Israel alliance, Ossoff continues to define himself as “pro-Israel.” He argued last month that before sending weapons to any ally, the United States should assess “whether that foreign government is acting consistent with our interests, our laws and our values.” 

Ossoff’s argument that one can be pro-Israel even while conditioning US aid has been increasingly embraced by the center of the Democratic Party, according to political scientist Dov Waxman. He pointed to surveys that capture a drop in sympathy for Israel among Americans, including American Jews. 

A new poll from J Street, a liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, reported that 39% of Jewish voters said defensive aid for Israel should continue with conditions, while 31% said all military aid should end and 30% said aid should continue without conditions. Among Jews under 35, 60% supported severing military aid and said that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Waxman said those trends spelled both parties moving away from traditionally stalwart pro-Israel positions of delivering offensive and defensive aid to Israel with few conditions.

“I think Ossoff’s position is really the mainstream position now in the Democratic Party – the center of gravity,” said Waxman. “Which is to say, a position that broadly supports the continuation of the US-Israel alliance, but is not willing to write a blank check for Israel, and is not willing to support what the Israeli government does unconditionally.”

Eplan, the former AJC leader, said she was initially “concerned” about Ossoff’s votes to block offensive weapons sales in 2024. But three years into Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she said, “I understand it.” 

“Unfortunately, under Netanyahu, it has become more and more difficult to be pro-Israel in the way we always have been historically,” said Eplan. “I do think that we need leaders who understand some of the nuance, and who are willing when necessary to take a tough stand, but at the end of the day understand the importance of Israel as our ally and as a Jewish homeland.” 

If Ossoff decides to run for president, it would mark a new era in US-Israel relations. Democrats are not alone in increasingly scrutinizing the alliance. US Vice President JD Vance blamed his party’s crushing defeats in the midterm elections partly on “our relationship to Israel” and the Iran war, which the United States joined with Israel.

Trump announces halt to Israel aid by year’s end

US President Donald Trump announced on Election Day that the United States would halt military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, saying that Republicans “suffer the slings” from Democrats over the issue. 

“Now it is the policy both of the incumbent administration and of people like Jon Ossoff to limit aid to Israel,” said Stoil. “For voters who did care so much about Israel that it was going to be their basis for voting, the moment it becomes a bipartisan consensus to cut off aid, then you pick what most closely represents you on the other topics.”

Meanwhile, Israel is undergoing its own political change following elections on Oct. 27. The next president of the United States could face a new Israeli government after Netanyahu’s rival, Gadi Eisenkot, scored enough seats and endorsements from other parties to seek to form a new governing coalition.

Pro-Israel groups in the United States are already retooling for the next stage of relations. Kathy Manning, a former North Carolina congresswoman and chair of the advocacy group Democratic Majority for Israel, hopes a new Israeli government will pave the way for a renewed alliance that Democrats like Ossoff can support. 

“If the current government, Netanyahu and his far-right extremists, continue to be the leaders of Israel, I think that it’s going to be very tough for many Democrats to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder,” said Manning. “If the government of Israel changes and we see a Gadi Eisenkot coalition moving forward, I think that’ll be an opportunity for us to rebuild the US-Israel relationship.” 

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Majorities of Americans want the newly elected Democratic-majority US Congress to act to end the war with Iran and to repeal tariffs put in place by US President Donald Trump, signaling demand for quick action to address the high cost of living, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

The four-day poll, completed on Monday, showed 71% of Americans – including 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans – want the US Congress to pass legislation ending the conflict with Iran that Trump launched alongside Israel in February.

Democrats won their largest majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives since at least 2008 in last week’s midterm elections, sharply rebuking Trump’s Republicans over high costs and an unpopular war. Democrats will take power when the new Congress is sworn in on January 3.

A smaller but still-significant share of respondents – 62% – said they would support an effort to repeal tariffs on imports put in place by the Trump administration.

The war with Iran has pushed fuel prices sharply higher, adding to inflation already stoked by the new taxes Trump put on hundreds of imported goods. Trump has defended the war as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The tariffs, he has said, will boost American industry by protecting it from cheap imports.

Democratic Party leaders have vowed to address cost of living concerns and say they will try to force an end to the war with Iran. Many in the party have also vowed to end Trump’s tariffs.

Both parties show desire for bipartisanship, cooperation

Large majorities of people in both political parties said it was important for Trump to make an effort to work with Democrats and for Democratic leaders in the new Congress to try to work with the president.

Nine in 10 respondents said cost of living issues should be a focus for the Congress during its first 100 days. Smaller shares wanted a focus on issues like artificial intelligence regulation, immigration reform and climate change.

But many Americans appear concerned Democrats will use their new power to launch legal proceedings against Trump. Some 42% of poll respondents said it would be “bad for the country” if the new Congress tried to impeach Trump, compared with 33% who said it would be good for the country. The rest weren’t sure or didn’t answer the question.

Democrats disagree on whether to impeach Trump, cabinet members

Congressional Democrats are divided on how to bring down healthcare costs, and also disagree on how aggressively to target Trump, including whether to impeach the president or members of his cabinet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face a House impeachment vote this week, following a move by a Republican lawmaker.

While Trump said after the elections he would “probably” get along with Democrats, he also promoted Stephen Miller, a polarizing aide who has called the Democratic Party a domestic extremist group, to be his new White House chief of staff.

While the poll showed Trump’s approval rating near the lowest level of his political career, at 32%, it also showed Democrats were not particularly popular either.

Some 45% of Americans had a favorable view of Democrats, while 51% had an unfavorable view. Some 35% had a favorable view of Republicans, and 60% viewed them unfavorably.

Asked which party had a better approach to regulating artificial intelligence, which could be an important issue for Congress in the coming months, 28% picked Democrats, and 20% picked Republicans, while the rest said they weren’t sure or that neither was better.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted online and nationwide, gathered responses from 1,705 US adults and had a margin of error of about 2 percentage points.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

A Quebec court sentenced Abdirazak Mahdi Ahmed, 23, to 66 months in prison on Monday, nearly three years after he was involved in a shooting at the entrance of Yeshiva Gedola, a Jewish school in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, approximately one month after the October 7, 2023, massacre.

The sentence followed Ahmed’s guilty plea in September and matched a joint recommendation submitted by the prosecution and defense.

“A person who commits this kind of an attack on schools is, in the eyes of this court, a coward,” Quebec Court Judge Pierre Labelle said during sentencing.

The shooting occurred on Sunday, November 12, 2023, shortly before 5:00 a.m. on Deacon Road in Montreal.

According to the Montreal Gazette, Ahmed and an accomplice arrived at the yeshiva in a stolen vehicle, and Ahmed fired a 9 mm handgun toward one of the building’s doors.

He then entered the passenger seat of the moving vehicle, and the two fled the scene.

Police responding to the shooting discovered bullet holes in the entrance door and spent shell casings on the ground. The building was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported.

DNA, cellphone records and undercover officer linked suspect to shooting

Canadian media reported that the getaway vehicle, an Acura, had been stolen the previous day.

Police located the abandoned vehicle several hours after the shooting and recovered ammunition, a ski mask, a surgical mask and latex gloves.

Investigators discovered Ahmed’s DNA on items recovered from the vehicle, while cellphone location data placed him near the yeshiva at the time of the attack.

Statements Ahmed made to an undercover officer placed in his detention cell also helped connect him to the shooting.

Montreal police arrested Ahmed on May 22, 2024, in the city’s LaSalle borough, approximately six months after the incident.

He has remained in custody since his arrest and pleaded guilty in September 2026 to one count of discharging a firearm.

His 66-month sentence includes credit for time already served.

Prosecutors say antisemitic motive could not be established

During the hearing at which Ahmed entered his guilty plea, investigators said they had been unable to establish that the shooting was motivated by antisemitism.

Prosecutors also stated that there was no evidence linking Ahmed to two separate shootings that occurred three days earlier, on November 9, 2023, targeting Yeshiva Gedola and another Jewish school, Azrieli Talmud Torah.

Both earlier shootings remain unsolved.

According to the Montreal Gazette, police arrested the alleged getaway driver, Joseph Pageau-Layto, 21, of Vaudreuil, in February 2025.

The charge against him relating directly to the shooting was subsequently dropped. However, prosecutor Jean-Christophe Ardanos said Pageau-Layto still faces charges connected to the stolen vehicle used in the attack.

According to court records, Pageau-Layto intends to plead guilty to the remaining charge later.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will submit the appointment of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar as the new interior minister to the Cabinet for approval on Wednesday, the PM’s Likud party confirmed on Tuesday.

Sa’ar is expected to keep hold of the Foreign Minister role in addition to his new ministry.

He previously held the role of interior minister from 2013-2014.

Before that, Netanyahu offered the interior minister role to MK Ofir Katz, Likud said.

However, Katz, the coalition whip, declined the offer in order to focus on coordinating the Netanyahu-led bloc’s “efforts in the Knesset,” Likud’s statement read.

The interior minister role has been vacant since Shas MK Moshe Arbel resigned in May.

This is a developing story.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

The Islamic Republic has sealed multiple restaurants across Gilan and South Khorasan provinces over allegations that the businesses had “failed to observe Islamic norms,” according to statements by police and Iranian organizations reported in local media.

Four café-restaurants in Fuman were sealed over alleged violations involving the observance of Islamic norms, Fuman police chief Hossein Ashouri told the semi-official Mehr News Agency on Sunday. He added that the managers of the sealed cafés had been referred to judicial authorities for legal proceedings.

Ashouri did not specify the alleged violations. However, cafés in Iran have previously been targeted for allowing men and women to sit together, permitting female patrons to go without mandatory head coverings, and playing music.

The Iranian legal advocacy network Dadbaan argued that, legally, citizens have the right to employment under Article 28 of the Constitution, and that restrictions on this right must be based on law.

“Under the Law on the Guild System, closing businesses also requires a specific violation and compliance with legal procedures. Therefore, a general reference to ‘failure to observe Islamic norms,’ without identifying the violations or the legal basis for sealing the premises, cannot by itself justify depriving citizens of the ability to engage in economic activity,” the network stated.

Three Birjand cafés also closed, IRGC-affiliated media reports

Meanwhile, South Khorasan Province prosecutor-general Ahmad Ghasemi announced that three cafés in Birjand had also been sealed for failing to observe Islamic principles, according to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency.

The three cafés were reportedly sealed after public complaints about their alleged failure to observe Islamic principles and violations of regulations on public decency.

Ghasemi said legal action would be taken against the businesses, adding: “Protecting public rights, preserving the legal and religious values of society, and preventing behavior contrary to public decency are among the responsibilities of the relevant authorities. Public complaints in this regard are carefully examined and pursued within the framework of the law.”

He added that “no establishment is permitted to disregard laws and regulations and thereby create conditions for behavior contrary to public decency and Islamic principles. Established violations will be dealt with without leniency and within the framework of the law. Where legally permitted, the closure and sealing of offending establishments will also be pursued.”

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Tensions have flared in recent weeks between Fatah and Hamas, less than a month after the two factions met in Cairo for Palestinian unity talks, amid disagreements over the disruption of humanitarian efforts and the alleged detention of released prisoners, according to official statements.

On Monday, Fatah rejected Hamas’s claims that the Palestinian Authority was failing Gaza, describing the movement’s earlier accusations that the PA was neglecting the territory’s humanitarian needs as part of a “disinformation campaign.”

In response to Hamas’s accusations, Fatah said it held the terrorist group “responsible for negligence and failure to intervene to save citizens and alleviate their suffering in the Gaza Strip.” It alleged that Hamas had summoned Palestinian Labor Ministry staff and aid workers in recent weeks and pressured them to sign pledges preventing them from carrying out their duties.

The reported disruptions to humanitarian work come as the region enters the winter season, with temperatures expected to fall to 11°C this week and potentially reach as low as 6°C later in the season.

Five Palestinians, including children, have already died after a sand embankment collapsed onto tents in Deir al-Balah following heavy rainfall, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Civil Defense Agency. Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s representative for the Palestinian territories, has also warned that tens of thousands of tents have been flooded by the rain.

“The movement calls for an end to the summoning and pressuring of employees, and for an end to obstructing the work of government and relief teams,” Fatah stated. “It urges that they be enabled to fulfill their duties without threats or interference, to protect citizens, preserve their dignity, and alleviate their suffering.”

Fatah says Hamas consistently summons its employees for questioning

Since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Fatah has repeatedly complained that the terrorist group has summoned its employees for questioning. In February, Fatah claimed that its members Ayman Halawa and Abdelaziz Al-Daour had been summoned by Hamas, condemning the move as divisive.

The anger over the reported interference in aid work also comes as Hamas and its officials have made several inflammatory accusations against Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. Late last month, Hamas accused the PA security forces of arresting released prisoners, activists, and civilians in a campaign across the West Bank.

Palestinian Information Center: PA security forces arrest released Hamas terrorists 

According to the Palestinian Information Center, which documents the detention of terrorists by both Israel and the PA, PA security forces arrested the released Hamas terrorists Ahmed Noah Harish, Khaled Brahmeh, Muhammad Abu Farha, Muslim Yasar Ishtayeh, Fawzi Bishkar, and Muath Ardaniya.

Describing the arrests as part of a “revolving door” policy by the PA, Hamas claimed the treatment of prisoners “compounded the suffering” of Palestinians.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Six people were injured after extremist Israeli settlers attacked peace activist rabbis from the Rabbis for Human Rights organization near Kusra in the West Bank on Tuesday.

Footage released by the organization shows the settlers hurling rocks at the activists, as well as journalists documenting the incident.

According to the organization, a journalist and a Palestinian resident of the West Bank were among the injured, with the other four being Rabbis for Human Rights activists.

One of the victims was transported to a hospital for a head injury, while the rest sustained minor injuries, the organization said.

The activists said they contacted the police after noticing the settlers gathering on a nearby hill about 90 minutes into the olive harvest.

Club-armed settlers attacked while IDF was present, activists say

The settlers, who the activists said were armed with clubs, then descended the hill and began their attack once IDF soldiers arrived on the scene.

The IDF fired tear gas at the attackers, but activists said the settlers began to attack again soon after from a different direction. Due to the attack, the Rabbis for Human Rights activists were forced to leave the area.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is experiencing significant anxiety over the possibility of Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot replacing him as prime minister, former Netanyahu adviser Nir Hefetz claimed on Tuesday during a 103FM interview

“Panic is a major factor in his decision-making,” Hefetz said. “I could almost close my eyes and hear that atmosphere of panic.”

Hefetz describes panic inside Netanyahu’s office

Describing the atmosphere in the Prime Minister’s Office, Hefetz claimed that urgent phone calls from Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, and son, Yair, were a constant feature during periods of political uncertainty.

“Urgent phone calls every five seconds with the same message from Yair and Sara,” he said, referring to the people surrounding Netanyahu, whom he described as including “Qatar’s representatives in the office or people like [Knesset Speaker] Amir Ohana.”

“If you were a fly on the wall, you would see the panic with your own eyes,” Hefetz said. “This is not unusual for him when his personal standing is at risk. It is a regular feature of how he operates when it comes to himself.”

Discussing the possibility of Netanyahu losing power, Hefetz argued that the transition to opposition would be particularly difficult for the prime minister and his family.

“Life at home would not be easy for him, to put it mildly. And don’t forget, he is someone who loves the respect he receives from world leaders,” Hefetz said.

“Will he sit on the opposition benches? Will he suddenly see Eisenkot with the motorcade, being taken everywhere by helicopter and flying on Wing of Zion?” he asked, referring to Israel’s official state aircraft.

“That triumvirate of Netanyahu, Sara and Yair would simply explode. For them, it would be worse than people being abducted to Gaza,” Hefetz claimed.

Netanyahu could offer concessions to Eisenkot to secure unity government

Addressing Netanyahu’s call for a national unity government, Hefetz suggested that the prime minister could become increasingly willing to compromise as Eisenkot advances toward forming a coalition.

“The closer Gadi Eisenkot gets to forming a government, the less Netanyahu will be willing to settle for,” Hefetz said, suggesting that Netanyahu could offer further concessions to prevent Eisenkot from taking office.

Hefetz argued that Netanyahu’s broader objective may be to prevent the dismantling of his longstanding political alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties.

“When you take the Arab parties out of the equation, neither bloc can ever have a majority unless the ultra-Orthodox parties choose a side,” he said. “That is what has kept him securely in power since 2015, which is why his first move was to take the Arab parties out of the game.”

Hefetz suggested that opening coalition negotiations with Eisenkot could itself serve Netanyahu’s interests by slowing the process of forming an alternative government.

“The moment Eisenkot enters negotiations with him over a unity government, it becomes less urgent. But first, he needs to stop the snowball,” Hefetz said.

He added that negotiations could include political incentives, such as legislation modeled on the so-called French law that would provide legal protections for an alternate prime minister.

Eisenkot poses different political challenge than Bennett, Hefetz says

Comparing Eisenkot with former prime minister Naftali Bennett, Hefetz argued that Netanyahu views the former IDF chief of staff as a more formidable political opponent.

“Even during the first months when Naftali was prime minister, Netanyahu was in a terrible mood,” Hefetz said. “But there is an enormous difference between Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett.”

“Netanyahu knows this very well. Eisenkot is not afraid of him, and he knows he cannot mess with Eisenkot,” Hefetz continued.

“He won’t stammer ‘Yonit, Yonit,’ and Idit Silman won’t suddenly walk out on him,” he said, referring to Bennett’s political difficulties and the defection of Silman from his coalition in 2022.

Hefetz also cited comments by former minister Elazar Stern, who recalled Eisenkot saying that his experiences during the war had changed his perspective on political pressure.

“Gadi told me, ‘After everything I went through in the last war, nothing can touch me,'” Hefetz quoted Stern as saying. “And Bibi knows that.”

Hefetz argued that Eisenkot’s reputation and personal credibility could also help him secure support from potential coalition partners, particularly ultra-Orthodox parties.

“That is also his main weapon in forming a government,” Hefetz said. “If Eisenkot, with the reputation he has, tells the ultra-Orthodox parties, ‘You have my word that this is what will happen, and it will stay in this room,’ they can rely on that.”

Hefetz suggests Lieberman received assurances from Eisenkot

Hefetz also addressed the political conduct of Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, suggesting that his recent positions may reflect private understandings with Eisenkot.

“Do you think Lieberman is behaving the way he is without having received a promise from Eisenkot?” Hefetz asked.

“If he had not received a quiet assurance from him, he would be making his life extremely difficult,” he added.

Eisenkot received the mandate to form a government from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, two days before Hefetz’s remarks, following the October 27 Knesset election. His efforts to build a coalition have included discussions over potential cooperation with ultra-Orthodox parties, while Lieberman’s position remains a central factor in the negotiations.

Losing premiership could affect Netanyahu’s corruption trial

Hefetz concluded by discussing the possible implications of Netanyahu losing office for his ongoing corruption trial.

He suggested that Netanyahu’s status as a sitting prime minister has influenced the court’s handling of his schedule and that a transition to opposition could lead judges to impose stricter attendance requirements.

“Have you considered how much his life would change?” Hefetz asked.

“The panel of judges sitting in the District Court, which allows Amit Hadad to run the proceedings, will tell him: ‘You will attend every hearing.'”

“The judges will take control, and he will sit there day after day,” Hefetz said.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram is meeting with senior Moroccan defense officials this week, the ministry announced Tuesday.

The meetings included the National Defense Administration minister delegate, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) inspector-general, and other senior officials from the Royal Palace and the intelligence services.

Since the renewal of diplomatic relations in 2020 and the signing of the defense Memorandum of Understanding in November 2021, security ties between Israel and Morocco have grown significantly, including during the three years of war, the ministry said.

This growth in defense cooperation has defied the global trend of defense boycotts against Israel following the October 7 attacks.

The Jerusalem Post has met Moroccan officials in Israel and noted their undaunted interest in Israeli defense products.

Israel-Morocco defense deals executed under gov’t-to-gov’t agreements 

Most defense deals with Morocco are executed under government-to-government (G2G) agreements led by the Defense Ministry.

In a new move, Israeli defense industries are also supporting the establishment of an independent Moroccan defense industry through joint ventures and offset agreements.

The delegation also includes IDF representatives. 

The ministry noted that the FAR and the IDF have developed ties, including joint training across a range of fields.

During the visit, Baram will inaugurate the permanent premises of the Defense Attaché Office in Rabat, headed by Col. Sharon Itach, Israel’s first permanent defense attaché to Morocco.

Baram’s visit reflects strategy of deepening defense cooperation with allies

Baram’s visit to Morocco reflects the Defense Ministry’s strategy to deepen defense cooperation with friendly nations and expand defense exports to strengthen the IDF’s force buildup, influence foreign policy, and bolster the Israeli defense industry and economy, the ministry said.

“Morocco is not just another defense partner. It is much more than that,” said Baram. “Over the years, we have built a strong relationship founded on trust, mutual respect, Jewish heritage, and deep historical ties between our peoples. We intend to continue advancing the relationship between our countries to new heights.”

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

The IDF is preparing for two major escalation scenarios involving Iran as the United States, steered by US Vice President JD Vance, continues diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching an agreement with Tehran and preventing a broader regional conflict.

The talks are focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring international nuclear inspections in exchange for partially lifting the US blockade on Iran and releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. Israeli defense officials remain on high alert as diplomatic efforts continue alongside limited US military strikes.

IDF prepares for US offensive, potential Iranian retaliation

The first scenario the IDF has prepared for involves the United States launching an extensive and particularly aggressive military offensive against Iran, targeting national infrastructure and military facilities in an effort to shorten the conflict and bring it to an end.

The second scenario involves Iran attempting a surprise attack against American interests and military bases across the Middle East, including IDF bases hosting US military personnel and aircraft.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior General Staff officers have held discussions and situational assessments in recent days to review and validate operational plans.

As a result of these discussions, Israel Air Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Omer Tishler and Operations Directorate head Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen did not attend the IDF Commanders’ Championship.

The assessments cover a wide range of scenarios and potential responses, aimed at ensuring operational readiness in the event of a surprise Iranian attack.

The military is also preparing for the possibility that Israel’s adversaries in its immediate and wider regional surroundings could become involved in an escalation, whether through a coordinated operation, misunderstanding, or miscalculation.

Israeli officials believe Trump prefers agreement over military confrontation

Meanwhile, Israeli defense officials assess that US President Donald Trump would prefer to avoid a military confrontation and resolve tensions through a diplomatic agreement.

However, Israeli security assessments suggest that the Iranian leadership views Washington’s preference for diplomacy as a sign of weakness.

According to these assessments, Tehran views the results of the US midterm elections, held on Tuesday, November 3, as a form of political “revenge” against the White House.

Israeli officials also believe Iran is unlikely to rush into signing an agreement and will instead maintain a hard-line negotiating position while attempting to prolong the talks.

US strikes Iranian military targets near Strait of Hormuz

In recent days, US forces have carried out limited strikes against Iranian military assets in the south of the country and around the Strait of Hormuz, including operations targeting air defense systems and missile launchers on Qeshm Island.

Additional reported operations have targeted Iranian military positions on Larak Island, while Iranian forces have retaliated against American military assets and vessels in the region. The timing and full extent of all the reported strikes have not been independently confirmed.

The military developments have unfolded alongside ongoing diplomatic contacts, highlighting the risk that limited exchanges could escalate despite efforts to reach an agreement.

Israeli security officials reject claims of heated Iran strike debate

Separately, Israeli defense officials addressed discussions held on November 1, two days before the US midterm elections, during which senior security officials reviewed potential scenarios and responses involving Iran.

Among the options raised was the possibility of a preemptive Israeli offensive against Iran, reportedly supported by the Mossad chief.

However, security officials said they considered the proposal and then dropped it, rejecting suggestions that the discussions involved unusually heated disagreements.

“The option was raised and then dropped just as quickly,” security officials said. “The discussion was professional and respectful. There were disagreements on some issues, but no arguments that got out of proportion.”

“The leaks from the discussion were politically motivated,” the officials added.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Israel’s next prime minister will have little time to settle into office before confronting a series of interconnected foreign policy challenges, including relations with the United States, European pressure over West Bank settlements, Israel’s international standing, and the need to formulate policy on Iran and the Palestinian arena.

Above all, the next government will face a central political dilemma: how to conduct foreign policy under mounting international pressure when diplomatic compromises could trigger crises within the governing coalition.

US-Israel relations face new challenges after midterm elections

The most significant challenge will be in Washington. US President Donald Trump will remain in the White House, but the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, held one week ago, have reshaped the political landscape ahead of the new Congress taking office in January 2027.

Democrats have secured control of both chambers of Congress, according to election projections, creating new constraints on the administration’s ability to advance its agenda in the House of Representatives and Senate. At the same time, growing criticism of Israel among parts of the Democratic Party threatens to complicate Jerusalem’s relationship with the American political establishment.

For decades, Israel relied on broad bipartisan support in Washington, allowing it to maintain military assistance and strategic cooperation even during periods of diplomatic disagreement between the two countries. In recent years, that consensus has weakened, particularly over the war in Gaza, Israeli policy in the West Bank, and settlement activity.

The shift has already been reflected in initiatives to restrict arms sales to Israel, demands for tighter oversight of American weapons and proposals to impose sanctions on individuals involved in settlement activity.

Although some of these initiatives were introduced as legislative proposals and never became binding policy, their advancement in Congress reflects declining support for Israel among some Democratic lawmakers. Political criticism could eventually lead to conditions on military assistance, delays in arms transactions, or increased scrutiny of how American military equipment is used.

Congress has considerable authority to influence the president’s foreign policy through budget approvals, oversight of arms sales, congressional hearings and requests for testimony from senior administration officials.

Relying exclusively on ties with Trump could therefore prove to be a mistake. The next prime minister and foreign minister will need to preserve their close relationship with the president while rebuilding communication channels with Democratic Party leaders.

Aligning too closely with one party risks deepening alienation from the other. Policy decisions made in Jerusalem to improve relations with Democrats could also face opposition from the Republican administration or Israeli coalition partners, depending on the composition of the next government.

Israel’s $38 billion US military aid agreement expires in 2028

Another strategic issue is the future of the multiyear US-Israel military assistance agreement, signed in 2016 and worth $38 billion over a decade, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2028.

The next government will have to prepare for a successor agreement at a time when American assistance to Israel is becoming increasingly controversial in US politics.

The current agreement provides $33 billion in military financing and $5 billion for missile defense programs over 10 years, subject to congressional appropriations. The arrangement is central to Israel’s ability to secure its long-term defense requirements and avoid restrictive conditions being attached to future assistance.

Negotiations over the next agreement will also address continued cooperation on missile defense development, Israel’s ability to acquire advanced munitions and the preservation of its qualitative military edge in the region.

Growing willingness among some American lawmakers to condition arms sales on Israeli policies could make it harder for Jerusalem to maintain defense arrangements that were once considered almost automatic.

The next US presidential election is scheduled for November 2028, two years from now, and Democratic candidates may adopt increasingly critical positions toward Israel.

Alongside managing relations with the Trump administration, the next Israeli government will need to prepare for the possibility of a significant shift in American policy when the next president takes office in January 2029.

European pressure over West Bank settlements threatens economic ties

In Europe, the next government is expected to face a different set of pressures, primarily concerning settlement activity in the West Bank.

Construction in settlements, the legalization of outposts and settler violence have become central issues in Israel’s relations with European countries. Beyond diplomatic condemnations, several governments have taken measures against individuals and organizations linked to violence in the West Bank.

Britain has imposed sanctions on settlers and organizations involved in violence, while the European Union has also adopted measures targeting individuals implicated in attacks against Palestinians.

The concern in Jerusalem is that such measures could expand beyond specific individuals and organizations, potentially affecting trade, research and institutional cooperation with Europe.

EU member states remain divided over how to respond to Israeli policy. Some advocate a tougher approach toward settlement activity, while others oppose sweeping measures against Israel.

The Foreign Ministry will need to engage European governments individually and make use of disagreements among member states to prevent the emergence of a unified position that could enable far-reaching action against Israel.

Sanctions under the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy generally require unanimous approval, although other measures follow different decision-making procedures.

The European Union is one of Israel’s most important trading partners, with relations extending to economic agreements, scientific cooperation and research and technology programs.

A worsening diplomatic confrontation could also affect these areas. Since major European decisions are subject to institutional procedures and, in some cases, the approval of member states, Israel’s diplomatic efforts will need to focus on both EU institutions in Brussels and national governments across Europe.

EU association agreement and Horizon Europe face potential risks

Particular sensitivity surrounds the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which provides a central framework for economic and political relations between the two sides.

Damage to the agreement, or the suspension of certain benefits under it, could carry significant economic and diplomatic consequences.

Research and innovation partnerships, particularly the Horizon Europe program, are also strategic assets that Israel will need to protect.

Suspending benefits under the Association Agreement and restricting Israeli participation in European research programs involve different legal frameworks and decision-making procedures, and their economic consequences are not identical.

If such measures advance, the government will need to work with EU institutions and member states to block their approval or limit their scope.

The next prime minister will also have to decide how to approach settlement construction, the legalization of outposts and law enforcement against settler violence, while assessing the diplomatic costs of those decisions.

The foreign minister will lead the diplomatic effort in Brussels and European capitals, seeking to prevent further measures against Israel and preserve existing cooperation.

Coalition disputes could restrict Israeli diplomatic flexibility

These decisions could place the prime minister in direct confrontation with coalition partners.

Restricting settlement construction or refraining from unilateral measures in the West Bank could help reduce international pressure, but such moves may face opposition within the government.

Conversely, agreeing to demands for settlement expansion could intensify disputes with Europe and undermine efforts to restore relations with the United States.

Coalition partners opposing government decisions could exert pressure by objecting during cabinet meetings, delaying legislation, voting against proposals in the Knesset, or threatening a coalition crisis.

Disagreements over settlement policy could also disrupt government activity in unrelated areas.

The challenge would become particularly acute if international demands involved changing existing Israeli policy.

Freezing construction projects, increasing enforcement against unauthorized outposts or taking steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority could be viewed internationally as necessary diplomatic gestures but provoke fundamental disagreements within the coalition.

Even after adopting such decisions, the prime minister would need to ensure that coalition partners allow their implementation.

The more the coalition’s parliamentary majority depends on parties opposing concessions in the Palestinian arena, the narrower the prime minister’s room for maneuver will become in efforts to ease international pressure.

Israel’s international standing faces pressure from Gaza war, legal proceedings

Compounding these challenges is the continuing crisis surrounding Israel’s international image.

The war in Gaza, civilian casualties and international legal proceedings have intensified criticism of Israel among Western governments and international institutions.

The Foreign Ministry will need to contend with critical governments and public opinion, boycott campaigns and initiatives to restrict cooperation with Israeli institutions.

Proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also shape the diplomatic environment in which Israel operates, although the two courts have different jurisdictions and legal consequences.

The ICC deals with the criminal responsibility of individuals, while the ICJ adjudicates legal disputes between states and considers legal questions referred to it.

The next government will need to coordinate efforts among the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Foreign Ministry, and the Justice Ministry to address the implications of these proceedings for Israel’s international standing, visits by senior officials, and relations with countries committed to international judicial institutions.

Public diplomacy efforts alone will not be sufficient to improve Israel’s image. Much will depend on government decisions and developments on the ground.

The foreign minister will need to strengthen Israel’s diplomatic missions, restore damaged relationships and engage with political and public opinion leaders.

Gaza’s future, Palestinian policy will test Israel’s relations with West

The Palestinian issue will continue to weigh heavily on Israel’s relations with Western countries.

European governments will demand that Israel present a political horizon, while the next government will have to determine its policy toward the Palestinian Authority and its position on the future of the Gaza Strip.

Questions concerning civilian governance in Gaza, security arrangements, reconstruction and the involvement of Arab states will require close coordination with Washington, alongside independent decisions in Jerusalem.

A central dispute is likely to emerge over Israel’s desire to preserve freedom of military action in Gaza while countries involved in discussions over the territory’s future seek to establish a stable civilian administration.

Any future arrangement will have to address Hamas’s status, the responsibility of Palestinian institutions for governing Gaza, the involvement of Arab countries and mechanisms for monitoring reconstruction funds.

Each alternative would carry security, diplomatic, or political costs for the prime minister, and potentially all three.

Relations with Arab countries will also be heavily influenced by developments in the Palestinian arena.

The possibility of expanding normalization agreements, particularly a future agreement with Saudi Arabia, could depend on Israel’s willingness to present diplomatic measures that would allow regional governments to justify closer relations with Jerusalem.

The prime minister and foreign minister will need to consider how to preserve the achievements of normalization and advance regional cooperation without accepting commitments that conflict with government policy.

Iran nuclear program, intelligence coordination present strategic challenges

At the same time, the next prime minister will need to confront the Iranian threat and oversee the intelligence agencies operating under the government’s authority.

The Mossad will continue to play a central role in monitoring Iran’s nuclear program, countering threats beyond Israel’s borders and maintaining covert relationships with foreign intelligence services.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) will address terrorism threats and security challenges in Israel and the Palestinian arena.

The prime minister will need to build trust with the heads of these organizations, ensure the independence of their professional assessments, and strengthen coordination through the National Security Council.

The Iranian nuclear issue will also require direct diplomatic decisions involving Washington.

If the American administration chooses to pursue a diplomatic agreement over Iran’s nuclear program, Israel will need to determine which restrictions and verification mechanisms it demands, how to address Iran’s missile program and what freedom of action it seeks to preserve in the event of violations.

Disagreements between Jerusalem and Washington on these issues could affect intelligence cooperation, security coordination and Israel’s ability to mobilize international support for measures against Iran.

Iran’s activities through armed groups across the region will also require the government to combine security responses, coordinate with the United States, and engage diplomatically with regional countries.

Beyond establishing the priorities of Israel’s intelligence agencies, the prime minister will need to ensure that intelligence and professional assessments reach decision-makers without political interference.

Effective coordination among the Mossad, Shin Bet, IDF, and National Security Council will be essential.

The prime minister will also have to define the boundaries of responsibility and oversight governing these organizations.

Managing this complex security establishment will require preserving its professional independence and preventing institutional disputes from disrupting decision-making.

Foreign Ministry must secure role in Israeli policy decisions

The next foreign minister will also face questions concerning the Foreign Ministry’s standing within the government.

In a system where many major diplomatic decisions are made through the PMO, National Security Council and security channels, the foreign minister will need to ensure that the ministry participates in shaping policy rather than merely presenting decisions after they have been made.

Doing so will require a coordinated diplomatic network capable of identifying initiatives against Israel before they develop into formal decisions.

The ministry will also need to maintain regular contact with lawmakers and opinion leaders while presenting clear diplomatic positions.

Without full participation in the decision-making process, even an extensive diplomatic effort could be reduced to limiting the consequences of policies formulated without the ministry’s involvement.

Coalition stability could determine Israel’s foreign policy direction

Ultimately, Israel’s next prime minister will have to choose between interests that cannot always be reconciled.

Israel will need American support, cooperation with Europe and freedom of military action against regional threats.

Decisions that benefit Israel in one arena could create difficulties in another.

The most difficult political test will come when a measure intended to secure continued American military assistance, prevent damage to relations with Europe or advance an arrangement in the Palestinian arena faces opposition from within the government.

At that point, the prime minister will have to decide how far to risk the stability of the coalition to advance policies considered necessary for Israel’s security and international standing.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

A 14-year-old Palestinian boy was killed by IDF fire in the village of Burka, near Nablus in the West Bank, on Tuesday morning, according to Palestinian reports. The IDF said troops conducting an operation on the outskirts of the village identified several suspects allegedly preparing to throw stones at Israeli vehicles and opened fire.

Two other teenagers from Burka, aged 16 and 17, were wounded in the incident, according to the reports.

According to military sources, the troops had been positioned in an ambush targeting suspected stone-throwers. The 14-year-old was masked and accompanied by two other suspects who were allegedly preparing to throw stones, the sources said.

The soldiers opened fire in accordance with the rules of engagement, and hits were identified, according to military sources.

Israeli security forces arrest 10 terror suspects in northern West Bank

On Monday, IDF troops, Border Police officers, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) personnel arrested 10 suspected Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists in the village of Arrabe, in the Menashe Brigade’s area of operations.

According to the IDF, the suspects were involved in establishing terrorist infrastructure and planning an attack against Israeli civilians in the northern West Bank.

The operation involved soldiers from the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade Reconnaissance Battalion and Duvdevan undercover counterterror commandos, who, alongside Border Police officers, raided ten separate locations simultaneously in order to capture the terrorists, who were affiliated with the PIJ terror group, guided by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) intelligence.

The 10 suspects were transferred for further questioning.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

A record 33 female MKs are set to be sworn in to Israel’s 26th Knesset on Tuesday, the 5050 Initiative announced, citing data from the “Choosing Wisely” project.

The announcement comes after the initiative’s CEO, Yael Yechieli, sent a letter to party leaders and President Isaac Herzog, in which she demanded equal participation in meetings between party leaders, the drafting of coalition agreements and government guidelines, and the allocation of ministerial portfolios and areas of responsibility.

Yechieli’s letter itself followed a KAN News report showing gender disparities in parties that had pledged to promote equality, including Yashar, B’Yachad, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats.

According to the 5050 Initiative, which operates under the Centers for Social Justice, 21 of the total 33 female MKs are members of parties with equal representation between men and women, including Yashar, B’Yachad, and the Democrats.

Several parties have few women; haredi parties completely male

In contrast, Likud, the Joint List, Yisrael Beytenu, Otzma Yehudit, the Religious Zionist Party (RZP), and Ra’am each have fewer than five women in their parties.

In addition, each of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties is completely male, with no women having served within them in their histories.

Of the 33 female MKs, 18 will be serving in the Knesset for their first time, with 13 continuing their service from the 25th Knesset and two returning from a previous Knesset.

Three of the women, Keren Turner-Eyal, Liran Avisar Ben-Horin, and Tair Ifergan, have served as directors-general of government ministers, while two, Tal Ohana and Oshrat Gani Gonen, have headed local authorities, the initiative noted.

An additional five, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Gila Gamliel, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Meirav Cohen, and Orit Strock, have served as ministers, with Strock being the only female MK in Israel’s 26th Knesset with no academic degree. Of the 87 male MKs, 24 have not completed higher education.

Yechieli: More work needed to reach 50% representation goal

Yechieli emphasized that, while the 26th Knesset is certainly a milestone, the initiative still has a lot of work to do to reach its goal of 50% female representation in every Israeli political party.

“I know that had we not been active over the past four years, we would see fewer women in this Knesset. What has happened within the right-wing bloc is a tragedy; women are gradually disappearing. On the other hand, our eyes are set on the future, toward the next elections.”

She added that achieving 50% representation “will be part of the healing process for the State of Israel. I am excited and happy that we have partners within the Knesset, both men and women, for whom the value of equality is a supreme principle, and I know that we will work together.”

Goldie Katz and Shir Perets contributed to this report.

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here. 

Reports on Monday indicated that Iraq was closing the Mandali border crossing with Iran in Diyala province. This is part of the US pressure campaign to cut off Iran’s land borders so that the regime can’t smuggle in weaponry.

Iraq is a key battlefield for Iran. It has numerous militias in Iraq that it influences, and it has carried out more than 1,000 attacks in Iraq since February.

Even as Iraq was closing one crossing, the country decided to reopen the Sheeb border crossing with Iran following weeks of closure, Rudaw media reported.

The border crossing battle is just one place where Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi now weighs his next moves. He came to power earlier this year after an election in Iraq in November 2025 left the country uncertain for months. Al-Zaidi has received support from US President Donald Trump.

He has vowed to rein in Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Initially, he wanted the militias disarmed by September 2026, when US forces left Iraq. However, the militias stalled, and he allowed them to keep their weapons until June 2027.

Zaidi weighing arrest campaign against Iran-backed militias

Now al-Zaidi is weighing whether to begin a campaign of arrests against the militias. Kataib Hezbollah, a key Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, has upped its rhetoric against al-Zaidi in the last days. It may have also been behind an attack on the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan Region. It appears that the Iraqi leadership is careening toward a moment of decision.

On the other hand, al-Zaidi was apparently in Iran for a recent unannounced visit. In addition, an Iranian delegation went to the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq for a meeting. Iran is also appointing a new ambassador to Iraq from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

All of this shows that Iran is seeking to have a heavy-handed policy regarding Iraq. Iran views Iraq as its near abroad, meaning it essentially views Iraq as a kind of extension of Iran. Iran works through Shi’ite parties in Iraq and the Coordination Framework in parliament, which is a group of Shi’ite parties. It also works through the militias.

In many cases, the militias are also parliamentary parties. Badr Organization is one example; it is both a political machine and a militia. This is the Iranian model for proxies in Yemen and Lebanon as well.

Iran often successfully outplayed other Iraqi leaders

The question for Iraq’s prime minister this week will be whether he will continue on his path of pressure on the militias, or if he will back down. Iran has often successfully outplayed other Iraqi leaders. It usually co-opts them or threatens them. It has threatened them in the past using militias. When the militias have not received what they want, they use kamikaze drone attacks or other means to intimidate adversaries.

They are also willing to spread economic havoc in Iraq. For instance, the attack on the Khor Mor gas field is an example of how they are willing to strike at strategic infrastructure. They identify a weak point, such as a gas facility that supplies a large amount of electricity needed for the Kurdistan Region, and they attack it, harming the lives of millions. 

Share this story:

This post was originally published on here.