Since 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has helped Jews from around the world make aliyah, with the 100,000th immigrant from North America landing today and being greeted by President Isaac Herzog.

Welcome to Israel, Emilia – the 100,000th Olah to make Aliyah with @NefeshBNefesh pic.twitter.com/4YVr3aOG9J

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) August 9, 2026

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The groups are demanding sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel, as well as the restoration of visa requirements for Israeli citizens.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry urged Israelis in Greece to conceal Jewish and Israeli symbols and avoid demonstrations Sunday as anti-Israel groups prepared protests at 91 locations across the country, Maariv reported.

The demonstrations, organized as part of a “National Day of Action for Palestine,” are planned in Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos and other Greek islands.

BDS Greece, March to Gaza Greece and the Palestinian community in Greece are among the groups promoting the protests, according to Greek media reports and organizers.

The groups are demanding sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel, as well as the restoration of visa requirements for Israeli citizens.

Organizers are also calling for Israeli soldiers and reservists arriving in Greece to be screened over suspicions of alleged war crimes.

The largest Athens protest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Monastiraki Square. Other demonstrations are planned at Victoria Square, Haidari, Porto Rafti and Palaia Fokaia. In Thessaloniki, protesters are expected to gather near the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos at 7:30 p.m.

The Foreign Ministry advised Israelis to remain particularly vigilant and avoid locations where demonstrations are taking place.

“On Sunday, August 9, 2026, demonstrations and protest rallies are expected to take place at dozens of locations throughout Greece,” the ministry said.

“In light of the expected scale of the protests and the possibility of large gatherings and disturbances, the Foreign Ministry recommends that Israeli citizens staying in Greece exercise increased vigilance, stay away from demonstrations and gatherings and avoid any friction or confrontation with protesters.”

The ministry also advised travelers against displaying anything that could visibly identify them as Israeli or Jewish.

“It is recommended to keep Israeli and Jewish symbols out of sight and avoid posting your real-time location on social media. Follow announcements from local authorities and the media, stay updated on developments and obey instructions from local security forces.”

Organizers are seeking to replicate nationwide demonstrations held last summer, when pro-Palestinian protests took place in cities and on islands throughout Greece.

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The initiative comes two years after a Hezbollah missile killed 12 children in the Druze community.

By Birthright Israel, Jewish Federations of North America, JNS

Birthright Israel, Jewish Federations of North America) Birthright Israel has announced the launch of a major community healing project in Majdal Shams, Israel’s northernmost village, home to a Druze community that was once under Syrian control.

The initiative, coming two years after the Hezbollah terrorist attack that killed 12 children in the community, was made possible by a donation from the David and Meredith Kaplan Foundation, through the Birthright Israel Foundation. The project will establish eight therapeutic educational gardens across four local educational institutions, creating spaces of healing, growth, and hope for the Druze community.

The project is being carried out by the Birthright Israel Volunteer Program, a joint initiative with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), which will bring approximately 1,000 volunteers to Majdal Shams in the coming months to take part in the effort.

The project carries deep significance for Majdal Shams. On July 27, 2024, 12 children from the village were killed when a Hezbollah rocket struck a local soccer field—a tragedy that devastated the close-knit community and left a lasting mark on its schools and families. In the two years since, residents have turned to gardening and connection with nature for rehabilitation and collective healing.

Since the beginning of July, Birthright Israel volunteers have been on the ground in Majdal Shams, building the first of these therapeutic gardens. On July 17, a group was welcomed at Elementary School B by Dolan Abu Saleh, head of the Majdal Shams Municipality, who spoke about the impact the volunteers are making on the community. Audible booms across the border in Syria during his remarks underscored the complexity of daily life in the village’s easternmost neighborhood.

Following the mayor, Jihan Safdi, principal of Elementary School B, addressed the group about the aftermath of the 2024 attack, in which she personally lost six of her students. She spoke about how gardening and nature-based programming have become central to the community’s healing process over the past two years.

After the welcome remarks, mission participants joined 25 Birthright Israel Excel volunteers to plant greenery, arrange gravel, build planters and lay paving stones at the Resilience Center, which borders the soccer field where the attack took place.

Speaking to the group, Abu Saleh reflected on the deeper significance of the moment, describing what he called a “dual realization” that took hold among the Druze of the Golan following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 attacks: a recognition that their security is inextricably tied to the State of Israel, and a definitive break from fundamentalist Islam, which the community now views as a force with which it shares no connection.

“The turning point for the Golan Druze began on Oct. 8, 2023,” Abu Saleh said. “On Oct. 8, we accepted the Jews and Israelis as our home. Now, the Jews finally accepted us. We arrived first; you met us there.”

Launched in November 2023 in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, the Birthright Israel Volunteer program has quickly grown into one of the largest organized Jewish volunteer initiatives supporting communities across Israel. Since its launch, 30,000 Jewish adults have traveled to Israel through the program, contributing more than 60,000 volunteer days in areas including agriculture, food security, logistics, community support and assistance to communities impacted by the war. The program has already served nearly 100 communities across Israel, giving participants a hands-on opportunity to support the country’s recovery and resilience while strengthening their personal connection to Israel.

“The demand from Diaspora Jews to serve in Israel keeps growing. Every volunteer we send strengthens the bond between world Jewry and Israel. Majdal Shams shows what that looks like on the ground, and we are grateful to the David and Meredith Kaplan Foundation for making this project possible, said Elias Saratovsky, president and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation.”

“We want to bring tens of thousands more volunteers over the next few years. We need partners who will help us get there,” said Elias Saratovsky, president and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. “We need to expand the volunteer program so we can bring more Diaspora Jews to Israel and strengthen the connection between world Jewry and Israel.”

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Tal Kuperstein, the father of Bar, a former hostage held in Gaza for over two years, has slowly made progress increasing his mobility following paralysis caused by a stroke he suffered years ago.

לראות את טל קופרשטיין, אחרי המאבק להחזיר את בר , 6 שנים משבץ קשה, ואחרי שלא נתנו לו סיכוי, רוקד לצלילי @therealomeradam . חוזר לדבר. זה מה שנותן לי השראה לקום להלחם כל יום מחדש. @BrainQTech גאים להיות שם לצידך במסע המופלא הזה. pic.twitter.com/yTkjXzAfLx

— Yotam Drechsler (@YotamDrechsler) August 7, 2026

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Trump’s detractors do exactly what he did in a 2019 tweet by exaggerating the cost of the war and dismissing its results as not worth a candle.

By Amir Taheri, Gatestone Institute

“The United States has spent EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS fighting and policing in the Middle East. Thousands of our Great Soldiers have died or been badly wounded. Millions of people have died on the other side. GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! …”

The above was posted by President Donald J. Trump on October 9, 2019, during his first term as president.

The capital letters are his, as are the inflated numbers about dollar spending and those who supposedly died on the other side.

Notice that in his tweet, Trump gives top billing to the money spent before mentioning the cost in human lives.

Nevertheless, the Trump tweet raised an important issue: that American elites drunk on hubris were beating the drums about easy victories in Afghanistan and Iraq.

What Trump didn’t know at the time was that the tweet may one day be flung back into his own face. Yet this is what some of his erstwhile MAGA followers are doing with reference to the strange war he launched against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Trump’s detractors do exactly what he did in his tweet by exaggerating the cost of the war and dismissing its results as not worth a candle.

But what if Trump was wrong then and his critics are wrong now?

The first US “going into the Middle East” happened in August 1942, a year after Britain and the USSR invaded Iran, toppled its Shah, and started using its infrastructure and food resources to support the Red Army fighting Nazi Germany.

The US sent 30,000 non-combat troops, mostly logistics, administrative, commercial, and health experts, to reorganize the chaotic system conjured up by Brits and Russians who took from Iranians what they wished but paid in future-dated IOUs instead of cash.

The arrangement suited the occupiers but bankrupted Iranian businesses and led to famine in several provinces.

“What a relief,” wrote Ibrahim Khajenuri, an Iranian journalist at the time, “while Russians and the English (sic) steal, Americans buy with real money.”

At the same time, the US paid for the upkeep of over 300,000 European refugees, including thousands of Polish Jews who had fled to the USSR but were pushed into Iran by Stalin.

Without US financial and administrative support, the war-shattered Iranian state would not have been able to look after the surprise guests beyond an initial welcome.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt held a summit with Saudi King Abdul-Aziz Ibn Saud aboard an American warship to seal a friendship that has lasted to this day with benefit for both sides.

The US agreed to expanded financial and strategic assistance to Saudi Arabia, which was used to develop the kingdom’s oil resources, something that British diplomat Lancelot Oliphant had refused when, in 1932, Saudis asked the United Kingdom for a loan of half a million pounds sterling.

Oliphant’s rejection was later portrayed as a notorious British diplomatic and commercial miscalculation, earning him the label “the diplomat who said ‘No’ to Saudi oil.”

The Abdul-Aziz-Roosevelt meeting happened on February 14, but I doubt if either knew it was Valentine’s Day.

The next US intervention was in Iran, when President Harry S. Truman opposed Stalin’s plan to annex parts of northwest Iran under Red Army occupation in violation of a 1942 accord by Allies to withdraw at the end of the war.

US aid through CARE and Point IV schemes helped post-war Iran avoid famine, introduce mass vaccination to cut child mortality by 70 percent, and train a cadre of Iranian managers, economists, and health workers.

In 1951, Truman intervened to “discourage” the Labour Party Government in London from invading Iran to seize oilfields and installations and undo Iranian oil nationalization.

In 1956 President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened to stop the Suez War and prevent Britain and France, two moribund imperialist powers, from gaining a new lease on life.

Next it was the turn of President John F. Kennedy, who as a US Senator opposed France’s colonial war in Algeria and as president helped Charles De Gaulle to sell the idea of Algerian independence to his compatriots.

The two US interventions in Lebanon in 1958 and 1982 brought that country back from the brink.

Fast forward from the mid-1960s: the US has acted as Israel’s key ally and central player in the quest for a settlement between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Because it was able to talk to both sides, the US succeeded in marginalizing the initial ideological-religious causes of the conflict and redefining it in political and diplomatic terms.

Though limited, Trump’s own success with the Abraham Accords is the latest example.

Trump’s tweet was implicitly focused on Afghanistan and Iraq, which the US invaded, spent a lot of money on, and sustained human losses, though not on the scale he suggests.

Even in those two nations, US intervention wasn’t as negative as some suggest.

Iraq today is still grappling with many problems, including mafia-style proxies of Tehran and Ankara’s troops in several provinces.

Corruption is also above the 40 percent the UN regards as a limit beyond which it becomes “a way of life.”

Yet, no one can deny that Iraqis today are freer, more secure and respected and generally more prosperous than under various post-monarchy dictators.

The Afghan case is somewhat different, if only because, unlike in Iraq, those ousted from power have returned. Even then, thanks to US intervention in 2001, Afghans tasted two decades of relative freedom.

As a student of Afghan affairs and a frequent visitor for decades, I am astonished by the amazing achievements of Afghans in art, culture, literature, sport, and even business during that brief parenthesis.

Millions of Afghan girls managed to get schooling and secure a part, albeit small, in public life. Part of that historic surge of creativity has happened in the Afghan diaspora, formed after the return of the Taliban to power.

However, even if we don’t like the Taliban, who are not likeable by any measure, they too may have started to change because the country the Americans left isn’t what it was before they came.

Right now, voices are heard inside Afghanistan urging a review of the ban on education for women, partly by the Taliban’s own womenfolk, who somehow have caught the American bug.

Iranians had no reason to oppose US intervention when it helped them protect their sovereignty against the Soviets and the British.

They pushed the US into hostility by raiding its embassy in Tehran, effectively starting a 47-year war.

It is too early to assess the current US “intervention” in Iran, and much depends on how it ends.

Arabs have little reason to denounce the US intervention, which helped prevent Israel from translating its military victories into political gains.

Even today, Trump is trying to save Hamas from extinction through his “Board of Peace” while also shielding the Lebanese Hezbollah to please Tehran and Doha.

Egypt can’t complain about having received almost $100 billion in US aid through annual subsidies by signing a peace treaty with Israel.

Kuwait can’t complain because the US saved it from being annexed by Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

All in all, US intervention in the Middle East has not been all negative, as Trump suggests.

His own behavior could tip the balance.

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The six are Master Sgt. Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Eden Yerushalmi.

By JNS Staff

The Israeli embassy in Washington marked on Saturday the Hebrew calendar-dated second yahrzeit—the anniversary of a person’s death—of six hostages who were murdered by Hamas terrorists in a tunnel in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, in August 2024.

The six are Master Sgt. Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Eden Yerushalmi.

This Shabbat, the 25th of Av, marks the yahrzeit of the Beautiful Six: Ori, Hersh, Eden, Almog, Carmel, and Alexander.

Alongside our Shabbat candles, we light candles in their memory and carry their light forward.

May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their light… pic.twitter.com/G58M0gB8z0

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) August 7, 2026

“Alongside our Shabbat candles, we light candles in their memory and carry their light forward. May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their light continue to shine,” the embassy tweeted.

All six were kidnapped alive during the Hamas-led assault on the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023.

The hostages were found in a 65-foot-deep tunnel with gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of their bodies. One of the hostages showed signs of being tied up and they all showed evidence of neglect and having not bathed for a long time.

In addition, there was evidence that they sustained injuries during their kidnapping that were treated over time.

The hostages are believed to have been transported from the northern Gaza Strip to the south, where they were murdered.

Their bodies were recovered by the Israel Defense Forces on Sept. 1, 2024.

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“Jew’s baby killer… Hitler was right, too bad Hitler didn’t finish killing the Jews,” Lee allegedly told Rosenberg.

By Shula Rosen

An Israeli traveler and an American passenger were arrested after a physical fight at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport in August 2026 after the American allegedly subjected the Israeli to severe antisemitic abuse and praised Hitler.

The confrontation involved 37-year-old Israeli passenger Noam Shimon Rosenberg and 54-year-old American passenger Kent Scott Lee.

The dispute began after Lee directed antisemitic insults at Rosenberg, including accusations against Jews and praise for the Nazi leader, according to circulated footage of the event.

“Jew’s baby killer… Hitler was right, too bad Hitler didn’t finish killing the Jews,” Lee allegedly told Rosenberg.

Rosenberg confronted Lee over the remarks, and the exchange escalated into a physical struggle near a food stall inside the airport. Security personnel intervened and separated the two men.

Footage from the incident captured part of the confrontation and its immediate aftermath.

Following the fight, Lee can be seen addressing Rosenberg and accusing him of initiating the physical violence.

“You proved my point; you’re going to jail; you attacked me,” Lee said before calling Rosenberg a “piece of s***.”

Both passengers were detained after the altercation. Rosenberg and Lee underwent minor medical assessments before authorities referred them to the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings regarding alarms and scandals.

The Manila airport fight occurred days after another incident involving alleged antisemitic harassment of an Israeli traveler in the Philippines.

On August 3, 2026, an IDF reservist was physically threatened and harassed by a Spanish tourist at a cafe on Siargao Island.

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“The Jesus goal is not completely out, but it’s not front and center,” said the café’s owner and manager.

By United with Israel Staff

A new café in central Jerusalem, in the heart of a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, is owned and run by Jews for Jesus, a missionary group that proselytizes Jews and others, promoting the belief that Jesus is the messiah.

Café Basimta, situated in the Nachlaot district, is also in close proximity to the ultra-Orthodox Meah She’arim and Geulah neighborhoods.

The café, which opened its doors in May, attracted attention by remaining open on Shabbat, resulting in heated protests by haredim opposed to the public desecration of the Sabbath in the holy city. In response, secular Israelis came in droves to support freedom and diversity.

However, the situation became complicated when it was discovered that Café Basimta is a Jews for Jesus venture.

Last month, Yad l’Achim, an anti-missionary organization, exposed the connections and began organizing protests, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.

“The missionary-messianic influence operates all the more forcefully by winning over hearts through food and drink,” the placards say in Hebrew.

According to Yad l’Achim, this is a new scheme aimed at spreading missionary messages within centers that resemble ordinary coffee shops, JDN, a Hebrew-language haredi outlet, reported.

Reports indicate that these activities are currently taking place in key locations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, with the organization warning that the missionaries plan to expand the network soon and open an additional branch in the city of Be’er Sheva, JDN added.

Nothing about the café’s appearance indicates that it is operated by Jews for Jesus.

Binyamin Vulcan, Yad l’Achim’s head of counter-missionary activities, told JTA that his organization is urging the municipality to close down the café.

“The Jesus goal is not completely out, but it’s not front and center,” said Yoel Ben David, a top official of Jews for Jesus in Jerusalem who is also the café’s owner and manager.

He told JTA that the missionary organization owns not only the café but also the building, which it bought to prevent any pressure campaign on the landlord to force the café to close.

In a video posted by Jews for Jesus, Ben David said that the protests against the cafe’ resulted in a surge of customers wanting to support it because it was open on Shabbat. However, most customers were unaware that it was also run by missionaries.

“Ultra-Orthodox extremists began protesting because we opened our ministry center on Shabbat, and the story has spread across Israel. Now, instead of people staying away, they’ve been lining up and pouring through the doors, and this has created countless new opportunities to share the hope of Yeshua [Jesus] with Israelis,” Ben David enthused in the video.

Comments on the cafe’s Facebook page included, among others:

“Mazel tov from Seattle, USA! I pray this beautiful space will be filled with the joy found in the truth about Yeshua Hamashiach.”

“Yes, Shalom Yoel Ben David . May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you as your Coffee Shop “Basimta” and the team from Jews for Jesus continues to be light to the Jews up in Jerusalem. I stand with Israel to the very end”

‘This Should Concern the Average Christian’

“In my opinion, this should concern the average Christian. Deliberately provoking the local Jewish community does nothing to build bridges, foster friendship or strengthen support between Christians and Jews,” said Shannon Nuszen, founder of Beyneynu, a non-profit organization that monitors missionary activity in Israel and abroad.

“This café is operated by one of the world’s largest and best-funded missionary organizations focused specifically on persuading Jews to convert to Christianity,” Nuszen told United with Israel. “For decades, Jewish organizations have accused it of using deceptive tactics and blurring the distinction between Judaism and Christianity to reach vulnerable Jews. Against that backdrop, portraying themselves solely as victims while knowingly establishing such an operation in the heart of a religious Jewish community raises legitimate questions about whether the resulting controversy was anticipated—or even welcomed—as part of a broader strategy.”

“Basimta  is not simply a café but part of the outreach of Jews for Jesus, an evangelical missionary organization that seeks to persuade Jews to embrace Christianity while presenting its message in a distinctly Jewish form,” said Rabbi Tovia Singer, the founder and director of Outreach Judaism, a Jewish counter-missionary organization.

“Its location—in the heart of Jerusalem’s predominantly Jewish Nachlaot neighborhood, just steps from Machane Yehuda Market—illustrates a strategy of engaging Jews where Jewish communal life is most vibrant.

“I believe Jewish communities in Israel and around the world should be aware of this approach and understand how missionary groups can use strong expressions of support for Israel and Jewish symbolism to build credibility with Jewish audiences,” he continued.

“At the same time, I unequivocally reject intimidation, harassment or violence,” Singer said, referring to the protests.

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Democrats have given a person whose most important issue was demonizing Jewish participation in American politics a narrow plurality.

By Jonathan S. Tobin, JNS

It would be difficult to underestimate the impact of Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on American politics.

His victory in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary over Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) has inspired endless commentary and analysis about the sources of his personal appeal, the shortcomings of his opponent, the state of the electorate and the failures of pollsters to come even close to predicting the results.

And it won’t be until we see how he fares against his Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, in the general election, that we will have a better idea of how most Americans—and not just Democratic primary voters—feel about his beliefs.

But there should be no mistaking one thing: Democrats have given a person whose most important issue was demonizing Jewish participation in American politics a narrow plurality.

By rallying around him and unifying behind his candidacy, as the defeated party establishment has already done, they are normalizing a hateful position against a segment of citizenry. They are declaring that politics driven by traditional tropes of antisemitism and money is not merely debatable, but a stand they can all get behind if it means winning a majority in the U.S. Senate.

Anti-Zionism is antisemitism

Like other public antisemites on the left and right, the 41-year-old El-Sayed has declared his love of the Jewish people and his “commitment to Jewish safety” after winning the primary by less than one percentage point—about 15,000 votes out of more than 1.5 million.

Similar sentiments have been heard before by Democrats associated with the progressive “Squad” in the U.S. House of Representatives, like fellow Michigander Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also attempted to deflect justified charges of antisemitism. All of them, like El-Sayed’s pledges, are equally insincere.

He and other left-wing opponents of Israel claim that they are merely “criticizing” Israel’s current government and expressing sympathy for Palestinian Arabs in the Gaza Strip. They also say that by attacking the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, they are merely decrying the influence of money in American politics and seeking to prevent special interests or a foreign country from attempting to “buy” Congress.

But these excuses aren’t merely deceptive. They are a flimsy cover for stands that seek not so much to put AIPAC in its place as to remove Jews from the American public square—other than those who join with Jew-haters to try to demonize a key aspect of Jewish identity and faith.

They do not “criticize” Israel as much as they wish to delegitimize the existence of the one Jewish state on the planet. They want to strip it of its rights and ability to defend itself against an international movement that seeks its destruction.

Their opposition to an “ethno-state” is limited only to the Jewish one and indifferent to the dozens that are Muslim. Their desire to rid the electoral system of the influence of campaign spending is limited to those individuals and entities that organize support for Israel.

They have no problem with the people, organizations or interests supporting those who back Islamists. They claim that American citizens who back their country’s Israeli ally are malign actors working on behalf of foreign influence. Yet they see nothing wrong with the infinitely greater resources being spent in the United States by Islamist nations like Qatar to spread and normalize Jew-hatred.

They aim to drive AIPAC out of American politics, and yet, they take money, as El-Sayed did, from those affiliated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group not merely openly antisemitic but founded as a front for Hamas. And they seek to isolate and silence those who point to the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is linked to CAIR.

All of this illustrates that the anti-Zionism that drives the efforts of a growing cadre of Muslim politicians such as El-Sayed is indistinguishable from a hatred of Jews. El-Sayed explicitly seeks to redefine Judaism and eliminate one of its key elements—love of the land of Israel and its centrality in Jewish life—to clear himself of justified charges of antisemitism.

Democrats keep shifting left

In the last decade since progressives began an effort to wrest control of the Democrats from its establishment after their presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, was defeated by President Donald Trump, a wave of left-wing candidates have sought to transform the party.

It began not just with the election of the four charter members of the left-wing congressional “Squad” in 2018, but with the refusal of the party establishment to isolate or condemn Tlaib and Omar when they initially engaged in open antisemitism.

Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi didn’t just prevent the censure of Omar for her now-infamous antisemitic tweet stating, “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby,” referencing money and the lobbying group AIPAC, and analogizing Israel to the Taliban.

In fact, Pelosi went on to pose with them for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine to show that she and Democrats embraced what they rightly saw as politicians who spoke for their party’s base, which were not merely open to socialism but also hated Israel and were hostile to Jews.

They were also afraid of being accused of Islamophobia, which in practice in the 21st century isn’t hatred for Islam but a willingness to notice Muslim Jew-hatred.

What matters about those events is that set of choices has informed and explained Democratic Party politics in the years since then.

That’s why in the aftermath of the Hamas-led Palestinian-Arab assault in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the reaction from so many Democrats has been to turn on the Jewish state.

Many Democrats believe that former Vice President Kamala Harris was defeated by Trump in 2024 because she and former President Joe Biden were insufficiently hostile to Israel, despite their hamstringing of the Jewish state’s post-Oct. 7 war effort and slow-walking of arms deliveries.

And it is why the Democratic caucuses in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are now on record as supporting an embargo on aid to Israel, including defensive weapons like the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

Accepting blood libels

They defend this as a reaction to what they claim is the brutality of Israel, but what they are really telling us is something else. They are making clear that the majority of their officeholders, party cadres, liberal mainstream media allies, and academic and cultural thought leaders have accepted the toxic left-wing ideologies that define Jews and Israel as “white” oppressors.

This belief that they are always in the wrong, no matter what they do, and that those who wish to destroy the Jewish state are oppressed minorities always in the right is at the heart of the surge of antisemitism since Oct. 7.

That is how blood libels and other fabricated propaganda about Israel committing “genocide” in Gaza, deliberately starving Palestinians or dragging (and even blackmailing) the Trump administration to go to war against Iran have become not so much widely believed on the political left but viewed as unquestionably true.

That is the political eco-system that made possible the rise of someone like El-Sayed. Without it, it would have been unthinkable for a candidate to win a major party nomination for the U.S. Senate via a campaign that was largely based on the idea that the most important challenge facing the American people is the existence of a lobbying group that seeks to promote support for Israel.

The fact that AIPAC’s reach and resources are dwarfed by other lobbying groups that represent major industries and that it spends less than leftist mega-donors, like the family of George Soros, on candidates who, among other causes, oppose Israel is dismissed. El-Sayed’s campaign is driven by anti-Jewish bigotry, not concern about campaign finance laws.

Yet beyond the specifics of the efforts to maliciously and falsely portray AIPAC as a sinister group manipulating the system against U.S. interests, there is something more at stake in this debate. Those who single out AIPAC and have shockingly buffaloed most Democrats into saying they won’t take contributions from it or its members are seeking to drive Jews out of the American public square.

Just as bad, Democrats who still claim to support Israel and who don’t condemn AIPAC, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), endorsed El-Sayed after the primary. For them, partisanship is more important than opposing antisemitism. That same mindset caused Senate Democrats to boycott a hearing chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States and elsewhere.

It is entirely true that part of El-Sayed’s appeal is linked to a hunger for populism and a rejection of failed political establishments across the political spectrum. He is also profiting from the lack of historical memory among so many Americans who are willing to fall for the siren call of far-left economics that he promotes (despite the wealthy health professional’s declaration that he is not a socialist).

His charisma and political skills, and, by contrast, Stevens’s dull political persona, also played a role in the outcome. Though she was a genuine moderate, her ability to marginalize him and fend off his claims that she was the candidate of a “foreign” lobby was also undermined by her fear of alienating anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment in a party where both were already normalized.

Her reflexive criticism of Israel and willingness to acquiesce to the demonization of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a now-standard trope of pro-Israel Democrats—also made it difficult to point out that El-Sayed’s positions were as immoral and prejudicial as they were wrongheaded.

Yet even supporters of El-Sayed, like Michelle Goldberg, The New York Times’ anti-Zionist columnist, noted his megalomaniacal tendencies, so typical of hate-mongers, which cause him to believe that those who oppose him can’t be sincere.

A test for 2028

The existence of a large Arab and Muslim-American population in Michigan—and the ubiquity of anti-Jewish prejudice in that particular community—was another factor, though one that hasn’t been replicated in U.S. politics, except in certain circumstances, as Mamdani’s victory in New York City showed.

Still, El-Sayed’s support was largely limited to white privileged voters, along with his Arab and Muslim base. The credentialed elites are the base of the Democratic Party these days, not the working-class voters it once represented and now largely scorns.

He did poorly among African-Americans, who are a vital constituency for Democrats. As much as Jews and blacks have split on many issues, convincing African-Americans to buy into the idea that a pro-Israel lobby was the country’s greatest problem was a tough sell.

Nevertheless, the consequences of a campaign that normalizes El-Sayed’s vile tactics will be felt throughout the political system and American discourse.

It remains to be seen whether Rogers will be more effective in pointing out El-Sayed’s extremism. It will also be interesting to see if African-Americans turn out for a candidate with little to say to them in the numbers Democrats need to prevail.

Much attention will also focus on Michigan’s Jewish community, mainly in and around Detroit, which makes up only 1.4% of the state’s electorate. It is still overwhelmingly politically liberal and loyally votes the Democratic ticket.

If a significant minority reflexively votes for the Democratic candidate, as was the case with Mamdani in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, regardless of El-Sayed’s contempt for Jewish interests and rights, it will be a sign of the moral collapse of liberal Jewry.

It should be remembered that in March, a domestic terrorist, Ayman Mohamed Ghazali, crashed his pickup truck—loaded with gasoline and commercial fireworks—into Temple Israel, a large Reform synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Mich.

Fortunately, no one was hurt except for the attacker himself, who was shot and killed by law enforcement. El-Sayed rationalized that crime by saying it was understandable since the terrorist was upset about the death of his brother, a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, who was killed as a result of Israel’s efforts to prevent the Iranian proxy group from attacking their country.

If, rather than a test of the appeal of El-Sayed’s antisemitism, the election hinges on a verdict about the Trump administration, the Democrats may be able to carry their candidate over the finish line. If so, then the problem won’t be just the addition of an antisemite to the Senate.

It will be a signal sent to his party as well as the still relatively small minority of Republicans that share his prejudices, that targeting Jews will be both acceptable and good politics in 2028.

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Germany’s far-right AfD is closer to power than ever. As key state elections approach, take a closer look at the party’s hardline anti-immigration agenda, its controversial rise, and why its growing support is reshaping German politics.

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Israeli security services identified the driver as a participant in the October 7 attack.

By United with Israel Staff

A Hamas Nukhba terrorist who infiltrated Israeli communities during the October 7 massacre was arrested Thursday while driving a humanitarian aid truck in southern Gaza, according to Israeli security officials.

The terrorist was apprehended near Rafah as he was en route to the Kerem Shalom Crossing to collect humanitarian aid. He has since been transferred to Israeli security forces for further interrogation.

Security officials said the truck was transporting aid on behalf of the private sector, meaning it had been dispatched by a private Gazan merchant rather than an international aid organization.

According to the officials, Israeli security services identified the driver as a participant in the October 7 attack, monitored his movements, and arrested him before he reached the crossing to collect the aid shipment.

Nearly two years after the October 7 massacre, Israeli security forces continue working to identify, locate, and capture every terrorist involved in the attack, making clear that participation in the atrocities will not be forgotten or forgiven.

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The presence of the American tanker aircraft had occupied valuable parking positions, prompting concerns about the airport’s ability to handle the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the peak summer travel season.

By United with Israel Staff

The U.S. Air Force has begun relocating some of its aerial refueling aircraft that had been stationed at Ben Gurion Airport in recent weeks, according to a report Thursday by Israel’s N12.

The move comes against the backdrop of continued regional security tensions and follows pressure from Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who urged defense officials to free up space at Israel’s main international airport during one of its busiest travel periods of the year.

According to the report, the presence of the American tanker aircraft had occupied valuable parking positions at Ben Gurion, prompting concerns about the airport’s ability to handle the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the peak summer travel season.

The decision to relocate some of the aircraft is intended to help ensure normal airport operations as international travel continues to rebound despite ongoing security challenges.

More than 2.6 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport during August, making it one of the busiest months since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023.

Airport officials expect an average of 100,000 travelers per day, with Thursdays projected to be the busiest travel days. August 17 is currently forecast to be the single busiest day of the month.

The U.S. Air Force deployed the refueling aircraft to Israel during recent regional military operations to support American air assets and provide strategic flexibility amid heightened tensions involving Iran and its regional proxies.

While some of the aircraft are now being relocated, the report did not indicate that the move reflects any change in the U.S. military’s commitment to Israel or its operational posture in the region.

Rather, it appears aimed at balancing ongoing military requirements with the need to maintain efficient civilian operations at Israel’s primary international gateway.

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Two reservists were killed and four additional soldiers were seriously wounded after a powerful explosion inside a building in southern Lebanon.

By United with Israel Staff

The Israel Defense Forces are investigating whether the explosion that killed two Israeli reservists in southern Lebanon on Wednesday was caused by Israeli demolition explosives rather than a Hezbollah-planted bomb, as initially suspected.

The fallen soldiers were identified as Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander from Nokdim, and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, 33, of Eilat. Both served in the 2855th Battalion of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade.

The two were killed and four additional reservists were seriously wounded after a powerful explosion inside a building in the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Zoun, where IDF forces were operating against Hezbollah infrastructure.

Initial assessments suggested the blast had been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Hezbollah. However, Israeli defense officials are now examining the possibility that the explosion may instead have been triggered by Israeli explosive material inside the structure during preparations for its demolition.

The building had been identified by the IDF as a Hezbollah site and was slated for destruction as part of ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the terrorist organization’s military infrastructure near the Israeli border.

Following the deadly incident, the IDF carried out targeted strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, saying the operation was launched in response to the terrorist organization’s blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the United States intervened to prevent a broader escalation between Israel and Hezbollah following the attack. According to the reports, Washington helped mediate between the sides and encouraged Israel to limit the scope of its military response in order to preserve ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The reported U.S. intervention also reportedly helped facilitate the resumption of a third round of talks in Rome, part of the seventh round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. According to the reports, the goal was to maintain the momentum of the diplomatic process and prevent the negotiations from collapsing despite the deadly incident.

The IDF has not yet announced the findings of its investigation into the cause of the explosion, which remains ongoing.

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This United Hatzalah program trains American teens as real first responders—CPR, mass casualty drills, and live ambulance shifts—turning summer break into a launchpad for future medics.

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Jerusalem and Berlin have continued to strengthen their defense cooperation, with the submarine sector expected to remain one of the main pillars of the German-Israeli strategic partnership in the decades ahead.

By Ailin Vilches Arguello, The Algemeiner

Israel has officially received the INS Drakon submarine from Germany, the most expensive submarine ever delivered to the Israeli Navy, expanding its strategic naval capabilities and reinforcing its long-standing underwater deterrence as Jerusalem and Berlin continue to deepen their decades-long defense partnership.

Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), one of the world’s leading naval shipbuilders specializing in advanced submarines, delivered the INS Drakon this week to the Israeli Navy, marking the arrival of the sixth and final Dolphin II-class submarine.

Originally scheduled for delivery in 2025, the submarine’s arrival marks a historic milestone as the largest vessel of its kind built in Germany since World War II, with an estimated cost of €550 million ($634 million), further deepening the long-standing German-Israeli defense partnership while enhancing Israel’s strategic undersea capabilities.

Israel first signed the agreement with TKMS in 2022 for the construction of the INS Drakon and three additional Dakar-class submarines in a deal valued at around €3 billion, with the German government expected to cover roughly 20 percent of the cost as part of Berlin’s commitment to supporting Israel’s security and maintaining close defense ties between the two countries.

For decades, Germany has played a central role in developing Israel’s submarine fleet, with TKMS expected to remain a key partner in expanding and modernizing the Israeli Navy’s underwater capabilities throughout the coming years.

The INS Drakon, stretching more than 70 meters in length and weighing over 2,000 tons, is the largest and most advanced submarine in the Middle East, with its expanded dimensions allowing for a larger crew, increased operational range, and the integration of a broader array of advanced systems and weapons.

Starting in 2031, Israel is also expected to receive three additional Dakar-class submarines, delivered approximately every 18 months, which will gradually replace the Dolphin, Leviathan and Tekuma submarines that entered service between 1999 and 2000 and have formed the backbone of Israel’s underwater fleet for more than two decades.

Even amid international calls to boycott and isolate Israel, Jerusalem and Berlin have continued to strengthen their defense cooperation, with the submarine sector expected to remain one of the main pillars of the German-Israeli strategic partnership in the decades ahead.

In recent years, Germany has also become one of Israel’s largest defense customers, largely due to its purchase of the Arrow 3 missile defense system — an advanced Israeli-developed interceptor designed to destroy ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere — in a deal valued at approximately €4 billion, making Germany Israel’s second-largest defense export customer between 2021 and 2025.

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Cori Bush lost her reelection campaign to Bell in August 2024 while making her opposition to Israel a key talking point of the race.

By Corey Walker, The Algemeiner

While progressives celebrated several high-profile victories in Michigan on Tuesday, candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the party’s anti-Israel wing suffered a series of notable defeats elsewhere, underscoring the limits of the movement’s electoral reach.

The most closely watched race unfolded in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, where Rep. Wesley Bell decisively defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in a rematch of their 2024 primary. Bush, a former member of the “Squad” and one of Congress’s most outspoken critics of Israel, sought to reclaim the St. Louis-area seat after blaming her previous defeat on pro-Israel outside spending. Instead, Democratic voters handed Bell another convincing victory, reaffirming support for a more mainstream Democrat who has backed the U.S.-Israel alliance. Bell’s win marked one of the clearest setbacks of the night for the party’s activist left.

Bush lost her reelection campaign to Bell in August 2024 while making her opposition to Israel a key talking point of the race. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the foremost pro-Israel lobbying group in the US, flooded the race with a staggering $8.4 million to secure her ouster. During her concession speech, Bush blamed AIPAC for her loss and vowed to dismantle the organization’s “kingdom.”

During her tenure in office, Bush established herself as one of the most outspoken critics against Israel, and her conduct in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel drew widespread outrage. Only nine days after the atrocities, Bush called for an “immediate ceasefire” between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group, before the former even launched a ground offensive in Gaza. As the war continued, her rhetoric toward Israel sharpened, with the congresswoman accusing the Jewish state of committing “genocide” in Gaza and “apartheid” in the West Bank. Bush has also accused Israel of inflicting a “famine” in Gaza.

Another disappointment for the DSA came in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, where democratic socialist Hartzell Gray failed to secure the Democratic nomination. Gray, a Kansas City tenant organizer endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America who campaigned against what he called “sell-out Democrats,” lost to attorney and Air Force veteran Jordan Herrera. The result denied the DSA an opportunity to place another ideological ally on the November ballot.

Gray has described Israel as responsible for “apartheid,” “occupation,” and “genocide,” over the course of the war in Gaza. He has also explicitly praised Hamas as a “resistance” organization. In a social media post, he wrote that “Israel is a settler colonial entity built on erasure & ethnic cleansing.”

In Michigan, establishment-aligned Democrats also found success. State Sen. Jeremy Moss won the Democratic nomination in the state’s 11th Congressional District after earning support from many of Michigan’s leading Democratic officials. Moss now enters the general election as the favorite in the Democratic-leaning suburban district. Moss notched 49.2 percent of the vote compared to his pro-palestinian opponent Aisha Farooqi, who earned 32.9 percent.

“Thank you, Oakland County! It’s the honor of a lifetime to be your Democratic nominee,” Moss wrote on X/Twitter.

Moss, who is Jewish, did not feature Israel as a central component of his campaign. However, he has visited Israel and posted photos of himself in the country on his public Instagram page. He also condemned the Oct. 7 massacres and has expressed support for mainstream pro-Israel positions.

“The overwhelming majority of American Jewish voters believe that both Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorism & Palestinians have a right to self-determination in a peace-seeking state,” Moss wrote following Oct. 7

Farther north, attorney Callie Barr secured the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, earning a rematch against Republican Rep. Jack Bergman. Barr’s victory ensured that the Democratic nominee in the district will be a candidate focused primarily on economic issues rather than the ideological battles that dominated other primaries.

Barr did not focus much on the Israel-Palestine conflict in her campaign, but suggested that she does not harbor any animus towards the state despite having issues with its government.

“We need to distinguish between Netanyahu and Israel,” Barr said, “I’m 110-percent focused on what’s happening here at home. Some candidates are only focused on the Middle East.”

Blomquist, conversely, centered his disdain for Israel as a major element of his failed campaign.

“I call now and throughout my candidacy for an end to the genocide in Gaza, the resumption of U.N.-administered humanitarian aid, a halt to all U.S. political and material support for the state of Israel, and the recognition of a Palestinian state,” Blomquist wrote on his campaign website.

For pro-Israel Democrats and moderates, the results offered evidence that outspoken opposition to Israel and DSA-backed activism do not automatically translate into primary success. The defeats of Bush and Gray demonstrated that Democratic primary voters in several key races continued to favor candidates viewed as more pragmatic and broadly electable.

Still, the overall picture was far from a sweeping rejection of the progressive movement.

Michigan delivered some of the left’s biggest victories of the cycle. Progressive physician Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic Senate nomination, William Lawrence captured the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, and Donavan McKinney unseated incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar in the 13th District. Those victories highlighted the continued strength of progressive candidates in parts of Michigan and demonstrated that the party’s ideological battles remain highly regional rather than national.

Taken together, Tuesday’s primaries painted a nuanced picture of the Democratic Party. While DSA-backed and anti-Israel candidates suffered significant defeats in Missouri and moderates prevailed in several House contests, progressives continued to demonstrate considerable strength in Michigan. Rather than signaling a decisive victory for either faction, the results suggested that Democratic voters remain divided, rewarding different brands of candidates depending on local political dynamics and the priorities of individual districts.

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The Israeli model told Israel’s Channel 12 that Yara appeared prepared for the reaction and was not discouraged by the backlash.

By Shula Rosen

Susan Yara, founder of the U.S. skincare brand Naturium, has come under online criticism after social media users identified vacation photos she posted on Instagram as appearing to have been taken on a beach in Tel Aviv alongside an Israeli model, prompting calls from some activists to boycott her company.

Yara did not identify the location of the images, which were posted last month.

However, followers pointed to buildings in the background that they said resembled the area near Tel Aviv’s Hilton Hotel. One of the photographs featured Israeli model Stav Netanel-Nagar.

The images sparked criticism from pro-Palestinian influencers and social media users, who objected to the alleged visit in light of calls to boycott Israel over its military campaign in Gaza.

Several commenters said they would stop purchasing Naturium products or seek alternatives, while others defended Yara and voiced support for both her and the brand.

Netanel-Nagar told Israel’s Channel 12 that Yara appeared prepared for the reaction and was not discouraged by the backlash.

“She is a friend of mine from America. I know her through mutual friends,” Netanel-Nagar said. “All of these comments did not stop Susan from launching new products over the weekend.”

The Israeli model said she also became the target of online harassment after appearing in the photographs.

“They circulated a TikTok video of me in (the Israel Defense Forces) uniform,” she said. “The story blew up because they shared a photo of me with a certificate of excellence that I received during reserve duty (in the IDF) and wrote that I had received it for killing children in Gaza.”

The controversy spread across social media platforms as users debated Yara’s alleged visit to Israel, with criticism directed at both the skincare entrepreneur and Netanel-Nagar. Despite the boycott calls, Netanel-Nagar said Yara continued with planned product launches over the weekend.

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By Pesach Benson, TPS

An Israeli researcher has helped develop a breakthrough optical technology that can steer and reshape beams of light in just 74 femtoseconds—74 quadrillionths of a second—a development that could advance future optical computing, communications, imaging and sensing systems.

The ability to control light underpins technologies ranging from cameras and sensors to communication systems and advanced computing. However, the components used to direct and shape light typically operate far more slowly than light itself. The new study presents a way to overcome this limitation through a programmable ultra-thin optical surface capable of redirecting and reshaping a beam of light in just 74 femtoseconds.

Dr. Lior Michaeli, head of the Meta-Optomechanics Laboratory at Tel Aviv University’s Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, co-authored the study published in the peer-reviewed Nature Nanotechnology. The research demonstrates a new ultra-thin optical surface capable of controlling light almost instantaneously.

The research was carried out at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the group of Prof. Harry Atwater. It was led by Dr. Claudio Hail, now a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley, and co-authored by Michaeli.

At the heart of the breakthrough is a metasurface—an ultra-thin material layer covered with precisely engineered nanoscale silicon structures smaller than the wavelength of light. When illuminated by a short laser pulse, the silicon structures temporarily change their optical properties, allowing the surface to rapidly alter the path and shape of another light beam without moving mirrors, lenses or other mechanical components.

In laboratory experiments, the researchers steered the beam by angles of up to 13 degrees in either direction. By changing the spatial pattern of the illuminating pulse, they were also able to reshape the beam and create different light patterns. In other words, the same device can perform different optical functions depending on how it is illuminated.

“The key idea was to create a metasurface whose optical response is not fixed once it is fabricated,” Hail said. “By changing the illumination pattern, we can reconfigure how the device steers and shapes light, and do so on an ultrafast timescale.”

Atwater explained that controlling one beam of light with another has historically been difficult because light interacts only weakly with most materials.

“Light usually interacts only weakly with matter, so controlling one beam of light with another is extremely challenging,” he said. “The metasurface enhances that interaction, allowing a very small and very fast material response to produce a useful change in the outgoing beam.”

Michaeli said the project demonstrated how a theoretical concept could become an experimental reality.

“For me, the most exciting aspect is seeing an idea that had been with us for years become an experimental reality,” he said. “The ultrafast effect we wanted to use is naturally very weak. We had to design the metasurface so that it would amplify the effect enough not only to measure it, but to use it to steer and shape light.”

The measured switching time was close to the duration of the laser pulse itself, suggesting that even faster operation may be possible with shorter pulses. The device also has no moving parts and returns rapidly to its original state once the pulse has passed.

Today, many systems that use light for communication still rely on converting optical signals into electrical signals for processing before converting them back into light. Faster, programmable optical control could eventually reduce this need and allow more information processing to take place directly with light.

“This work points to a broader opportunity: using engineered structures to strengthen interactions between light and matter and turn them into tools for control, sensing, and information processing,” Michaeli said. “This is closely connected to research directions we are now pursuing at Tel Aviv University.”

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The site commemorates more than 5,000 Jewish communities in Europe and North Africa that were destroyed by the Nazis and their collaborators.

By Shula Rosen

Yad Vashem is presenting its seasonal Sound-and-Light Show at Jerusalem’s Valley of the Communities, offering visitors a 32-minute multimedia experience tracing 2,000 years of Jewish life in Europe and North Africa before focusing on the destruction of thousands of communities during the Holocaust.

Created as a joint project between Yad Vashem and the European Union, the presentation is staged in the 2.5-acre Valley of the Communities on the Mount of Remembrance.

The site commemorates more than 5,000 Jewish communities in Europe and North Africa that were destroyed by the Nazis and their collaborators.

The outdoor production combines laser projections, music and narration to portray Jewish spiritual, cultural and daily life from the destruction of the Second Temple until World War II.

During the presentation, laser lighting illuminates the valley’s 107 towering bedrock walls, where the names of the destroyed communities are engraved.

Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan said the project highlights the importance of understanding Jewish life before the Holocaust.

“Only by appreciating the vibrancy of Jewish life before the Shoah can we comprehend the enormity of the loss engendered by the Holocaust,” Dayan said. “This initiative is not only a fitting tribute to the murdered and their communities, but will also assist in the struggle against antisemitism and with the transmission of Jewish heritage to the next generations. We thank the European Union for its commitment to Holocaust remembrance, reflected in its assistance with this unique undertaking.”

Following the presentation, visitors may join a guided tour of the Valley of the Communities or explore its pathways and courtyards independently, including a 700-meter illuminated walkway.

The Sound-and-Light Show operates after sundown during the summer season, from April through the end of October. Shuttle buses depart from the Yad Vashem Entrance Plaza outside the Visitors Center, and advance registration is recommended through the museum’s official booking portal.

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A Jewish woman challenged a school group at Austria’s Mauthausen Memorial over a Palestinian flag shirt and genocide claims against Israel, saying the Holocaust site should not be politicized.

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Mutra, the world’s first kosher restaurant to earn a Michelin star, is redefining fine dining by blending traditional Jewish-inspired cuisine with innovative techniques and a commitment to excellence.

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The Board of Peace released its 15-point roadmap on July 31 after President Donald Trump announced that Hamas had accepted a disarmament framework.

By Yaakov Lappin, JNS

Israel is quietly reducing the pace of its strikes in Gaza, even as it publicly rejects any diplomatic framework that would allow Hamas to retain influence over its own disarmament process.

Senior former Israeli security officials told JNS in recent days that Hamas’s “acceptance” of the Board of Peace’s 15-point roadmap is a calculated deception designed to preserve both its weapons and its grip on the territory over the long term.

Col. (ret.) Amit Assa, a former senior Shin Bet official with more than 30 years of experience in the security agency, told JNS that the Board of Peace, established by U.S. President Donald Trump, is structurally compromised from the outset.

Board seen as structurally flawed

“The Board of Peace, as it was established by Trump, already constitutes a problem for Israel. It’s ostensibly meant to be an objective body, but in practice it isn’t. Those actually driving developments there are Qatar and Turkey, Erdogan, of course, assisted by the Egyptians. For us, this means the Muslim Brotherhood,” Assa said.

He argued that the entire structure serves as cover for preserving Hamas rather than dismantling it.

“This is essentially a non-violent façade for an organization that is actually working to preserve Hamas’s power by every possible means, in a way that isn’t visible to the eye, and this whole matter, from the moment this Peace Board is established, constitutes a problem for Israel,” he said.

Assa said the plan’s central flaw lies in how it defines disarmament.

“To disarm Hamas of its weapons doesn’t mean leaving heavy or light weapons in Hamas’s possession,” he said, adding that it also cannot mean allowing the terrorist organization to retain any policing capability.

“It means disarming Hamas of its weapons and dismantling Hamas,” Assa argued, warning that any arrangement preserving a Hamas-linked administrative structure would leave the organization intact.

“Hamas is a murderous terrorist organization that cannot continue to exist after Oct. 7, and therefore any action taken today that constitutes dialogue with Hamas, or the creation of some internal body meant only to manage administration, with ostensible officials who continue to run Hamas’s control of Gaza, means Hamas continues to exist as it is. This is something we must not agree to,” he warned.

Pushing for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before any actual disarmament is part of Hamas’s survival strategy, he added.

“This entire effort is essentially about planting an idea in the minds of Europeans and Americans that it’s logical for the IDF to be replaced by some other, ostensibly neutral security body established from within the Peace Board, which would replace Israel at the points where Israel is supposed to withdraw to something resembling the pre-Oct. 7 international lines, while they handle security,” he said.

Assa said the approach mirrors past failures.

“We know from our own experience that every time we handed responsibility to an international organization, like the U.N. or other organizations on other borders of ours, when there was some kind of buffer zone, our enemy eventually just entrenched itself there. The best example of this is Hezbollah, which settled in regardless of whatever procedures or understandings existed under which an international organization was supposed to preserve it. Israel cannot live with someone else guarding its security. That, of course, is not going to happen,” he said.

He added that Israel’s intelligence grip on Gaza is now significantly stronger because of the sustained IDF and Shin Bet presence on the ground.

“We now have access to the territory, something we didn’t have when the Oslo Accords led to us not being present at all inside the Gaza Strip and behind the border lines. This relative advantage immediately shows we have greater ability today to locate terror operatives and act against them operationally.”

Assa said Israel’s pursuit of the Oct. 7 perpetrators will continue regardless of any ceasefire or diplomatic arrangement.

‘Germany 1945’ model for Gaza

Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, a former IDF deputy chief of staff and former Israeli national security adviser, told JNS that Israel’s campaign objective in Gaza should be full military occupation followed by Israeli administration, rather than a negotiated arrangement with intermediaries.

“The campaign objective in Gaza has double significance, both because this is Hamas, an Iranian forward outpost, and also because it opened this war on Oct. 7. The campaign objective of the military in Gaza needs to be the occupation of Gaza and the imposition of military and civilian government—in one phrase, Germany 1945,” Dayan said.

He argued that most Gazans support Hamas and that defeating one iteration of the group without sustained control would simply allow successors to emerge.

“If you don’t control it for at least a certain period, and afterward a higher authority, then even if you dismantle Hamas A, there will be a Hamas B and a Hamas C,” he said.

Dayan said the current international process, while fundamentally flawed, should nevertheless be used to Israel’s advantage.

“The international process we’re facing today is a sterile process and, in my opinion, doomed to fail, but we need to leverage it to achieve additional gains for ourselves. First, we can’t reject it outright, because we already agreed to the 20-point plan. So since it already exists, let’s see how we can make use of it,” he said.

He cited Israel’s operational advantages, including sole possession of a large ground force in Gaza, control of 60% to 70% of the territory, and superior intelligence capabilities.

“In short, to disarm Gaza you need to plow through Gaza. It’s not just tunnels—anyone can be hiding, say, five rockets,” Dayan said.

He argued that Israel must insist on the demilitarization of the entire Gaza Strip, not merely Hamas’s declared arsenal, noting that rockets, RPGs and explosives remain buried throughout the territory.

Competing visions for disarmament

On operational steps, Dayan proposed tying the IDF’s rules of engagement directly to verified territorial disarmament.

“From now on, since the idea is that they’re supposed to disarm Hamas of its weapons as a starting point, we need to tell them: you do this territorially, not in general terms. You clear a neighborhood—you go through it—and afterward, if there’s someone armed there who isn’t from the international force, we eliminate him, and we expand this in stages over more and more territory in Gaza,” he said.

He also suggested Israel demonstrate its disarmament methodology using areas already under its control.

“We could do demonstrations in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley—take a refugee camp, not one we’ve already handled, and show them, here’s how we do it. This also serves us in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, but it also shows them the achievement that’s being demanded,” he said.

Asked about Hamas’s proposal to place its weapons under a Palestinian body’s supervision, Dayan dismissed the idea outright.

“It seems delusional to me that this would even succeed. We should be saying: the point is demilitarization, not placing weapons somewhere so someone else can pick them up later.”

“This weaponry needs to be destroyed, in principle. And we can do that, because we also need to remember that in Gaza today, aside from tunnels, there are already weapons underground, rockets, RPGs, anti-tank missiles, and even just unexploded ordnance. All of it must be located and, in principle, destroyed. There’s no reason to collect these weapons for someone else,” he said.

The Board of Peace released its 15-point roadmap on July 31 after President Donald Trump announced that Hamas had accepted a disarmament framework.

The plan calls for heavy weapons, tunnels and weapons-production sites to be decommissioned and placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza once the International Stabilization Force deploys and Israel completes a phased withdrawal.

Senior Hamas foreign leadership member Ghazi Hamad told Arab media outlets, including TRT Arabic, on Tuesday that heavy weaponry would be stored under NCAG supervision and remain in Palestinian hands, explicitly ruling out Israeli involvement in enforcement.

He said the arrangement depended on four conditions: completion of Phase 1 commitments, a phased IDF withdrawal according to schedule, deployment of the NCAG and the international force, and the dismantling of local Israeli-backed Palestinian militias.

Residents of Gaza Envelope communities issued a public warning on Tuesday, demanding three non-negotiable conditions: that disarmament be conducted solely by Israel rather than by a Palestinian or international body; that no IDF withdrawal occur before disarmament is complete; and that any eventual withdrawal be limited to the strategic Ridge 70 line, which rises about 70 meters above eastern Gaza City and lies some 2 kilometers from the Gaza-Israel border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement released on July 31 that Israel demands “the full disarmament of Hamas, including removal of the weaponry from Gaza and the complete demilitarization of the Strip as a condition for any process” of withdrawal.

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Beautiful footage shows a young Chabad boy who is missing all four limbs proudly helping an IDF soldier who also lost an arm put on Tefillin, creating a powerful moment of solidarity and inspiration.

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“In response to the blatant violation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF has begun targeted strikes in southern Lebanon,” the military said.

By United with Israel Staff

The Israel Defense Forces launched targeted strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon after accusing Hezbollah of a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement, following an evacuation warning issued to residents of the village of Al-Mansouri.

Earlier, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson urged civilians in the village to evacuate immediately, warning that Hezbollah’s activities had forced the military to operate in the area.

“In light of Hezbollah’s terrorist activity and its violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is compelled to act forcefully,” the warning stated. Residents were instructed to leave their homes and move at least 1,000 meters north of the village to open areas, cautioning that anyone remaining near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or weapons would be placing themselves in danger.

Shortly afterward, the IDF confirmed it had begun targeted strikes in southern Lebanon.

“In response to the blatant violation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the IDF has begun targeted strikes in southern Lebanon,” the military said.

An Israeli military official said Al-Mansouri lies within the security zone controlled by the IDF, where military operations are still ongoing and pose a danger to civilians.

The official added that the evacuation order was issued to protect Lebanese civilians, claiming they had been brought into the area under the escort of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which had established a checkpoint there in violation of the agreements.

Israel has repeatedly stated that it will continue taking action against Hezbollah violations to ensure the security of northern communities and prevent the terrorist group from reestablishing operational capabilities in the border area.

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El-Sayed has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and has described both Hamas and the Israeli government as “evil.”

By United with Israel Staff

Progressive anti-Israel candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, defeating Rep. Haley Stevens in one of the most expensive and closely watched Democratic primaries in U.S. history.

Following a prolonged vote count, El-Sayed secured the nomination after a bitter campaign that exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and the party’s ideological direction. He will face former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary, in November’s general election for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.

The race became a proxy battle over Israel, with El-Sayed emerging as one of the Democratic Party’s most outspoken critics of the Jewish state.

A former public health official and national surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, El-Sayed has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, described both Hamas and the Israeli government as “evil,” called Israel a “rogue state,” argued that the United States should end what he called “blank checks” for the Israeli military, and questioned the concept of Israel as a Jewish state, saying he does not believe in “ethno-states.” During the 2026 Iran conflict, he also suggested that AIPAC’s influence shaped U.S. policy toward Iran.

Stevens, by contrast, campaigned as a “proud pro-Israel Democrat.” She has strongly opposed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, defended Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, supported continued U.S. military aid, and has described Israel as “America’s strong ally,” “a democracy,” and “a beacon of hope.”

More than $80 million was spent on the primary, making it the most expensive Democratic Senate primary in U.S. history. The largest outside spender was United Democracy Project, an AIPAC-affiliated super PAC, which invested heavily in support of Stevens and against El-Sayed.

In his victory speech, El-Sayed sought to reassure Jewish voters despite his sharp criticism of Israel and AIPAC throughout the campaign.

Addressing Jewish Americans directly, he said his “commitment to Jewish safety” was the same as his commitment to the safety of his own daughters. He also praised Jewish supporters who, he said, believed “AIPAC doesn’t speak for me” and argued that Palestinian self-determination does not come at the expense of Jewish self-determination.

President Donald Trump reacted to the result by calling El-Sayed’s victory “great news for the Republican Party,” describing the Democrat as a “Communist loser who hates Jews and Israel.” Trump has endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers, who now faces El-Sayed in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races.

Beyond deciding Michigan’s next Democratic nominee, the primary is widely viewed as a significant test of the Democratic Party’s future direction on Israel, with El-Sayed’s victory marking a major win for the party’s progressive wing ahead of November’s general election.

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During a ceremony on Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog received six new ambassadors from Germany, Nigeria, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Honduras.

By Ailin Vilches Arguello, The Algemeiner

Chile and Honduras officially restored full ambassadorial representation to Israel on Monday, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after more than two years of strained relations following the outbreak of the war in Gaza and signaling a broader regional shift toward renewed engagement with the Jewish state.

During a credential ceremony in Jerusalem on Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog received six new ambassadors from Germany, Nigeria, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Honduras.

Most notably, the ceremony marked the return of ambassadors from the two Latin American nations, restoring full diplomatic representation for the first time since the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Following the start of the war in Gaza, several Latin American countries withdrew or limited their diplomatic representation in Israel as part of a broader regional effort to boycott and isolate the Jewish state, while increasing diplomatic pressure over its defensive military campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

Now, a broader geopolitical shift is unfolding across Latin America, as a growing number of conservative governments seek closer ties with Israel, allowing the Jewish state to build on this emerging momentum by expanding cooperation, strengthening alliances, and deepening bilateral relations throughout the region.

During Monday’s ceremony, Herzog welcomed Chilean Ambassador Gabriel Alejandro Zaliasnik Schilkurt and Honduran Ambassador José Luis Núñez Bennet, describing their appointments as a major step forward in restoring and strengthening Israel’s diplomatic relations with both countries.

Describing the return of Chile’s ambassador as a sign of renewed momentum in bilateral relations, Herzog said the appointment fulfilled a pledge made by newly elected President José Antonio Kast during his recent trip to Israel.

“I am now delighted to welcome Ambassador Zaliasnik here in Israel, who comes with a message on behalf of all Chileans to increase ties with Israel,” Herzog said during the ceremony.

“We’re really honored to have you here,” the Israeli leader told Zaliasnik. “Your arrival represents a milestone in the relations between Israel and Chile, and I had the great honor of being part of this process.”

Herzog also praised Kast as “a very honorable leader,” expressing hope that the Chilean president and his wife would soon visit Israel while noting his own desire to make a reciprocal trip to Chile.

Welcoming Honduras’s ambassador, Herzog referred to the country’s decision to maintain its embassy in Jerusalem as a symbol of the growing partnership between the two nations, saying bilateral relations continue to reach new levels of cooperation.

During the ceremonies, Herzog expressed hope for a future visit to South America, as Israel continues efforts to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties with countries across the continent.

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Bush sought a political comeback by attacking Bell’s support for Israel and his ties to AIPAC.

By Shula Rosen

Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, securing a second consecutive victory over the former member of the progressive “Squad” in a race that again highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel.

Bell, a pro-Israel incumbent, defeated Bush after first unseating her in the district’s 2024 Democratic primary.

Bush sought a political comeback by attacking Bell’s support for Israel and his ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), while pro-Israel political action groups spent millions of dollars to defend Bell’s seat.

Bell, who has repeatedly affirmed support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, appeared headed for a larger margin of victory than his roughly six-point win over Bush in 2024.

Bush has been one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Congress, accusing the country of genocide during its war against Hamas and opposing U.S. military aid to Israel.

Two years after Bush told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that she would return to “tear your kingdom down,” voters in Missouri’s 1st District again rejected her challenge.

Following Bell’s victory Tuesday night, AIPAC reposted a POLITICO article about the organization’s role in the race, adding the message: “Congratulations, Wesley Bell!”

The contest drew support from prominent Democratic leaders aligned with the party’s establishment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC both endorsed Bell during the campaign.

The race was closely watched as a test of the Democratic Party’s competing factions, with progressive activists backing Bush while mainstream Democrats and pro-Israel organizations rallied behind Bell.

The campaign centered in part on U.S.-Israel policy, with Bush making Bell’s pro-Israel positions a focal point of her challenge. Bell maintained support for the U.S.-Israel alliance throughout the race.

With Tuesday’s victory, Bell is widely expected to retain Missouri’s safely Democratic 1st Congressional District seat in the November general election.

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A total of 1,926 incidents of Jew-hatred in the country were recorded during the first half of 2026, the second-highest tally ever recorded within a six-month period.

By Canaan Lidor, JNS

British Jewry’s watchdog on antisemitism on Tuesday said it had recorded 1,926 incidents of Jew-hatred in the country during the first half of 2026, the second-highest tally ever recorded within a six-month period.

The highest incident count within that period was recorded in the first half of 2024 with 2,109 cases, according to the report published on Wednesday by the Community Security Trust (CST), it said in its biannual report on Wednesday.

In the first half of 2025, CST recorded 1,598 incidents. The data reflected the surge in antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom after Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas’s deadly invasion into Israel triggered a regional war. In the first half of 2023, CST had recorded 965 cases.

The figures constitute “further confirmation that antisemitic incident levels following 7 October 2023 have stabilized over the longer term at a far higher rate than reported prior to Hamas’ terror attack on Israel,” said CST.

Of the 1,926 incidents during the first half of 2026, 787, or 41%, “referred to Israel, Palestine, the Hamas terror attack or subsequent war, alongside anti-Jewish language,” according to CST.

Physical attacks on Jews comprised 7% of the January-to-June total, or 136 cases, compared to 4% in the first half of 2025. Most of the violent incidents recorded this year occurred between June 30 and the arson attack on Finchley Reform Synagogue on April 15.

Other major antisemitic incidents included the torching of four ambulances in Golders Green that belonged to the Hatzolah Jewish rescue group in March, allegedly as part of an operation led by an Iranian agent who is now under arrest in the United States awaiting trial.

The prevalence of recorded campus-related antisemitic incidents dropped in the first half of 2026, according to the report, to 28. The corresponding period in 2025 had 36 cases.

Separately, the University of Bristol lost its legal appeal on Tuesday against a court ruling that found it had discriminated against an academic, David Miller, by firing him over his anti-Zionist views and criticism of Israel.

A university spokesperson said they were “disappointed” with the findings of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the BBC reported.

Miller had called some Jewish student groups “political lobby groups” and described Jewish students at British universities as “political pawns by a violent, racist foreign regime engaged in ethnic cleansing.” The university fired Miller in 2021, but a court ruled in 2024 he had been wrongfully dismissed. The university appealed but its appeal was rejected on Tuesday.

The court ruled that Miller would need to take a 50% reduction in compensation fees owed to him because of “contributory fault,” meaning he was partly to blame for his dismissal. The court did not name the sum owed to Miller, which according to the BBC is yet to be determined. The court did not order Miller be rehired.

The court “saw no good reason why the beliefs relied upon by the claimant in this case should be excluded from protection simply because they related to an issue of social importance which might, broadly, also be categorised as ‘political’. We therefore reject the suggestion that the Tribunal erred,” the court said.

The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) said in response to the ruling: “We must not allow activists to weaponise this judgment; to use it to validate antisemitic, hateful abuse and harassment.” Academic freedom, UJS wrote, “cannot serve as a shield against institutional responsibility, nor can it be invoked to silence Jewish students; to suppress them with hostility and intimidation.”

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“It sounds like Bardem needs to stick to reading a script that someone else wrote,” Huckabee said.

By Shula Rosen

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee rejected allegations that Israel was behind the migrant crisis at the Morocco-Spain border in Ceuta.

Huckabee criticized claims made by Spanish actor Javier Bardem and progressive political commentator Cenk Uyghur during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Monday.

Morgan asked Huckabee about claims that Israel had encouraged tens of thousands of Moroccans to cross into the Spanish enclave based on a years-old social media post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair Netanyahu, which mentioned Ceuta in passing.

Bardem accused Israel of “weakening and destabilizing Spain” by weaponizing the “Western far right to turn migration into a weapon against Muslims.”

“It sounds like Bardem needs to stick to reading a script that someone else wrote,” Huckabee responded.

“It’s ridiculous to say that somehow this is a US-Israel conspiracy and that’s why all those young men flooded to the coast; it’s nonsense,” he added.

Huckabee also dismissed broader conspiracy theories linking Israel and the United States to international events.

“Everything that seems to happen on earth, somebody has this nutty idea that it must be Israel and/or the US who would be behind it. Why don’t you just accept the fact that there were these people who were wanting to get to that part of Spain?” he said.

Morgan also raised comments by Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, who said Spain frequently criticizes Israel while maintaining colonial enclaves in Africa. Asked whether he agreed, Huckabee replied that he “thought it was a pretty good observation,” adding that it raised “valid questions.”

The interview also turned to efforts to disarm Hamas following Morgan’s interview earlier in the program with Hamas spokesperson Ghazi Hamad.

Asked whether Israel could reach an agreement with Hamas, Huckabee questioned the credibility of the terror group.

Hamas members were “proud” of their actions during the October 7 massacre, Huckabee said, noting they “strapped GoPro cameras to their heads, and videotaped themselves raping, slaughtering, beheading, butchering, massacring women, children, and elderly people… they boasted about it online, in phone calls, on the video tape that they shot… so this guy [Hamad] has zero credibility.”

“I think that’s very important to understand if there’s any way in which Hamas wants to make a deal, the first thing they have to do is what they said they were going to do last October, and that’s they’re going to disarm and demilitarize. They haven’t done it yet,” he added.

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After the security coordinator’s weapon was seized, Ezra, Melet, and the security coordinator charged the terrorists at close range to protect the civilians and neutralize the attackers.

By United with Israel Staff

An IDF investigation into the deadly July 24 terrorist attack near the village of Tel in Samaria praised the extraordinary heroism of Maj. Yuval Ezra and Capt. (res.) Benyahu Melet, concluding that their actions saved Israeli civilians, while also identifying a series of serious operational failures that contributed to the tragedy.

The attack claimed the lives of Ezra, a battery commander in the 411th Battalion, and Melet, a member of the Havat Gilad emergency response team, after Palestinian terrorists ambushed a group of Israeli hikers near the village. Several civilians and the community’s security coordinator were also injured in the attack.

According to the investigation, the hiking trip took place without the required coordination or approval from security authorities, despite intelligence received hours earlier indicating a potential security concern. Surveillance troops first identified Palestinians throwing rocks at the hikers, prompting the deployment of an initial military force to escort the group.

As the confrontation escalated, Ezra rushed to the scene with additional soldiers. Melet and the nearby community’s security coordinator also immediately responded, placing themselves between the attackers and the civilians in an effort to push the terrorists back toward the village.

During the battle, after the security coordinator’s weapon was seized, Ezra, Melet, and the security coordinator charged the terrorists at close range to protect the civilians and neutralize the attackers. The investigation found that Ezra fought his way directly into the engagement and killed one of the terrorists before being killed in the firefight.

The probe determined that all of the terrorists involved in the attack were ultimately eliminated or captured. Several were killed by forces at the scene, including an IDF platoon commander and two off-duty soldiers who joined the fighting, while two wounded terrorists were captured hours later during a daylight raid on a hospital in Shchem (Nablus).

Investigators were unable to determine conclusively whether Melet was killed by terrorist fire or by friendly fire during efforts to neutralize the attackers.

While commending the bravery displayed by the fallen officers and other responders, the investigation identified several significant operational shortcomings. It found that the initial military force was too small relative to the number of attackers and civilians, that commanders failed to quickly build a full operational picture or dispatch sufficient reinforcements and medical teams, and that evacuation procedures broke down during the battle.

The investigation described as a “serious failure” the fact that after Ezra was evacuated from the scene, Melet remained critically wounded on the battlefield for several long minutes, receiving treatment only from a civilian medic without any military force protecting him. The IDF said the incident “does not align with the values of the IDF” or with its ethical obligation to place the safety of civilians above that of military personnel.

Despite the operational failures, Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth said the actions of Ezra and Melet prevented a far larger massacre.

“Their determined actions prevented much greater harm,” Bluth said, noting that both officers deliberately moved toward the terrorists to shield civilians despite the overwhelming danger.

The investigation also found that such attacks in open areas near Palestinian villages have become increasingly common and instructed commanders to treat them as a likely operational scenario requiring improved planning, intelligence gathering, force readiness, and rapid medical response.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir adopted the investigation’s findings and ordered the lessons to be implemented immediately across the military.

Calling the attack “a difficult act of terrorism in which we lost two precious fighters,” Zamir praised Ezra and Melet for charging into battle and saving lives.

“Yuval and Benyahu charged into the fight, displayed exceptional combat spirit, and prevented far greater harm to the hikers,” Zamir said. “We will continue to investigate every incident professionally in order to improve and strengthen our readiness. This is how the IDF operates, and this is how we will continue to operate.”

On the recommendation of the head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, Zamir also approved the posthumous promotion of Benyahu Melet to the rank of captain (res.), noting that he had been in the process of completing officer training at the time of his death.

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