Elad Benari

Elad Benari

News writer based in North America

Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.

News by Elad Benari

Syria kills senior ISIS leader, arrests others in joint raids with US-led coalition

Syrian forces, with US-led coalition support, kill a senior ISIS leader and capture several others near Damascus amid a new phase of coordinated anti-terror operations.

Syria kills senior ISIS leader, arrests others in joint raids with US-led coalition

Ahead of party congress

Kim Jong Un vows expanded missile development ahead of party congress

North Korean leader vows continued missile development, ratifying a five-year arms plan as North Korea boosts its munitions industry and unveils a new nuclear-powered submarine.

Kim Jong Un vows expanded missile development ahead of party congress

Texas AG:

Texas AG: Texas has right to label CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terror groups

Texas AG Ken Paxton defends Governor Abbott’s designation of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations after local CAIR chapters sued to block the move.

Texas AG: Texas has right to label CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terror groups

Suspected antisemitic attack

Melbourne car with Hanukkah sign torched in suspected antisemitic attack

Australian police investigate a car fire targeting a Hanukkah display in Melbourne. Rabbi calls it an antisemitic attack amid rising hate crimes.

Melbourne car with Hanukkah sign torched in suspected antisemitic attack

Top ISIS leader arrested near Damascus

Syrian security and US-led coalition forces capture ISIS’s Damascus governor, Taha al-Zoubi, after a lengthy surveillance mission near the Syrian capital.

Top ISIS leader arrested near Damascus

Sa'ar:

Sa'ar: Foreign powers can’t deny Jewish right to live in the Land of Israel

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejects Western criticism of new Judea and Samaria communities, notes Israel’s right to build in the region.

Sa'ar: Foreign powers can’t deny Jewish right to live in the Land of Israel

UK police close probe of anti-IDF chant at Glastonbury Festival

British police end their investigation into the Glastonbury Festival chant “death to the IDF,” saying it did not meet the criminal threshold, despite widespread criticism.

UK police close probe of anti-IDF chant at Glastonbury Festival

Belgium joins South Africa in ICJ genocide case against Israel

Belgium files a declaration of intervention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Belgium joins South Africa in ICJ genocide case against Israel

Over nuclear talks

US and Iran clash at UN over conditions for reviving nuclear talks

US and Iran exchange sharp words at the UN over nuclear talks, with Washington demanding zero enrichment and Tehran rejecting what it calls “unfair” terms.

US and Iran clash at UN over conditions for reviving nuclear talks

After Hanukkah massacre

New South Wales tightens gun laws after Bondi Hanukkah massacre

NSW lawmakers pass sweeping gun and protest laws after the attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach which left 15 dead.

New South Wales tightens gun laws after Bondi Hanukkah massacre

Iran: Our missile program is 'non-negotiable'

Iran insists its missile program is “non-negotiable” after reports Israel plans new action and Netanyahu seeks US backing to counter Tehran’s ballistic capabilities.

Iran: Our missile program is 'non-negotiable'

After UNIFIL

Italy seeks to keep military presence in Lebanon after UNIFIL exit

Italy plans to keep troops in Lebanon after UNIFIL ends in 2026, with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto vowing continued military and training support for the Lebanese armed forces.

Italy seeks to keep military presence in Lebanon after UNIFIL exit

Amid presidential campaign

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro plans Israel visit amid presidential campaign launch

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, plans to visit Israel next month as part of a global tour while preparing a “more centered" presidential campaign.

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro plans Israel visit amid presidential campaign launch

After Stefanik drops out

Trump backs Jewish politician Bruce Blakeman for NY Governor after Stefanik drops out

Trump endorses Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for New York governor, a day after Elise Stefanik ended her campaign.

Trump backs Jewish politician Bruce Blakeman for NY Governor after Stefanik drops out

Israel’s UN mission pays tribute to Sydney terror victims

Israel’s UN mission holds a moment of silence for the victims of the deadly Sydney terror attack during Hanukkah, vowing unity and resilience against antisemitic violence.

Israel’s UN mission pays tribute to Sydney terror victims

'ICC is a political tool'

Netanyahu’s office backs US sanctions on judges, calls ICC a 'political tool'

Israel’s government welcomes US sanctions on two ICC judges, calling the court biased and politically motivated in its prosecution efforts against Israel.

Netanyahu’s office backs US sanctions on judges, calls ICC a 'political tool'

Australian PM unveils major gun buyback after Bondi terror attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces Australia’s largest gun buyback since Port Arthur, targeting illegal and newly banned firearms after the antisemitic Bondi terror attack.

Australian PM unveils major gun buyback after Bondi terror attack

Report:

Report: Turkey seeks to return Russian S-400s in bid to rejoin US F-35 program

Turkey reportedly asks Russia to take back its S-400 missile systems, signaling an attempt by Ankara to restore US ties, lift sanctions, and rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter program.

Report: Turkey seeks to return Russian S-400s in bid to rejoin US F-35 program

US Congress permanently ends Syria sanctions

US Congress votes to permanently lift sanctions on Syria, ending the Caesar Act and opening investment channels under new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

US Congress permanently ends Syria sanctions

Iran claims:

Iran claims dual national accused of 'spying for Israel' is Swedish

Iran’s judiciary says a Swedish dual national faces trial for spying for Israel during the 12-day war. Sweden confirms detention but withholds details, citing consular confidentiality.

Iran claims dual national accused of 'spying for Israel' is Swedish

Israeli envoy in Australia:

Israeli envoy in Australia: My heart is torn apart over Sydney tragedy

Israel’s Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon expresses grief over the Sydney attack, warning of increased antisemitism and urging stronger measures to protect all Australians.

Israeli envoy in Australia: My heart is torn apart over Sydney tragedy

Australian PM:

Australian PM: Bondi Beach attack driven by ISIS ideology

Australian PM Anthony Albanese says the Bondi Beach shooting was motivated by “Islamic State ideology,” calling it an act of hate and confirming authorities are investigating further.

Australian PM: Bondi Beach attack driven by ISIS ideology

Trump sues BBC over doctored speech

President Trump sues BBC for $5 billion after a Panorama broadcast doctored his January 6, 2021 speech.

Trump sues BBC over doctored speech

Israeli appeal fails

ICC keeps Netanyahu, Gallant warrants in force after Israeli appeal fails

ICC appeals judges reject Israel’s challenge to the Gaza probe, keeping arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in force. Israel condemns the ruling as political and unjust.

ICC keeps Netanyahu, Gallant warrants in force after Israeli appeal fails

Ex-hostage Eli Sharabi meets Biden, thanks him for his support

Former hostage Eli Sharabi meets Joe Biden at a Philadelphia Eagles game, thanking him for efforts in hostage release and support for Israel.

Ex-hostage Eli Sharabi meets Biden, thanks him for his support

'Light stronger than darkness'

US Jewish lawmakers decry Sydney attack: Light stronger than darkness

25 Jewish US lawmakers condemn the Sydney Hanukkah attack, urge global action against antisemitism and affirm solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

US Jewish lawmakers decry Sydney attack: Light stronger than darkness

After Sydney attack

Canada stands with Australia after antisemitic terror attack in Sydney

Canadian PM Mark Carney condemns the antisemitic Hanukkah attack in Sydney, pledging solidarity. Toronto Police increases security for Jewish communities during the holiday.

Canada stands with Australia after antisemitic terror attack in Sydney

Israel responds:

Israel responds: Amnesty’s Hamas report too little, too late

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticizes Amnesty International’s delayed report on Hamas’s Oct. 7 atrocities, saying it understates the scale of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel responds: Amnesty’s Hamas report too little, too late

Austria bans headscarves in schools for girls under 14

Austria bans headscarves in schools for girls under 14, affecting 12,000 students. Rights groups call it discriminatory, warning of anti-Muslim racism and social division.

Austria bans headscarves in schools for girls under 14

Amid dispute over Hezbollah

Iranian FM accepts Beirut invite as Hezbollah disarmament sparks tensions

Iran’s FM Araghchi accepts Beirut’s invitation after his Lebanese counterpart rejected a visit to Tehran.

Iranian FM accepts Beirut invite as Hezbollah disarmament sparks tensions

Spain’s PM to Abbas:

Spain’s PM to Abbas: Gaza devastation is 'genocide', accountability needed

Spain’s PM Sanchez tells PA chairman Abbas in Madrid that Gaza’s devastation demands accountability, reaffirming Spain’s support for a two-state solution and recognition of “Palestine”.

Spain’s PM to Abbas: Gaza devastation is 'genocide', accountability needed

Report:

Report: Trump officials mulling terror sanctions on UNRWA

According to Reuters, Trump officials are weighing terrorism sanctions on the UN agency for “Palestinian refugees” which has been proven to have collaborated with Hamas.

Report: Trump officials mulling terror sanctions on UNRWA

Iceland pulls out of Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation

Iceland will not compete in Eurovision 2026 after Israel was cleared to participate, joining Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia.

Iceland pulls out of Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation

Trump:

Trump: I will announce members of Gaza Board of Peace in early 2026

Trump says Gaza’s UN-backed “Board of Peace” will be unveiled in early 2026, calling it “legendary”.

Trump: I will announce members of Gaza Board of Peace in early 2026

UN chief slams Houthis’ court referral of UN staff in Yemen

UN Secretary-General Guterres condemns Houthis’ referral of UN staff to court, demanding release of 59 UN personnel held in Yemen.

UN chief slams Houthis’ court referral of UN staff in Yemen

US: Turkey must drop Russian S-400 to rejoin F-35

US envoy Tom Barrack says talks with Turkey on rejoining the F-35 program show promise, but Ankara must abandon the Russian S-400 system before any breakthrough can be achieved.

US: Turkey must drop Russian S-400 to rejoin F-35

Sa’ar:

Sa’ar: Netanyahu will visit NYC despite Mamdani’s arrest threat

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar dismisses NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s vow to arrest PM Netanyahu, stressing the visit will go ahead despite opposition from Mamdani.

Sa’ar: Netanyahu will visit NYC despite Mamdani’s arrest threat

Iran opens trial of dual national accused of spying for Israel

Iran begins trial of a dual national accused of espionage for Israel, arrested during the June conflict. Charges include “waging war against God,” often punishable by death.

Iran opens trial of dual national accused of spying for Israel

UN chief slams Israeli raid, demands respect for UNRWA premises

UN Secretary-General Guterres condemns Israel Police’s raid on UNRWA’s Jerusalem compound, calling it a violation of UN immunity and urging Israel to respect international law.

UN chief slams Israeli raid, demands respect for UNRWA premises

Antisemitism in Toronto:

Toronto seniors’ housing targeted in antisemitic mezuzah theft

Toronto Police are investigating after about 20 mezuzahs were stolen from a Jewish seniors’ housing building.

Toronto seniors’ housing targeted in antisemitic mezuzah theft