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

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

DeSantis declares:

DeSantis designates CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities

Florida Governor designates CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, directing agencies to block support and prevent unlawful activities.

DeSantis designates CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities

Former Iranian FM warns Israel against future aggression

Mohammad Javad Zarif says Israel’s war with Iran was a “miscalculation,” warning future aggression will trigger Iranian self-defense.

Former Iranian FM warns Israel against future aggression

Palestine Action activist:

Anti-Israel UK activist admits Elbit raid aimed at damage, denies violence

Palestine Action member Charlotte Head admits planning property damage in Elbit raid but denies violence. Six stand trial in UK for aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and criminal damage.

Anti-Israel UK activist admits Elbit raid aimed at damage, denies violence

Amid criticism

BBC orders staff to complete antisemitism training amid mounting criticism

BBC launches compulsory antisemitism training after Jewish staff accused the broadcaster of bias. The Board of Deputies welcomes the move, but critics demand accountability and warn trust remains at risk.

BBC orders staff to complete antisemitism training amid mounting criticism

Australia:

Antisemitism in Australia falls 20%, still five times pre-Oct. 7 levels

Antisemitic incidents in Australia fell 20% to 1,654 last year, but remain five times pre-Oct. 7 levels, new data show.

Antisemitism in Australia falls 20%, still five times pre-Oct. 7 levels

Houthis release crew of ship they attacked in Red Sea

Crew of the Greek-operated Eternity C, sunk in July after Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, have been released. Eleven seafarers are set to arrive in Oman, ending months of captivity.

Houthis release crew of ship they attacked in Red Sea

Guterres:

Guterres: Israel’s Gaza operation fundamentally wrong

UN Secretary-General Guterres continues his criticism of Israel, says Gaza operation was “fundamentally wrong” and may involve war crimes.

Guterres: Israel’s Gaza operation fundamentally wrong

EBU faces 'watershed moment' over Israel in Eurovision 2026

Eurovision faces a “watershed moment” as the EBU may vote on Israel’s 2026 participation this Thursday. Broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands threaten boycott, while Germany warns it could withdraw if Israel is banned.

EBU faces 'watershed moment' over Israel in Eurovision 2026

Filipino crew of sunk cargo ship to be released by Houthis

Philippines says nine Filipino crew members of the Eternity C, sunk by Houthis in July, will be released. The men will be transferred from Sanaa to Oman before returning home.

Filipino crew of sunk cargo ship to be released by Houthis

'We will not abandon the Golan'

UN passes resolution against Israel’s Golan presence, Danon: We will not abandon the Golan

UN General Assembly votes overwhelmingly in favor of resolution demanding Israel withdraw from the Golan Heights. Danon condemns: “Israel will not return to the 1967 lines and will not abandon the Golan.”

UN passes resolution against Israel’s Golan presence, Danon: We will not abandon the Golan

AJC welcomes Dublin’s decision to keep Herzog Park name

American Jewish Committee welcomes Dublin City Council’s withdrawal of a proposal to rename Herzog Park, urging leaders to preserve Jewish heritage while supporting Palestinian Arabs, and warning against erasing Ireland’s Jewish history.

AJC welcomes Dublin’s decision to keep Herzog Park name

John Cleese apologizes for anti-Israel posts, condemns Hamas

Actor John Cleese apologizes for posting anti-Israel material on social media, condemns Hamas as “the nastiest terrorist group”.

John Cleese apologizes for anti-Israel posts, condemns Hamas

Citing violations

Egypt court annuls parliamentary results in 26 districts over violations

Egypt’s Higher Administrative Court annuls parliamentary results in 26 districts, raising invalidated races to 45 out of 70.

Egypt court annuls parliamentary results in 26 districts over violations

Over ties to Technion

Irish actress rejects honorary degree over ties to Israeli Technion

Irish actress Olwen Fouéré rejects honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, citing its “extremely problematic” contract with Israel’s Technion.

Irish actress rejects honorary degree over ties to Israeli Technion

NBA:

NBA: Israeli rookies Wolf and Saraf shine in Nets’ loss to Bucks

Israeli rookies Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf deliver career-best performances for the Brooklyn Nets in a 116-99 loss to Milwaukee, marking a historic pairing as only the second Israeli duo in NBA history.

NBA: Israeli rookies Wolf and Saraf shine in Nets’ loss to Bucks

'Israel-driven'

'Israel-driven': Iran slams Australia for labeling IRGC a terror sponsor

Iran condemns Australia’s decision to label the IRGC a “state sponsor of terrorism,” calling it “unlawful” and “Israel-driven.”

'Israel-driven': Iran slams Australia for labeling IRGC a terror sponsor

Argentina nominates IAEA chief Rafael Grossi for UN Secretary-General

Argentina nominates IAEA chief Rafael Grossi as UN Secretary-General in 2027. He is backed by Paraguay and Italy as well.

Argentina nominates IAEA chief Rafael Grossi for UN Secretary-General

Khamenei:

Khamenei: Trump administration 'not worthy' of contact with Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei says the Trump administration is “not worthy” of contact, rejects rumors of talks, and claims US-Israel failed in June war.

Khamenei: Trump administration 'not worthy' of contact with Iran

'Detached from reality'

'Detached from reality': Muslim Brotherhood slams Trump’s terror designation order

The Muslim Brotherhood denounces Trump’s order to designate its chapters as terrorist groups, calling it “detached from reality” and politically driven.

'Detached from reality': Muslim Brotherhood slams Trump’s terror designation order

Australia lists IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism

Australia lists Iran’s IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism after it was found to have plotted attacks on Jewish sites in Sydney and Melbourne. Officials say the move strengthens security and combats antisemitism.

Australia lists IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism

Maersk to resume Suez Canal transit when safe

Maersk will resume Red Sea navigation via the Suez Canal once safe, CEO Vincent Clerc says, citing Gaza peace progress.

Maersk to resume Suez Canal transit when safe

IAEA chief:

IAEA chief: We aim to restore verification inside Iran

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi vows to restore full verification in Iran, as Iran condemns a motion censuring it over lack of cooperation.

IAEA chief: We aim to restore verification inside Iran

Milei vows Argentine embassy in Jerusalem by spring 2026

Argentine President Javier Milei tells Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar he will open an embassy in Jerusalem during his 2026 visit.

Milei vows Argentine embassy in Jerusalem by spring 2026

Judge rules:

Judge rules: Melbourne synagogue arsonist motivated by mental illness

Australian judge rules that man who set fire to a Melbourne synagogue this past July acted due to mental illness, not antisemitism.

Judge rules: Melbourne synagogue arsonist motivated by mental illness

BBC Chairman refuses to quit amid Trump speech edit scandal

BBC Chairman Samir Shah tells MPs he will not resign over the Panorama Trump edit scandal, apologizing for mistakes but vowing to “fix it.”

BBC Chairman refuses to quit amid Trump speech edit scandal

Germany probes 100-year-old suspected Nazi camp guard

German prosecutors are investigating a 100-year-old man accused of serving as a Nazi camp guard in Hemer, where thousands died. The probe comes as time runs out for trials eight decades after World War II.

Germany probes 100-year-old suspected Nazi camp guard

Elimination of Hezbollah CoS

White House after elimination of Hezbollah CoS: Trump supports Israel’s self-defense

White House Press Secretary affirms Trump’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself after the IDF eliminated Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff in Beirut, citing the group’s long history of terror operations against Israel.

White House after elimination of Hezbollah CoS: Trump supports Israel’s self-defense