Israel National News

Israel National News

The Israel National News - Arutz Sheva website

Stories written by the Israel National News team have been compiled and edited by several news writers

News by Israel National News

'Actual traitor'

'Actual traitor:' The storm surrounding Steve Witkoff

A leaked recording revealed how Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy, coached a senior Russian official on how to seize territories in Ukraine as part of Trump's peace plan.

'Actual traitor:' The storm surrounding Steve Witkoff

Trump:

Trump: US to block South Africa from 2026 G20, end all subsidies

Trump said South Africa 'is not worthy of membership anywhere,' citing alleged abuses against white farmers and a dispute over the G20 handoff at this year’s summit.

Trump: US to block South Africa from 2026 G20, end all subsidies

IDF tightens cellphone regulations

Following lessons from the October 7th Massacre, the IDF will bar Android phones for any operational use and extend strict cellphone limits to lieutenant colonels.

IDF tightens cellphone regulations

IDF preparing for next stage of Trump plan in Rafah

Preparing for Trump’s next Gaza phase, Israel will start clearing Rafah for a humanitarian zone, while foreign forces remain unwilling to enter Hamas-controlled areas.

IDF preparing for next stage of Trump plan in Rafah

Chief Rabbi

Chief Rabbi: 'Hitting one's wife is a gentile act'

Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef emphasized that violence against women is a serious act that violates the Torah, and that Jewish courts are instructed to handle the issue with the utmost severity.

Chief Rabbi: 'Hitting one's wife is a gentile act'

Hamas continues steadfast refusal to disarm

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem says discussions on weapons must be resolved through internal Palestinian dialogue, stressing the issue is tied to national consensus and a broader political process.

Hamas continues steadfast refusal to disarm

The unusual diplomatic visit and the tensions behind the scenes

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister arrives in Israel to promote regional initiatives, but behind the talks, disputes continue to affect relations between the two countries.

The unusual diplomatic visit and the tensions behind the scenes

Watch:

Watch: First look at major IDF counterterror operation in Samaria

IDF, Shin Bet, Border Police, and regional brigades launched a major counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, striking targets, searching dozens of structures, and seizing terror funds to prevent new terror strongholds from forming.

Watch: First look at major IDF counterterror operation in Samaria

Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff: Leadership that recognizes failure & dares to lead change needed

A ceremony marking 52 years since the passing of the former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben-Gurion was held today, led by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Chief of Staff: Leadership that recognizes failure & dares to lead change needed

The ambassador who also sells sleeping supplements

Ambassador continues earning from Relaxium endorsements as the report raises questions over ethics rules and the limits of pre‑existing commercial agreements.

The ambassador who also sells sleeping supplements

Praise for Oct. 7

Kafr Qassem resident charged with incitement to terrorism for praising Oct. 7

According to the indictment, just ten days after the war began, the defendant posted four Arabic-language posts on her Facebook page in which she incited acts of terror and expressed support for the Hamas massacre.

Kafr Qassem resident charged with incitement to terrorism for praising Oct. 7

Manchester Police Chief criticizes ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said he would not have backed the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Birmingham match, telling LBC the ban was neither practical nor necessary.

Manchester Police Chief criticizes ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

After being closed to women

Jerusalem Municipality cuts funding to haredi Hanukkah concert after being closed to women

The municipality withdrew support after organizers canceled the women’s section and made the haredi Hanukkah concert men-only, following rabbinic rulings against mixed musical events.

Jerusalem Municipality cuts funding to haredi Hanukkah concert after being closed to women

Deadly fire breaks out in Hong Kong residential complex

At least 13 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a fire that broke out today in a residential complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The fire spread rapidly between the buildings using bamboo scaffolding. Emergency forces continue rescue operations at the scene.

Deadly fire breaks out in Hong Kong residential complex

'The lawlessness is over'

'The lawlessness is over' | Ben-Gvir and Bedouin citizen clash in the Negev

During a visit to Tel Sheva, an argument broke out between the National Security Minister and one of the residents, who accused him of 'looking for noise.'

'The lawlessness is over' | Ben-Gvir and Bedouin citizen clash in the Negev

'No Regret or Apology'

'No Regret or Apology:' 11 years for Arab who raped soldier at Bat Yam beach

Court sentences a 24-year-old Arab from Hebron to 11 years in prison after he was convicted of raping a 19-year-old soldier at a beach in Bat Yam and causing bodily harm.

'No Regret or Apology:' 11 years for Arab who raped soldier at Bat Yam beach

Tallit and tefillin found in airport trash in Florida

A tallit and tefillin that were lost were found in a trash bin after a complex search operation involving volunteers, airport staff, the waste management department and the local sheriff's office.

Tallit and tefillin found in airport trash in Florida

Amit Segal announces birth of fourth child

Channel 12 News commentator Amit Segal announces birth of newborn son. 'A new guy has come to the neighborhood; the world is so beautiful sometimes.'

Amit Segal announces birth of fourth child

Watch:

Watch: Jewish shepherds mobbed in Gush Etzion

Dozens of rioters from the village of Rasideh attacked Jewish shepherds near Ma'ale Amos, wounding several residents and stealing sheep from the flock.

Watch: Jewish shepherds mobbed in Gush Etzion

Aliyah with purpose:

Aliyah with purpose: Daniel and Rivka share their journey to Carmay Hanadiv

Young couple finds home in Carmay Hanadiv, where a thriving, Torah-rooted community and strong schools drew them in. “Israel is our future,” they say, urging others to take the leap.

Aliyah with purpose: Daniel and Rivka share their journey to Carmay Hanadiv

Netanyahu tells judges: 'This is on the verge of impossible'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testifies in court, says 'it is on the verge of impossible' to do three testimonies a week due to security situation.

Netanyahu tells judges: 'This is on the verge of impossible'

In coordination with al-Sharaa:

Approved by al-Sharaa: Islamic Jihad establishing significant military presence in Syria

Hamas stregthening ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon as Islamic Jihad builds up its forces in Syria.

Approved by al-Sharaa: Islamic Jihad establishing significant military presence in Syria

Jerusalem: Three teens arrested for attacking bus driver

Teens attack bus driver, steal his phone, after bus driver told them to cease smoking on a public bus.

Jerusalem: Three teens arrested for attacking bus driver

Six terrorists eliminated in Rafah

Search for terrorists in Rafah continues, six terrorists identified near underground terror infrastructure.

Six terrorists eliminated in Rafah

Following Hamas Cyber-Op:

Following Hamas Cyber-Op: IDF to monitor soldiers' social media with AI

The IDF will operate a new artificial intelligence system that will monitor soldiers' public posts on social networks, aiming to prevent the exposure of sensitive information.

Following Hamas Cyber-Op: IDF to monitor soldiers' social media with AI

Prayers and kiddush helped Eliya Cohen survive Hamas captivity

Hamas captivity survivor Eliya Cohen reflects on life after Gaza captivity: 'I focus on the positive.'

Prayers and kiddush helped Eliya Cohen survive Hamas captivity

After 781 days:

Body of hostage Dror Or returned to Israel for burial

The IDF has announced that the body of deceased hostage Dror Or has been returned to Israel for burial.

Body of hostage Dror Or returned to Israel for burial

Three killed in road accident near Dead Sea

Man and woman in their 50s killed in road accident on Route 1 in Dead Sea area; elderly woman killed in accident in Ashdod.

Three killed in road accident near Dead Sea

Namibian politician named Adolf Hitler on track for second term

Namibian politician Adolf Hitler Uunona, who rejects any link to Nazi ideology, is set for re-election. His name continues to spark global attention and social media reactions.

Namibian politician named Adolf Hitler on track for second term

'We won't allow terror to take root'

Security forces launch operation in northern Samaria: We won't allow terror to take root

IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police launch a major counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, days after eliminating two terrorists behind deadly attacks.

Security forces launch operation in northern Samaria: We won't allow terror to take root

Prosecutors to retry suspect in 1979 Etan Patz disappearance

Prosecutors will retry Pedro Hernandez in the 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz, after his conviction was overturned. Jury selection must begin by June 1 or Hernandez will be released.

Prosecutors to retry suspect in 1979 Etan Patz disappearance

After outcry

After outcry, Mamdani shifts tone on NYC synagogue protest

After backlash over rebuking Park East Synagogue, Mayor‑elect Mamdani toughens his stance, condemning chants of “death to the IDF” as “unacceptable, full stop,” while pledging to protect Jewish institutions.

After outcry, Mamdani shifts tone on NYC synagogue protest

Amid rising antisemitism

Adams announces $3M Queens Holocaust Memorial amid rising antisemitism

NYC will build the Queens Holocaust Memorial at Borough Hall, honoring six million victims and survivors. Backed by $3M, the site will serve as a permanent space for remembrance, education, and unity.

Adams announces $3M Queens Holocaust Memorial amid rising antisemitism

Podcast:

Podcast: Surviving a bear market - how to stay calm when the stock market falls

Steps to keep your cash flow, confidence, and US portfolio intact when things get rough.

Podcast: Surviving a bear market - how to stay calm when the stock market falls

Report:

Report: Trump-MBS meeting turned tense over Israel normalization

Axios reports that Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince turned tense over Saudi-Israel normalization, leaving Trump disappointed.

Report: Trump-MBS meeting turned tense over Israel normalization

Ofakim:

Ofakim: Employee’s ingenuity foils bold robbery

Four masked men attempt to rob a jewelry store in a new shopping center in Ofakim, but their efforts are thwarted thanks to an emergency system activated by one of the salesmen.

Ofakim: Employee’s ingenuity foils bold robbery

Inconceivable rise in number of murdered women in Israel

A shocking report presented this morning in the Knesset reveals a bleak picture: in just eight months, the number of women murdered has equaled that in all of 2024, many had previously complained about domestic violence.

Inconceivable rise in number of murdered women in Israel

Netanyahu attempts to resolve crisis between Chief of Staff, Defense Minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervenes in the escalating crisis between Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

Netanyahu attempts to resolve crisis between Chief of Staff, Defense Minister

Tel Aviv University addresses lecture topic concerns with Peter Beinart

Peter Beinart was invited to speak on Trump and the future of American democracy, but a pre-lecture post raised concerns he might address a different topic; organizers clarified expectations and he assured compliance.

Tel Aviv University addresses lecture topic concerns with Peter Beinart

Body-camera footage:

Body-camera footage: IDF soldiers eliminate murderous terrorist

Newly released footage shows the moments of the assault and shooting in the operation in which the terrorist Sultan al-Ghani - who murdered Kedumim resident Gideon Peri in August 2023 - was eliminated.

Body-camera footage: IDF soldiers eliminate murderous terrorist