Israel National News

Good news:

King Charles shares good news: Cancer treatment to be reduced

King Charles III says his cancer treatment will be reduced in the new year, calling it “a personal blessing” and urging early screening as key to saving lives.

During Tehran memorial

Iran arrests Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi at lawyer’s memorial in Tehran

Iran reportedly violently arrests 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi at a memorial, her supporters say.

Israel hands mediators names, maps to locate Ran Gvili

Israel gives mediators names of Islamic Jihad terrorists and maps to locate Ran Gvili, stressing no progress in talks or deal will occur until his return.

Last hostage’s father:

Last hostage’s father: For me, until I get him back - he is alive

Families gather for Shabbat at Hostages Square, vowing not to forget Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage.

Shabbat Shalom from Israel!

Shabbat Shalom from Israel! Updates continue from North America

Shabbat about to begin in Israel. Our North America desk will continue to update the site until Shabbat begins in New York.

Nvidia’s unwavering support for kidnapped employee shows true workplace family

Noa Argamani tells on X how during the two years her boyfriend Avinatan Or was held captive, Nvidia went beyond being a workplace, offering extraordinary support, demonstrating what true mutual responsibility looks like.

How Pinocchio encouraged Yosef Haim in captivity

Yosef Haim Ohana told Kan Reshet Bet that the Pinocchio theme song became his daily source of strength in Hamas captivity, offering light amid torture, starvation and fear.

Israel tops early betting odds for Eurovision 2026

Bookmaker Betfair's first Eurovision 2026 odds place Israel at the top, with Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, and Italy following closely behind.

London:

Hasmonean Primary named top Jewish school in Sunday Times ranking

Hasmonean Primary ranked top Jewish primary school in the UK, thanks to its academic strength and commitment to Torah Im Derech Eretz. The school says the achievement reflects dedicated staff, engaged pupils, and a supportive community.

Likud returns to pre-war poll position

For the first time since the war began, the Likud has received 28 seats in an election poll, but the current coalition bloc only received 52

Tragedy in Jerusalem:

Tragedy in Jerusalem: Special-needs teen succumbs to injuries from fire he set

Natan Tzvi Reisfeld, 13, passed away at Hadassah Ein Kerem after suffering critical burns from a Ramot building blaze that he started before being rescued by firefighters.

2nd time this week:

2nd time this week: IDF strikes Hezbollah training facility in Lebanon

IDF struck a compound used by Hezbollah's Radwan Force to conduct shooting exercises and additional training on the use of various types of weapons.

Watch:

Watch: Palestinian posed as an Israeli, infiltrators found in trunk

Forces arrested a Palestinian Arab who posed as an Israeli and attempted to pass through a checkpoint with two other illegal entrants in his trunk.

Eitan Mor recounts:

Eitan Mor recounts: 'I accepted the fact that I will die in Gaza, it helped me live'

In an interview with Makor Rishon, former hostage Eitan Mor details his abduction, the severe starvation in Hamas tunnels, and the moments of faith that helped him survive.

'Shame on Israel!'

'Shame on Israel!' | Thousands of haredim protest Israeli draft in London

Thousands from several haredi communities in the British capital gathered outside the Israeli embassy to protest the conscription bill.

Amid heavy storm:

Amid heavy storm: Items belonging to missing man found

Police are searching the area surrounding the Yarkon Stream in Ramat Gan for 19-year-old Bnei Brak resident Eliyahu Abba Shaul, who went missing on Wednesday.

Anti-Israel incitement

EJA files legal action over Bob Vylan’s Brussels concert incitement

European Jewish Association launches legal action after Bob Vylan’s Brussels concert incited chants of “Death to the IDF”.

Israel Allies Foundation honors Trump at Washington, D.C., gala

IAF gala in DC honors President Trump for historic pro-Israel leadership, regional security role, and faith-based diplomacy.

First in-person hearing held for suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting

Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, faces court in Utah. Evidence includes DNA, confession texts, and a rifle. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.

Storm Byron:

Storm Byron: Search for missing man from Bnei Brak, residents rescued in Beit Shikma

Police are searching for Eliyahu Aba Shaul, missing from Bnei Brak. Severe flooding in Beit Shikma, with MDA working to evacuate casualties.

Trump:

Trump: Mideast peace achieved after strikes on Iran’s nuclear program

US President says peace in the Middle East was made possible by US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, adds 59 nations support stability efforts in Gaza and beyond.

Cabinet approves:

Cabinet approves: 19 new communities in Judea and Samaria

Led by Ministers Smotrich and Katz: The Security Cabinet approves the establishment of 19 communities in Judea and Samaria, including Ganim and Kadim, which were evacuated about 20 years ago during the Disengagement in northern Samaria.

The full documentation:

The full documentation: How the six hostages held on to hope

Additional footage found in the Gaza Strip shows the six hostages who were murdered in the tunnel, embracing, wishing each other a Happy New Year, playing games, cutting hair, and lighting Hanukkah candles.

'The Beautiful Six'

'The Beautiful Six': Families of the six hostages reflect on Hanukkah captivity video

The families of six murdered hostages share an emotional response to footage showing their loved ones lighting Hanukkah candles in captivity, emphasizing their strength, unity, and humanity.

Mass skin infection halts naval cadet training course

The Navy's naval cadet course was suspended for several days following an outbreak of a skin illness among dozens of cadets.

Officer who approved alcohol consumption in Pilot Course removed

The commander of the Combat Navigator Squadron at the Flight School, a lieutenant colonel, will be removed from his position after approving the consumption of alcohol by cadets during a captivity workshop.

Debra Lea:

Debra Lea: 'Hasbara is dead, it's time for Jewish pride'

Popular pro-Israel activist and social media personality Debra Lea delivered a speech to an Israel Justice Organization event calling for a shift in Israel's public diplomacy approach.

Rabbi Marc Schneier:

Rabbi Marc Schneier: 'Israel is our magnificent obsession'

Rabbi Schneier, who has led his synagogue's leadership to numerous Arab states, emphasizes how important Israel is for the Jews of America.

Yisrael Ganz in DC:

Yisrael Ganz in DC: 'We have the best administration for the State of Israel'

Yisrael Ganz, chairman of the Yesha Council and governor of the Binyamin Regional Council, spoke about his meeting with House Representatives regarding Judea and Samaria.

Anti-Israel activists heckle Yesha leaders in Washington

Activists shout at Yossi Dagan, Yisrael Ganz in the US Capitol building.

Brig. Gen. Effie Eitam:

Brig. Gen. Efi Eitam: 'On October 7th, my generation and the new one joined hands'

Reserve Brigadier General Efi Eitam highlights the unbreakable generational bond within Israel’s fighting forces and the nation’s determination to defeat its enemies.

Israeli officials

Israeli officials: 'We're investigating leads on the burial location of Ran Gvili'

Israeli security officials have begun looking into initial leads on Ran Gvili's burial site, saying phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement depends on his return.

Jonathan Burkan:

Jonathan Burkan: Holocaust Memorial Council is a profound responsibility

Jonathan Burkan, a founding board member of Israel Justice, was sworn in Monday night as Appointee to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Israeli navy holds joint exercise with US Fifth Fleet

The 5-day joint “Intrinsic Defender” exercise between the Israeli Navy and the US 5th Fleet has been completed.

Chilling video

Chilling video: 6 hostages light Hanukkah candles in captivity

Newly published footage reveals the six hostages who were murdered in August 2024 lighting Hanukkah candles and singing in a captivity tunnel in Rafah.

Maxim Herkin undergoes circumcision after release from Gaza

Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, blessed Herkin and gave him the name Zalman‑Zelig in memory of his maternal grandfather. At the same ceremony, he also put tefillin on him for the first time.

Antisemitism task force

Antisemitism task force: All Columbia Middle East faculty 'explicitly anti-Zionist'

Columbia University's Task Force on Antisemitism finds that students do not have course options that present them with pro-Zionist content.

Storm Byron reaches its peak with 200 mm rain in certain areas

Storm 'Byron’ continues to pound Israel with heavy rains, strong winds, and widespread flooding on the coast, in Greater Tel Aviv and Carmel region. Risk of flooding in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area.

Ukraine:

Ukraine: Historical synagogue torched in antisemitic attack

Two hundred years after it was built, one of Europe’s most iconic synagogues, which went through 9 years of detailed and delicate restoration, was set on fire in an antisemitic attack.

Netanyahu

Netanyahu: Former officials attempting to influence October 7 investigation'

In a social media post, PM Netanyahu accused former senior officials of attempting to "distort facts" in order to influence the investigation into the October 7th massacre.