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

Trump announces further cut of $3 billion from 'very antisemitic' Harvard

US President says grant money cut from Harvard over antisemitism will be given to "trade schools" as Ivy League institution's losses in federal funding rise to over $5 billion.

Trump announces further cut of $3 billion from 'very antisemitic' Harvard

Worldwide:

Thousands worldwide mark 80th Liberation and Rescue of European Jewry

On the 80th anniversary of European Jewry’s liberation from Nazi terror, thousands worldwide gather to pray and honor Holocaust survivors and martyrs, with heartfelt prayers for hostages and the wounded amid ongoing challenges.

Thousands worldwide mark 80th Liberation and Rescue of European Jewry

Jerusalem Day:

MK Tzvi Succot raises Israeli flag on Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day

MK Tzvi Succot ascends Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day, raising Israeli flag, praying for victory in the war and the safe return of hostages, and emphasizing the importance of Jewish sovereignty on the sacred site.

MK Tzvi Succot raises Israeli flag on Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day

Coalition Chairman targeted with white powder, death threat

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz receives envelope with white powder, chilling threats, warning of violence towards his family in 'revenge' for October 7 massacre.

Coalition Chairman targeted with white powder, death threat

Legacy of Life:

Legacy of Life: Holocaust survivor's liver saves woman in final act of generosity

At Kaplan Medical Center, a liver was successfully harvested from Marta Dimov, a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor, and was transplanted into a 67-year-old woman at Hadassah Hospital.

Legacy of Life: Holocaust survivor's liver saves woman in final act of generosity

Fire in Jerusalem Forest threatens nearby homes

Firefighters battling forest fire near Shlomo Tzemach Street; nine firefighting teams and two pairs of planes at the scene.

Fire in Jerusalem Forest threatens nearby homes

Brigitte Macron’s slap? Viral video ignites frenzy

Video from Hanoi airport shows Brigitte Macron making motion resembling slap to French President Emmanuel Macron’s face, igniting widespread speculation and controversy online.

Brigitte Macron’s slap? Viral video ignites frenzy

Ben-Gvir visits Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ascended the Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day together with members of the Otzma Yehudit party.

Ben-Gvir visits Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day

Attorney General:

Attorney General: 'The regime is changing right before our eyes'

The Attorney General warned of a decline in the rule of law under the pretext of national security.

Attorney General: 'The regime is changing right before our eyes'

'City Workers':

'City Workers': Four arrested in Jerusalem after trying to steal charity boxes

Four individuals from a minority community were arrested late Sunday night after being caught attempting to saw open charity boxes in Jerusalem.

'City Workers': Four arrested in Jerusalem after trying to steal charity boxes

Kristi Noem:

Kristi Noem: Sarah and Yaron embodied the very best of Israel

Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee hold memorial event honoring embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

Kristi Noem: Sarah and Yaron embodied the very best of Israel

Ponovezh Yeshiva sets strict new rules on dates and gifts during engagement

Ponovezh Yeshiva heads condemn lengthy dates and frequent gifting between engaged couples, calling these practices halakhically problematic and urging restraint during the engagement period.

Ponovezh Yeshiva sets strict new rules on dates and gifts during engagement

Fake News:

Fake News: AI images used to smear Israel

A widely circulated image reportedly showing the aftermath of an Israeli strike that killed nine children in Gaza has been exposed as an AI fake.

Fake News: AI images used to smear Israel

Maoz blasts France: 'Colonial forefathers preaching morality?'

MK Avi Maoz accuses France of hypocrisy and fueling antisemitism, slamming French President Emmanuel Macron’s Gaza stance. 'France is the forefather of colonization, preaching to Israel about occupation is hypocrisy.'

Maoz blasts France: 'Colonial forefathers preaching morality?'

Report: Trump expected to announce Gaza ceasefire deal tied to hostage release

US President Donald Trump expected to announce Gaza ceasefire within days as part of a deal to release Israeli hostages and return of bodies, reports say.

Report: Trump expected to announce Gaza ceasefire deal tied to hostage release

Live:

Live: Jerusalem Day morning prayers at Western Wall

A festive Shacharit (morning) prayer is being held Monday morning with the participation of thousands of Hesder yeshiva students, rabbis, and public figures in honor of Jerusalem Day.

Live: Jerusalem Day morning prayers at Western Wall

New Syria gov't pledges help on missing US citizens

Syria's new authorities commit to assisting the United States in locating and repatriating missing American citizens or their remains, a significant development following the lifting of US sanctions.

New Syria gov't pledges help on missing US citizens

Gaza aid setback:

Gaza aid setback: US-backed initiative's chief resigns

Jake Wood unexpectedly resigns as executive director of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), cites an inability to adhere to humanitarian principles amidst complex challenges.

Gaza aid setback: US-backed initiative's chief resigns

American-German citizen charged in plot to attack US Embassy in Tel Aviv

Joseph Neumeyer, a dual American-German citizen, appears in Brooklyn federal court charged with attempting to attack the US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv.

American-German citizen charged in plot to attack US Embassy in Tel Aviv

Moving

Moving: Yaakov Shwekey presents 'fallen soldiers' tallit' to Eli Sharabi

During a performance in Mexico, singer Yaakov Shwekey presented captivity survivor Eli Sharabi with a tallit worn during the filming of the music video of his song “Kaddish”, embroidered with the names of the victims of the war.

Moving: Yaakov Shwekey presents 'fallen soldiers' tallit' to Eli Sharabi

Expresses support for Israel

Netanyahu meets Homeland Security Secretary Noem, who expresses support for Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu meets in his office in Jerusalem with US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is currently visiting Israel.

Netanyahu meets Homeland Security Secretary Noem, who expresses support for Israel

Ministerial C'tee approves

Ministerial Committee approves bill enabling prosecution of October 7 terrorists

Ministerial Committee on Legislation approves bill by MKs Rothman and Malinovsky to establish a special criminal court for those involved in the October 7 crimes.

Ministerial Committee approves bill enabling prosecution of October 7 terrorists

Ethics Committee:

Ethics Committee: 'Burn down Gaza' does not violate rules

Knesset Ethics Committee rejects MK Cassif’s appeal, rules that MK Vaturi's statement "burn down Gaza" does not uphold the dignity of the Knesset – but also does not constitute a violation of ethics rules.

Ethics Committee: 'Burn down Gaza' does not violate rules

'Preference By Politics':

'Preference By Politics': Former official claims discrimination against families

Liat Somer, a former senior member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, has publicly accused elements within the organization of political discrimination in their treatment of families whose loved ones were abducted by Hamas.

'Preference By Politics': Former official claims discrimination against families

Western Wall:

Homeland Security Secretary prays for slain Israeli embassy staff at Western Wall

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem prays at Western Wall with US Ambassador Huckabee, honoring fallen embassy staff and calling for hostages’ return.

Homeland Security Secretary prays for slain Israeli embassy staff at Western Wall

Five missing people rescued in two days

The Israel Dog Unit worked through Shabbat and into Jerusalem Day to close three missing-person cases with a total of five victims.

Five missing people rescued in two days

Mixup at JFK:

Captivity survivor detained at JFK: US officials still listed her as captive

Liri Albag, who survived Hamas captivity, was questioned for an hour at JFK after US border agents flagged her as still held hostage.

Captivity survivor detained at JFK: US officials still listed her as captive

ISA nominee David Zini:

ISA nominee David Zini: 'October 7th was a bigger failure than the Yom Kippur war'

ISA director nominee David Zini offered a candid and painful assessment of the military’s failures during the October 7 Hamas attack, calling it 'a crazy failure, greater than the Yom Kippur War.'

ISA nominee David Zini: 'October 7th was a bigger failure than the Yom Kippur war'

Following DC murders:

Following DC murders: US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives in Israel

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Israel on President Trump’s directive following DC murders of embassy staff; will meet leaders, honor victims, and attend memorial ceremony.

Following DC murders: US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives in Israel

Watch: Jerusalem Day at Yeshivat Hakotel

Jerusalem Day celebrations at Yeshivat Hakotel began with an inspiring evening of prayer and Torah learning.

Watch: Jerusalem Day at Yeshivat Hakotel

Watch:

Watch: Jerusalem Day prayers & celebrations begin at Western Wall

A festive Maariv prayer and the unfurling of a giant Israeli flag in the center of the Western Wall Plaza, with the participation of thousands and in the presence of the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz; Jerusalem Mayor Mr. Moshe Lion; and other public figures.

Watch: Jerusalem Day prayers & celebrations begin at Western Wall

Captivity survivor:

Omer Wenkert: Before the IDF entered Rafah my captors deliberately starved me

At legal forum, hostage Omer Wenkert recounts 420 days of Hamas captivity marked by isolation, starvation, and abuse: 'They came to me once in never.'

Omer Wenkert: Before the IDF entered Rafah my captors deliberately starved me

Chief of Staff:

Chief of Staff: 'Now is our time to defeat the Khan Yunis brigade'

During a high-level tour of Khan Yunis, Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir, alongside top IDF commanders, conducted a strategic assessment as Operation Gideon’s Chariots intensifies.

Chief of Staff: 'Now is our time to defeat the Khan Yunis brigade'

Sylvan Adams included in TIME100 Philanthropy List

TIME honors Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams for transformative giving, including historic $100 million post-October 7 donation to revitalize Israel’s south and advance global Jewish unity.

Sylvan Adams included in TIME100 Philanthropy List

The True North strong and free?

'Hide Jewish symbols': Anti-Israel protests spark NSC warning to Israelis in Canada

Travel alert upgraded to Level 2 as Israeli officials cite recent attacks, radicalized rhetoric, and planned anti-Israel protests in Toronto and Waterloo.

'Hide Jewish symbols': Anti-Israel protests spark NSC warning to Israelis in Canada

Watch:

Watch: IDF, Border Police nab senior Lions’ Den terrorist in Shechem

In a joint undercover operation guided by Shin Bet intelligence, IDF and Border Police forces arrested a senior Lions' Den terrorist in Shechem; suspect wounded while fleeing, explosive devices hurled at troops.

Watch: IDF, Border Police nab senior Lions’ Den terrorist in Shechem

Israeli Navy activity in Gaza:

Navy activity in Gaza: Hamas naval commando who participated in massacre eliminated

The Israeli Navy, together with other bodies, eliminated Ahmad Al-Lahwani, who served as an operative in Hamas's naval commando unit and infiltrated through the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Navy activity in Gaza: Hamas naval commando who participated in massacre eliminated

Huckabee:

'From exile to embassy — a dream realized' | Amb. Huckabee’s Jerusalem Day message

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee hails Jerusalem's reunification, highlights Trump's recognition of the city as Israel's eternal capital, and pledges unwavering American support amid ongoing war and hostage crisis.

'From exile to embassy — a dream realized' | Amb. Huckabee’s Jerusalem Day message

'For political reasons'

Reserve officer jailed after refusing orders to report 'for political reasons'

Captain (Res.) Ron Feiner sentenced to 20 days in military prison after refusing reserve duty in protest of Gaza war and government stance on hostages.

Reserve officer jailed after refusing orders to report 'for political reasons'

Miracle in Beitar Illit:

Devastating fire destroys home in Beitar Illit – child spared by minutes

Quick response by volunteer firefighters prevents tragedy after blaze engulfs Beitar Illit apartment; child feared trapped found to have left moments earlier.

Devastating fire destroys home in Beitar Illit – child spared by minutes