Israel National News

Chag Sameach from Israel!

Chag Sameach from Israel! Updates continue from North America

Passover begins in Israel. INN's North America desk will continue to update the site until it begins in New York.

DeSantis

'Cancel visas for Hamas supporters'

Florida governor Ron DeSantis today denounced the Biden administration for not doing enough to combat growing protests against Israel on college campuses.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz:

'We will not allow Khamenei to undermine regional stability'

The Foreign Minister congratulated the EU on the decision to impose new sanctions against Iran.

Report:

Report: Egypt updated on Israel's plans for Rafah operation

According to Egyptian officials, Israel intends to send troops to Rafah gradually and to concentrate on areas where the defense establishment believes Hamas leaders are hiding.

Central Command Chief Yehuda Fox to step down in the summer

Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fox told those close to him in recent months that he sees himself as part of the General Staff that failed on October 7th and that he must take accountability and end his tenure as others did.

Watch:

Watch | Jewish artists envelop in prayer

Some of today's leading artists in Jewish music: singers, cantors, and musicians, together with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra have come together to create this project, to raise spirits during these dark days.

Closure 3 years on

Closure 3 years on | Terrorist who murdered Barel Hadaria Shmueli eliminated

The terrorist who shot from point-blank range at IDF soldier First Sergeant Barel Hadaria Shmueli has been eliminated in an airstrike in Gaza.

For the first time

For the first time: Public Seder night in the pro-Russian Transnistrian region

80 years after the destruction of the Jewish communities in the pro-Russian Transnistrian region of Moldova, a public Seder will be held this evening for the first time in the region according to tradition.

IDF: As Passover begins the IDF is at full readiness in all areas

Military says northern, central, and southern commands operating to defend Israel in all arenas with Passover holiday set to begin tonight.

Lapid demands Netanyahu follow intelligence chief and resign

Opposition leader reacts to resignation of Major General Aharon Haliva in wake of October 7 by calling on PM to step down as well.

Report:

Report: Israel planned and canceled major retaliatory strike on Iran

A missile was destroyed by Israeli forces who fired because another missile had already struck the target, according to NYT report.

Jerusalem terrorists identified as Hebron residents

Security establishment investigating how 2 terrorists entered Israeli territory in car with Israeli license plate.

Australian PM sends Passover greeting

PM Albanese says 'We remain steadfast in our determination to counter hateful prejudice and antisemitism so that our Australian principles of respect, acceptance and inclusion prevail.'

Sunak in Passover greeting:

Sunak in Passover greeting: 'My thoughts are with hostages an families of Oct. victims'

British PM notes the families who will have empty seats in Passover greeting, says UK will continue to support Israel against attacks such as the recent Iranian attack.

Hostage's father:

Hostage's father: We'll leave a seat for you in case you come home

Zvika Mor, the father of Eitan Mor, who was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, writes about celebrating Passover with his son in captivity, never losing hope.

Terrorist who murdered Jewish shepherd is arrested

The terrorist who carried out the attack in which Binyamin Achimeir was murdered has been found and arrested.

For their own safety:

Columbia U. rabbi warns Jewish students to stay off campus for their own safety

Rabbi Elie Buechler warns students to 'return home' amidst genocidal demonstrations on Columbia University campus. 'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus.'

Assad:

Assad: We've held meetings from time to time with Washington

Syrian President reveals his country has held meetings "from time to time" with Washington, as it seeks openings after over a decade of isolation.

During anti-Israeli rally

Jewish Yale student stabbed in the eye with PLO flag during anti-Israeli rally on campus

Jewish Yale University student stabbed in the eye with PLO flag while covering anti-Israel protest on campus. Her assailant has gone unpunished.

White House:

White House: No place for antisemitism on any college campus

Amid anti-Israel rallies at Columbia University, White House condemns antisemitism on college campuses.

'Reprehensible and dangerous'

Biden denounces antisemitism in Passover message: Reprehensible and dangerous

Biden releases statement ahead of Passover: My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad.

Incident under review

IDF UAV downed in Lebanese territory, incident under review

IDF says a surface-to-air missile was launched toward an IAF UAV that was operating in Lebanese airspace. The UAV was hit and fell in Lebanese territory.

'Academia must wake up'

Herzog criticizes antisemitism at Columbia University: American academia must wake up

President Isaac Herzog after antisemitism on Columbia University campus: Firm and strong action must be taken to prevent antisemitism on campus.

Gallant and Chief of Staff:

Gallant and Chief of Staff: Sanctions on Netzach Yehuda - not the right path

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on US intentions to impose sanctions against the IDF’s “Netzach Yehuda” battalion.

Public diplomacy video:

Public diplomacy video: The empty chair at the Passover Seder

Prime Minister's Office National Public Diplomacy Directorate launches new video seeking to raise awareness of the hostages being held by Hamas: No family in the world should celebrate like this.

Poll:

Poll: Religious Zionists to receive 7 seats if election was today

The poll found that if a new center-right party, led by fmr. PM Bennett, Fmr. Mossad Chief Cohen and MK Sa'ar were formed it would receive 32 seats.

Passover Insight: the Jewish approach to antisemitism

Iranian’s unprecedented missile attack on Israel comes just before Passover, when the Jewish people will recite the words in the Haggadah, In every generation, they rise to destroy us, but G-d saves us every time.” Oped.

IDF spox. to hostages:

IDF spox. to hostages: 'If you can hear me - we will fight until you return home to us'

Rear Admiral Hagari told Israelis that while forces are deployed along the entire length of the borders of Israel, they must remain vigilant during the holiday.

Calls for Israeli Arabs to fight the IDF

Israeli Arab political activists blame the IDF for ‘applying deliberate policies to eliminate Palestinian resistance.’

Mother of hostage:

Mother of hostage: 'I can't imagine celebrating Passover without my son'

Ahead of Passover, the mothers of hostages called on the world to press for a deal so they could celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.

Minister Gantz to Blinken:

Minister Gantz to Blinken: 'Sanctions on Netzach Yehuda - a double mistake'

The National Unity Party chair asked the US Secretary of State to reconsider sanctions on the IDF unit since they would hurt Israel's legitimacy and have no justification since Israel has a strong and independent judiciary.

Tunisian Jews in peril:

Tunisian Jews in peril: Kosher for Passover food being held by customs

Customs officers in Djerba, Tunisia, are refusing to hand over packages of Kosher for Passover food to their recipients since they have Hebrew writing on them.

Hezbollah drone strike:

Hezbollah drone strike: Maj. (Res.) Dor Zimel succumbed to wounds

Zimel, 27 from Even Yehuda, was severely wounded last week by launches from Lebanon that hit Arab al-Aramshe. Dor was engaged and scheduled to get married in June.

US Rep. Stefanik:

US Rep. Stefanik: 'Biden choosing to appease pro-Hamas faction of Democratic Party'

House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik said House Republicans will investigate reports that sanctions on the Netzach Yehuda Battalion stem from anti-Israel NGOs.

Israel Medical Association:

Israel Medical Association: Doctors must treat Hamas terrorists

In a letter to physicians, the IMA clarified that doctors must treat all people regardless of the severity of their acts.

PM Netanyahu:

PM Netanyahu: 'Hamas refused all deals, we will soon hit them hard'

In a pre-Passover address, the Prime Minister commented on US threats to sanction the Netzach Yehuda Battalion: 'I will fight it with all my might.'

Residents protest after Al-Mughayyir attack

Dozens of East Binyamin regional council residents protest outside village of Al-Mughayyir after attack, stating that, ‘There is no difference between Al-Mughayyir and Gaza.’

Bodycam footage:

Bodycam footage: IDF soldiers operate in the Nur al-Shams camp

During the operation, forces from the Haruv, Duvdevan, LOTAR (counterterrorism), and YASAM (Police Special Operations) Units eliminated 14 terrorists in close-range gun battles and arrested 15 suspects.

Homebirth death:

Police arrest doula for questioning on suspicion of causing death by negligence

Police arrested a woman on suspicion of impersonating a doctor and causing death by negligence after she supervised a home birth in Bat Ayin.

Terrorist neutralized

Attempted stabbing attack in Jordan Valley; Terrorist neutralized

The terrorist attempted to stab IDF soldiers at the Beka'ot checkpoint and was shot at and neutralized.