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

Houthis, Yemeni government agree to exchange nearly 3,000 prisoners

Yemen’s warring parties agree to exchange nearly 3,000 prisoners after Oman talks, marking the largest swap in 11 years and raising cautious hopes for advancing peace efforts.

Houthis, Yemeni government agree to exchange nearly 3,000 prisoners

France probes antisemitic attack on Jewish child at Paris airport

France opens probe after video shows man harassing a Jewish boy at Paris airport, ordering him to “free Palestine.” Police vow to identify the suspect and combat antisemitic acts.

France probes antisemitic attack on Jewish child at Paris airport

Georgetown University drops anti-Israel UN rapporteur

Georgetown University removes UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese after UN Watch exposed her antisemitic remarks and support for terrorism, prompting wide international condemnation.

Georgetown University drops anti-Israel UN rapporteur

Eli Feldstein:

Eli Feldstein: Netanyahu knew about the document - he was behind the leak to Bild

Qatar Gate suspect Eli Feldstein talks about a conference call he claims took place with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Yonatan Urich after the document was leaked to the German newspaper Bild.

Eli Feldstein: Netanyahu knew about the document - he was behind the leak to Bild

Poll: Likud, Bennett strengthen as coalition and opposition tie

A Channel 13 poll shows Likud and Naftali Bennett’s new party gaining strength, while the coalition and opposition blocs are tied at 55 seats each, with Arab parties holding the balance.

Poll: Likud, Bennett strengthen as coalition and opposition tie

Confirmed:

Confirmed: Western Libyan Chief of Staff killed in plane crash

The plane of the Chief of Staff of Western Libya, Mohammed al-Haddad, was lost after reporting an electronic malfunction, as it returned from Ankara.

Confirmed: Western Libyan Chief of Staff killed in plane crash

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

Min. Smotrich gives green light to building 126 housing units, schools and roads in Sa-Nur

Supreme Planning Council to approve comprehensive construction plans in Sa-Nur. Minister Smotrich: 'Sa-Nur is returning home not with slogans, but with plans, budgets, roads and facts on the ground.'

Min. Smotrich gives green light to building 126 housing units, schools and roads in Sa-Nur

Draft Law:

Tensions rise in United Torah Judaism over draft law targeting yeshiva students

Agudat Yisrael accuses Degel Hatorah of supporting sanctions on Torah students, pointing to nightly arrests of yeshiva students and insisting its actions follow guidance from Torah scholars.

Tensions rise in United Torah Judaism over draft law targeting yeshiva students

Bennett accuses

Bennett accuses: 'The worst betrayal in Israel's history'

The former prime minister called on the Shin Bet and the police to investigate what the prime minister knew about the 'Qatargate'affair and wondered 'Why is Netanyahu silent?'

Bennett accuses: 'The worst betrayal in Israel's history'

Deputy ISA chief resigns due to disagreements with David Zini

The head of the General Security Service, David Zini, has accepted the request of his deputy, S., to end his position in the near future, after 30 years of service in the organization.

Deputy ISA chief resigns due to disagreements with David Zini

AI:

Hostage Ran Gvili addresses President Trump in AI video plea

An AI video shows hostage Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili personally appealing to Trump to bring him home from Gaza. 'I’m asking you to see this through… bring me home before it's too late.' His mother described hearing his voice as 'both emotional and sad.'

Hostage Ran Gvili addresses President Trump in AI video plea

Civil Admin. moves to new civilian building in Binyamin, step toward de facto sovereignty

Civil Administration’s civilian units relocate from military base to permanent facility in Sha’ar Binyamin, 'a historic step toward separating military and civilian life and advancing de facto sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.'

Civil Admin. moves to new civilian building in Binyamin, step toward de facto sovereignty

Report in Lebanon

Report in Lebanon: Officer kidnapped due to connection to Ron Arad's abduction

Former Lebanese security officer Ahmad Shukr has disappeared. Lebanese sources claim he may have been kidnapped by Israel in an intelligence operation

Report in Lebanon: Officer kidnapped due to connection to Ron Arad's abduction

Smotrich signs order: VAT exemption limit increased to $150

Finance Minister Smotrich's move raises the VAT exemption ceiling for purchases from abroad. Business owners oppose the move.

Smotrich signs order: VAT exemption limit increased to $150

Greta Thunberg:

Greta Thunberg arrested at London protest supporting Palestine Action hunger strikers

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was arrested at a London protest, while holding a sign reading, “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.”

Greta Thunberg arrested at London protest supporting Palestine Action hunger strikers

UK

UK: 2 men convicted for plot to massacre hundreds of Jews

Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein were convicted of planning a mass murder attack against Jews in the UK, preparing to arm themselves with automatic rifles for the purpose.

UK: 2 men convicted for plot to massacre hundreds of Jews

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Winter:

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Winter: 'Israel seeks peace, Palestinians seek our destruction'

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter warned at the Jabotinsky Conference that Israel misreads Palestinian intentions, arguing that talk of a “day after” in Gaza fueled false hopes, calling for decisive action and a clear rejection of a Palestinian state.

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Winter: 'Israel seeks peace, Palestinians seek our destruction'

Under Secretary of State:

Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg: Hanukkah reminds us light must be actively chosen

Under Secretary of State Jacob S. Helberg wrote on social media that Hanukkah teaches the need for moral clarity and principled leadership in confronting rising antisemitism, praising President Trump’s consistent stance on the issue.

Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg: Hanukkah reminds us light must be actively chosen

Iran stops gas supplies to Iraq

'Unforseen circumstances' lead to sudden cutoff of Iranian gas shipments, severely affecting Iraq's ability to provide electricity to its populace.

Iran stops gas supplies to Iraq

Risk of 10/7-style attack:

State Comptroller issues severe warning for Jerusalem area - risk of 10/7-style attack

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman examined the effectiveness of the barrier and the crossings around Jerusalem and found serious deficiencies in operation, security, and supervision.

State Comptroller issues severe warning for Jerusalem area - risk of 10/7-style attack

"Self-defense": Suspects in Jaffa attack released

Three Jewish suspects in the attack on a pregnant Arab woman last Saturday in Jaffa have been released from custody. Their lawyer said the court accepted their version of the incident.

"Self-defense": Suspects in Jaffa attack released

Israel Dog Unit trains with IDF special forces

The Israel Dog Unit took part in an extended overnight training exercise this week alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Haruv special forces unit, marking a first-of-its-kind drill for the Haruv unit.

Israel Dog Unit trains with IDF special forces

Remains of Itamar Schlesinger found 2 years after he went missing

Itamar Schlesinger from Ramat Gan went missing in September 2023 after a minor car accident in the village of Ein Hod. After more than two years of searches, his remains were found 600 meters from the accident site.

Remains of Itamar Schlesinger found 2 years after he went missing

'Kill a Jew today'

Suspect in Crown Heights antisemitic stabbing arrested

Attacker shouted that he was going to "kill a Jew today" before committing stabbing, victim says.

Suspect in Crown Heights antisemitic stabbing arrested

Mother delivers her own granddaughter in Har Bracha

Yedida Rosenberg, a Magen David Adom medic and mother of eight, delivered her 22-year-old daughter's baby and became a grandmother.

Mother delivers her own granddaughter in Har Bracha

Damascus Jewish community awaits fate of detained antiquities dealer

Members of the small Jewish community in Damascus voiced concern after the arrest of antiquities dealer Saleem Hamdani, as authorities investigate allegations of illegal artifact trade.

Damascus Jewish community awaits fate of detained antiquities dealer

Australian PM invites President Herzog to visit after Sydney attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with President Isaac Herzog following the terror attack on Sydney’s Jewish community and invited him to visit Australia in the near future.

Australian PM invites President Herzog to visit after Sydney attack

After the controversy:

After the controversy: Religious officer to remain in IDF?

Following public criticism and the controversy surrounding Hashmonaim Brigade commander Avinoam Emunah's end of service, he held a private conversation with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir about other possibilities.

After the controversy: Religious officer to remain in IDF?

Hezbollah terrorist who served in Lebanese military eliminated

The IDF eliminated three terrorists, including one who simultaneously served in the Lebanese intelligence unit, who were working to advance attacks on Israel and rebuild Hezbollah.

Hezbollah terrorist who served in Lebanese military eliminated

Overnight:

Overnight: House demolished near Hebron, family evicted

Security forces raid hilltop encampment, evict family, including pregnant woman, and demolish home, sheep pen, and chicken coop.

Overnight: House demolished near Hebron, family evicted

Israel exposes Iran's secret naval unit in Hezbollah

The capture of Imad Amahz has revealed details about Hezbollah's Operations Unit 1200, which operates under civilian cover and is run by Iran.

Israel exposes Iran's secret naval unit in Hezbollah

Without the Golan:

Without the Golan: Syria's new official map

Syrian government newspaper features a map showing only the Quneitra district, which Israeli forces entered after the regime fell, but not the territories of the Golan Heights.

Without the Golan: Syria's new official map

After deadly shooting

US Education Dept. probes Brown University after deadly campus shooting

The US Education Department is reviewing Brown University’s safety procedures after deadly campus shooting that left two dead and nine wounded earlier this month.

US Education Dept. probes Brown University after deadly campus shooting

'Part of the problem'

'Part of the problem': Top NYC rabbi condemns Mamdani’s antisemitic appointees

Rabbi Marc Schneier denounces NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani after an ADL report revealed over 20% of his appointees hold antisemitic views, accusing Mamdani of fueling hatred against Israel.

'Part of the problem': Top NYC rabbi condemns Mamdani’s antisemitic appointees

Caught after five synagogue break-ins and thefts

Police suspect a Tel Aviv resident broke into a synagogue five times over the past month by climbing through a window, pushing it open, and entering.

Caught after five synagogue break-ins and thefts

FDA greenlights Wegovy in pill form

FDA approves Novo Nordisk's 25mg oral semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss, aiding 16.6% body weight reduction vs. 2.7% placebo.

FDA greenlights Wegovy in pill form

Smotrich:

Smotrich: Dismantle PA, apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

Finance Minister Smotrich urges the Prime Minister to demand Gaza's full demilitarization from President Trump, calls the Palestinian Authority a mistake that must be dismantled.

Smotrich: Dismantle PA, apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

Trump unveils 'Trump class' battleships

President Trump unveils the new “Trump class” battleships, calling them the most powerful ever built and part of his “Golden Fleet” to restore US naval supremacy.

Trump unveils 'Trump class' battleships

In serious condition

Former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski hospitalized in serious condition

The chairman of Yad Sarah and former mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski, is hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem due to severe pneumonia and breathing difficulties.

Former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski hospitalized in serious condition

ADL:

ADL: Over 20% of Mamdani's team have antisemitic history

ADL details antisemitic remarks, extremist ties, and vetting concerns surrounding key transition appointments.

ADL: Over 20% of Mamdani's team have antisemitic history