Prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Office 

  • US-Iran MOU collapses as war resumes
  • Israel remains out of the fighting for now
  • Elections to be held in Israel on October 27

Iran Fighting

  • Over the past week, the war between the United States and Iran has resumed, with both sides effectively abandoning the understandings reached after June’s conflict. The confrontation has centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with the US launching repeated waves of strikes against Iranian military targets while reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. President Donald Trump has publicly warned that the campaign could expand further unless Tehran agrees to new negotiations, including threats of strikes on Iranian infrastructure such as bridges and power facilities.
  • Iran has responded with attacks against US and allied interests across the Gulf. Tehran claimed strikes on locations connected to US military deployments in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan, while also targeting shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states have reported missile launches, air raid warnings, and disruptions to maritime traffic. Jordan announced that it intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles that entered its airspace, while Bahrain activated nationwide warning sirens and instructed residents to seek shelter during heightened alerts.
  • Israel has not been directly involved in the renewed fighting, and the IDF has not participated in the US-led strikes against Iran. Iran, for its part, has refrained from targeting Israel with missile attacks during the current round of hostilities. Some Israeli commentators have suggested that this presents a favorable strategic situation for Israel, as Iranian military assets and infrastructure are being targeted while Israel itself remains outside the conflict. They argue that Tehran may be deliberately avoiding attacks on Israel in order to prevent a direct Israeli military response, particularly by the Israeli Air Force, which could further expand the scope of the confrontation.
  • Israel’s Home Front Command has not issued any special directives, and the country remains fully open and operational, including arriving and departing flights.
  • The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the central flashpoint of the current fighting. Iran’s leadership has insisted that it will remain the “guardian” of the waterway and has defended measures aimed at restricting maritime traffic. The US, meanwhile, has stepped up efforts to enforce freedom of navigation, with Central Command announcing enforcement of maritime restrictions against Iranian ports and warning vessels against supporting Tehran’s military activities. The renewed confrontation has contributed to rising oil prices and growing concern among Gulf governments and international shipping companies.
  • The current round of fighting has now continued for more than a week, with both sides carrying out daily attacks across Iran and the Gulf region. The US has conducted multiple waves of air and missile strikes against Iranian military facilities, coastal targets, and infrastructure linked to Tehran’s efforts to challenge shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US attacks appear to have been concentrated largely in southern and coastal Iran rather than around the nuclear sites that were hit during the earlier war. Reported targets have included military facilities around Bandar Abbas, bases and infrastructure near the port city of Jam, targets on Kish Island in the Gulf, military sites near Iranshahr in southeastern Iran, and assets linked to Iran’s efforts to challenge shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Last night, there were reports of attacks in Teheran as well.
  • Rhetoric from both sides has also hardened. US President Donald Trump has declared that the previous ceasefire arrangements are effectively over and has warned that “it gets really bad” for Iran if no agreement is reached soon. Iranian officials have responded that they see little reason to continue adhering to previous understandings and have described the current confrontation as a fundamental national security struggle. Tehran has stated that it is prepared both for continued military action and for negotiations, but only on terms it considers acceptable.
  • The fighting has increasingly affected neighboring countries. Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all been drawn into the crisiseither through missile threats, security alerts, attacks on shipping, or concerns over US military facilities on their territory. Other regional governments have sought to avoid direct involvement while simultaneously increasing defensive measures amid fears that the conflict could spread beyond the Gulf and become a broader regional confrontation.
  • The New York Times and some Israeli media coverage claim that Mossad maintained contacts with former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for several years as part of efforts to cultivate potential alternatives within the Iranian political system. According to the reports, senior Israeli intelligence officials were involved in the operation and Ahmadinejad was viewed by some as a possible future player in a post-Khamenei Iran. The reports sparked debate within Israel’s security establishment, particularly after details of the alleged operation became public. Ahmadinejad’s office denied the claims and dismissed them as fiction.

Elections and Politics in Israel

  • Israel’s next national election has been officially set for October 27, 2026, marking the first time in four decades that an Israeli election will be held on schedule and the first government in more than 50 years to complete a full term. With the Knesset expected to dissolve this week, parties have begun shifting fully into campaign mode ahead of what polls suggest will be a highly competitive race.
  • In one of the Knesset’s final acts before dissolving for elections, the coalition passed legislation temporarily halting arrests and other enforcement measures against Haredi yeshiva students who fail to comply with military draft orders, a major demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties. The move drew very strong criticism from opposition parties, some members of the coalition, reservist groups, and the IDF, which has repeatedly warned of manpower shortages. Within hours of the law’s passage, however, the High Court of Justice froze its implementation and ordered the government to explain why it should not be invalidated. The legislation will now face an expedited judicial review, creating a new flashpoint in the ongoing battle over military service exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.
  • The coalition also passed legislation this week in the form of a semi-constitutional Basic Law, declaring Torah study a foundational value of the State of Israel. Supporters argued that the measure enshrines a core element of Israel’s Jewish identity, while critics contended that it could strengthen future legal and political arguments for maintaining military service exemptions and expanding state support for yeshivot. The bill was one of several measures advanced to satisfy the coalition’s ultra-Orthodox partners ahead of the election campaign. Commentators suggest the new law will not survive court challenges, and/or would likely be overturned by a future government.
  • The coalition also succeeded in passing a controversial law significantly reducing the authority of the attorney general, allowing ministers to act contrary to legal opinions that were previously binding on the government. Coalition members described the legislation as restoring authority to elected officials, while opposition parties, legal experts, and former officials argued that it weakens a key check on executive power. The law is also expected to face legal challenges and is likely to become a prominent issue during the election campaign.
  • Unlike several other coalition initiatives, legislation establishing a politically appointed commission to investigate the October 7 attacks did not complete the legislative process before the Knesset’s dissolution. Although the bill passed its first reading earlier this month, expected final votes were removed from the parliamentary agenda this week. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from bereaved and hostage families, opposition parties, and legal experts, who continue to advocate for an independent state commission of inquiry instead.
  • The government’s decision to reject a High Court interim order regarding the composition of the Second Authority for Television and Radio became the focus of a growing constitutional dispute this week. The court had ruled that the current council should remain in place while it considers petitions over appointments to a new regulatory body, amid concerns that Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi or his associates had pressured members to resign. In response, the government announced that it does not recognize the court order or decisions taken under it. Legal experts, the Attorney General’s Office, and the court itself warned that such a position challenges the principle that court rulings are binding on the executive branch and could create a constitutional crisis by forcing public servants to choose between government instructions and judicial orders. The dispute comes as the Second Authority prepares to rule on major issues including the proposed sale of Channel 13 and the regulatory status of Channel 14. Read more here.
  • Another notable development has been growing unrest on the center-right and moderate-right of the political spectrum. Last week, former Likud minister and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein formally left Likud and is reportedly working to establish a new right-wing party aimed at voters who support a hawkish security agenda but oppose the government’s cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties on draft exemptions and related legislation. Potential partners mentioned in reports include former Ambassador Gilad Erdan and former Minister Ayelet Shaked. Meanwhile, Likud MK Dan Illouz announced that he will not run in the party’s upcoming primaries and also sharply criticized the coalition’s handling of the Haredi draft issue, as well as efforts to block an October 7 inquiry. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also resigned from her post after opposing coalition legislation related to Haredi draft exemptions. The departures highlight growing tensions within the Israeli right ahead of the October election and reflect attempts to create an alternative for voters dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s current coalition, but not willing to vote for parties considered by some to be on the “left.”
  • Likud’s Constitution Committee approved a compromise this week granting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the power to personally select eight candidates on the party’s Knesset slate ahead of the October elections. Under the arrangement, Netanyahu will control positions 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 31 on the list, significantly expanding his influence compared to previous primaries. The move sparked opposition from several senior Likud figures, who argued it weakens the party’s democracy and traditional primary system. The proposal still requires approval by the Likud Central Committee. Reports of legal petitions and internal court proceedings added to the turmoil surrounding the vote.
  • A political dispute erupted this week following reports that Sara Netanyahu asked Shin Bet Director David Zini to approve long-term security arrangements for herself and the Netanyahu children regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election. According to N12, the request was raised in a meeting with Zini before the election campaign began . The issue drew additional attention after the Knesset Finance Committee discussed a budget transfer that includes increased funding for security surrounding the Prime Minister’s Office and the Netanyahu family. Security officials reportedly expressed differing views regarding the level of ongoing protection required.

Other Developments

  • The cabinet approved a plan to deploy the Shin Bet in the fight against organized crime in Israel’s Arab community, allocating approximately $131 million for new intelligence, enforcement, and anti-weapons-smuggling efforts. The plan includes a dedicated Shin Bet unit, additional personnel, and a parallel police task force. The funding will be drawn from an existing Arab-sector development program, prompting opposition from Arab leaders and civil-rights groups, who argue that resources are being diverted from long-promised social and economic investments.
  • Israel and Lebanon are holding another round of US-mediated talks in Rome this week aimed at implementing last month’s framework agreement. Discussions focused on potential Israeli withdrawals from designated “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon and mechanisms for verifying Hezbollah’s removal from those areas. Israeli and US officials described the talks as positive, though no timeline for additional withdrawals was announced and several implementation issues remain unresolved.
  • The Israeli government this week approved a sweeping reform of services for wounded IDF personnel and members of the security forces, adopting the recommendations of the Mor-Yosef Committee and committing significant new funding for treatment and rehabilitation. The reform will turn the Defense Ministry’s Rehabilitation Department into a national authority, expand mental-health and rehabilitation services, establish dedicated support frameworks for wounded soldiers and their families, and introduce a new case-manager system to help wounded veterans navigate benefits and services.
  • New Central Bureau of Statistics data released this week showed Israeli housing prices falling by 1% during April-May 2026, the sharpest two-month decline since early 2018. Prices are now down approximately 2% compared to a year earlier, extending a downward trend that has persisted for most of the past year. The largest declines were recorded in the Tel Aviv district, while housing transactions also continued to weaken. Analysts attributed the slowdown to high interest rates, a large inventory of unsold homes, and broader economic uncertainty.
  • Israel marked the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe (Operation Yonatan) this week with state ceremonies, reunions of former hostages and veterans, and the release of thousands of previously classified documents from the 1976 rescue mission. At an official ceremony in Jerusalem attended by President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, leaders highlighted the operation’s enduring place in Israeli history and its significance as a symbol of the state’s commitment to protect and rescue its citizens wherever they may be. The newly declassified archives revealed internal government deliberations during the week-long hostage crisis, including cabinet discussions, security consultations, and diplomatic exchanges leading up to the raid, in which Israeli commandos rescued 102 hostages held by Palestinian and German terrorists at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport. The operation’s commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu (brother of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), was the sole Israeli soldier killed during the mission, which was later renamed in his honor.
  • The death of Senator Lindsey Graham at age 71 prompted an outpouring of tributes from Israeli leaders and major Jewish organizations, reflecting his longstanding role as one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Washington. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Graham “one of Israel’s greatest friends,” saying he understood that “the security of Israel and America are inseparable,” while President Isaac Herzog described him as “a beacon of moral clarity” and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called him “one of the greatest friends of Israel and the Jewish people.” Jewish organizations across the political and religious spectrum—including Jewish Federations of North America—praised Graham’s decades of advocacy for Israel, support for security assistance and missile-defense funding, efforts to combat antisemitism, and work on behalf of hostages held following the October 7 attacks. Many noted that his death leaves a significant void in the US-Israel relationship at a time of growing debate over Israel policy in American politics.
  • Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month, Israeli and Jewish organizations continued to expand relief efforts this week as the country entered a prolonged recovery phase. Jewish Federations of North America, through their  Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund, are  supporting emergency and long-term assistance in partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and The Jewish Agency for Israel. JDC teams are providing food, water, medicine, temporary shelter, and psychosocial support, while planning housing assistance for families whose homes were destroyed. The Jewish Agency has funded emergency aid for vulnerable community members and deployed trauma specialists to assist affected families. At the same time, Israel has sent a joint humanitarian delegation from the Foreign Ministry, IDF, and Home Front Command to assess structural damage and share disaster-response expertise, while Israeli NGOs remain active on the ground. The Hebraica Jewish Community Center in Caracas has become a hub for both Jewish and broader humanitarian relief efforts, coordinating hundreds of volunteers and distributing assistance to hard-hit communities across the country.

The Jewish Agency for Israel

  • The Jewish Agency this week completed its main training program for the 2026–27 cohort of long-term shlichim (emissaries to global Jewish communities). A total of 369 shlichim participated in the intensive Adelson Shlichut Institute program, including 261 Shinshinim, 48 Israel Fellows, and 60 community shlichim. The group forms part of a wider delegation of more than 3,000 shlichim who will serve in 43 countries during the coming year, including 2,531 in North America. In parallel, 2,008 summer camp shlichim are already serving at 191 camps across North America.
  • The training brought together regional representatives from around the world and featured addresses from senior Jewish Agency leadership. Participants also took part in a ceremony commemorating four former Shinshinim who fell while serving Israel. Family members attended the event, which honored their memory and legacy.
  • Training was tailored to each shlichut track, including Shinshinim, Israel Fellows, youth movement shlichim, and community shlichim. The program combined practical and professional preparation with discussions on cultural differences, real-world scenarios, leadership development, and meetings with veteran shlichim, providing participants with tools and resources for their upcoming assignments.
  • The Jewish Agency said demand for shlichim continues to grow, reflecting requests from communities and camps as well as efforts to strengthen long-term connections between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide through sustained personal relationships. The organization is working toward a three-year goal of placing shlichim in 50% of cities worldwide with Jewish populations exceeding 2,000 people.

For Further Reading