More than 1.5 million pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage amid intense heat and regional tensions. Worshippers are performing sacred rituals in Mecca as volunteers help them cope with soaring temperatures.

Three Arab parties renewed efforts to revive the Joint List and urged Ra'am to join despite ongoing disagreements. Talks remain stalled over Ra'am’s openness to joining a future governing coalition.

A special episode honors Holocaust survivor and longtime Anti-Defamation League leader Abe Foxman. The conversation examines moral courage, leadership, and the risks of silence amid rising antisemitism and political division.

Israel is preparing for the possibility that a United States-Iran agreement could limit its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Officials say they intend to maintain military pressure and territorial control despite potential ceasefire terms.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged Lebanon to abandon direct talks with Israel ahead of upcoming discussions in Washington. He said the negotiations benefit only Israel and warned authorities against supporting them.

Israel’s military chief approved continued operations against Hezbollah and said forces are ready to resume intense fighting with Iran if needed. His comments come amid reported progress toward a possible peace agreement involving the United States and Iran.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said disarming the group would amount to 'annihilation' ahead of planned talks between Lebanon and Israel. He rejected calls for the state to hold a monopoly on weapons.

Right-wing activists protested outside the home of Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir after a soldier was jailed for wearing an unauthorized religious patch. Opposition leaders condemned the demonstration and urged government officials to defend the military leadership.

Lebanon's civil defense agency said an Israeli strike destroyed its facility in Nabatieh, damaging vehicles and equipment. No casualties were reported as staff had been evacuated beforehand.

Security forces responded to reports of gunfire near the White House while President Donald Trump was inside. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries and investigations are ongoing.

Iran's Fars news agency said the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Iran's control, contradicting President Donald Trump's claim that it would reopen under a negotiated deal. Tehran described Trump's statement as inconsistent with reality.

Right-wing activists protested outside the home of Israel’s military chief after a soldier was jailed for wearing an unauthorized 'Messiah' patch. Opposition leaders condemned the demonstration and criticized the government for not speaking out.

Two Israeli tourists were confronted by a hotel employee in Cambria, California, who questioned them about military service and made inflammatory accusations. The incident was recorded and shared on social media.

Four people were detained after clashes broke out at Bilbao airport as supporters welcomed activists returning from a Gaza-bound flotilla. Spanish authorities have launched an internal investigation, while Israel has demanded an explanation over the treatment of the activists.

More than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj despite regional conflict and flight disruptions. Attendance has surpassed last year's international figures even after weeks of airspace closures and rising travel costs.

Three months into the conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump faces growing doubts about whether military gains can secure a lasting strategic victory. Iran remains defiant, retaining regional leverage and resisting nuclear concessions as political and diplomatic pressures mount.

President Donald Trump is weighing new airstrikes on Iran as nuclear talks stall and frustrations grow. Iran accuses Washington of excessive demands, while regional mediators work to preserve a fragile truce.

Israel Security Agency is involved in the investigation into a couple found shot in their car near Mishmar Ayalon. Police are reconsidering an initial murder-suicide theory as a gag order remains in place.

Israeli warplanes carried out five late-night strikes in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border. The attacks targeted an area that had remained untouched since an April ceasefire.

Police detained 13 people who attempted to carry out a ritual sacrifice at the Temple Mount during Shavuot. The incident is part of repeated efforts by fringe groups to revive ancient practices at the contested holy site.

Trump said the conflict with Iran will end soon as negotiations continue. Iranian sources report progress in talks, but say a final agreement depends on resolving all outstanding issues.

Israel denies abusing activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla, despite allegations of injuries and sexual assaults. European governments say some claims are serious and are reviewing possible legal and diplomatic responses.

Qatar has sent a negotiating team to Tehran in coordination with the United States to help broker a deal to end the war with Iran. Despite a fragile ceasefire, major disputes over uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.

Slovenia's parliament has elected nationalist leader Janez Jansa as prime minister following a minority coalition deal. He replaces liberal leader Robert Golob, marking a shift toward a more right-leaning government.

The Israeli military says it killed five Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon after directing an airstrike on a command center. Additional strikes targeted weapons depots and other infrastructure.

Benjamin Netanyahu shared a holiday skit depicting a young man shocking his liberal parents by revealing he supports the prime minister. The video frames right-wing voters as facing social discrimination ahead of a potential early election.

A senior United Arab Emirates official says there is only a 50-50 chance the United States and Iran will reach a deal to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. He urged Tehran not to overplay its hand and called for a lasting ceasefire and restored stability in the vital oil route.

Police in the United Kingdom say they are open to investigating a sexual misconduct claim against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Detectives are reviewing new information and have contacted a potential victim's lawyer while urging the public to come forward.

Marco Rubio reported limited progress in efforts to end the war in Iran while reaffirming United States demands on nuclear weapons and control of the Strait of Hormuz. He also addressed President Donald Trump’s disappointment with some allies over their response to the conflict.

German comedian Mario Adrion is bringing his edgy stand-up act to a string of sold-out shows in Tel Aviv. Known for joking about German history and his Jewish wife, he says Israeli audiences have proven the most receptive to his dark humor.

A Turkish court annulled the main opposition party's 2023 congress, removing its leader Ozgur Ozel and reinstating former chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The decision has shaken financial markets and intensified concerns over political stability.

A Turkish appeals court annulled the opposition party's 2023 congress, removing Ozgur Ozel as leader and reinstating Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The decision is seen as a blow to President Tayyip Erdogan's rivals and has stirred political and market uncertainty.

The Board of Peace envoy called on the United Nations Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm, warning Gaza could remain permanently divided. Violence and evacuation orders have continued despite a ceasefire, deepening fears for the territory's future.

Hundreds of Jewish leaders are calling on Israel's ambassador to the United States to apologize for labeling J Street a 'cancer.' The letter says his remarks dehumanize fellow Jews and worsen divisions amid ongoing debates over Israel and military aid.

Marco Rubio said there are positive signs in talks with Iran but warned that other options remain if no strong agreement is reached. He emphasized that President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic solution but is prepared to act if necessary.

Nickolay Mladenov called on the United Nations Security Council to intensify pressure on Hamas to disarm and safeguard the Gaza ceasefire. He warned that without full commitment from both Hamas and Israel, the fragile truce could collapse.

The State Department’s watchdog is investigating the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s use of a 30 million dollar aid grant. The inquiry focuses on how the now-defunct organization spent emergency funds for Gaza.

A dispute over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men has fractured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition ahead of expected fall elections. The political crisis leaves his reelection prospects increasingly uncertain.

Iran has jailed former national team goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri over a social media post criticizing supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Authorities say he was detained while attempting to leave the country, while his wife says he is being held in solitary confinement.

After Itamar Ben Gvir taunted detained Gaza flotilla activists, criticism mounted over his conduct and its impact on Israel’s global standing. The article argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should fire him but is unlikely to do so due to political considerations.

President Donald Trump said Iran's navy and air force have been eliminated and questioned whether the United States should finish the conflict or wait for Iran to sign an agreement. He made the remarks during a speech at the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Israel's coalition advanced controversial legislation to weaken the attorney general's authority as it moved toward early elections. At the same time, Israel placed second in the Eurovision Song Contest despite political tensions surrounding its participation.

The White House rebuked Tucker Carlson after he claimed Benjamin Netanyahu pushed the United States into war with Iran. Carlson criticized Israel’s actions and questioned continued military support as a fragile ceasefire with Iran holds.

Lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill to dissolve the Knesset, potentially triggering early elections by late October. The move follows disputes over military conscription exemptions and intensifies political maneuvering between the coalition and opposition.

Daniel Hershkowitz has withdrawn from the race for state comptroller. The contest now includes former Justice Yosef Elron and attorney Michael Rabello, who is backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Progressive Pennsylvania lawmaker Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary in a solidly Democratic Philadelphia district. A vocal critic of Israel, he is poised to become one of the most outspoken pro-Palestinian voices in Congress.

Polls are closing in Kentucky as Representative Thomas Massie faces a Trump-backed primary challenger. The race has drawn national attention amid disputes over foreign policy and influence in Congress.

The Board of Peace says Gaza reconstruction is in jeopardy as pledged funds remain largely unpaid. Only about one percent of promised donations has been transferred, while ceasefire disputes and political disagreements continue to stall progress.

The Senate advanced a measure that could limit President Donald Trump's ability to continue military strikes against Iran. Support from four Republican senators signals growing divisions as lawmakers prepare for a decisive vote.

Somaliland will open its first-ever embassy in Jerusalem after Israel became the first country to recognize it. The move deepens ties between the two governments and highlights Somaliland's strategic importance in the Horn of Africa.

Fundamental is opening a Tel Aviv engineering hub to expand its workforce and tap local talent. The startup recently raised $275 million and secured major partnerships and enterprise contracts to support its artificial intelligence data platform.

Israel Bonds unveiled a commemorative stamp celebrating 75 years of investment in Israel. The design honors decades of global financial support and the organization’s role in the country’s economic growth.

Explosions on Iran's Qeshm island were caused by the disposal of unexploded enemy ammunition, officials said. The incident comes as the United States signals a possible diplomatic breakthrough over Iran's nuclear program.

Bezalel Smotrich says the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against him and calls it 'a declaration of war.' He vows retaliation and rejects the court’s authority while defending his role in expanding West Bank settlements.

Dror Bin will step down as head of the Israel Innovation Authority after five years in the role. He cited the sector’s resilience through the pandemic, economic slowdown, and war, and said he will remain until a replacement is found.

A new bill would require special approvals before investigating or indicting senior elected officials, including the prime minister. Critics say it would shield politicians from accountability, while supporters call it necessary oversight.

President Donald Trump called the deadly shooting at a California mosque a 'terrible situation' after two gunmen killed three people. He said officials were reviewing early updates as the investigation continued.

The United States has extended a sanctions waiver allowing limited purchases of Russian seaborne oil to help energy-vulnerable countries affected by the Iran war. The move aims to stabilize global oil markets but has drawn criticism from lawmakers.

Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to farmland near al-Mughayyir in the central West Bank. Palestinian media reports that Israeli forces blocked residents and emergency crews from reaching the scene.

Donald Trump said Gulf leaders asked him to delay a potential strike on Iran, saying a deal is close. He described the pause as positive but said the situation remains uncertain.

A heated Knesset hearing exposed sharp divisions over proposed reforms to weaken the attorney general's authority. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended the changes, while opposition lawmakers warned they would erode democratic checks and balances.

The head of the Jadeidi-Makr local council and his deputy were shot and wounded in the northern town. One is reported to be in serious condition while the other is moderately injured.

Police are investigating after a settler was filmed running over Palestinian owned sheep with an all terrain vehicle near Nablus. The incident is part of a reported rise in settler violence in the West Bank.

The Israel Defense Forces warns of a growing troop shortage and severe burnout among regular and reserve soldiers. Officials say pending legislation will not meet manpower needs and caution that without urgent reforms, the reserve force could collapse.

Police arrested 32 people during dueling rallies in central London, including a march led by Tommy Robinson and a counter-protest tied to Nakba Day. Authorities said several arrests were related to hate crimes and public order offenses.

A new podcast episode examines whether leaders in the United States, Israel, and Iran are acting rationally amid ongoing tensions. The discussion explores strategic calculations, regional power struggles, and the impact on American Jews.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security meeting this evening with top ministers and aides in Jerusalem. The discussion will include senior members of the government to address key security issues.

Israel has approved a new defense complex in East Jerusalem on the site of the former United Nations Relief and Works Agency headquarters. The project will include a military museum, enlistment office, and offices for the defense minister.

Preliminary results from Fatah's leadership elections show several allies of Mahmoud Abbas, including his son and the intelligence chief, winning seats on the Central Committee. The results are not yet official, and voting for the broader council continues.

Roman Gofman accused the attorney general of bad faith after she raised concerns about his meetings with Mossad officials. The High Court dismissed those concerns but continues to examine petitions linked to a past classified information affair.

Yousef Jabareen won 82 percent of the vote to lead the Arab majority Hadash party. He pledged to revive the Joint List alliance and work to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of anticipated early elections.

Hadash elected Youssef Atauna and Nihaya Wishahy to the fourth and fifth spots on its electoral slate. The move reflects a push to broaden support among Bedouin and Arab voters, while leaving only one woman on the slate's top ranks.

Radiocarbon testing of ancient seeds shows that key desert fortresses were built by the biblical Kingdom of Israel, not the Assyrian empire. The discovery suggests Israel controlled major Arabian trade routes in the early eighth century Before Common Era.

United States officials suspect Iran carried out a cyberattack on fuel monitoring systems at gas stations in several states. The breach altered display readings but did not affect actual fuel supplies.

Mahmoud Abbas convened a long-awaited Fatah conference without members loyal to rival Mohammed Dahlan, despite Egyptian calls for broader inclusion. The exclusion underscores deep divisions within the movement and ongoing disputes over internal reform.

The United Arab Emirates sought to rally Gulf states for a joint strike on Iran but failed to gain support. Regional divisions deepened as Saudi Arabia and Qatar declined to escalate the conflict.

Foreign ministers from the expanded bloc of emerging economies failed to agree on a joint statement after talks in New Delhi. Disagreements over the Middle East conflict, particularly involving Iran, exposed growing divisions within the group.

Jewish protesters rallied outside The New York Times to condemn a column alleging abuse of Palestinian inmates in Israel. Organizers called the article libelous and dangerous, while the newspaper defended its reporting.

The Daily Briefing covers protests over Israel’s participation in the Venice Biennale, a new staging of 'The Eichmann Trial' in Jerusalem, and Israel Prize laureate Yaacov Agam. The episode explores how art and culture intersect with politics, memory, and spirituality.

Netanyahu is reportedly trying to prevent ultra-Orthodox parties from forcing early September elections, warning it could weaken the right-wing bloc. New polling shows neither the coalition nor the opposition currently has a majority path.

The House of Representatives rejected a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's military actions against Iran in a 212 to 212 vote. The measure fell one vote short amid growing congressional divisions over war powers.

A ship accused by Ukraine of carrying stolen grain is seeking to dock in Turkey after failing to unload in Israel. Ukrainian officials are urging Turkish authorities to reject the shipment.

Settlers assaulted Peace Now director Lior Amichai during a West Bank tour before authorities detained the activists instead of the attackers. The incident is part of a broader rise in settler violence and criticism of Israeli enforcement policies.

The Israeli military is installing extensive mesh netting on vehicles and military posts to defend against Hezbollah’s first person view drones. More netting is being procured as part of expanded protective efforts.

Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has taken office with only a partial cabinet after parliament failed to agree on key ministries. Major posts including interior and defense remain unresolved amid political disputes.

Benjamin Netanyahu told a court he is in excellent health while detailing treatment for prostate cancer diagnosed in late 2025. The disclosure came during a libel case over claims that he was seriously ill and unfit for office.

Iran is allowing some Chinese vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz after an understanding on management protocols. The move comes as United States and Chinese leaders discuss reopening the strategic waterway amid regional tensions.

Lebanon will seek a ceasefire that Israel implements during high level talks in Washington. The meetings are the most significant direct engagement between the two countries in decades.

Israel will propose a phased plan to disarm Hezbollah and pursue broader peace talks with Lebanon during negotiations in Washington. Progress toward full diplomatic normalization would depend on the successful dismantling of the group.

Iran's foreign minister warned the United Arab Emirates over alleged cooperation with Israel during a recent military campaign. He said Tehran had prior knowledge of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported visit to Abu Dhabi and cautioned against actions hostile to Iran.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says China has a strong economic incentive to help ease tensions with Iran in the Gulf. He argues that instability threatens key shipping routes and could harm Chinese exports.

France is probing whether Israeli firm BlackCore orchestrated a disinformation campaign against France Unbowed candidates in municipal elections. Social media platforms removed related networks, and investigations are ongoing into who commissioned the alleged interference.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht has left the Democratic Party, citing what he called its growing tolerance of antisemitism. His decision comes amid internal party tensions and historically high levels of antisemitic incidents nationwide.

Russia has tested its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, with President Vladimir Putin calling it the world’s most powerful. Western analysts question the extent of its impact as nuclear tensions remain high.

Israeli forces carried out a raid beyond Lebanon's Litani River as cross-border tensions with Hezbollah persist. The briefing also examines allegations that troops failed to intervene during settler incidents in the West Bank.

King Charles the Third said the British government will take urgent steps to tackle rising antisemitism. The announcement comes as authorities investigate a surge in incidents, with some potentially linked to Iran.