Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-07 at 18:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-07 at 18:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-07 at 18:08

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 HEADLINES- Lisbon Tantura Closes After Decade of Antisemitism- Knesset Advances Remembrance Day Oct 7- Ran Gvili Remains Search Resumes in GazaThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Here is the latest hourly update.A popular Israeli restaurant in Lisbon, Tantura, has announced it will close on Saturday after a decade serving a fusion of Jewish and Israeli flavors. The owners described a three-year pattern of antisemitic graffiti, online hostility, and organized campaigns that intensified after October 7, 2023, culminating in the decision to shut down. The attack material on its walls in June 2024, including graffiti labeling Tantura as a massacre, was cited by the owners as part of a broader hostile campaign that distorted the restaurant’s purpose as a bridge between communities.In Jerusalem, the Knesset advanced a bill to establish a national day of remembrance for the October 7, 2023 attacks. The plan designates the Hebrew calendar date of 24 Tishrei as the memorial day, with state ceremonies, a flag at half-mast, and a dedicated Knesset session. The bill also calls for creating a Commemoration, Memory, and Heritage Authority to coordinate remembrance activities, preserve testimonies, and promote awareness abroad. A memorial site and a museum in southern Israel are proposed, and until the authority is established, the Prime Minister’s Office would coordinate activities. The measure passed its first reading in the plenum with broad support and now moves to committee discussions and two more readings before becoming law.In Minneapolis, a US federal agent was involved in a shooting during a large-scale immigration operation. City officials stated the area should be avoided as authorities investigated, with the mayor attributing heightened tensions related to immigration enforcement to the incident and broader policy debates. The episode echoes longstanding national conversations about federal enforcement and local community safety, particularly in immigrant communities.An in-depth analysis examines contradictory messaging on Iran and regime change. The piece notes that officials in both the United States and Israel have at times signaled readiness to intervene, while also signaling restraint or deterrence. It maps out competing scenarios—from proactive intervention to pressure and covert actions—and emphasizes the difficulty of predicting which path may be pursued in the face of ongoing regional protests and strategic calculations regarding Hezbollah and regional actors. The analysis underscores the importance of preparedness for multiple contingencies without endorsing any single course of action.Israeli aid and medical personnel are in the news again as Bitton, an Israeli who was seriously wounded during the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, is returning to Israel for continued treatment after eight surgeries. He joined civilians in attempting to deter the attackers and was praised by family and friends for risking his own safety to help others. Australian authorities and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had previously engaged with the situation as discussions about security and international cooperation continued.A Berlin court has indicted a 29-year-old man for attempting to stab a person wearing a Star of David necklace in Gleisdreieck Park. Prosecutors say the incident is antisemitic in motivation. Germany continues to face a high level of antisemitic incidents, with a recent report noting several thousand cases in Berlin in 2024, alongside broader concerns about hate crimes and security for Jewish communities.A new study from Tel Aviv University highlights that subtle facial movements can influence decision making, predicting preferences even before conscious choices are made. The research shows mimicry of positive expressions can steer listeners toward certain options, with implications for understanding consumer behavior and social interactions, including potential applications in marketing and education.In another legislative development, the Knesset rejected a bill by the Yesh Atid party to nationalize the Jewish National Fund (KKL). The vote, 58 to 50, reflected ongoing political contention over control of national institutions. Lawmakers framed the measure as a means to strengthen governance and independence of ministry advisers, while critics warned of risks to checks and balances. The discussion touched on broader debates about transparency and accountability within state institutions.An opinion piece argues that Western Europe has faced a sustained attack on free expression, tracing patterns since the Charlie Hebdo and Hypercacher attacks eleven years ago. The author contends that violence cannot define speech, urging robust protection for journalists, artists, and intellectuals, and calling for security to be treated as standard infrastructure. The piece maintains that defending the right to critique is essential to ...
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