Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-20 at 20:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-20 at 20:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-20 at 20:07

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 HEADLINESTurkish arrest warrant issued for Israeli studentBudget showdown risks Knesset dissolutionUNRWA HQ demolished as Israel cuts servicesThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 3:00 PM update. A Turkish Muslim student living in Israel says there is an arrest warrant issued in her name in Turkey after a video in which she was asked if she is a Zionist went viral. Türkü Avci, a student at Hebrew University, told The Jerusalem Post she faced online threats, personal data posted about her family, and a flood of hostile messages after the video drew international attention. She says she cannot return to Turkey and is considering political asylum in Israel when her student visa expires in March. Avci stresses she did not intend to define herself by a single word, but she has found herself a flashpoint in a broader debate about identity, loyalty, and freedom of expression. Her case illustrates how globalized social media and political rancor can spill across borders, affecting families and communities on both sides of the Mediterranean.In other news, former Israeli Supreme Court president Asher Grunis was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. His condition was not disclosed in detail, but the development prompted responses from lawmakers and members of the judiciary who noted his long service and influence on Israel’s legal landscape.Holocaust survivor numbers continue to shrink worldwide. Recent data show about 196,000 Holocaust survivors remain, with roughly half living in Israel and the rest dispersed across the United States, Europe, and other regions. The median age among survivors remains in the high eighties, underscoring the aging cohort and the ongoing need for commemoration, care, and documentation of their experiences.The state budget in Israel is moving through its first parliamentary readings even as a broader policy dispute roils the capital. MKs warn that a failure to pass the budget by the end of March could trigger automatic dissolution of the Knesset and elections. Opposition lawmakers argue the package would exacerbate costs for the middle class and criticize the allocation of funds, while the government contends that the budget is a necessary framework for governance. A parallel debate centers on the haredi draft bill, with coordinations and concessions anticipated as lawmakers seek a path to consensus before any final votes.Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicized a private letter from IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir warning that the army’s manpower needs could threaten readiness if more haredim are not brought into service. The letter, released amid criticism of the government’s handling of the draft issue, has intensified discussions about the size and composition of the armed forces and how to maintain deterrence in a complex regional environment.Israel’s space program is reaching into new frontiers. Officials describe a Space Directorate Unit formed during recent operations as a central hub for missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere, tying together satellite projects and defense cooperation. Israeli sources say a growing constellation of satellites will support persistent surveillance and secure communications, bolstering resilience against adversaries’ attempts at observation. The shift toward space-based capabilities is presented as a means to preserve advantage for a small country with a wide regional perimeter.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing a visit to the United States for the AIPAC conference, with a possible White House meeting with President Donald Trump. The trip would come as Jerusalem and Washington disagree over the Gaza Board of Peace’s composition, and as Iran remains a focal point of regional tension. Netanyahu has pressed for alignment with Washington on policy toward Gaza and Iran, while Trump has signaled openness to action on Iran, though details and timing remain unsettled.Protests in Iran have entered a decisive phase, with authorities imposing wide internet outages that impede independent reporting. Human rights groups and international observers warn that thousands of protesters have been killed and tens of thousands detained since demonstrations began late last year, though official tallies differ widely. The European Union has proposed tightening sanctions on Iran, including bans on drone and missile technologies, as Europe seeks to limit Tehran’s capacity to support regional partners and Russia amid ongoing conflicts.In Jerusalem, Israel moved to shut down UNRWA facilities’ water and electricity in line with new legislation passed late last year, and following the demolition of UNRWA’s Jerusalem headquarters. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen said the shutdown would proceed across all identified UNRWA properties within two weeks. UNRWA’s commissioner-general condemned the demolition as an unprecedented act, while...
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