Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 00:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 00:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 00:06

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 HEADLINESIsrael selects Noam Bettan for EurovisionUS led Board of Peace sparks debateBennett calls for democratic leadership contestThe time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Tonight, Israel will be represented on the world stage by a new voice at the Eurovision Song Contest. Noam Bettan has been chosen to carry the banner for Israel in Vienna this spring after winning The Next Star for Eurovision. Bettan, a 27 year old performer from Ra’anana with French roots, is known for soulful ballads and a polished, intimate style on stage. He performed in Hebrew and French during the final, earning the judges’ praise and the audience vote that sealed the victory. Bettan’s personal journey includes a decade of auditions and perseverance, and his selection marks a return to a stronger masculine energy in Israel’s Eurovision entries after several years of female representatives. The decision was announced as the competition entered a transition from Channel Twelve’s production to a public broadcaster, signaling a new era for Israel’s Eurovision broadcasts. Bettan will perform in the first semifinal on May twelfth, with a second semifinal on May fourteenth and the final on May sixteenth, in Vienna.Turning to broader regional and international dynamics, the discourse around a proposed Board of Peace led by the United States continues to unfold with growing international engagement and caution. More than sixty invitations have been issued to heads of state, with several nations publicly confirming participation, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, and Canada. The initiative aims to extend beyond Gaza to address global conflicts, though European allies have expressed mixed enthusiasm. The United Kingdom and Poland are still weighing the invitation, while France has indicated reservations about entering a body that could complicate existing international structures. In Washington, the administration emphasizes that the board could provide an important venue for conflict resolution, even as it raises questions about the role of established institutions such as the United Nations. The prospect of broad participation has drawn attention to regional sensitivities, including Turkey’s leadership and Qatar’s role, with Israel articulating concerns about the balance of representation on the Gaza Executive Board and the impact on postwar governance in Gaza.In related developments, US President Donald Trump has signaled that the Board of Peace could, in time, assume a global leadership role in conflict resolution, while also suggesting that restraint toward certain international bodies remains prudent. He described the United Nations as having potential that has not been fully realized but affirmed that the United States would not abandon the United Nations. The president also indicated that the board would handle matters beyond Gaza, though the scope remains a subject of debate among international observers. The dialogue surrounding the board has intersected with ongoing discussions about the Gaza ceasefire, casualty figures, and the mechanics of any postwar governance arrangement that would involve international oversight.On the ground, security officials report a moment of calm following a recent incident near the village of Tapuach in the northern West Bank. A vehicle breach at a barrier prompted an alert from preparatory defense systems, but checking confirmed the vehicle belonged to a local resident, and there is no current threat to the area. As troops remain vigilant, regional authorities emphasize the importance of measured responses to isolated security events as Israel continues to manage multiple fronts.In other news, a study released this week examines how people absorb the trauma of war, even when not directly harmed. The research focuses on secondary trauma, defined as stress from repeated exposure to disturbing images, stories, and footage through media and other channels. The findings indicate that women in particular reported sharper declines in sleep and mental health when exposed to war content across several media platforms. The results show a dose response relation for sleep disturbances, with women experiencing higher risk when exposure came from multiple sources. The study suggests that the home and caregiving responsibilities, among other factors, may amplify stress for women during times of conflict, while men showed a different pattern linked to single sources of exposure. The data highlight the profound effects that media environments can have on well being during long periods of crisis.In a separate diplomatic development, a prominent religious leadership dispute in the Holy Land drew attention to the debate over Christian Zionism. A major church body in Jerusalem urged that Christian Zionism should be understood as one of many perspectives within a diverse Christian community, warning ...
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