Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 22:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 22:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 22:07

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 HEADLINESPost quantum race tightens in IsraelFar right blocks Barak car sparks backlashIran vows rapid retaliation against Tel AvivThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Today in the region and beyond, the security, political, and strategic landscapes continue to intertwine technology, diplomacy, and domestic debates as Israel and its allies adapt to new pressures and old tensions.In technology and security, Tel Aviv hosted Cyberweek discussions stressing an urgent shift in cryptography. Experts warned that organizations face roughly a three-year window to make cryptography quantum-proof, while the broader shift to post-quantum cryptography will take five to ten years for most institutions. Ben Volkow, founder and CEO of Qiz Security, described the window as one of the decade’s major cyber challenges, noting estimates that quantum computing could begin altering cryptographic security within three to five years. Speakers highlighted the risk that data harvested today could be decrypted later once quantum capabilities advance, with CyberRidge’s Dan Sadot emphasizing that information around the globe is being harvested now. AT&T Israel’s Ido Shargil pointed to the challenge of modernizing a vast array of users and systems—often decades old—to new standards, and he warned that the regulatory and implementation clock remains short. In Israel, regulatory guidance from the Bank of Israel has encouraged building inventories and roadmaps for post-quantum cryptography, while industry players argue for regulation to provide certainty and scale. Oren Butchmits, head of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, suggested that national policy could lead to a common approach and even the potential development of a national Quantum Key Distribution network if required. The takeaway from the panel was clear: prepare now for post-quantum cryptography and turn the threat into an opportunity for national tech leadership through collaboration with academia and industry.On the domestic front, tensions continue to test Israel’s political and judicial institutions. In Tel Aviv, far-right activists surrounded and blocked the car of former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak as he was leaving a conference. The incident drew swift condemnation from opposition leaders and calls for law enforcement action, underscoring broader disputes between the judiciary and political actors. The Movement for Quality Government, which organized the event, filed police complaints alleging harassment and public order violations, while lawmakers from across the political spectrum urged that democratic norms be upheld and public safety maintained.In the wider security environment, Iran signaled a stark warning to the United States and its allies. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, posted a warning that any US military action would be treated as an act of war and that responses would be immediate and unprecedented, targeting the aggressor and even “the heart of Tel Aviv.” Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s office echoed calls for a forceful response, while stressing openness to negotiations on a nuclear deal within a framework that preserves Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology. The statements come as US officials, including senator Marco Rubio, described Iranian leadership as weakened by domestic pressures and economic strife, while stressing the importance of a credible regional deterrent. Washington has reinforced its posture in the region with tens of thousands of personnel and a broad set of capabilities intended to deter or respond to potential Iranian attacks, a reminder that the security calculus in the region remains highly responsive to both Tehran’s rhetoric and international diplomacy.The United States and Israel also remain entangled in public diplomacy over arms and security policy, as lawmakers in Israel and the United States scrutinize past assurances. In Washington, opposition lawmakers and several former Biden administration officials criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for remarks claiming that an arms embargo from the previous US administration contributed to IDF fatalities in Gaza. They argued the claim mischaracterized the security relationship and cited US support that continued through various channels. The Times of Israel reported that several senior US officials questioned or disputed the claim, stressing that US-Israeli security cooperation remained robust. The discussions come as the bipartisan criticism over the remarks underscores the delicate balance of accountability and alliance in a period of heightened regional tension.In domestic policy, the Knesset advanced the state budget in a first-reading vote, passing by a margin of 62 to 55. The proposal would set the total outlay for the 2026 financial year at about 811.74 billion shekels, with a structure comprising a ...
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