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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-15 at 05:05
HEADLINES
Netivot suspect nabbed; 100 pistols at Ben-Gurion
Lander eyes NY-10 bid amid Israel debate
Saudi set to join Abraham Accords soon
The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight's update covers security developments in Israel amid Day 771 of the Gaza war, sharp debates over antisemitism and DEI on American campuses, shifting US political dynamics around Israel, and broader Middle East diplomacy, framed by the concerns of Jewish communities at home and abroad.
In Israel, security operations continue as authorities emphasize vigilance near and within the country’s borders. In a separate security development, Israel Police confiscated more than 100 pistols and disrupted a smuggling attempt at Ben-Gurion Airport. The suspect is described as a Netivot resident in his twenties who had arrived on a direct flight from Rome and was detained for further questioning.
In Europe, the Jewish and Israeli communities are watching cultural and religious life adapt to security and political pressures. The Israeli cantor Shai Abramson will perform at an Amsterdam Hanukkah concert after organizers tweaked the schedule in response to earlier concerns about religious freedom, highlighting a broader conversation about religious rights within Europe’s public events.
In New York politics, Brad Lander — a self-described liberal Zionist who has aligned with Zohran Mamdani — is weighing a run for Congress in the 10th District. Lander’s stance on Israel has grown more critical as his alliance with Mamdani has deepened, including debate over whether his rhetoric has shifted toward phrases used by some critics of Israel's Gaza campaign. A potential matchup with Dan Goldman would place Israel policy at the center of a high-stakes, intra-party contest in a district that includes parts of Lower Manhattan and western and central Brooklyn. Polling cited in reporting suggests Lander could be competitive, but analysts caution that early numbers do not determine outcomes. The race also involves strategic calculations within the progressive wing of the party, with the Democratic Socialists of America backing Alexa Aviles in a possible broader contest, and Mamdani signaling support for Lander while discussions continue about leadership roles within the district. The dynamic illustrates how debates over Israel, antisemitism, and security reverberate through local and national politics.
Nationally, President Donald Trump has withdrawn his acceptance of an endorsement for Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, stating he is pulling his support. Separately, he indicated he may pursue legal action against the BBC next week over what he says is false and defamatory editing, a move that underscores the continuing fight over media coverage in US politics.
On campuses and in public life, debates over antisemitism and DEI policies persist. A prominent question in higher education circles concerns how institutions address antisemitism while pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion agendas. The discourse reflects a broader concern among Jewish communities about safety, free expression, and fair treatment on campuses nationwide.
In the realm of diplomacy and security, Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Abraham Accords remains a major tonal shift under discussion in Washington and Riyadh. Reports indicate that Saudi normalization could come “very shortly,” with potential implications for regional security and economic cooperation. In parallel, US discussions about advanced defense sales, including F-35 jets, feature prominently as part of ongoing strategic conversations with Saudi leadership ahead of upcoming engagements with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Global discourse around Israel persists in opinion and debate. A recent column marks the 50th anniversary of a widely cited UN res
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