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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 21:07
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
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HEADLINES
Trump Sharaa discuss Kurdish rights Syria
No Turkish or Qatari troops in Gaza
Israel’s 2026 budget ignites coalition frictions
The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In Syria, a high-level exchange between President Donald Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa touched on preserving Kurdish rights within the Syrian state and the ongoing campaign against the Islamic State, a conversation that follows the signing of a broader integration deal between Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF. The Syrian presidency described the call as a discussion of developments in Syria, stressing unity, territorial integrity, and continued cooperation to confront terrorism. The move to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the state is still being watched closely, with tensions persisting even as the parties affirm the goal of a unified Syria.
In Washington, a candid note from a Trump ally raised the possibility, in very early, exploratory terms, of offering asylum to Jews from the United Kingdom amid rising antisemitism there. The discussion, described by Robert Garson to The Jerusalem Post as “incredibly nascent,” centers on a broader question of how to address Jewish safety and immigration, and Garson stressed that he spoke only for himself, not for the administration. The report situates these discussions in a broader US policy discourse about asylum and protection for Jewish populations, while noting that no formal federal program has been announced.
In Israel, the government has submitted the 2026 state budget draft to the Knesset, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowing that it will pass on first reading despite political rifts within the ruling coalition. The budget outlines spending of roughly 662 billion shekels, including defense outlays that have risen in the current year, and sets a deficit target around 3.9 percent of GDP. The plan comes as coalition frictions—especially with ultra-Orthodox parties over a draft bill on conscription—could shape the bill’s progress and the timing of early elections if the budget stalls. Prime Minister Netanyahu has insisted that the budget is a national priority and pledged to move it through the plenum, while opposition leaders argue the plan allocates funds in ways that favor coalition partners and raises broader questions about priorities and governance.
On the legislative front, a Knesset panel approved a bill to open Israel’s transportation market to ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. The proposal, supported by members from both the coalition and opposition, envisions competition as a means to address high transportation costs and shortages, but faces pushback from taxi associations concerned about safety, licensing and the potential legalization of drivers without proper credentials. The measure would allow licensed taxis to recover some licensing costs through tips collected by ride-sharing platforms, and lawmakers stressed the aim of enabling competitive options while maintaining regulatory standards. Uber’s participation remains uncertain as the bill advances.
In Syria‑related regional developments, reports from the Kurdish-held areas of Hasakah indicate that the Syrian army has tightened its grip on Kurdish districts following recent ceasefire talk and a broader push that some observers describe as a strategic shift. The Kurdish-led SDF reportedly agreed to surrender territory and to integrate into the Syrian army under what officials describe as a process of reunification. Turkey has backed the move, and US ties with the Kurds appear to be fraying as the region shifts toward greater government control and a different security architecture in the area.
In Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Turkish and Qatari troops would not be present in the Strip as part of postwar governance arrangements discussed in W
Trump Sharaa discuss Kurdish rights Syria
No Turkish or Qatari troops in Gaza
Israel’s 2026 budget ignites coalition frictions
The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In Syria, a high-level exchange between President Donald Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa touched on preserving Kurdish rights within the Syrian state and the ongoing campaign against the Islamic State, a conversation that follows the signing of a broader integration deal between Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF. The Syrian presidency described the call as a discussion of developments in Syria, stressing unity, territorial integrity, and continued cooperation to confront terrorism. The move to integrate Kurdish-led forces into the state is still being watched closely, with tensions persisting even as the parties affirm the goal of a unified Syria.
In Washington, a candid note from a Trump ally raised the possibility, in very early, exploratory terms, of offering asylum to Jews from the United Kingdom amid rising antisemitism there. The discussion, described by Robert Garson to The Jerusalem Post as “incredibly nascent,” centers on a broader question of how to address Jewish safety and immigration, and Garson stressed that he spoke only for himself, not for the administration. The report situates these discussions in a broader US policy discourse about asylum and protection for Jewish populations, while noting that no formal federal program has been announced.
In Israel, the government has submitted the 2026 state budget draft to the Knesset, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowing that it will pass on first reading despite political rifts within the ruling coalition. The budget outlines spending of roughly 662 billion shekels, including defense outlays that have risen in the current year, and sets a deficit target around 3.9 percent of GDP. The plan comes as coalition frictions—especially with ultra-Orthodox parties over a draft bill on conscription—could shape the bill’s progress and the timing of early elections if the budget stalls. Prime Minister Netanyahu has insisted that the budget is a national priority and pledged to move it through the plenum, while opposition leaders argue the plan allocates funds in ways that favor coalition partners and raises broader questions about priorities and governance.
On the legislative front, a Knesset panel approved a bill to open Israel’s transportation market to ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. The proposal, supported by members from both the coalition and opposition, envisions competition as a means to address high transportation costs and shortages, but faces pushback from taxi associations concerned about safety, licensing and the potential legalization of drivers without proper credentials. The measure would allow licensed taxis to recover some licensing costs through tips collected by ride-sharing platforms, and lawmakers stressed the aim of enabling competitive options while maintaining regulatory standards. Uber’s participation remains uncertain as the bill advances.
In Syria‑related regional developments, reports from the Kurdish-held areas of Hasakah indicate that the Syrian army has tightened its grip on Kurdish districts following recent ceasefire talk and a broader push that some observers describe as a strategic shift. The Kurdish-led SDF reportedly agreed to surrender territory and to integrate into the Syrian army under what officials describe as a process of reunification. Turkey has backed the move, and US ties with the Kurds appear to be fraying as the region shifts toward greater government control and a different security architecture in the area.
In Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Turkish and Qatari troops would not be present in the Strip as part of postwar governance arrangements discussed in W