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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-22 at 11:07
Published 1 month ago
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HEADLINES
Minnesota Jews mobilize against ICE enforcement
Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos
Israel readies response to Iranian missiles
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 6:00 a.m., here is the latest from the global and regional news that shape the Middle East and Jewish communities around the world.
In Minnesota, the Jewish community is speaking out against ICE operations sweeping through the Twin Cities, drawing on Torah teachings about welcoming the stranger and protecting the vulnerable. The Exodus narrative—Moses confronting Pharaoh and guiding the Israelites toward freedom—has been invoked by leaders across Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist congregations as they mobilize open letters and organize pro‑immigrant actions. An interfaith anti‑ICE rally is expected to draw a substantial Jewish presence, with a federation‑led letter signed by about two dozen Jewish groups and 13 area congregations, along with day schools and community organizations, warning that ICE activity is disrupting care for Jewish seniors and hindering essential services.
Community leaders describe the immediate impact as including caregivers who cannot safely come to work, affecting elder and client support across Jewish organizations. The open letters emphasize a commitment to the rule of law while calling for fair processes and investigations where concerns arise, including the death of a driver involved in an ICE incident, which some organizers frame as a moment of gravitas for civil society. Locally, rabbis and lay leaders have participated in vigils, interfaith press conferences, and plans for a large March that includes clergy from across the city. The movement reflects a broader national debate about immigration enforcement, civil rights, and how faith communities respond when law enforcement actions intersect with daily life and care work.
Nationally, the debate over ICE has drawn in prominent voices and public figures, with some activists and commentators comparing the agency’s tactics to oppressive regimes. Local Jewish leaders caution against inflammatory rhetoric, stressing that their engagement centers on safeguarding the rights and dignity of all residents while supporting law enforcement proper processes. The White House and other federal figures have continued to defend enforcement efforts, underscoring concerns about security and public safety while noting investigations into specific incidents. The tension underscores a broader national conversation about balancing immigration policy with humanitarian considerations, the protection of vulnerable communities, and the right to worship and assemble without fear of disruption.
In Washington and Davos, the Middle East’s leverage points remain active on the international stage. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump announced the charter for a new Board of Peace, a structure he described as expanding beyond Gaza to address broader global peace challenges. He framed the effort as a continuation of his Gaza plan while suggesting a wider role for the board in international diplomacy. Early sign‑ups include several regional partners, with notable participation from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel, while major Western allies have shown caution or pending decisions. Israel’s Prime Minister and other regional leaders have weighed in with support, though some key economies have yet to commit. The board’s aim is to promote peace through dialogue and reconstruction efforts while keeping the Gaza ceasefire as a central test, with negotiations over disarmament and security arrangements continuing to shape regional dynamics.
In Israel, the political and security environment remains complex. President Isaac Herzog, speaking in Davos, acknowledged that ongoing legal pro
Minnesota Jews mobilize against ICE enforcement
Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos
Israel readies response to Iranian missiles
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 6:00 a.m., here is the latest from the global and regional news that shape the Middle East and Jewish communities around the world.
In Minnesota, the Jewish community is speaking out against ICE operations sweeping through the Twin Cities, drawing on Torah teachings about welcoming the stranger and protecting the vulnerable. The Exodus narrative—Moses confronting Pharaoh and guiding the Israelites toward freedom—has been invoked by leaders across Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist congregations as they mobilize open letters and organize pro‑immigrant actions. An interfaith anti‑ICE rally is expected to draw a substantial Jewish presence, with a federation‑led letter signed by about two dozen Jewish groups and 13 area congregations, along with day schools and community organizations, warning that ICE activity is disrupting care for Jewish seniors and hindering essential services.
Community leaders describe the immediate impact as including caregivers who cannot safely come to work, affecting elder and client support across Jewish organizations. The open letters emphasize a commitment to the rule of law while calling for fair processes and investigations where concerns arise, including the death of a driver involved in an ICE incident, which some organizers frame as a moment of gravitas for civil society. Locally, rabbis and lay leaders have participated in vigils, interfaith press conferences, and plans for a large March that includes clergy from across the city. The movement reflects a broader national debate about immigration enforcement, civil rights, and how faith communities respond when law enforcement actions intersect with daily life and care work.
Nationally, the debate over ICE has drawn in prominent voices and public figures, with some activists and commentators comparing the agency’s tactics to oppressive regimes. Local Jewish leaders caution against inflammatory rhetoric, stressing that their engagement centers on safeguarding the rights and dignity of all residents while supporting law enforcement proper processes. The White House and other federal figures have continued to defend enforcement efforts, underscoring concerns about security and public safety while noting investigations into specific incidents. The tension underscores a broader national conversation about balancing immigration policy with humanitarian considerations, the protection of vulnerable communities, and the right to worship and assemble without fear of disruption.
In Washington and Davos, the Middle East’s leverage points remain active on the international stage. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump announced the charter for a new Board of Peace, a structure he described as expanding beyond Gaza to address broader global peace challenges. He framed the effort as a continuation of his Gaza plan while suggesting a wider role for the board in international diplomacy. Early sign‑ups include several regional partners, with notable participation from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel, while major Western allies have shown caution or pending decisions. Israel’s Prime Minister and other regional leaders have weighed in with support, though some key economies have yet to commit. The board’s aim is to promote peace through dialogue and reconstruction efforts while keeping the Gaza ceasefire as a central test, with negotiations over disarmament and security arrangements continuing to shape regional dynamics.
In Israel, the political and security environment remains complex. President Isaac Herzog, speaking in Davos, acknowledged that ongoing legal pro