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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-12 at 20:01
Published 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
Palestinian draft proclaims Jerusalem capital Sharia rules
Trump publicly urges Herzog to pardon Netanyahu
Birthright unity urged amid rising antisemitism
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the publication of a draft constitution for a Palestinian state. The draft omits Jewish ties to Jerusalem in the articles, declaring the city the capital and its political, spiritual, cultural, and educational center as well as its national symbol, and pledging to preserve its religious character and protect its Islamic and Christian sanctities. It also states that measures to change Jerusalem's character or historical identity are considered null and void under international law. Islam is named the official religion, with Islamic Sharia principles designated as the primary source for legislation, while Christianity is protected with a special status and designated rights. The president would swear by God when entering office. The draft also calls for the right of return for refugees, care for families of martyrs, prisoners, and exiles, and reaffirms the PLO's position as the representative of Palestinians.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, President Isaac Herzog was en route home from Australia when President Donald Trump publicly urged him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he should be ashamed for not doing so. Herzog’s office said the pardon request is currently with the Justice Ministry for a legal opinion, and only after this process is complete will Herzog consider it, acting in accordance with the law, the good of the state, and his conscience, free from external pressures. A senior official from Trump’s Peace Council said that in March the weapons-disarmament program will begin, and as the plan progresses the stability force will expand; the disarmament will occur gradually, starting with tunnels, then production facilities for weapons, followed by rockets and missiles, and finally light weapons.
In the Uplifting News, an opinion piece argues that Birthright helped knit together the Jewish people and contends it is time for bigger ideas to sustain a post-Oct. 7 world. It recalls two decades of work to connect Jews—from Birthright trips to conferences and board discussions—driven by the belief that the unity of the Jewish people, whose soul is in Jerusalem, matters. The authors warn that this unity feels more fragile than ever and emphasize the urgency of taking action to preserve Jewish peoplehood so it can withstand rising antisemitism, political polarization, and threats to democracy both in Israel and in the diaspora.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-886547
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886544
https://t.me/newssil/191224
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-886543
Palestinian draft proclaims Jerusalem capital Sharia rules
Trump publicly urges Herzog to pardon Netanyahu
Birthright unity urged amid rising antisemitism
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the publication of a draft constitution for a Palestinian state. The draft omits Jewish ties to Jerusalem in the articles, declaring the city the capital and its political, spiritual, cultural, and educational center as well as its national symbol, and pledging to preserve its religious character and protect its Islamic and Christian sanctities. It also states that measures to change Jerusalem's character or historical identity are considered null and void under international law. Islam is named the official religion, with Islamic Sharia principles designated as the primary source for legislation, while Christianity is protected with a special status and designated rights. The president would swear by God when entering office. The draft also calls for the right of return for refugees, care for families of martyrs, prisoners, and exiles, and reaffirms the PLO's position as the representative of Palestinians.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, President Isaac Herzog was en route home from Australia when President Donald Trump publicly urged him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he should be ashamed for not doing so. Herzog’s office said the pardon request is currently with the Justice Ministry for a legal opinion, and only after this process is complete will Herzog consider it, acting in accordance with the law, the good of the state, and his conscience, free from external pressures. A senior official from Trump’s Peace Council said that in March the weapons-disarmament program will begin, and as the plan progresses the stability force will expand; the disarmament will occur gradually, starting with tunnels, then production facilities for weapons, followed by rockets and missiles, and finally light weapons.
In the Uplifting News, an opinion piece argues that Birthright helped knit together the Jewish people and contends it is time for bigger ideas to sustain a post-Oct. 7 world. It recalls two decades of work to connect Jews—from Birthright trips to conferences and board discussions—driven by the belief that the unity of the Jewish people, whose soul is in Jerusalem, matters. The authors warn that this unity feels more fragile than ever and emphasize the urgency of taking action to preserve Jewish peoplehood so it can withstand rising antisemitism, political polarization, and threats to democracy both in Israel and in the diaspora.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-886547
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886544
https://t.me/newssil/191224
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-886543