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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-12 at 22:01
Published 2 weeks, 5 days ago
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HEADLINES
Palestine Draft Constitution Enshrines Sharia Rule
Mejia Triumphs NJ-11 Primary Edges Malinowski
Trump Urges Netanyahu Pardon Aboard Flight
The time is now 10:01 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 the draft constitution for a Palestinian state. The draft designates Jerusalem as the capital and as the political, spiritual, cultural, and educational center of the State of Palestine, while stressing its religious character and the protection of its Islamic and Christian sanctities. It designates Islam as the official religion and makes Islamic Sharia the primary source for legislation, while preserving Christianity with a special status and rights. The document also calls for the president to swear by God upon taking office and includes provisions that push Sharia to guide the legal framework. The draft highlights the right of return for refugees, care for the families of martyrs, prisoners, and exiles, and reaffirms the PLO’s position as the representative body for Palestinians. The report notes that the draft omits explicit Jewish ties to Jerusalem in Article III and asserts that measures to change Jerusalem’s character or historical identity are considered null and void under international law.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Analilia Mejia, a longtime progressive organizer allied with US Senator Bernie Sanders, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the special election to fill the New Jersey 11th District seat. Mejia defeated former Representative Tom Malinowski and several other candidates; Malinowski had questioned unconditional US aid to Israel, and the lobbying group AIPAC defended its campaign against him. Mejia now advances to the April 16 general election against Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejia’s victory reflects a shift in the district, with Mejia running on populist economic policies and proposals such as the removal of ICE.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, President Isaac Herzog, on his return from a four‑day trip to Australia, responded to a public push from then-President Donald Trump urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump called for the pardon mid‑flight, stating Netanyahu should be pardoned and that it would be shameful for him not to do 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, weighing the law, the good of the state, and his conscience, without external or internal pressure. The president’s response was prepared aboard the aircraft with his advisers.
In Uplifting News, James Van Der Beek, the star of Dawson’s Creek, has died at age 48 after a years‑long battle with colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek had enduring ties to Israel, meeting his wife in Tel Aviv in 2009 and marrying there in 2010 at the Kabbalah Center. His family announced his passing, asking for peaceful privacy as they grieve and noting his legacy in entertainment and charity.
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.timesofisrael.com/bernie-sanders-ally-who-accuses-israel-of-genocide-wins-nj-race-in-which-aipac-opposed-her-
Palestine Draft Constitution Enshrines Sharia Rule
Mejia Triumphs NJ-11 Primary Edges Malinowski
Trump Urges Netanyahu Pardon Aboard Flight
The time is now 10:01 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 the draft constitution for a Palestinian state. The draft designates Jerusalem as the capital and as the political, spiritual, cultural, and educational center of the State of Palestine, while stressing its religious character and the protection of its Islamic and Christian sanctities. It designates Islam as the official religion and makes Islamic Sharia the primary source for legislation, while preserving Christianity with a special status and rights. The document also calls for the president to swear by God upon taking office and includes provisions that push Sharia to guide the legal framework. The draft highlights the right of return for refugees, care for the families of martyrs, prisoners, and exiles, and reaffirms the PLO’s position as the representative body for Palestinians. The report notes that the draft omits explicit Jewish ties to Jerusalem in Article III and asserts that measures to change Jerusalem’s character or historical identity are considered null and void under international law.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Analilia Mejia, a longtime progressive organizer allied with US Senator Bernie Sanders, has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the special election to fill the New Jersey 11th District seat. Mejia defeated former Representative Tom Malinowski and several other candidates; Malinowski had questioned unconditional US aid to Israel, and the lobbying group AIPAC defended its campaign against him. Mejia now advances to the April 16 general election against Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejia’s victory reflects a shift in the district, with Mejia running on populist economic policies and proposals such as the removal of ICE.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, President Isaac Herzog, on his return from a four‑day trip to Australia, responded to a public push from then-President Donald Trump urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump called for the pardon mid‑flight, stating Netanyahu should be pardoned and that it would be shameful for him not to do 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, weighing the law, the good of the state, and his conscience, without external or internal pressure. The president’s response was prepared aboard the aircraft with his advisers.
In Uplifting News, James Van Der Beek, the star of Dawson’s Creek, has died at age 48 after a years‑long battle with colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek had enduring ties to Israel, meeting his wife in Tel Aviv in 2009 and marrying there in 2010 at the Kabbalah Center. His family announced his passing, asking for peaceful privacy as they grieve and noting his legacy in entertainment and charity.
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.timesofisrael.com/bernie-sanders-ally-who-accuses-israel-of-genocide-wins-nj-race-in-which-aipac-opposed-her-