Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-22 at 08:02
Published 6 days, 3 hours ago
Description
HEADLINES
Iran names Larijani as de facto leader
UK report faults AI-generated Maccabi ban evidence
Court orders Western Wall egalitarian platform permits
The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken steps to prepare for the possibility of his own elimination amid rising threats from Israel and the United States, according to a Sunday report. He appointed his close ally Ali Larijani as the country’s de facto leader during the height of anti-government protests in January, a move that could reflect Tehran’s response to mounting military pressure and the likelihood of targeted strikes. Two US officials cited by Reuters said the US military could target individual Iranian leaders as part of an attack on Tehran. Larijani, a veteran politician and former Revolutionary Guards commander, serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and has long been trusted in Khamenei’s inner circle. Protests across Iran have continued, and in Tehran the situation has been described as getting out of control.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, a recent interview between American commentator Tucker Carlson and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has sparked a debate about how views on Israel and the Middle East are shaping US policy and how religious views influence policy in the region. While many commentators criticized the interview, there were some positive points noted about the civility and constructive tone of the exchange, illustrating that people with differing viewpoints can discuss controversial topics in a calm manner.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the UK Home Affairs Committee published a report slamming the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a Europa League match at Villa Park in Birmingham, saying the process relied on flawed evidence that was inaccurate and unverified, including AI-generated content. The committee faulted the evidence-gathering for being insufficient and said gaps went uncorrected even after parliamentary scrutiny, though the West Midlands Police evidence-gathering is now under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The committee found no evidence that the police response was motivated by antisemitism, but it called for improved procedures in similar cases.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice ordered the government and the Jerusalem Municipality to move forward with obtaining building permits for long-delayed repairs and upgrades at the Western Wall’s egalitarian platform, issuing binding deadlines and clarifying that no additional cabinet or ministerial approval is required to file permit applications for the Ezrat Yisrael plaza project. A Maariv poll finds broad divides along communal lines: 56% of Jewish respondents say cultural factors are the main cause of murders in Arab society, while 57% of Arab respondents blame police inaction; overall about half the population cites cultural factors as the main cause, with smaller shares pointing to police action or judicial constraints. The survey also shows a strong appetite for strong enforcement during violent demonstrations, particularly among opposition voters. In a separate note, Eli Sharabi’s book Hostage has been named Jewish Book of the Year in the United States, highlighting a notable literary achievement within the community.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Deel is launching a seven-region, in-person startup competition, with Tel Aviv hosting the first regional final on March 23, 2026. The program is designed to mirror YC-style formats and aims to democratize access to funding and mentorship for early-stage ventures, reflecting Israel’s status as a global tech hub even as investment remains concentrated in certain geographies.
Iran names Larijani as de facto leader
UK report faults AI-generated Maccabi ban evidence
Court orders Western Wall egalitarian platform permits
The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken steps to prepare for the possibility of his own elimination amid rising threats from Israel and the United States, according to a Sunday report. He appointed his close ally Ali Larijani as the country’s de facto leader during the height of anti-government protests in January, a move that could reflect Tehran’s response to mounting military pressure and the likelihood of targeted strikes. Two US officials cited by Reuters said the US military could target individual Iranian leaders as part of an attack on Tehran. Larijani, a veteran politician and former Revolutionary Guards commander, serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and has long been trusted in Khamenei’s inner circle. Protests across Iran have continued, and in Tehran the situation has been described as getting out of control.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, a recent interview between American commentator Tucker Carlson and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has sparked a debate about how views on Israel and the Middle East are shaping US policy and how religious views influence policy in the region. While many commentators criticized the interview, there were some positive points noted about the civility and constructive tone of the exchange, illustrating that people with differing viewpoints can discuss controversial topics in a calm manner.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the UK Home Affairs Committee published a report slamming the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a Europa League match at Villa Park in Birmingham, saying the process relied on flawed evidence that was inaccurate and unverified, including AI-generated content. The committee faulted the evidence-gathering for being insufficient and said gaps went uncorrected even after parliamentary scrutiny, though the West Midlands Police evidence-gathering is now under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The committee found no evidence that the police response was motivated by antisemitism, but it called for improved procedures in similar cases.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice ordered the government and the Jerusalem Municipality to move forward with obtaining building permits for long-delayed repairs and upgrades at the Western Wall’s egalitarian platform, issuing binding deadlines and clarifying that no additional cabinet or ministerial approval is required to file permit applications for the Ezrat Yisrael plaza project. A Maariv poll finds broad divides along communal lines: 56% of Jewish respondents say cultural factors are the main cause of murders in Arab society, while 57% of Arab respondents blame police inaction; overall about half the population cites cultural factors as the main cause, with smaller shares pointing to police action or judicial constraints. The survey also shows a strong appetite for strong enforcement during violent demonstrations, particularly among opposition voters. In a separate note, Eli Sharabi’s book Hostage has been named Jewish Book of the Year in the United States, highlighting a notable literary achievement within the community.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Deel is launching a seven-region, in-person startup competition, with Tel Aviv hosting the first regional final on March 23, 2026. The program is designed to mirror YC-style formats and aims to democratize access to funding and mentorship for early-stage ventures, reflecting Israel’s status as a global tech hub even as investment remains concentrated in certain geographies.