Friday, March 13, 2026

What You Need to Know:

Despite claims to the contrary from the IRGC-linked Iranian media, Prime Minister Netanyahu is very much alive and leading the nation. This week he visited the port at Ashdod and gave these remarks: “The ports and skies are working and the economy is going ‘full throttle' with tremendous force. We are going to pass a budget; we decided on this today, a security budget. The Government is strong and stable, but much more importantly, the country is strong and stable. The State of Israel is showing the world what a fighting nation, a fighting state, and a super-resilient economy look like.”

As IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is tasked with leading defensive efforts on behalf of the nation. A critical decision is when to stop fighting. Zamir expressed these thoughts on the matter, "Israel has been in a state of ongoing emergency for two years. What we need now above all is persistence and patience. It will take more time—however long it takes, it will take. This is the war of our generation, and it will determine our future and our security here for many years to come." In past wars, the international community has imposed ceasefires before the IDF was able to fully destroy the enemy’s capability to harm the nation. Sadly, Israel knows first-hand that if the fighting is stopped prematurely, they will face the same enemy in the future.

Dig Deeper:

PM Netanyahu’s Remarks from Ashdod Port  

Iranian Media Publishes False Claims of Netanyahu’s Death

Israel Preparing for at least a Month of Fighting with Iran   

What You Need to Know:

Iran remains the primary security focus as the US/Israeli strikes continue and there are retaliatory responses from Iran and Hezbollah. Israel continues to brace itself for action from the Houthis in Yemen, surprisingly quiet until now. Further information on this front is available on our website under Operation Roaring Lion Daily Reports. 

Lebanon/Hezbollah: As the IDF calls for the evacuation of villages south of the Litani River, it is in the process of creating a “demilitarized zone or temporary buffer zone” along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. Even though villages nearest to the border have not been rebuilt, Hezbollah continues to operate from the ruined homes, posing an unacceptable security risk to Israeli citizens. Brig. Gen. (res.) Asher Ben Lulu told Israel Hayom, “The real debate is not only about how many kilometers should separate the border from Hezbollah forces, but primarily about who will control the ridgelines overlooking Israeli towns.”

Judea/Samaria: Although no less dangerous, this front is significantly different from the open warfare being conducted against Iran and Hezbollah. Lt. Col (res.) Yossi Levi, commander of Battalion 21 which is responsible for security in a sensitive area of the biblical heartland, recently spoke with Arutz Sheva. He said, “The quiet can be very deceptive. Judea and Samaria didn’t suddenly become peaceful— it only appears that way. Our role as the army is to make sure that calm continues.”

Dig Deeper:

Israel Debates New Security Zone in Southern Lebanon  

Battalion Commander: Ensuring Calm in Judea/Samaria Night by Night  

What You Need to Know:

In an opinion piece for the Jerusalem Post, Col. (ret.) Adi Bershadsky acknowledges that, while Israeli defense industries have developed some of the most advanced weaponry in the world, the real source of strength are the soldiers of the IDF and Israelis themselves. He writes, “Today, Israel exports some of the most advanced defense technologies on the planet. Nations line up to purchase its systems. But the true formula behind Israel’s strength is its human DNA that cannot be exported. Mutual responsibility. A deep sense of mission. The willingness to bear painful costs in defense of home and future. These are what produce world class soldiers, commanders, scientists and volunteers.”

That is not to say there are not problems that need to be solved. IAF pilots have regularly been flying missions of 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) roundtrip. This means sitting in the same position for several hours without being able to change position or stretch. As many of the pilots are reservists in their 40s, this has resulted in back problems. So, in the early days of the war, the IAF asked the “Dr. Gav (Hebrew for back)” company to design a special cushion to relieve this problem. The Israeli company, whose headquarters are in Rosh HaAyin, was quick to respond and developed a special support seat. A substantial number of these were donated to the IAF and now pilots are able to complete long missions without suffering back pains.

Dig Deeper:

Israel’s Secret Weapon  

Long Flights for IAF Pilots Result in Numbness and Back Problems  

What You Need to Know:

The people of Israel are weary. While sirens often blanket the whole country, some areas have been impacted more than others. This last week the city of Jerusalem experienced fewer sirens blaring their warning of incoming missiles. That was not the case along the northern border or in coastal cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa. A friend shared the stress her young grandson, whose family lives on the Golan Heights, feels. The sounds of war are nearly constant, without a letup, even during the night when he tries to sleep. Some are afraid to leave their homes to seek medical treatment. Statistics show “emergency room visits for suspected stroke have dropped about 30%” which increases the risk of irreversible brain damage if mild strokes are not treated promptly. And some Israelis have decided to come to the Negev area, specifically the desert town of Mizpe Ramon, in an attempt to seek relief from the missile barrages. About 3,000 Israelis from the center and north of the country have fled here in search of peace, quiet and no sirens. The Negev region has experienced fewer missile attacks.

While many of Israel’s largest hospitals have relocated patients to underground shelters, on Monday a new rocket-protected hospital was opened in Rishon LeZion. Opened at the initiative of Clalit, one of Israel’s healthcare providers, this facility received “elderly and medically fragile patients from cities across Israel” from facilities without protective spaces. Because many of them were bedridden, they could not quickly reach a safe room in case of missile barrages. Clalit’s director told the Jewish News Syndicate, “A society is ultimately judged by its ability to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Dig Deeper:

War Fears Keep Israelis with Stroke Symptoms Away from the ER  

Israelis Find Refuge from Missiles in Mitzpe Ramon 

Israel Sets up New Rocket-Protected Hospital for Vulnerable Patients 

What You Need to Know:

One of the main accusations from the UN and other world leaders is that Israel acts against international law when they choose to defend their citizens. It is no different in the current situation with the strikes against Iran and Hezbollah—the world is crying, “Foul!” using the argument that “it’s against international law” without providing any specifics. Writing for the Jewish News Syndicate, Fiamma Nirenstein argues that the “global code of justice and morality” has been compromised by that position: “If international law cannot recognize the need to defend oneself against a war already being waged against you, then it has lost its relevance.” And there is no doubt that the Iranian regime had declared war against Israel from its onset 47 years ago.

True to form, the UN’s International Fact Finding Mission, which is supposed to be an independent body, condemned US/Israel strikes against Iran last week. Interestingly, this UN mission that was created in 2022 to speak out for the Iranian protestors and the repression they are suffering is now condemning the one effort being made to end that suffering. And it’s not only the Fact Finding Mission calling for an end to the strikes against Iran but UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has mobilized multiple UN agencies to voice the same accusations against Israel and the US. Hillel Neuer, spokesperson for UN Watch, called it “a propaganda blitz by the UN on behalf of the Islamic regime in Iran. It’s astonishing and obscene.” This is just one more example of the UN’s extreme bias against Israel and anyone who steps up to stand with her.

Dig Deeper:

Stopping Iran Is not a Violation of International Law  

UN Watchdog Group Discusses UN Bias with Wall Street Journal   

What You Need to Know:

Almost without exception, there is no spot on earth where antisemitism has not appeared. By selecting this week’s news articles about incidents in two North American nations, we do not want to give the impression that these are the only trouble spots.

At an antisemitism symposium hosted in the US by the Republican Jewish Coalition, some voices expressed hope that the battle was being won. Senator Ted Cruz (R –TX) spoke bluntly as he pointed out the current battle Republicans are waging with conservative influencers like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. “This is the beginning of a battle where our nation, our beliefs, our Constitution, the principles that built America, are under assault. And we need to gird ourselves for battle and defeat this garbage.

Since the Bridges for Peace Canadian office has experienced significant opposition at two of their latest events in Winnipeg, it should not come as a surprise that Canada was in the news regarding violent attacks against Jewish institutions in the Toronto area. In the month of March alone, three synagogues have been targeted. President Isaac Herzog reassured the Jewish community on a recent Zoom call, telling them, “We in Israel care for every Jew anywhere in the world.”

And although it had not been classified as a hate crime, an early morning explosion in a quiet residential area of Liège, Belgium shattered windows in the stately Synagogue de Liège.

Dig Deeper:

Republicans not Winning Fight against Antisemitism

All Eyes Are on Canada after a Spate of Synagogue Shootings 

Explosion Damages Synagogue in Belgium  

What You Need to Know:

Sunday morning marked the arrival of the first immigrant to make aliyah since the war began on February 28. Henry Garfinkle, from the United States, was welcomed by Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofer Sofer who congratulated him for taking the step during the middle of a war saying, “This symbolizes Zionism, courage and great love for Israel.”

Because of its proximity to the first and second Temples, the Western Wall is a sacred spot for Jews and the location where tens of thousands of folded prayer requests are pressed between the ancient stones. Approximately twice a year, these notes are carefully removed and placed in sacks for a special religious burial, because the written name of God is treated with special reverence. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation’s website offers the option of printing the notes they receive—up to hundreds each day—for placement in the wall. The Foundation reported that “notes sent by citizens of countries considered hostile to Israel—or those with complex relations with the country—stood out in an unusual way. Among them were messages from Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Jordan and Egypt, among others. These notes contained moving requests for peace, reconciliation and building of ties between peoples and nations.” Those messages are hopeful and worthy of praise and thanksgiving.

Dig Deeper:

First Immigrant since Start of War Arrives in Israel  

Thousands of Notes Removed from Western Wall in Annual pre-Passover Cleanup