Friday, November 14, 2025

What You Need to Know:

Since the US-led ceasefire and peace plan for Gaza, PM Netanyahu has been facing greater challenges than ever. The Americans are demanding an ever-increasing role in decisions that ultimately affect Israel’s security. This week, the prime minister met with US Envoy Jared Kushner and discussed the situation in Gaza. Two hundred Hamas terrorists hiding in tunnels under an Israeli-controlled area of Gaza as well as the ultimate fate of the terror group Hamas were among the topics. An Israeli spokesperson said, “Any decision on Gaza will be made in collaboration with the Trump administration.”

The Knesset (parliament) itself has been addressing several controversial issues, among them a mandatory death penalty for any terrorist guilty of killing an Israeli citizen and a bill that would allow the permanent closure without a court order of any foreign media outlet deemed harmful to Israel’s security.

In addition to PM Netanyahu, this week we’ll pray for Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, who has held the position for approximately one year. After the prime minister, the defense minister is considered to hold the second most important position in the Israeli cabinet. He is responsible for defending the State of Israel from internal and external military threats, overseeing the IDF, Israel Military Industries and the Israel Aerospace Industry. Katz has been a member of the Knesset since 1998 and has held a variety of ministerial positions before becoming defense minister.

Dig Deeper:

Israel Says Decisions on Gaza Will Be Made as PM Netanyahu Meets with Kushner

Netanyahu and Kushner Talk About 200 Terrorists Held in Gaza Tunnel

Bills Requiring Death Penalty for Terrorists Who Kill Israelis Passes First Reading

What You Need to Know:

Hezbollah continues to threaten Israel’s northern communities as it has blatantly refused to disarm and leave the buffer zone area south of the Litani River. The Israel Air Force struck a weapons storage facility on Thursday morning, a clear message that Israel will not tolerate the Iranian terror proxy’s growing arsenal or cross-border aggression.

Iran, which is swiftly rebuilding its nuclear program, is also helping Hezbollah and its other terror proxies in their fight against Israel. The latest intelligence indicates Iran is working to smuggle weapons to both Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian terror groups in Judea and Samaria. In response, the IDF held a three-day exercise named “Lion’s Roar,” designed “to enhance operational readiness for a variety of scenarios” in the biblical heartland.

Citing international law which allows the seizure of maritime vessels used for the purpose of breaking a blockade, Israel has begun the legal process to confiscate 50 vessels seized in last month’s “Sumud Flotilla.” Prosecutors argued that permanent confiscation is necessary to deter similar efforts and protect national security.

The first of eight planned emergency response centers was opened in Kibbutz Be’eri this week. These centers will proved enhanced security as they coordinate emergency services and first responders in Israeli communities along the Gaza Strip.

Dig Deeper:

Emergency Response Centers Set to Boost Security on Israel’s Borders  

Lion’s Roar: IDF Launches Three Day Drill in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley

Next War only a Matter of Time as Iran Prepares Waves of Missiles  

Israel Seeks to Seize Flotilla Vessels Linked to Hamas  

What You Need to Know:

Fifty years ago, the United Nations adopted Resolution 3379, which declared, “Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination.” Sixteen years later during the Gulf War when Israelis—Jews and Arabs alike—endured the same missile threats from Saddam Hussein, the resolution was repealed. However, the narrative that portrayed Zionism as a moral crime continued. And it is still present today, in the UN, on social networks and on college campuses.

In its periodic review of Israel, members of the UN Committee against Torture questioned the nation over alleged systematic torture of Palestinian detainees. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, strongly rejected the claims, calling them “disinformation.” Meron said Israel was “committed to upholding its obligations in line with our moral values and principles, even in the face of the challenges posed by a terrorist organization.” The committee will publish its findings on November 28.

Claiming Israel has committed genocide in Gaza as it “systematically targeted civilians, blocked humanitarian aid and prevented access for medical assistance,” Tukey issued arrest warrants for PM Netanyahu and 36 other senior Israeli political and military figures. The arrests are largely symbolic, as diplomatic relations between the countries have been severed.

Dig Deeper:

Israel Grilled at UN over Reports Claiming Systematic Torture of Palestinians  

The UN Repealed a Sentence but the anti-Israel Narrative Lives on  

Turkey Issues Arrest Warrants for 37 of Israel’s Senior Leaders

What You Need to Know:

Although the IDF has begun to release thousands of reserve soldiers, troops remain in the field, ready to defend the nation. Specifically, IDF soldiers operating in Gaza continue to dismantle Hamas’s underground tunnel infrastructure in the area under Israeli control. They do occasionally come face-to-face with threats from Hamas terrorists who cross the Yellow Line into Israeli-controlled territory. There were two such incidents this week. In addition, Israel’s biblical heartland remains a very active front, although there is no specific border. A large training drill took place in Judea and Samaria this week, at the same time that active counterterrorism operations were taking place. Troops also remain on Mt. Hermon along the Lebanon border.

It may seem calm at the moment, but soldiers of the IDF rarely have the opportunity to relax completely. The IDF is truly a “people’s army,” with mandatory service for young Israeli teens immediately after they graduate from high school. National Service, which offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in healthcare, education or social services, is another option for those who prefer not to serve in the military. Then there is another special group of soldiers, the new immigrants. Typically, they do not possess the Hebrew language skills needed to enter the army and therefore spend three months at Michve Alon, a site that teaches them Hebrew and prepares them for army life; a crash course in Zionism, if you will.

Dig Deeper:

Four Gunmen Killed on Israeli-held Side of Gaza’s Yellow Line

Michve Alon—Where the IDF Trains New Olim for Battle and Life in Israel 

What You Need to Know:

Many of the effects of the past two years are not visible but lie just under the surface. The constant stress and trauma spill into everyday life, making it harder for people to focus, even in critical moments like driving. The National Road Safety Authority released data showing that deaths on the country’s roads have reached a 16-year high, with a total of 400 fatalities as of November 11. Authorities fear that 2025 could be the deadliest year on Israel’s roads in two decades, exceeding 2005, when 465 people died. Last year, 436 road fatalities were recorded.

The nation’s mental health professionals have been working tirelessly since October 7, many of them through non-profit organizations like SafeHeart, which was created to support survivors of the Nova music festival. Since its founding on the day of the tragedy, it has reached more than 2,500 survivors and is providing long-term therapy for more than 1,000 Israelis.

The bodies of three Israelis and one Thai national remain in Gaza, more than one month after the 20 living hostages came home. Four families wait for closure and for the ability to lay the remains of their loved ones to rest. The nation has not forgotten and waits by these families’ side.

Dig Deeper:

Road Deaths Hit 16-Year High   

For Israel’s Mental Health Professionals, October 7 Is Ongoing

The 3 Slain Hostages Whose Bodies Are Still Being Held in Gaza 

What You Need to Know:

Tim Davie, BBC director general, and Deborah Turness, CEO of news, submitted resignations on Sunday. While its biased coverage of Israel was not cited as a reason for their resignations, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote, “a deep-seated bias has long characterized the BBC’s coverage of Israel. For far too long, the BBC has spread disinformation that fuel antisemitism.” In its coverage of the war in Gaza, BBC Arabic glorified Hamas, calling their terror attacks “military operations,” did not report on Israeli suffering and neglected to inform viewers that, under international law, hospitals are allowed to be targeted if they are used as military bases, which Hamas did.

Soccer players from Tel Aviv’s Maccabi team, in Birmingham for a match, found themselves the target of a coordinated plan by anti-Israel activists to hunt them down. Hotel stakeouts and a “search for the Maccabi” team were organized in hope that the game would be canceled. It did take place, though without any Maccabi fans present in the stadium.

This week also saw the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht observed. Now 101, Walter Bingham was 14 at the time. He recalls walking to school the next day and seeing the synagogue in smoldering ruins, firefighters standing by without raising a hand to put out the flames. He said, “We live in an era equivalent to 1938, where synagogues are burned, and people in the street are attacked.”

Dig Deeper:

BBC Leaders Quit Amid Trump Bias Scandal   

Pro-Palestinian Mob Plotted to Hunt down Maccabi Players   

Holocaust Survivors Mark 87th Anniversary of Kristallnacht  

What You Need to Know:

On the surface, the return of a fallen soldier’s body does not seem to belong in the “praise reports” section. But in this case, the soldier was Lt. Hadar Goldin, who fell in Operation Protective Edge 11 years ago. The family, along with the nation, had never given up hope that his body would be returned for burial. After years of persistent intelligence work on the part of the IDF and Shin Bet (Israeli internal security organization), that hope was realized on November 10. Just 23-years old at the time of his death, Goldin left behind his parents, a sister, two brothers and a fiancée. He was laid to rest in his home town of Kfar Saba as thousands of Israelis lined the route of the funeral procession.

Three hundred Jewish teens from Israel and the Diaspora joined 50 educators in Budapest for the first World Jewish–Zionist Youth Congress. The teens participated in workshops and discussions on Jewish identity, Zionism, Hebrew as a shared language, civic resilience and the global battle against antisemitism.

Albania just initiated a faith-based, pro-Israel caucus in its national parliament. The new caucus joins a global network of over 60 groups under the Israel Allies Foundation. Albania is the only European country that ended World War 2 with an increased Jewish population, despite Nazi occupation.

Dig Deeper:

Remains of Fallen Soldier Hadar Goldin Returned After 11 Years  

Jewish Teens Gather in Herzl’s Birthplace to Launch Global Zionist Youth Council

Albania Launches Israel Parliamentary Caucus