Wednesday, December 24, 2025

What You Need to Know:

The agenda of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting with President Trump, scheduled for December 29 in the US, has been the subject of much speculation. The situation in Gaza will undoubtedly take center stage as President Trump has expressed a desire to move to the next phase of his peace plan. PM Netanyahu has declared that Israel is not willing to take that step until obligations of phase one have been completed. According to the Jerusalem Post, the two will discuss Iran’s growing ballistic missile program and possible responses. Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said he has urged the prime minister “to focus on establishing ‘defensible borders’ on three fronts: Gaza, Lebanon and Judea/Samaria.” Clearly there will not be a lack of topics to discuss.

Internally, members of the Knesset (Parliament) are divided over plans for a six-member commission of inquiry to investigate the failures of October 7. Opposition leaders oppose creating a new investigative body and instead favor establishing a state commission of inquiry, as the key difference lies in how members are appointed. A state commission of inquiry is widely regarded as “the most authoritative, independent and legally empowered investigative mechanism under Israeli law.” Legislation authorizing a commission of inquiry will come to the Knesset on Dec. 24 for a preliminary reading.

Dig Deeper:

Netanyahu to Brief Trump on New Plans to Strike Iran  

Smotrich: Goal of Netanyahu-Trump Talks Should be Defensible Borders  

Israel Democracy Institute: What’s a Commission of Inquiry?

What You Need to Know:

Iran: A short six months after last summer’s war, Iran appears to be ramping up for another confrontation with Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ navy held drills this month launching cruise and ballistic missiles and drones. An Iranian military spokesperson issued this warning: “If the Zionist enemy takes any action against Iran, the response will be harsher and more crushing than before.” 

Lebanon: As Hezbollah continues to violate the terms of last year’s ceasefire, Israel responds in force. Meanwhile an Israeli official took part in a second meeting in Nagoura, Lebanon, “aimed at ensuring the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group.” All are agreed that “a strong Lebanese Armed Force (LAF) [government troops], responsible for security south of the Litani River, is essential” to bring about stability and “an enduring cessation of hostilities.” To date, the LAF has not been able, or possibly willing, to disarm Hezbollah.

Judea/Samaria: Members of the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security), Border Police and the IDF are continuing their crackdown on terrorists in Israel’s biblical heartland. The area has a population of approximately two million Arabs and a little over half a million Jews and has been the focus of a number of counterterrorism operations recently. Weapons, cash linked to terror activity and illegally held drones have been seized in the raids.

Dig Deeper:

Israel and Lebanon Hold Talks on Disarming Hezbollah  

Iran Ramps up Missile Tests and Military Drills  

How the NY Times Used Selective Data to Shape a False Moral Narrative

What You Need to Know:

Representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey joined US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Miami last week to “review implementation of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and to advance preparations for the next stage.” Israel was not invited. Turkey’s presence is particularly concerning to the State of Israel, as Turkish President Erdoğan, who is becoming increasingly close to US President Trump, wants to send military forces to Gaza in phase two. Israel remains adamant that Hamas must be disarmed and that Turkey’s presence could, among other things, open a door to smuggle more weapons to Hamas. In addition, Israel insists that Hamas will play no part in Gaza’s new government while the terror organization is equally insistent on some form of participation.

Growing Turkish influence in the region is also a concern to the nations of Greece and Cyprus. The 10th trilateral summit between Israel and the two nations was convened December 22, when PM Netanyahu met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem. They agreed to “work to advance a long-touted landmark energy deal and deepen defense cooperation.” In the face of a growing regional threat from Turkey, PM Netanyahu said, “Our partnership provides strength, clarity and cooperation that will prevail over chaos.”

Dig Deeper:

US Envoy Meets Mediators to Press Next Phase of Trump Gaza Plan

Warning Shot: Israel’s Message to Turkey Comes through Greece and Cyprus

What You Need to Know:

Israelis are known for thinking outside the box, and the IDF demonstrated this in a first-of-its-kind paramedic course for combat soldiers. Previously, paramedic training ran on a different track, with medics assigned to specific units upon graduation. In the new program, 30 active duty fighters from infantry, engineering, armor, commando, navy and air force units were chosen to train as medics and to use their battle experience to help develop the course. In the words of one of the teachers, “We learned from them…we practiced training in the training center accompanied by stories of battles, and those who experienced a real event told us what it felt like in practice.”

One of the biggest challenges faced by students was in leaving teams they had fought alongside. But in the words of “Sergeant B,” who re-enlisted in order to take the training course: “What really drove me was the desire to help my team in complex situations. I wanted to return to combat when I had a deep understanding of medical care, and could help if needed.”

Some have questioned whether strict observance of Torah is compatible with army service. IDF Chief of Staff recently complimented the soldiers of the Hashmonaim Brigade, telling them, “You are at the heart of the operational activity, defending the people of Israel, the Land of Israel, and Jewish traditions while maintaining an ultra-Orthodox way of life.”

Dig Deeper:

Returning to the Brigade with Life-Saving Tools

IDF Chief of Staff Tells Ultra-Orthodox Soldiers “You Are the Maccabees of Our Time”

What You Need to Know:

On December 20, Jewish residents of northern Samaria held an event to commemorate 50 years of settlement there. Even after 50 years, the world considers their presence in the biblical heartland to be illegal under international law, calling them “occupiers.” Their early days were not easy, with seven failed attempts to build communities between 1974 and 1975. After the first unsuccessful try, Rabbi Hanan Porat wrote a letter explaining that they chose to build there despite government opposition not as a media protest stunt but in the belief that “‘the good mountain’ is an inseparable part of the Land of Israel.” The eighth attempt, which took place during Hanukkah in 1975, was successful. These Israeli residents are planted in the Land and show no signs of leaving.

The body of one hostage, Ran Gvili, remains in Gaza. His sister, Shira Gvili, stepped out of her comfort zone and traveled alone to the United States, where she has been lobbying for the return of her brother’s body. With mounting pressure from the US administration to move to phase two of the Trump peace plan, Shira Gvili has spoken at the White House, to members of Congress and at the United Nations—all with the message that until her brother’s body is returned, the peace plan cannot go forward. This is the heart’s cry of the people of Israel who wait with the Gvili family for closure.

Dig Deeper:

Sister of Ran Gvili, Last Hostage in Gaza, Hopes for a Miracle 

Settlers Mark 50 Years in Northern Samaria, Pressing Ahead

New Commander Vows to Lead in Spirit of Brother who Fell on Oct 7

What You Need to Know:

Has the world experienced a wake-up call after the violence at Australia’s Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah? Have our leaders begun to understand that hate-filled social media posts, anti-Israel slogans spray painted on public buildings, and marches—all of which have been defended in the name of “free speech”—eventually turn deadly, with terrorists hunting for Jews with real rifles? A quick review of the global news contains some hopeful notes, but we are a long way from eradicating antisemitism. And sadly, many Jews in the world no longer feel safe.

London’s mayor wrote on X: “The menorah has returned to Trafalgar Square…people of all backgrounds came to celebrate Chanukah’s timeless message of hope, resilience and triumph of light over darkness.” Yet scrawled slogans like “Israel kills kids” painted on walls are not removed despite many complaints to authorities.

Germany, whose leaders have consistently taken strong stands against antisemitism, faces small but vocal opposition from young voters. Far-left Die Linke received 8.8% of the vote in 2025 elections but snagged a majority among voters from 18–34. Although they do not have the votes needed to follow through, one of the party’s leaders recently commented that “Israel could no longer rely on automatic support from Germany because of the shift in public opinion.” 

Dig Deeper:

Germany’s Left Isn’t Just Anti-Israel: it Hates Jews (Opinion)  

London Police Investigating Possible Menorah Vandalism

Israeli Who Confronted Sydney Terrorist Remains in Critical Condition

What You Need to Know:

The purpose of Save a Child’s Heart is to “mend hearts regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality or financial status.” More than 8,000 children from 75 countries have received life-saving medical care from the organization. In a recent case, the IDF coordinated the transfer of a young Syrian Druze baby who was born with a narrow heart valve that did not open properly and so caused the right side of her heart to become enlarged. The procedure, performed by a medical team of Jews and Arabs, was done before permanent damage occurred.  

Last weekend, Israelis drove north for the 13th “Western Galilee Winter Festival,” an event that has not taken place on site during the past two years. Last year, the Winter Festival was held in Tel Aviv when traveling north not advisable. Bringing the festival home to the western Galilee “reflects a step to economic recovery as evacuees return” and businesses reopen. The festival takes place in a number of small communities and offers a wide variety of experiences, including food, culture and art of Jewish, Druze and Christian Israeli communities.

The decision to immigrate to Israel is not an easy one. Yet, with open hatred and violence rising, many Jews are beginning to consider just that. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Sa’ar called on Jews to move to Israel and “come to the land of our forefathers.”

Dig Deeper:

Saving a Syrian Druze Child’s Heart 

Winter Festival Lights up Revival in Western Galilee   

Finding Her Place—Leora’s Journey from New York to Israel

Foreign Minister Sa’ar Urges Aliyah Over Scourge of Global Antisemitism