HEADLINESKurdish opposition unites amid Iran crackdownGeneva talks hinge on Iran proposalIsrael eyes primaries on Election DayThe time is now 12:02 PM 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, Tehran faces a multi-front chapter of tension and opposition. An Iranian resident told KAN Reshet Bet that anti-regime activists would prefer an Israeli strike for its precision while awaiting a possible US attack on the regime, with Israeli operations in June said to have targeted the leadership and the IRGC’s mercenaries without harming ordinary citizens or essential infrastructure. The crackdowns on protests have been described as brutal, with estimates of more than 40,000 killed and hundreds of thousands injured over the past two months, including renewed university student demonstrations facing severe suppression. Separately, five Kurdish Iranian opposition groups — the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, PJAK, PAK, the Komala Party of Kurdistan led by Reza Kaabi, and the Khabat Organization — announced a coalition aimed at challenging Tehran’s regime, signaling deeper cooperation amid broader US-Iran tensions and a push for self-determination and democracy, with leadership appearing at a recent press conference. In related security coverage, Elbit Systems frames a new central Israel plant as producing the majority of unmanned aerial systems in service with the Israeli Air Force, underscoring the scale of drone capability that informs regional security dynamics.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the diplomatic path remains anchored in Geneva and the question of Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiators plan another round of talks in Geneva on Friday if Iran submits a detailed proposal within the next 48 hours, a senior US official said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated there is still a good chance for a diplomatic solution and noted a likely meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff. The US position on enrichment remains zero enrichment, but officials have signaled a willingness to consider token enrichment if Iran can show it will block every pathway to a weapon. On the political front, some of Trump’s advisers reportedly caution against a strike, while others push for pursuing diplomacy or different options, illustrating the ongoing debate inside Washington about how to handle Tehran’s program.Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate presents a trio of developments touching on public discourse, protection, and education. Tucker Carlson issued a formal apology to President Isaac Herzog over claims of ties to Jeffrey Epstein, retracting statements Herzog’s office denied and stressing that the allegations were unfounded; Carlson said he did not mean to imply knowledge of a relationship and he cited that the claim drew from a 2014 email release in a broader investigation. Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL chief, discussed rising antisemitism and the organization’s threefold mission of protection, advocacy, and education, emphasizing that Jewish safety and identity are intertwined with community resilience and public awareness as antisemitic incidents have reached troubling levels. Vanderbilt University has opened a formal inquiry into mathematics lecturer Tekin Karadag after reports that he shared anti-Israel content in class, including a calculus example alleging land-area changes tied to the occupation; StopAntisemitism labeled the materials unacceptable and Rabbi Elchanan Poupko criticized the framing for implying a state of Palestine, a point the report notes as contested.In Israeli Domestic Politics, a cross-partisan push to reform the electoral system signals a potential shift in how voters influence representation. The Knesset is hosting the first meeting of a caucus dedicated to Changing the Electoral System and Advancing Primaries on Election Day, spearheaded by MKs Eitan Ginzburg, Eli Dalal, and Ohad Tal. The proposed semi-open ballot would let voters choose not only a party but also individual candidates, a departure from the current system in which voters select a party list only. Under the plan, ballot slips would display party lists with candidate names and orders, giving the public a direct say in who ultimately earns seats in the Knesset and enabling primaries on Election Day. The effort appeals across party lines in a bid to give voters greater influence over who represents them.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.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-887523https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-887527https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1287863https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-...
Show More
Show Less