HEADLINES
- China car sales plunge amid Iran war
- IDF orders theft reports amid Lebanon invasion
- Lapid Eisenkot pact reshapes Israeli race

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the war in Iran is weighing on China’s economy, with car sales plunging, toy factories shutting down, and thousands of workers taking to the streets following a surge in plastic and energy prices. The sharp rise in oil and natural gas prices triggered by the conflict is starting to strain China’s economy, deepening the slowdown in private consumption and key export sectors. Although China benefits from large strategic energy reserves and significant investment in renewable energy, recent signs suggest that even the world’s second-largest economy is not immune to the global shock, according to a report in The New York Times. For weeks, it appeared that China was managing the fallout from the war, supported in part by relatively stable economic data through March. However, as the fighting drags on, cracks are beginning to emerge. One of the clearest indicators is the automotive sector, often seen as an early barometer of economic health. Retail car sales in China fell by 26% in the first 19 days of April compared to the same period last year, according to the China Passenger Car Association. Some of the decline is attributed to weaker demand for electric vehicles.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, headlines include a Jerusalem Post roundup noting that President Trump is unhappy with Iran and that the IDF has taken down more than 1,000 Hezbollah sites. Separately, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir on Monday night issued orders to battalion, brigade, and division commanders involved in the Lebanon invasion to file reports within one week regarding whether incidents of theft of Lebanese personal property have occurred in their units. One IDF source said the reports were to be filed with the IDF Human Resources Command Chief Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, while another source denied they would be sent to him. Yet another source said no theft had occurred in the division in which he served, but that multiple such incidents have occurred in other divisions. The five divisions involved in the Lebanon invasion are 91, 36, 98, 162, and 146. Zamir condemned the theft, calling the incidents against the values the IDF upholds and noting the issue has been raised in recent reports.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Jerusalem-born economist Shaul Meridor joined Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! Party, announcing that he brings more than two decades of experience in Israel’s decision-making centers, including service as Energy Ministry director-general and head of the Budget Division. He stepped down from the budget post in 2020 and has since served as chief financial officer for the hi-tech company Lighttricks. Meridor said he sought to return to public service to help lead a deep reform and to contribute to restoring the country. Separately, opposition leader Yair Lapid told former prime minister Naftali Bennett that he is willing to move down to the third spot on their newly announced joint party list, Together, to create space for Eisenkot to join. Lapid stressed that uniting forces and winning the elections is the priority, not his personal placement. The Together party has allocated ten of the top 24 spots to Lapid’s Yesh Atid, with Eisenkot yet to commit to joining.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Israel’s purchase of grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory cannot be considered legitimate business and warned of sanctions against those attempting to profit from it. Zelensky stated that another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at an Israeli port and is preparing to unload, and that Russia continues to seize grain on temporarily occupied Ukrainian land and route it through individuals linked to the occupiers. He added that Kyiv has taken steps through diplomatic channels to prevent these incidents and directed Ukraine’s foreign minister to inform partners about the situation. Ukraine is preparing a sanctions package and coordinating with European partners to ensure enforcement.

In Uplifting News, President Isaac Herzog met with Kazakhstan’s Jewish community during a state visit, highlighting the community’s long history and its important role in strengthening Israel–Kazakhstan relations. He spoke at Beit Rachel Synagogue in Astana and met with Jewish leaders from across Kazakhstan and Central Asia, including Chief Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen and Astana Rabbi Shmuel Karnauch. Herzog said he was moved to be in Kazakhstan as Israel’s president and thanked President Tokayev for the invitation. He expressed hope that the visit would propel bilateral ties and noted efforts to promote diplomatic and technological collaboration, including a tour of a major artificial intelligence center.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-894436
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-894441
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-894437
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894451
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-894432
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sj8fnf0pwe
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-894446
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-894455