HEADLINES
- Three reservists wounded by drones in Lebanon
- Mamdani revokes antisemitism protections sparks backlash
- Salford and Stamford Hill antisemitic cases
The time is now 9:01 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, three reservists were wounded Saturday by explosive drones as soldiers in southern Lebanon say they are exposed to Hezbollah’s fiber-optic threat and have been forced to buy protective nets with civilian donations; the IDF says it is taking the threat seriously.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, New York City's Jewish organizations say Mayor Zohran Mamdani is undermining protections against antisemitism. On his first day in office, Mamdani revoked executive orders designed to assist city agencies in identifying and preventing antisemitic discrimination based on a perceived association with Israel. The following morning, prominent Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, issued a joint statement denouncing the move. Mamdani’s administration has resisted defining antisemitism and has targeted businesses with apparent connections to Israel; in early January, Mamdani attempted to prevent the sale of a large rent-controlled housing portfolio to Summit Properties USA, an Israeli-owned company, with city officials arguing Summit was financially ill-suited to renovate and maintain the low-income units, but a judge rejected the bid.
Wayne Kelly, a 65-year-old man from Salford, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault, two charges of racially aggravated intentional harassment alarm, and two charges of racially aggravated harassment after shouting antisemitic abuse at Jewish men on their way to synagogue. The victims contacted a Jewish volunteer helpline and a local resident intervened to prevent a confrontation; Salford police arrested the suspect at the scene.
Fifty-year-old James Agius was charged with religiously aggravated harassment and using threatening words for the alleged abuse of Orthodox Jews on a bus traveling through Stamford Hill. The Met says he was suspected of making threats to kill; the bus driver stopped the bus and emergency services were alerted. Shomrim volunteers helped detain the man and the Met says the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime, with no weapon found.
In Uplifting News, How Shabbat became part of Trump’s 250th US anniversary celebration - opinion, the White House issued a proclamation recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and inviting Americans to celebrate “faith and freedom,” with an emphasis on Shabbat during the nation’s 250th year. The move is described as a notable moment of public acknowledgment of Shabbat within a national milestone, prompting reflection on the role of traditional Jewish practice in contemporary American life.
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.ynetnews.com/article/h1wvrha0zl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895431
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895625
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895624
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-895471