HEADLINES
Lebanon mourns 31 killed in strikes
UN condemns Barakah attack, drones from Iraq
Glick considered for New York consul general

The time is now 9:00 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, Lebanon reports 31 killed Tuesday in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets. The liveblogging account notes rocket warning sirens in communities near the Lebanon border, including Kiryat Shmona. Outside New York City, a protest at Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence drew about 1,000 participants, organized by the EndJewHatred group, with attendees from Jewish and Muslim communities and Iranian expatriates. Protesters chanted “USA” and “Whose streets? Our streets,” and carried signs such as “Remove Mamdani,” while waving American and Israeli flags. The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack on the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates as a violation of international law, while stopping short of assigning blame. The UAE said six drones were launched against it from Iraq, including one that caused a fire at the nuclear facility.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the State’s official Arabic-language post based on Central Bureau of Statistics data marks Eid al-Adha by outlining numbers inside Israel’s Muslim population. The post notes Muslims make up about 19% of the population, with a growth rate of 1.8%, and a plurality living in Jerusalem. It says more than 409,000 Muslim students are eligible for the Bagrut, with nearly 50,000 enrolled in higher education. The post highlights that female Muslim students outnumber male students by more than two to one in enrollments for their first university degree, calling this “surprising information.” It also reports Muslim labor-force participation at just over 50%, with males outperforming females by more than 50%. Separately, police say there are no grounds to reopen the Mishchakei Hevra or “Party Games” sex-crimes investigation into popular singer Eyal Golan, citing no new evidence that would change the case’s evidentiary basis and indicating the matter is not currently open. A final decision from the State Attorney’s Office is expected soon. In another development, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing Caroline Glick for Israel’s next consul-general post in New York, a position described as highly sensitive; official channels say no final decision has been made. Glick’s background as a conservative commentator and adviser, and her past critiques of Reform and Conservative Judaism in the United States, factor into the discussion, alongside the post’s responsibilities in engaging New York’s sizable Jewish community and diplomatic networks.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israel voiced condemnation after Ukraine awarded full state honors to Andriy Melnyk, a Ukrainian nationalist leader who led a faction within the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists during its collaboration with Nazi Germany in World War II. Prime concerns were raised after President Volodymyr Zelensky described Melnyk and his wife Sofia Fedak-Melnyk as “iconic Ukrainians” who are “deeply respected” during a reburial ceremony. The ceremony highlighted the longstanding dispute over Ukraine’s commemoration of World War II figures linked to Nazi collaboration. Melnyk’s leadership of a nationalist faction and its antisemitic overtones are noted in context of the broader debate over historical memory, including past actions and commemorations such as Bandera’s birthday being marked as a holiday.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a stronger shekel is creating difficulties for Americans relocating to or living in Israel, as well as for Israeli nonprofits with foreign funding. Expats who keep dollars as part of their finances report that transfers to pay rent and other costs are now short due to currency shifts, while the stronger currency also affects exporters and donors relying on abroad-based support. The near-record-high exchange rate translates into real changes in purchasing power for Americans in Israel and for those with financial ties to the United States, complicating everyday budgeting and financial planning.

In Uplifting News, NYC Mayor Mamdani says his administration will work on transferring ownership of neglected buildings from bad landlords to responsible stewards, including community land trusts, non-profits, or even the tenants themselves, with the aim of restoring living conditions and stewardship for those properties.

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.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-may-27-2026/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897405
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-897402
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897403
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897400
https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-stronger-shekel-has-become-a-pressing-problem-for-americans-building-lives-in-israel/
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54849