HEADLINES
US strikes narco-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific
Northern Israel under Hezbollah fire, red alerts
DOJ files second UCLA antisemitism lawsuit

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, US Southern Command announced that earlier today, May 26, at the direction of General Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force-Southern Spear carried out a strike against an alleged narco-trafficking vessel operating in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, with one suspected narco-terrorist killed in the strike while two others survived, all believed to have been members of a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Following the strike, search-and-rescue assets were notified and launched by the US Coast Guard.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, life for residents of Shomera, Kiryat Shmona and Ma’alot-Tarshiha under Hezbollah fire has become unbearable, with people demanding security, economic aid and a real plan for the northern frontier. Red alert sirens sounded in Northern Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, police say there are no grounds to reopen the Mishchakei Hevra para-sexual crimes investigation into Eyal Golan. The investigation team told Major-General Boaz Balat that there is no justification for further investigative steps, with no new evidence to alter the evidentiary basis of the case and no legal or factual basis to reopen proceedings; a final decision is expected soon. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering Caroline Glick as Israel’s next consul general in New York, replacing Ofir Akunis; no final decision has been made. Glick is described as Netanyahu’s preferred candidate, though she has a history of criticism toward Reform and Conservative Judaism, and the New York post is among the most sensitive diplomatic assignments.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the United States Department of Justice has filed its second lawsuit this year against UCLA, accusing the school of allowing a hostile antisemitic environment for Jewish and Israeli students in the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre. Brought under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the complaint alleges deliberate indifference to harassment, protest encampment blockades, exclusionary demands and antisemitic chants. The DOJ is seeking policy reforms and could pursue penalties, including the potential loss of federal funding. Israel also condemned Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky gave full state honors to Andriy Melnyk, a Ukrainian nationalist leader who led a faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists that collaborated with Nazi Germany. Zelensky called Melnyk and his wife “iconic Ukrainians,” while the organization’s history includes antisemitic rhetoric and involvement in persecution of Jews; the ceremony intensified the debate over Ukraine’s World War II-era commemorations.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the Energy Ministry will present a National Strategic Plan for Renewable Energy to the president and climate forum on Wednesday. Public comment is open until June 18. The plan targets 26 gigawatts of installed renewable energy by 2035, with most of it solar. To date, 8 gigawatts are installed and 4 gigawatts are under construction. Last year, renewables accounted for about 16% of electricity, well short of the 20% target for 2025 and leaving Israel near the bottom of OECD rankings for renewable production. The 2030 goal is 30%. The plan notes the grid has limited capacity and the Israel Electric Corporation has secured a 40-billion-shekel loan to fund grid expansion through 2030. Full implementation would enable the grid to accommodate enough additional power to meet the 30% target.

In Uplifting News, Israel shared statistics on its Muslim population for Eid al-Adha, noting a growth rate of 1.8% and that Muslims account for nearly 19% of the population, with Jerusalem as a major center. More than three-quarters of Israel’s roughly 409,000 Muslim students are eligible for the Bagrut diploma, and nearly 50,000 are enrolled in higher education. Female Muslim students outnumber their male counterparts by more than two-to-one in enrollment for their first university degree, a fact highlighted as encouraging progress. The report also notes Muslim labor-force participation at a little over 50%, with males outperforming females by more than 50%. In other uplifting news, Kroger announced that prices are being slashed to provide consumers with relief and to remain competitive with other major retailers.

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://t.me/DefenderDome/20949
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897403
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54852
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897400
https://www.timesofisrael.com/energy-ministry-presents-strategic-roadmap-for-renewable-energy-by-2035/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897405
https://t.me/JewishNews24/54851