HEADLINES
Israel Opens Resident Embassy in Suva
Archaeologists Petition Court Over IAA Chief
Yad Vashem Opens German Overseas Education Centers

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 Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel is set to open a resident embassy in Suva, Fiji over the weekend, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar heading to the Pacific island nation as Jerusalem deepens diplomatic, strategic, and development ties. The move follows Fiji’s inauguration of its embassy in Jerusalem last year and the plan for a reciprocal mission in Fiji in 2026. Fiji’s Cabinet approved the establishment of a resident Israeli Embassy in Suva in March, a step described as expanding cooperation in security, climate change, agriculture, emerging technologies, and diplomatic engagement. The two countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1970, have long cooperated through Israeli development programs, including agricultural and technical assistance, and the new embassy would give Israel a more permanent diplomatic presence in the region.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Archaeologists petition High Court to block appointment of new antiquities authority chief. Close to 60 Israeli archaeologists presented an urgent petition to the High Court of Justice to block the appointment of a new director general at the Israel Antiquities Authority by Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu. The development marks a rift between the Heritage Ministry and academia, who oppose a bill backed by Eliyahu to establish direct Israeli civilian responsibility for antiquities in the West Bank and Gaza, a move seen by many as a step toward de facto annexation. Eliyahu tapped Esti Shreiber, the head of an NGO affiliated with the Chabad Hasidic movement promoting Jewish values among young people, as the new head of the IAA. The appointment needs approval by both the government and the IAA Council, and petitioners argued that the procedure followed was not consistent with established norms and due process.

In Uplifting News, Yad Vashem chooses Germany for first overseas education centers. For the first time in its 73-year history, Yad Vashem will establish educational centers outside Israel, with sites in Munich and Leipzig. The centers will be developed in coordination with German partners, and the enterprise includes a brainstorming session planned for early next year with programming expected to begin in three years. Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan said the collaboration will help ensure that the truth of the Holocaust is preserved and passed on to future generations.

In Uplifting News, Mid-season hire Kenny Miller seizes his moment, delivers trophy, and stability to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Kenny Miller, a 46-year-old Scot, arrived mid-season as part of Ronny Deila’s staff and soon guided Maccabi Tel Aviv to its 25th State Cup title, with the president awarding him the Winners Medal. The club had been revived from a mid-season dip and Deila’s departures, and Miller’s leadership brought a timely trophy and stability, even as his long-term future with the club remains uncertain.

In Uplifting News, Plaster-making technique attributed to Romans used at Motza some 8,000 years earlier, study shows. A new study indicates Pre-Pottery Neolithic B residents of Motza used dolomite in their plaster about 7,100–6,700 BCE, predating Roman use by millennia. The researchers found that Motza residents heated dolomite and slaked it with water to create lime, enabling a binder that hardened as it reabsorbed carbon dioxide, revealing an earlier and distinct plaster technology alongside calcite-based plaster. The Motza site sits on dolomite bedrock, offering insight into the long arc of plaster-making techniques in the region.

In Uplifting News, Missing Toronto Jewish teenage girl found after two weeks. A missing 14-year-old girl, Esther, was located after two weeks of searching by the Toronto Police Service, Shomrim Toronto, volunteers, and community members. Her family said she still requires medical care and support, and they expressed gratitude to the authorities and the public while asking for privacy as they focus on her health and recovery.

In Uplifting News, Nova massacre memorial seeks donations to preserve victims’ stories. Families and volunteers are fundraising to complete the Re’im memorial, adding signs and shade as thousands visit daily to honor the 378 murdered at Nova and the 44 who were kidnapped to Gaza.

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/israel-news/article-897708
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-petition-high-court-to-block-appointment-of-new-antiquities-authority-chief/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897713
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-897712
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-897588
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897706
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/ryhotkmlfe