HEADLINES
EU Probes PA Pay-for-Slay Policy
Missiles Seized at Moldova Border for Israel
Germany Bans River-to-Sea Slogans

The time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 1:00 a.m., this is the latest from the Middle East and related international developments. In Jakarta, Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization has called for its leader to resign after he invited a pro-Israeli speaker, a move that sparked internal controversy. The invited speaker’s background was questioned, and Staquf apologized, saying the invitation was an oversight and that he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. In Washington, longtime Democratic pollster and Israel advocate Mark Mellman has died at age 70, leaving a record of work that linked Jewish values with Democratic policy and public support for Israel in political campaigns and public life. In Berlin, Germany’s antisemitism commissioner urged that slogans such as “From the river to the sea” be illegal, reflecting a broader push in Europe to curb anti-Jewish incitement and pro-Palestinian rhetoric following the latest security challenges in the region. In Tel Aviv, Judy Chicago’s feminist art exhibition has prompted international debate and boycott calls, with Israeli and Palestinian artists urging the artist and Nadya Tolokonnikova not to “artwash” the genocide and ongoing ethnic cleansing in Gaza. An opinion piece questions the extent to which a Polish official’s defense of Holocaust history adequately accounts for those Poles who aided the Germans, noting that while Poles did not perpetrate the genocide, collaborators must be acknowledged. In the security arena, Dr. Barak Bouks explains Israel’s stance that extremist groups cannot regroup near its southern border in Syria, with Israeli operations aimed at preventing militant footholds along the frontier; Regavim’s Naomi Kahn contends that UN data on settler violence significantly underreports incidents recorded by Israeli authorities, highlighting a substantial reporting gap. The scene near Huwara also drew attention as a vehicle arson incident underscored ongoing tensions in the area. In Brussels, the European Union is probing the Palestinian Authority over pay-for-slay policies, with officials noting the program was reported to have ended in February after a decree from President Mahmoud Abbas, a development that continues to shape euro Atlantic think tanks’ discussions about funding and security policy in the region. In Israeli media, a new documentary on Hot 8 and Next TV titled Service Year for Seniors offers a glimpse into older Israelis’ efforts to revitalize kibbutzim along the Gaza border, while a separate piece profiles a rehabilitation farm in Samaria established in memory of Captain Elad Siman-Tov, whose family says his life’s mission is to help wounded veterans. An opinion piece juxtaposes Europe’s struggle with antisemitism and global Jewish identity, framing the debate as one of Europe’s enduring challenge to Judaism itself. On the cultural front, Spanish singer Rosalía’s Lux, which includes Hebrew verses among its multilingual repertoire, is drawing critical acclaim and broad attention, highlighting how language and faith motifs can intersect with contemporary music. The Times of Israel highlights ongoing opportunities to explore Israeli documentary cinema through DocuNation, inviting audiences to watch films with English subtitles and engage with creators, while calling on readers to support independent journalism. In Eastern Europe, Romanian customs authorities report intercepting a cache of missiles and launchers at the Moldova border, including Igla and Stinger missiles and Kornet launchers, with a driver claiming the cargo was intended for Israel; Moldovan lawmakers are examining the possibility of a Ukraine-linked smuggling ring and seeking a joint probe to investigate the supply chain. Beyond the headlines, these developments continue to shape perceptions of security, memory, culture, and political life across the region and beyond, underscoring the interconnected challenges facing Israel, its partners, and the broader international community. That is the latest for the moment; we will continue to monitor these stories as they develop.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874771
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-874645
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/sye11vy9lze
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-874591
https://www.timesofisrael.com/rosalias-new-album-soars-with-hebrew-verses-and-sacred-imagery/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1ucihrlbl