HEADLINES
GOP Divided Over Unwavering Israel Backing
Israel Reveals Hamas Targeting Plans
Australia Confronts Antisemitism After Bondi Attack

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., the day’s mid‑weight developments in the Middle East are shaping policy, security calculations, and public conversation about Israel and its allies. In Washington, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee reaffirmed his commitment to Israel, even as critics within the MAGA spectrum question whether US backing serves national interests. Voices such as Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have raised questions about the prudence and strategic value of unwavering support for Israel. The exchange underscores a continuing division inside allied political circles over how best to align security guarantees with broader US priorities.

Across oceans, Australia is wrestling with antisemitism in the wake of the Bondi Chanukah attack. Commentary and analysis argue that gun-law discussions, while necessary, do not address the deeper challenges of antisemitism and radicalisation. The discussion highlights the need for sustained attention to hate speech, community safety, and effective governance capable of deterring extremist recruitment and violence.

From Israel, remarkable interviews with officers of the air force involved in Project Nahalat Binyamin describe the moment‑by‑moment planning of a targeted operation against a Hamas commander, including precise timing and the awareness of the risk to hostages. The officers say the mission required decisions about when to act, how to minimize harm to civilians, and how to balance military objectives with the protection of innocents, illustrating the weight of responsibility borne by those on the front lines.

Inside Israel’s domestic arena, a confrontation over culture funding has intensified as Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatens to cut public support for the film industry and to cancel the Film Law. He argues that some in the industry and in its leadership sought to pressure nominees and stage an alternate awards ceremony after the Ophir Awards controversy, including a top prize awarded to The Sea, a film about a Palestinian boy. The minister contends that public money should reflect the state’s values and security priorities, a stance that has sparked broad debate about artistic freedom and national identity.

Security reporting also notes ongoing coordination in Jericho between Israeli security forces and the Palestinian Authority, highlighting a context in which cooperation persists in certain operations amid a broader conflict landscape. The arrangement points to the complicated and uneven set of relationships that persist in the region as dynamics shift.

On a humanitarian note, the bone marrow bank established by the families of fallen soldiers saved its first lives, offering hope to cancer patients and underscoring resilience in the face of loss for the broader community.

These items illustrate a moment when security concerns, political debate, and social tensions intersect in ways that affect daily life and long‑term policy. We will continue to monitor developments and report with balance and care.

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/christianworld/article-880957
https://www.israellycool.com/2025/12/22/bondi-wasnt-just-a-gun-failure-australias-antisemitism-reckoning/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880948
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880680
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880654
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/bkpjwjlm11l
https://www.timesofisrael.com/culture-minister-threatens-to-end-all-state-funding-for-film-industry-amid-awards-spat/
https://t.me/newssil/184301
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-880956