Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 01:02

HEADLINES
Trump Makes Iran Nuke Blockade Top Priority
Nazi Looted Painting Resurfaces in Dutch Descendant
Israel Advances to Eurovision Final Amid Boos

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump said stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is his top priority, telling reporters that Americans’ financial struggles do not factor into his approach to ending the Iran war. “Not even a little bit” about the economy, he said, adding that the only thing that matters is that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. White House aides stressed that the president’s ultimate responsibility is safety and security. Trump is also set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as tensions over Iran, trade, and Taiwan loom, with aims to secure trade deals, press China to open up to US firms, and seek support for a three-way nuclear arms pact with Russia. In Tehran, Iran has laid out five trust-building conditions for the United States to enter a second round of negotiations to end the war, describing them as minimum guarantees: ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon; lifting sanctions; releasing frozen Iranian assets; compensating for war damage; and recognizing Iran’s sovereignty rights over the Strait of Hormuz. The report also notes Iran informed Pakistani mediators that the continuation of the US naval blockade in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman after the ceasefire has reinforced Tehran’s distrust toward negotiations, with the conditions framed as prerequisites for returning to talks under a renewed framework.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Nazi-looted painting has resurfaced in the home of descendants of a Dutch SS collaborator. Portrait of a Young Girl by Toon Kelder, once in the collection of Jewish art collector Jacques Goudstikker, hung for years in the hallway of Hendrik Seyffardt’s granddaughter’s home after being taken when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands. Art detective Arthur Brand called the case the most bizarre of his career, and the relator who found it expressed shame and urged restitution of the looted work. In another reflection on Jewish life and memory, Abraham Foxman’s funeral paid tribute to a leading Holocaust-era voice and longtime ADL leader. Foxman, who died at 86, spent decades steering the Anti-Defamation League and shaped Jewish advocacy at the highest levels of government and faith communities. Mourners at Park Avenue included reflections on how his generation’s Holocaust experiences informed contemporary leadership and moral authority. A separate note from Pennsylvania highlights antisemitism within party politics: Judge David Wecht, a Jewish member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, left the Democratic Party to register as an independent, arguing that antisemitism has moved from the fringe to the mainstream. He cited troubling incidents and rhetoric and urged action against Jew-hatred, recalling his own history with antisemitism and the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shooting as a turning point.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Arkia announced a new long-haul expansion with flights to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The weekly service, starting in October 2026, will complement Arkia’s Hanoi route launched earlier this year, with departures from Tel Aviv on Thursdays and from Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday nights. Arkia’s leadership described the move as part of a broader plan to extend long-haul operations and deepen ties with the East, while executives stressed strong demand from Israeli travelers for Vietnam and the opportunity to offer a more convenient, flexible itinerary by combining Hanoi and Saigon to access the country’s wider travel network.

In Uplifting News, Israel advances to the Eurovision final despite boos. Israel’s Noam Bettan moved on after performing “Michelle” in Vienna, where anti-Israel chants rose in the arena. Bettan said he heard the jeers but drew strength from pro-Israel supporters in the crowd, and during the Hebrew portion he felt he was singing to Israel. The song, performed in Hebrew, French, and English, was co-written by last year’s Israeli Eurovision star Yuval Raphael, who joined Bettan for a duet during the official presentation. The contest has been marked by controversy over Israel’s participation, including boycott calls and protests as the competition moves forward.

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/international/article-895979
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hywrjkbyme
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76232
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895981
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-895978
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-895977
https://www.jpost.com/travel/article-895980
https://worldisraelnews.com/against-the-boos-israel-advances-to-eurovision-final/