Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-13 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Yuan Hua Hu passes Hormuz amid blockade
Israel fears Trump Iran deal pitfalls
Knesset dissolution nears over conscription bill

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a Chinese Very Large Crude Carrier named Yuan Hua Hu sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, carrying about two million barrels of Iraqi crude after being stranded in the Gulf for more than two months due to the US-Iran war. The vessel is now anchored off the Gulf of Oman near a US naval blockade on Iranian vessels. The crossing comes as President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are set to meet over the next two days, and after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Beijing last week. The voyage marks the third known passage by a Chinese oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran on February 28, according to ship-tracking data. Iran has tightened control over the strait, cutting deals with Iraq and Pakistan to ship oil and LNG from the region, with other countries exploring similar arrangements that could entrench Tehran's influence over the waterway.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israeli officials told CNN they fear President Donald Trump may reach a "bad deal" with Iran, potentially with last-minute concessions if he grows tired of talks. While the United States and Israel are aligned on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, issues such as ballistic missiles and regional proxies appear not to be central in early drafts, with one source saying these matters are probably off the table. Officials warned that a partial deal could lift economic pressure and give the Iranian regime a chance to stabilize, complicating Israel's security concerns. The two allies continue to coordinate their actions as diplomacy unfolds.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, coalition members are pushing bills before the Knesset dissolves. Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chair MK Simcha Rothman has accelerated discussion on a bill to split the attorney-general role into three positions, with an initial vote expected next week. Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the haredi Degel Hatorah faction, gave a green light to dissolving the Knesset as soon as possible over the haredi conscription bill, a move that could trigger early elections next October, with opposition parties Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu, the Democrats, and Ra'am in favor of dispersing the Knesset. An analysis piece argues Bennett has built political vehicles rather than lasting establishments, with his new merger with Lapid described as a vehicle to win elections and pursue broader change. President Isaac Herzog urged negotiations for an agreed resolution in Netanyahu's criminal trial, calling for dialogue and possible talks intended to test a plea arrangement to reduce deep divisions in Israeli society.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, rumors have circulated this week that Kanye West may perform in Israel after apologizing for past antisemitic remarks, a report has suggested. Skepticism and backlash within the Israeli music industry have been voiced, with doubts about whether the plan will materialize. West last performed in Israel in 2015 and visited the country that year with his then-wife, Kim Kardashian. He has made antisemitic statements in recent years, including remarks in 2022 and a 2025 music video containing extremist imagery. Berlin’s Deportation Monument on the Putlitz Bridge, a Holocaust memorial for Jews deported to concentration camps, was vandalized on Tuesday evening, the latest in a series of antisemitic acts in the German capital. The memorial has faced repeated vandalism since its creation, including white paint and parcel tape in August, with earlier incidents in November 2024 and a history that includes a 1992 bombing repaired the following year; a stele at the Berlin memorial was found covered in green graffiti as well, part of a broader pattern of antisemitic vandalism in the city.

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/middle-east/iran-news/article-896072
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-896066
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896079
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896077
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896076
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896080
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896078