Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-15 at 04:02

HEADLINES
Trump warns Iran: deal or annihilation
Israelis prefer Netanyahu retirement, poll finds
Eurovision 2026 defines Noam Ben-Tan moment

The time is now 4:01 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 warned that he will not be “much more patient” with Iran’s leadership and that Iran can either make a deal or be annihilated. He spoke after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying the two leaders agreed Iran should not have nuclear weapons and reiterated that the United States will not allow Iran to develop or obtain such weapons because they would use them. He also referenced Iran’s enriched uranium and suggested he would prefer to secure it rather than leave it entombed after US and Israeli strikes that damaged Iran’s nuclear program in 2025, adding that the United States believes Iran has been rebuilding in the weeks since the ceasefire and that Tehran should be watched closely.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a new poll finds a slight majority of Israelis would prefer that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retire from political life rather than run in the upcoming Knesset elections, with 55% expressing that view and 38% wanting him to run, while 7% are undecided. The survey also projects the coalition dropping to 49 mandates and the opposition gaining a majority of 61 seats, helped by gains for Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar! Party to 16 seats, even as Likud and Otzma Yehudit each lose one seat. Separately, the Attorney General announced a postponement in the prosecution in the case involving the harassment of a state witness, Momo Filber, against the Prime Minister’s aides due to an inability to bring Shorolik Einhoren to Israel; the case is not closed, but the pause marks a development in a long-running matter.

In Uplifting News, Eurovision 2026 coverage features Yisachar Cohen describing the victory’s essence for Noam Ben-Tan, calling it a defining moment of the event. The entertainment beat also highlights the race for a million: Tom Shlakh’s bid to claim the prize led to him skipping a celebratory moment with friends Or and Adi. Not in Israel, Omri Adam and Sasha Israelovitch are reported to be preparing for a wedding. In other profiles, Noam Ben-Tan is described as peaking before Yitzhar Cohen reveals new details about him, and Cohen discusses psychological themes in a broader look at the past. Lior Raz speaks about the return of a key figure, saying he is missed but will come back, and a feature on Fauda season 5 reveals what Lior Raz shares about the production and its trajectory.

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-896297
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896302
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321694
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321712
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321711
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321709
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321707
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321705
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321704
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321693
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1321692