Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-20 at 01:01

HEADLINES
- US trims NATO crisis commitments to Europe
- Ahmadinejad coup bid wounded in Tehran strike
- Vance: Iran war won't be forever

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 Military Role, the Trump administration plans to tell NATO allies this week that it will shrink the pool of military capabilities that the United States would have available to assist European nations in a major crisis under the NATO Force Model, with the Pentagon significantly scaling down its crisis-time commitment as part of a policy to shift primary security responsibility to European partners; details remain unclear about how quickly the shift will occur, but officials say the plan to lessen the commitment will be announced on a Friday. Separately, a New York Times report, citing US officials, says the United States and Israel planned to install former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and helped him escape the country; a strike on his Tehran home was reportedly aimed at freeing him from house arrest, but after he was wounded he backed away from the coup plan.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, War with Iran not a forever war, says Vance. During a White House briefing, Vice President JD Vance said the confrontation with Iran will not be a “forever war,” arguing that escalation without a diplomatic solution would serve long-term US security interests; he defended Trump policies, stood in for the press secretary, and answered questions for nearly an hour. He declined to rule out using taxpayer money to compensate people convicted of assaulting police during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, dismissed European worries that Washington might scrap troop deployments to Poland as overblown, and called a reporter’s suggestion that Trump’s stock purchases raised corruption concerns “absurd.”

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Leiter’s blunt accuracy may be undiplomatic, but his criticism is valid - editorial. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter criticized J Street and suggested that US Senator Bernie Sanders should not be described as a Jew in certain contexts, arguing that one cannot be pro-Israel while advocating for an arms embargo on a state fighting a seven-front war against Iranian proxies. He faulted J Street’s call to end military aid to Israel, including weapons systems such as Iron Dome, while saying he meets with pro-Palestinian groups; he added that if they truly preferred a pro-Palestinian stance, they should not claim to be pro-democracy or deny the position of Israel’s democratically elected government. Former state comptroller Daniel Hershkowitz has withdrawn from the race for the post of Israel’s state comptroller. Eight illegal migrants were arrested after being concealed in the double hull of a moving truck as it attempted to enter Israel; the driver, a man in his 40s from Kafr Qasim, was captured along with the eight suspects, and the vehicle was seized for investigation.

In Uplifting News, Six Israeli hiking trails and natural sites to reconnect with nature this Shavuot. The Jewish holiday of Shavuot, beginning Thursday evening, is a time to celebrate nature, water, and renewal. The Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund invites Israelis to explore some of its most beautiful water hiking trails across the country, suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. Trails highlighted include the Sataf Trail in the Jerusalem hills, with options like the Village Trail for novices and the Baal Trail for more advanced hikers. Visitors are urged to bring a garbage bag, wear proper footwear and headwear, and carry plenty of drinking water.

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-896767
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bka4o351fx
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-896773
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896742
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323521
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323519
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-896768