Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-23 at 19:01

HEADLINES
Trump touts largely negotiated Iran peace deal
Protests outside Zamir over Messiah patch
Al Jazeera fuels antisemitism worldwide

The time is now 7:01 PM 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 on Saturday said a peace agreement had been largely negotiated among the United States, Iran, and a group of Middle Eastern partners including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain. He added that he had a separate phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that went very well, and that the details would be announced publicly in due course. He indicated one element under consideration would be the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Fars news agency pushed back, saying the Strait would remain under Iran’s control and calling Trump’s announcement incomplete. Earlier, reports in the Financial Times suggested the United States and Iran were near a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, with talks to address outstanding issues and terms that could include a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Israel and GOP hawks deeply worried as Trump says Iran deal ‘largely negotiated’ also highlights concerns in Jerusalem and among Republican lawmakers that the emerging framework may not fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The president described the Netanyahu conversation as having gone “very well,” but Israeli and American reporting indicates behind-the-scenes tension, with Netanyahu reportedly convening an urgent meeting with coalition leaders and top security officials as details circulated. Israeli officials warned the framework could be “very bad” for Israel if it proceeds and cautioned that any agreement should address the Iran threat in a comprehensive way.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Dozens of right-wing protesters gathered outside the home of IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir in the Sharon region after a soldier wearing a "Messiah" patch was jailed following Zamir’s visit to the guard post. The protesters waved Israeli flags, played loud music, and held signs reading “traitor, enemy of Israel.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded on social media, saying the incident was a direct result of incitement by government members against the IDF and its leaders. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett also blamed the current government for inciting in attacks on security officials, arguing the government promotes a draft-dodging law and targets the IDF. Yashar! party chairman and former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot joined the dialogue, posting that the calls outside Zamir’s home cross a line. Jerusalem Day’s violence should not erase the memory of a divided city - opinion adds that media framing around Jerusalem’s unity again drew sharp scrutiny, noting that while this year’s events were less violent than in the past and included a protective presence from peace and human rights activists, the day remains a flashpoint in competing narratives about the city’s history. The author argues there is no need for violence when marching through Jerusalem’s Old City and cautions that sensational coverage can undermine a shared memory of the city’s past.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Qatari media fueled global antisemitism after Oct. 7 - the world must take notice - opinion contends that a new wave of antisemitism has taken root in the Western world and that it has been amplified by Qatari media. The piece, written by a journalist with extensive experience in the Al Jazeera network, asserts that Al Jazeera and related outlets, including AJ+, Faadat Media, Ana Al Arabi, and the broader Al Jazeera Group, have reached vast audiences with content that helps drive this trend. It cites 8.5 billion views across AJ platforms since the onset of the US-Israel conflict against Iran’s regime to a pause in operations, highlighting the network’s broad reach across Arabic, English, French, and Spanish language audiences.

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-897063
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-and-gop-hawks-deeply-worried-as-trump-says-iran-deal-largely-negotiated/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-897065
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896833
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896974