Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-29 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Drone downed in Yemen; Hezbollah drones drop
Trump-backed Blakeman at NYC Israel expo
Manhattan protest over Jerusalem real estate sale

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, reports indicate two developments. First, there are reports of the downing of an American drone over Marib province in Yemen. Second, Hezbollah says its use of explosive drones has sharply declined, with 3 drones used yesterday, 9 on May 27, 13 on May 26, 11 on May 25, and only 1 so far today.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Bruce Blakeman, the New York Republican gubernatorial candidate endorsed by President Trump, attended Thursday’s Israeli real estate expo in Midtown Manhattan to show his support for Israel and investment. He was among hundreds at the day-long event. In the evening, as has become routine at similar events in the five boroughs, scores of protesters gathered. Blakeman joked, “They’ll have two places. They’ll want to live in both.” Throughout the day, representatives from dozens of Israeli real estate companies handed out pamphlets and information about properties for sale. Some of the properties being shown were in Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem, which many countries consider illegal. Blakeman trailed Hochul by 16 percentage points in Siena’s late April poll. Hochul has pushed statewide buffer zone legislation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel is described in an opinion piece as losing the information war, with the author arguing that Israel rarely tries to engage public diplomacy and did not counter a New York Times column about Munther Amira, leaving the impression that the government did not respond. The piece emphasizes that “Israel didn’t try.” Separately, another analysis notes that as Israel enters election season, opponents face a math problem: a leaked recording of Yair Golan suggests he does not rule out forming a coalition with haredi parties, saying he would vote in favor if the government could be built without the Likud, the Religious Zionist party, and Otzma Yehudit, while criticizing rapid mass conscription as populism.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, activists protest a Jerusalem real estate event in Manhattan, chanting statements such as “From the water to the water, Palestine is Arab” and “Brick by brick, wall by wall, Zionism will fall.” Protesters affiliated with PAL-Awda NY/NJ waved a terrorist flag and one participant wore a martyr poster in support of a deceased Palestinian Islamic Jihad gunman. Security barriers around the event were the focus of confrontations with police as protesters argued against Israeli control of Jerusalem. The organizers characterized the event as an illegal land sale.

In Uplifting News, charity on JGive’s platform rose 200% after October 7, signaling a shift to online giving. Donations from Diaspora donors through JGive increased 200% since October 7, while donations from within Israel rose 226% in the same period. About 400 million NIS were donated through JGive in 2025, with 125 million NIS coming from Diaspora sources. One in two Israelis donates at least once a year, and one in five do so online. JGive founder Ori Ben Shlomo said donors in New York, London, and Toronto are now giving directly alongside Israelis in real time, with transparency and more of every dollar reaching its goals.

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://t.me/newssil/202596
https://t.me/selena_updates/64576
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897748
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-897645
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-897701
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-897751
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-897749