Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-01 at 12:02

HEADLINES
Saudi blocks Hormuz escort mission
Harris courts Mamdani for 2028 support
Israel court overhaul names 26 more judges

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, Saudi pressed Trump to halt naval Hormuz mission over fears of renewed Iran war, with Riyadh blocking the use of Saudi airspace for Project Freedom and forcing Washington to shut down the Strait of Hormuz escort mission within 48 hours.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Harris courting Mamdani, pro-Palestinian activists in effort to win 2028 support - report. A private call with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week and closed-door meetings with prominent progressive figures, including pro-Palestinian activists, signal ongoing efforts to repair and strengthen ties within the Democratic Party to lay groundwork for a 2028 presidential bid. Harris has reportedly exchanged text messages with Mamdani amid a wave of progressive wins that has unsettled some moderates, and she appears to be seeking renewed connections with the pro-Palestinian Uncommitted National Movement as part of those efforts.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Judicial Selection Committee picked 26 more judges and senior registrars after an extended freeze, adding to 68 officials chosen earlier in the week. The latest selections include one Haifa Family Court judge, eight Magistrate’s Court judges for the Southern District (including one for Eilat), and 17 senior registrars across the North, Haifa, Central, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the South. Supreme Court President Isaac Amit called the move significant for the court system and the public, while Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who chairs the committee, said 290 judges and senior registrars have now been selected in the current term, representing more than 30% of Israel’s judges and describing the process as a real revolution in judicial appointments. Separately, Lieutenant-Colonel (Res.) Noam Shapira was appointed Director of Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Staff, a post vacant since January 2023. The appointment drew criticism over the selection process, which was exempted from the usual tender, and background concerns about his past role in influence operations, including ties to a Telegram channel linked to the IDF’s influence department. Other developments included Boaz Bismuth’s letter to Shin Bet urging intervention against a High Court ruling and potentially the upcoming Knesset elections, raising questions about judicial involvement in electoral matters. Former Supreme Court justice Edna Arbel, who served as state attorney and on the High Court, died at age 79, leaving a legacy spanning prosecution, the court, and international engagement. In legislative and policy moves, the government informed the High Court that a bill to establish an alternative framework for investigating the October 7 massacre is set for its first Knesset reading on Monday, with a six-member panel proposed and a minimum of 80 MPs required for support, though the panel could operate with as few as three members; the court had demanded progress on a broader state inquiry. Former deputy Supreme Court president Hanan Melcer warned that election integrity and press freedom are at risk ahead of a possible early vote, urging preparation against AI, anonymous online activity, and foreign interference, and advocating that election-related online activity carry accountability. A June Bimkom study reported a rapid expansion of Israeli settlement jurisdiction in the West Bank, noting 114 military orders since October 2023 that added about 6,200 acres to settlement jurisdictions and led to 53 new settlements, signaling continued growth during the Gaza war and the establishment of legal groundwork for future expansion.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Air Haifa expands with a new Ben-Gurion-Eilat route and up to 10 daily flights. The airline plans up to 10 daily departures between Ben-Gurion and Ramon airports starting at the end of October, connecting Israel’s main international hub with the Ramon airport near Eilat. Ticket prices and flight times will be released after slots are allocated. The move fits Air Haifa’s growth strategy as it expands operations from Haifa Airport toward becoming a regional hub. The plan includes two additional ATR 72-600 aircraft over the next year, bringing the fleet to eight, with efforts to boost Haifa’s activity by about 40% in the coming winter and to push ahead with a runway extension to widen network possibilities.

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.ynetnews.com/article/rynbn2gmfx
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-901115
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901120
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901119
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901117
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901114
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901108
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901131