Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-01 at 13:01

HEADLINES
Harris courts pro-Palestinian left for 2028 bid
Israel backs 1915 Armenian Genocide recognition
Israel forms six-member Oct 7 probe panel

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, reports say Vice President Kamala Harris held a private call with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week and has been holding closed-door meetings with progressive figures, including pro-Palestinian activists, according to an Axios report. The discussions centered on the future of the Democratic Party and plans for further conversations. Harris has exchanged text messages with Mamdani in recent months, and the call followed wins by three Mamdani-backed candidates in New York City primary races. Analysts and party members have described the sequence as part of a broader shift that has unsettled some moderates. The conversations are described as an effort to repair and strengthen ties with left-wing members in hopes of laying groundwork for a 2028 presidential run, and to reconnect with members of the pro-Palestinian Uncommitted National Movement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government has unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar's proposal to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Officials say the move reflects a moral obligation Israel bears toward victims of the genocide; however, critics ask why such a recognition is being pursued now after decades of caution citing strategic and diplomatic concerns. The debate notes that Israeli public broadcasters once prepared a documentary on the killings, but pressure from government and security establishment after Turkey warned that airing it could jeopardize security ties reportedly kept it from airing. Separately, Noam Shapira was appointed Director of Israel's National Public Diplomacy Staff, a post that had been vacant since January 2023. The government exempted the appointment from the usual tender process, drawing criticism from other candidates who perceived the process as predetermined. Shapira, a former IDF commander in the Operations Directorate, has connections to a unit linked to an online influence operation during the October 7 period, according to reports. Shapira has defended his past actions and the appointment. Also, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth sent a letter to Shin Bet Director David Zini, seeking intervention against the High Court and noting a pending election dispute. Bismuth hinted that the court’s interim order to freeze the comptroller election amid concerns about a tampering with secret ballot rules could extend to influence in the Knesset elections, a suggestion critics call inflammatory given Netanyahu’s track record. Polling in recent months has shown the opposition bloc ahead by a margin, though observers caution that polls can be unreliable. Former Supreme Court justice Edna Arbel, who served as state attorney before joining the bench, died on Wednesday. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2004 and retired in 2014, after a career spanning the Central District Prosecution, the Tel Aviv District Court, and a period as acting attorney-general. State Attorney Amit Aisman and the State Attorney’s Office expressed deep sorrow, crediting her with shaping Israel’s law enforcement system. The government told the High Court on Wednesday that legislation to establish an alternative framework for investigating the October 7 massacre is expected to pass its first Knesset reading on Monday, July 6. The bill would create a six-member panel with the support of 80 MKs, though revisions allow the panel to operate with as few as three members. The government also asked the court for another 30 days to submit a further update in petitions demanding a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures and the ensuing war. The update was filed on the deadline set by the court in April, when justices asked for progress toward an investigative framework. The government maintains it is legally authorized to decide whether to establish an inquiry, its mandate, and when it should begin. Separately, former deputy Supreme Court president Prof. Hanan Melcer warned that election integrity is at risk ahead of a possible early vote, urging preparation against artificial intelligence, anonymous online activity, and foreign interference. He stressed there should be no anonymity in election-related social network activity and warned that AI adds new challenges that officials must address.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Air Haifa will operate up to 10 daily flights between Ben-Gurion and Ramon airports starting at the end of October, connecting Israel’s main international airport with Ramon Airport near Eilat. Ticket prices and the flight schedule will be announced after relevant slots are allocated. The move is part of Air Haifa’s broader growth plan following a year and a half of expanding operations from Haifa Airport and aiming to turn it into a regional hub. The airline will receive two additional ATR 72-600 aircraft over the next year, bringing its fleet to eight, and plans to increase Haifa Airport activity by about 40 percent during the coming winter with more flights and seats. The expansion coincides with efforts to extend Haifa’s runway to broaden the route network.

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/american-politics/article-901115
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901134
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901127
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-901131