Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-07 at 08:01

HEADLINES
Turkey F-35 sale stirs Israel objections
Israeli High Court warns of societal breakdown
Jewish visitors chased by mob in Barcelona

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 US Policy Concerning Israel, the emerging plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite Jerusalem’s objections, signals a possible shift from decades of American policy designed to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. The move would be the biggest gesture yet from President Trump toward Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has warmed ties with Washington as he hosts a NATO summit. Washington has long tied the F-35 program to Turkey’s removal from it after Ankara’s 2019 purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, which remains a sore point. Congress has passed a law prohibiting any F-35 sales to Turkey as long as Ankara retains the S-400s. Current law also blocks Turkey from operating or possessing the S-400 if it wishes to participate in US-made aircraft programs. Ankara has floated the possibility of transferring the S-400 system to a third country as part of ongoing talks.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court warns of ‘anarchy,’ societal breakdown if officials flout its rulings. The High Court of Justice cautioned that elected and public officials who do not abide by court rulings may be liable for civil damages suits, and that failure to comply could lead to societal breakdown and unchecked government power. The court referred to a government declaration that a June ruling regarding the Second Authority media regulation body was not valid, and it urged adherence to the ruling despite the government’s position. Justice Minister Yariv Levin responded by criticizing the court, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the court as a “judicial mafia” using “extortion” to achieve its goals, underscoring the ongoing clash between the judiciary and the government.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Jewish visitors to Spain chased by antisemitic mob for 90 minutes. Two visibly Jewish tourists in Barcelona were pursued through city streets after attending Friday night synagogue services, with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain saying dozens followed them, shouting antisemitic insults while the men wore kippot and, in one case, Hasidic attire. The incident began when a heavily tattooed woman wearing a keffiyeh and a sports bra allegedly started the abuse, and the crowd’s actions escalated as others joined. Jewish Dems bemoan rising antisemitic hostility within party, with Michigan State Representative Noah Arbit saying he is witnessing “the unmasking of American antisemitism under the guise of criticism of Israel.” New York City Comptroller Mark Levine told CNN that conversations on unrelated policy issues frequently shift toward Israel, and that progressives feel added pressure to adopt anti-Israel positions to remain accepted, signaling a tightening climate for Jewish officials within some political spaces.

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/s1rygdqqgx
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sources-confirm-trump-expected-to-support-sale-of-f-35-jets-to-turkey/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-court-warns-of-anarchy-societal-breakdown-if-officials-flout-its-rulings/
https://worldisraelnews.com/jewish-visitors-to-spain-chased-by-antisemitic-mob-for-90-minutes/
https://worldisraelnews.com/jewish-dems-bemoan-rising-antisemitic-hostility-within-party/