Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-09 at 21:02

HEADLINES
Israel uncovers Iranian plot to kill Trump
Platner Nazi tattoo fuels Israel policy debate
Arkia sale sparks labor action over Shabbat

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel shared new intelligence with the United States about a new Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday night, citing people familiar with the matter. The report follows the latest bout of attacks between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The Journal notes that Israel’s embassy in Washington declined to comment and Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment. The White House reportedly referred the Journal to comments Trump made on Wednesday in Ankara during the NATO summit, saying, “They want to take out the US leader, me.” He added, “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.” Earlier on Thursday, crowds in Mashhad awaiting former supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral cortege chanted slogans demanding revenge on Trump for his killing, including the line, “I swear by the blood of the Supreme Leader, Trump, we will kill you!”

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Maine Democratic Senate race following the exit of Graham Platner has brought into focus how replacements view Israel policy. Candidates are split on issues such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence, arms sales to Israel, and whether there was a genocide in Gaza, with perspectives shaped by past and recent remarks. Pro-Israel groups Democratic Majority for Israel and the Jewish Democratic Council of America have urged the party to nominate a candidate who aligns with their values; Platner’s record raised concern among Jewish groups due to his Nazi tattoo and his stance on Israel. DMFI’s president Brian Romick said he does not understand why progressives had supported “a candidate with so many obvious red flags, including an allegation of sexual assault and a Nazi tattoo.” Platner has denied the assault allegation and said he did not know what the tattoo depicted.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a proposed sale of Arkia Israel Airlines to Brooklyn-based Haredi real estate developer Ezra Unger faces strong opposition from employee-shareholders who hold 22.1% of the company and warn they would take labor action if Shabbat and Jewish holiday flights are halted. Unger has expressed support for ending Shabbat flights, while no deal has been finalized and the Nakash family is considering other offers.

In Uplifting News, the Maccabiah baseball field in Ra’anana, the Ezra Schwartz Memorial Field, stands as a symbol of Israeli resilience and a home for players and fans. A six-game Maccabiah series pitted Team USA against Team Israel, with the Americans winning game seven 5-1 after the series was tied 3-3. The tournament’s broader context includes last year’s delay of the 22nd Maccabiah Games due to the 12-day war with Iran, which prompted some athletes to drop out. USA coach Wayne Stotsky noted that the teams merged from two rosters and that they “never even got to train together” before the games.

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/article-902082
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-902081
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56952
https://www.timesofisrael.com/maccabiah-baseball-field-is-a-symbol-of-israeli-resilience-and-a-home-for-players-and-fans/