Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-25 at 18:01

HEADLINES
Netanyahu travels to Washington for Trump talks
Nine arrested at Kaplan Street Tel Aviv
Israel folk dance bridges youth and olim

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office says Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington next Monday at the invitation of President Trump, will meet with the President on Tuesday at the White House, and will participate in the funeral procession for Senator Lindsey Graham.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, police arrested nine protesters Saturday night after determining the gathering on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv was unlawful due to a lack of coordination with security forces, and the demonstration was evacuated shortly after. Earlier, groups announced a mass demonstration in Habima Square calling for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre and for equality in bearing the burden of the war. The protest came three days before the Supreme Court is set to hear petitions against a law freezing the arrests of draft evaders in a hearing before an expanded panel of nine justices, with observers noting that although the Knesset may have dissolved, the government has not stopped seeking to shift responsibility and place a heavier burden on the serving public.

In Uplifting News, Komuna reports on efforts to connect young Israelis and olim through Israeli folk dance, recounting how Hila Mukdasi, who started dancing after being captivated by her parents’ sessions at age six, introduced Israeli folk dance to peers while studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and identified a gap in youth participation in folk dance groups that were largely adult-dominated; she recalls dancing old dances such as Tsadik katamar, hours, and line dances from kindergarten, with participants sometimes “flying in the air.” Also part of the Israel Festival coverage, Getting to know Etty Hillesum, the Holocaust diarist, notes Hagai Levy’s miniseries Etty has drawn attention to Hillesum in contrast to the better-known Anne Frank, and previews performances of The Thinking Heart at the Jerusalem Theatre on August 6 and 7 (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and noon, respectively) as part of the festival. The Israel Festival runs July 28 through August 20 with shows, concerts and cultural events at venues around Jerusalem, including appearances linked to Henry Crown Auditorium, though the piece emphasizes smaller-audience venues for some offerings.

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/selena_updates/67739
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-903613
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-903460
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-903449