Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-22 at 12:01

HEADLINES
Global powers condemn West Bank E1 expansion
Qatar mediates Iran war talks with US
France drafts UNSC mission to Hormuz

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, Western powers including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s policies in the West Bank and a rise in settler violence, calling the West Bank settlements illegal under international law and saying that construction in the E1 area would divide the territory. The countries warned that businesses could face legal and reputational consequences if they participate in the E1 project, which would add about 3,400 housing units, and urged Israel to halt settlement expansion and the broader administrative measures in the West Bank while calling for accountability for settler violence, investigations into allegations against Israeli forces, respect for the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s Holy Sites and the historic status quo, and the lifting of financial restrictions on the Palestinian economy. In a related development, a Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran, working in coordination with the United States to help reach a final deal to end the war with Iran and resolve outstanding issues, reflecting Qatar’s return to mediation in the region despite a shaky ceasefire and no major breakthrough yet. Separately, the Netherlands proposed a measure to ban the import, sale and intermediary services for goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, arguing the move would prevent Dutch activity from contributing to the unlawful occupation and push back against settlement expansion and violence. The Cabinet described the decree as necessary to uphold international obligations and to keep a two-state path within reach. France has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution to set up an international mission to restore movement in the Strait of Hormuz and could submit it if conditions permit, as Washington struggles to bring a US-backed text to a vote that Russia and China might veto; control of Hormuz remains a critical bottleneck for global energy trade and a major hurdle in talks to end the Iran conflict. Finally, a Pakistan armed forces plane was reported en route to Iran, signaling ongoing regional contacts.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there has been some progress in talks with Iran and that the United States remains in constant communication with Pakistani mediators, while cautioning that “there is more work to be done” and that they are “not there yet.” He stressed that the core aim remains preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and noted the need to discuss future uranium enrichment and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the president would prefer a negotiated good deal but has other options if talks fail. Rubio emphasized continued engagement with Pakistan as mediators and said there was no specific request for NATO assistance on the Strait. Separately, the United States paused a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan due to military constraints linked to the Iran war, with Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao explaining the pause is to ensure munitions are available for the ongoing mission, while assuring that foreign military sales will resume when the administration deems appropriate. Taiwan’s government and its defense ministry said they had not received information about any changes to the sales or delays, and President Donald Trump indicated he was undecided on whether to approve the package following a summit with China’s Xi Jinping.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, an opinion piece argues that Shavuot offers a lesson about sovereignty rooted in memory and covenant rather than geography alone. It notes that the Jewish people became a nation before the land promised in the Torah, a reversal of the typical historical pattern where geography and borders precede governance. The piece references the medieval commentator Rashi, who asked why the Bible begins with Creation rather than with the first commandment, and suggests that the Torah establishes the legitimacy of the Jewish relationship to the Land of Israel by the Creator’s sovereignty over nations. It concludes that the legitimacy of Jewish presence in the land rests in this timeless relationship, a point that remains relevant amid war, division and international challenges.

In Uplifting News, the feature on art describes artists who tackle depictions of Torah scenes, particularly Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, by highlighting the preparatory process that underpins their work. Drawing on Rav Benji Elson’s Dance of the Omer, the piece emphasizes that Mount Sinai is experienced through preparation and heightened awareness rather than a single moment, with the artist noting that entering a sacred space requires slowing down, assessing context, and aligning one’s energy before engaging with it. The narrative highlights how Moses’ ascent is seen as a journey to encounter the divine, and how artists approach portraying these scenes by first preparing themselves and the audience for a sense of sacred encounter. The second uplifting note offers a light seasonal mood titled May vibes.

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/international/article-897020
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-897019
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897017
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/05/france-readies-un-resolution-hormuz-vote-us-text-stalls
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76619
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897021
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-897018
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896904
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-896815
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/76621