Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-09 at 16:02

HEADLINES
US Informs Israel of Imminent Iran Attack
Israel May Face Iran Alone Netanyahu Warns
Torah Study Bill Advances as Coalition Divides

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the United States has informed Israel that it will attack Iran in the coming hours. The report says the notice was conveyed to Israeli authorities in the near term.

In Regional Impacts, Dubai has become a genuine destination for vacationers and professionals planning where to live. Saudi Arabia pursued Vision 2030 with high ambitions, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had set lofty goals. At the 2018 Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, he declared that the new Europe would be in the Middle East. A 2026 conflict disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, reminding that war or the threat of it can halt investment and planning, prompting delays in Dubai postings and regional funding. Currently Iranian airspace is completely empty.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, there is growing concern in Jerusalem that US President Donald Trump might not give Israel the green light to respond to Iranian attacks, even with a limited or symbolic strike. Israel might face a scenario where it has to confront Iran alone, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a security cabinet meeting. During a phone call with Netanyahu on Sunday evening after an Iranian ballistic-missile attack, Trump did not explicitly say “Don’t” regarding an Israeli response, but he conveyed a measured reaction. Israel struck several targets, including radar systems, air-defense batteries, weapons-production facilities, and a petrochemical plant. On Monday, Israel had planned a broader attack involving about 50 aircraft, and the process of giving the strike a green light was underway when Trump spoke with Netanyahu. The article also quotes Trump telling the media that if Iran’s people keep being stupid, we’ll end up in something where we have to wipe out the infrastructure of an entire nation, and that we are going to get half of Iran’s oil.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, there is also reporting that US President Donald Trump told the media that if Iran’s people keep being stupid, we’ll end up in something where we have to wipe out the infrastructure of an entire nation, and that we are going to get half of Iran’s oil.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved on Tuesday the Torah Study bill advanced by the haredi parties, seeking to enshrine Torah Study into Basic Law ahead of its expected preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. Leader of the haredi Shas Party, Arye Deri, said its passage was a condition for party lawmakers to join coalition votes. The far-right Religious Zionist Party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, said it would not back a bill that calls for equality of rights between IDF soldiers who serve and haredim who evade military service; the wording was later removed, but enshrining Torah Study would still have sweeping implications for haredim who evade service. The move drew sharp condemnation from coalition lawmakers and from the opposition.

Tally Gotliv jeopardized Shin Bet agent’s safety, AG tells Knesset panel. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara told the Knesset House Committee that Gotliv created a severe security risk by exposing the personal details of a Shin Bet agent during wartime. The indictment accuses Gotliv of publishing the identity of the partner of protest leader Shikma Bressler. Baharav-Miara presented a top-secret document to the committee as part of the immunity discussion, and a final vote on immunity was postponed to next week.

Shas pushes tone-deaf Torah study law while soldiers die in Lebanon, Gaza - comment. Critics say pushing a Basic Law: Torah Study is out of step with the sacrifices of soldiers serving in Lebanon and Gaza, with reservists repeatedly called up. The original bill included language equating long-term Torah study with military service; after discussions, that provision was removed, but opponents say the move still signals a prioritization of yeshiva study in state policy. A December 2024 column noted the broader social divisions in Israeli society over this issue.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, there is also commentary on the broader political dynamics as parties weigh sacred study against military service and national security, with ongoing debate within and between coalition factions over proposed changes to the status and rights of those who study Torah versus those who serve.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Palestine Free from the River to the Sea Party is seeking to finalize its registration for the 2026 New Zealand elections. The party, also called the Free Palestine Party, plans to dismantle Israel in its platform and has six principles, five of which relate to Israel and the Palestinians. It is rushing to reapply after an error on digital forms, updating almost 600 members, according to party president Paul Hopkinson. The platform calls for a right of return for Palestinians, an end to the military occupation in the Levant, accountability for alleged war crimes and genocide, and a bi-national, secular democratic state with full and equal citizenship for all, with ethnic and religious rights protected in a democratic constitution. The party pledges unconditional and complete solidarity for Palestinians.

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/hnaftali/23434
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-898821
https://t.me/hnaftali/23438
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-898901
https://t.me/selena_updates/65397
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898902
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-898897
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-898895
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-898896