Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-19 at 20:01

HEADLINES
- JD Vance Leads US Talks to Switzerland
- Danon Demands Patten Resignation at UN Hearing
- Natan Levy Plans Jewish Self-Defense Seminars

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is en route to Switzerland for the next US-Qatar-Pakistan-Iran talks, which were previously scheduled and then canceled due to Israeli escalations in Lebanon. The Qatari delegation is already in Switzerland, having arrived earlier and met with Swiss officials. US Vice President JD Vance is set to lead the delegation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, diplomatic niceties broke down at the United Nations on Friday when Israel's ambassador and the UN secretary-general's special representative for children and armed conflict became embroiled in a furious shouting match at a public hearing. The Israeli envoy, Danny Danon, demanded the resignation of Pramila Patten, who produced a report that blacklisted Israel for alleged abuses, accusing her of bias. Vanessa Frazier, Guterres' representative for children and armed conflict and the compiler of a separate blacklist against Israel, interjected with a point of order and said she had verified evidence. Danon said Frazier should be quiet, adding that Israel is a member state and that she should refrain from personal attacks.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israeli mixed martial arts fighter Natan Levy says his aim is to teach Jews to defend themselves against antisemitism not with databases or legislation, but through martial arts, and he plans to run seminars for Jewish communities as part of his broader programs with the Israeli and American militaries. He noted that American Jews face a disproportionate share of hate crimes and that antisemitism exists within parts of the sport, though he rejects the idea of seeing himself as a victim. In a separate interview, Lucas Gage, a former antisemitic activist from New Jersey, explained on a Jewish podcast why he left the movement, describing antisemitism as like a disease and a compulsion he grew tired of. He recalled being suspended by X in July 2024 for six months for calls for violence, and said on the podcast Inspiration for the Nation that he no longer considers himself an antisemite and that his conversations with Jewish people helped him see how maligned they are; he also referenced the September murder of a conservative activist as a factor in his change.

In Uplifting News, Ben & Jerry’s Israel has rolled out a flavor called Milk and Honey, inspired by the Land of Israel and using ingredients sourced from Israeli producers. The pint features milk and cream from the Kibbutz Alumim dairy and honey from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, with chocolate Stars of David pieces shaped by hand at the Korint factory in Beersheba. Ben & Jerry’s says this is its most Israeli flavor yet and a symbol of hope, rehabilitation, and positive action after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack, with production tied to southern Israeli communities affected by the conflict as part of a regional recovery effort.

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/DefenderDome/21603
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899950
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899894
https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-antisemitic-activist-lucas-gage-explains-to-jewish-podcast-why-he-left-the-movement/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-899951