Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 17:01

HEADLINES
Rubio strengthens Gulf ties amid Iran tensions
Knesset advances Torah study bill despite boycott
Netanyahu seeks control of Likud primaries

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Gulf to meet with key US partners in the region, aiming to showcase strong partnerships. He visited the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. As the visits wrapped up, the State Department said it was focusing on discussions about support for Venezuela in the wake of two powerful earthquakes there. The trips to Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE were highlighted as important because these countries were attacked by Iran during the latest conflict. In Bahrain on June 25, Rubio met with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council member states. He underscored US opposition to any tolls on ships using the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar has played a key mediation role with Iran and the US, and alongside Pakistan has been involved in talks in Switzerland, where US Vice-President JD Vance is the point person on talks with Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Marathon Knesset meetings are set to rapidly advance the haredi parties’ contentious Torah Study bill. The bill seeks to enshrine Torah study in Basic Law as part of a proposal critics argue encourages draft evasion and changes the status of yeshiva students who do not serve, enabling them to continue receiving state benefits. The first committee meeting to advance the legislation is scheduled to run eight hours on Sunday, with two more meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Opposition coordinator Merav Ben-Ari of Yesh Atid sent a letter to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana arguing that lawmakers do not have enough time to prepare for so many discussions beginning Sunday. The haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism had boycotted coalition voting last week and into this week, saying they would not cooperate with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition until there was advancement with the legislation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Likud MK Amit Halevi says Netanyahu is expected to work behind closed doors to influence Likud lawmakers ahead of a Sunday vote. The primary system change being considered could grant the prime minister authority to select candidates for the highest slots on the party list, though any decision would still need finalization by the committee. Primaries are set to occur no later than July 28, and reports have circulated that Netanyahu aims to alter the method to give him more control over top slots. There have also been reports that Netanyahu has threatened to leave Likud if the proposed changes are not advanced. Halevi said the prime minister would try to speak with Likud lawmakers ahead of the vote.

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-900574
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900577
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-900570