Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-17 at 09:01

HEADLINES
West Bank car ramming attempt near Tarqumiyah
Two laws shield Ultra-Orthodox draft evaders
Opposition says laws weaken Israel's security

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, a suspected attempted car ramming occurred near the Tarqumiyah crossing, north of Hebron, in the West Bank. A driver reportedly tried to run over police officers at a planned checkpoint and fled into the West Bank. IDF forces are searching the area for the suspect. An IDF reserve force at Tarqumiyah crossing stopped a vehicle suspected of involvement, but police inspection showed it was not the vehicle used in the attempted ramming. Security forces continue operations to locate the driver and clarify the circumstances. Earlier this month, there was a separate attempted ramming near Hebron in Beit Ummar; authorities say a suspect, believed to be a Bedouin citizen of Israel, was caught near the Metzadot Yehuda crossing and transferred to police for further handling. No injuries were reported in that incident.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the opinion piece argues that leadership should make difficult decisions for the good of the country, even when they carry political costs. What is described is that this week the government passed two laws designed to allow ultra-Orthodox Israelis to continue evading military service while shielding them from the consequences of breaking the law. The first is a Basic Law that elevates Torah study to a national value on par with military service. The second, passed Tuesday night, effectively prevents draft evaders from being arrested despite existing laws requiring them to serve. Together, these laws, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, send a devastating message. At a moment when the IDF says it is short nearly 15,000 soldiers, reservists have served hundreds of days with no end in sight, and Israel’s enemies are rebuilding in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, this is about far more than equality before the law. The piece argues this weakens the military, erodes the social contract, and places narrow political interests ahead of Israel’s national security.

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/israel-news/article-902834
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902701