Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-25 at 00:02

HEADLINES
- Saudi Nuclear Deal Spurs Regional Arms Race
- Zanjani Linked Iranian Evasion Network Sanctioned
- Trump Says Schumer Turned Palestinian Sparking Backlash

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Yaki Dayan, the former Israeli consul in Los Angeles, warned that the recent US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement could spark a regional arms race as other powers seek enrichment deals, and argued that President Donald Trump is trapped in an escalating confrontation with Iran with no clear exit strategy. Dayan told 103FM that the deal has been in the works for months and will be submitted for approval in the coming days. He noted that unlike the 2009 UAE agreement, the Emirates could not enrich uranium independently, while the Saudis would be granted a two-year trial period with the possibility of enrichment on Saudi soil, followed by a ten-year veto period if enrichment rights are not granted. He added that Trump’s push may be driven by closing deals for money, and suggested that normalization with Saudi Arabia remains uncertain. Separately, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four individuals and nine entities tied to an Iranian financial evasion network linked to Babak Zanjani, with the department saying the network helps Iran evade sanctions and supports the IRGC through digital asset ventures such as Zedcex and Zedxion. Revenue methods cited included financial services, gold and precious gem production, digital asset trading, and major transportation and infrastructure projects; Zanjani, previously found guilty of embezzlement in 2016 with a sentence commuted in 2024, was described as reemerging in 2025 to preserve access to the international financial system. Finally, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the United States next week, delivering the remark at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as part of a broader set of comments about US-Israel discussions amid the ongoing conflict with Iran; Netanyahu’s office later said he would travel to Washington on Monday to meet Trump on Tuesday and to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, US President Donald Trump asserted at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has “turned Palestinian,” a remark that drew sharp criticism given Schumer’s Jewish identity and his long involvement in US-Israel policy. Trump added that he would soon send Schumer a “beautiful Palestinian outfit” to greet Benjamin Netanyahu when he comes to town, a line that has renewed debate over the use of the term Palestinian in political satire and its reception by Jewish advocacy groups. The dinner, designed to celebrate press freedom, also featured jokes aimed at a range of figures, illustrating the tense relationship between Trump and portions of the media. In Maine, Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee-in-waiting for the US Senate, drew concern within parts of the Jewish community with his Israel stance, describing Israel’s war in Gaza as genocide and pledging that, if elected, he would never vote for US taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel, while taking aim at AIPAC and the influence of money in politics.

In Uplifting News, Israeli director Sharon Angelhart discussed her debut feature Cuz You’re Ugly, saying the film was made to reflect the story she wished she had seen while growing up in Jerusalem. The drama follows Avigail, a young soldier who is excited to be chosen for officer training but faces personal and family challenges as her sister Naomi’s pregnancy shifts the family dynamics; Angelhart noted she aimed to create a film that spoke to her own experience growing up in the city. The movie began screening in Israeli theaters this week. Separately, audiences in Israel have a slate of summer films to choose from, with the dramedy On Standby standing out on Yes TV Drama and Yes VOD for its portrait of Sagit, a depressed airport security officer who joins a creative writing workshop and confronts insecurities and family tensions, while other picks such as Into the Blue, The Devil Wears Prada 2, A Letter to David, and a documentary about Earth, Wind & Fire offer escapist options.

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-903589
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903591
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trump-says-israeli-pm-netanyahu-will-visit-us-next-week
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-903594
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-903590
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-903480
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-903475