Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-16 at 18:01

HEADLINES
- Cal Poly antisemitism grade rises to C
- Katz's Jerusalem move signals Aliyah surge
- Bettan advances to Eurovision final amid boycott

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In From an F to a C: Does Cal Poly's new antisemitism grade reflect reality?, the ADL's annual antisemitism report card has moved Cal Poly from an F to a C after a sequence of steps intended to improve the campus climate for Jewish students. The ADL has published the report card since 2024, grading colleges and universities based on antisemitic incidents and attitudes reported on campus after Israel was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Cal Poly originally received a failing grade in 2025, before the ADL raised it to a D. This year, the grade initially remained a D before the organization elevated it to a C on April 13 following university actions to enhance campus climate for Jewish students, according to ADL regional director Joshua Burt via a representative to The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. Opinions about the severity of antisemitism at Cal Poly are mixed, with several Jewish students and campus community members saying the score was far off to start with, still too low today, and not representative of their experiences on campus.

In Uplifting News, Jerusalem continues to draw North American Olim, with new figures from Nefesh B’Nefesh showing Jerusalem still attracting newcomers, while personal stories illustrate a less expected face of Aliyah to the capital. Katz, 25, from Monsey, New York, does not describe herself as a typical Jerusalem immigrant. She grew up in an ultra-Orthodox family, later attended public school, studied in Taiwan, and spent years in progressive political circles in the United States. Her thinking shifted after a visit to Israel following the Hamas attack, and she recalls being in Jerusalem on Independence Day where she met another Monsey-born woman who urged her to make Aliyah, saying, “You will find your people here.” Katz says she found a sense of belonging in Jerusalem, reflecting a broader trend of diaspora Jews choosing the capital.

In Uplifting News, Israel's Noam Bettan prepares for the Eurovision final, after advancing from the first semifinal to the finals. Bettan delivered a standout performance that helped him move into the 10-competitor final in Vienna. He described feeling good, excited, and relaxed as he looked toward the final, where he is expected to perform “Michelle.” Bookmakers had him rising through odds, from sixth to fourth and then to fifth in the days ahead of the semifinal. The final is set for Vienna, with Finland, Australia, Bulgaria, and Greece among the frontrunners in betting after the semis. Bettan is viewed as a strong contender for the televote. Israel’s participation has sparked controversy, with five countries—Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Iceland—boycotting because the European Broadcasting Union would not hold a vote to remove Israel, and Vienna has seen a large anti-Israel protest in its main square.

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/diaspora/antisemitism/article-896275
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896378
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-896376