Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-19 at 19:02

HEADLINES
- NATO paused plans for Hormuz mission
- Senate advances Iran war powers resolution
- Israel pushes Knesset dissolution amid PM feud

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not drawing up plans for a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz, its top commander said on Tuesday. NATO would require a political decision to act and the approval of all 32 member states before any mission, and several members have signaled opposition, though no formal proposal has been presented yet. United States Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, said the conditions for operating in the Strait of Hormuz are ultimately a political decision; the political direction comes first and formal planning follows, and while he is thinking about it, there is no planning until the political decision is taken. Iran began blockading the critical Gulf waterway after the United States and Israel launched military action against the country in February, and the blockade has pushed up oil prices, driven up shipping costs, and squeezed supplies of raw materials.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Senate advanced a resolution to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran, marking a breakthrough for Democrats after seven failed attempts in a 50 to 47 vote. The measure, led by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, would direct the president to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force. The vote is only a first step; even if both chambers approve the resolution, the president is expected to veto it. In a related note in Hebrew-language reporting, it was noted that four Republican members voted in favor of the resolution, signaling cross-party interest in reining in war powers.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s ruling party is pushing ahead with a bill to dissolve the Knesset amid Ultra-Orthodox anger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Naftali Bennett and Netanyahu still neck-and-neck in assessments by traders who placed a 40% probability that Bennett becomes the next prime minister. Separately, tomorrow’s hearing in the corruption case against Netanyahu has been canceled due to a diplomatic-security schedule, as lawmakers prepare to hold a preliminary vote on dissolving the Knesset; Netanyahu has frequently asked for hearings to be canceled or shortened due to duties related to the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. In a broader media exchange, Tucker Carlson told Channel 13 in Israel that Israel has “definitely lost its morality,” citing civilian casualties in wars with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran as examples, while arguing that United States funding for Israel’s military is problematic and suggesting that Israel is not a democracy because Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza do not have voting rights. Traders on Polymarket also predict a 40% chance that Bennett will become prime minister.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Bondi Commission on antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia continues public hearings into the Bondi Beach terror attack, which in December 2025 shocked Jewish communities in Australia, New Zealand, and around the world, killing fifteen people and injuring more than forty. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion released an interim report at the end of April containing fourteen recommendations; Jewish leaders welcomed the report but urged that it translate into lasting institutional and political change rather than mere platitudes. As antisemitism remains a global concern, the commission’s findings will have significance for Jewish communities in Australia and beyond.

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/international/article-896750
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323489
https://t.me/selena_updates/64078
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20815
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896748
https://t.me/DefenderDome/20814
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896754