Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-05-21 at 02:02

HEADLINES
- Iran claims untested domestic weapons for retaliation
- US threatens visas over Mansour UN bid
- Religious Zionist Party clears threshold, Likud falters

The time is now 2:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran possesses modern weapons that have not yet been used, tested, military source claims. An Iranian military source told RIA Novosti that Tehran has domestically produced weapons not yet used on the battlefield and that they have not actually been tested, commenting on Tehran’s readiness for a possible repeat attack by the United States. The source said Tehran does not lack in ways to repel attacks and that, in terms of equipment and defense capabilities, there are no shortages that would prevent defending the country. "This time, we don't intend to act with restraint," the source asserted. On Monday, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the leaders of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia had called him asking that he postpone plans to resume strikes on Iran, and that he planned to resume the strikes "tomorrow," directing the Pentagon to cancel the planned attack.

In Regional Impacts, Iran’s newly announced Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) says it has established a controlled maritime supervision zone in the Strait of Hormuz and released an official map outlining the area that falls under its oversight. The PGSA says it has established a controlled maritime supervision zone in the Strait of Hormuz and released an official map detailing the area under its oversight.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US pressures Palestinian UN envoy to drop General Assembly VP bid, threatens visa revocation. A cable seen by Reuters describes the Trump administration warning that visas could be revoked for the Palestinian delegation to the United Nations if Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour proceeds with his bid to serve as vice president of the UN General Assembly. The cable, prepared for dispatch by US diplomats in Jerusalem, says Mansour's bid "fuels tensions," risks undermining Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and would invite consequences from Washington if it continues. It adds that the United States will hold the Palestinian Authority responsible if the delegation does not withdraw its VPGA candidacy. The cable notes a prior decision in September 2025 to waive visa sanctions for Palestinian officials at the UN mission in New York and cautions that it would be unfortunate to revisit any available options.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold, strengthening coalition even as Likud weakens - poll. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud is shown weakening in a new Maariv poll, while Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party crosses the electoral threshold for the first time in nearly six months. The poll places the coalition bloc at 51 seats, up from 49, with the opposition at 59 seats and Arab parties unchanged at 10. Shas is reported to have lost a seat this week. The poll also analyzes three scenarios in which Together, Yashar!, and Yisrael Beytenu run as a single joint list, with the strongest showing when former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot leads the combined slate.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Democrats condemn Texas candidate over antisemitic rhetoric ahead of runoff. Rabbi Mara Nathan describes the emergence of an antisemitic conspiracy theorist as a serious contender in Texas’ 35th Congressional District runoff, where Maureen Galindo has vowed to transform a local immigrant detention center into “a prison for American Zionists.” Nathan, a San Antonio rabbi, notes the broad condemnation from fellow Democrats, including some who are critical of Israel and its supporters. The run-off has drawn attention from lawmakers such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with others like James Talarico saying he would not back or campaign with Galindo if she advances. Separately, Editor’s Notes: Why some Jews are scrubbing themselves from the internet — comment, discusses the pressure some people feel to distance themselves publicly from Jewish or Israeli causes, describing the broader climate in which affiliation can feel costly in professional and social life.

In Israeli Economy and Business, מרוץ החימוש בשיאו: התעשייה האווירית והמערכות הביטחוניות נגד השעון. Defense industries highlight challenges with explosive-drones, advancing solutions such as interceptor systems and energy-based or electromagnetic technologies designed to capture drones and prevent movement. A deadly incident near the Shorak interchange in Lebanon is noted: two youths were killed in a car crash linked to a drone-explosive attack, eight IDF soldiers were wounded, one seriously; an armor brigade commander was injured, marking the senior officer’s injury since October 8, 2023. The ongoing investigation questions who knew about an civilian who remained in Gaza, and IDF forces stopped a vehicle near the Dead Sea, with developments revealed in the subsequent findings.

In Uplifting News, Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites ahead of Six-Day War anniversary. The government approved a 250 million shekel plan to preserve heritage and antiquities sites across the West Bank, Jordan Valley, and the Judean Desert ahead of the Six-Day War anniversary in June. New heritage centers will be built to serve as research and educational facilities, alongside visitor centers, to strengthen the public’s connection to the Jewish people’s historic assets in the region. A multi-year plan, valued in the tens of millions of shekels, will upgrade infrastructure and aim to turn these sites into major tourist destinations, while also intensifying efforts to deter looting and the destruction of antiquities.

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/iran-news/article-896923
https://t.me/selena_updates/64125
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-896922
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-896926
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-896921
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-896901
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1323985
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-896868