Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 21:01

HEADLINES
- 5700 builds secret airstrips beyond borders
- Isar Aerospace launches Europe's first orbital flight
- Brad Lander Jewish identity cited as liability

The time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Air Force fighters in secret unit reveal what they can about their missions behind enemy lines. Unit 5700 troops describe preparing secret landing strips far beyond Israel’s borders, guiding Hercules aircraft through darkness and hostile terrain and enabling Air Force missions in places where Israeli forces have rarely operated.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah faction of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, sent letters to MK Moshe Gafni, the faction's Knesset leader, and party member Uri Maklev, thanking them for their years of service as they prepare to leave the Knesset, and requesting that Gafni remain the party's chairman. Lando cited the need to refresh the party's presence in the Knesset as the reason for the departures and noted the Basic Law: Torah Study bill has been a focal point in recent months. The Basic Law: Torah Study, which defines Torah study as a fundamental value for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, passed in July with 63 lawmakers in favor and 52 against. In May, Lando issued a statement allowing his party members to work toward dissolving the Knesset “as soon as possible.” Gafni and Maklev will not run in the October 27 election, with UTJ confirming a leadership refresh of the Degel HaTorah faction as rabbinical leaders indicate it is time to refresh the candidate list.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a provocative opinion piece asks whether Jewish politicians are facing an end in the Democratic Party, noting that Brad Lander’s Jewish identity has become a liability in a tense climate as he won New York’s 10th district primary with a progressive platform that includes lenient immigration stances and critiques of federal enforcement, while facing hostile incidents at public events. In another development, Palestinian journalist and author Rula Jebreal drew backlash for calling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries an "AIPAC monkey" on a podcast, with critics labeling the term racist and the host clarifying it was used as a metaphor; the Congressional Black Caucus rejected the defense, and Representative Richie Torres joined in condemning the remark.

In Uplifting News, German startup Isar Aerospace launched a space rocket from a site in Arctic Norway, achieving Europe’s first orbital flight to originate from European soil. The uncrewed Spectrum rocket reached orbit, carrying five small satellites and an in-flight experimental payload, signaling Europe’s move toward greater space autonomy. Isar’s co-founder and CEO Daniel Metzler stressed that access to space remains one of the space industry’s biggest constraints, as Europe strengthens its national security and industrial capabilities. The launch took place at Norway’s Andøya Spaceport, underscoring Europe’s expanding role in commercial space missions.

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.ynetnews.com/article/syn1bm5dmg
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-907655
https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-government-activist-expected-to-be-charged-with-incitement-to-terror-report/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/veteran-haredi-mk-moshe-gafni-to-be-removed-as-leader-of-utjs-degel-hatorah-faction/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907469
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907650
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-907653