Israel News for 1-5-2026
News Update
As we kick off 2026, all eyes are on Venezuela, and who might be next in line in President Trump’s new program to remove corrupt dictators and restore freedom to their oppressed people. Of course Venezuela’s Vice President blamed the Zionists for Maduro’s capture! The Iranian ayatollah’s are reportedly very nervous, and have reportedly planned their escape route…just in case. Meanwhile, demonstrations and protests continue in Iran, in which scores of protestors have been killed. Israel has decided to quietly sit by and observe how this plays out, instead of taking action against Iran’s ballistic missiles, which could rally Iranians behind their flag.
Negotiations on a security agreement between Israel and Syria, which were frozen 2 months ago, are set to resume in Paris today. Israel’s delegation will include Netanyahu’s military secretary and nominee for Mossad chief Roman Gofman, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, and Acting National Security Council head Gil Reich. Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani will participate, and U.S. envoy Tom Barrack will serve as mediator.
Israel is under immense pressure, from the U.S. and Arab countries, to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow around 65,000 Gazans who fled during the war to return. Saudi news outlet Al-Sharq reported Sunday that Egypt informed the Palestinian Authority (PA) that Israel would soon approve the reopening of Rafah in both directions.
Shas said that it will not vote on the 2026 state budget unless the controversial haredi conscription law is passed. Without the party’s support, the government could lack the votes to pass the budget. If the state budget is not approved by the end of March, at the close of the fiscal year, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and new elections will be called. Elections are currently scheduled for October. For more, click here.
