News Digest — 7/6/26
President Herzog Addresses State Memorial Ceremony For Theodor Herzl
On Sunday (5th), President Isaac Herzog addressed the official state memorial ceremony for Theodor Herzl at Mt. Herzl, Jerusalem.
In his remarks, President Herzog stated: “A few days ago I heard a senior official in the Turkish government make a terrible antisemitic remark, saying ‘Israel is a burden on the world.’ My answer to him is simple: Israel is here to stay, and it is a blessing to the world. Israel stands on the front line against the terror threatening the entire world. Our innovations and inventions bring welfare and good to billions around the world.”
Regarding the upcoming elections in Israel, Herzog said: “Will we wait for the next crisis to remember that we live here together, as one union, or will we choose to remember it between wars as well?”
“My answer is: this is our test. Elections are not civil wars. Elections are our ability to change the reality we live in, through debate, through disagreement, but beneath them must lie the knowledge that we are building a shared tomorrow here. Our descendants will not remember the arguments we waged. They will live within what we choose to build.”
German FM Backs Israel After Turkish Counterpart’s ‘genocide Incitement’ Remarks
On Sunday (5th) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned recent remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan against Israel, following a call by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Sa’ar called on NATO leaders to condemn what he described as Fidan’s “sickening” remarks, calling them “clear incitement to genocide” on Friday (3rd)
“Dehumanizing the Jewish people and presenting it as an ‘unbearable burden’ is the classic language of the great oppressors in history,”Sa’ar said. “The enlightened world and Turkey’s NATO allies must unequivocally condemn his explicit call for Israel’s destruction.”
Wadephul said that “the recent statements by the Turkish foreign minister against Israel are clearly unacceptable. Israel faces an ongoing threat in the region, and it has the right and duty to defend its citizens.”
Wadephul is scheduled to visit Israel on Tuesday (7th) and meet with Sa’ar, before continuing to a NATO meeting.
Sa’ar’s remarks came after Fidan gave an interview last week to CNN Turk, in which he sharpened his criticism of Israel. Fidan said that “Israel is not only Turkey’s problem, but a problem for the entire world,” adding that “the Israeli authorities have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.”
He called on other countries to take action against Israel, including increasing diplomatic pressure and imposing sanctions.
Following the interview, Sa’ar accused Fidan of “clear incitement to genocide” saying that describing Israel as “a burden that humanity can no longer bear” amounted to dehumanization and used language associated, in his words, with “the great oppressors in history.”
IDF Says Hezbollah Cell Hit In South Lebanon, Warns It Will Attack If Truce Violated
A cell of Hezbollah operatives identified near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon was targeted in an airstrike, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday (5th), as its top officer warned the military is ready to go on the offensive if the terror group violates a recent ceasefire agreement.
The military said troops of the Commando Brigade spotted the operatives riding motorcycles in the village of al-Aaqaide, near Nabatieh and close to Israel’s self-declared security zone.
“The terrorist’s activity posed a threat to our forces,” the military said, adding that they were struck “to remove the threat.”
The military has previously said it continues to operate at the Ali Taher ridge, beneath which the Iran-backed Hezbollah has a massive underground complex, where some 50 operatives are holed up.
The military has said it will “not allow Hezbollah terrorists to exit the underground tunnel network or move in the area of the ridge.”
IDF Chief of Staff LTG. Eyal Zamir toured the Beaufort Castle area in southern Lebanon, Sunday morning (5th), including a major Hezbollah tunnel system built beneath the ridge, the military reported.
Zamir said the Beaufort Ridge is a strategic area that is “saturated with terror infrastructure,” according to remarks provided by the IDF. ”The Hezbollah terror organization financed and directed by Iran, built underground routes in the area over the course of decades to threaten the northern communities. Our forces now control the key terrain above ground and these underground routes belowground,” he said.
Zamir said the Lebanese Army “is required to fulfill its commitment under the historic agreement that was signed, and act to clear the area of Hezbollah terrorists” referring to areas in southern Lebanon outside of the IDF’s control.
Zamir was referring to the agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon last month in Washington following US-hosted talks. It calls for disarmament of the Iran-backed terror group, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese Army there, starting with two “pilot” areas. Hezbollah has rejected the deal, which does not set a time table for an Israeli withdrawal.
“At the same time, the IDF will continue to operate decisively to remove threats in Lebanese territory and is prepared to launch a rapid offensive if the ceasefire is violated,” Zamir added.
Israel is currently maintaining a security zone in southern Lebanon, from which residents have been ordered to evacuate, and where troops are disarming the terror group’s infrastructure, which was used for attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Sunday (5th)that some Christian villages in Lebanon have asked to be annexed by Israel in order to receive protection from Hezbollah.
Talking up Israel’s treatment of Christians in the Middle East during a Fox News interview, Netanyahu said that “the Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed by Israel because we protect them against the Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill the –and we do the same things with Christians everywhere.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Defense Minister Israel Katz have both said Israel does not have territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but that it won’t withdraw from the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon so long as Hezbollah remains a threat.
While not formally a peace deal, the Israel-Lebanon framework formalized both countries’ intent to eventually normalize relations following the disarmament of Hezbollah and a full Israeli withdrawal from its southern Lebanon security zone.
Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war with Iran in March by attacking Israel in support of Tehran, resulting in the destruction of large parts of southern Lebanon and the disruption of the lives of those living in northern Israel. The US-sponsored efforts to halt fighting between the two sides have reduced hostilities, but have yet to achieve peace or bring the war to a definite end. On Saturday (4th) the IDF said it killed an armed Hezbollah operative after a manhunt.
Why Negotiating With Terrorist Regimes Such As Hamas And Iran Is A Terrible Idea – Khaled Abu Toameh
The Trump Administration is making a big mistake by engaging in negotiations with Hamas – as well as Iran. These negotiations legitimize them as political actors, and for Hamas, only strengthens their standing among Palestinians. Reports that senior U.S. officials have been holding direct meetings with Hamas representatives come only days after Hamas successfully crushed anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza on June 26.
Instead of debating whether Hamas should disarm, negotiators now appear to be debating how much of its military capability it should be allowed to keep. That is exactly how terrorist organizations manipulate diplomacy. The latest Hamas delegation to Cairo arrived not to announce its surrender but to present new demands. In short, Hamas,while remaining fully armed, continues to dictate conditions. It is the behavior of a movement convinced that time is on its side.
Instead of legitimizing terrorist groups that openly seek Israel’s and America’s destruction, the U.S. should insist on the full implementation of its own peace plans – each with a firm deadline – beginning with Hamas’ unconditional disarmament and removal from power. (Gatestone Institute)
Israel: Lebanese Army Sidelining Shiite Troops Who Won’t Confront Hezbollah – Itamar Eichner
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter said Thursday (2nd) that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is sidelining Shiite troops and officers who are unwilling to confront Hezbollah, reflecting a growing readiness in Beirut to act under the new framework agreement with Israel. Leiter said the LAF are more capable of confronting Hezbollah than they sometimes appear.
“There has to first be will. There are elements within the LAF that didn’t have the will to confront Hezbollah, because you have about 25% to 30% of the army which is Shia, and of the Shia Muslims you have anywhere between 30% and 50% support for Hezbollah.
“The solidification of the government now has moved those elements within the army to the side. So there’s a greater will because of the degrading of Iran, and the degrading of Hezbollah and the fall of Assad. They were always intimidated by Assad, which was a long arm of Iran sitting on the border. Now Assad has been toppled, thanks in no small measure to Israel. By degrading Hezbollah, Assad didn’t have a proxy to defend him.”
“We came to our senior partner here in the United States and we said… you’re already funding, to a large extent, the Lebanese Armed Forces. If you fund them a little bit more, but now make it progress-based, performance-based, not timelines; that’s another piece of magic we put into this agreement. The focus of this agreement is the dismantlement of Hezbollah. It’s not the withdrawal of Israel…Hezbollah is dismantled, Israel withdraws, and we have full peace.” Leiter said Israel would not leave its current security zone until all of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River is under Lebanese army control.
Moreover, Hezbollah’s tunnel infrastructure in southern Lebanon must also be destroyed. “These are the tunnels that Hezbollah built with tens of millions of dollars that are aimed to do two things: Number one, provide them cover so they can come out of the tunnels, shoot missiles into our northern towns, and run back in and we can’t get them. The other one is to use these tunnels to penetrate Israel by foot like the Nukhba did in Gaza and actually attack our citizens.” (Ynet News)
First Time In 2,000 Years: Israel Carrying Out Conservation Work At Tomb Of The Patriarchs
For the first time in 2,000 years, Jewish authorities are conducting conservation work at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, where, according to the Bible, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca and Jacob and Leah are buried.
The site, revered as the burial place of the patriarchs, and matriarchs of the Jewish people, is Judaism’s second-holiest site.
The maintenance and safety upgrades include electrical renovations, air conditioning, improved drainage, new lighting and a fire protection system.
The renovation is helping transform the site into a world-class destination, Yishai Fleisher, director of international and government affairs for the Jewish Community of Hebron, told JNS on Thursday (2nd).
“It has a really high-end look and feel and, of course, it will make worship inside much more pleasant,more moving and more spiritual. It also shows the State of Israel is engaging with the site and recognizes the importance to our heritage, tourism and the identity of Israel,” Fleisher said.
He said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to preserving a site central to Jewish history and emphasized its potential impact on tourism.
“After Jerusalem, it is one of the most important historic and iconic sites. The building itself is a 2,000-year-old Herodian structure– the only one of Herod’s buildings that still stands. In a sense, we are finishing Herod’s work,” he said.
The centerpiece of the renovations is the long-awaited installation of a roof over the Jewish prayer area.
Annual winter rains have frequently flooded the site, damaging infrastructure. While a temporary canopy failed to provide adequate protection.
The new roof, combining a metal frame with glass panels, will protect visitors while allowing natural light into the structure.
The Waqf Islamic trust and the Palestinian Authority-run Hebron Municipality hold jurisdiction over the site, while Israeli authorities are responsible for maintaining the section designated for Jewish worship. Any structural changes, however, required Waqf approval.
Earlier this year, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves as a minister within the Defense Ministry overseeing civil affairs in Judea and Samaria, transferred approval authority from the PA to an Israeli body, clearing the way for the renovations.
Last week elected officials who championed the project gathered for a ceremony in the still uncovered section.
“There isn’t a single member of the Jewish people who has not felt deep connection to the patriarchs and matriarchs, to the Cave of Machpela, and to our roots here in Hebron,” Smotrich said at the ceremony, referencing the legislation that paved the way for the project.
“This new roofing, together with air conditioning and the modern electrical infrastructure, reflects the deep significance of this place and why we are here,” he added.
Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strook, who lives in Hebton, said that for decades Jews have acted as though the Cave of Machpela was not theirs.
“Now for the first time, we are renovating here. This carries the meaning of ownership and responsibility for this place. It is a move of historical significance,” she said.
Many Palestinian Authority officials have publicly called for the removal of all Jewish residents from Hebron and for barring Jewish visitors from the holy place.
In 2017, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee designated the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs as an endangered Palestinian heritage site.
“We fought against it. I was one of the first people to push back. Many did not believe we could defeat them and, in the end, our fight led President Trump to initially withdraw from UNESCO because of the anti-Hebron decision.
Fleisher told JNS.The best way to protect such sites, he said, is for Israel to invest in them, assert sovereignty over them, preserve and beautify them, and develop them into major tourist attractions.
