Thursday, October 29th 2026   |

International

Israel jails soldiers who smashed Jesus statue in Lebanon, installs a new one

By GRACE GILSON

(JTA) — An Israeli soldier who bludgeoned a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon and another soldier who photographed the act have both been dismissed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in military detention, the...

Netanyahu, IDF condemn Israeli soldier’s bludgeoning of Jesus statue in Lebanon

By PHILISSA CRAMER

(JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is denouncing an incident in which a soldier bludgeoned a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, igniting criticism at a time when some Christians believe Israel discriminates against them.

A...

Police eye Iran involvement as 3 London synagogues are targeted in arson attacks

By PHILISSA CRAMER

(JTA) — Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with an arson attack on a London synagogue on Sunday, the third within days on Jewish targets in the city.

No one was injured at Kenton United Synagogue...

IDF confirms Hezbollah killed UNIFIL peacekeeper in Lebanon

(JNS.org) – An operational and intelligence assessment found that a Hezbollah terrorist cell opened fire on UNIFIL forces a day earlier as they attempted to clear unexploded ordnance in the Al-Ghandouriyah area of southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said on...

Trump’s antisemitism envoy says US will bar World Cup attendees tied to antisemitism abroad

By GRACE GILSON

(JTA) — Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, said this week that the United States will bar individuals from attending the World Cup who are accused of fostering antisemitism in their...

Jewish groups urge Trump to prioritize Americans held in Iran during ceasefire talks

By GRACE GILSON

(JTA) — The American Jewish Committee is calling on President Donald Trump to make the return of Americans in Iranian custody an “urgent national priority,” as his administration works to preserve a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

“The...

Israeli ambassador meets with France’s Marine Le Pen, extending outreach to Europe’s far-right

By GRACE GILSON

(JTA) — Israeli Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka held a meeting on Wednesday with far-right French leader Marine Le Pen, marking the latest instance in a recent trend of Israeli outreach to Europe’s nationalist right.

The meeting,...

Italian opposition leader Elly Schlein, whose father is Jewish, backs Giorgia Meloni in Trump split over Israel

By GRACE GILSON

(JTA) — Until this week, Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, was allies with Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu and adversaries with Elly Schlein, Italy’s opposition leader.

Now, Meloni is at odds with Trump and Netanyahu, her...

Report: Iran used Chinese satellite to target US bases

By JNS STAFF

(JNS.org) – Iran secretly obtained a Chinese-made reconnaissance satellite in late 2024 and used it to help target U.S. military positions across the Middle East during the recent conflict, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing...

Hungary’s Viktor Orban loses to Peter Magyar, ending rule of a key Netanyahu ally in Europe

By PHILISSA CRAMER

(JTA) — Peter Magyar has ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as Hungary’s prime minister, sending the closest ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu packing after a decisive vote on Sunday.

Israel did not play a prominent...