LiveLive Updates May 16, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 16, 2026UpdatesProtesters say charges too lenient in stabbing death of Israeli pizza shop workerProtesters demonstrated outside the Central District Prosecutor's Office in Tel Aviv over the indictments filed against those involved in the killing of Yimano Benjamin Zelka, a 21-year-old Pizza Hut worker who was stabbed to death on Israel's Independence Day after asking teenagers not to spray party foam into the restaurant.Zelka's sister, Yaros, said the family was not seeking to respond to violence with violence, but accused prosecutors of downplaying the case by saying the killing was not premeditated. She also criticized the police's conduct in the days after the killing, saying suspects had "blurred evidence and coordinated their versions" before police shifted responsibility to prosecutors.Yarus Zelka, the sister of Yimano Binyamin Zelka, at a protest outside the Central District Prosecutor's Office in Tel Aviv, Saturday. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumYarus Zelka, the sister of Yimano Binyamin Zelka, at a protest outside the Central District Prosecutor's Office in Tel Aviv, Saturday. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumRead the full articleUSS Gerald R. Ford returns to U.S. after record deployment supporting Iran warThe USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Virginia on Saturday after an 11-month deployment, the longest for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.The carrier, accompanied by two destroyers, supported the U.S. war with Iran and the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. About 5,000 sailors returned to Naval Station Norfolk, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the crews and said they had "made history."The Ford and its accompanying ships were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their service during the Iran war.Sailors stand on aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford as it returns to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16, 2026 in Norfolk, Virginia. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/MIKE KROPFSailors stand on aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford as it returns to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16, 2026 in Norfolk, Virginia. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/MIKE KROPFFIFA official expresses confidence Iran will play in World Cup despite visa questionsFIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom said he was confident Iran would participate in this year's World Cup after what he called a constructive meeting with Iran's soccer federation president, Mehdi Taj.Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in the United States, but questions remain over entry and visa arrangements after Taj was denied entry to Canada over his links to the IRGC. Grafstrom declined to discuss the details, but said FIFA was looking forward to welcoming Iran to the tournament.Police forcibly disperse anti-government protesters in JerusalemAnti-government protesters marched from Paris Square toward Balfour Street in Jerusalem, where police attempted to forcibly disperse them.One protester was arrested at Paris Square.Police dispersing protesters at Paris Square in Jerusalem, Saturday. Credit: Itay CohenPolice dispersing protesters at Paris Square in Jerusalem, Saturday. Credit: Itay CohenIDF announces death of soldier killed in southern LebanonThe IDF announced that Capt. Maoz Israel Recanati, 24, from Itamar, was killed Friday by a drone explosion in southern Lebanon.Recanati served as a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion. He is the third soldier killed this week in the ongoing combat operations in the north, bringing the number of soldiers killed since the current round of fighting began there to 20.Maoz Israel Recanati. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitMaoz Israel Recanati. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit2 hours agoHundreds protest across Israel against Netanyahu government, anti-democratic legislationA march in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumA march in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumProtests against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are being held Saturday evening across Israel under the call to stop the anti-democratic legislation promoted by the coalition ahead of the upcoming elections. About 200 protesters marched from Rabin Square to Habima Square in Tel Aviv under the banner "We are the hope and we will rebuild," joined by MK Naama Lazimi of the Democrats.Former Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi said Netanyahu's coalition is expected to initiate an "utterly insane legislative blitz – the likes of which hasn't been seen even in the darkest days of the [judicial coup]."Protests are also being held in Jerusalem, Haifa and Be'er Sheva, as well as in several other cities, junctions and bridges across the country.Read the full articleLondon police say 31 arrested at Nakba Day, far-right protests31 people were arrested in London after more than 4,000 officers were deployed across the city for Nakba Day and far-right Unite the Kingdom protests, as well as the Football Association Challenge Cup final, according to the Metropolitan Police. A protester from another march is taken away by police officers after coming too close to a march organised by Unite The Kingdom, in central London on May 16, 2026. Credit: AFP/TOBY SHEPHEARDA protester from another march is taken away by police officers after coming too close to a march organised by Unite The Kingdom, in central London on May 16, 2026. Credit: AFP/TOBY SHEPHEARDRead the full articleHamas says leadership vote ends without decisionHamas said its latest round of voting for the movement's chairman ended inconclusively after no candidate secured the required majority. The group said no date has been set yet for an anticipated additional round of voting. The announcement comes after Hamas confirmed that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of its military wing, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza along with his wife, daughter and several other people.In the NewsIDF Officer Killed in Southern Lebanon, Third Soldier Killed in North This WeekProtests Against Netanyahu Government Took Place Across IsraelIsraeli Day Trip: The Ancient Mound Where Philistines and Crusaders Cross PathsNYC Mayor Mamdani Shares Nakba Day Video, Sparks Backlash for One-sidednessFormer MK Joseph Jabareen Elected Head of Arab-Jewish Hadash–Ta'al PartyRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaIsraeli Artists Slam Venice Biennale Participation: 'Again, Israel as a Victim'Trump Collides With Reality in Latest Iran StandoffIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter Attacked