May 22, 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 22, 2026Updates'Iranian terror no longer threatens only the Middle East, but also the security of Germany and Europe,' says Israeli envoy to GermanyFollowing charges by Germany's federal prosecutor against a man accused of spying on Jews and Israel supporters in Germany on behalf of Iran, including preparations for potential murder and arson attacks, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, called for a strong response from Berlin."Iranian terror no longer threatens only the Middle East, but also the security of Germany and Europe," Prosor said on Friday, adding that it "demands a tough response from Berlin, coordinated at the international level."Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor speaks at the Nova Music Festival Exhibition ceremony for October 7 hostages in Berlin, Germany, October. Credit: Lisi Niesner/ReutersIsraeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor speaks at the Nova Music Festival Exhibition ceremony for October 7 hostages in Berlin, Germany, October. Credit: Lisi Niesner/ReutersThe charges, made public on Thursday, stem from an investigation in which federal prosecutors accuse a Danish national of Afghan origin of acting as an agent for a foreign intelligence service. A suspected accomplice has also been charged, with prosecutors alleging he pledged support to the suspected spy in preparing a possible attack. According to the Karlsruhe-based federal prosecutor's office, those targeted included Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society.Prosor said the case illustrates "the alarming scale" of Iranian state terror, stressing that "it was not Israelis who were targeted here, but German citizens drawn from the heart of German civil society."U.S. Secretary Rubio: Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, says proposed Strait of Hormuz toll 'unacceptable'U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains the core objective of U.S. policy, while warning against what he described as Iranian efforts to impose a "tolling system" in the Strait of Hormuz.Speaking at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio said Washington was working to build broad international backing for its approach, including through the United Nations."We are doing everything we can to achieve the global consensus necessary to prevent Iran from creating a tolling system, and we're trying to use the United Nations," he said. "Let's see if the UN still works."He added that any such move would have global repercussions, saying, "If Iran creates a tolling system in the Straits of Hormuz, it will happen in five other places around the world.""The Strait is vital to every country represented here today, even those not represented here, particularly the Indo-Pacific," Rubio said.He also reiterated Washington's position on Iran's nuclear program, saying, "The fundamentals remain the same: Iran can't have a nuclear weapon," and added that efforts to prevent this would include addressing both uranium enrichment and maritime issues.European leaders condemn West Bank settlement expansion, warn against annexation and business involvementLeaders of Italy, Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement on the West Bank on Friday, criticizing Israeli settlement policy, warning that continued expansion and related practices are undermining the prospects for a two-state solution and urging both political and private-sector actors to avoid steps linked to further entrenchment in the territory.The leaders stated they "strongly oppose those, including members of the Israeli government, who argue for annexation and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population" in the West Bank.They called on Israel "to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence," and said that current policies and practices, including "a further entrenchment of Israeli control in the West Bank, are undermining stability and prospects for a two-state solution."The leaders warned that "businesses should be aware of legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction" and said they "should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments," adding that the E1 settlement construction plans "would divide the West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law."NATO's Secretary General: Iran's direct assault on freedom of navigation impacts us allNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Iran's actions are endangering global maritime security and called for coordinated allied measures to keep key shipping routes open, while warning that any attack on NATO would trigger a devastating response.Rutte, during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Friday, said Iran's conduct at sea has broad international consequences, adding that "Iran's direct assault on freedom of navigation impacts us all."U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday. Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) shake hands during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday. Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP He also stressed the importance of joint action among allies to secure critical chokepoints, adding: "It is important that countries are coming together around plans to ensure that the Strait can be open for transit."Rutte issued a stark deterrence warning amid rising tensions, saying, "Would anyone be as foolish as to attack us, the response would be devastating."IDF: Explosive drones from Lebanon hit several sites in northern Israel The Israel Defense Forces said explosive drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon struck several locations in the Western Galilee, following a wave of sirens across northern Israel triggered by suspected hostile aircraft infiltration on Friday.The military said sirens were activated in the Netu'a area amid concerns over a suspected drone infiltration. It later added that after alerts sounded in multiple northern communities, impacts from unidentified aerial targets were identified near the Israel–Lebanon border, with the incidents still under review.The IDF said the strikes involved explosive drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, which hit multiple points in the Western Galilee.Netherlands moves to block Israeli settlement trade tied to ‘international law violations’The Dutch cabinet has approved a measure banning trade in goods originating from "illegal Israeli settlements," while also examining whether a wider prohibition on services and investments could be introduced in the future, Dutch online newspaper NU.nl reported.The ban applies to products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories – including the West Bank – and the Golan Heights, which the government says are established in violation of international law. The measure follows earlier parliamentary calls for a national import ban after EU-wide agreement proved impossible.Prime Minister Rob Jetten said at a press conference following the cabinet meeting, "The Netherlands will continue to speak out against violations of international law and in favor of increased humanitarian aid," adding, "To increase pressure on Netanyahu's government, the cabinet has agreed to the sanctions."Netherlands' Prime Minister Rob Jetten addresses the media on the day of a summit of the European Union and regional partners' leaders in Lefkosia, Cyprus, April. Credit: Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERSNetherlands' Prime Minister Rob Jetten addresses the media on the day of a summit of the European Union and regional partners' leaders in Lefkosia, Cyprus, April. Credit: Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERSThe government said the move is intended to prevent Dutch economic activity from contributing to "the unlawful occupation and maintenance of illegal settlements." It also said it is working on additional sanctions targeting both violent settlers and Hamas.Officials acknowledged enforcement will be difficult, noting in a letter to parliament that effectiveness and feasibility had been carefully weighed, but that implementation is likely to "run up against limits." The cabinet has coordinated with other EU states, including Belgium, which has introduced a similar import ban.The measure covers goods only, as EU law provides a clear legal basis for this category, while such a basis is lacking for services and investments. Dutch companies operating abroad will also be required to comply. The ban is set to last three years unless formal legislation replaces it, with the government requesting expedited advice from the Council of State to speed implementation.Draft U.S.-Iran agreement to be announced within 'hours,' Saudi TV reportsA Pakistan-mediated draft agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran is expected to be announced within "hours," Saudi television channel Al Arabiya reported, citing unnamed sources.According to the report, the deal is expected to take effect immediately following an official announcement by both sides, and will include a cease-fire "on all fronts," commitments to respect "sovereignty," and guarantees to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a joint mechanism to monitor the agreement's implementation and the gradual lifting of U.S. sanctions.In the NewsAt Least 10 Killed in Israeli Strikes in Lebanon, Health Ministry Says'We Were Like Animals': Gaza Flotilla Activists Detail Arrest by IsraelReport: Draft U.S. and Iran Cease-fire Deal Excludes Nuclear IssueNYT, Kristoff Defend Column on Sexual Assault of Palestinians by IsraelisWhy Zionist Radicals Yearned to Be Hanged by the BritishRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIICC Prosecutor Seeks Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, Other Israeli OfficialsEverybody Loses in the Cynical Israeli-Palestinian Sexual Violence CompetitionBen-Gvir Posts Video of Police Dragging Detained Gaza Flotilla ActivistsThe Most Consequential Republican Primary for Israel Is Happening in KentuckyIsraeli Settler Filmed Abusing Palestinian-owned Dog in West BankUnmoved by Trump's Ticking Clock, Iran Forms a New Reality in the Persian Gulf`