August 03, 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 formatSubscribeAugust 03, 2026UpdatesAfter Defense Minister Katz announces general's dismissal live on air, IDF chief says no senior appointments until 2027IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told senior army officials that no new appointments will be taking place until the start of 2027.IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends a ceremony commemorating 50 years since the Entebbe operation at the president's official residence in July. Credit: Olivier FitoussiIDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends a ceremony commemorating 50 years since the Entebbe operation at the president's official residence in July. Credit: Olivier FitoussiSpeaking to a group of major generals and brigadier generals who are eyed for promotion, Zamir made the remarks after Defense Minister Israel Katz announced live on air on Channel 14 that he had decided to dismiss Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the commander of the Central Command, and appoint Personnel Directorate head Maj. Gen. Dado Bar-Khalifa in his place.Katz's remarks on Sunday evening sparked backlash from the IDF, which said that Zamir was not aware of the decision until Katz's announcement and that it "does not intend to change key IDF commanders' positions during these sensitive times."5 hours agoIsraeli court issues injunction freezing Ben-Gvir's 'Alligator Alcatraz' planThe Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary injunction Sunday freezing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's plan to establish an Israeli version of the U.S. "Alligator Alcatraz" facility for Palestinian inmates, citing the expected harm to wildlife.Inspired by the immigration detention facility in Florida, Ben-Gvir first floated the idea of adopting "Alligator Alcatraz" in late 2025, suggesting that crocodiles could be placed to fortify prisons holding Palestinian detainees and specifically members of Hamas and other Palestinians who Israel has arrested in Gaza since October 2023.Judge Avraham Rubin wrote that "the claims regarding the expected harm to the crocodiles warrant examination and justify issuing an order prohibiting the transfer or any action related to locating or preparing crocodiles for transfer."Crocodile in Hamat Gader, in 2020. Credit: Omri SteinCrocodile in Hamat Gader, in 2020. Credit: Omri SteinRead the full articleEditorial | The battle over a Jerusalem cafe may be the rallying cry securlar Israelis neededIn June, a new café called Basimta opened in central Jerusalem. It has become a scene of clashes between ultra-Orthodox and secular Jews due to the fact that the café is open for business on Shabbat.Basimta café in central Jerusalem, July. Credit: Olivier FitoussiBasimta café in central Jerusalem, July. Credit: Olivier FitoussiDozens of Haredim go there every Shabbat to demonstrate, shout "Shabbes" and harass the customers, with the goal of getting the café to close. Recently, the weekly clashes have heated up, becoming more violent. This weekend, dozens of Haredi demonstrators tried to break into the café and were blocked by police and Border Police officers. Activists from the Democrats party were also there to defend the café with their bodies.Basimta has become a symbol. It's worth remembering that this battle isn't over the right to buy a cup of coffee on Shabbat. Rather, it's about the freedom to maintain a secular lifestyle in Israel and civil rights for all Israelis.Read the full articlePoll: Arab party holds five seats even after Yesh Atid MK announces move to join slateA Kan 11 poll published on Sunday projects that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar would both win 23 seats out of 120 if an election were held today.While Yesh Atid lawmaker Yoav Segalovitz is set to join the United Arab List ahead of Israel's next election, in a move to strengthen the party's position as a political bridge between Israel's Jewish and Arab communities, so far, the party would maintain five seats.MK Mansour Abbas at the Knesset, this month. Credit: David BakarMK Mansour Abbas at the Knesset, this month. Credit: David BakarThe Together party, led by Naftali Bennett, continues to lose votes and stands at only 13 seats. The poll puts the opposition at 68 seats, however, without the Arab opposition parties, the opposition bloc stands at 57 seats – short of a majority.Read the full article5.6-magnitude earthquake strikes north of Egypt's Suez, no damage reportedAn earthquake measuring ⁠5.6 in magnitude struck 38 km (24 miles) ⁠north of the Egyptian city of Suez just after 3:00 A.M. local time on Monday, Egypt's National Research Institute ‌of Astronomy and Geophysics said.The ‌institute said it had received no reports of casualties or damage to property.The Egyptian Red Crescent said it activated its emergency response plan in the governorates where the quake was felt. It urged residents ⁠to avoid buildings showing signs of structural damage and to follow ‌official updates as ⁠authorities continued to assess ‌the situation.The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) measured the earthquake at magnitude ⁠5.4 and said it struck at a depth of 10 km (6 miles).Trump: Iran negotiations start Monday afternoon, deal on Strait of Hormuz, denuclearization 'imminent'President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran start Monday afternoon after he was asked by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran to call off strikes, and that the United States was "all set to go" for a "massive attack."Trump told the press on Air Force One, "We had an attack that would be the biggest attack since World War II, and it would have been disastrous," adding that a deal is "imminent" on the Strait of Hormuz and denuclearization.President Donald Trump speaks to reporters onboard Air Force One while returning to the White House on Sunday Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP President Donald Trump speaks to reporters onboard Air Force One while returning to the White House on Sunday Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Read the full articleIn the News'I See Myself as a Social Worker for Hundreds of Haifa's Abandoned Buildings'Residents Fear Speaking Out Against Haredi Extremists. Can They Save Their City?Right-wing, Settler Leaders Condemn Live TV Dismissal of IDF's West Bank ChiefEmigration From Israel Remained at a Record High in 2025, Study FindsNetanyahu's Defense Minister Just Picked His Biggest Fight Yet With the IDFRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThis Israeli ultra-Orthodox Feminist Activist Has a Warning for U.S. JewsNetanyahu Says Israel Has 'Special Forces' Ready if He's Arrested on NY VisitTwo Female Israeli Soldiers Die by Suicide as IDF Mental Health Crisis DeepensDozens of IDF Soldiers Desert Sde Teiman Base in Protest of Commander'I Tried, I Got Crushed by AIPAC': Andy Levin Is All-in for El-SayedTrump's Irritation, Netanyahu's Desperation: Oval Office Smiles Mask Rifts