Most Israelis know little about the ideological positions and public activities of Arab party lawmakers—much of their work is covered primarily in Arabic-language media. Yousef Jabareen was recently elected chairman of Hadash, a role that gives him significant political weight heading into upcoming elections, especially for opposition parties that see him as a potential safety net for a future left-wing government.
Hadash Chairman | Photo: From social media, in accordance with Section 27A
Jabareen, a relatively unknown figure among Jewish Israelis, has presented a series of ideological positions on the State of Israel over the years. At conferences he held abroad, including one in Switzerland, he opposed defining Israel as a Jewish state and supported promoting boycotts against Israel through the BDS movement.
Alongside his policy positions, Jabareen has allegedly expressed solidarity with figures associated with terrorism and released terrorists as part of his public activities.
Hadash Chairman | Photo: From social media, in accordance with Section 27A
One cited case involves Mahmoud Jabareen, a resident of Umm al-Fahm, who murdered an Arab-Israeli citizen in the 1980s after the victim allegedly assisted security forces. According to the claims, Yosef Jabareen celebrated Mahmoud Jabareen’s release and even visited him in prison.
Additionally, Jabareen was documented in what was described as a warm and cordial meeting with Khader Adnan, an Islamic Jihad operative. Adnan died in Israeli prison while held in administrative detention. According to the claims, Adnan previously called for suicide bombings in Israel and worked to assist families of ‘Palestinian’ terrorists.
Support for the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement | Photo: From social media, in accordance with Section 27A
Another case linked to his name is support for former security prisoner Nasser Badran, an Arab-Israeli who served 14 years in prison after being convicted of aiding the Islamic Jihad terror organization, including selling weapons to terror groups.
Beyond that, Jabareen allegedly encourages draft refusal among IDF conscripts and maintains ties with Raed Salah, head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement.
Today, Jabareen and Hadash are a significant part of the left-wing bloc’s political battle against the right-wing coalition, with some viewing him as a potential partner in forming a new government in the future.
Talks between Israel and Lebanon are entering the practical phase: according to a Reuters report, a U.S. official announced that discussions in Rome have moved to the implementation stage of the framework agreement. The first pilot zone is expected to launch in the coming days, and the U.S. is already coordinating further progress with both sides.
Photo: Ayal Margolin, Flash90
A U.S. official said Thursday evening that talks between Israel and Lebanon, taking place in Rome under American auspices, have moved to the implementation phase of the framework signed between the parties. According to the Reuters report, the discussions are being held behind closed doors and are designed to allow professional teams from both countries to advance the practical implementation of the understandings.
According to the official, the first pilot zone is expected to launch within days, while additional pilot zones are in the mapping and planning stages. The official also said that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is coordinating the next steps with Israel and Lebanon.
IDF forces in Lebanon, archive | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The official added that Washington will soon reach out to international partners to help the Lebanese government effectively restore its sovereignty in areas where the framework is implemented, and eventually across the entire country. The American framework is designed to advance the deployment of the Lebanese army on the ground, alongside the removal of Hezbollah and gradual progress toward a broader security arrangement between the countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attended Thursday evening’s graduation ceremony for the 192nd pilot training course. In his speech, Netanyahu said Israel established its air superiority through Operations “Rising Lion” and “Lion’s Roar.” Without the precise and powerful action at the right time, he said, Iran would have armed itself with nuclear weapons designed to destroy Israel.
Photo by: IDF Spokespersons Unit
Netanyahu compared the preemptive strikes carried out by air force pilots to historic operations like Operation Focus. “Our pilots carried out thousands of sorties and strikes and delivered a powerful opening blow to Iran,” he said. “We went into these operations with our American friends to remove the threat of immediate destruction from the entire Western world.”
“Facilities to Ash, Nuclear Infrastructure Crushed”
The prime minister detailed the achievements of operations against Iran: “We eliminated 20 nuclear experts, killed senior leadership, and crushed the nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile production facilities.” He emphasized that the operations turned military installations in Iran to “dust and ash” and caused massive damage to the Revolutionary Guards’ economy, while maintaining complete control of enemy skies.
“I saw the air crews cruising back and forth in the skies, hunting down enemy operatives in territory 75 times larger than Israel,” Netanyahu added.
Archive footage | Photo: Nati Shohat, Flash90
Toward Arms Independence
Despite the successes, Netanyahu made clear the war has not ended and that the country is preparing for every scenario amid new challenges. As part of learning lessons, the prime minister revealed that Israel is advancing a policy of arms independence. “We will develop an extensive arms industry made in blue and white that will reduce dependence on procurement from abroad,” he concluded. “All these actions contribute to establishing our strength in deterrence, defense, maneuver, and when necessary—in preemptive strikes.”
“We’ve Changed the Game—From Gaza to Tehran”
In addition, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also spoke in the ceremony. In his speech, Zamir highlighted the relationship forged with the U.S. military and Air Force during Operation Lion’s Roar: “We worked together with the world’s greatest power, flying wing-to-wing—the Air and Space Arm alongside the U.S. Air Force.” The chief of staff added another shift that occurred during the recent campaign: cooperation between ground and air forces. “Never have the skies and the ground been so close.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir | Screenshot from the ceremony
On the enemy side, too, a significant change has been recorded. Zamir stressed that operations once considered far from reality have been carried out multiple times recently by the Air Force—including, of course, the surprise attack that eliminated senior figures in the ayatollahs’ regime, nuclear officials, weapons industries, air defense batteries, and ballistic missile launchers: “We turned the third circle into the first circle and made the enemy in Gaza, in Beirut, in Sanaa, and in Tehran feel the same sense of being hunted.”
Israeli Air Force jets | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The chief of staff didn’t forget to mention the fallen from the recent campaign: “We remember the fallen—the best of our sons and daughters who fell in the difficult battles, we embrace the bereaved families, and we closely accompany those wounded in body and soul, who bear on their flesh the pain of war. Their memory and heroism are the compass that obligates us to continue, to fight, and to win.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attended an emotional memorial ceremony Thursday for the murdered members of the Bibas family at Moshav HaYogev. Yarden Bibas and his sister were present at the event, where Huckabee expressed his deep sorrow for what they endured and said “we must never forget October 7.”
Yarden Bibas and his sister Ofri | Photo: Tal Marom
As part of the ‘My Tree in Israel’ initiative that Huckabee has adopted, a memorial tree was dedicated during the ceremony in memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas. “The whole world prayed for you,” Huckabee told Yarden and Ofri.
Another moving moment came when Avi Harush, father of the late Rif Harush, showed the ambassador and his wife the tree planted in memory of his son, a commando soldier killed in Gaza. Avi showed them photos of his son and spoke about his frequent visits to the site. “In these moments I feel that my son is happy,” he said.
The late Sgt. Reef Harush | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The ambassador and his wife also toured the largest olive press in the Middle East, where they were shown the olive oil production process. During the tour, Huckabee shared that he buys many bottles of olive oil each year and gives them as personal gifts to his friends during the holidays.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Gaza, according to reports on Arab social media networks.
The Israeli Air Force struck a vehicle carrying Qassem through the Gaza Strip, killing one of his escorts, the reports said. Qassem’s condition remains unclear.
Israeli forces operating in the Mount Hermon area stopped several Israeli citizens Thursday night who arrived at the border intending to cross into Syria. Troops prevented the crossing and detained the individuals, who were handed over to Israeli police for further investigation.
The border fence at the tri-border area between Israel, Syria, and Jordan | Photo: Michael Giladi, Flash90
The incident is the latest in a series of similar cases in recent days along the border. The IDF issued a sharp condemnation and emphasized that such attempts constitute a criminal offense that poses a real danger to the lives of those involved.
The military said border crossing attempts directly disrupt operational activities of forces in the field. According to the IDF, these incidents divert commanders and soldiers from routine defense missions and compromise security in the area.
Dvora Sharifian Bachar, a former Shin Bet and Mossad operative turned educator and entrepreneur, is joining Yashar, the party led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Bachar brings 22 years of security experience at the heart of Israel’s intelligence apparatus, alongside educational and entrepreneurial leadership focused on closing social gaps, developing the periphery, and training the next generation of Israel’s intelligence and data professionals.
Devorah Sharifian Bechar and Gadi Eisenkot | Photo: Yashar Party
Bachar, 44, now lives at Kibbutz Eilot in southern Israel. She was born in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution and at age 7 was smuggled to Israel with her family in a complex, covert Mossad operation. Growing up in a conservative home, she fought for her right to enlist and became a respected commander, finishing her IDF service as a captain after a series of command and training roles.
Bachar began her career at the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, on the operational front as a fighter in a field role. She took part in thwarting terror attacks and gathering operational intelligence as part of the “Tequila team.” After finishing her service at the Shin Bet, she joined the Mossad, where she served in operational roles and various intelligence positions. She later worked as an analyst and expert in big data and cyber. Bachar advanced to command positions and served as head of an intelligence branch in the operational division. In that role, she led sensitive collection programs, developed data analysis systems, and built real-time intelligence pictures. Bachar speaks Persian as her native language.
Driven by a vision to change the world of opportunities open to young people in the periphery, Bachar chose to translate the intelligence and technological knowledge she accumulated into social advancement in Israel’s geographic and social margins.
She dreamed up, founded, and established a unique excellence track in the education system: “Security and Intelligence on the Iran Track” in Eilat. Bachar independently raised over 1.5 million shekels from investors to establish the program, developed the curriculum with the Education Ministry, and set up tracks in high schools in Eilat and the social and geographic periphery that pave the way for local youth to meaningful service, including in the IDF’s leading intelligence and cyber units.
Today the curriculum operates in seven cities across Israel. Dozens of graduates have been integrated into leading technological units in the IDF and security establishment. This past January, the program won the IDF Intelligence Directorate Chief’s Prize for Creative Thinking for its significant contribution to diversity of opinions and forms of thinking among Military Intelligence personnel and advancing opportunities for children from the periphery.
Bachar holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and political science from Bar-Ilan University, a teaching certificate in civics and Persian, and a master’s degree specializing in educational leadership, teaching, and learning.
Bachar joins a roster of senior figures who have joined Yashar, including former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, senior economist Shaul Meridor, former minister Matan Kahana, former Knesset member and minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen, leader of Yashar’s national service initiative and former CEO of “Acharai” and social leader attorney Inbar Yehezkel, who leads the party’s post-trauma treatment, Taeer Iferghan, former director-general of the Labor Ministry, and social leader Alex Rif.
Gadi Eisenkot | Photo: Flash90
Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yashar: “Dvora Bachar is a fighter for the periphery. I’ve known Dvora for many years. She represents everything beautiful and promising in Israeli leadership. This is a woman who broke glass ceilings, served as a fighter and senior manager at the heart of the Mossad’s intelligence and cyber operations. Dvora chose to take her knowledge and experience to build the next generation in the periphery. Her operational experience, alongside her entrepreneurial and educational spirit, are a tremendous asset to our team that will lead the necessary repair the country needs.”
Former Shin Bet and Mossad operative and educational entrepreneur Dvora Sharifian Bachar: “For years I operated as a fighter and manager behind the scenes for the country’s security, and I saw up close how fateful decisions are made. Today, our internal challenges demand that we not stay on the sidelines, but take responsibility and influence from within decision-making centers. I believe in the connection between security resilience and social resilience, and in our obligation to give every boy and girl in the periphery the tools to lead and excel. I decided to join Gadi Eisenkot and the Yashar party because Gadi represents balanced, straightforward, and statesmanlike leadership that sees the good of the entire country before its eyes and brings a vision of unity and real hope.”
After the persecution of his father and a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Flávio Bolsonaro sat down for an exclusive interview with Channel 14. The son of Brazil’s former president, a candidate for president in upcoming elections and a staunch supporter of Israel, addressed the controversy surrounding his father, his meeting with Trump—and delivered a warm message to Israel.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio’s father | Photo: Shutterstock
Bolsonaro addressed the controversy surrounding his father, Jair Bolsonaro, after Brazil’s electoral court ruled him ineligible for political office until 2030 on grounds of abuse of power—a decision that sparked widespread public outcry among his voters, who saw it as political persecution. “President Bolsonaro was the target of lawfare. Brazil’s electoral court is made up of several members who are from Brazil’s Supreme Court—that’s how it works in Brazil,” he said.
He added: “They violated the balance in this contest by making decisions in favor of Lula and against President Bolsonaro on a very large scale. Part of the mainstream media also worked very hard against President Bolsonaro and dehumanized his image. They omitted the positive things the administration did—and there were many positive things he did. He was the target of a great false plot.”
Bolsonaro’s son admires him. US President Donald Trump | Photo: The White House
The younger Bolsonaro, who admires President Trump and met with him several weeks ago at the White House, dreams of the day he’ll be president himself and renew the special relationship with Israel. He promised: “I will not only renew these relations, but also expand them. I want every Israeli to come here to Brazil. I will appoint an ambassador to Israel who will truly promote commercial ties with Israel.”
He continued: “This historical connection we have—there are more than 120,000 Jews living in Brazil. These are many people who need to be better cared for. When a country treats the Jewish people living within its borders badly—it harms itself, not just the Jewish people. This will change with us, and you can be sure of that.”
Pro-Israel demonstration in Brazil | Usage under Section 27A of the Copyright Law
He also pledged to move Brazil’s embassy to Jerusalem: “This will happen at the beginning of the government, as fast as possible—continuing what President Jair Bolsonaro started. This is a personal commitment from my heart, to complete this move.”
Bolsonaro also praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and promised to invite him for a visit to Brazil if elected president. “It’s a relationship of respect and appreciation. I imagine it’s not easy to be prime minister in a country like Israel, but he is an exceptionally intelligent and brave person, and I ask God to continue giving him wisdom to defend the State of Israel well and do his part to continue living in peace.”
In a moving closing message, he said: “I want to tell all of you that very soon our commercial, diplomatic and friendly relations will be restored. Starting next year we will receive Israel’s ambassador, we will expand agreements and create the greatest agreements in the world in all fields, because Israel has much to contribute to Brazil—and Brazil has much to contribute to Israel.”
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran and a series of extensive American strikes overnight on Iranian targets, Israel made clear last night (Wednesday) that it won’t wait for further escalation to prepare for renewed combat with Iran. Officials said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are ready at any moment for both defense and offense.
Attacks in Iran, archive foogtage | photo: Arab media
Israeli assessments were that a collision course between Iran and the United States is inevitable. This came despite President Trump preferring, at least at this stage, to continue managing negotiations to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program—contrary to his public statements.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a series of urgent security consultations and situation assessments—expected to continue this evening as well. Officials said: “If Iran chooses to drag us into the cycle of escalation, we will strike with force.”
The European Commission distributed a document to member states Thursday outlining various options to increase oversight and restrict imports of goods produced in Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem, according to Euronews.
The European Union | Photo: Shutterstock
The document comes after most EU foreign ministers requested in June to examine restrictive measures against products from these areas. Options under consideration include partial or full import bans, tariffs designed to make imports economically unviable, and stricter licensing procedures for exporters.
Legal Challenges and Lack of Consensus
According to European diplomats, the current initiative reflects a stalemate in forging agreed policy. The European Commission argues that a foreign and security policy legal basis is required—which demands unanimous support—something that could make passing the measures difficult in practice.
Judea and Samaria | Photo: Haim Goldberg, Flash 90
The EU Council’s legal services, however, believe it may be possible to rely on a trade policy legal basis, which requires only a qualified majority. A diplomatic source noted the issue is under review but no formal decision is expected soon, with the next formal discussion scheduled for October.
Reality on the Ground vs. European Demands
While certain EU member states are advancing the discussion based on their political positions, Israel rejects the characterization of these areas as illegal and defines them as temporary sites.
Moshav Neve Atib in the northern Golan Heights | Photo: Moshe Shai, Flash 90
Israel has recently been working to strengthen control in the area through planning and licensing measures—steps the EU claims contradict previous agreements. In the circulated document, the Commission acknowledges that proposed mechanisms like export licenses or tariffs could face enforcement difficulties and circumvention attempts, as exporters continue selling their products in the European market even under existing restrictions.
