Category: Articles

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the International Criminal Court following reports that prosecutors are seeking a sealed arrest warrant against him, calling the move a “declaration of war” and vowing a forceful response.

“Last night I was informed that the prosecutor of the antisemitic court in The Hague filed a request for a secret international arrest warrant against me,” Smotrich said, opening his remarks.

He said the reported request follows what he described as “unprecedented” warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

“The clumsy attempt to force on us a policy of security suicide through sanctions and arrest warrants will not succeed,” he said.

AFSI Insight
The International Criminal Court is overstepping its mandate and ignoring the security context of ongoing terrorism and the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. The ICC’s involvement in Israel’s security and defense affairs is nothing more than biased lawfare that undermines Israel’s sovereignty and escalates diplomatic tensions.

Source:
Smotrich Slams ICC Arrest Warrant as ‘Declaration of War’, by United with Israel Staff, May 19, 2026

The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee is advancing a disputed piece of legislation that would place antiquities management in Judea and Samaria under direct Israeli civilian control, a step that critics say effectively amounts to annexation in practice.

The committee, chaired by Zvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionism party, met on Monday to begin preparing the bill for its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum.

Under the proposal, authority over archaeological activity would be transferred from the Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration to a new civilian body called the “Judea and Samaria Heritage Authority.”

Relevant to this, on Wednesday the Israeli government approved a NIS 250 million ($85.5 million) plan to develop and preserve heritage sites across Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley and the Judean Desert.

AFSI Insight

This legislation represents a valid measure to safeguard and effectively oversee archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria. The current systems under military or Civil Administration oversight are ineffective, inadequately funded, or incapable of stopping looting and destruction. Furthermore, this bill will enhance Israel’s historical and cultural ties to the area, while also correcting bureaucratic neglect of important heritage sites. The approval of the funding confirms the government’s commitment to preservation measures.

Sources:
Knesset advances controversial bill shifting archaeological authority in Judea and Samaria, by Pesach Benson/TPS via World Israel News, May 19, 2026

Israel OKs $85M investment in heritage sites across Judea and Samaria, by Pesach Benson/TPS via World Israel News, may 20, 2026

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the United States has so far shown flexibility in talks with Tehran, including on restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. He said that Washington has agreed at this stage to unfreeze only 25 percent of frozen Iranian funds within a specific timetable.

According to the official, Iran is demanding the release of all frozen funds, not just some of them. He also noted that the improved proposal submitted by Tehran includes a demand for a permanent end to the war, the lifting of sanctions, and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian official added that the issue of the nuclear program is expected to be discussed in the continuation of the talks. According to him, so far, the US has also shown flexibility regarding demands related to Iran’s nuclear program.

According to sources, the new Iranian proposal includes an official commitment not to produce nuclear weapons, but it does not address the issue of enriched uranium or the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

AFSI Insight
We express skepticism regarding this recent report, as it appears to be a ‘vague commitment’ to refrain from producing nuclear weapons, with no reference to the enriched uranium stockpile. This proposal indicates that the regime is experiencing increasing military and economic pressure and is looking for relief so that it can once more begin negotiating from a position of strength. It has a longstanding history of utilizing negotiations and ceasefires to gain time while continuing to enhance its military and nuclear capabilities. Thus, negotiations cannot go on endlessly. Any agreement should not be trusted unless it encompasses the dismantling of all nuclear infrastructure and relinquishment of enriched uranium. Any agreement must also impose significant restrictions on all the Regime’s proxy terror networks, including Hezbollah and Hamas.

Source:
Report: Iran passes new ceasefire offer to US, by Israel National News, May 18, 2026

During a special cabinet meeting marking Jerusalem Day, the Israeli government approved on Sunday a decision that will advance the establishment of a new Israel Defense Forces museum, a new office for the defense minister, and the relocation of Jerusalem’s military recruitment office to a new complex in Ma’alot Dafna, near Ammunition Hill, at the site that formerly housed an UNRWA compound.

The initiative is being promoted as part of a strategic partnership expected to serve as a major engine for the city’s development, strengthen its national institutions, and expand the presence of Israel’s defense establishment in Jerusalem.

Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the initiative, saying: “The government decision we led today is a decision of sovereignty, Zionism, and security. There is nothing more symbolic or just than establishing the IDF’s new recruitment office and defense establishment institutions precisely on the ruins of the UNRWA complex.”

AFSI Insight
The government’s approval of two Israeli entities at the previous UNRWA site represents both a symbolic and strategic action. It serves as a declaration of Israeli sovereignty and a means to bolster the nation’s historical and military strength. In conclusion, this development affirms and enhances Israel’s sovereignty and continuity.

Source:
Government approves establishment of IDF museum at former UNRWA complex, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, May 17, 2026

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, last Friday morning appealed to the Prime Minister and government ministers to advance the establishment of a synagogue on the Temple Mount.

“You see the here the mosque that is behind me, Al-Aqsa – that is from the exile,” Rabbi Eliyahu said, referring to the existing structures at the site.

He added, “For 2,000 years we were in exile, so they built this structure here, but in truth, the First Temple and Second Temple were here, and the Third Temple will be here. That is a fact.”

Rabbi Eliyahu stressed, “In the meantime, until the Temple is built, there needs to be a synagogue here. Now the Muslims already understand that it is not theirs; we need to take hold.”

AFSI Insight
Rabbi Eliyahu’s statement reflects a growing movement within Religious Zionist circles that sees increased Jewish presence and prayer on the Temple Mount not as a distant dream, but as a natural extension of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem. What makes his statement especially significant is not merely the idea of Jewish prayer on the Mount — that reality has already been evolving incrementally — but his explicit call for an actual synagogue. Such a move would symbolize a major transformation in the long-standing “status quo” arrangement that has governed the site since 1967.

Source:
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu: Time for a synagogue on the Temple Mount, by Israel National News, May 15, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered preparations Thursday for possible legal action against The New York Times after the newspaper published an opinion column alleging systematic sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees by Israeli personnel.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the article by veteran columnist Nicholas Kristof contained “one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel in the modern press.”

The dispute centers on Kristof’s column, “The Silence in the Face of Rape Against Palestinians,” which alleged that Israeli soldiers, prison guards, Israel Security Agency interrogators and civilians systematically sexually abused Palestinian men, women and minors detained during the war in Gaza. Kristof wrote that the abuse had become “routine operating procedure.”

AFSI Insight
The claims reported by The New York Times may be perceived as either overstated, inadequately substantiated, or completely slanderous. We say they are all three. This article constitutes a “blood libel,” and the New York Times has transgressed the boundaries of journalism, engaging in anti-Israel activism. The depths to which they have descended should not astonish anyone. Israel is justified and opens up a new frontier in addressing this issue directly because failure to do so will allow allegations from this so-called “paper of record” to serve as a persistent propaganda weapon against Israel if they remain unchallenged.

Source:
Israel Preparing Legal Action Against New York Times Over Gaza Abuse Claims, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL, May 14, 2026

Arabs broke in early Wednesday the Tzur Levavi farm in the Binyamin region and stole a flock of sheep.

The thieves fled the scene by vehicle. Immediately after the incident was discovered, security forces began extensive searches in the area in an attempt to locate the flock and the suspects.

After several hours of searching, dozens of the stolen sheep were located inside the village of Jaljulia.

The recovery was made possible through combined efforts of security forces and civilian volunteers who operated in full cooperation.

Security forces were able to identify all parts of the flock, although the thieves had split the sheep into different groups.

The identification was based on prior markings on the animals, despite attempts by the thieves to conceal the flock in various ways that caused harm to the sheep.

Residents of the farm and security forces are now preparing to return all the separated parts of the flock safely to the farm.

AFSI Insight
The theft and recovery of the herd highlights the growing security challenges facing Israeli farmers in Judea and Samaria. Agricultural theft is seen as more than ordinary crime — it is viewed as an attempt to intimidate farmers, damage livelihoods, and weaken the Jewish presence on the land. While the recovery of the sheep shows the effectiveness of cooperation between security forces and local volunteers, stronger deterrence and enforcement are needed to prevent these attacks from continuing. AFSI expresses strong support for the farmers and communities defending and maintaining Israel’s presence in these vulnerable areas.

Source:
Herd stolen from Israeli farm found in Arab village, by Israel National News, May 13, 2026

Six months after the deadline for Hamas to disarm passed, Israel is reshaping the campaign in the Gaza Strip. A senior Western diplomat confirmed that Israel has significantly expanded its hold on the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, and that the IDF now controls 64% of the territory. The new boundary line along which IDF forces have taken up positions, dubbed the “orange line,” replaces the more limited “yellow line” and adds 34 square kilometers (13 square miles) to Israel’s security zones, about 11% of the total area of the Gaza Strip.

AFSI Insight
Israel’s expanded control inside Gaza represents a major strategic shift toward creating long-term security zones rather than relying on temporary military operations. The move also sends a message that Hamas faces consequences for refusing to disarm under the internationally backed “Board of Peace” framework. With reported U.S. awareness and approval, Israel appears to be acting from a stronger diplomatic position while focusing on preventing future attacks like the October 7 massacre.

Source:
IDF changes Gaza control map with Board of Peace approval, by Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, May 12, 2026

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday postponed approval of a proposed law to repeal the Oslo Accords, the Hebron Protocol, and the Wye River Memorandum.

During the discussion, a lively debate developed over the necessity of the move. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the legislation to be advanced immediately, arguing that “we have a rare opportunity – the Palestinian Authority supports terrorism and calls for terrorism,” adding that most coalition members understand what he described as “the stupidity of the Oslo Accords.”

Justice Minister Yariv Levin said he wishes to advance the law but clarified: “In the end, there is a Prime Minister who is exposed to things that I am not. The discussion is postponed until the Prime Minister approves it.”

AFSI Insight
The tension between Israel’s security imperatives and political pragmatism is underscored by the delay in repealing the Oslo Accords. At AFSI, alongside many Israelis, we consider the Oslo framework a failed experiment that has compromised Israel’s strategic standing and fostered terrorism. From our perspective, the agreement is being systematically undermined by Arabs constructing expansive communities throughout Area C.

Following decades of hostility and the events of October 7, critics contend that Israel must re-evaluate the accords that have jeopardized its safety. Although coalition dynamics and international pressure may impede immediate repeal, the escalating public debate indicates that the Oslo Accords are no longer beyond reproach and are increasingly regarded as a profound historical error.

Source:
Netanyahu delays bill to repeal the Oslo Accords, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, May 10, 2026

The Israeli government has reapproved a major initiative to restore and develop the Ancient Samaria National Park in Sebastia, allocating NIS 28 million toward archaeological preservation, tourism infrastructure and public accessibility at the historic site in northern Samaria. This plan will place the site under the management of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and aims to establish Sebastia as a major national heritage and tourism destination.

Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan praised the decision as what he called a “historic correction” aimed at preserving the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel. He accused the Palestinian Authority of attempting to damage and erase the site through neglect and looting and said the government would continue efforts to develop the area and attract large numbers of visitors.

AFSI Insight
Israel’s major investment in Ancient Samaria is an important step toward preserving one of the Jewish people’s most historic biblical sites. The initiative strengthens protection of Jewish heritage, counters years of neglect and attempts to erase Jewish history and reinforces the enduring connection between the Jewish people and Judea and Samaria. Preserving these archaeological treasures is both a cultural responsibility and a statement of national permanence and sovereignty.

Source:
Government approves massive investment into ancient Samaria, by Israel National News, May 10, 2026