| Jewish World News |
| Iran’s Jews Forced to Demonstrate Loyalty to Regime Amid Heightened Tensions |
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TEHRAN – The approximately 10,000 Jews still living in Iran are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate complete loyalty to the Islamic regime following the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, according to an expert on Iranian affairs. Beni Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said the security situation has become far more sensitive for the country’s remaining Jewish community, leaving many fearful that any perceived connection with Israel could place them in danger. Speaking on an INSS podcast, Sabti explained that during the recent hostilities, synagogues reportedly held ceremonies expressing support for the Iranian government, including public prayers for the success of Iranian military operations and condemnations of Israel and the United States. According to Sabti, such public displays are not necessarily a reflection of the community’s true feelings but rather a means of self-preservation. “The community understands that, in order to survive, it must avoid giving the authorities any reason for suspicion,” he said. Many Iranian Jews have therefore dramatically reduced contact with relatives living in Israel and elsewhere. Some have stopped communicating through WhatsApp, removed Israeli relatives from social media, and even asked family members overseas not to initiate contact. Sabti said the absence of communication is often intended as a reassuring message in itself. “They are effectively saying: ‘Please leave us alone. If you do not hear from us, it means we are safe,'” he explained. Although the Iranian authorities officially distinguish between Judaism as a religion and Zionism as a political movement—and continue to reserve one parliamentary seat for a representative of the Jewish community—Sabti warned that any association with Israel can quickly lead to accusations of espionage or questioning by the security services. The fear remains deeply rooted in the community following the arrest in 1999 of 13 Iranian Jews who were accused of spying for Israel. The case attracted widespread international attention, and several of those detained were released only after sustained diplomatic pressure. Today, most of Iran’s Jewish population lives in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. Many work as doctors, engineers, shopkeepers and professionals. While emigration remains an option for some, many elderly members of the community are reluctant to leave behind homes, businesses and property accumulated over decades. Sabti also noted that Iranian Jews have maintained an uninterrupted presence in Persia for some 2,500 years, preserving strong ties to the Persian language, culture and local communities. At the same time, he said the prolonged isolation from larger Jewish communities abroad has enabled small anti-Zionist groups, including figures associated with Neturei Karta, to gain greater visibility within parts of the community—something he believes the Iranian authorities have sought to exploit for propaganda purposes. Despite these challenges, Sabti stressed that the overwhelming priority for Iran’s remaining Jews is simply to live quietly and avoid attracting the attention of the regime during an especially sensitive period. |
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| British News |
| Andy Burnham officially becomes Britain’s prime minister, its 7th in a decade |
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Andy Burnham is officially Britain’s new prime minister, the country’s seventh within a decade. Burnham formally accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government. Buckingham Palace has released a photo of the two men shaking hands. The ceremony known as “kissing hands” marks the transfer of power from former leader Keir Starmer to Burnham. Burnham replaced Starmer as leader of the center-left governing Labour Party last week. |
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| World News |
| Iran says it’s in ‘full-scale war’ with US as mediators said to proffer 10-day truce |
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that his country was in a “full-scale war” with the United States and that Tehran should accept the repercussions of the conflict, even as mediators reportedly proposed a 10-day truce to deescalate the fighting. “The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war,” Pezeshkian said, adding that “we must be realistic and accept the natural consequences of this resistance,” according to a statement. Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf doubled down on the sentiment, claiming that US military steps proved that Washington is not interested in ending the recent escalation with Tehran. “Americans keep bringing new military equipment to the region and claim they want to stop the war,” said Ghalibaf. “They’ve bet on our intelligence being as low as their own IQ.” “We’ve reached the stage of mastery in recognizing these American games, and on that basis, we’ve prepared ourselves,” he continued. “Actions must confirm claims, not contradict them.”
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| Israel News |
| US says Lebanese army deploying to ‘pilot zones,’ including one IDF will withdraw from |
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The US announces the commencement of “pilot zone operations” in southern Lebanon, where Lebanese Armed Forces are slated to deploy in place of withdrawing Israeli troops. “Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon,” the US State Department says in a statement. However, two of the three villages mentioned notably don’t have Israeli forces located there. Froun and Srifa are located in the first of two pilot zones earmarked for the LAF’s deployment, as part of the framework deal Israel and Lebanon reached last month. That pilot zone is located outside of the IDF’s six-mile buffer zone in southern Lebanon. The second pilot zone straddles both sides of the IDF buffer zone. Zawtar Al-Gharbiya is inside Israel’s buffer zone. Israeli forces currently stationed there will be required to withdraw. The State Department doesn’t specify what it means by pilot zone operations beginning, but is apparently referring to the deployment of LAF forces in those three villages. “This milestone is a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion,” the State Department statement says. While Israel agreed to withdraw its troops from the second pilot zone as part of the framework deal it inked with Lebanon last month, it has yet to do so, with military officials saying they haven’t received a directive from elected leaders to pull out of the area. The Israeli foot dragging on the withdrawal has marred negotiations with Lebanon, which briefly threatened to boycott last week’s talks in Rome, before the US managed to talk Beirut down with assurances that progress would be made on the issue. However, it remains unclear when Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from the second zone, as no timeline has been provided. The IDF doesn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on its planned withdrawal. |
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| Trump vows Netanyahu won’t be arrested while visiting US, as Mamdani is seeking |
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US President Donald Trump declares that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” Trump appears to be responding to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s expressed desire to arrest Netanyahu when he comes to town in September for the UN General Assembly, citing the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against the Israeli premier. Mamdani, however, does not appear to have the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu. The NYC mayor has said he is holding talks with aides and will do what the law allows. Trump in a Truth Social post says Netanyahu “is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others.” “The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous presidents.” |
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| US Officials Reportedly Trying To Block Netanyahu-Trump Meeting |
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Senior officials in the Trump administration and allies of Vice President J.D. Vance are reportedly working behind the scenes to prevent a meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, according to senior Israeli officials cited by Ynet. The report says Netanyahu hopes to travel to the United States next week while also attending the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham on July 27. However, the prime minister reportedly does not want to make the trip to Washington unless he is able to meet with President Trump. According to the Israeli officials, relations between Netanyahu and Trump are significantly better than recent media reports have suggested, and some claims of tension between the two leaders have been exaggerated. Nevertheless, they said there is an effort by certain administration officials to prevent the meeting, believing it could encourage Trump to take a more hawkish approach toward Iran. The Prime Minister’s Office is continuing discussions with the White House in an effort to coordinate a meeting next week, but no final agreement has been reached. The report also noted previous comments by Vice President J.D. Vance, who claimed that elements in Israel were conducting “a campaign operating under the radar, funded with enormous sums, aimed at influencing public opinion in America and undermining the negotiations with Iran.” Vance added, “These actions are intended to prolong the war not for any particular objective, but simply forever.” |
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