As Israel approaches its election, questions over political interference in security matters dominated the domestic agenda, while the IDF continued operations in the West Bank following the killing of two soldiers. Abroad, intelligence reports point to renewed Iranian threats against American personnel, and economists warned of the risks posed by the prime minister's cryptocurrency policy.

Security

The IDF launched a wide-reaching operation in Hebron after two soldiers were killed, with ongoing security coordination with the Palestinian Authority continuing amid the unrest. Separately, an Israeli professor accused of planning large-scale attacks appeared in court, insisting he was mentally sound and did not require psychiatric evaluation; the judge agreed to his request, despite prosecutors alleging the plot targeted individuals they described as among the most extreme on the right. Regionally, Iraq is bracing for a possible resumption of conflict with Iran after more than 1,000 strikes on Kurdistan and 600 militia attacks, prompting Baghdad to close border crossings with Tehran. Separately, two Iranian officials reportedly confirmed that Tehran is preparing operations against US diplomats and personnel, describing them as legitimate targets in retaliation for American and Israeli actions against Iranian figures.

Politics

A meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu, National Security Minister Ben Gvir and police chief Danny Levy went ahead despite objections from the Attorney General, after the Central Elections Committee chairman ruled it could proceed provided election matters were kept off the agenda. Netanyahu said the discussion concerned security threats rather than election integrity, while elections chief Isaac Sohlberg issued a public warning against any attempt to interfere with the vote. Levy stated police would do everything in their power to safeguard Israeli democracy. The Central Elections Committee is deploying a multi-layered oversight system for polling day, including cameras in counting rooms and cross-party monitoring, to prevent fraud. Meanwhile, Rabbi Eli Sadan said he supports Otzma party figure Ofer Winter passing the electoral threshold, denying reports he had urged voters against him, and argued that only Winter's entry into the Knesset would give Netanyahu a fully right-wing government. In judicial news, retired Supreme Court President Asher Grunis stepped down from the state inquiry into the submarine affair due to health issues, with retired justices Tzvi Zilbertal and Ruth Lorch appointed to replace him on the committee.

International

An 18-year-old has admitted to possessing the manifesto of a synagogue attacker and sharing far-right extremist material, alongside drafting his own manifesto suggesting plans for a future attack, raising fresh concerns about radicalisation. In London, Haringey council leader Mark Blake made renewed claims of the 'weaponisation of antisemitism' after a local synagogue warned that his party's stance was making Jewish residents feel unsafe, deepening a row over Zionism within local politics.

Economy

A group of 109 economists, Nobel laureates and prominent business leaders warned that Prime Minister Netanyahu's approach to cryptocurrency policy could cause 'irreversible damage' to the Israeli economy, cautioning that the risk of international sanctions could harm investment, the high-tech sector and living standards. On a more positive note for Israeli business abroad, Tesco began stocking plant-based products from Israeli food-tech firm Redefine Meat across 391 UK stores, building on the company's existing presence at Asda and Ocado.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post