News Roundup for January 12, 2026
Are We Really Safer in a World Where Might Makes Right?, Word on the Street
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “Opposing these leaders who ground their actions in a ‘might makes right’ worldview are the institutions and rules in place since World War II to advance democracy, shared security and the rule of law.”
Has Birthright Become a Toxic Brand?, Haaretz
“J Street, which bills itself a ‘pro-Israel, pro-peace’ lobbying group, launched its own Birthright alternative called ‘Let Our People Know.’ Its intention was to offer young Jews an opportunity on the ground to learn things about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that Birthright was not telling them.”
Hamas Says It Will Dissolve Its Gaza Government When New Palestinian Body Takes Over, AP
“Hamas and the rival Palestinian Authority, the Palestinians’ internationally recognized representative, have not announced the names of the technocrats, who are not supposed to be politically affiliated, and it remains unclear if they will be cleared by Israel and the U.S.”
Iran Says It’s Ready for ‘War’ or Dialogue as Trump Weighs Response to Protests, Washington Post
“Trump said he believed Iran was taking US threats seriously. ‘They’ve been going through it for years with me,’ he said in response to a question, noting the U.S. strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Trump’s first term and the recent U.S. operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.”
Fire at Mississippi’s Largest Synagogue Under Federal Investigation After Arrest, The Forward
“The fire broke out around 3 a.m. Saturday at Beth Israel Congregation, the only synagogue in Jackson, the state capital. Video surveillance footage shows a man splashing liquid along a wall onto a couch in the lobby.”
Israeli Settler Violence Against Palestinians in West Bank Rose 25 Percent in 2025, IDF Finds, Haaretz
“The trend, which worries the IDF and undermines security and stability in the area, does not receive an adequate response on the part of the Israel Police and Shin Bet security service against the lawbreakers.”
School Resumes in Tents Under Shadow of Gaza’s ‘Yellow Line’, Reuters
“Toulin Al-Hindi, 7, is grateful to be in school at last after more than two years of war. She is one of some 400 children attending lessons at the makeshift North Educational School, set up in blue plastic tents in the ruins of northern Gaza’s community of Beit Lahiya, within eyesight of the ‘yellow line’ held by Israeli forces.”
Israel Is Still Demolishing Gaza, Building by Building, New York Times
“Israel has demolished more than 2,500 buildings in Gaza since the cease-fire began, according to a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs.”
Does Anyone Care About the Crisis in Israel’s Arab Communities?, Haaretz
Haaretz Editorial Board writes, “Instead of acting to increase the personal security of all Israelis and to eradicate crime, Itamar Ben-Gvir is intentionally neglecting the Arab communities. The Kahanist minister uses his authority, taxpayers’ money and law enforcement to provoke Israel’s Arab communities, as part of a political strategy that legitimizes state violence against them.”
