News Roundup for January 29, 2026
‘Racist, Discriminatory and Indefensible’ – Progressive Jewish Groups in North America Urge Israeli Leaders to Oppose Death Penalty Bill, Haaretz
“The letter, spearheaded by T’ruah, a Rabbinical human rights organization, was issued by thirteen prominent liberal Jewish North American organizations, including J Street, Union for Reform Judaism, New Israel Fund, New Jewish Narrative, National Council of Jewish Women, Canadian Friends of Peace Now, Partners for Progressive Israel and the Israeli expat group UnXeptable.”
ICYMI: AIPAC, ICE and the Battle for a Deep-Blue District, Word on the Street
Daniel Biss – Evanston mayor and J Street–endorsed congressional candidate – joined J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami and Chief Policy Officer Ilan Goldenberg for this week’s Word on the Street Live.
IDF Accepts Gaza Health Ministry Death Toll of Over 71,000 Palestinians Killed During the War, Haaretz
“The Ministry’s tally includes only those killed directly by Israeli military fire in its tracking, not people who died of starvation or from diseases exacerbated by the war.”
Driver Smashes Car Into Chabad’s World Headquarters in New York City, Times of Israel
“A Chabad spokesperson, Motti Seligson, said in a statement that the ramming appeared to be intentional, that the driver’s motives were unclear, and that there were no injuries.”
What to Know About Gaza’s Rafah Crossing, Which Could Open Within Days, AP
“Under conditions Netanyahu stipulates, only dozens of Palestinians will be allowed through the crossing each day, and no goods will cross for now. All other Gaza border crossings are with Israel.”
Netanyahu, Citing Biden-Era Arms Delays, Vows to Cut Reliance on U.S. Military Aid, New York Times
“While Mr. Netanyahu did not explicitly blame the Biden administration in his remarks on Tuesday night, he implied it, saying that the situation had changed immeasurably since President Trump took office a year ago.”
Saudi, Israeli Officials Visit D.C. To Talk Possible US Strikes on Iran, Axios
“White House officials say Trump still hasn’t made a final decision. While he threatened Iran again on Wednesday with strikes that ‘will be far worse’ than last time, his aides claim he’s still willing to explore diplomacy.”
Israel Went to Extremes to Return Ran Gvili’s Body. Why Doesn’t It Accord Dead Palestinians the Same Respect?, Haaretz
“A state that abducted and continues to hold hundreds of bodies – some buried, some frozen for months and even years – is willing to charge any price for the return of a single body. To recover Gvili’s remains, the state is permitted to do anything,” writes Gideon Levy.
No Child Deserves to Die Like My Daughter, New York Times
“On Jan. 29, 2024, my daughter Hind’s voice reached me for the last time. It’s been two years, but its absence is still the loudest sound in our home,” Hind Rajab’s mother Wesam Hamada writes.
