06.17.2026 Ahead of the Signing: The United States and Iran are Circulating Conflicting Versions of the Agreement Washington and Tehran are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, but are already engaged in a struggle over how its terms should be interpreted. The United States is demanding that the Strait of Hormuz remain fully open to international shipping, while Iran has signaled that it intends to continue exercising control over the waterway. The release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets is also disputed, with conflicting accounts emerging over the timing and conditions for unfreezing the funds. At the same time, while Hezbollah is celebrating what it describes as the “liberation of Lebanon,” American officials maintain that Israel retains the right to defend itself. By Itai Gil Lev
06.16.2026 The Arab World Welcomes the Agreement Between Iran and the United States Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire and called for an immediate halt to all regional attacks, the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a return to diplomacy mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. Oman said: “The American–Iranian agreement is a victory, at the right moment, for diplomacy and common sense.” By Davar
06.16.2026 The Struggle Over Memory: The Law Establishing a 7 October Authority and Council Reaches Its Final Stage The Education Committee is expected to approve, for second and third readings, the bill to establish a national memorial authority. The council will include 13 representatives, with a last-minute addition of a representative of survivors of the music festivals. The main remaining dispute concerns the absence of a guaranteed budget. By David Tversky
06.16.2026 Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut: “We Are Sliding Toward the Brink of Anarchy” Former President of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut issued an extraordinary public statement following an incident targeting the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg.. Dozens of judges expressed concern that the escalating violence could eventually reach their own homes. President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the events, which were allegedly planned in advance by an extremist group. By Or Guetta
06.15.2026 The United States and Iran Announce They Have Reached an Agreement, to Be Signed on Friday Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said that “an agreement has been reached on all fronts, including Lebanon.” Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu oppose an Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanon. By Uriel Levy
06.14.2026 All Six Candidates for Senior Position in the Prime Minister’s Office Disqualified Without Explanation; Concerns Over Political Appointment Documents and testimonies obtained by Davar reveal sharp criticism of the tender process for the position of Head of the Spokesperson’s Division in the office, which is subordinate to the National Public Diplomacy Directorate headed by Tzipi Hotovely. A member of the selection committee said: “The committee members came prepared to disqualify all of the candidates.” In response, the Public Diplomacy Directorate stated: “The committee decided that none of the candidates meet the required conditions.” By Or Guetta