IDAN KWELLER

Idan Kweller is the diplomatic correspondent for the Hebrew news site, Walla .

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul listens as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during the annual New York State Financial Control Board meeting on August 12, 2026 in New York City.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul promises to increase holiday security at synagogues, Jewish sites

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa looks on during a US hosted meeting with Israeli and Lebanese delegations at the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2026.

US denies Lebanese report that Ambassador Michael Issa got 'green light' to meet Hezbollah

US President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to the media with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent behind him, on the day of a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

Trump says Iran is 'in deep trouble' as US maintains blockade of Strait of Hormuz


Israel hits back at 15 countries, EU over criticism of UNRWA compound seizure

The ministry referred to a report by the USAID Office of Inspector General which concluded that more than 100 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 Hamas attack.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hold a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jerusalem, May 22, 2025.

'I’ll miss you guys': Karoline Leavitt bids farewell to White House press corps

Leavitt told reporters she would miss working with them, while joking that televised briefings account for only a fraction of the job. Leavitt is set to join the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc.

Reporters raise hands as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 16, 2026.

US urges countries to boost security around synagogues ahead of High Holidays

The State Department is also seeking increased protection around Jewish community residential areas and along routes used by worshippers walking to synagogues.

 A kippah demonstration in front of a synagogue in Berlin

Iran economic sanctions leading to extremist regime elements gaining power, dissident says - report

"Under President Trump, the Treasury Department will continue to cut off every economic lifeline sustaining this regime, until Tehran is left completely alone," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent takes questions from reporters as he speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC on August 24, 2026. Bessent, in a column for the Financial Times, declared that an "economic D-Day" had begun against Tehran on Monday.

US offers $10 million reward for information on senior IRGC leaders, including one killed in April

The US State Department's Rewards for Justice offered a bounty of up to $10m. for information on five IRGC leaders, including Majid Khademi, who was killed by an Israeli strike in April.

IRGC intelligence chief Majid Khademi pictured in February 2026.

Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to return to Trump-aligned MAGA Inc.

As Karoline Leavitt prepares to leave her role as White House Press Secretary, what will she be doing next?

US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 8, 2026.

Mossad chief, Syria FM hold positive de-escalation talks after Israeli airbase strike, source says

Meeting comes after Shaibani told Reuters Israel has 'historic opportunity' for diplomacy • IDF struck Syrian airbase last week intended to prevent Turkish military presence, sources told the Post

(L-R): Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani; Mossad Director Roman Gofman

Rubio holds advantage over Vance in matchups against Democratic presidential candidates - poll

According to the Emerson College poll, Rubio defeats both former vice president Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in hypothetical races by the same margin, 48% to 43%.

L-R) US Vice President JD Vance and US President Donald Trump listen to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026.

Trump envoy Barrack faces criticism over Syria stance and Golan comments - analysis

Gideon Sa’ar criticized Barrack following the comments, saying they were “full of inaccuracies” and included positions that “contradict the position of Trump himself regarding the Golan Heights.”

US SPECIAL ENVOY for Syria Tom Barrack speaks at a news conference in Damascus in September 2025.

Israel targeted Syria airbase over planned Turkish troop, radar presence, source confirms to 'Post'

The IDF struck the Abu al-Duhur military airfield after troops received intelligence that Turkey sought to place a radar with Turkish troops at the Syrian base.

Abu al-Duhur base is seen following reported Israeli strikes, Syria, August 18, 2026