Daily Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Political and Security Drama: Knesset Approves Dissolution Bill, Leadership Shuffle in the Mossad, and Escalation in the North

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News Digest Summary: June 3, 2026

Dramatic Legislation in the Knesset: The Knesset plenum approved in its first reading the bill to dissolve the 25th Knesset by a majority of 106 supporters and no opponents. The date for the elections to the 26th Knesset is expected to be set between September and October 2026 in coordination with the ultra-Orthodox parties. At the same time, the controversial law to split the role of the Attorney General and weaken it was approved in its first reading (65 supporters against 47 opponents).

Tension Between Netanyahu and Trump: Reports of an especially stormy phone call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, who hurled harsh accusations at Netanyahu against the backdrop of Israel's intentions to escalate the fighting in Lebanon. Despite Trump's announcements of reaching agreements on a ceasefire, Hezbollah violated it with rocket fire.

State Comptroller Report: The published report reveals that Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and MK Avigdor Liberman used their parties' funds to finance personal defamation lawsuits. It was also revealed that budget surpluses of millions of shekels from the parties of Moshe Kahlon and Bogie Ya'alon have not yet been returned to the state treasury.

Likud Primaries: The Likud Constitution Committee unanimously determined that the primary elections for the party's list will be held no later than July 28, 2026. At the same time, the establishment of the "Reservists' Forum in Likud" was announced.

Harsh Criticism in the Opposition: MK Gadi Eisenkot attacked Netanyahu, claiming he prefers his personal legal interests over the state. Avigdor Liberman called the Prime Minister an "absolute rag," while Democrats Chairman Yair Golan sparked controversy when he claimed that the main challenge in Judea and Samaria is dealing with "Jewish terrorism."

Fighting and Evacuation of Residents: The Minister of Defense threatened extensive military action in Beirut while the IDF considers additional ground maneuvers in Lebanon. Approximately 600,000 residents fled the Dahiyeh district in Beirut. At the same time, two IDF soldiers were lightly injured by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon, and extensive strikes were carried out in Nabatieh, Al-Marwaniyah, and other villages.

Home Front Command Policy: The warning time in 161 northern localities, including Haifa and the Krayot, was extended from 60 to 90 seconds. The "Fighting for the North" headquarters protested repeated alarms and claimed that there is no de facto ceasefire. On the other hand, a large-scale government plan for the rehabilitation of the North was announced, totaling over 13 billion shekels.

Leadership Shuffle in the Mossad: David (Dadi) Barnea concluded a five-year term as the 13th Director of the Mossad. At the farewell ceremony, Barnea emphasized that regime change in Iran is an achievable goal. Upon taking office, the incoming Director of the Mossad, Roman Gofman, ordered the termination of the employment of the organization's external media advisor without conducting a transition period.

Earthquake in the IDF: A senior officer with the rank of Brigadier General in a sensitive position was suspended from his post following serious moral misconduct suspicions. At the same time, Brig. Gen. A. assumed the position of Head of the Operations Division in the Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman).

Elimination of Nukhba Deputy Commander: The IDF eliminated the terrorist Ramadan, the deputy commander of a Nukhba squad who was involved in the massacre at the roadside bomb shelter at the Re'im junction and the abduction of young people.

Strikes in Gaza: An Israeli UAV attacked a vehicle near Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip; several dead and injured were reported.

Clashes in Judea, Samaria, and Benjamin: The Commander of the Central Command imposed an administrative restriction order and house arrest for six months on a settler from Givat Tel Talpiot a day after his engagement. In northern Samaria, the Regavim movement warned of severe damage to the Khirbet Farsin archaeological site.

The Persian Gulf and Yemen: US Central Command (CENTCOM) disabled an Iranian oil tanker (M/T Lexie) and attacked an Iranian control station on Qeshm Island. In southern Yemen, the arrival of Pakistani forces at the oil fields was reported, causing friction with Saudi-backed forces.

Cancellation of VAT Exemption: The Knesset approved the cancellation of the VAT exemption on personal orders from abroad over 75 dollars (reduced from 130 dollars).

Unusual Appeal to the Tax Authority: Tech giants Google and NVIDIA requested to pay their taxes in dollars due to the volatility of the shekel exchange rate.

Criminal Events and Tragedies: In Eilat, a couple of local veterans were found lifeless in their vehicle after taking their own lives due to financial distress. In Rishon LeZion, a 64-year-old woman drowned to death in a private pool. At the Schneider Center, a 17-year-old girl was found lifeless. In Bnei Brak, a suspect was arrested for committing an indecent act on a 6-year-old, and in Tel Aviv, teenagers who violently robbed minors were arrested.

Antisemitism in Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that antisemitism in the country has reached levels not seen since World War II, presenting six new laws to combat the phenomenon.

Consumerism and Deals: NVIDIA is launching the RTX Spark platform based on the ARM architecture for PCs. In retail chains, summer deals are offered on Wissotzky cold brews at KSP, fruit and vegetable deals at AM:PM via Wolt, and a ROJECO smart feeder for 139 shekels.