Sep 03, 2026

Israel News Today: Trump Tells Israel 'Not to Worry' About Iran as US Condemns West Bank Violence

US President Donald Trump told Israelis they need not worry about the latest escalation with Iran, while the State Department issued a rare condemnation of violence in the West Bank. At home, the election campaign intensified, with the Democrats accusing a state panel of delaying a security detail for party leader Yair Golan and former general Ofer Winter setting a conscription law as his condition for joining any government.

Trump: "Israel Should Not Worry" About Iran

"Israel should not worry. You know why? Because I'm the president and I will take care of Israel," Trump told the Kan public broadcaster, according to The Times of Israel. Iran has struck countries across the Middle East but has refrained from hitting Israel in the current round of fighting. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was prepared to respond "with great force" if attacked by Iran during the Jewish holiday season. Trump separately said the conflict would end "not too long" from now, without giving a timeline.

US Issues Rare Condemnation of West Bank Violence

"We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and call for investigations, arrests and convictions of those responsible," a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel. The statement went slightly further than previous ones but did not use the word "settler" or criticise Israel's handling of the issue.

Democrats Demand Security Detail for Yair Golan

The Democrats party said its leader Yair Golan is being denied state-funded protection despite police raising his threat level to four out of six, while a government advisory committee has already recommended security for opposition frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot, The Times of Israel reported. Golan is also preparing a libel suit against Sara Netanyahu, who suggested without evidence that he knew of the October 7 attack in advance.

Winter Makes Conscription Law His Condition for Government

Ofer Winter, the right-wing former general who leads the new People of Israel party, said his party will not join any coalition unless a universal conscription law is passed before the government is formed, according to The Times of Israel. Winter supports Netanyahu remaining prime minister, but Likud is closely allied with ultra-Orthodox parties that oppose universal conscription.

Haredi Protest After Draft Evaders Stopped at Ben Gurion

Dozens of Haredi men protested outside the Jerusalem home of a senior police official after the Israel Airports Authority said six draft evaders were detained at Ben Gurion Airport while trying to leave the country, The Times of Israel reported.

Fuel Tax Cut Approved

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara approved Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's plan to cut the excise tax on gasoline, lowering the government-set price from a record NIS 8.25 to NIS 7.75 per litre, according to The Times of Israel.