ISRAEL HAYOM (by agreement with JNS)
Netanyahu’s insistence offers a clear hint of what lies ahead
Amit Segal
July 23, 2026

“Call us when you’re serious,” US Secretary of State James Baker told the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir in the early 1990s. Under the current Republican administration, with the current Likud prime minister, Washington is still answering the phone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are speaking, although no longer every day. Something has been amiss in relations between the White House and the Prime Minister’s Office since the war with Iran became more complicated. The president’s inner circle is smaller and more closed than in previous administrations, and gaining access to it has become increasingly difficult. The Americans are making it clear to the Israelis that they are running the war and that everything is fine, thank you very much. But it is evident to everyone that Israel is moving into the back seat. READ MORE

ISRAEL HAYOM Lilach Shoval: Israel eyes new targets, more aggressive strikes in next Iran campaign As of this writing, although several Israeli municipal authorities have decided to open public shelters, the IDF Home Front Command has not changed its instructions for civilians. But after the experience of the past year during Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, local authorities and the public alike are clearly reading the signs and understand that Israel may once again be heading toward another round of fighting with Iran. Israel has, in fact, dramatically raised its alert level since the beginning of the week. Until now, the level of readiness was considered “high.” The Israel Defense Forces are now at maximum readiness and prepared for any development at extremely short notice. In effect, the Israeli security establishment is ready to carry out any decision the political leadership may make.