Ancient Levantine port in Tel Aviv-Yafo with a biblical and Crusader pedigree
The Altalena, a wartime Irgun cargo ship sunk in June 1948, has been located off Tel Aviv. Israel has been salvaging the wreckage for years. Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu calls the find a deep national wound and notes it underscores Menachem Begin’s order to prevent civil war. Netanyahu’s government now leans on the episode to frame right-wing strength.
Documentary NAZA relies on anonymous Israeli military testimonials alleging AI-enabled targeting in Gaza. While the film has won Venice’s Special Jury Prize and will stream via The Guardian, Israeli officials deny the allegations and threaten legal steps against the filmmakers. The Guardian cooperates on distribution; filmmakers argue for public access amid ongoing debate.
Arab-Israeli voters are mobilising ahead of the October 27 election, with turnout surging among Palestinian citizens of Israel. Polls suggest Arab lists could be kingmakers, potentially shaping whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot leads the next government. The dynamic is redefining coalition math in a deeply divided Israel.
Palestinian journalist Abu Shehadeh has been detained in Jaffa as police investigate an interview with Balad founder Azmi Bishara. Rights groups call the action a broader crackdown on Palestinian political expression; protests have gathered outside the Tel Aviv court.