Jacob Jaffa

Assistant News Editor

Jacob Jaffa is the JC's Assistant News Editor. His specialist topics include UK and US politics, the far-right and antisemitism in Europe. You can reach him on jjaffa@thejc.com

Latest from Jacob Jaffa

Syria

Syrian forces take Raqqa after new ceasefire with Kurdish militias

President al-Sharaa recently signed a declaration guaranteeing the embattled minority equal rights as part of an integration plan

2 min read

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announces a presidential proclamation extending full legal equality to the Kurdish minority, reinstating the citizenship of stateless Syrian Kurds and enshrining Kurdish as a national language (X/RagipSoylu)

US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025 (Getty Images)

Israel pushes back on Trump’s Board of Peace plan over Qatari and Turkish involvement

2 min read

Emily Damari celebrates one year since she was freed from Hamas captivity (Shai Franco)

‘I came back to life’: British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari marks one year of freedom

1 min read

Hundreds of Tel Aviv residents sue homeowner blocking redevelopment project over how it would impact stray cats

1 min read

US sets out four conditions for Iran peace as aircraft carrier en route to Gulf

Washington’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, called on the Islamic Republic to commit to stringent limitations on its nuclear and ballistic programmes

2 min read

January 16, 2026 11:20

Steve Witkoff onstage at the Israeli-American Council's conference in Hollywood, Florida, on January 15, 2025. (YouTube/ErinMolan)

Trump promises ‘comprehensive’ Hamas disarmament in ceasefire Phase Two

The US President was undeterred by the terror group’s public pronouncements that it would refuse to lay down its weapons

1 min read

January 16, 2026 10:41

US President Trump speaks during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on January 9, 2026 (Getty Images)

‘The killing has stopped’: Trump seemingly backs off Iran strikes after regime U-turns on protest executions

Senior US officials reportedly called the president’s comments a diplomatic ‘off-ramp’

1 min read

January 15, 2026 14:48

US President Trump takes questions from members of the media during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on January 9, 2026, in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Lebanese foreign minister says Israel ‘has the right’ to continue attacks on Hezbollah in his country

Youssef Rajji’s comments sparked backlash from the terror group’s political supporters and appeared to be at odds with his own government’s claim that the IDF has violated a US-brokered ceasefire

1 min read

January 15, 2026 10:53

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji (R) shakes hands with the newly appointed US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, before their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, in Beirut on November 17, 2025 (Getty Images)

UK advises against ‘non-essential’ travel to Israel amid ‘regional tension’

The Foreign Office also confirmed the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran as mass protests leave hundreds dead

1 min read

January 15, 2026 10:23

A Boeing 737-800 operated by Israeli airline El Al at Milan Malpensa Airport (Getty Images)

US confirms start of Gaza ceasefire Phase Two

Washington will push ahead with the next phase of the truce despite Hamas’ failure to disarm and release all of the hostages

2 min read

January 14, 2026 18:29

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on January 6, 2026 (Getty Images)

Six killed in Rafah firefight IDF dubbed ‘blatant violation’ of Gaza ceasefire

The latest clashes come amid reports the US is preparing to push on with Phase Two of the truce despite Hamas’ lack of movement on disarmament or the return of the final hostage

2 min read

January 14, 2026 15:42

The rubble of houses in Rafah on January 20, 2025 (Getty Images)

Israel pulls out of seven international agencies following mass US withdrawal

The Foreign Ministry confirmed it would cut ties with the groups, and that it expected to announce more in the future

1 min read

January 14, 2026 11:53

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar speaks during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, September 15, 2025 (Flash90)

Iran threatens to hang arrested protestors as pressure mounts on Khamenei regime

US President Trump warned that he would ‘take very strong action’ if Tehran followed through on the planned executions

2 min read

January 14, 2026 11:32

Gantz promises to join Netanyahu coalition if opposition falls short of majority

The former alternate prime minister called on opposition politicians ‘not to repeat the mistake’ of previous coalitions ahead of the upcoming elections this year

2 min read

January 13, 2026 15:49

Leader of the Blue and White Party Benny Gantz MK leads a faction meeting at the Knesset on December 29, 2025 (Flash90)

Former WWE wrestler pulls out of Israel show after BDS backlash

Priscilla Kelly, also known by the ring name GiGi Dolin, deleted her social media accounts after a campaign of abuse by anti-Israel trolls

1 min read

January 13, 2026 15:24

Priscilla Kelly while performing in WWE under the name GiGi Dolin (X/@HellsFavoritePK)

Top Iranian official calls for Maduro-style capture of ‘yellow dog’ Trump

Hassan Rahimpour-Azghadi suggested that ‘acts of sabotage’ on US soil were now ‘acceptable...in terms of religious law and international norms’

1 min read

January 13, 2026 14:54

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Jacob Jaffa

Latest from Jacob Jaffa

Syrian forces take Raqqa after new ceasefire with Kurdish militias

Israel pushes back on Trump’s Board of Peace plan over Qatari and Turkish involvement

‘I came back to life’: British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari marks one year of freedom

Hundreds of Tel Aviv residents sue homeowner blocking redevelopment project over how it would impact stray cats

More from Jacob Jaffa

US sets out four conditions for Iran peace as aircraft carrier en route to Gulf

Trump promises ‘comprehensive’ Hamas disarmament in ceasefire Phase Two

‘The killing has stopped’: Trump seemingly backs off Iran strikes after regime U-turns on protest executions

Lebanese foreign minister says Israel ‘has the right’ to continue attacks on Hezbollah in his country

UK advises against ‘non-essential’ travel to Israel amid ‘regional tension’

US confirms start of Gaza ceasefire Phase Two

Six killed in Rafah firefight IDF dubbed ‘blatant violation’ of Gaza ceasefire

Israel pulls out of seven international agencies following mass US withdrawal

Iran threatens to hang arrested protestors as pressure mounts on Khamenei regime

Gantz promises to join Netanyahu coalition if opposition falls short of majority

Former WWE wrestler pulls out of Israel show after BDS backlash

Top Iranian official calls for Maduro-style capture of ‘yellow dog’ Trump