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

Israeli Politics

Knesset advances key state budget law after Charedi parties back down from rebellion threat

The parliament will be dissolved and fresh elections called unless the budget bill is passed by the end of next month

1 min read

Shas leader Aryeh Deri in the Knesset plenum hall on February 2, 2026 (Flash90)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (C) and his wife Michal (CR) are escorted by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns (L) as they lay a wreath for the victims of December's Bondi terror attack, in Sydney on February 9, 2026 (Getty Images)

‘We shall overcome this evil together’: Herzog lays wreath at site of Bondi terror attack

2 min read

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks during a vote on the state budget in the Knesset on January 28, 2026 (Flash90)

Israeli security cabinet approves repeal of West Bank land laws to ‘enable accelerated development of settlement’

1 min read

Graphic of a judge's gavel set in front of an Iranian flag (Getty Images)

Two Israelis arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran

1 min read

Herzog declares crime wave in Arab-Israeli communities a ‘national emergency’

Another three people were murdered on Wednesday night in the second mass shooting of the week

2 min read

February 5, 2026 11:54

President Isaac Herzog attends a conference of the Ofek pre-military academies, held at Binyanei HaUma in Jerusalem on February 5, 2026 (Flash90)

Australian teen charged over death threats against Israeli president

Isaac Herzog is due to arrive in the country for an official visit on Sunday

1 min read

February 5, 2026 10:28

Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends a ceremony marking Tu Bishvat in the Ben Shemen Forest, on February 2, 2026 (Flash90)

US-Iran talks moved to Oman after Islamic Republic threatens pullout

The negotiations had been set to take place in Turkey, but a row over nuclear enrichment and escalating tensions saw them come close to collapsing

1 min read

February 5, 2026 10:02

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appears among his supporters in Tehran on June 26, 2025 (Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via Getty Images)

‘The sky is the limit’: Somaliland president set for trip to Israel to agree trade deal

The breakaway state, which Israel recognised formally last year, sits at a strategic pinch point at the mouth of the Red Sea

1 min read

February 4, 2026 15:39

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (L) with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (R) in Hargeisa, Somaliland on January 6 2025 (X/Gideon Sa'ar)

Palestine Action activists found not guilty of burglary over Elbit break-in

The jury also reached incomplete or no verdicts on charges of criminal damage and violent disorder

2 min read

February 4, 2026 13:04

(Illustrative) A demonstrator holds a placard in Trafalgar Square during a protest in support of Palestine Action on October 4, 2025 in London, England (Getty Images)

IDF appoints Ella Waweya as new Arabic-language spokesperson

The military’s highest-ranking female Muslim officer will replace Colonel Avichay Adraee, who retires after 20 years of service

1 min read

February 4, 2026 11:19

Major Ella Waweya, the IDF's new Arabic-language spokesperson (IDF)

IDF launches Gaza strikes following Yellow Line terror shooting

A reservist was severely wounded when gunmen opened fire on a unit from the Alexandroni Brigade in violation of the ceasefire

1 min read

February 4, 2026 10:47

(Illustrative) The impact of an Israeli airstrike in the west of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on January 31, 2026 (Getty Images)

US downs Iranian drone as Gulf tensions escalate

Iranian forces also attempted to seize an American-flagged oil tanker before being warned off by a warship

1 min read

February 4, 2026 10:35

An Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran, on March 7, 2024 (Getty Images)

Lebanon ‘will not allow’ Hezbollah to drag it into US-Iran war, PM claims

Nawaf Salam said his country had enough ‘adventures’ due to Hezbollah’s involvement in the ‘Gaza support war’, which sparked a damaging conflict with Israel

1 min read

February 3, 2026 15:43

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks to journalists at the Government Palace in Beirut on December 3, 2025 (Getty Images)

Israel dropped ‘unknown chemical’ in Lebanon, say peacekeepers

UN agencies accused the IDF of hindering their activities in the area and are now trying to identify the mysterious substance

1 min read

February 3, 2026 14:24

Unifil forces arrive on the outskirts of the town of al-Khiam, southern Lebanon, on January 31, 2026 (Getty Images)

France issues court warrants for two Israeli joint citizens over ‘complicity in genocide’

The pair are accused of membership of Israeli protest groups involved in attempts to block the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza

1 min read

February 3, 2026 11:31

Israel is Forever founder Nili Kupfer-Naouri (YouTube/Qualita)

Witkoff and Kushner to lead Iran talks on Friday

The negotiations are believed to hinge on three key issues: nuclear enrichment, ballistic missile development and Iran’s support for regional proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah

3 min read

February 3, 2026 10:35

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (L) delivers a press conference with US businessman Jared Kushner (R) upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine during the Coalition of the Willing summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris on January 6, 2026 (Getty Images)

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Jacob Jaffa

Latest from Jacob Jaffa

Knesset advances key state budget law after Charedi parties back down from rebellion threat

‘We shall overcome this evil together’: Herzog lays wreath at site of Bondi terror attack

Israeli security cabinet approves repeal of West Bank land laws to ‘enable accelerated development of settlement’

Two Israelis arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran

More from Jacob Jaffa

Herzog declares crime wave in Arab-Israeli communities a ‘national emergency’

Australian teen charged over death threats against Israeli president

US-Iran talks moved to Oman after Islamic Republic threatens pullout

‘The sky is the limit’: Somaliland president set for trip to Israel to agree trade deal

Palestine Action activists found not guilty of burglary over Elbit break-in

IDF appoints Ella Waweya as new Arabic-language spokesperson

IDF launches Gaza strikes following Yellow Line terror shooting

US downs Iranian drone as Gulf tensions escalate

Lebanon ‘will not allow’ Hezbollah to drag it into US-Iran war, PM claims

Israel dropped ‘unknown chemical’ in Lebanon, say peacekeepers

France issues court warrants for two Israeli joint citizens over ‘complicity in genocide’

Witkoff and Kushner to lead Iran talks on Friday