IDAN KWELLER

Idan Kweller is the diplomatic correspondent for the Hebrew news site, Walla .

A person holds a placard representing a US flag, with an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a billboard in the background, on the day of a ceremony marking 40 days since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2026.

US-Iran talks hit new impasse as MoU's 60-day deadline expires with no deal

(L-R) Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio watch presentations during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, in Washington, DC, February 19, 2026

Gaza plan progress 'problematic' ahead of elections, Netanyahu tells Kushner in Jerusalem meeting

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026; illustrative.

Steve Witkoff's grandson born on 15th anniversary of son Andrew's death


Israeli envoy to US condemns settler violence in West Bank, invokes Torah justice

Leiter connected his criticism of the violence to the Jewish commandment of settling the Land of Israel, arguing that the principle also carries a responsibility to uphold justice.

ISRAELI AMBASSADOR to the US Yechiel Leiter in the Oval Office seen at the White House in April 2026.

US, Israel deny report of agreement on foreign forces for Hezbollah disarmament

There is still no agreement between Lebanon and Israel regarding the countries that could deploy troops in Lebanon after the conclusion of UNIFIL's operations.

Israeli soldiers are seen near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, May 17, 2026.

Stable West Bank keeps Israel secure, State Dept. says as Huckabee calls settlers ‘terrorists'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee used unusually strong language to condemn Israelis involved in violence against a Palestinian family in Qusra, calling them "Israeli terrorists."

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, June 30, 2026; illustrative.

Egypt not Arab country using diplomacy to lower Israel's guard, Netanyahu adviser says

A brief post by Urich sparked a new controversy in Israel's diplomatic and security establishment and renewed concerns over a possible strategic deception operation against the country.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025; illustrative.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt leaves position to spend time with family

"Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime," Leavitt said in a post on social media site X/Twitter.

Reporters raise hands as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 16, 2026.

Darline Graham advances to runoff, vows to carry on brother Lindsey’s fight in US Senate

One month after Lindsey Graham’s death, his sister thanked Trump for his “complete and total endorsement,” and said her late brother would be proud.

US Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) arrives for a vote at the US Capitol, in the wake of US President Donald Trump saying he may temporarily drop the nomination of Todd Blanche to be US attorney general, in Washington, DC.

Trump confirms Secret Service snuck him off Air Force One due to Iran threat, 'I do what they say'

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that intelligence authorities uncovered an Iranian plot to launch a shoulder-fired missile at AF1, including having located where Trump was staying in Turkey.

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he disembarks Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, August 9, 2026.

Israel warned US about Iran's plans to kill Trump on Air Force One, aided his escape - report

According to the report, following the threat, Trump initially boarded, in full view of the media, an aircraft that had previously served as Air Force One.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he participates in a bilateral meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 14, 2026

South Carolina GOP primary: Lindsey Graham’s sister has Trump's backing in vote for successor

While Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline, has sought to turn her lack of political experience into an advantage, some voters say they didn't like how quickly Republicans accepted her as a candidate.

Sen. Darline Graham, A South Carolina Republican, arrives for the Senate Judiciary Committee vote to move the nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche out of committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026.

Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan victory shows growing power of anti-Israel new media - analysis

El-Sayed’s narrow Democratic Senate primary victory highlights how progressive streamers such as Hasan Piker are becoming part of the political infrastructure shaping young American voters.

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (Left), Hasan Piker (Right).