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Culture Minister Miki Zohar has reiterated his threat to cut funding from the film industry. “The creators of films that harm IDF soldiers will not receive money from the citizens of Israel,” Zohar said. “Not on my watch.” The minister said he has followed through on his threat to end funding for the Ophir Awards — which he cut after the annual ceremony gave its top prize this year to “The Sea,” a film about a Palestinian boy who dreams of seeing the Mediterranean. Zohar also announced that public funding for professional creators’ unions in movies and television will be discontinued beginning in 2026. These unions include those for directors, actors, producers, and editors. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with the Jerusalem Post film critic Hannah Brown. (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the debate continues over a more equitable burden related to military service, the question of how much IDF conscripts are paid is hardly mentioned. IDF recruits in their mandatary service receive a salary well below the minimum wage. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Simon Fink, who believes it’s time to change the system. (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mossad rejects Lieberman claim of Qatar media talks. Israel tells mediators Islamic Jihad knows location of last remaining deceased hostage in Gaza. In Christmas message, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the beginning of the year, the shekel has strengthened by 12% against the dollar. The strengthening of the shekel stems from several main factors, including a sharp increase in foreign investments in the Israeli capital market. At the same time, the dollar has weakened globally, partly due to the trade wars initiated by the Trump administration. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Yossi Fraiman, CEO of the Prico Investment House. (Photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IAF attacks Hamas targets in Gaza. Katz appoints new air force and navy chiefs. Protestors call for Oct 7 state inquiry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defense Minister is pushing ahead to shut down the popular Army Radio, Galei Tzahal by March 1st. While some decry it as an attempt to silence media, others back the move, saying the IDF had no business running a public radio station anyway. Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, examines various options that could be taken with Army Radio. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that this is the closest it has been to seeing the legendary radio station shut down and whatever happens, its legacy and archive needed to be preserved. (photo: Yonatan Sindel/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial Intelligence is advancing by leaps and bounds and its impact is being felt virtually everywhere. Autonomous vehicles will one day be the norm, which is requiring car insurance companies to rethink their market. Since about 90 percent of road accidents are said to be caused by human factor, autonomous vehicles will likely have far fewer accidents and insurance claims in the future. Yael Benenisti, the deputy CEO of Insurtech Israel, says it’s an opportunity for insurance companies to widen their service to turn vehicles into data sensors that could be marketed. (photo: courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Herzog accepts invitation to visit Australia, IDF eliminates three Hizbullah terrorists in south Lebanon, Defense Minister declares Israel will resettle northern Gaza StripSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trilateral meeting between the leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus is a message of aligning arenas of interests but should also be seen as a counterweight to Turkey and its expanding Islamic nationalism. This according to Dan Feferman, the co-editor of Middle East 24 and a strategic affairs analyst. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that the strategic, cultural and geographic relationship of these three countries in the eastern Mediterranean should flourish. (photo: Miriam Alster/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trilateral meeting between leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus being held in Jerusalem, Ministerial committee approves proposed bill for national committee of inquiry for October 7th events, Kiryat Shemona residents block highway to protest better government aid to war-stricken townSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disarming Hamas. Some have said that the decommissioning of arms by the IRA , the Irish Republican Army over two decades ago, could serve as a blueprint for disarming Hamas today. Then the IRA’s disarmament involved verified destruction of its arsenal followed by it being part of a power-sharing government in Belfast. Neville Teller ,Mideast correspondent for Eurasia Review, argues that the IRA model definitely does not fit when it comes to Hamas. (photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel Gantz, governor of the Binyamin Regional Council, and the chairman of the Yesha Council, welcomed the government’s decision to approve 19 new communities in Judea and Samaria. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that the approvals were for existing communities as well as new ones yet to be built. He said that besides two communities being resurrected (Ganim and Kadim) approval for a third one (Sanur) was also in the pipeline. (photo: Nasser Ishtayeh/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week after the terrorist shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Nora Berger, Chief Development Officer of Reuth TLV Rehabilitation Hospital, says that the Australia of today is not the same country she grew up in. She told KAN reporter Naomi Segal that Jewish communities around the world are experiencing a rise in antisemitic sentiment. (Photo: Floral tributes for victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia honors victims of Hanukkah event terror attack. Security cabinet approves recognition of 19 settlements in Judea and Samaria. In deepening row with defense minister, IDF chief staff publicly urges swift approval of Navy commander nominee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philippine-Israeli relations have been strong since Manila first recognized the Jewish state upon its declaration of independence. Philippine’s ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola is working to get direct flights between the two countries. Philippines is the current chair of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations, and ambassador Mendiola is confident Israel would look toward Manila as a gateway to the Far East for Israeli opportunities. (photo: courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Due to a steep rise in flu cases over the past few weeks, the Health Ministry this week recommended that at-risk people, medical staff and visitors to geriatric institutions wear protective face masks. More than 600 children have been hospitalized with the flu this month, 35 in intensive care. More than 900 adults have been hospitalized with the flu in the same time, with 36 in intensive care. Over the past three weeks, four children have died from the flu, three of whom were unvaccinated and had no underlying condition. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Professor Nadav Davidovitch from Bar Ilan University and the chair of Taub Center’s Health Policy program. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's announces massive gas deal with Egypt. Australia PM Albanese announces measures to curb hate. PM will head team to set mandate for Oct 7th probe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday night that he had approved the largest energy deal in Israel’s history with neighboring Egypt, expected to boost Israel’s economy by billions of shekels within the coming years. In a video statement alongside Energy Minister Eli Cohen, Netanyahu said that the natural gas deal with Cairo was worth NIS 112 billion ($34.7 billion), of which NIS 58 billion ($18 billion) would go into public coffers. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Chen Herzog, Chief Economist at BDO Consulting. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air Force chief briefs his counterparts in Greece and Cyprus, Shin Bet arrests Israeli Bedouin for pledging allegiance to ISIS, IDF soldier killed by stray bullet in the northSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many classical music works by Polish composers before the Second World War have been lost. The Polish Institute in Tel Aviv is bringing to Israel a duo who have found some of these works and brought them back to the stage. Reporter Arieh O'Sullivan spoke with the duo, Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki. (photo: George Walker/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it like to be Jewish right now? That is the question that is pondered in a new art exhibit opening this week in Berlin. Artist and curator Yuri Kharchenko brings together the works of five artists, including “Maus” cartoonist Art Spiegelman, in a show entitled: “Bad/Good Jews” for a provocative exhibit amid a world of rising antisemitism and anti-Israeli sentiment. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with Yuri Kharchenko about the show. (photo: courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents of Kiryat Shemona demonstrate for help to revive town stricken by war, Annual inflation falls to 2.4 percent, Israeli officials visit site of terror attack in Sydney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Israel Democracy Institute has released its 2025 Statistical Report on the ultra-Orthodox. Amongst the key findings : the ultra-Orthodox society is one of the youngest in the world; although 33% of ultra-Orthodox families live below the poverty line, 75% own an apartment—a rate higher than that of the general population; and the majority of those counted as ultra-Orthodox in the IDF are not really ultra-Orthodox or have since left the Haredi community. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Dr. Gilad Malach head of the Israel Democracy Institute's Ultra-Orthodox Society in Israel Program. (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the Sydney Hanukah attack the Australian Jewish community is angry , accusing the government of inaction in the face of an unprecedented wave of anti-Semitism since the October 7th Hamas attack. Speaking from Sydney, Dionne Taylor, communications manager of the Australia-Israel Jewish Affairs Council, told KAN's Mark Weiss that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has blood on his hands. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father and son Sydney terrorists linked to ISIS.PM Albense rejects links between attack and Palestinian state recognition. Parents of lost Haredi toddler located.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Jewish community is angered by the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney that murdered 11 people and wounded scores. We spoke earlier with Israeli-Australian Manny Waks who was in Australia. He said that the general attitude there, especially against October 7, has been one of antagonism against the Jewish community and it was being tolerated by the authorities. (photo: Mark Baker/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nitzan Nuriel, a reserve brigadier general and former head of the counter terrorism bureau, said that the full responsibility to protect Jews in Australia was up to their government and security forces and they failed. Turning to Lebanon, Nuriel told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that Israel will likely launch massive strikes against Hizbullah in Lebanon to delay their rearming since Lebanon couldn’t do it and the Iranian-backed terror group was determined to rebuild itself despite the ceasefire. (photo: Fathi Ibrahim/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keren Kayement L’israel, the JNF, will be hosting various events during the upcoming Chanukah holiday. These include latern-led night hikes in the forest, climbing mountains in the Jordan Valley, hunting for candelabras and suvganiot in B’nei Barak and Jerusalem and more. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with Hav’a Stein-Yosef, from the community department at Keren Kayemet L’israel, about their events. (photo: Yaniv Nadav/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gunmen open fire at Jewish event in Sydney, Australia killing 11 and wounding scores, IDF and Shin Bet assassinate top Hamas military commander in Gaza, High Court of Justice rules government dismissal of attorney general invalidSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz will bring his proposal to close Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) to the cabinet for approval on Sunday. The coalition has also set up a special Knesset committee to advance a bill that would replace Israel’s independent media regulators with political appointees. The change will give the government sweeping authority to fine and sanction news outlets – a move critics warn could permanently reshape the country’s media environment. Another bill under discussion would privatize Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, and close down its news division. Earlier this year, Reporters Without Borders dropped Israel’s ranking to 112 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke about these developments with Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, and the head of the Institute’s Democracy in the Information Age program. (Photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four brothers, new immigrants from Russia who work in hi-tech, have set up a virtual memorial, called B'zikaron, for all the foreign nationals who were killed in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke to one of the brothers, Artium Manilov, about the initiative. (Photo: Courtesy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Storm Byron batters Israel. Amnesty accuses Hamas of crimes against humanity. Right-wing activists detained after crossing into Gaza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report by the Shoresh Institution has found that a large percentage of men are not retiring in their elderly years, but continuing to work. Yet the disparity between those who choose to work and those who don’t is growing. The disparity also exists between men and women and between Jewish men and Arabs, who face economic insecurity. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with Prof. Ayal Kimhi, vice president of the Shoresh Institution, about the report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Bolivia renew full diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Netanyahu says only a "national reviw committee" could thoroughly examine the failures of October 7th, searches underway for Israeli yacht missing at sea during storm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the Kol ha-Musika Festival in the Upper Galilee will celebrate its 40th anniversary. After an absence from the evacuated Upper Galilee last year due to the war, the festival returns to Kfar Blum with a special program to mark its fourth decade and will also premier a number of fresh new works by promising young Israeli composers. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke to Ofra Yitzhaki, the artistic director of the festival. (photo: courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syrians marked the first anniversary of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and his iron-fisted rule this week with jubilant celebrations in major cities, as the divided nation struggles to find stability and recover after years of war. The new leader, President Ahmed al-Sharaa, told a large crowd of supporters that his government had "laid out a clear vision for a new Syria as a state that looks towards a promising future", calling it a historic break from a "dark chapter". KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Dr Carmit Valensi , the head of the Syria program at the INSS, the Institute for National Security Studies. (Photo:AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel is marching from Kfar Saba to Jerusalem carrying an Israeli flag, to highlight her opposition to the military exemption law in its current form being advanced in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, stating i that "we cannot allow this law to pass." KAn's Mark Weiss spoke with her, during a break in the march. (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Body of last foreign hostage, Sudthisak Rinthalak, flown to Thailand. Israel braces for Byron storm. Troops find 3 rockets in West Bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The poverty report published this morning by the NGO 'Latet' points to a social emergency following the economic repercussions since October 7th. The report presents a severe picture of the war's poor - a continuous increase in the number of families facing worsening in all poverty indicators - from basic expenses and employment to food and health. Gilles Darmon, founder and president of Latet told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that not only should the government take steps to curb poverty, but all society needs to take action. (photo: Dor Pazuelo/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival is taking place during Chanukah from December 13-18 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque. Over 40 films from 15 countries and some Israeli premiers will be show. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with Daniella Tourgeman Glass, artistic director of the Jerusalem Jewish film festival on the event. (photo: courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searches continue for remains of last kidnapped Israeli in Gaza, Prime Minister meets with US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Three bedouin men stabbed at Bersheva courthouse in clan feud See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit Israel on Sunday for the first time since he became chancellor in May. At talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem the two leaders stressed the friendly bilateral ties, despite differences on some key issues. Jeremey Issacharoff served as Israel’s ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2022. We spoke to him about Chancellor Merz’s visit. (Photo: GPO)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Searches in Gaza City for body of last hostage Ran Gvili. Families Forum; No phase B until body returned. PM meets with German Chancellor Merz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The anti-Israel fervor in Ireland, which moved this week to erase Jewish history in Dublin, was blocked after the Dublin City Council delayed a decision to remove the name of former Israeli President and rename it Palestine Park. Dublin City Council Cieran Perry defended the attempt change the name of a park in the city named after Israel’s sixth President Chaim Herzog and called the pressure by Irish and Israeli leaders to block the move “disgraceful interference.” (photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interesting participation-driven art event is opening at the Neve Schechter’s Center for Contemporary Jewish Music and art in Neve Tzedek. It’s called Roll of Destiny and it’s where role play meets art and Jewish identity and culture. Reporter Arieh O’Sullivan spoke with curator of the event Bar Yerushalmi. (photo: courtesy) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister names his military secretary Maj.Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad, Body returned from Gaza identified as Thai national Sudtisak Rinthalak, Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbatenko wins bronze at European championships in 100-meter breastrokeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of some 1,000 professors and academics have signed a letter calling on President Yitzhak Herzog to reject Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request for a pardon related to his ongoing corruption trials. One of the signatories was Prof Avishai Braverman, the former president of Ben-Gurion university and a 2020 Israel Prize winner. He told KAN's Mark Weiss why he signed the letter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamas to hand over body remains at 5pm.Israel: Rafah crossing will reopen to allow Gazans to leave. Israel to send rep to Lebanon talks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A first of its kind study by the NATAL Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center examines the collective social and economic costs of trauma in the aftermath of the October 7th attack and Gaza war. According to the study findings, the cumulative cost of psychological harm could reach some 500 billion shekels as reflected in the ripple effects of individual trauma on Israeli society. Dr. Yifat Reuveni, Head of Research at NATAL, spoke to KAN reporter Naomi Segal. (Photo: Courtesy NATAL)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel readies to receive from Red Cross findings transferred from Gaza Strip. Two IDF soldiers lightly hurt in stabbing attack by Israeli settlement, attacker shot and killed. Rosh HaNikra cable car reopens after closure due to the warSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stormy Knesset committee discusses Haredi draft exemption bill. Minister Sofer vows to vote against. PM's graft trial continues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.