Trump says he 'rectified' Obama's failure to support Iran protesters
Live Updates
January 03, 2026
January 03, 2026
Death toll in Iran protests reaches at least 15, activists say
Violence surrounding the demonstrations sparked by Iran's ailing economy has killed at least 15 people, according to human rights activists.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei insisted Saturday that "rioters must be put in their place" after a week of protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic.
The protests show no sign of stopping and follow U.S. President Donald Trump warning Iran on Friday that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," the United States "will come to their rescue."
Ben-Gvir: Officers who shot Arab-Israeli 'have my full support, threat must be neutralized'
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the Israeli forces that shot and killed a man during a raid on an Arab-Israeli village shortly earlier have his "full support."
"I back the fighters who operated in Tarabin," Ben-Gvir wrote in a post on X. "Anyone who threatens our police officers and fighters must be neutralized, and it is good that this is so."
He added, "The days when we let our police officers be put in danger and they were harmed with no retribution are over. Blessings to the fighters who operated. They have my full support."
Israel Police "will continue to act against criminals and will assert authority in the Negev and throughout the State of Israel," he said.
11 hours ago
Trump says he 'rectified' Obama's failure to support Iran protesters
U.S. President Donald Trump shared a post on his Truth Social platform, saying he "rectified" what he called former U.S. President Barack Obama's failure to support Iranian protesters.
"Obama failed to support Iran's freedom protesters two decades ago, but Trump just rectified that," Trump wrote, sharing a link to an article quoting his earlier statement, where he said the United States is "locked and loaded and ready to go" to defend Iranian protesters.
Police say they shot suspect during raid on Arab-Israeli village
Israel Police said they shot a suspect who "threatened the forces" during a raid in the Bedouin village of Tarabin al-Sana in southern Israel.
According to the police statement, the incident took place "during an operational activity by a special unit in the Israel Police, together with Border Police's National Guard fighters, to arrest suspected residents of Tarabin involved in recent 'Price Tag' incidents."
The man was pronounced dead shortly after.
UK says it and France bomb Islamic State facility in Syria
Britain and France's air forces conducted a joint operation late on Saturday to bomb a suspected underground arms dump previously used by Islamic State in Syria, Britain's defence ministry said on Saturday.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully," Britain's defence ministry said in a statement.
Dozens of anti-government protesters block central Tel Aviv highway
Dozens of anti-government protesters blocked a central highway in Tel Aviv, with signs and costumes referencing the Qatargate affair, which centers on allegations that staff members in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office received payments from Qatar to promote Doha's interests while working in the Prime Minister's Office during the war.
The signs held by protesters read: "Qatar = Betrayal," and "This is what betrayal looks like."
RECAP: Netanyahu congratulates Trump on Venezuela offensive for his 'bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice'
Here are Saturday's latest updates from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and the Middle East:
■ Anti-government demonstrations are taking place across Israel, with a central rally in Tel Aviv marking the third anniversary of Justice Minister Yariv Levin's speech launching the judicial overhaul.
■ Former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak said during the protest in Tel Aviv that Israel is under the rule of a single individual and that its system of government is no longer a liberal democracy.
■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated President Donald Trump for his "bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice" during the U.S. offensive on Venezuela and the capture of its President Nicolas Maduro, adding that he salutes the president's "decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers."
■ The Israeli army announced that it conducted a "precise strike" in northern Gaza that targeted a rocket launcher "loaded and ready to be launched" at southern Israel.
■ The Iranian hacker group Handala claims to also have information gathered from Israel's former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's phone, and has threatened to release it online in the coming days.
■ Yemen's Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government said it had retaken control of Mukalla, the key eastern port and capital of Hadramout province, from UAE-backed southern separatists who seized it last month.
■ Israel Police said that forces found an "exceptional weapons stockpile" in a vehicle in northern Israel.
■ The IDF said it struck a Hezbollah militant in southern Lebanon's al-Khiyam, "in response to Hezbollah's continued violations of the cease-fire understandings."
Former Supreme Court president at Tel Aviv rally: Israel is ruled by one man, court can't stop coup alone
Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, in a video message screened at Habima Square, Saturday.
Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, in a video message screened at Habima Square, Saturday.
Former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak said during the weekly anti-government protest in Tel Aviv that Israel is under the rule of a single individual and that its system of government is no longer a liberal democracy.
"The court alone will not be able to prevent the judicial coup," he added in a video message to the rally.
Barak said that for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's control to be "absolute," the government must "take over the one body that can oversee the government: the judiciary."
"It is no wonder that the first stage of the constitutional revolution focused on appointing judges and their power to strike down legislation and government actions," he argued. In his speech, Barak also criticized the police, claiming that they "exercise their power in an unequal and unrestrained manner." He further addressed the issue of the exemption from military service, saying that the lack of enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men was a violation of civil rights.
In the News
In Gaza, IDF Drones Infiltrate Every Moment of Palestinians Life
The U.S. Cannot Force Regime Change in Iran – Again
How to Strengthen Both Israel's Security and Its Citizens
Death Toll in Iran Protests Reaches at Least 15, Activists Say
Ben-Gvir Gives 'Full Support' to Police After Resident Killed in Raid on Bedouin Village
Remembering and rebuilding two years later
ICYMI
AnalysisAnalysis
Trump's Hanukkah Warning: American Jews Have to Face Their Waning Political Influence
The Hasmoneans: Jewish Dynasty That Gave Us Hanukkah Is a Symbol of Murder, Not Heroism
'I Live in a Luxury Favela Run by a Gang. I Prefer It to Israel's So-called Democracy'
Could Umm Kulthum Have Been a Lesbian? New Film Reignites Long-suppressed Debate
MAGA Infighting Over Israel on Full Display at Turning Point USA Event
