Abraham Accords, Iran and the Fight Against Antisemitism | Israel Now (Oct. 31, 2026)

Summary

Abraham Accords and Regional Ties

Israeli Deputy Consul General in New York Alon David described Israel’s normalization with Morocco as both a government agreement and a people-to-people relationship. He cited direct flights, tourism by Israelis with Moroccan roots, and a recent announcement to upgrade bilateral ties.

David said Saudi Arabia could potentially join the Abraham Accords, arguing that Israel and Saudi Arabia face shared threats from Iran and its proxies. He also expressed hope for progress in reported Israel–Lebanon negotiations.

Yad Vashem

Correspondent Jodi Cohen reported from Israel’s national Holocaust memorial. The exhibits cover the Nazis’ rise and the dehumanization of Jews. The Book of Names records more than five million Holocaust victims, while the Children’s Memorial honors the 1.5 million children who were killed.

U.S.–Israel Relations and Iran

In an interview with Tom Basile, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee rejected claims that U.S.–Israel relations are deteriorating, pointing to close intelligence and military coordination. He said Christians are welcome in Israel and cited an increase in the country’s Christian population.

Huckabee warned about foreign disinformation, criticized antisemitism—including on the political right—and characterized Iran as a threat to both Israel and the United States. He described groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis as Iran’s proxies.

Online Antisemitism

The program discussed a report from the Australian Institute for the Prevention of Online Hate, which said monitored platforms had not returned to pre–October 7 levels of antisemitism.

Journalist Ariela Novak argued that responses should combine education about Jewish history and antisemitism, accountability for harassment, social-media literacy, and participation by people beyond the Jewish community. She also criticized the removal of the IHRA antisemitism definition in New York, contrasting it with its inclusion in an English plan. Novak raised concerns about antisemitic harassment, unrest in France, and the cancellation of an anti-antisemitism conference in Ireland.

Dormition Abbey

Cohen also visited Dormition Abbey on Jerusalem’s Mount Zion, a site associated in some Catholic traditions with Mary’s Dormition and Assumption. The report noted the abbey’s importance to Catholics and its appeal to visitors of different faiths.

Presenters and Contributors

Emma Reckenberg (also rendered “Rasenberg” in the subtitles), John/Jonathan Glasgow, Alon David, Jodi Cohen (also rendered “Cowan”), Tom Basile, Mike Huckabee, and Ariela Novak.