FDD Morning Brief An ancient city's modern divide | feat. Yishai Fleisher
Feb 20, 2026
Maritime maneuvers by Iran and Russia in the Gulf of Oman set a tense regional backdrop. The EU's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group raised diplomatic stakes. Intense security operations and debates over sovereignty, residency, and governance in Hebron take center stage.
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Hebron's Dual Historical And Modern Role
- Hebron is both a deeply religious Jewish heartland and a contested modern urban space with mixed governance and security challenges.
- Yishai Fleischer links historical, religious significance to contemporary claims for Israeli sovereignty and presence.
West Bank Is An Active Security Front
- The West Bank remains an active theater of terrorism despite focus on Gaza, with Iran increasing weapons smuggling there.
- The IDF conducts recurrent operations to counter proliferation and attacks in Judea and Samaria.
Neighborhood Purchase In Hebron
- Fleischer described a recent civilian purchase where five Arab houses in Hebron were bought and settled by Jews with police present.
- He said local Arab reaction was muted and that more Arabs are willing to sell property today.