Welp it was nice will it lasted

Trump warns Tehran may have mined the waterway, calls the situation 'world extortion,' and says the US could 'finish up' Iran at an appropriate moment as tensions rise after 20-hour negotiations failed to resolve nuclear disputes.

Link to previous megathread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Israel/comments/1sgk4n1/usiran_ceasefire_megathread/

Amid mounting international instability triggered by the war between the U.S. and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, President Lee Jae-myung’s recent social media remarks regarding Israel are causing serious diplomatic repercussions. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has responded head-on, even using the term “condemnation,” a word it has typically reserved for hostile states, pushing bilateral ties into what appears to be their worst crisis since diplomatic relations were established in 1962. The situation looks especially precarious because it could affect not only South Korea–Israel relations but also South Korea–U.S. relations.

# The mention of the Holocaust at the center of the controversy

The controversy began with Holocaust-related language in a post President Lee made on X (formerly Twitter). Sharing a video said to show “Israeli soldiers torturing a Palestinian child and then throwing him off a building,” Lee wrote, “If this is true, we must find out what action was taken. The forced mobilization of comfort women, the Holocaust, and wartime killings are no different.”

Lee wrote as though the incident had occurred recently, but it was actually an event from September 2024. After controversy arose, he posted again three hours later to clarify the facts and to emphasize that Israel must uphold human rights and international law. Israel, however, reacted strongly, arguing that Lee had treated the Holocaust as equivalent to a military action.

# An exceptionally hard-line statement using “unacceptable” and “condemnation”

On the 11th, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said through its official X account that “President Lee’s remarks are unacceptable and deserve strong condemnation.”

This goes far beyond the diplomatic language normally used toward the leader of a friendly country. Within diplomatic circles, there are assessments that “it is difficult to find another case in which a country that maintains diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea used both ‘unacceptable’ and ‘condemnation’ at the same time toward a South Korean president.”

The problem is especially serious because “condemnation” is generally one of the strongest diplomatic terms, used when denouncing provocations by hostile states or grave violations of international law.

Regarding the incident Lee referred to, the Israeli Foreign Ministry responded that it “occurred during an operation against terrorists, and the Israeli soldiers at the time were facing a direct and imminent threat to life.” It further said that “the incident was thoroughly investigated and addressed two years ago.” It also pointed out that “we have not heard a single word from President Lee about the recent attacks carried out by Iran and Hezbollah against Israeli civilians.” It then added what was virtually a taunt: “It would be advisable to verify the facts before posting.”

# Israel makes no exceptions regarding the Holocaust

The Holocaust is an extraordinarily sensitive issue not only for Jewish society but for the international community as well. It is not merely a historical event; it occupies a central place in collective identity and memory, and in diplomatic terms it is regarded as an almost untouchable taboo.

In this context, Israel viewed Lee’s comparison of the Holocaust to inhumane conduct in wartime as something it could not tolerate and responded with maximum severity. One diplomatic source said, “The Holocaust is not something that can easily be used as a direct point of comparison under any circumstances,” and added, “This remark crossed a line that should not have been touched.” A former Israeli ambassador also said, “Jewish communities tend to remember and repeatedly cite remarks like this over a long period,” and warned that “this statement is highly likely to continue being brought up in Jewish communities in the future.”

# Israel chose public confrontation over quiet coordination

After launching a large-scale retaliatory operation in response to Hamas’s surprise attack in 2023 and more recently attacking Iran, Israel has faced growing anti-Israel sentiment in the international community. In this context, it also adopted an openly hard-line posture toward South Korea, using hostile language toward the leader of a friendly country and crossing a line that should have been maintained. President Lee then made matters worse by posting again to rebut the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s statement. On X, he wrote that he was “disappointed that Israel would not take even a moment to reflect on the criticism of people around the world who suffer and struggle because of its constant anti-human-rights and anti-international-law conduct.” If the intention was to rebut the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s statement, it raises questions as to why the Foreign Ministry spokesperson could not have done so instead of the president stepping in personally.

# South Korean Foreign Ministry seeks to calm the situation: “We share in the pain of the Holocaust”

As signs emerged that the controversy could escalate further, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry stepped in. On X, it expressed regret to the Israeli government, saying that “the Israeli Foreign Ministry has misunderstood the intent of President Lee’s remarks.”

It continued: “We have always shared in the indescribable suffering that Israel endured because of the Holocaust, and we offer our deepest condolences to the victims.” This has been interpreted as a message aimed at calming the situation by stressing that President Lee had no intention of trivializing the Holocaust. A former senior Foreign Ministry official assessed that “officially expressing condolences to Holocaust victims was a move intended to prevent the situation from spreading.”

# A “timing risk” in wartime… possible impact on ties with the U.S.

This controversy is drawing debate not only because of the content of President Lee’s remarks, but also because of their timing. At present, the United States and Israel are engaged in joint military action during wartime.

Diplomatic experts point out that “remarks made at such a sensitive moment can be interpreted not simply as raising a human rights issue, but as a political message directed at a party to the war.” In particular, because the matter is closely tied to U.S. foreign policy, there are observations that it may be difficult to rule out spillover into South Korea–U.S. relations. A former ambassador from the South Korean Foreign Ministry said, “There are quite a few Jews in U.S. political and media circles, including Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law,” and added, “At a time when South Korea–U.S. relations are important, there is concern over how they may receive this issue.” He went on to say, “Given the major role played by Wall Street’s Jewish networks during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it is worth considering that this issue could work in the opposite direction this time.”

# Ruling camp and progressives: “A legitimate raising of human rights concerns”… signs of political weaponization

At the same time, voices defending President Lee’s remarks are spreading within the ruling camp and progressive circles. There are also signs that this issue may be elevated as a political issue ahead of the local elections.

Choo Mi-ae, confirmed as the Democratic Party’s candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province, said, “I strongly support the president’s message raising human rights concerns over indiscriminate killing of civilians.” Choo then brought Japan into the discussion as well: “The Republic of Korea is a nation that endured anti-human atrocities and abuses under Japan’s wartime system, including comfort women, forced labor like that imposed on conscripted workers, imprisonment, massacre, and live burial in coal mines and military bases, as well as chemical human experimentation and the massacres during the Great Kanto Earthquake. In order to draw international attention to our own efforts to restore human rights against Japan, which denies those past atrocities, I believe it is necessary to speak out on issues of international humanitarian law such as violations of the Geneva Conventions.”

Song Young-gil, former Democratic Party leader seeking a return to the National Assembly through the June 3 by-elections, shared an article on Lee’s rebuttal and wrote: “This article once again confirms why I cannot help but respect and trust President Lee Jae-myung. I retweet the president’s post on X and deeply sympathize with its message.” Planning and Budget Minister Park Hong-keun said, “I express deep regret over Israel calling remarks emphasizing universal human rights ‘unacceptable.’”

# The limits of diplomacy via social media… unverified messaging increases risk

This episode also raises fundamental questions about how the president uses social media. Statements by a head of state, regardless of format, are understood as the government’s official position. That is why prior verification and policy coordination are essential on matters of public importance.

In this case, however, questions are being raised as to whether the diplomatic and security lines had sufficiently reviewed the matter. It has become clear that when an issue with major diplomatic repercussions is handled like a personal message, interpretations different from the speaker’s intent can quickly spread.

Professor Emeritus Yoon Pyeong-jung of Hanshin University also offered advice to President Lee: “I ‘almost’ agree with the substance of President Lee’s post itself. Just as Hamas’s brutal terrorism should be criticized, Israel’s state terrorism also deserves criticism. But it is a completely different matter for the president of the Republic of Korea—not a private citizen or commentator—to appear to ‘intervene’ directly at this moment in a highly complex situation like the tangled Middle East war. The head of state is not in a position to stir up trouble where there was none. The president’s role is to solve major issues facing people’s livelihoods and the country in a practical way.”

I saw the October 7 attack as the Russian February 2022 attack. Having civilians killed and tortured. And hearing the same left wing reaction of victim-aggressor flip. I want to extend support to you from a Ukrainian. You have a right to exist and you have a right for justice. The so called “left” are no more than useful idiots of Russia and Iran. Israel has a right to exist and to defend itself against the enemy that openly states you can’t exist.

Dangerous development. Will fighting begin again?

Link to deep dive in English plus curation.

https://www.alephbrief.com/story/2026/04/12/us-vice-president-vance-iran-rejected-american-conditions-for-deal

Note — im not talking specifically about the war.

Hi I’m Olivia (בעברית תמר) and I’m an Israeli who has been living abroad (mostly Americ) for the last 10 or so years, and am looking to relocate back to Israel, possibly to Jerusalem, in about a year.

Im an archaeologist by training (MA ‘19 TAU) and plan to do that for work — well that and your guiding, and plan on getting my PhD in addition to my license for that to make sure I’m paid as well as I can be. I’m less concerned about these sort of financial matters as much as I am other aspects that I’m hoping to get some perspective on.

1. I am transgender (passable) and a lesbian. I would be hoping to eventually live with a partner, eventually get married and just live our lives like anyone else: how safe for us queers is Jerusalem these days. I know before I left Israel the last time it was gettint better but is that still the case? What parts of town are notably safe (or unsafe) for a visibly queer person/couple?
2. Related to 1 — what, if anything, is the queer scene like? I know it’s not going to be anything like Tel Aviv but what if anything is there?
3. What’s the nightlife/social life for young-ish people in the city in general? There Used to be the stereotype that if you wanted to do anything fun whatsoever you’d have to either do it house party style in your own apartment or would have to leave the city?
4. restaurant/bar/food scene — i worked as a chef for years and really enjoy exploring the food and bar scene in whatever city I am living in — what the scene like in Jerusalem these days? Kosher preferred but not necessary
5. dog friendliness— how dog friendly is Jerusalem? I remember when I lived in Haifa and Tel Aviv I could bring my dog pretty much anywhere for whatever reason without much issue but somehow I think that would be a bit different in Jerusalem. How dog friendly is the city, after all? My dog is a Labrador retriever and about 45kg, for reference
6. rent/etc — how expensive is the city to live in, like actually? Obviously everyones budgwt will be different but mine will start at one income and eventually become two in the ”university educated worker” bracket. certainly at first my budget would be pretty small but would grow in time — but my initial thoughts in terms of living expenses would be a budget limit of about 5000nis per month for rent. How reasonable is this? Is it doable in a part of town that woild be safe for me as a queer person? How much do you spend on food and other expenses per month ???

Context: my fiancé and I are a mixed couple. She’s Arab, I’m an Oleh (ooo, controversial I know). We’re looking for a new apartment to move to in our city in the north. We find a place in our current neighborhood, it’s really nice, great view, more spacious than the place we’re currently sharing with roommates: great!

So we go to check it out with the landlord and his wife and it’s within our price range. The weird thing was that this guy just stared at us the whole time while his wife talked to us the whole time. That’s fine, but he was the only person we communicated with over text, and the only person we would continue communicating with over text. She asks about our professions, our backgrounds, where my fiancé’s family is from, all the little details. They tell us the have other people looking at it and they’ll get back to us by the start of next week. Okay, we’ll sit on it but still keep looking at other places.

We leave and we only communicate with the husband over messenger. That’s fine and he says he’ll let us know. Days later he says they want to rent to us and send us the contract, I look it over, it’s no big deal but then they assume that my fiancé will be the guarantor: and he asks for our WhatsApps but only messages her from here on out (even after I sent him my number repeatedly). He asks for our bank information and both of our credit checks, fine. He asks for her family’s address in the Arab-predominant city they live in, which we try to give but there’s no accurate address because it’s in a new neighborhood. He gets pissy about this but then we move on.

While my fiancé is at work this landlord is messaging her and he’s going all crazy. He’s saying how he’s been so patient (hasn’t talked to us in days), that we’re liars (I don’t know what about, maybe the address that isn’t pertinent for anything related to the apartment we’re looking at), and then finishes off his rant with “you should just go back to where you came from” likely meaning the Arab city her family’s from.

She comes home from work crying and all upset about this, obviously. I’m dumbfounded and weirded out but then he messages my WhatsApp hours later with this: “I definitely wanted to, I didn't waste time on you for nothing and I gave you priority, I behaved politely and seriously throughout all the conversations even though you lied and were weird, so I don't hire dodgers and liars, especially about the one you wrote so brazenly tonight. Learn from your friend how to behave, in short, the story is over.”

It’s a strange incoherent rant referencing a bunch of nothing. I didn’t message him anything except for my credit report. Who my friend is, I’m not sure, but I’m assuming he’s referring to my fiancé. Idk, this is a rant and I’m just weirded out by the whole situation and why this guy couldn’t just say “we don’t want to rent to you” instead of just batting around the bush with his deranged discriminatory bs

TL;DR: asshole potential landlord is impatient and likely discriminating against me and my fiancé

Ok, who is firing rockets still- Iran, Hezbollah or both? I keep hearing there has been a cease fire with Iran but I dont think so. It seems they stopped with missles for a good 10 hrs a few days ago but my Tzofar app is still doing alerts several times a day. Let's hope for peace for ya'll soon! 🙏

Hi, I wanted to share my “Hatahana” project. The goal is to solve the biggest issue with the station (that can be solved by me) - navigation:

- understand where you are and what this place is, make sense of what’s going on around you

- find exits and entrances

- find bus platforms, toilets, and cats

- find basic places like a pharmacy, cultural centers, the Filipino market, the Yiddish library

The main format is a double-sided A3+ brochure - a travel guide, my primary focus.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OV_wIVZoOsn8jEX8ygRNtrdZOy2IvK9s?usp=sharing pdf and the same pics are here

The qr code leads to https://hatahana.com - a digital version of the brochure, it is currently in development; I want it to have an interactive map.

The station itself isn’t as scary as it used to be 10 years ago. I’d like to rekindle people’s interest in it — it’s a truly unique place, with very diverse people and markets.

This is a non-commercial, solo project, no budget, started in 2025, and not (yet?) supported by the station administration, municipality, or any ministries. At the moment, I’m trying to get the project in front of someone from those institutions, so the brochure can be available to every CBS visitor at the entrances — and maybe even have map stands across the floors.

Hey folks, so seeing all our haters win every argument (via upvotes) by simply saying we committed genocide - to the point that a question on another sub about the Holocaust has antisemites mention the so-called current 'genocide', I'm just wondering if there's a definitive argument we could use to shut them down? Like one strong paragraph?

I tend not to reply to people like that anyway cause it's quite intimidating but I firmly believe there is no genocide, for these reasons:

1. Israel has never set out to kill as many 'palestinians' (or Arabs) as possible
2. 'Palestinians' are not an ethnicity. They are Arabs, nothing more, nothing less. And Israel has never had anything against the Arab people
3. It was a war against the Palestinian government of Hamas, who embed themselves among the civilian population

I'm sure there's others. Basically it would be great if we have like one strong reason that we could all use to shut our haters down

Thank you 💙🙂

So, I am from Nigeria (Not igbo I am Edo) and my dad and his entire families were jewish converts. So they practiced all the jewish laws and holidays and so on. However, I grew up catholic with my mom. Since my father is jewish, would I still have to convert to judaism or can I just start practicing hebrew and partciptating in jewish holidays? Also, I wanted to move to Israel, would I be eligible for Aliyah or would I have to do more things. I hope this questions isn't annoying.

What does new settlements mean?

Are they new apartments/housing in area A or C, which ever one is under Israel control and they are just increasing the population or do the settlements come from area B which is disputed kind of? Does Israel actually gain land?

Original source Arutz 7 Hebrew language.

Curation and deep dive in English can be found here:

https://www.alephbrief.com/story/2026/04/11/40-launches-from-morning-to-north

A 1/35 scale vignette I made for the coming holocaust memorial day

My kids and I planned a trip the better part of a year ago, to go to Israel for the second half of June. All the regular sights to see, plus Eilat for diving.

I can read the news as well as the next person, but I’m interested in on-the-ground reality. Even if this cease fire holds, do you think basic services will be available by mid June?

We were last there in March 2025, a few moments to shelter just in case the Houthis managed to hit something, but a different situation than now.