IDAN KWELLER

Idan Kweller is the diplomatic correspondent for the Hebrew news site, Walla.


Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering.

Maduro pleads not guilty to narco-terrorism after US capture

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro being walked in custody down a hallway at the offices of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in New York City, U.S., January 3, 2026.

Orthodox Jewish judge to preside over Maduro's criminal proceedings in NY

A graphic showing a Central Intelligence Agency logo on a phone in front of a US flag.

CIA intelligence made capture of Venezuela's Maduro by US forces 'seamless,' official says


Mamdani reverses antisemitism order defining anti-Zionism as hate

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked an executive order adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including provisions linking some anti-Zionist rhetoric to antisemitism.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pictured during his first day in office, January 1, 2026.

Trump tells children, 'US military is tracking Santa' at NORAD's Christmas calls event

The event was centered on the NORAD Santa Tracker, which is conducted annually by the United States, commemorating 70 years since the first transmission in 1955.

US President Donald Trump participates in NORAD Santa tracker phone calls, on Christmas Eve, from the Mar-a-lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 24, 2025.

While US sees Iran as 'destabilizing factor,' Trump using sanctions, not military force - official

“Iran’s destabilizing behavior threatens the national interests of the United States, and therefore President Trump has reinstated a policy of ‘maximum pressure,’" the official said.

A model of a B-2 bomber is visible on the Resolute desk as President Donald Trump speaks before signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on September 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Netanyahu to brief Trump on new plans to strike Iran in upcoming meeting, US officials say - report

PM reportedly set to brief Trump on Iran's ballistic missile program • Israeli diplomatic source: Contents of planned meeting will only be discussed during said meeting

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump embrace on the Knesset plenum, October 13, 2025.

Mother of deceased hostage Ran Gvili expected to join Netanyahu on upcoming US trip

Walla also learned that Shira, Ran Gvili's sister, was invited by Israeli Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, to light the fifth Hanukkah candle at the Consulate General. 

Talik Gvili, the mother of Ran Gvili, at her home in Meitar, Israel, December 7, 2025

UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding Israel cooperate with UNRWA

A vote of 139 member nations passed the resolution. Only 12 countries voted against the resolution, and 19 others abstained.

Members of the United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution by Russia and China to delay by six months the reimposition of sanctions on Iran during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York City, US, September 26, 2025

Israel adopting messaging reforms, following Charlie Kirk's warning in final letter to Netanyahu

The initiative is expected to expand over the coming year, incorporating multiple languages, shorter digital content, and first-person testimonies.

 (Illustrative) TURNING POINT USA executive director Charlie Kirk speaks at US President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day ceremony at the Capital One Arena in Washington on January 20, 2025.

US offered Hamas safe passage to return Hadar Goldin - report

Sources say Washington proposed safe passage for Hamas terrorists in Rafah in exchange for the return of Lt. Hadar Goldin’s remains.

A poster of Hadar Goldin hanging among cards with messages for Gaza hostages, Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, October 28, 2025.

Iranian plot to kill Israel's ambassador to Mexico contained, US official says

Mexican authorities thwarted an attempted attack on Ambassador Einat Kranz-Neiger.

Israel's Ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz Neiger.

Trump: 'Rogue elements, not Hamas leadership,' behind recent attack on IDF in Gaza

Vance also cautioned that “there is currently no existing security infrastructure to guarantee Hamas’s disarmament.”

US President Donald Trump looks on while speaking to members of the media as he flies from Florida to Joint Base Andrews en route to Washington, aboard Air Force One, US, October 19, 2025