December 28, 2025 – Israel Headlines

Story gist: Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent nation. African regional bodies rejected this recognition.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NYT lead with Israel’s recognition and emphasize international rebukes, framing it critically toward Israel. Center outlets like PBS focus neutrally on African bodies’ rejection. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, leaving absent a perspective that might support Israel’s move or downplay African opposition.

Story gist: Iran’s president stated that the country is in the midst of a ‘total war’ with the US, Israel, and Europe.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Al Jazeera frame Iran as victim by emphasizing US, Israel, and Europe waging ‘full-fledged war’ on the country. Center outlets like AP News neutrally report Iran in ‘full-scale war with the West.’ Right-leaning New York Post portrays Iran as aggressor, using ‘declares total war against’ and adding emphasis on nuclear expansion, heightening threat perception.

Story gist: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss Phase 2 of a Gaza deal. The talks occur amid U.S. frustration over delays.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The New York Times frame Netanyahu’s visit critically via opinion, portraying Israel as obstructing Trump with an imperative to ‘get out of Trump’s way.’ Center outlets like Axios describe it neutrally as ‘crucial’ for Gaza deal progress. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting pro-Netanyahu, pro-Israel, or optimistic framings.

Story gist: Israelis protested nationwide after Qatargate revelations linked to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office. Likud stated Eli Feldstein never served as PMO spokesperson.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Haaretz emphasizes nationwide protests and direct ties to PM’s office, highlighting public backlash scale. Center Yahoo focuses on specific ‘Qatari sheikhs’ protesters targeting Netanyahu, adding vivid protest details. Right-leaning Jerusalem Post centers Likud’s denial of Feldstein’s role, omitting protests to prioritize rebuttal and downplay scandal connections.

Story gist: Italian authorities arrested nine people in Italy for allegedly using charities to raise millions of dollars for Hamas.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NBC reports neutrally on arrests for ‘allegedly funding Hamas through charities,’ omitting financial details. Center Reuters similarly states ‘arrests nine over alleged Hamas funding through charities,’ maintaining factual brevity. Right-leaning Fox emphasizes scale with ‘funnel more than $8m to Hamas,’ highlighting amount and method absent in left and center frames, potentially amplifying perceived threat.