Famously, the slogan “All the News That’s Fit to Print” graces the front page of every New York Times edition. The slogan was coined at the end of the 19th century by the paper’s publisher, Adolph Ochs. Of course, in today’s hyper-globalized world, the slogan is wishful thinking. No paper could realistically cover all the important news stories of the day.
Still, it would be hard to argue that outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and others adequately cover even those stories they do print. They often devote precious space to emotive or opinionated claims, while omitting highly material and relevant information that sheds important new light.
Provided below are three important, but underreported, stories bearing on Israel and the Middle East that media consumers should know this week.
1) Israel Sends Humanitarian Mission to Venezuela Post-Earthquakes
On June 24, 2026, multiple devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing deaths in the thousands and significant destruction. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, by June 25, 2026, Jewish and Israeli media reported Israel would be sending a team to assist.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post and other Israeli or Jewish outlets, the lack of diplomatic relations makes facilitating the assistance more complex, but that did not hinder Israel’s willingness and capability to help. Venezuelan-raised Israeli Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Yoed Magen, used whatever channels he had available to him to reach “the right people and offer [Israel’s] assistance.” In addition to Magen and other professionals from the Foreign Ministry, Israel sent IDF Home Front Command (HFC) engineering experts, including HFC Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Elad Edri. In addition to general assistance, the delegation will provide help to the Jewish community. According to Magen, 20 families lost their homes, three were killed and several are missing.
Per i24 News, Israel officials emphasized the purely humanitarian nature of the mission. Upon arrival to Venezuela, the team met with Venezuelan authorities, emergency services and others to immediately assess priorities and coordinate operations. Additional delegation members are expected to arrive in the next few days.
One reason you may not have heard this story is because in The New York Times June 26 article about countries sending aid or delegations to Venezuela, Israel was not among the 28 countries listed (despite Israel announcing its intentions the day before). Indeed, only Jewish and Israeli media reported on Israel’s complicated efforts to assist.
2) The Slovenia Turnaround: Out with the PLO Flag, In with the Jerusalem Embassy
Nearly one month ago, this column addressed a flight from Tel Aviv to Ljubljana that was denied permission to land in Slovenia. At the time, an anonymous Israeli official believed the event could have been a “last hoorah” from the outgoing Slovenian government.
What a difference a month makes.
This week, The Jerusalem Post and other Israeli outlets reported (as well as at least one Slovenian outlet) that newly elected Prime Minister of Slovenia, Jansz Janša, announced he would suspend or revoke his predecessor’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Janša said the decision to recognize the state was illegal, and that his party “raised this as a condition for participation in the coalition negotiations, and everyone agreed.”
Israel Hayom also reported that 20 minutes after the new government took office, maintenance workers removed the PLO flag that had flown over Slovenia’s government building for the past two years.
The new Prime Minister of Slovenia says he is withdrawing Slovenia’s recognition of a “Palestine” state. pic.twitter.com/FG7NC4WtFo
— James J. Marlow (@James_J_Marlow) June 28, 2026
In addition, Slovenia announced it will move its embassy to Jerusalem – the first EU country to do so. The new government also revoked a 2025 decision to ban weapon and military equipment exports to and imports from Israel.
The Slovenia Times further reported that the new government lifted entry bans on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “and two far-right cabinet members” and that Israel will open an embassy in Ljubljana for the first time, having managed its diplomatic relations from Vienna until now.
According to Israel Hayom, Janša intends to try and strengthen the bloc of European Israel supporters and oppose any attempts at sanctions against Israel or its citizens. Janša also wants Israelis to visit and invest in Slovenia.
3) Trump’s Board of Peace is Making Moves
The Jerusalem Post reported this week that President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) believes there is no place for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza’s future.
UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza. We are turning the page on the complex of perpetual aid dependency & conflict. The people of Gaza deserve better. https://t.co/MttkJqX1Np
— Board of Peace (@BoardOfPeace) July 1, 2026
The Times of Israel reported similarly, adding that while the Palestinian Authority (PA) reiterated support for Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan and for the establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (tasked with running Gaza in lieu of Hamas until the PA has reformed itself), it rejected “all terminology aimed at fragmenting Palestinian Territory, including the term ‘New Gaza’ . . .”
Israel Hayom reported that the BoP will pilot a program to begin separating civilians from Hamas in Gaza in areas of the Gaza Strip not under current Hamas control. The first area where humanitarian shelter will be created pursuant to the Trump Plan is in Tel Sultan, near Rafah, where medical aid and food will be sent – but no concrete for reconstruction – so as to loosen Hamas’ grip on the population, little by little. Multinational forces will be provided with non-lethal weapons to maintain order and will be based at a facility built for them at Camp Amitai, near Gaza. The IDF will continue to hold its positions.
The goal, explains Israel Hayom, is that:
[T]he IDF will continue to deepen its hold on territory in the Strip and bite off more areas under Hamas control, while the Board of Peace will “bite off” population from it. Later, according to officials who have seen the plans, the hope is that Hamas will be left without population, territory and resources, and that this will be the way to bring about its elimination.
To date, this story has been largely unreported. Non-Jewish American mainstream media outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN have so far ignored it.