VFI News Israel Ready to Strike Iran 'With Great Force' if Attacked Over the High Holidays; Russia Helping Tehran Build Supersonic Missiles

Israel is fracturing from within — settler violence, Haredi protests, and a looming election that nobody can call. Here's what's really happening on the ground this week.

This week on VFI News, we're covering a lot of ground — and not all of it comfortable. Settler attacks on Palestinian residents in Kusra have drawn international condemnation, and we give you the full picture, including the context the media consistently leaves out. We also talk about the endless Haredi protest movement that's disrupting Jerusalem's streets — and why the international press can't stop covering it.

But it's not all bad news. Over two million Israeli children started the new school year this week — including Barry's own grandchildren. We share why that milestone matters deeply, and why Vision for Israel's back-to-school programme exists to make sure no child walks into class feeling left behind.

Then we turn to Israeli politics. With elections set for October 27th, we break down what the polls are showing — and why you should take them with a large grain of salt.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction & This Week in Israel

2:15 Settler Violence in Judea & Samaria — The Full Picture

8:40 Haredi Protests & Why the Media Loves This Story

15:20 2 Million Kids Back to School — And Why It Matters

21:05 Vision for Israel Back-to-School Programme

26:30 Israeli Elections — What the Polls Actually Show

33:00 Prayer Points & Closing Thoughts

If this content means something to you, please share it and consider subscribing for weekly updates from inside Israel. To support our work with families and children in need, visit us at visionforisrael.com.

#Israel #MiddleEast #IsraelNews #JudeaAndSamaria #IsraeliElections

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday, September 2, that Israel is prepared to respond "with great force" if Iran attacks during the upcoming Jewish holiday period, following the largest exchange of fire between Washington and Tehran since July. His remarks came after the US military said on Tuesday, September 1, that it had struck Iranian targets, including air defenses and mine-laying capabilities, in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claimed attacks on US military targets in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraqi Kurdistan, and the United Arab Emirates, and later on Wednesday Saudi Arabia said one of its oil tankers had been hit in a deadly Iranian attack in the strait.

Speaking at a media conference, Katz said that "for now," Iran is "striking throughout the region except us." "But there is a possibility that they will attack us. We are prepared for that defensively," he said. Israel is ready for a possible attack from Iranian forces over the High Holiday season, which begins in mid-September, Katz said.

If Iran attacks, Israel will "respond with great force, independently of anyone else," Katz said, adding that "our planes are ready to take off." "They like to attack on Jewish holidays because, after all, they hate Jews. Look at the many things that have happened in the past. But we are prepared both defensively and offensively, in coordination with the United States in this regard," he said.

(TOI/VFI News)

Pray for Israel's defenders as the High Holidays approach. Ask the Lord to keep the IDF and the Israel Air Force alert and ready, to expose and thwart every Iranian plan against the Jewish people, and to guard every home, synagogue, and holiday table across the land. May Israel enter the new year in security, and may those who plot against her be confounded.

Explosions were heard and interceptions recorded over Jordan early on Monday, August 31, after Iranian media reported that missiles had been launched from Iran toward US bases in the kingdom. A US source said that "nearly all incoming missiles have been intercepted at this point." The Jordanian military announced that it had intercepted eight missiles that entered the country's airspace.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the fire, announcing that it had targeted the US bases Al-Azraq and King Hussein in Jordan with ballistic missiles. The launch followed a US strike on Sunday evening, August 30, on Iranian military targets on Larak Island that reportedly killed two people and wounded two others. A US official confirmed that American forces carried out the strike to prevent Iranian forces from deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

The official said US forces had struck two Iranian launchers on the island after IRGC forces "were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz," adding that American forces are "monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce" through the strait. The operation marked the first known US strike inside Iran since late July, when President Donald Trump paused a two-week US military campaign in the strategic waterway.

(INN/VFI News)

"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day," – Psalm 91:5

Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, issued a new threat against the United States on Wednesday, September 2, following the latest US strikes on Iran. "With all this flailing about, you will not only fail to climb out of the infernal depths you have created for yourselves, but you will soon see that Iran's new strategy on the battlefield, in diplomacy, and in countering the economic siege will shatter your very foundations," Rezaee wrote on X.

Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, announced that passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conditioned on the payment of war reparations. He explained that Article 7 of the "Smart Management of the Strait of Hormuz" law requires all countries, organizations, and individuals who caused damage to Iran during the war to reach an agreement with the Iranian government on a mechanism for paying compensation.

Earlier on Wednesday, the IRGC announced that two oil tankers had struck a mine in the Strait of Hormuz. IRGC officials also said that Iran had attacked US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq.

(INN/VFI News)

"The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." – Psalm 2:4

Russia has been helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles, an advanced weapon that is harder to defend against than subsonic variants, an investigation published on Tuesday, September 1, found. The development program began in 2023 and, if successful, would give Tehran a significantly greater ability to attack US aircraft carriers and other vessels in the Middle East.

The investigation drew on Russian correspondence, travel records, and military patents, and described the program as "one of the most significant known transfers of strategic military technology from Moscow to Tehran." The project, codenamed "C430L," was organized by Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms exporter, and also involved NPO Mashinostroyenia, a rocket design organization that is under US sanctions.

Documents show that officials from both organizations traveled multiple times to Iran before the C430L project was formalized in November 2023. The program continued into 2026, with correspondence in June showing discussions on the next stage, though it is not clear whether that stage has begun. Work was still under way when Iran came under attack from the joint US-Israel campaign launched in 2026, a war that has since become focused on a US-Iran standoff over control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has tried to choke off by attacking shipping.

(TOI/VFI News)

Pray that Russia's transfer of missile technology to Iran fails and is fully exposed. Ask the Lord to keep Israel's air defenses ahead of every new weapon, to frustrate the engineers and officials who arm the regime in Tehran, and to give Israel's leaders and allies wisdom in confronting this alliance. May every weapon formed against Israel fall short of its mark.

Experience the powerful blessings found in Psalm 128. This uplifting song celebrates the joy and prosperity that come to those who walk in the ways of the Lord and honor Him. From the blessings of fruitful families to peace upon Israel, this song captures the essence of God’s promise to those who fear Him. Whether you're seeking spiritual encouragement or a deeper connection with God's word, this lyric video is a beautiful reminder of His goodness. Perfect for meditation, reflection, and worship, let this video uplift your spirit as you contemplate the blessings of a life led by faith.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Monday, August 31, that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is "lying shamelessly" after Sanchez claimed there were signs that Israel and Russia had spread the disinformation about Spain's migration policy that triggered a rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in July. Sanchez "lied again, surprisingly accusing Israel of spreading false information about the events of Ceuta," Sa'ar wrote on X, calling it a "blatant lie." "Continuing to spread defamatory lies will not divert attention from Sanchez's shameful failure in managing his country's affairs," Sa'ar stated.

Over 72,000 migrants irregularly crossed from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory between Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, 2026, in an unprecedented surge at one of the European Union's only two land borders with Africa, prompting alarm across the bloc. At least 100 people died in the attempt, Ceuta's local authorities said. Videos on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media spread misleading claims that migrants reaching Ceuta by sea could remain in Spain, encouraging thousands to attempt the crossing, Spanish authorities have said.

Sanchez, speaking to a Spanish radio station, said research by the EU's diplomatic service had indicated that Russian and Israeli networks were behind the spread of disinformation in conjunction with far-right networks, but he gave no further details on the evidence. Spanish opposition parties and some human rights groups have accused Rabat of deliberately allowing the mass crossing, an accusation Morocco has denied, and Sanchez said he denies any Moroccan involvement "outright." The Kremlin also rejected the allegation that Russia was connected to the crisis.

(JPost/VFI News)

"Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues." – Psalm 120:2

Finland and Israel have extended a memorandum of understanding for defense cooperation over the next decade, covering research and development, cooperation, and the procurement of defense equipment. The agreement, set to run until 2034, was approved by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen in early 2024 and was not made public until a report by Finland's public broadcaster.

The MoU was first drawn up in 2013, and with its validity about to expire, Helsinki proposed to Israel in early 2024 that the protocol be extended. Finland proposed extending the agreement to ten years rather than the previous five, and Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, director general of Israel's Defense Ministry, agreed. "On behalf of the IMoD, I hereby accept the extension of the MoU in the form suggested by the Finnish side, for 10 more years. We appreciate our fruitful cooperation and wish for mutual projects and activities," read a letter sent by the ministry.

Major Israeli companies already have subsidiaries in Finland, as well as significant cooperation with local Finnish firms. Finnish purchases from Israeli defense industries, which totaled just a few million dollars a few years ago, now reach hundreds of millions of dollars a year and are continuing to rise.

(JPost/VFI News)

A group of Australian venture capitalists is betting that Israel's next major investment opportunity lies beyond its traditional strengths in cyber and defense, and that Israeli climate, energy-transition, and agritech companies could become the next big thing for Australian investors and potentially for the continent itself. Next76, a co-venture between Bandera Capital and Foxglove Capital, was established two years ago to focus exclusively on Israeli companies.

David Solsky, an operating partner at Bandera, said Israel's performance in recent years has reinforced the case for investing in the country. "Despite the war and some of the challenges that Israelis face, the economy has continued to be strong. That Israel is the Start-Up Nation and the Scale-Up Nation keeps getting validated even over the past few years," Solsky said. From a Jewish perspective, he said, there was a general consensus among Australian Jews after October 7 that there was a greater need than ever to support Israel, with many becoming involved in philanthropic projects such as rebuilding communities in the South or advocating for Israel as antisemitism continued to rise.

"We started to look at how we could ultimately invest in Israel, and we think climate and energy transition are particularly relevant verticals," Solsky explained. "It is a relatively small market compared to cyber, defense and some of the other traditional verticals. But we have expertise in this area and … we figured if we made investments in this area, we could keep them moving forward." While the fund's managers continue to invest in Australia and the United States, among other places, they are also looking more broadly at Israel because "Israel's got amazing innovation… We have found what we think are some great companies."

(JPost/VFI News)

Pray for continued blessing on Israel's economy and its gift of innovation. Ask the Lord to strengthen the Australian Jewish community as it stands with Israel, to prosper every partnership that connects Israeli ingenuity with the nations, and to turn investment into lasting good for the land and its people. May Israel be a source of blessing to the ends of the earth.

An Israeli-developed technology that delivers antibiotics directly to severe infection sites helped eight out of ten diabetic patients who had been considered candidates for foot amputation avoid the procedure in a clinical pilot at Jerusalem's Sha’arei Zedek Medical Center. The technology, developed by Israeli biotech company GentaGel, uses a biodegradable polymer to release antibiotics gradually at the site of an infection for up to 60 days.

The small clinical pilot included ten patients suffering from severely infected diabetic foot ulcers and bone infections who were candidates for either amputation or removal of infected bone. Eight recovered from their infections without requiring amputation, with wound closure and bone regrowth observed in all eight. Diabetic foot infections can be particularly difficult to treat and, in severe cases, can lead to repeated surgery, long hospital stays, and amputation.

The findings are preliminary, and the company is now advancing additional studies in Israel and the United States while pursuing a regulatory pathway with the US Food and Drug Administration. Traditional antibiotic treatments are generally administered orally or intravenously, meaning the medication circulates throughout the body while only part of it reaches the infection at the concentration required; GentaGel's approach is designed to deliver the antibiotic directly into the infected area.

(JPost/VFI News)

"Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases," – Psalm 103:2-3

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

Want to see more from VFI? Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionforisrael and hit "like" if you like us!