Smotrich: Goal of Netanyahu-Trump talks defensible border

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday called for Israel to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria and dismantle the Palestinian Authority, saying the territory poses an existential threat to the Jewish state. Speaking to JNS at a Religious Zionist Party meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, Smotrich said the upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump should focus on establishing “defensible borders” on three fronts: Gaza, Lebanon and Judea and Samaria (Read more at JNS).

Tucker Carlson named ‘Antisemite of the Year’ for opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza

A US pro-Israel advocacy group has named political commentator and journalist Tucker Carlson as its “Antisemite of the Year”, citing his opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. StopAntisemitism announced the designation on Sunday, accusing Carlson of hostility towards Israel after he used his podcast and media appearances to criticise the war and the political influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups in Washington (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Israel tells U.S. Iran missile drill could be cover for an attack

Israeli officials warned the Trump administration over the weekend that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps missile exercise could be preparations for a strike on Israel, according to three Israeli and U.S officials (Read more at Axios).

Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon blast 'Israel First' at fractious Maga conference

A major conservative convention in the US has descended into chaos as key figures within the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement criticise "Israel First" policies. The right-wing organisation Turning Point USA is holding America Fest this week, in its first large gathering since the killing of its founder, Charlie Kirk, earlier this year (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Netanyahu and Sen. Graham warn Hamas and Hezbollah are rearming

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Sunday in Jerusalem with US Senator Lindsey Graham, with both leaders voicing concern over what they described as renewed military buildup by Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The meeting took place amid ongoing regional tensions and as Israel celebrates the Hanukkah holiday (Read more at I24).

Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on possible new Iran strikes

Israeli officials have grown increasingly concerned that Iran is expanding production of its ballistic missile program, which was damaged by Israeli military strikes earlier this year, and are preparing to brief President Donald Trump about options for attacking it again (Read more at NBC News)

SF area mayorsays Netanyahu causing rise in Jew-hatred

Eduardo Martinez, mayor of Richmond, Calif., in the San Francisco Bay Area, believes that having apologized for sharing anti-Israel material on social media, the matter ought to be closed. “I retracted my mistakes. I own them,” he told JNS on Thursday afternoon. “I was hoping that people would listen to me with compassion and understanding, but apparently that doesn’t seem to be the way in the world.” (Read more at JNS)

US imposes sanctions on two more ICC judges for Israel probe

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had already ordered sanctions on judges and prosecutors in the case, explicitly linked the new sanctions to a vote Monday in which the judges sided with the majority and upheld arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. "We will not tolerate ICC abuses of power that violate the sovereignty of the United States and Israel and wrongly subject US and Israeli persons to the ICC's jurisdiction," Rubio said in a statement (Read more at France 24).

Israeli education leaders visit NYC to learn how to teach Jewish identity

Many American Jews assume that it’s easy to be Jewish in Israel given the ubiquity of Hebrew and history in the Jewish state, where one needn’t pay tens of thousands of dollars annually for day school or thousands for synagogue membership to raise children who are knowledgeable about Judaism. But senior Israeli educators said that is not the case (Read more at JNS).

Norman Podhoretz, influential American Jewish intellectual, dies at 95

Norman Podhoretz, one of the most influential American Jewish intellectuals of the postwar era and the longtime editor of Commentary magazine, died in New York City on Dec. 16, weeks before his 96th birthday. A liberal as a young man, he later emerged as one of the most prominent conservative thinkers in the United States, playing a central role in shaping American political and cultural debate for decades (Read more at JNS).

Trump acknowledges declining Israeli influence in US

Trump said: "If you go back, 10, 12, 15 years ago, the most, the strongest lobby in Washington was the Jewish lobby, it was Israel. That's no longer true. You have to be very careful." He added that "there's been a big change" in Congress, and singled out Democratic Party members Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar as examples. He went on to claim that Omar, who has come under attack by Trump in recent weeks, "hates Jewish people" (Read more at New Arab).

Pro-Israel PAC endorses 64 House Democrats

Two Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York City, who face primary challengers from fellow Democrats opposed to their support for Israel, received endorsements on Tuesday from the Democratic Majority for Israel’s political action committee. Reps. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) were among 65 House Democrats backed by the group, which spent more than $6 million in the 2024 federal elections, according to the research group OpenSecrets (Read more at JNS).

Knesset speaker makes case that being pro-Israel is ‘America first’

Amir Ohana, the Knesset speaker, said in a talk in Washington last week that the United States reaps tangible benefits from its relation with the Jewish state. “For the $3.8 billion America invests annually in Israel, the returns are estimated at $48 billion in defense contracts, shared research and development and real-world testing that accelerates U.S. hardware upgrades,” he said. “Israeli technologies protect American troops.” (Read more at JNS)

Israel joins US-led Pax Silica alliance to shape global AI economy

Avi Simhon, the head of Israel’s National Economic Council and the prime minister’s economic adviser, said at the conference that Israel’s presence was a “badge of honor” for the state and its high-tech industry, which is considered a global leader in the fields of innovation and artificial intelligence. “Together with our international partners, we are working to fortify the global AI industry, strengthen the resilience of supply chains, and ensure the economic and security prosperity of participating countries,” he added (Read more at JNS).

Members of Congress Mark 50 Years of ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Resolution

Members of Congress gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations resolution determining that Zionism is a form of racism and Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s denunciation of that “infamous act.” Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) said that for the past 50 years, Israel has proven that Resolution 3379 “was not true.” (Read more at Lighthouse)

U.S. Suspends Sharing with Israel

U.S. intelligence officials temporarily halted sharing critical intelligence with Israel during the Biden administration due to concerns about Israel's military conduct in Gaza. This move, deemed unusual by experts, highlighted friction in U.S.-Israel relations and underscored worries over potential human rights violations by Israel's military and security agencies (Read more at DevDiscourse).

Tucker Carlson condemns ‘abominable’ human cost in Gaza

Following a visit to a Qatari medical and rehabilitation facility hosting evacuated Palestinians, Carlson confronted what he termed the “abominable” human cost of Israel’s war on Gaza. Accompanied by a team visibly shaken by the experience, Carlson showcased harrowing footage of survivors, including infants and young children with “mangled faces” and “limbs blown off.” (Read more at Tehran Times)

Podcast: U.S. Jews and Israel ’are no longer exceptional

When it comes to liberal American Jews and President Donald Trump, the “cognitive dissonance is real,” said award-winning journalist Dahlia Lithwick on the Haaretz Podcast (Listen here).

Israeli Navy and US 5th Fleet complete joint five-day exercise

The drill, dubbed “Intrinsic Defender,” focused on maintaining and strengthening the long-standing cooperation between the two navies, expanding and improving responses to possible maritime threats and promoting joint operational learning. “Throughout the exercise, operational capabilities were integrated, and new technological capabilities were established, to broaden the IDF’s operational options,” the statement continued (Read more at New York Post).

Israeli consulate launches Times Square billboard campaign to spotlight last hostage

Ofir Akunis, the Israeli consul general in New York, called Gvili an “Israeli hero” who defended Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, against “the Hamas monsters.” The campaign, which the consulate says was led in coordination with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, follows earlier international awareness efforts calling attention to the fate of hostages taken on Oct. 7 (Read more at JNS).

Herzog and Waltz Push Forward President Trump’s Postwar Strategy

President Isaac Herzog held talks in Jerusalem on Wednesday with US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, using the meeting to review the next steps for implementing last month’s UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and President Donald Trump’s peace framework. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, joined the discussion at the President’s Residence (Read more at Media Line).

US lawmakers say Israel hasn’t held to account those that killed journalist

Four US lawmakers on Thursday said there has been no accountability for an October 2023 attack by the Israeli military that struck a group of journalists in Lebanon, killing a Reuters visuals journalist and wounding others. US Senator Peter Welch from Vermont, the home state of one of the journalists wounded in the attack, accused Israel of not conducting a serious investigation into the incident, saying he had seen no proof of that (Read more at Arabnews).

US journalist wounded by Israel says his government has done nothing

A small group of Democratic lawmakers, alongside the Committee to Protect Journalists and Amnesty International, called on Israel and the Trump administration on Thursday to carry out a full and independent investigation into the first alleged targeting of journalists by Israel as it launched its wars on Gaza and Lebanon after 7 October 2023 (Read more at Middle East Eye). 

Podcast: What If Everything Told About America’s “Closest Ally” Is Wrong

Why are we defending mass murder in Gaza? Because our Greatest Ally demands it. It’s time to rethink that relationship (Listen here).

Rubio and Sa’ar discuss Trump’s plan for Gaza

The two leaders also addressed situations in Syria and Lebanon during their talks in Washington, according to the State Department, “reaffirming their commitment to close collaboration in pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East (Read more at JNS).

Johnson teams with Israeli leader to push Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in Washington to affix their signatures to a letter nominating Trump for the honor, something he repeatedly has insisted he deserved. The two men said in October that they would lead a worldwide campaign on behalf of Trump, and said their meeting on Tuesday would kick off that effort (Read more at JNS).

American pastors who visited Israel targeted by online hate

The development underscored both the hostility that exists on social media against Israel and the usage of bots to amplify hate on such networks. The weeklong visit, which was organized by American evangelical leader Mike Evans with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, was the single largest gathering of pastors in Israel since the establishment of the state in 1948. It included a tour of the southern communities that came under attack during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre as well as meetings with survivors and former hostages (Read more at JNS).

House passes $900 billion defense bill with ‘critical pro-Israel provisions’

“The bill critically prioritizes U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation to further enable both nations to counter missile, drone and emerging high-tech threats,” the pro-Israel group said. “Importantly, the bipartisan defense measure authorizes $500 million in fiscal year 2026 for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation.” (Read more at JNS)

House holds hearing on Judea and Samaria

The House Foreign Affairs Committee heard testimony on Wednesday about the “historical, strategic and political dynamics” of Judea and Samaria and that territory’s relationship to the term “West Bank.” (Read more at JNS)

Austin Tice's mother asks Israel to share its intelligence on his fate

Debra Tice, the mother of American journalist Austin Tice who went missing in Syria thirteen years ago, is asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow her to review all the information Israel's intelligence services have gathered about her son's whereabouts (Read more at Axios).

Israeli Navy holding joint drill with US Navy’s 5th Fleet

The IDF said the exercise brings together the Israeli Navy and the US Fifth Fleet for coordinated maritime training. The joint drill comes as the IDF’s chief of staff warned that the military must be prepared for a sudden, large-scale conflict (Read more at Mehrnews).

‘No way to disarm Hamas through some Arab force,’ Lindsey Graham says

In a recent interview, the pro-Israel senator said that he doesn’t see a need for the United States to get involved with Hamas, but he’d encourage U.S. President Donald Trump to “consider joint operations with Israel if we can’t do diplomacy to disarm Hezbollah like we did with Iran.” (Read more at JNS)

US spending shifts Israel funds from Iron Dome to countering ballistic missiles

The House of Representatives released its proposal for 2026 defense spending that would see a $50 million shift in funds for Israel from countering short-range rockets and mortars to systems that intercept ballistic missiles. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, released on Sunday, would spend $60 million on the U.S.-Israeli co-development and production program for Iron Dome, down from $110 million in 2025 (Read more at JNS).

Israel's Netanyahu to discuss second phase of Gaza plan with Trump later this month

Netanyahu said that he would discuss with Trump how to bring an end to Hamas rule in Gaza. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is entering its second month, although both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce agreement. Netanyahu said that it was important to ensure Hamas not only upholds the ceasefire but also follows through on "their commitment" to the plan to disarm and for Gaza to be demilitarized (Read more at Reuters).

Podcast: Tucker and Qatar’s Prime Minister React to Trump’s Move Against Bibi

No American president has ever sided with an Arab state over Israel until Donald Trump forced Bibi to apologize to Qatar. A reaction from Qatar’s PM (Listen here).

U.S. discussing potential Sisi-Netanyahu summit

The U.S. officials say Netanyahu must first approve a strategic gas deal with Egypt and take other steps to entice Sisi to meet. The U.S. is considering similar initiatives focused on economic incentives in areas like tech and energy between Israel and Arab countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia (Read more at Axios).

Israel and Qatar hold secret meeting in New York to rebuild ties

The U.S., Israel, and Qatar are holding a trilateral meeting in New York on Sunday to rebuild relations after the failed Israeli strike in Doha. This is the highest-level meeting between the countries since the deal to end the war in Gaza, for which Qatar served as a key mediator. It's taking place as the Trump administration prepares to announce that the Gaza peace process is moving to a new phase (Read more at Axios).

Former hostage families praise US, press for return of Ran Gvili

They traveled to Washington to thank officials who were involved in securing the release of their sons’ remains from the Gaza Strip. Their visit included meetings with about 20 senators and 20 members of the House of Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties. “Throughout the entire struggle we insisted on maintaining a nonpolitical approach,” the families said. “We worked with the Biden administration during an election year and, after the transition, with the Trump administration as well.” (Read more at JNS)

Why Texas Ag Chief signed a deal with disputed Israeli settlements

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, the cowboy hat-wearing Republican who often draws attention for posting controversial messages on social media, made a bold geopolitical statement during an international trip he wrapped up Wednesday: He opened up trade relations with a group of Israeli settlements in the West Bank that neither the United States nor the United Nations legally recognizes (Read more at Texas Tribune).

Message on Anniversary of Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

On December 6, 2017, during my first term in office, I proudly signed a proclamation to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate the United States Embassy to that marvelous city—a transformative step forward in the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.  Today, 8 years later, my Administration renews its commitment to ushering in a new era of peace, prosperity, and stability in the region and all around the world (Read more at Whitehouse).

Herzog: The fountains of American life are based on ‘biblical values’

The president was asked whether he was concerned about a growing skepticism regarding Israel in the U.S., especially among the younger generation. “I believe that the underlying fountain that we all drink from is the same,” Herzog answered, adding that he was following the anti-Israel trends permeating American youth “very closely.” (Read more at JNS)

ICC shuns US demands to drop Israel war crimes probe and amend treaty

In a statement issued on Wednesday after its annual meeting in The Hague earlier this week, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) vowed to uphold the integrity of the Rome Statute and said it was “gravely concerned” by threats and coercive measures targeting the court. The meeting took place in the shadow of US sanctions already imposed against a number of ICC senior officials, including judges and the chief prosecutor, Karim Khan (Read more at Middle East Eye).

US envoy Waltz to visit Jordan, Israel for talks on Gaza plan, regional security

This visit underscores the United States' commitment to advancing regional stability, implementing President Trump's 20-Point Plan for Gaza. While in Jordan, Ambassador Waltz will meet with senior Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, to discuss bilateral cooperation and Jordan’s critical role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza. In Israel, Ambassador Waltz will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to advance U.S.-Israel cooperation at the United Nations and discuss shared priorities for regional security and humanitarian aid. His visit will include briefings on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and stops at Karem Shalom and the Coordination and Monitoring Mechanism for Gaza (Read more at Anadolu Ajansi).

Netanyahu plans New York visit despite mayor’s arrest threat

Speaking in a video interview with the Dealbock Summit, organised by The New York Times, Netanyahu said: “Yes, I will come to New York.” When asked if he would try to speak with Mamdani, the Israeli leader added: “If he changes his mind and says we have the right to exist, that would be a good start for a conversation.” (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

‘Pro-Bible is pro-Israel,’ Huckabee tells 1,000 US pastors in Jerusalem

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday urged more than a thousand visiting American pastors and Christian leaders to “light the pulpits of America” with the truth about Israel, and to quash criticism of the Jewish state from both the left and the right with the facts and the Bible (Read more at JNS).

New York mayor issues order targeting Israel divestment

New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, has issued two executive orders he says are meant to combat antisemitism, less than a month before he hands over the keys to the mayoralty to Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel. The first order prohibits city agency heads and staff from engaging in “any policy that discriminates against the state of Israel, Israeli citizens based on their national origin, or individuals or entities based on their association with Israel”. A second order directs the New York City police commissioner, currently Jessica Tisch, to evaluate proposals for regulating protest activity occurring close to houses of worship (Read more at Guardian).

US and Israel 'planted' media leaks alleging tensions before Iran attack

The US and Israel plotted to attack Iran earlier this year despite high-profile media reports at the time saying that Washington and Israel were not on the same page. In reality, all the while, the US knew Israel would attack. Before joining in the attack, it sent a restrictive final offer whose terms Iran had previously refused (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Israeli government skips parliament vote backing Trump’s Gaza plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition on Wednesday boycotted a Knesset vote endorsing US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. The vote, initiated by opposition leader Yair Lapid, passed with 39 votes in favor and none against. As the period to debate the proposal began, members of Netanyahu’s coalition fled the Knesset plenum, hastily rushing to the exits as the vote neared (Read more at AOL).

U.S. brokers first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in decades

The meeting in Naqoura on the border between the countries was the first such direct, public engagement between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. The Trump administration has been tying to foster this sort of dialogue between Israel and Lebanon for nine months (Read more at Axios).

Israeli rabbis visit America, some for first time, to better understand US Jews

The program, which is the vision of the late OU leader and rabbi Moshe Hauer, involved a partnership with the religious Zionist group Rabbanei Haaretz Hatova and Gesher, an Israeli organization that promotes Jewish unity (Read more at JNS).

Israeli delegation to visit White House for upcoming summit on AI

Israel will be among a select group of countries participating in the Pax Silica artificial intelligence summit at the White House on Dec. 12. Pax Silica is a strategic economic security coalition-building effort for the AI era that unites countries whose interests converge around securing the entire silicon to compute supply chain (Read more at JNS).

Podcast: Trump ‘emboldened’ Netanyahu to seek a pardon

There was a clear “threat” delivered in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s formal letter to President Isaac Herzog requesting a pardon in his corruption case, senior Haaretz columnist Dahlia Scheindlin said on the Haaretz Podcast. On the podcast, Scheindlin discusses the impact a pardon would have on a future election and the U.S.-led efforts to pursue the goals laid out in the Gaza cease-fire agreement, as well as what she believes Israel’s opposition needs to do to seize this moment ahead of next October’s election in order to formulate a “winning strategy” to defeat Netanyahu (Listen here).

Hillary Clinton Blames TikTok for Misinformation on Israel and Palestine

At one point, Clinton recalled her recent teaching experience at Columbia University, where she saw how students’ opinions were being shaped by social media clips, which she said often contained propaganda or misinformation, including about the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel in 2023. “When you would try to talk to them to engage in some kind of reasonable discussion, it was very difficult because they did not know history,” she said. “They had very little context. And what they were being told on social media was not just one-sided, it was pure propaganda.” (Read more at Hallywood Reporter)

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House

A visit to the White House would mark the Israeli prime minister's fifth since Mr Trump returned to office in January. The two leaders have publicly projected a close relationship, though US and Israeli sources have said Mr Trump has at times expressed frustration with Mr Netanyahu (Read more at Strait Times).

Trump, Netanyahu hold call on Hamas disarmament

“The two leaders stressed the importance and obligation of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and discussed expanding the peace agreements,” the prime minister’s office wrote. It’s not clear what peace agreements the two leaders discussed, but earlier on Monday, Trump wrote that there was a “historic opportunity” for “peace in the Middle East” under Syria’s new president (Read more at J Wire).

Trump warns Israel not to 'interfere' in Syria

"It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous State," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Tensions have risen over hundreds of strikes by Israel on Syria, and in the deadliest so far, Israeli forces killed 13 people on Friday in an operation in the southern village of Beit Jin. Syria called the Israeli operation a "war crime." Israel said it targeted an Islamist group (Read more at France 24).

Southern California evangelical Latinos launch new pro-Israel group

Some 100 evangelical Latinos and their pastors gathered to express solidarity with Israel and launched a new Zionist nonprofit targeting Spanish speakers. “We in the Jewish community need to show our appreciation to our Christian friends, who are standing with us and Israel,” Rabbi Ruben Malekan said (Read more at JNS).

House passes bill to bar, deport Oct. 7 perpetrators

The “No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act of 2025,” which Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) introduced, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar from the United States “any alien who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support to or otherwise facilitated any of the attacks against Israel initiated by Hamas beginning on Oct. 7,” including members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Read more at JNS).

Netanyahu appears in court after pardon request backed by Trump

Opposition politicians have come out against the request, with some arguing that any pardon should be conditional on Netanyahu retiring from politics and admitting guilt. Others have said the prime minister must first call national elections, which are due by October 2026, before requesting any pardon (Read more at Arabnews).

Podcast: Is US pressure finally forcing Israel to address settler violence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a cabinet meeting this month to discuss settler violence, but this sudden interest stands in stark contrast to years of inaction by the state. Settler attacks in the occupied West Bank hit a record high in October, the worst monthly toll since record-keeping began almost two decades ago. The violence is happening with impunity and under the protection of the army, according to evidence collected by rights groups and testimonies from Palestinians. The question is: why are authorities only now taking an interest? Is new pressure from Washington pushing them to take a stronger stand against settler attacks? In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher examines Israel’s reaction to settler violence. She speaks to Kobi Michael from the Misgav Institute and to political analyst Ori Goldberg (Listen here).

Podcast: From Gaza to Epstein: Why Israel is losing MAGA and the evangelicals

The feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and MAGA congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene may not be exclusively about Israel, “but Israel is one of the pillars of the narrative” that fueled Greene’s decision to resign earlier this week, Haaretz’s Washington correspondent Ben Samuels told the Haaretz Podcast (Listen here).

Sa’ar: Israel stands with America

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar offered condolences to the American people after an Afghan national shot two National Guard members near the White House in a suspected terrorist attack. “My thoughts are with the families of the two brave National Guardsmen,” Sa’ar wrote on X (Read more at JNS).

Netanyahu thanks Johnson for speaking up for Israel

“Thank you, Speaker @MikeJohnson, for your strong and principled words about Israel. Your clarity and conviction strengthen our shared stand against terror,” the premier stated on his office’s X social media. Johnson emphasized Israel’s role as the only stable democracy in the Middle East and said the alliance serves American interests regardless of religious motivations (Read more at JNS).

Muslim Brotherhood rejects terrorist designation, accuses UAE and Israel involvement

In a statement, the group said it firmly opposes the executive order issued on the 24th of this month. It stressed that the move is politically motivated and the result of external pressure from Israel and the UAE to push President Donald Trump’s administration to issue the decision. The statement said: “Many Democratic governments, including the United States government, have previously reviewed such proposals and reached the same conclusion: that classifying the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group is completely detached from reality and not supported by any evidence (..) The facts have not changed.” (Read more at Middle East Monitor)

Trump's attack on the Muslim Brotherhood is a gift to Israel and far right extremists

If implemented, the measure would undermine core US interests, destabilise the Middle East, and empower the very actors Washington claims to be combatting. Firstly, the designation represents a triumph for the far-right extremists surrounding Trump - figures such as Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s senior director for counterterrorism, with widely reported ties to ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Europe; and Laura Loomer, a far-right activist known for Islamophobic campaigns across the US. Both have long framed the Brotherhood as part of a global Islamist conspiracy, and lobbied aggressively for its designation (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Visiting US Christian lawmakers show deep support for Israel

Late on Monday night in Samaria, Senator Jason Rapert of Arkansas, the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL), gathered a contingent of 20 U.S. lawmakers in quiet prayer before the army arrived to escort them into Joseph’s Tomb, one of the holiest and most sensitive sites in the region. They were guided by Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council (Read more at Newsrael).

US, Israel need strategy to keep Iran at bay, per JINSA report

“Neither Israel nor the United States can afford to rest on the laurels of their success in defending against Iranian missiles in 2024 and 2025,” that’s according to a report that the Jewish Institute for National Security of America released this month (Read more at JNS).

Binance sued by Oct. 7 victims’ families

The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in North Dakota came one month after President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who had pleaded guilty to failing to combat money laundering on the crypto exchange (Read more at CNBC).

US deputy secretary of state to visit Israel, Turkey, and Iraq

The trip advances the U.S. “commitment to advancing stability, security, religious freedom and prosperity across the region. Michael Rigas’s visit will reaffirm the “ironclad” U.S.-Israel relationship. the U.S. official will meet with Iraqi officials and tour U.S. diplomatic sites during his visit to Baghdad and Erbil, and inaugurate the consulate general in the latter city (Read more at JNS).

Epstein Aided Dershowitz’s Attack on Mearsheimer and Walt’s Israel Lobby

In March 2006, the Harvard Kennedy School published a working paper, “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,” by influential political scientists John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. Unknown at the time, Jeffrey Epstein gave feedback on talking points to discredit Mearsheimer and Walt, and used his extensive social network to circulate allegations of anti-semitism against the two scholars (Read more at Drope Site News).

Netanyahu diary reveals close contact with Tony Blair and US senators

The diary, which was published this week at the request of the non-profit group Hatzlaha, showed that Netanyahu held seven meetings and nine phone calls with Republican Senator Lindsay Graham. The discussions with Graham came at a time of heightened tension between Israel and the administration of then-US President Joe Biden over Israel's genocide in Gaza (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Raytheon-Rafael Joint Venture to Supply Israel With Tamir Missiles

The contract coincides with the opening of a $33-million production facility in East Camden, Arkansas, established to support the Israel Missile Defense Organization’s push to accelerate Iron Dome interceptor production. The site will manufacture Tamir warheads for Israel’s Iron Dome air and missile defense system, which has been operational since 2011 and uses radar-guided interceptors to shoot down rockets, artillery, and short-range missiles with a reported success rate above 95 percent (Read more at Defense Post).

US plans to put Gazans on Israeli side of ceasefire line

The United States is moving forward with plans to establish new communities for Gazans on the Israeli-controlled side of the line dividing the Strip, part of an effort to draw civilians away from Hamas-run areas (Read more at JNS).

Netanyahu lauds Trump ‘decision’ to list Muslim Brotherhood as terror org

“This is an organization that endangers stability throughout the Middle East and beyond the Middle East as well,” Netanyahu said. “Therefore, the State of Israel has already outlawed part of the organization, and we are working to complete this action soon.” (Read more at JNS)

Netanyahu says Rubio assured him Saudi Arabia will not receive F-35s on par with Israel

“Regarding the F-35, I had a long conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reiterated his commitment that the United States will continue to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in everything related to supplying weapons and military systems to countries in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language interview widely circulated on X (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Khalil sues Trump to release communication with anti-Palestinian groups

Several anti-Palestine groups, including Canary Mission and Betar USA, claimed credit for Khalil’s arrest in March. The lawsuit comes after the Trump administration failed to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request Khalil filed for the documents (Read more at Middle East Eye). 

Trump welcomes freed Israeli hostages, praises them as heroes

Members of the delegation stressed that their mission would continue until the remains of the last captive are returned home for burial. In a message shared by the White House on X, he told them: “You’re not a hostage anymore … today you’re heroes.” (Read more at JNS)

White House unaware that US ambassador to Israel met with convicted spy

The White House has said it was unaware that a meeting took place earlier this year between United States ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Jonathan Pollard, a former US Navy officer who was convicted of spying for Israel and jailed for decades (Read more at Aljazeera).

JBI Library grants $180k to 18 legally blind Jewish students in US, Israel

BI Library, an organization that helps connect Jews who are blind or have low vision to Jewish communal life, has announced its largest round of Wolfson Merit Awards, granting more than $180,000 to 18 legally blind Jewish students studying in the United States and Israel (Read more at JNS).

Booker, Goldman ask Trump to respond to ‘settler violence’

Two members of Congress with long pro-Israel records have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to respond to what they say is increasing “settler violence” in Judea and Samaria. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) wrote to the president, stating that matters have gotten worse since they first raised these concerns with Trump’s predecessor, former President Joe Biden (Read more at JNS).

Fetterman, Terrell awarded for pro-Israel advocacy

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Leo Terrell, chair of the U.S. Justice Department task force to combat Jew-hatred, were among the honorees awarded for speaking out on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people at a ceremony in Washington. Speaking at the Endowment for Middle East Truth’s annual “Rays of Light in the Darkness” gala, Fetterman said that the more people “back away from Israel,” the more he would “lean in stronger.” (Read more at JNS)

The UN has endorsed Trump's Gaza plan, but there is no clear pathway to peace

In addition to Resolution 2803's vague wording and unclear commitments, the biggest obstacle is Israel's relentless opposition to a Palestinian state (Read more at Middle East Eye).

America First political action committee targets pro-Israel lobbying groups

A new initiative named the Anti-Zionist America Political Action Committee (Azapac) released an unprecedented video ad on Monday calling for donations and volunteers to help it build momentum and counter pro-Israeli lobbying groups in the US. The project, which kicked off earlier this year, is spearheaded by former New York University professor and author Michael Rectenwald, a self-described Libertarian, and has amassed more than 22,000 followers on X (Read more at Middle East Eye).

UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump's Gaza plan

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza - a ceasefire in their two-year war and a hostage-release deal - but the UN resolution is seen as vital to legitimizing a transitional governance body and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to Gaza. Hamas, in a statement, reiterated that it will not disarm and argued that its fight against Israel is legitimate resistance, potentially pitting the militant group against the international force authorized by the resolution (Read more at Reuters).

‘Building bases for a non-existent force’

A planned $500 million American base near Gaza faces questions, as no one other than the Israel Defense Forces is willing to engage in hostilities with Hamas (Read more at JNS).

Netanyahu faces far-right backlash after US-backed statement on Palestinian state

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Nov 16 that Israel remained opposed to a Palestinian state after protests by far-right coalition allies over a US-backed statement indicating support for a pathway to Palestinian independence. Mr Netanyahu spoke two days after Israel’s key ally US and many Muslim-majority nations endorsed a draft UN resolution backing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, saying the process offered a route to Palestinian statehood (Read more at Straits Times).

Israel lobbying US to condition sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia on normalization

Israel is not opposed to the US sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia — but is insisting Washington condition it on whether Riyadh and Jerusalem make diplomatic progress. “We told the Trump administration that the supply of F-35s to Saudi Arabia needs to be subject to Saudi normalization with Israel,” an unnamed Israeli official said (Read more at NY Post).

Israel mulling alternatives to US security aid

Israeli officials have begun weighing significant changes to the long-standing framework of American security assistance, which for decades has formed a central pillar of defense ties between Jerusalem and Washington. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted on Thursday that he intends to reduce Israel’s reliance on U.S. security aid, saying, “The direction is much greater independence. I expect to have something to say about this soon.” (Read more at JNS)

US professor sues university after suspension over anti-Israel comments

Ramsi Woodcock’s lawsuit, filed in federal court against the University of Kentucky, is part of a growing backlash against US universities over a clampdown on pro-Palestine speech and activities. His suit argues that his first amendment and due process rights were violated when the university placed him under investigation in July, days after he was promoted to full professorship. The decision was based on allegations that he had violated university policy on anti-discrimination rules (Read more at Arabnews).

Trump told MBS he expects Saudi-Israel deal with Gaza war over

President Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in a phone call last month that, with the Gaza war ending, he expects Saudi Arabia to move toward normalization with Israel, two U.S. officials said (Read more at Axios).

US knew Israeli officials discussed use of human shields in Gaza

The United States had evidence last year that Israeli officials discussed how their soldiers sent Palestinians into tunnels in Gaza that the Israelis believed were potentially lined with explosives. The information was shared with the White House and analysed by the intelligence community in the final weeks of former President Joe Biden’s administration (Read more at Aljazeera).

Rubio expresses concern West Bank violence could hurt Gaza peace efforts

“I hope not,” Rubio told reporters after a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers in Canada, when asked whether the West Bank events could endanger the Gaza ceasefire. “We don’t expect it to. We’ll do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen.” (Source: Arabnews)

Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza truce

“I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace, which includes my continued work with key Middle East leaders to add many additional countries to the world changing Abraham Accords,” Trump wrote (Read more at Aljazeera).

Anti-Israel progressive pulls further ahead of Seattle mayor

Katie Wilson, a Council on American-Islamic Relations endorsed progressive who has accused Israel of “genocide,” pulled even further ahead of incumbent Bruce Harrell. Wilson had 137,217 votes (50.08%) to Harrell’s 135,871 (49.59%). (Read more at JNS)

US students almost 25% likelier to disapprove of Israeli gov than of Hamas

The Hamas organization has a higher overall favorability rating (19%) and lower unfavorable rating (45%) than does the Israeli government (18%, 56%) on U.S. campuses. That difference in favorability ratings is not statistically significant, because it falls in the margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points (Read more at JNS).

US mediator Kushner and Netanyahu discuss phase two of Gaza truce

The two discussed some of the most sensitive aspects of phase two, Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told journalists. “Together the two discussed phase one, which we are currently still in, to bring our remaining hostages, and the future of phase two of this plan, which includes the disarming of Hamas, demilitarising Gaza and ensuring Hamas will have no role in the future of Gaza ever again,” Ms Bedrosian said (Read more at Straits Times).

Israeli minister incites New York's Jews to flee after Mamdani's victory

"The city that once stood as a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter," Israel's right-wing Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli wrote on X. "New York will never be the same again, especially not for its Jewish community," he added (Read more at TRT World).

UK commentator detained by ICE after Israel criticism to be released

Hamdi was detained on 26 October at San Francisco international airport. At the time, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) said his detention appeared to be in retaliation for the Muslim political commentator’s criticism of Israel while touring the US, calling it a “blatant affront to free speech”, and called for his release. The family of British political commentator Sami Hamdi, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late October while on a speaking tour in the US, say he is set to be released and will be able to “return home soon” (Read more at Guardian).

NYC mayor to visit Israel on Friday

Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, stated that he will travel to Israel on Friday for a four-day visit, during which he will meet with government officials, economic development leaders and technology workers (Read more at JNS).

Society of Foreign Consuls in New York ‘thrilled’ to welcome Israel

The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, which is celebrating its 100th year, stated earlier this month that it is “thrilled” to welcome Israel as a new member and offered the Jewish state “heartfelt congratulations.” The group refers to itself as the “world’s largest consular corps, comprising consulates, consulates general and honorary consulates.” It offered “special thanks” to Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in New York, for “his outstanding leadership.” (Read more at JNS)

Conference of Presidents leaders say of returned remains of Hadar Goldin

Betsy Berns Korn, Chair, and William Daroff, chair and CEO respectively of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, stated on Sunday that they welcome the liberation of the remains of former Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin with “profound relief and gratitude.” “We thank President Trump and his administration for their leadership and resolve in bringing Hadar home,” the umbrella group’s leaders said (Read more at JNS).

University of Maryland students vote: Bar former IDF soldiers from speaking

It also told the university to bar speakers who are being investigated for or found to have committed “genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or systematic human rights violations.” The resolution added that the International Court of Justice has said it is “plausible” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza (Read more at JNS).

Doc Reveals DSA’s List of Anti-Israel Demands for Mamdani

The document, titled AWWG Palestine Policy Meeting Meeting Agenda & Notes, lists the following demands:

1. Divest City pension funds from Israeli bonds and securities
2. Withdraw City funds from banks that lend money to Israel or do business in Israel End City contracts with companies that do business with Israel
3. Operate City-run grocery stores free from Israeli products
4. Investigate real estate agents hosting illegal sales of stolen lands in the West Bank Evict weapons manufacturers and transporters from the NYC Metro Area
5. Remove non-profit status from charities that raise funds for IDF
6. Divest CUNY endowment and reinstate wrongly fired professors
7. Dismantle Eric Adam’s NYC-Israel economic council
8. End NYPD training with IOF [Critics of Israel often refer to IDF as IOF or Israel Occupying Forces]
9. End repression of demonstrators and the SRG
10. Arrest Netanyahu and active IDF soldiers for war crimes (Read more at Legal Insurrection).

US intel shows Israeli military lawyers warned of Gaza war crimes

The United States has gathered intelligence that Israeli military lawyers warned there was evidence that could support war crimes charges against Israel for its genocide in Gaza — attacks carried out with American-supplied weapons. The information circulated more widely within the US government only in the final weeks of the Biden administration, ahead of a December 2024 congressional briefing (Read more at TRT World).

Serious questions about Code Pink ties to anti-Israel terror orgs, Cotton says

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked Pam Bondi, the U.S. attorney general, to investigate whether the far left, anti-Israel group Code Pink has violated U.S. law by failing to register as a foreign agent or supporting terror organizations. “Alongside Samidoun, Code Pink organized a campaign calling for the release of Ahmad Sa’adat, a PFLP secretary-general who was convicted and sentenced to 30 years for leading a terrorist organization responsible for multiple attacks against Israeli military and civilians,” the senator wrote. “These activities raise serious questions about whether Code Pink has provided material support to designated foreign terror organizations.” (Read more at JNS)

US forces working with Israel on Gaza aid, Israeli official says

The U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) will replace Israel in overseeing aid into Gaza. Israel was part of the process but that CMCC would decide what aid enters Gaza and how. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem said that the U.S. was "working hard, in tandem with Israel and regional partners, on the next phases of implementing" the president's "historic peace plan" (Read more at New Arab)

Trump says Kazakhstan has agreed to join Abraham Accords

"Kazakhstan is the first Country of my Second Term to join the Abraham Accords, the first of many. This is a major step forward in building bridges across the World," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Today, more Nations are lining up to embrace Peace and Prosperity through my Abraham Accords. We will soon announce a Signing Ceremony to make it official, and there are many more Countries trying to join this club of strength. So much more to come in uniting Countries for Stability and Growth — Real progress, real results," he added (Read more at Anadolu Ajansı).

On Israel trip, US Joint Chiefs chair meets with defense minister

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine met with Israel Katz, the Israeli defense minister, in Israel on Saturday. “We discussed the close strategic and operational cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. military, a partnership that is shaping the new reality in the Middle East,” Katz stated (Read more at JNS).

‘They decided to try to engage me directly,’ congressman says of Qatari embassy

After he was interviewed on Jewish far-right commentator Laura Loomer’s show, Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) told JNS that he received a letter from the Qatari ambassador to Washington stating that his “observations about Qatar” are inaccurate. “You said that Qatar ‘funds most of the institutions that are damaging’ the United States, adding that Qatar is ‘responsible for’ protests on U.S. college campuses,” Meshal Al Thani wrote in the letter, dated Oct. 22 (Read more at JNS).

US says Israeli strike on Gaza didn’t violate ceasefire

Israel claimed it struck a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group on Saturday, accusing the individual of planning to attack Israeli troops. However, Islamic Jihad denied it was planning an attack. The US top diplomat added that Israel has not surrendered its right to self-defence as part of the agreement brokered by Washington, Egypt and Qatar that saw Hamas release the remaining living hostages held in Gaza this month (Read more at Dawn).

American Airlines to resume flights to Israel amid Gaza ceasefire

Many foreign carriers halted flights to Tel Aviv after October 7 and stayed away for long stretches during the past two years due to intermittent missile fire from Iran and Yemen. In the wake of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, many foreign airlines have restarted flights to Tel Aviv. British Airways, SAS, Iberia and Swiss are slated to resume flights this week (Read more at Reuters).

Podcast: What are the challenges facing Trump’s Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump says an international stabilisation force will operate in Gaza soon. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel can veto which countries take part. What are the challenges facing such a force and in setting it up? (Listen here)

Podcast: Does Trump’s Gaza plan stop Israel’s genocidal agenda

Trump’s Gaza plan is in danger of going the way of the Oslo Accords, argues US journalist Chris Hedges: Never to be implemented beyond the first phase. Hedges tells host Steve Clemons that there are no guarantees that the US-brokered deal “will actually thwart the genocidal project that Israel is intending to carry out in Gaza and … the West Bank”. While a parade of US officials visited Israel to signify commitment to the ceasefire, Israel continued to restrict food and medicine to millions of Palestinians, and Israeli forces continued to occupy more than half of the Gaza Strip (Listen here).

Rubio Vows Return of All Hostage Bodies to Israel

“We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas,” Rubio said on X. “Today I met with the families of American citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We will not rest until their — and all — remains are returned,” he said, before wrapping up his three-day visit to Israel (Read more at Defense Post).

AIPAC part of "oligarchy" hurting the U.S., Sanders says

Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted AIPAC and Israel's right-wing government, accusing the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group of using billionaires' money to silence U.S. progressives and shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza (Read more at Axios).

Trump threatens to withdraw US support if Israel moves to annex West Bank

"It won't happen. It won't happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can't do that now. We've had great Arab support," Trump said when asked what the consequences would be for Israel if it did so (Read more at TRT Afrika).

Podcast: Are US-Israeli relations in upheaval

The Israeli parliament votes to annex the occupied West Bank - a move unlikely to become law but described as an 'insult' by the U.S. vice president. Donald Trump insists annexation won't happen, but settler violence is escalating. Are US-Israeli relations in upheaval? (Listen here)

Podcast: Vance, Kushner and Witkoff rattle Israel’s leadership

In his conversation with podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Leifer also discussed the way in which Trump “has completely scrambled American Jewish politics.” On one hand, he said, “American Jewish liberals loathe him and experience him and his followers as racist, sexist, homophobic and antisemitic” while “on the other hand, it's true that he managed to do what Joe Biden couldn’t: end the war and bring the hostages home.” (Listen here)

There is no plan B for peace in Gaza, says Rubio

During a visit to Israel, Mr Rubio said the US was committed to making the plan work, as there was no alternative. “This is the best plan, it's the only plan, it's one that we think can succeed,” he said during a press conference (Read more at The National).

Gov. Pillen will lead trade trip to Israel

While in Israel, state leaders will promote Nebraska-made kosher beef, encourage agricultural technology (ag tech) partnerships, and develop relationships with civil associations. During the mission, Gov. Pillen will hold high-level diplomatic meetings and discuss the critical role played by U.S. defense technologies to secure Israel from attack. The delegation will also have an opportunity to see humanitarian work in Israel being supported by organizations in Nebraska (Read more at Ruralradio).

Erdogan says US, others must press Israel to abide by Gaza ceasefire

NATO member Turkiye, one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s attacks on Gaza, has joined the ceasefire negotiations as a mediator after largely indirect involvement. Its increased role followed a meeting last month between Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at the White House. “As Turkiye, we are doing our utmost for the ceasefire to be secured. The Hamas side is abiding by the ceasefire. In fact, it is openly stating its commitment to this. Israel, meanwhile, is continuing to violate the ceasefire,” Erdogan told reporters on his return flight from a regional Gulf tour (Read more at Arabnews).

Rubio: Gaza security force to include countries Israel comfortable with

Rubio added that the future of governance in Gaza still needs to be worked out among Israel and partner nations but could not include Hamas, adding that any potential role for the Palestinian Authority has yet to be determined (Read more at Middle East Online).

Vance criticises Israel's parliament vote on West Bank annexation

Hard-liners in the Knesset narrowly passed a preliminary vote in support of annexing the West Bank on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to embarrass Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was still in Israel. While many members of Israel's coalition support annexation, they have backed off those calls since US President Donald Trump said last month that he opposes the move (Read more at Euronews).

UK deploys small number of military officers to Israel following US request

A US-backed stabilisation force, known as the Civil-Military Coordination Centre, or CMCC, is meant to ensure security in Gaza. Its composition, role, chain of command, legal status and other issues are yet to be agreed. A small contingent of British military planning officers has been sent to Israel to join a task force led by the United States to support stabilisation efforts in Gaza, the UK Ministry of Defence said (Read more at Daily Star).

U.S. steps up diplomacy after Gaza truce shaken

During their visit that began on Monday, the U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, were expected to try to shore up the truce then start talks on the next, more difficult, phase of the 20-step plan. Trump, keeping pressure on both Hamas and Israel as he seeks to salvage the signature foreign policy achievement of the first year of his second term, said on Monday the U.S. was taking many steps to maintain the ceasefire (Read more at Japan Times).

US congresswoman renews call for releasing American boy held by Israel

Progressive lawmaker Ayanna Pressley says Washington should do all it can to ensure the release of teenage captive Mohammed Ibrahim, a US citizen held by Israel since February. “Right now, Mohammed Ibrahim, a US citizen, is being held in an Israeli prison. His health is deteriorating. The circumstances are desperate,” Pressley wrote in a social media post (Read more at Aljazeera).

Survey on Israel and Gaza highlights shifts in US public opinion

A Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA) survey of 322 randomly selected Americans conducted after the recent ceasefire in the Israel–Gaza war reveals nuanced and complex attitudes toward the conflict and its aftermath. While sympathy for Israel remains stronger than for Hamas, there is a growing empathy for Palestinians as distinct from Hamas. Most respondents believe no side truly “won” the war, though those who did choose a winner overwhelmingly named Israel (Read more at JNS).

Israeli Times Square campaign slams Hamas execution of Gazans

“At Times Square, our message is clear: Barely days into a ceasefire, Hamas turned its weapons on Palestinians to reassert control through fear & violence,” the Foreign Ministry tweeted on Sunday afternoon. “The world watches. The ceasefire must be upheld. Hamas must go. Gaza must be demilitarized,” added the ministry in the X post (Read more at JNS).

Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to shore up shaky Trump-brokered ceasefire

Their visit comes a day after Israel launched its fiercest wave of attacks in Gaza over the weekend since a fragile ceasefire took effect. Witkoff and Kushner's travel to the region was planned before the apparent ceasefire violations had occurred, according to a Trump administration official (Read more at ABC News).

US court bars Israeli spyware firm from targeting WhatsApp users

The United States judge has slashed an earlier damages award of $168m to just $4m. “Part of what companies such as WhatsApp are ‘selling’ is informational privacy, and any unauthorised access is an interference with that sale,” she said (Read more at Aljazeera).

US lawmaker returns AIPAC donations, disagreeing with Israel's government

US Representative Seth Moulton has said that he is returning donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and will not accept any future contributions from the lobby as he begins his bid for the Senate in Massachusetts (Read more at TRT World).

Trump expects expansion of Abraham accords soon, hopes S Arabia will join

“I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in, and I hope to see others go in. I think when Saudi Arabia goes in, everybody goes in,” Trump said. The US president called the pact a “miracle” and “amazing” and hailed the United Arab Emirates’s signing of it. The “Abraham Accords” secured agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan (Read more at Aljazeera).

In New York City mayoral debate, Mamdani is again pressed on Israel and Hamas

Whether the performance reviews came in from the Democratic establishment's must-read paper, The New York Times, the right-wing Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal, or the more straight-laced Politico magazine, there was a certain agreement that New York City assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is a winning communicator (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Biden, Clinton praise Trump for role in Gaza ceasefire

Former Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton on Monday praised US President Donald Trump for helping broker a ceasefire in the Gaza war, a rare show of bipartisan approval for the Republican leader. “I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line,” Biden, who served as president until January, said on X. With support from the United States and global partners, the Middle East was now “on a path to peace,” he said (Read more at Qatar Tribune).

Nvidia CEO welcomes return of employee held in Gaza for two years

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang welcomed Mr Avinatan Or from “two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity” in Gaza, saying a number of the chip giant’s families had suffered losses during the war. An electrical engineer at Nvidia in Israel, 32-year-old Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct 7, 2023 along with 250 others including his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, whose desperate cries on the back of a motorcycle became one of the most haunting images of the Hamas attack (Read more at Starits Times).

California governor vetoes bill dubbed 'Israel tax' by critics

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and a likely 2028 Democratic presidential contender, vetoed a bill on Monday that would have required social media companies to pay fines every time their algorithms promoted posts deemed violent or discriminatory (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump: Gaza deal might be my biggest accomplishment

Trump expressed enthusiasm about a rally held in Tel Aviv on Saturday in support of the captives, which featured his daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff as speakers. "It was an incredible rally. It was a great thing," he said (Read more at Royanews).

Jewish groups grateful, pensive after living hostages freed from Gaza

"As we welcome this moment of light after so much darkness, we remain deeply concerned about Hamas's commitment to abide by the full terms of a peace agreement," the leaders of B'nai B'rith said (Read more at JNS).

Congressmen, governors laud liberation of hostages, many thank Trump

At 4:59 a.m. on Monday on the East Coast, Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) posted about the hostages returning to Israel from Gaza and reached across the aisle to credit U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, stated that, “for the first time in 738 days, there are no living Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) used a biblical Hebrew expression that refers to praising God and stated, “to President Trump and his team, thank you so much. Well done.” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, stated that “this is a day of celebration for families across Israel, the United States and around the world.” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) stated that “today is the result of great American leadership, led by President Trump and his team, and also the tireless efforts of the Biden administration.” Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) praised Trump for “unwavering leadership and tireless efforts to bring the hostages home” and “strength made this historic moment possible.” Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) said that “no other president could have done this.” Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was one of the Democrats who posted about the freed hostages on Monday morning. “May the hostages have a full recovery and may we never forget those who didn’t make it out alive,” he said. “Credit to President Trump for a breakthrough ceasefire of this awful war.” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, didn’t mention the U.S. president or Israeli prime minister in a statement on social media. “For more than two years, we’ve prayed for the return of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, stated that “today is a day of great relief, as after 738 days, the last 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas have finally come home to their families.” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, stated that “this day brings deep relief, but our thoughts remain with the families still grieving those who did not return.” (Read more at JNS)

Trump urges pardon for Netanyahu over 'cigars and champagne

Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused in one case of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewellery and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favours. "Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?" Trump joked, declaring his ally Netanyahu's one of Israel's greatest wartime leaders. "Hey, I have an idea, Mr President," Trump said, addressing his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog, "Why don't you give him a pardon?" (Read more at France 24)

Trump salutes mega donor Miriam Adelson for help shaping US decisions on Israel

President Donald Trump, in a speech to Israel’s parliament, spotlighted mega-donor Miriam Adelson’s outsized influence on U.S. policy toward Israel, recalling her frequent White House visits with her late husband, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Sheldon Adelson, who died in 2021, assembled the world's largest casino empire as head of Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS.N), opens new tab and put much of his fortune into nurturing conservative politicians and policies in the United States and Israel (Read more at Reuters).

Vance: 'We are on the cusp of true peace in the Middle East'

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday characterized the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas as “a remarkable achievement” by the Trump administration. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Vance said, “We have to remember this is a remarkable achievement from an administration that really chose a non-conventional path to diplomacy. And I think that’s the major takeaway. The President of the United States instructed Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, he said, get a deal done, talk to the Gulf Arab states, talk to Israel, find where there’s common ground here, and actually, let’s go and find a way to get it done.” (Read more at Politico)

Podcast: Bari Weiss and the Israel narrative in the US

For the past couple of months, the billionaire father-son duo of Larry and David Ellison have been making deals involving major media brands. Having acquired Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, they appointed Bari Weiss - an outspoken supporter of Israel - as the network’s editor-in-chief. The moves by the Ellisons are not just about growing their media empire, but about shaping the narrative around Israel in the US, where public support continues to decline (Listen here).

US and Israeli Firms Collaborate on Secure AI for Military Use

American defense tech firm VisionWave Holdings has entered a strategic collaboration with PVML, an Israeli company that focuses on keeping sensitive data safe while using artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership links VisionWave’s radar and AI-powered computer vision tools with PVML’s secure data infrastructure (Read more at Defense Post).

Largest US labor union ‘erases Israel completely’ in email to members

An email sent by the National Education Association—the largest labor union in the United States—to its approximately 3 million members with resources for “teaching about indigenous peoples” included a map that “erases Israel completely.” (Read more at JNS)

Trump’s strong-arming of Netanyahu led to a deal. He must sustain that pressure

The US president long refused to use his influence over the prime minister. Last month, that appeared to change. But Trump appears to have soured on Netanyahu last month, after Israel launched an attack against Qatar. Two weeks after the attack on Qatar, Trump met with a group of Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN general assembly. The US administration then circulated a 21-point peace plan (Read more at Guardian).

Has Trump's peace plan introduced new mediators to Israel-Palestine

The image of a vast board of stakeholders, all with their own objectives, somewhat captures the spirit of the ceasefire Trump has ushered in. While Israel is still left in control of more than half the enclave and has vast leeway about further withdrawals, Trump’s plan delivered a blow to Netanyahu’s government in two key areas: it rejected Israeli annexation or occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Gottheimer unveils three bills related to Oct. 7

Marking the second anniversary of the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, federal lawmakers announced legislation to honor those whom Hamas took hostage or killed on Oct. 7, condemn the terror group and develop a curriculum for schools to teach about the attack and about Jew-hatred. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), lead sponsor of the three bills, unveiled the bipartisan legislation as he stood outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, alongside a former hostage and a relative of one murdered by Hamas (Read more at JNS).

Senator says Israel-Hamas deal ‘welcome news,’ but decries Netanyahu’s ‘unspeakable harm’

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) praised the signing of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas on Thursday while criticizing the actions of the Israeli government over the past two years. The legislator said the agreement “is long overdue but welcome news.” “While not every issue has been resolved, Israel and Hamas have taken the first and needed step towards peace,” she wrote (Read more at JNS).

Podcast: After Two Years of War in Gaza, Can Trump’s Plan Deliver Peace

Two years after Hamas’ October 7 attack and Israel’s punishing response, both sides say they accept in principle President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to halt the war and chart a path toward enduring peace. MEI Senior Fellow Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen joins hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj to unpack what’s in the plan, how compatible it is with earlier Arab and European proposals, and whether its vague “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood can withstand politics in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Washington. They also explore the sticking points—Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Palestinian Authority reform—as well as what success would actually look like on the ground (Listen here).

Podcast: How Trump forced the Gaza deal through

The lesson of U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic gambit is that in Middle East deal-making, “the devil is in the details, but the most important thing is political willpower,” said Anshel Pfeffer, The Economist’s Israel correspondent and former Haaretz columnist, speaking on the Haaretz Podcast (Listen here).

Podcast: What impact has the war had on Israeli-US relations

A ceasefire agreement for Gaza - and cautious hopes among Palestinians of an end to two years of genocide. US president Donald Trump announced the deal - after putting pressure on Israel to agree. What impact has the war had on Israeli-US relations? (Listen here)

Trump exerted leverage for Gaza deal but tough questions remain

Sustained effort needed to keep ceasefire from unraveling. Negotiators must tackle other parts of Trump’s 20-point plan over which the two sides remain bitterly at odds, including the disarmament of Hamas, which the militant group rejects, a formal end to the conflict and Gaza’s post-war governance (Read more at Reuters).

How Trump’s envoys got Gaza deal over the finish line

Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas were stalling this week until U.S. emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner swept in to dictate key compromises. The issues included where Israeli troops would withdraw to, the mechanics of the hostage release and prisoner exchange, how aid would flow into the Gaza Strip and which Palestinian prisoners would come out of Israel, said the person, who like others in this story was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations (Read more at Politico).

Israel slams Mamdani for serving as ‘Hamas mouthpiece’

The Israeli Foreign Ministry blasted New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday for “acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda” over his statement on the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre accusing the Jewish state of genocide and war crimes (Read more at JNS).

Trump’s changes in strategy put lasting Gaza ceasefire within reach

Trump has laid the groundwork for the moment by squeezing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and showing new deference to Arab allies who are expected to coax Hamas to halt the fighting. Many of the same sticking points for Hamas remain, such as where the Israel Defense Forces will withdraw to in Gaza, whether Hamas can deliver all of the remaining hostages including those not held by the group, when prisoners will be released from Israel and the channels through which humanitarian assistance will be delivered (Read more at Politico).

Zohran Mamdani under fire from all sides following 7 October statement

He then pivoted to denounce Israel’s military response: "In the aftermath… Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government launched a genocidal war… A death toll that now far exceeds 67,000; with the Israeli military bombing homes, hospitals, and schools into rubble… Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language… Our government has been complicit through it all. The occupation and apartheid must end." Pro-Palestine social media users were quick to respond to his statement, with many pointing out that neither "Palestinians" or "Palestine" was used once (Read more at Middle East Eye).

US bankrolled Israel’s Gaza genocide with $33 bn in military aid

A new report released yesterday by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the Costs of War Project at Brown University has found that the US has provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 7, 2023. The damning findings directly implicate US support in what many human rights groups and UN officials have labelled a genocide (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

Trump to host American who spent 584 days in Hamas captivity

Alexander, an Israeli-American citizen from New Jersey, was freed by the Palestinian terror group in May and was believed to be the last surviving US hostage. The president will meet with Alexander, 21, in the Oval Office at around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to the White House (Read more at NY Post).

Trump says Gaza talks advancing rapidly, first phase should be completed this week

"These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details. I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST," Trump said in a social media post (Read more at Business Standard).

Rubio says Gaza war has hurt Israel's global support

"Whether you believe it was justified or not, right or not, you cannot ignore the impact that this has had on Israel's global standing," Rubio told CBS News' Face the Nation. The United States has for decades diplomatically shielded its ally Israel at the U.N. Here's how that has played out during the Gaza war (Read more at Reuters)

Podcast: Two Different Views on Trump’s Gaza Plan

Today on the show, Fareed is joined by Dan Senor, analyst and author, on why President Trump’s Gaza plan is an all-around win for Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. Then, Fareed speaks with Diana Buttu, a Palestinian human rights lawyer and former advisor adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization, on why she believes Trump's Gaza plan does not go far enough to ensure peace (Listen here).

Rubio says Gaza war is not yet over

US Secretary of State describes the release of the hostages held by Hamas as the first phase, while details on what happens after that still need to be worked out. “No one can tell you it’s a 100 percent guarantee," he said. Rubio told NBC the US would know "very quickly" whether Hamas was serious or not during the current technical talks to coordinate the release of the hostages (Read more at Middle East Online).

Netanyahu faces far-right backlash as Trump presses to end Gaza war

Under pressure from Donald Trump to end the two-year-old war, Netanyahu is facing a backlash from ultra-nationalist allies whose opposition to the U.S. president's Gaza proposal could force the Israeli leader into early elections (Read more at Reuters).

Trump says Israel agreed to withdrawal line

Trump said "when Hamas confirms," a ceasefire will be effective "immediately" and a prisoner exchange will begin, setting the stage for the next phase of Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave (Read more at Yahoo News).

Netanyahu’s perfect response to Trump

“In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of President Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all the hostages,” the PMO statement read. “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set by Israel, which align with President Trump’s vision.” It was the perfect way to remind everyone involved that unless every last hostage is released ASAP, Israel will have carte blanche in the Strip. Since this is in keeping with Trump’s own threats and promises, it was safe to assume that he’d consider it both sufficiently respectful of his wishes and appropriately tough from Israel’s perspective (Read more at JNS).

Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump's call for Israel to halt bombing

At least 36 people were killed in bombardments and airstrikes in the devastated Palestinian enclave since Trump demanded Israel halt its attacks late on Friday (Read more at Yahoo News).

Reaction after Trump calls for end to bombing in Gaza

Donald Trump has called for Israel to halt its bombing of Gaza after Hamas said it was ready to release hostages and agreed to some aspects of the U.S. president's plan to end the war, although Israeli strikes still killed several people on Saturday. Here are some reactions from around the world to Hamas' comments and Trump's reaction (Read more at Reuters).

World reacts to Hamas’s response to Trump’s Gaza plan

Hope-filled reactions follow Hamas’s response, which marks a potential turning point in Israel’s two-year war on Gaza. Global reactions, including from key mediators, to Hamas’s partial acceptance of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on Gaza, have been tinged with hope as the prospect of halting the two-year genocidal assault appears within reach (Read more at Aljazeera).

Majority of US Democratic voters favour punitive measures against Israel

Eighty percent of all respondents said the US should reduce its support for Israel, and 72 percent agreed that Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they want some form of sanctions to be imposed as a result. All those figures increased among respondents aged 18-29, at times by 10 percentage points or more (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Israel paying US influencers to reverse negative public opinion: Report

Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara) records filed with the US Department of Justice show that Israel’s government has set aside $900,000 to pay influencers from mid-June until the end of November this year. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays a company called Bridges Partners LLC to manage the influencers. Israel transfers the money to Bridge Partners LLC’s via Havas Media Group in Germany, who then transfer the money across to Bridge Partners LLC (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump orders Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas partially accepts his peace plan

“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” Trump wrote on social media (Read more at Arabnews).

Jewish House Democrat endorses Trump Middle East peace plan

Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) crossed party lines on Tuesday and endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. “I welcome the president’s proposal to finally bring this war to an end,” Rep. Lois Frankel said (Read more at JNS).

The great betrayal: Why Arab and Muslim rulers backed Trump's Gaza plan

The plan announced in Washington was substantially different to the one they agreed to in New York. The Qataris are furious they were written out of a mediation role and that Trump refused to delay the announcement. The Egyptians, too, are furious that the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been downgraded and that Israeli forces will always remain in Rafah and along the border with Sinai (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Can Trump force the PA to drop the ICC suit to take over Gaza

Netanyahu says the Palestinian Authority needs to end its 'lawfare' against Israel at world courts to fulfil the 'reforms' required for running Gaza. But is that even possible? a senior Palestinian diplomat denied to Middle East Eye that the PA would ever end its efforts to pursue accountability for alleged Israeli crimes internationally. Additionally, South Africa’s case has not been the sole legal development at the ICJ related to Israel’s alleged international law violations (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Trump-Netanyahu deal: A new recipe for Palestinian subjugation

Proposal to end the Gaza war entails the corporatisation of an entire traumatised people under the 'leadership' of billionaires. While the new plan seeks to “de-radicalise” and “re-educate” Palestinians - the people who have been displaced, occupied, tortured and continuously massacred -  Israelis continue to play the victim (Read more at Middle East Eye).

‘Never would have imagined,’ freed hostage says of NJ street named in his honor

Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage who was freed in May after 584 days in Hamas captivity, was honored Monday with a street named for him in the borough in which he grew up. “Every time I see this road, I will remember not just the struggle but the love and unity that brought me back home,” Edan Alexander said (Read more at JNS).

Charlie Kirk to Netanyahu: ‘Communications intervention’ needed for Israel

“A paradigm shift is needed in how Israel presents itself to the world,” the late conservative activist wrote in a May letter to the Israeli prime minister. Recommendations included creating a rapid response team to combat misinformation, sending former hostages on press tours to discuss their experiences and providing ways for everyday Israelis to showcase their country “in their own words.” (Read more at JNS)

Israeli PM Netanyahu's Visit To UNGA Sparks Protests In New York City

Thousands of people staged protests in New York City against Israel’s war in Gaza as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the city to address the United Nations General Assembly. The protesters had gathered in Times Square before marching towards the UN. “Netanyahu you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide," they chanted (Read more at News18).

Illinois man charged with hate crimes for alleged anti-Israel

Joshua Sanchez, 30, of Carol Stream, Ill., in the Chicago area, was charged earlier this week with two hate crimes for allegedly spray painting anti-Israel messages and statements critical of U.S. President Donald Trump on a police station and two businesses (Read more at JNS).

War against Hamas has ‘ground down’ US popular support for Israel

Some 47% of respondents to a new Quinnipiac University poll said that supporting Israel is in the U.S. national interest, down significantly from the 69% who said that in December 2023 (Read more at JNS).

Trump says he won’t allow Israel to annex West Bank

Trump’s comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday and to meet with the president. “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump said in the Oval Office, acknowledging that he had spoken to Netanyahu earlier in the day on the topic. “It’s been enough. It’s time to stop now,” he added (Read more at CNN).

Trump says Gaza deal near, hostages could soon be freed

“I need to meet with Netanyahu; they know what I want, and I think we can finish this. We want the hostages – all of them. I think we are close to a deal.” The president’s plan contains 21 points addressing an end to the war in Gaza, and calls for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the release of all the hostages. It includes sections on the day after, proposing a governing mechanism with armed personnel in Gaza without Hamas (Read more at Yahoo News).

NYC mayor warmly embraces Netanyahu at UN

Mayor Eric Adams warmly embraced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations on Friday — while Zohran Mamdani slammed the Israeli leader, whom he has vowed to arrest if elected to City Hall (Read more at New York Post).

US to fight efforts to ban Israel’s football team from World Cup 2026

In a statement released to multiple media outlets on Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson pledged: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national football team from the World Cup.” (Read more at Aljazeera)

Anti-Israel activist sentenced to 19.5 years for arson attacks

Casey Robert Goonan, 35, of Oakland, was sentenced to more than 19.5 years in federal prison on Tuesday for firebombing a University of California, Berkeley police car,  a series of arson attacks on the public school’s campus and an attempted firebombing of a federal building (Read more at JNS).

Podcast: Have American Jews pushed Israel toward extremism or moderation

On a special edition of the Haaretz Podcast – as Israel faces the Jewish High Holidays mired in war and political division, host Allison Kaplan Sommer speaks to Prof. Adam Ferziger about soul-searching and atonement with a focus on the Orthodox Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora (Listen here).

Podcast: Can Microsoft’s move to cut ties with the Israeli army make a difference in Gaza

Israel has spied on millions of Palestinians using Microsoft's powerful technology. Now, the high-tech giant says it's cancelled some of its services to the Israeli army. But as the military expands its devastating war on Gaza, is this move enough? And will it make any difference on the ground? (Listen here)

Nobel Prize for Trump only if he ends Gaza conflict: Macron said

Macron said that Trump had the power to put pressure on Israel and end the war. “There is one person who can do something about it, and that is the US President,” he said. He also said on Tuesday recognizing the state of Palestine does not amount to forgetting the October 2023 Hamas attack, with the French leader making his comments as he sat next to President Donald Trump in a bilateral meeting (Read more at Indian Express and USNews).

US allies' embrace of Palestinian statehood tests Trump's Israel policy

While leaders taking the podium at the U.N. gathering did not directly chastise Trump for his stance, some analysts saw a clear message to the U.S. president. Trump, however, has given no sign he will use those pressure points. Even after Israel bombed a Hamas office in the territory of U.S. ally Qatar, he held a tense phone call with Netanyahu but took no action (Read more at Reuters).

Syria, Israel near 'de-escalation' pact, US envoy says

Syria and Israel are close to striking a "de-escalation" agreement in which Israel will stop its attacks while Syria will agree not to move any machinery or heavy equipment near the Israeli border, a senior U.S. envoy said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said the agreement would serve as the first step towards the security deal that the two countries have been negotiating (Read more at Ammon News).

Netanyahu asked U.S. to press Egypt on military build up in Sinai

Netanyahu presented a list of what he called “serious violations” of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel, including underground facilities believed to be for missile storage and expanded airstrips that could be used by fighter jets. An Egyptian official denied the claims, stressing that Washington had not raised the issue with Cairo (Read more at Daily News Egypt).

US casts 6th veto shielding Israel over Gaza war

The resolution demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel lift all restrictions on aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave. The text, drafted by the elected ten members of the 15-member council, would also have demanded the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups (Read more at Arab Weekly).

Trump administration plans $6.4 billion in weapons sales to Israel

The package reportedly includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles intended for the Israeli army. In addition to these high-value contracts, the plan features another $750 million for support parts for armoured personnel carriers and power supplies, which is still being processed. The news arrives days before the United Nations General Assembly is set to convene in New York, where world leaders are expected to address the conflict (Read more at MSN).

Under US pressure, Syria and Israel inch closer to security pact

Syria is accelerating negotiations with Israel under strong pressure from the United States, with Washington seeking a security deal that could be announced at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, diplomatic sources revealed. The two nations have technically remained at war since Israel’s creation in 1948, despite several armistices. Israel abandoned the 1974 truce on December 8, when rebel forces ousted then-President Bashar al-Assad. Since then, Israeli forces have struck Syrian assets and advanced to within 20 km of Damascus (Read more at Daijiworld).

Families of US citizens killed in Israel say Trump administration refuses to investigate

The Trump administration has failed to make any "forward movement" on the investigations into the killing of several US citizens in Israel, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said on Tuesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC (Read more at Middle East Eye).

‘United States of Israel’: Bipartisan US delegation draws backlash for largest-ever foreign trip

The 250 American legislators spending a week in Israel for the “50 States, One Israel” conference have sparked backlash from across the political spectrum this week. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lobbied the US lawmakers on a visit to Israel to pursue anti-Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) legislation, as Israel's leaders increasingly warn the country is becoming isolated on the global stage (Read more at Middle East Eye).

Heavy Bombing in Gaza City After Rubio Backs Israel

Rubio showed no daylight between himself and Netanyahu on a visit to Jerusalem on Monday, saying Israel could “count on our unwavering support” for its military push in the devastated Palestinian territory. Hours later, witnesses told AFP there is “heavy, relentless bombing on Gaza City” which leveled homes and left people trapped under the rubble (Read more at Defense Post).

Axios: Trump did not say 'No' to Israel's attack on Qatar

Netanyahu called Trump around 1200 GMT Tuesday to brief him on the impending strike, Israeli officials with direct knowledge told the online outlet. Initial reports of explosions in Doha emerged 51 minutes later. The White House maintained it was informed after missiles were airborne, claiming Trump had no opportunity to object (Read more at TRT Global).

US policy and pro-Israel lobbyists: Who actually runs the show

Whether Democratic or Republican, all American administrations have worked overtime to shield Tel Aviv from accountability. The change of administration signals more of a shift in approach than a change in policy. The present structure simply enables and maintains the status quo, domesticating and trivialising Israel’s role as an American proxy in maintaining US global hegemony, while preventing a deeper look at the current and historical role of the US in the world (Read more at Middle East Eye).