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Monday, May 26, 2025

05/26 Links Pt1: The West’s acceptance of Israelophobia costs innocent lives; Hamas claims Gaza aid plan is an 'intelligence operation,' tells Gazans not to take aid

From Ian:

Dreyfus Nation
Review of 'Beyond Proportionality' by Thane Rosenbaum
Amid the shock, pain, and anger gripping many Jews and Israel supporters in the wake of the massacre on October 7, 2023, there was a subtle, macabre satisfaction in the notion that finally the world would see Israel’s enemies for what they are. That the brutality would, if not rally the world to Israel’s side, at least temporarily silence the proportionality industrial complex: the NGO analysts, UN commissioners, and foreign ministers who, during any IDF operation against Israel’s adversaries, invariably rush to issue a cacophony of condemnations accusing Jerusalem of a “disproportio-nate” response to terrorist attacks or, at worst, genocide. That Israel would have time, in other words, to defeat Hamas once and for all.

Yet undeterred by Hamas’s atrocities, this coterie launched a preemptive assault on Israel’s response. They precondemned any military action as ipso facto illegitimate and preconditioned a sympathetic media with dire warnings of war crimes and ethnic cleansing. Unburdened by any posturing for peace, their orchestrated portents fueled a latent pro-Hamas movement that began braying for Jewish blood even as Hamas’s assault continued in the two days following the initial invasion of Israel. This mob-like onslaught shattered the hope of fair treatment. The shock has since prompted a reckoning among Israel’s supporters, and one of its first sustained efforts in book form is Thane Rosenbaum’s Beyond Proportionality. Despite its title, this is less legal treatise than primal scream.

Rosenbaum, Distinguished University Professor at Touro University, channels the fury that has welled up among Israel supporters over the past two years and, indeed, over five decades into a cri de coeur against the double standards so long applied to the Jewish state. The result is a searing polemic, and a necessary one, which gives voice to the pro-Israel community’s disillusionment—but stops short of providing a clear remedy for it.

The introduction offers the first sign that Beyond Proportionality is not a standard legal disquisition. Rather than begin with a dry overview of the laws of war, Rosenbaum recounts the Dreyfus Affair, the trumped-up persecution at the tail end of the 19th century of a French-Jewish military officer who was falsely accused of espionage for Germany. Imprisoned amid a chorus of anti-Semitic bloodlust, Dreyfus was exonerated years later after the French novelist and playwright ร‰mile Zola published J’Accuse, an open letter that charged the French government with a cover-up and forced a tortured reconsideration. Rosenbaum sees clear parallels between the later-day charges against Dreyfus and the present-day ones against Israel.
Jake Wallis Simons: The West’s acceptance of Israelophobia costs innocent lives
The final post on X made by Yarรณn Lischinsky, the 28-year-old Israeli diplomat who was gunned down with his girlfriend in Washington DC on Wednesday night, drew attention to a “blood libel”.

“All UN organisations have obligations to be neutral and impartial,” the post said. “Your reports are founded on lies and on Hamas numbers.”

The smear that so appalled him was the lurid claim that 14,000 babies in Gaza would die within 48 hours. Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, had made it the day before on Radio 4’s Today programme. Social media lit up in excitement.

People love tall stories of Jewish baby killers. Later that day, the smear was repeated in Parliament by no fewer than 13 enthusiastic MPs – seven from the Labour Party, three Liberal Democrats, the Green Party leader, a Plaid Cymru representative and a Gaza Independent – when they gathered to give Israel a kicking.

This was the notorious debate in which David Lammy blustered that “history will judge” the Jewish state for the outrage of defending its people against jihadism and refusing to give up before winning. Hamas had already applauded Lammy’s “principled stance”.

Yet while parliamentarians were merrily repeating the obviously fishy “14,000 babies” claim, it was being debunked by the BBC. They questioned the UN about it, prompting frantic backpedalling. Initially, a spokesman said aid was needed “ideally within the next 48 hours,” which felt rather less life-or-death than we had been led to believe.

It then emerged that the claim was based upon a UN report saying that 14,000 children between the ages of six months and five may suffer malnutrition by March 2026.

No 48 hours. No acute malnutrition, in fact; that was merely a projection of what may happen if nothing changed for a year.
Bassam Tawil: The 'Two-State Solution' to Kill Jews, Destroy Israel
After the 2007 Hamas takeover, the Gaza Strip became an independent Palestinian state controlled by Hamas, with its own government, parliament, police force, and multiple armed groups. The Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip, in addition, had exclusive control over the border with Egypt, which was also abandoned by Israel.

In the absence of any Israeli military or civilian presence inside Gaza, Hamas had a chance to turn the coastal strip into a prosperous area, a "Singapore" or "Dubai" on the Mediterranean. Instead, the terror group chose to manufacture and smuggle weapons, including rockets and missiles, and invest tens of millions of dollars in building a vast network of tunnels for stockpiling its weapons, facilitating the concealed movement of terrorists, and providing shelter for its leaders and members.

[T]he war is continuing because of Hamas's refusal to release the remaining Israeli hostages, relinquish control over the Gaza Strip and lay down its weapons. Hamas, backed and armed by Iran, is determined to fight to the last Palestinian because its primary goal is to destroy Israel and replace it with an Islamist state.

For more than a decade, these payments [to the Palestinian "pay-for-slay" program] have amounted to more than $300 million annually. Last year, the PA's payments increased by $1.3 million per month. The murder of Jews is what the European Union and many European countries have been funding.

By advocating a "two-state solution," France, Canada and Britain are essentially authorizing a genocide.

Before reviving their idea, the French, Canadians and British need to look at the results of all of the polls. They consistently show that most Palestinians support Hamas and the armed struggle against Israel. The last thing Palestinians and Israelis need now is to transplant the failed Gaza model onto the West Bank.


Netanyahu: I hope we will have news about the hostages 'today or tomorrow'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that he hopes for news regarding the hostages held in Gaza in the coming week, possibly as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.

"I hope we will have news regarding the hostages today or tomorrow," he said.

An official source told The Jerusalem Post that Netanyahu was not referring to anything specific.

Israel rejects Hamas proposal, Hamas accepts Witkoff Framework
This comes after Israel rejected a Hamas proposal for a partial deal that would see the release of five hostages.

"[The proposal is] very far away from the outline that we are willing to negotiate on," an Israeli official told the Post.

The proposal outlined that the IDF would withdraw to its positions in Gaza from two months ago, allowing humanitarian aid into all areas of Gaza, continued talks for the release of remaining living and dead hostages, which was described as "some kind of American recognition of Hamas."

Later on Monday, Hamas said it agreed to the Witkoff Framework for hostage release, Reuters reported.

The proposal included the release of 10 living hostages in return for a 70-day ceasefire.

In response, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff rebutted Hamas's claims.

“What I’ve heard so far from Hamas has been disappointing and completely unacceptable,” he told Walla.

“I agreed to lead these negotiations,” Witkoff said, “There is a deal on the table, and Hamas needs to accept it."


Witkoff: Israel prepared to accept temporary ceasefire; Hamas should do the same
US Special Envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff denied on Monday claims that Hamas had accepted his hostage deal proposal, calling on the terror group to agree to a temporary ceasefire offer that he said Israel will approve.

Earlier in the day, several foreign media sites cited unnamed Hamas officials declaring that the group had accepted an updated proposal from Witkoff.

But Witkoff poured cold water on the apparent breakthrough, telling the Axios news site, “What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable.”

The US envoy went on to assert that “Israel will agree to a temporary ceasefire that would see half of the living and deceased hostages return, and lead to substantive negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire, which I agreed to preside over.”

“That deal is on the table. Hamas should take it,” Witkoff said.

A Palestinian official speaking to The Times of Israel accused Witkoff of walking back previous understandings.

The official claimed that Witkoff initially informed Hamas through an intermediary that he accepted the alterations the group had made to his proposal for a temporary ceasefire.

This led to a series of media reports claiming that the group had accepted Witkoff’s proposals, the official explained.

But Witkoff then changed his mind, informing intermediaries that what Hamas had presented was not acceptable to him, the Palestinian official said.

Speaking to The Times of Israel, Witkoff flatly denied the Palestinian official’s claim and referred to his earlier statement to Axios.

Witkoff has been negotiating with Hamas through Palestinian-American political activist Bishara Bahbah, who has been in Doha since last week. Bahbah operated a backchannel that was integral in securing the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander earlier this month.
Israel rejects Hamas proposal for release of five hostages, Gaza truce
Israel on Monday rejected a proposal crafted by Hamas for a partial deal that would see the release of five hostages.

"[The proposal is] very far away from the outline that we are willing to negotiate on," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.

The proposal was formulated by Hamas and passed on to the US through direct backchannel communications. The US then presented the proposal to Israel. Notably, the US didn't say whether it supported the proposal or not.

The proposal included the release of five living hostages in return for the following points: IDF withdrawing to its positions in Gaza from two months ago, allowing humanitarian aid into all areas of Gaza, continued talks for the release of remaining living and dead hostages, what was described as "some kind of American recognition of Hamas."

The Trump administration opened up a communications channel with Hamas via Palestinian-American businessman and author, Bishara Bahbah, who serves as the chair of Arab Americans for Peace, according to his X/Twitter profile.

Bahbah enabled the communications for this proposal, as well as the talks that formulated the release of freed hostage Edan Alexander.

Separately, US President Donald Trump said that he wants to end the war in Gaza "as quickly as possible," he told reporters on Sunday before boarding Air Force One on his way back from New Jersey to Washington.

Trump stated, "We want to see if we can stop it. And we've talked to Israel, we want to see if we can stop this whole situation as quickly as possible." he added that he hopes there'll be good news on that issue.
Hamas agrees to Gaza ceasefire deal proposal attributed to Witkoff
Hamas has agreed to a Gaza ceasefire proposal it attributed to US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters on Monday.

The new proposal, which sees the release of 10 hostages and 70 days of truce, was reportedly received by Hamas through mediators.

“The proposal includes the release of 10 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and a partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,” the source said.

The proposal also sees the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds of those serving lengthy prison terms. The framework agreed upon by Hamas appeared to be distinct from Witkoff’s proposal that Israel had previously approved.

Hamas claims rejected by Witkoff, says no offer agreed by group
Witkoff responded to the claims on Monday, rejecting the notion that Hamas had accepted the offer for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza.

“What I’ve heard so far from Hamas has been disappointing and completely unacceptable,” he told Walla. He affirmed that Israel has agreed to his offer for a deal that includes releasing half of the living hostages and half of the dead.

“I agreed to lead these negotiations,” Witkoff emphasized, “There is a deal on the table, and Hamas needs to accept it,” adding that the ceasefire “will lead to meaningful negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire.”

No responsible government could accept the Hamas ceasefire proposal, an anonymous Israeli official said, rejecting the assertion that the deal matched one proposed by Witkoff, adding that Hamas is not interested in a deal.


Germany's Merz: Israeli attacks on Gaza are no longer justified
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Israel's recent attacks on Gaza are taking a humanitarian toll on civilians that can no longer be justified as a fight against terrorism.

"When boundaries are crossed, where humanitarian international law is really being violated, then Germany too, then the German chancellor too must say something about it," Merz told broadcaster WDR in a televised interview.

Germany has staunchly backed Israel's right to defend itself since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, that triggered the war, reflecting what it sees as its duty to stand by the country in atonement for its own role in the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews died.

But German government officials have increasingly stressed the need for Israel to adhere to international law in its response to the Hamas attacks, while mostly avoiding outright criticism of its actions in the Palestinian territories.

Merz, who has been in office for about three weeks, said: "The Israeli government must not do anything that, at some point, even its best friends are no longer willing to accept."

He added: "What the Israeli army is doing now in the Gaza Strip, frankly speaking, I no longer understand with what goal."

The chancellor said he planned to hold a call with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to tell him "to not overdo it," though he added that for "historical reasons" Germany would always be more guarded in its criticism than some of its European partners.


Spain proposes imposing sanctions on Israel to force end to Gaza war
The international community should look at sanctions against Israel to stop the Gaza war, Spain’s foreign minister said Sunday, as European and Arab nations gathered in Madrid to urge an end to the IDF’s offensive.

Some of Israel’s long-standing allies have added their voices to growing international pressure after it expanded military operations against the Hamas terror group, which rules the Gaza Strip.

An aid blockade lasting almost three months has worsened shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine in the Palestinian enclave, stoking fears of famine.

Even after Israel allowed deliveries to resume last week, aid organizations have said the trickle of supplies entering the Strip falls far short of needs.

The talks aimed to stop Israel’s “inhumane” and “senseless” war in Gaza, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters before the meeting opened.

Humanitarian aid must enter Gaza “massively, without conditions and without limits, and not controlled by Israel,” he added, describing the territory as humanity’s “open wound.”

Representatives from European countries, including France, Britain, Germany and Italy, joined envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Norway, Iceland, Ireland and Slovenia, who like Spain have already recognized a Palestinian state, also took part, alongside Brazil.


Seth Frantzman: Gaza aid initiative faces hurdles at the outset
A US-backed initiative to support humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza is already facing reported hurdles as it tries to begin work. According to various reports, it is supposed to start operating this weekend.

In early May, the security cabinet approved a new massive offensive in Gaza. As part of that, Gazans were going to be pushed to southern Gaza, where they would receive aid in such a way that it would not fall into Hamas’s hands.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee spoke about how America would back a new aid mechanism.

Around two weeks have passed since that aid concept was introduced to the public. Private security contractors have arrived in Israel, with reports that they will be paid well for the complex work of securing the sites in Gaza.

Aerial photos published by open-source accounts online show that some berms, which could be linked to the new aid sites in Gaza, have been created. These areas were carved out of the desert, basically between Rafah’s northern suburbs and the al-Mawasi humanitarian area that was set up last year.

Not enough is known about the plans for the aid distribution. Reports tell of several areas being set up that could provide food for up to 60% of Gaza. This would mean that each site would provide aid for some 300,000 people.

Representatives of the families of those people would arrive to get the aid. Ergo, each place might have to deal with 30,000 people collecting food products every week or every few days.

A Swiss website said on May 21 that an organization created to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza, called the Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), was Geneva-based.

However, Ynet reported on Sunday that “before distributing any food in Gaza and amid growing media scrutiny and a possible investigation in Switzerland, the GHF is shutting down. Humanitarian aid will now be handled solely by a US-based entity.”

On Monday, reports said that Jake Wood, the head of the GHF, had resigned.

The overall perception is that the rollout of this new initiative has been done hastily and that it faces a lot of hurdles on all sides.

It will need support from other groups and a logistical footprint to be able to move the aid into Gaza. The initiative will then need to run the sites that have been carved out of the desert.


Gaza Humanitarian Foundation board disappointed by head’s ‘sudden’ resignation
The board of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation stated just before midnight late on Sunday night that it is disappointed” by the “sudden” resignation of Jake Wood, the group’s executive director, some six hours prior.

“He has been a passionate advocate for the need to safely deliver humanitarian assistance to Gazans without diversion or delay, and achieved real progress for the entire humanitarian community in the short time he was involved in this effort,” the board stated. “The fact that aid is beginning to trickle back into Gaza is a testament to his work.”

The foundation is part of a plan to circumvent the United Nations and to deliver aid to Gazans without supplies falling into the hands of Hamas.

“Unfortunately, from the moment GHF was announced, those who benefit from the status quo have been more focused on tearing this apart than on getting aid in, afraid that new, creative solutions to intractable problems might actually succeed,” the foundation board stated.

“We will not be deterred,” it added. “Our trucks are loaded and ready to go. Beginning Monday, May 26, GHF will begin direct aid delivery in Gaza, reaching over 1 million Palestinians by the end of the week. We plan to scale rapidly to serve the full population in the weeks ahead.”

It added that the group will “deliver a practical, immediate and secure approach to delivering essential aid,” which “ensures the dignity of Gazans and that is fully consistent with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.”

A few minutes before 6 p.m. on Sunday, Wood stated that “two months ago, I was approached about leading GHF’s efforts because of my experience in humanitarian operations.”

“Like many others around the world, I was horrified and heartbroken at the hunger crisis in Gaza and, as a humanitarian leader, I was compelled to do whatever I could to help alleviate the suffering,” he stated.

The foundation was then “a loose constellation of various ideas and concepts among a wide range of stakeholders,” Wood stated, and he aimed to “establish it as a truly independent humanitarian entity.”


Hamas claims new Gaza aid plan an Israeli 'intelligence operation,' tells Gazans not to take aid
The Hamas-controlled Palestinian Interior Ministry called on Gaza residents not to cooperate with the new aid mechanism initiated by Israel, Walla reported on Monday. It claimed this is an "intelligence operation for information gathering," which, they argue, will lead to "fights over a piece of bread."

The terror organization reportedly claims that the new aid distribution mechanism is an intelligence operation aimed at collecting information and creating internal division, and that, according to them, Israel is using food as a weapon of war: "Resistance will force Israel to return to the old mechanism."

The Hamas-controlled ministry said that a "dubious" organization operates the new mechanism and aims to gather information using biometric eye-scanning technology, according to Walla.

The statement also claimed that the mechanism forces citizens to travel long distances and will lead to internal confrontations, as part of a "starvation engineering policy."

Hamas reportedly called on residents to oppose the move, claiming that a lack of cooperation will force Israel to revert to the previous mechanism, which was based on UN institutions and international aid organizations.
Hamas-led groups execute four for looting aid trucks amid some Gaza dissent
Hamas has executed four men for looting some of the aid trucks that have begun entering Gaza, sources familiar with the incident said on Monday, as a clan leader in southern Gaza issued a challenge to the militant group over guarding the convoys.

One source said the four were involved in an incident last week when six security officials were killed by an Israeli airstrike as they were working to prevent gang members from hijacking aid trucks.

"The four criminals, who were executed, were involved in the crimes of looting and causing the death of members of a force tasked with securing aid trucks," one of the sources told Reuters.

Seven other suspects were being pursued, according to a statement issued by an umbrella group identifying itself as the "Palestinian Resistance."

Humanitarian assistance began trickling into Gaza last week after Israel yielded to international pressure and lifted a blockade it imposed in early March that has left half a million people facing starvation, according to a global hunger monitor.

Aid groups have said that deliveries have been hampered by looting, but they have blamed Israel for creating a situation in which hundreds of thousands of people have been driven to desperation by the blockade.

Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies, and the issue of control over the aid trucks has been hotly disputed.


Leo Terrell calls for removal of antisemitic UN official Albanese
Leo Terrell, the head of the federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and a Department of Justice adviser, penned a letter last week to Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for Palestinian rights, saying that her “gross perversion of history and are classic antisemitic tropes theories that disqualify you from any credible human rights work.”

Terrell wrote the letter to put “everyone on alert that we’re not going to follow the United Nations’ rhetoric of covering up antisemitism,” he told JNS. “They’re apologists for antisemitism.”

The letter calls for Albanese to be removed based on antisemitic comments, intensive anti-Israel focus, spreading misinformation and reportedly accepting funding from pro-Hamas organizations to travel to Australia.

Albanese’s claims that countries that invest in or support Israel are criminally liable for a genocide in Gaza are “legally groundless,” Terrell said.

“Your actions are defamatory, dangerous and a flagrant abuse of your office,” he wrote. “When individuals in official roles like yours amplify false narratives and refuse to unambiguously condemn terrorism against Jews, they legitimize antisemitism across the world.”


Palestinians win right to hoist flag at WHO
The Palestinian Authority delegation won a formal vote at the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday permitting them to fly the Palestinian flag at the global agency, according to a report on Monday.

The vote passed with 95 in favor and four against, according to Reuters. Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic and Germany opposed the proposal and 27 countries abstained—including the United States which is currently in the process of exiting the WHO and has withdrawn its donations from the international body.

Israel argued against the WHO resolution and called for a vote, according to the report.

France, which has recently stated its “determination” to recognize a Palestinian state, voted in support of the resolution, as did Japan, while the United Kingdom abstained.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not replied to a request for comment by time of publication.

The proposal, submitted by China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and others, follows the U.N. General Assembly resolution earlier in May that granted “Palestine” unprecedented rights for a non-member observer state.

A 2012 General Assembly vote granted “Palestine” non-member observer status.


Israel advances special courts for Oct. 7 ‘genocide’ terrorists
Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday approved a bill to create special tribunals to try Gazans accused of participating in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel.

The bill, proposed by Knesset members Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism) and Yulia Malinovsky (Yisrael Beiteinu), defines the acts perpetrated on Oct. 7, 2023 as genocidal and as crimes against humanity, requiring a unique judicial framework separate from Israel’s regular court system.

The legislation would create a 15-judge tribunal, composed of top Israeli jurists and international legal experts, with the authority to deviate from standard criminal procedures to expedite trials, protect victims and accommodate high-profile, multi-defendant cases. Appeals would be heard by all 15 judges.

A steering committee comprising appointees from the ministries of justice, defense and foreign affairs would determine who is indicted, based on national security and diplomatic considerations, according to the document, titled “A Bill for the Incarceration and Prosecution of Perpetrators of the Events of Oct. 7.” Its two authors submitted it in November.

The bill also proposes an expanded definition of “unlawful combatant,” which would allow prolonged detention of suspects via orders from the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff and the approval of a district court judge. This would modify the 2002 Unlawful Combatants Law to apply to those allegedly involved in the Oct. 7 attack.

The Justice Ministry’s legal department opposed the bill, calling it a breach of basic principles of criminal law and legal process, Ma’ariv reported.
IDF: Cannot confirm deaths of Gaza doctor’s children in airstrike
The Israel Defense Forces said it cannot verify claims that nine children from the al-Najjar family were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis over the weekend.

International media attributed the casualties to Israel, including the death of seven children of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a pediatrician at Nasser Hospital, and serious injuries to her husband and another child.

The IDF said some of the visuals shared online may have been artificially generated or outdated, and confirmed that the strike targeted suspected terrorists in a known combat zone after civilians were instructed to evacuate, Ynet reported.

Meanwhile, the IDF said it attacked more than 200 terrorist targets in Gaza over the past 48 hours, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad assets. Among the targets was a former school in Gaza City used as a command center.

On Monday morning, terrorists in southern Gaza fired three rockets toward Israel; two fell short and hit in the Strip, and one was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.
Gazan Doctor’s Tragic Tale Raises Multiple Red Flags—Which Media Prefer to Ignore
The death of any child is a tragedy that cannot be minimized, and there is no doubt about the death of Al-Najjar’s children. We simply point at holes in Hamas’ narrative that should have been questioned by any journalist who wishes to get to the bottom of the story.

In Gaza, media crews usually get footage very quickly — especially when many people are killed, and when grieving family members are at the center of the narrative. So it’s at least worth asking why photos have been manipulated, and where the real mother is.

It’s also important to ask why all the sources of this sad story are secondary at best (the relatives) or agenda-driven at worst (Hamas Health Ministry officials).

Finally, any journalist should have asked why Al-Najjar’s house was targeted, given that the IDF has made clear that it targets terrorists, not the civilians they hide behind.

When such questions are not asked, the result is irresponsible reporting that takes Hamas’ word as gospel and does further injustice to those it uses as human shields. It also exploits the faith of news consumers who believe they get all the facts from a reliable source.

But when media outlets don’t even question the false blood libel they helped spread last week about 14,000 Gazan babies who were expected to die from hunger within two days — why would anyone expect them to doubt anything?


IDF intercepts rocket from Gaza; two others fall short
Three projectiles were launched from the southern Gaza Strip Monday toward Israeli border communities, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Two of the projectiles fell inside Gaza, while a third was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory. Warning sirens were activated in accordance with protocol.

Hebrew media reported that the rockets were aimed at the Kissufim area. No injuries were reported.

On May 21, Israeli air defenses intercepted a rocket from Gaza that had been heading for Ashkelon, according to the IDF. In another recent incident, a rocket was downed over southern Israel after being launched by Palestinian terrorists in the Strip.


Tikvah: The War Against the Jews Comes to Washington: Douglas Murray & Ruth Wisse Reflect on the DC Attack
On the night of May 21, 2025, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered in a brazen anti-Semitic terror attack in the heart of the nation's capital.

These two young staffers at the Israeli embassy—a soon-to-be-engaged couple—were gunned down by an attacker who shouted "Free, Free Palestine" after he opened fire. And yet it is incumbent on the Jewish community to remember that the explosion of anti-Israel sentiment we have witnessed these past 19 months is part of something much larger. It is but one front in what Professor Ruth Wisse has called an ideological "war against the Jews" waged by the enemies of the free world on multiple fronts—from the tunnels of Gaza to the halls of the U.N., from the digital public square to the streets of Washington, D.C.

To reflect on how this latest salvo in the war on Jewish civilization turned deadly on American soil, we were joined by writer and journalist Douglas Murray and Professor Wisse for a special Tikvah briefing.

In conversation with Jonathan Silver, Murray and Wisse discussed the causes and meaning of this act of political violence, and examined what we must do—as Jews and as American patriots—in response.

00:00 Opening Reflections on the Murder of Yaron and Sarah
03:26 Jews as a Minority by Choice
08:27 The Surge in False and Anti-Semitic Rhetoric
15:14 Anti-Semitism as Political Strategy
24:30 Is America in Decline?
34:44 Dual Loyalty or Double Loyalty?
42:50 The Failure of Holocaust Education
49:01 Violence as Politically Legitimate
51:05 Left or Right: Where Will the Threat to Jews Come From?
56:02 How to Respond to Anti-Zionists
1:01:47 Chanting vs. Thinking: A Culture Shift
1:04:27 What to Read and What to Remember


IDF PodCast: Defense: a history of 77 years
In this episode of Mission Brief, Captain Masha sits down with Omri from the IDF History Department to explore the major milestones that shaped the Israel Defense Forces over 77 years. From the chaotic beginnings of 1948 to the bold rescue at Entebbe, and from the Six-Day War to modern-day humanitarian missions, this episode dives into the pivotal moments that built one of the most battle-tested militaries in the world.

Hear how the IDF transformed from underground militias into a professional army, how wars like Yom Kippur and Lebanon shaped its doctrine, and how international operations and evolving roles—like female combat soldiers—reflect the changing face of Israeli society.

Whether you're new to Israeli history or a seasoned listener, this deep dive offers rich context, stories, and insights into what made the IDF what it is today.


A Terrorist Killed My Wife While She Was in Labor. The Heartbreaking Story of Tze'ela Gez
Tzeela Gez, who was pregnant, was killed in a terror attack while she and her husband were on their way to the hospital in Judea and Samaria. Her husband, Chananel, wounded and in shock, did everything he could to help her in those critical moments. A nearby eyewitness described his efforts as desperate and determined, refusing to give up. Despite the heartbreak, he shared a message of resilience: "They will never break us." He thanked God for being alive and promised to stay strong for his family and his people. While this episode is very very sad, there's tremendous chizuk and hope as well.


Israeli public OUTRAGED: Media, former IDF top brass echo Hamas | Jerusalem Minute
What happens when Israel’s enemies strike abroad—and its critics strike from within? On this week’s “Jerusalem Minute,” JNS CEO and Jerusalem Bureau Chief Alex Traiman and JNS Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten unpack the week’s most critical developments from Jerusalem.

Filmed on Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day), the episode begins by comparing Israel’s miraculous 1967 Six-Day War victory to the grueling, nearly 600-day war against Hamas. The hosts confront the shocking murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by a Hamas sympathizer influenced by years of anti-Israel incitement and media misinformation. They analyze the global spread of antisemitic violence and discuss the rising threat not only from Hamas—but also from within, citing inflammatory comments made by former IDF Deputy Chief Yair Golan and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The conversation then shifts to the IDF’s renewed campaign in Gaza, including troop movements, airstrikes, and Israel’s controversial strategy to resettle Gazans and eliminate Hamas entirely. Other top issues covered include the appointment of a new Shin Bet chief, diplomatic pressure from France, Canada, and the UK, the Hamas financial collapse and the ongoing ballistic missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. With sharp insights and hard truths, Traiman and Hasten deliver the critical updates every supporter of Israel needs to hear.

Chapters
00:00 The Current State of Conflict in Israel
02:48 Reflections on Historical Wars and Their Impact
05:58 The Tragic Murders of Israeli Diplomats
09:11 The Role of Propaganda in Violence Against Jews
11:47 Humanitarian Aid and Its Complications
15:06 Military Operations and Strategic Goals in Gaza
17:54 Hamas's Financial Struggles and Its Implications
20:58 Public Sentiment and Protests Amidst Ongoing Conflict
23:47 The Psychological Impact of War on Hostages
25:59 Media Narratives and Political Protests
29:30 Internal Criticism and Political Dynamics in Israel
35:17 Leadership Changes and Security Strategies
40:01 International Relations and Global Perceptions
46:20 Regional Threats and Military Responses


StandWithUs: Special Briefing with Miri Eisin, Rawan Osman
The latest news, insight and analysis direct from Israel: Join StandWithUs TV for Special Briefing featuring a war update from Col. (res.) Miri Eisin and analysis from Rawan Osman, Syrian-born pro-Israel activist


Jonathan Sacerdoti: Rising antisemitism and false claims of 14,000 babies at risk of starvation in Gaza
Jonathan Sacerdoti discusses rising antisemitism and lies about Israel


‘Playing with fire’: Sharri Markson slams Albanese for ‘parroting’ Hamas propaganda
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments blasting Israel as it attempts to bring home more than 50 hostages is “outrageous” and yet “another case of rising anti-Israel sentiment”, according to Sky News host Sharri Markson.

The PM on Monday said the continued blockage of aid into Gaza was “outrageous” and labelled the actions of the Israeli government “completely unacceptable”.

“No, you know what's outrageous, Prime Minister? It's the fact that there are still 50 hostages in Gaza,” Ms Markson said.

“This is another case of our Prime Minister escalating anti-Israel sentiment in Australia, and the only ramification of this is that it sparks antisemitism and risks attacks on Australian soil.

“By parroting Hamas' propaganda, the Prime Minister is not just fuelling antisemitism, he is playing with fire.”


Israel Advocacy Movement: Jew Forces Anti-Racist to Admit His Own Prejudice



Braving protesters, stink bombs, more than 55,000 walk for Israel in Toronto
Sara Lefton, the chief development officer at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, estimates that 6,000 more people—a total of 56,000—marched at this year’s Walk with Israel compared to last year’s.

“We are strong, we’re united and we will keep standing up for our community,” Lefton, who is also executive director of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, told JNS of the event, which the United Jewish Appeal organized and which took place on a cloudy day with temperatures in the 60s.

“We need others to stand with us,” she added. “This is not just a Jewish issue. This is a Canadian issue. We need to stand up for Israel.”

Lefton told JNS that the UJA is grateful to the Jewish community and its “many allies” who joined the walk.

Salman Sima, a former Iranian political prisoner who lives in Toronto, was one of those allies. He told JNS that he joined some 200 Iranians at the walk.

“We share the same pain and the same cause,” he told JNS, of Jews and Iranians, both of whom are plagued by Islamist terror.

Sima also held a sign stating that he stands with Yaron Lischinsky, one of the two Israeli embassy employees whom a gunman killed as they left an American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington last week.




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