Monday, October 20, 2025

10/20 Links Pt1: The Implications of Hamas's Public Executions and the World's Silence; King Charles visits Manchester synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur; Maccabi Tel Aviv decide NOT to sell tickets for Villa game over safety fears

From Ian:

NYPost Editorial: The ‘pro-Palestine’ crowd must be the first peace movement ever to pray for war to resume
The “pro-Palestine” crowd must be the first peace movement ever to pray for war to resume.

In the next phase of the peace plan, Hamas’ combatants are supposed to lay down their arms and exit Gaza — but that’s not happening anytime soon.

At least, not voluntarily — and who’s going to make them?

Images of Hamas terrorists publicly executing local Palestinian “collaborators” did not emerge by accident: The brutal Islamists staged this savagery to let everyone — inside as well as outside Gaza — know that they mean business.

Anyone who accepted food aid outside of Hamas-approved channels counts as a collaborator, as do members of families that have historically challenged the terrorists’ rule.

Meanwhile, Hamas has re-opened detention and “interrogation” facilities at Al-Shifa and other Gaza hospitals.

It’s telling the world, Yes, we are the bad guys. What are you going to do about it?

President Donald Trump has said Hamas better behave or “we’ll take care of it.” But he’s not going to send US troops to pacify the territory.

Perhaps the Muslim nations that signed on to the peace plan will deal with Hamas, though what that force would look like is a mystery, with no historical precedent.

Waging war with unprecedented caution for civilian casualties and world opinion, the IDF in two years failed to wipe out the terror group that conducted the Oct. 7 attack.

Yet the Jewish State has redeemed the hostages, defanged Hamas’ ability to strike outside Gaza and established a protective buffer zone.

Israel has every right to finish the job if Hamas won’t go, but it has no duty to save the poor people of Gaza from the terrorists’ rule.

If “pro-Palestine” folks won’t save them, how about some of the governments that just recognized that Palestinian state?
When Hamas turned its guns on us Gazans, the ‘pro-Palestinian’ chorus fell silent
Repression is the regime’s primary instrument: surveillance, arrests, intimidation and unspeakable scenes of public executions and torture. Just as Hamas live-streamed the atrocities of October 7 to terrify Israelis, it makes use of video recordings of its brutality against alleged enemies within to strike fear into ordinary Gazans. A careless word can brand someone a traitor, a blasphemer, or a rival to be eliminated. And it works: Hamas is gradually reasserting control over areas beyond the reach of the IDF.

Meanwhile, the world’s sympathy flows easily, but moral clarity does not. Where are the protestors who for two years claimed to care for Gazans, now that footage of Hamas’s cruelty against its own people floods social media? Are the activists who filled the streets of Western cities and all those human rights organisations truly for us Palestinians – or simply against Israelis?

On Hamas Telegram channels the group pronounces that they won't disarm. They see the ceasefire as merely time to rebuild to restart the next war. It already broke the deal, attacking IDF positions, prompting deadly retaliation.

Humanitarian concern is necessary, but without political honesty it becomes another ritual that sustains the cycle. Viewing Gaza purely as a battlefield between two sides ignores the internal oppression that prolongs its suffering.

Real peace requires more than ceasefires or aid. It demands dismantling the economic and ideological machinery that profits from endless conflict – from regional patrons to local rulers who depend on despair to maintain power.

The vision of a Gaza governed by civilians rather than militants is not naïve; it is the minimum condition for recovery. A society that values education, opportunity and safety over martyrdom could, for the first time in decades, begin to resemble a normal community rather than a permanent front line.

The longing for normal life now outweighs the appetite for heroic slogans. People want to wake up without fear, to rebuild without permission, to live without being told that survival itself is victory.

Over the rubble, banners of triumph still flutter. Yet beneath them, the truth endures – one that even an old man with fading memory can still recall: those who have lost everything cannot celebrate defeat disguised as victory.
Khaled Abu Toameh: The Implications of Hamas's Public Executions and the World's Silence
Hamas, in short, has decided to eliminate any Palestinian opposed to terrorism and supportive of coexistence with Israel.

Hamas's actions also demonstrate that the terror group is determined to exploit the current ceasefire to reassert its control over the Gaza Strip.

The silence, or apathy, of the international community, including so-called pro-Palestinian groups and individuals, towards Hamas's crimes only encourages the terror group to proceed with its crackdown on its own people. The silence of the world, in addition, sends a message to the Palestinians that they should refrain from rising against Hamas and other terror groups in the Gaza Strip.

We have not yet heard of a single Hamas terrorist talking about recognizing Israel's right to exist. In the eyes of Hamas leaders, the Trump peace plan is just another temporary ceasefire that should be used for rearming, regrouping, and preparing for massacring more Israelis.

In recent months, Hamas has been quoting a famous statement by its former leader, the late Ismail Haniyeh, to confirm that the terror group will never recognize Israel's right to exist: "We said it five years ago and we say it now... we will never, we will never recognize Israel."

No transitional government or "Board of Peace" will ever be able to enforce law and order as long as Hamas terrorists feel free to murder any Palestinian who wants peace and coexistence with Israel.

De-radicalization will happen only after Palestinians see that Hamas has been totally defeated, disarmed and removed from power.... Failure to eradicate Hamas will only pave the way for another October 7 massacre against Israel.


Security faults, major lapses in Gaza border barrier before October 7 massacre revealed
Massive security faults and serious lapses in the design, construction, and operational readiness of the barrier along the Gaza border that Hamas breached during the October 7 massacre were revealed by N12 on Saturday.

The report highlighted a series of systemic issues, including unfulfilled technological promises, misallocated resources, ignored warnings, and gaps in strategic planning that ultimately left southern communities unprotected.

Launched in 2021, the barrier was introduced as a groundbreaking defense project. It was intended to utilize autonomous systems, robotics, and advanced surveillance to stop infiltration from Gaza.

“The upper fence is very significant,” said Brig.-Gen. Eran Ophir, head of the Border and Seam Administration at the Defense Ministry, and project lead. “It is prepared for the threats from Gaza. It’s massive, it’s strong, and it will respond to all the threats in this area. This is an above-ground obstacle that prevents overground infiltration.”

However, according to multiple project officials interviewed by N12, the advanced capabilities described in public statements were not fully realized. One senior official involved in the project stated, “Where are all the technologies that were promised? They sold dreams to the residents. The border wasn’t smart or lethal.”

Another officer added, “There were two robots patrolling the barrier whenever journalists came. Other than that, they did nothing. The defense establishment knew the ‘smart barrier’ was a fiction.”

The barrier project started after the 2014 Gaza conflict revealed extensive tunnel networks into Israeli territory. Of the estimated NIS 5 billion budget, the vast majority was used for underground defenses, while only NIS 122 million was invested in the above-ground fence, which was eventually breached.

According to former intelligence officer Dr. Ofer Guterman, “We invested billions in a project intended to cut off tunnels and prevent infiltration through them. What we missed was the capability to carry out a wide ground incursion.”

Dr. Yuval Steinitz, then a cabinet member, also warned of broader threats. “I always said the main danger was not a squad or even 20 squads coming through tunnels, but a mass attack of thousands of fighters crossing the fence and entering Sderot, kibbutzim, and bases.”

Despite this, the above-ground barrier was not upgraded to counter such scenarios. “They prepared for the previous war,” one senior Southern Command officer said, referring to the focus on tunnel threats from 2014.
Seth Frantzman: What the Hamas-US backchannel tells us about Gaza’s transition
Al-Ain news in the UAE recently published an article that included an interview with a key individual who may have insight into what comes next in Gaza.

The interview was with American activist Bishara Bahbah, who has become to be known as “the accidental intermediary,” by the New Arab media source.

In a previous New Arab article, Bahbah was described as “a Palestinian-American academic” who has “emerged as a key back channel intermediary between Hamas and the Trump administration.”

It also said that Bahbah played a primary role in the talks that contributed to the release of Israeli-American Edan Alexander who Hamas had taken hostage.

In the latest interview, Bahbah shed light on the “day after” in Gaza, which is supposed to be happening as the Trump-backed ceasefire deal is implemented.

What can we learn from the interview?
“Bahbah explained the challenges and difficulties facing the political and security landscape on the ground in Gaza, highlighting ‘logistical, not political, reasons’ for Hamas’s delay in receiving the bodies of the Israeli dead,” Al-Ain reported.

“Bahbah revealed the contents of a message he recently received from Hamas as part of his unofficial mediation efforts between the Palestinian and American sides, seeking a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring its consolidation on the ground,” it continued.

One challenge with the 20-point plan for Gaza is that it is “vague and riddled with loopholes,” which provides flexibility to both sides.

“At the same time,” the article said, “Bahbah criticized the movement’s execution of a group of civilians in the Gaza Strip without even providing them with fair trials.”

The mediator said, “I recently received a message from Hamas asking me to send a message to the White House. The content of the message related to the ongoing ‘Israeli violations’ on the ground, and they asked me to convey the situation to the American side.”
Seth Frantzman: Syria, Lebanon key to next phase of Middle East peace, says US Ambassador Tom Barrack
“October 13, 2025, will be remembered as a defining moment in modern Middle Eastern diplomacy,” US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack wrote Monday.

He published an article on social media platform X/Twitter that is gaining attention in the region.

“In Sharm el-Sheikh, world leaders did more than celebrate the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and the commencement of peace negotiations. They gathered to endorse President Donald J. Trump’s bold, 20-point vision for renewal, reconstruction, and shared prosperity across the region,” Barrack wrote.

Beyond serving at the US envoy to Turkey, Barrack has been tapped as America’s ambassador to Syria. He has also played a role in Lebanon.

As such, he sits at the crossroads of significant US diplomacy. Barrack is dealing with Lebanon and Syria – Israel’s northern flank.

In this context, Hezbollah was partly defeated in an Israeli military campaign between September and November 2024. However, this terrorist group still has weapons. Israel carries out airstrikes almost every few days on Hezbollah members in Lebanon. Beirut would like to stabilize but these airstrikes make it difficult. That said, Lebanon is supposed to disarm Hezbollah.

Barrack’s article is titled “A Personal Perspective – Syria and Lebanon Are the Next Pieces for Levant Peace.” In it, he discussed several important topics. For example, he wrote that the changing situation in Syria will have a positive impact on Lebanon.

“As Damascus stabilizes, Hezbollah grows more isolated. The militia’s foreign control undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty, deters investment, and erodes public confidence and is a constant red flag to Israel,” Barrack said.

“However, the incentives for action now outweigh the costs of inaction: Regional partners are ready to invest, provided Lebanon reclaims the monopoly on legitimate force solely under the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Should Beirut continue to hesitate, Israel may act unilaterally – and the consequences would be grave.”

He also said that disarming Hezbollah is important for Lebanon and Israel. “For Lebanon, it means sovereignty restored and the chance for economic revival. For the United States, it fulfills the president’s peace by prosperity framework while minimizing US exposure. For the broader region, it removes an essential Iranian regime proxy alongside of Hamas and accelerates Arab modernization and integration.”
If Hamas won’t disarm, ‘we’ll disarm them,’ Trump says
“If we have to, we’ll disarm [Hamas],” U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News’ correspondent Maria Bartimoro in an interview aired on Sunday night, in light of the terrorist group’s recent claims that it has not committed to disarmament.

Trump said that during negotiations for the Gaza ceasefire that went into effect on Oct. 10, Hamas promised it would disarm, but added that “these are very violent people; this is a very violent part of the world.”

When asked who would disarm Hamas, Trump replied, “Whether it’s me, the U.S., or a proxy, could be Israel, with our backing—we won’t have boots on the ground, there’s no reason [for that].”

The president went on to say that he did not place a fixed deadline on Hamas’s disarming. “It’s not a hard time line, but it’s a line in my own mind, and at a certain point, if they don’t do what they’re supposed to do, then we’ll have to do it for them,” he remarked.

He moreover asserted that the “decimation of Iran” during Israel’s 12-day war with the Islamic Republic in June was crucial to achieving the current ceasefire in Gaza, as the threat of Tehran over the region was greatly diminished.

Speaking about the Abraham Accords that Trump initiated in his first presidential term, he said that more countries could sign on “soon.”

“The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way. And the four countries that went in initially, including the United Arab Emirates … they stayed in and are doing incredibly well … 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,” he said.

Trump stressed that while Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza was taking place and Iran was still seen as a powerful country in the region, other countries were hesitant to join the Abraham Accords.


Trump’s success in securing hostage releases is a victory for all who cherish peace
In early 2025, I had the honor of meeting with several of the hostages’ families to stand in solidarity with them during their darkest days.

The family members pictured with me that day included Ronen and Orna Neutra, whose son, Omer Neutra, a young gap-year student who joined the Israel Defense Forces, had been taken hostage; Ilana Gritzewsky, who had been kidnapped by Hamas and whose partner, Matan Zangauker, was held captive; and Moshe Lavi, whose brother-in-law, Omri Miran, was among the missing. Their faith and unwavering belief that their loved ones would one day return embodied the spirit of an entire nation that refused to lose hope.

As the freed hostages reunite with their families, we are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. These men, women, and children endured unspeakable cruelty. Their physical freedom may have been stripped away, but their faith and dignity remained unbroken. The tears, embraces, and whispered prayers we now see across Israel are the most powerful testimony to human endurance and divine justice.

For the families who now hold their loved ones again, may this be the beginning of healing. For those whose family members did not survive, may their memories forever be a blessing.

A historic victory
President Trump’s success in securing the release of these hostages is not only a victory for Israel but for all who cherish liberty. It sends a message to every terrorist organization on earth that America will never tolerate the taking of innocent life as a bargaining chip. It tells the world that the era of weakness is over and that American strength, guided by faith, is back.

Blessed are the peacemakers who fought for these families amid overwhelming odds and uncertainty. Their work is not over, but today they have given the world a glimpse of hope, a reminder that light can emerge even after the darkest night.

This is a moment to celebrate freedom, faith, and the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel, a bond that President Trump has strengthened like no leader before him. It is a day to remember that evil can be defeated, that faith can endure, and that under strong, principled leadership, America remains the defender of liberty and the champion of peace.

History will remember this as the moment the hostages came home and the day President Trump once again proved that America leads best when it leads with strength, conviction, and the blessing of Almighty God.
Kushner: Israel must improve Palestinians’ lives if it wants ‘integration’ into region
Connection with Hamas leader
Witkoff also talked of his personal connection with a senior leader from Hamas, and said that Trump had been happy for them to meet personally with officials from the terror group in order to secure a deal to end the war.

It was reported last week that Witkoff and Kushner met directly with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and other Hamas leaders at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to avoid a logjam in negotiations and seal the hostage release and ceasefire deal.

He said he approached Trump, along with Kushner, to ask if the US president would be “comfortable with allowing us to go and meet with Hamas” if it would lead to a deal.

“That was the question we asked him and the entire foreign policy staff,” Witkoff said. “And the answer came back: ‘If you feel that you can get to a deal, of course. Why wouldn’t I encourage you to get into that room and get it finished?'”

He said that, in his opinion, Trump had been “very, very comfortable” with the possibility of the two advisers meeting directly with Hamas, calling the president’s decision to allow the meeting to go ahead “courageous.”

Witkoff said that when he entered the room for the meeting with the Hamas delegation, he found himself sitting directly next to al-Hayya.

“We expressed our condolences to him for the loss of his son,” said Witkoff. “He mentioned it. And I told him that I had lost a son, and that we were both members of a really bad club, parents who have buried children.”

Witkoff’s late son Andrew died at the age of 22 of an opioid overdose. Al-Hayya’s son Himam al-Hayya was killed in the Israeli airstrike on Hamas headquarters in Doha. Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya is seen outside the VIP hall at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on March 15, 2021. (Said Khatib/AFP)

Kushner described watching the conversation between Witkoff and al-Hayya, whom he describes as a “hardened” person who has “been through two years of war.”

“They green-lit an assault that raped and murdered and did some of the most barbaric things,” he said of Hamas and the October 7, 2023, massacre that sparked the two-year war in Gaza. “They’ve been holding hostages while Gaza’s been bombed. And they’ve withstood all the suffering.”

“But when Steve and him spoke about their sons, it turned from a negotiation with a terrorist group to seeing two human beings kind of showing a vulnerability with each other.”

Witkoff said he also discussed his late son with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir when he and Kushner attended a cabinet meeting on the Gaza deal. The US envoy said it was an “emotionally charged situation” with the far-right leader, who was against the agreement.

“I talked to Gvir [sic] about my boy. I always feel I’m in these situations because my son Andrew puts me in them. And I talked to him about my son,” Witkoff said.

“And I wouldn’t say he was dismissive, but he was talking about all the death and all the carnage in Israel. And I was saying to him, ‘At some point you gotta let it go. You — we just can’t play the victim all the time.’ And I was explaining to him how I was able to let it go with regard to my boy. And so I had this sort of moment with him.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads an Otzma Yehudit faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on June 30, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Conflict of interest or trusted relationships
Witkoff and Kushner were also asked about any potential conflicts of interest, given the fact that both of them have done billions of dollars worth of deals with Gulf states, some even as negotiations over Gaza were ongoing.

Kushner responded that there have been no examples provided of times in which they have done anything that was not in the interest of the US.

“What people call conflicts of interests, Steve and I call experience and trusted relationships that we have throughout the world. If Steve and I didn’t have these deep relationships, the deal we were able to get done, that freed these hostages, would not have occurred,” he said.
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff's extended 60 Minutes interview



Carney says Canada will arrest Netanyahu if he visits, in keeping with ICC warrant
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and have him arrested if he traveled to Canada in an interview published on Friday.

Asked during an interview on Bloomberg Podcasts, aired Friday, whether Canada would arrest Netanyahu, Carney decisively responded, “yes” but did not elaborate.

The Canadian prime minister also said that recognizing a Palestinian state had been a priority for his policies but that it was not the end.

“The end is a free and viable Palestinian state living side by side, peace and security, the State of Israel,” he said.

While Canadian policy since 1947 has been to support a two-state solution, Carney explained that his decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state now was because “the actions of Netanyahu’s government were explicitly designed to end any possibility of a Palestinian state in violation of the UN Charter and going against Canadian government policy of any political stripe since 1947.”

“We did this because the prospect was receding as opposed to viewing it as any sort of panacea, game changer, fundamentally immediately leading to the outcome that we and others want,” he said.

Acknowledging US opposition to the move taken by countries around the world, Carney argued that ultimately, the “common objective is the same.”


Hamas risks losing half of Gaza if it blocks the next phase of the deal
Two choices for Hamas: and four steps for Israel
Hamas must grasp that it has only two choices. The first is to return all bodies of the fallen in accordance with Stage A, then proceed to Stage B, which means disarming and relinquishing its rule. The second, if it refuses, is to lose for many years, perhaps permanently, more than half of Gaza’s “sacred” land.

For Israel to benefit under either scenario, four steps are required:
1) Insist on a full evacuation east of the yellow line.
Every Palestinian presence east of the line constitutes a violation. The violation is not only opening fire at our forces. Being there at all is a breach of the deal. Civilians and militants alike must be west of the line.

2) Answer every violation with sanctions, chiefly civil, not only military.
The most painful sanctions are civilian, not military. Experience of the past two years shows the slogan “only military pressure brings results” is not always true.

3) Treat the IDF’s deployment along the yellow line as permanent, not “temporary.”
A seemingly tactical point has enormous importance. Just before October 7, to mark 50 years since the Yom Kippur War, a 1,000-page book titled Yom Pekuda (Day of Command) was published, written by some 20 authors, including me.

The chapter I wrote set out six lessons from that war that, as of summer 2023, had not yet been addressed. One concern was how to build outposts and defensive lines. I argued then, and argue now, that in this area the IDF preserves an appalling ignorance.

For example, one of the key reasons for the 2023 disaster was that outposts and bases around Gaza were built without combat positions that soldiers could occupy while under heavy rocket fire.

4) Do not withdraw from the yellow line until Stage B is fully implemented.
Here, Israel will likely face a tough clash not with Hamas, but with all the agreement’s partners, including the US. Anyone seeking to begin Gaza’s reconstruction will demand that Israel pull back from the line and allow Gazans to rebuild neighborhoods and fields in the half of the Strip Israel currently holds.

The IDF’s presence among a hostile population creates constant friction and danger for soldiers. Israel must either enforce the deal’s logic fully, strict separation by the yellow line and real civilian sanctions for violations, or accept the second alternative: Hamas forfeits the eastern half of Gaza for a very long time, perhaps forever. Either way, clarity is essential. Mixing is Hamas’s strategy. Israel cannot afford to pay that price.


‘A terrible shock’ – King Charles visits Manchester synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur
The King has visited the Manchester synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur to show his support for the community.

Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker when he arrived at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, just a few metres from where Jihad Al-Shamie launched his terror attack on 2 October that resulted in the killing of two worshippers.

The King took his time to view the many bouquets of flowers and messages to the community outside the shul, accompanied by Rabbi Daniel Walker. He also met dozens of congregants, senior representatives of the synagogue and held a private meeting with the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Walker and an unnamed survivor of the attack.

King said the attack had been a “terrible shock” and shared his “heartfelt condolences”. He asked senior members of the community if they were getting sufficient support and inquired whether the police had been helpful in the attack’s wake. Synagogue president Hilary Foxler praised Manchester police as “incredible”. The King then complimented the Community Security Trust for the work it does in protecting British Jews.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said the visit was “part of the King’s longstanding mission to bring communities together, particularly in times of challenge.” The spokesperson added he hoped the focus of today would be on the Manchester Jewish community and not on other matters. King Charles III meets members of the community during his visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, to meet members of the community, including some of those who were present during the October 2nd attack. Picture date: Monday October 20, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

Congregant Adrian Daulby, 53, leapt from his seat to block the doors of the synagogue as knife-wielding Al-Shamie, 35, tried to get in to attack worshippers. Melvin Cravitz, 66, was killed along with Adrian, as the attack unfolded on Yom Kippur, the most holy day in the Jewish calendar, with many worshippers inside the synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester.

Adrian is believed to have been inadvertently shot dead by armed police as they scrambled to the scene to stop Al-Shamie, who had driven his car at worshippers outside, attacked others with a knife and tried to storm the synagogue, wearing a fake suicide belt.


Maccabi Tel Aviv decide NOT to sell tickets for Villa game over safety fears
Maccabi Tel Aviv will not sell any tickets to their fans for next month’s away Europa League fixture at Aston Villa, citing fears that supporters’ safety cannot be guaranteed, Jewish News understands.

The decision—likely to prompt questions about the effectiveness of policing in Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest city—will be attributed by the Israeli club’s leadership to interventions by “various entrenched groups exploiting isolated incidents for their own social and political ends.”

Club officials fear the campaign by pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan, and local community activists had initially put the safety of innocent Maccabi fans at risk if they travelled to Villa Park.

But their concern about the protection of fans, both flying in from Israel, and many based in the UK, was heightened after an intervention by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson last week.

A source told Jewish News: “The risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was substantial, but we thought we had a plan to prevent them from prevailing. “But that changed with the intervention of Tommy Robinson.

“There was now also danger that our supporters could be falsely associated with his far-right activities, in front of anti-Israel protestors already out to get them.

“With Robinson’s supporters potentially posing as Maccabi fans on the streets of Birmingham, we concluded that the risk had become unacceptable for innocent fans who just want to watch their team play.”

As a result, Jewish News understands that no tickets will not be made available to Maccabi fans for the fixture on 6 November.

It means that match will go ahead without away fans. But anti-Israel activists are still expected to be out in force on the streets around the famous Premier League club’s ground.


Andrew Fox: Attack of the Bots!
This whole episode is a fascinating microcosm of how the campaign against Israel works. The tactic is first to make false claims, then to try to discredit Israeli soldiers, the country itself, and its supporters. We have seen lies time and time again about IDF conduct in Gaza, and even this week, we have seen a sea of disinformation about what happened to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam, where a pre-arranged “Jew Hunt” was organised days in advance of the match.

The pattern remains the same: major pro-Palestinian accounts birth the lie, then a sea of bots spread it and attack the target. I have seen an astonishing amount of abuse from obvious bot accounts: they were created very recently, only post on one topic, and have usernames such as @dave1234456. This pattern shows an obvious, coordinated campaign.

Good news, however: I have upset Owen Jones again. Part of the attacks on my character were my mockery of naked propaganda, such as the ludicrous NY Times article by activist doctors returning from Gaza. Here is my position: by engaging seriously with these false allegations, you give the allegations credibility. A far better approach is contemptuous mockery. As Owen shows regularly, mocking their propaganda really upsets some of the worst people in the world.

As a final note, no interaction with the pro-Palestinian cause would be complete without threats of violence.

All thoroughly unpleasant stuff. This approach is designed to create a high personal cost for those who publicly stand up for the truth. The intent is to beat you down and intimidate you.

So there you have it: the pro-Palestinian online cause in microcosm. Lies, libels and abuse: that is all their cause has. There is a thriving Jewish Villans supporters’ club, I have never claimed to be Jewish, I have never hidden my support for Israel, and I stand by my mockery of Hamas propaganda.

This is what we are up against, but I have never before seen the influencers and bots be this vicious. It just means I was over the target in opposing their attempts to get Maccabi Tel Aviv banned and continue the wider demonisation of Israel on the world stage.

I will not stop fighting in the face of these libels and attempted intimidation. Please share this article and help get the truth out. Thank you all for your support.


Ceasefire under strain as Israel, Hamas trade accusations of violations
Caroline Glick, foreign policy advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, weighs in as Israel and Hamas trade accusations of violating a fragile truce following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers.


Call me Back Podcast: Hamas Retakes Gaza - with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib and Joseph Braude
On Sunday, Palestinian operatives attacked Israeli forces operating in the Rafah area, killing two soldiers and wounding three more. The IDF troops were operating on the Eastern side of the Yellow Line – an area which remains under Israeli control according to the terms of the ceasefire deal. The IDF responded with dozens of strikes on Hamas targets throughout Gaza.

Meanwhile, since the ceasefire came into effect last Monday, Hamas has been conducting public executions of Palestinians who oppose their rule. To discuss what’s been unfolding in Gaza over the past week, Dan was joined by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib and Joseph Braude. Ahmed grew up in Gaza and left in 2005. He is one an outspoken critic of Hamas and runs the organization Realign for Palestine, which promotes de-radicalization of Palestinian society. Joseph is the President of the Center for Peace Communications, which has amplified anti-Hamas voices in Gaza throughout this war.


The Officer Tatum: "This Ceasefire WON'T HOLD" Warfare Expert John Spencer DROPS BOMBSHELL About Ceasefire Deal in Gaza
I brought in John Spencer—the Executive Director of the Urban Warfare Institute and a six-time researcher inside Gaza—to cut through the lies about this war. From Hamas’ tunnel network and human-shield strategy to Israel’s unprecedented civilian-warning system and aid deliveries, we walk through receipts—not vibes. If you think I’m wrong, drop your sources in the comments and let’s see the facts.

Chapters
00:00 – Why this interview: cutting through Gaza misinformation
01:35 – Meet John Spencer + ceasefire question: real or for show?
02:56 – “Built for war”: 400+ miles of tunnels under Gaza
06:01 – Human shields explained: how Hamas blocks evacuations
10:03 – How Israel warns civilians (calls, texts, leaflets, “roof-knock”)
12:59 – Daily pauses, maps, and roads for evacuations
14:39 – Egypt’s wall & Rafah: the battlefield no one wants to talk about
16:07 – “Bias” claim answered: how Spencer verifies facts on the ground
18:57 – Starvation narrative vs. aid reality
21:49 – Who steals the aid? “Gangs,” Hamas, and the market receipts
25:27 – Fatalities counts, “children,” and combatants—why the numbers don’t add up
33:11 – Hostage rescues, instant casualty claims & propaganda playbook
39:46 – Why people believe Hamas—identity politics & antisemitism
43:35 – Where to find Spencer + his books & publications
44:50 – Final word: fight propaganda with facts


Here I Am With Shai Davidai: The Lawyer Taking Iran and Hamas to Court | Gary Osen
In this episode of "Here I Am," host Shai Davidai interviews Gary Osen, managing partner at Osen LLC, about his remarkable legal career focused on terror financing and Holocaust-era restitution. Gary shares insights from his family's history and his father's escape from Nazi Germany, discusses his landmark case recovering the stolen poster collection of Hans Sachs, and explores the broader challenges of art restitution for Jewish families. The conversation delves into Gary’s work holding state sponsors of terrorism like Iran accountable for attacks against U.S. service members, the complexities of tracing terror financing, and the impact of Iranian and Hezbollah operations in the Middle East, all while reflecting on the pursuit of justice for victims and the enduring importance of legal advocacy.

This season is dedicated to Shai’s grandmother, Leah Davidai, who passed away earlier this year. Sponsored in part by Iron Dome Coffee, visit www.irondomecoffee.com and use the code HERE I AM for an exclusive discount just for our listeners.


The BIG Problem With Trump’s Peace Plan For Gaza
In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Haviv Rettig Gur, one of Israel’s leading political analysts, for an in-depth breakdown of the Trump peace plan, the end of the Gaza war, and the chaotic aftermath now unfolding inside Gaza.

With the hostages returned and the ceasefire in place, Haviv explains how Hamas has re-emerged from the tunnels, executing its rivals and reasserting control — while Israel withdraws under intense global scrutiny. He reveals why the Trump administration’s 20-point plan to rebuild Gaza faces collapse, how Qatar and Turkey’s support for Hamas is undermining regional stability, and why the international “stabilisation force” may become a new UNIFIL — protecting terrorists rather than disarming them.

We discuss Trump’s strategic play — leveraging Qatari fear, Turkish ambition, and American power to end the war — and whether this marks a genuine peace or simply the start of another chapter in a long regional conflict.

All this — the Trump deal, Hamas’s resurgence, Qatar’s influence, American troops in Gaza, and the uncertain new world order emerging in the Middle East.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:45 The End of the Gaza War: What's Next?
05:22 The Trump Peace Deal Explained
09:30 What Happens to Gaza Now?
14:10 Why Israel Withdrew — and What It Means
18:55 The Return of Hamas: Tunnel Resurgence & Executions
24:40 Qatar, Turkey & Hamas’s Continued Influence
30:20 The Role of the U.S. in Gaza’s Future
34:55 Can Gaza Be Rebuilt Without Hamas?
40:40 What the Trump Administration Got Right and Wrong
46:10 Will an International Force Stabilise Gaza or Fail Like UNIFIL?
51:05 Media Narratives, Lawfare & Global Pressure on Israel
58:30 Haviv’s Warning on Iran and the Next War
1:04:50 The Psychological Aftermath of October 7th
1:10:35 Israel’s Strategic Dilemma: Peace or Perpetual Conflict?
1:16:40 Final Thoughts & The Path Forward




A Crisis of Conscience, Why Our Community Must Pivot to Cuomo Now
Just two weeks from Election Day, with early voting beginning on October 25th, we face not just an election, but an existential crisis. The time for hedging bets and wishful thinking is over. There is now only one clear choice for Mayor, and that is Andrew Cuomo.

For years, Curtis Sliwa has skillfully cultivated an image as an unwavering defender of our community. We have seen him and his Guardian Angels show up after horrific attacks, offering a visible presence and a sense of immediate, boots-on-the-ground support. Many have been willing to overlook his own previous antisemitic rhetoric—such as his 2018 comments deriding the Orthodox “bloc vote” and suggesting that religious Jewish residents are a burden on the tax system—rationalizing these as unfortunate missteps from a complex figure.

But that conditional support must now be fully and finally rescinded. A candidate’s personal loyalty can no longer be measured by photo ops and uniformed patrols when the true character of their household is brought into question. The recently uncovered tweets from Nancy Sliwa, the candidate’s wife, reveal a calculated antipathy that crosses a non-negotiable red line.

Consider the evidence: In one tweet, she criticized the effort to seek arrest warrants for Israeli leadership, lamenting that action wasn’t taken sooner, only after “35,000 civilian deaths & unimaginable destruction.” In another, she offered a blanket condemnation of the conflict, asserting, “outright slaughter of innocent people has become par for the course. Welcome to our sick society folks.”

Yet, the most alarming statement came in response to the rescue of innocent civilian hostages from Gaza. Nancy Sliwa, commenting on the casualties during the operation, asked: “So another 200+ casualties & yet being applauded for success? We are living in some strange & disgusting times folks.” When an ally is so morally compromised that they refuse to applaud the liberation of hostages and instead label the success as “disgusting,” their value as a friend to our community is irrevocably broken.

While we are right to challenge the vile anti-Zionist rhetoric and accusations of genocide coming from the progressive wing, particularly from Zohran Mamdani, we must recognize that a threat is a threat, regardless of which political uniform it wears. If the deeply troubling sentiments found in Nancy Sliwa’s public comments—condemning the rescue of hostages—are reflective of the environment and mindset in Curtis Sliwa’s most intimate circle, then how is he any different, fundamentally, than a candidate who refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state?


AJC expresses ‘alarm’ about Mamdani’s ‘problematic’ rhetoric
Zohran Mamdani, the socialist New York state representative who is the Democratic nominee for mayor, drew criticism from the American Jewish Committee.

AJC said it expresses “alarm” and is “deeply troubled” by Mamdani’s “problematic rhetoric as it relates to Israel and Jews” and asked him to “change course.”

The nonprofit noted that it doesn’t endorse political candidates but is “compelled to speak out when public figures use rhetoric or endorse policies that harm Jews.”

It urged Mamdani to “engage in dialogue and consultation with organizations and segments of the mainstream New York Jewish community.”

“By continuing to prioritize anti-Zionist synagogues and groups, Mamdani ignores the perspectives and concerns of the vast majority of Jewish New Yorkers,” it said.

The nonprofit noted that Mamdani, who has said that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if the premier visits New York City, repeated his charge that Israel has committed “genocide” in Gaza in remarks at last week’s mayoral debate.

“This charge is unequivocally false and dangerous, has not been proven in any international court and gives fodder to those who continue to use Israel’s self-defensive actions as an excuse to threaten and attack Jews,” the AJC stated.

“Calling Israel’s actions genocide cheapens the word, undermines justice for actual genocides happening in the world and fuels antisemitism by spreading misinformation, fanning the flames of division in New York communities that continue to reel from the effects of the Oct. 7 attack and the resulting war,” it added.

AJC also said that Mamdani’s efforts to question Israel’s existence as a Jewish state are “deeply offensive.”
Prominent NYC rabbi rips Zohran Mamdani as a ‘danger’ to Jewish New Yorkers
The rabbi of a prominent Manhattan synagogue slammed Zohran Mamdani as a “danger to the security of the New York Jewish community” — as he urged congregants to back Andrew Cuomo for mayor instead.

“I believe Zohran Mamdani poses a danger to the security of the New York Jewish community,” Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, of the renowned Park Avenue Synagogue on the Upper East Side, said during his Saturday sermon.

He said Mamdani refuses to denounce the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” denies Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state, has vowed to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and cited his “thrice-repeated accusations of genocide” against Israel in Gaza at last week’s mayoral debate.

“For these and so many other statements … he is a danger to the Jewish body politic of New York City,” Cosgrove said.

Cosgrove’s appeal to congregants came a week before the nine days of early voting were set to kick off.

The faith leader, in a subsequent interview with The Post on Monday, said his criticism of Mamdani “had to be said.”




Buy EoZ's books  on Amazon!

"He's an Anti-Zionist Too!" cartoon book (December 2024)

PROTOCOLS: Exposing Modern Antisemitism (February 2022)

    
 

 



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This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For 20 years and 40,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going.

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