'Hitler on top'
'Hitler on top': Sydney, Australia synagogue vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
Swastikas painted on exterior of the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah, along with the message “Hitler on top.” Police investigating.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
Biden on hostage deal:
Biden on hostage deal: We’re making progress, I’m still hopeful we can have a deal
US President expresses hope that a ceasefire and hostage release deal can be reached before January 20, when he leaves office: Hamas is the one getting in the way of that right now.
Polish PM:
Polish PM: We won’t arrest Netanyahu if he attends Auschwitz commemoration
Following ICC warrant, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Netanyahu will have safe passage and will not face arrest if he attends the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz later this month.
Due to 'anti-Palestinian racism'
Amnesty International suspends Israeli branch due to 'anti-Palestinian racism'
Amnesty International, which has faced criticism for previously accusing Israel of “apartheid” and “genocide” in Gaza, suspends its Israeli branch and accuses members of Amnesty Israel of undermining its findings.
Biden to leave decision on Syria sanctions to Trump
US officials say the Biden administration is expected to leave the decision on lifting sanctions against Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader to the incoming Trump administration.
Ireland formally joins ICJ genocide case against Israel
Ireland formally joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The move comes amid already strained relations between Israel and Ireland.
Speaker Johnson announces:
Speaker Johnson announces: House to vote on ICC sanctions bill this week
House Speaker Mike Johnson announces the House will approve sanctions against ICC and its Chief Prosecutor following arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant: We will not tolerate rogue actors who circumvent international law to attack Israel and threaten America.
US Army targets ISIS in Iraq and Syria
CENTCOM says it and its partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria, from December 30 to January 6, targeting known ISIS locations. One Coalition member was killed but no US personnel were harmed.
New Orleans attack:
Condition of Israelis injured in New Orleans attack improves
The families of the two Israelis are by their side at a local hospital, and they will be eventually transferred for medical treatment in Israel.
US eases some sanctions on Syria
US issues six-month general license allowing specific transactions with the Syrian government, including certain energy sales and related activities, to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the country.
Iranian FM:
Iranian FM: We are fully prepared for further Israeli attacks
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warns that further Israeli attacks on Iran could escalate into a broader conflict.
Report:
Report: 60 terrorists captured in Gaza treated in Israeli hospitals
60 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who were arrested at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, were brought for medical treatment in hospitals in Israel.
Among some greats:
Among some greats: Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija a finalist for Player of the Month
Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers a finalist for Player of the Month in the Western Conference, alongside LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, among others. The honor went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Toronto-area teen arrested over plans to join ISIS
Teen from Newmarket, Ontario, was arrested last month on suspicion of planning to travel abroad to join ISIS, according to report.
On January 13:
Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, Britain, and Germany on January 13
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs stresses the talks in Geneva will be "consultations, not negotiations."
Trump:
Trump: They better let the hostages come back soon
US President-elect reiterates his warning to Hamas about returning all the hostages that it is holding in the Gaza Strip.
In Yemen:
US Army strikes Houthi facilities in Yemen used to attack vessels
US Army announces it struck several Houthi targets in Yemen over two days, part of CENTCOM's effort to degrade Houthi efforts to threaten regional partners and military and merchant vessels in the region.
In January
Former Senator Bob Menendez to be sentenced in January as planned
Judge rules that former New Jersey Senator will be sentenced on corruption charges on January 29, while his wife will face trial on similar charges starting February 5.
Egypt:
Egypt: Three police officers killed in gas explosion in Cairo
Gas explosion at Egypt's police academy in Cairo claims the lives of three police officers. No foul play suspected.
Son of Muslim Brotherhood leader detained in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities detain Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, Egyptian opposition activist and son of the late Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi, will consider extradition.
Arab League warns Iran against ‘fuelling strife’ in post-Assad Syria
Arab League urges Iran to avoid actions that could inflame tensions in Syria, following the ouster of Tehran's ally Bashar Al-Assad.
UN chief condemns Israel’s strikes against Houthis in Yemen
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Israel’s strikes against Houthis in Yemen are “especially alarming”, calls "for all parties concerned to cease all military actions and exercise utmost restraint."
Pope Francis:
Pope Francis: May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released
Pope Francis again relates to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, uses traditional Christmas message to call for peace in the Middle East.
Iran removes restrictions on WhatsApp and Google Play
Iranian authorities remove restrictions on Meta's messaging platform WhatsApp and on Google Play, marking an initial move to ease internet limitations.
Five men sentenced over Amsterdam soccer pogrom
Amsterdam District Court sentences five men to prison terms of up to six months for their involvement in the violence against Israeli soccer fans in November.
PLO warns:
PLO warns of ‘serious consequences’ following Sweden’s funding cuts to UNRWA
Palestine Liberation Organization expresses grave concern over Sweden's decision to reduce its funding to the UN agency for “Palestinian refugees”.
Over Jenin clashes
Fatah bans Al Jazeera from PA territories over Jenin clashes
Fatah announces ban on Al Jazeera from operating in Palestinian Authority-assigned areas of Judea and Samaria, claiming the channel "spreads conflicts and incites".
Pope Francis doubles down on criticism of Israel’s Gaza strikes
Pope Francis reiterates his condemnation of Israel’s strikes on the Gaza Strip, a day after the Foreign Ministry condemned his previous comments.
Germany:
Suspect in German Christmas market attack faces multiple murder charges
Police confirm that 50-year-old psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia, accused of driving a car into crowds at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
Amid fight against ISIS
Pentagon acknowledges doubling US forces in Syria amid fight against ISIS
Pentagon press secretary acknowledges the US has quietly more than doubled its troop presence in Syria to combat ISIS. Approximately 2,000 US forces are now stationed there.
Blinken:
Blinken: Hamas knows the cavalry’s not coming to the rescue
Secretary of State expresses optimism that a hostage release deal can be achieved. "If Hamas really purports to care about the Palestinian people, they will say yes and do it now."
'Vile antisemitic attack'
'Vile antisemitic attack': Canadian politicians condemn Montreal synagogue firebombing
Canadian leaders condemn firebomb attack on Congregation Beth Tikvah in Montreal, the second time the synagogue has been attacked since October 7, 2023.
European powers:
European powers: No justification for Iran's uranium enrichment
Britain, France, and Germany accuse Iran of amassing high enriched uranium to "unprecedented levels" without "any credible civilian justification".
Blinken:
Blinken: Saudis are even more convinced now of the need for a Palestinian state
US Secretary of State tells Foreign Affairs magazine that Hamas has been more productive on getting a ceasefire and hostage release deal done "because they’ve seen that the cavalry is not coming to the rescue."
Amid surge in antisemitism:
Amid surge in antisemitism: Australian state proposes ban on protests at religious venues
State government of Victoria unveils new measures to address the surge in antisemitism, including a prohibition on protests outside religious venues.
Biden:
Biden: I spoke with Netanyahu and we’ll speak again
US President when asked if he would speak with Netanyahu about a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza before he leaves office: I spoke with him and we’ll speak again.
Swiss parliament votes to ban Hezbollah
Switzerland's parliament takes the rare step of voting to ban Hezbollah, following Switzerland's recent decision to outlaw Hamas due to the group's October 7, 2023 attack.
Irish President claims:
Irish President claims: Netanyahu would like to have settlement in Egypt
Irish President Michael Higgins criticizes Israeli government, says its accusations of the Irish people being antisemitic are a "gross defamation". Sa'ar fires back: "Once an antisemitic liar - always an antisemitic liar."
Appalling:
Appalling: Columbia prof. who hailed October 7 to teach course on Zionism
Columbia University professor who referred to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel as “awesome” is set to teach an upcoming course on Zionism at the institution.
As Houthi attacks continue
As Houthi attacks continue, CENTCOM strikes Houthi facility in Sanaa
US Central Command says it conducted a precision air strike against a Houthi facility in Yemen’s capital. The facility “was a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against US Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”