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.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
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.”
British Foreign Secretary:
British Foreign Secretary: UK had diplomatic contact with Syrian rebel group
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirms the British government established "diplomatic contact" with rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which recently overthrew Assad’s regime, even though it is a proscribed terrorist organization.
Talks on hostage deal
Talks on hostage deal | Sources: An agreement could be finalized in the coming weeks
Sources involved in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the release of hostages in Gaza tell Haaretz that the final number of hostages to be freed as part of the humanitarian phase of the deal remains uncertain.
Campus antisemitism:
Campus antisemitism: 8 arrested during SJP protest at New York University
Eight individuals arrested during protest organized by the New York University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, during which access was blocked to the university's main library. NYU: We reject claims that this is a peaceful protest.
UN chief concerned over 'extensive violations' in Syria
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizes Israel’s military operations in Syria, calls on it to refrain from any action "that would undermine the ceasefire and stability in Golan".
John Kirby:
John Kirby: No one is coming to rescue Hamas
White House National Security Communications Adviser says the toppling of the Assad regime should send a signal to Hamas that it needs to move forward with a hostage release deal: Given where they are and how weakened they are, this is the moment to make this deal.
Global watchdog:
Global watchdog: Strikes on Syrian chemical weapons bring risks with them
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says strikes on Syrian chemical weapons sites may risk contamination and the destruction of critical evidence.
Britain, France and Germany:
Britain, France and Germany: We're ready to snap back Iran sanctions if needed
Britain, France and Germany signal their preparedness to reinstate comprehensive international sanctions against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Amsterdam soccer pogrom:
Amsterdam soccer pogrom: Prosecutor claims violence was not influenced by antisemitism
Prosecutors call for two years in jail for man suspected of punching and kicking Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam on November 7, but claim there was no evidence of a terrorist intent and the violence was not motivated by antisemitism.
UN General Assembly adopts resolution supporting UNRWA
159 countries vote in favor of UN General Assembly resolution affirming full support for the mandate of UNRWA and deploring Israel's legislation halting UNRWA's activities in Israel.
Pope Francis to meet PA chairman Abbas
Vatican confirms that Pope Francis, who has continued to be critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza, will meet PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Over suspected terror ties:
WCK fires 62 Palestinian Arab staff members over suspected terror ties
US-based charity World Central Kitchen dismisses dozens of Palestinian Arab staff members working in Gaza following warning from Israel that they had links to terrorist groups.
Antisemitism in Australia:
Antisemitism in Australia: Vandals burn car, spray anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney suburb
Car set on fire and two properties vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney suburb of Woollahra. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns the incident, calling it an "outrage."
US Army thwarts Houthi attack on ships in Gulf of Aden
US Central Command says US Navy destroyers successfully defeated a range of Houthi-launched weapons while transiting the Gulf of Aden.
Campus provocation:
Campus provocation: SJP distributes anti-Israel publication at Columbia
Activists from Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University distribute a four-page newspaper referencing violent efforts to oppose Israel. SJP was suspended at Columbia last year due to anti-Israel activities.
Blinken warns:
Blinken warns: ISIS might exploit the situation in Syria
US Secretary of State cautions that ISIS might exploit the current situation in Syria to regain strength, but stresses the United States' resolve to prevent that from happening.
Geert Wilders:
Geert Wilders: Netanyahu has done more in one year than Europe has done in 70
Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands who is currently visiting Israel, praises Netanyahu for overseeing Israel's counterterrorism efforts over the last year.
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia: Israel determined to sabotage Syria's chances of restoring its security
Saudi Arabia continues recent trend of criticism of Israel, this time denouncing IDF operations at the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
US official:
US official: We're monitoring the status of Syria's chemical weapons
After collapse of Assad regime, senior US official says the White House is focusing on the next steps in Syria, which include engaging with local groups, consulting regional leaders, and continuing efforts to combat ISIS.
Australian police:
Australian police: Firebomb attack on synagogue is treated as an act of terrorism
Australian Police confirm that the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is being officially treated as an act of terrorism. Search underway for three suspects.
After Assad regime collapses
US Army strikes over 75 ISIS targets in Syria after Assad regime collapses
US Central Command says the strikes were meant to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.
Assad regime collapse:
FBI still offering reward for info on journalist Austin Tice after Assad regime collapse
FBI offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the safe return of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.
Canadian advocacy group:
Canadian advocacy group: Amnesty International's biased report belongs in the trash bin
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) blasts Amnesty International’s report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza: Instead of holding terrorists accountable, Amnesty inexplicably inverts the narrative, blaming Israel for the violence perpetrated against it.
Arson at Melbourne synagogue
Australian PM condemns arson at Melbourne synagogue: Zero tolerance for antisemitism
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns arson attack on synagogue in Melbourne: This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage. The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.
Due to service to 'settlements'
Norway wealth fund divests from Israel's Bezeq over services to 'settlements'
Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, divests all its shares in Israel's largest telecom company Bezeq, citing the company’s provision of telecom services to “Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank”.
