This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The celebrations at the return of Israel's hostages are deeply heartfelt, although somewhat muted. Most Israelis recoiled in horror – although without surprise – at the chaotic scenes which accompanied the release of the eight hostages freed Thursday – three Israelis and five Thai nationals – as unruly gangs of heavily armed men wearing balaclavas jostled the frightened and bewildered (almost) former hostages.
Israelis are also keenly aware of the steep price the country has paid – and will continue to pay – in blood and treasure for the hostages' release, including the freeing of hundreds – at this stage, although if all the phases are complete the final figure will be closer to 2,000 – of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were handed down life sentences for the murder of literally dozens of Israelis. The agreement to set free prisoners with blood on their hands for some, but not all of the hostages, has been called a "deal;" although it would be more accurate to describe it as a "shakedown."
The level of this extortion also provides a great number of questions, many without satisfactory answers. There are uncomfortable truths, which need to be examined, in the full knowledge another war between Hamas and Israel is extremely likely – and may well emanate from the increasing tensions in Judea and Samaria – irrespective of the lengthy and costly efforts to rebuild Gaza.
How is it Hamas seems able to be at the forefront of the claims of "genocide" against Israel – so much so that its current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its former defense minister Yoav Gallant are wanted by the International Criminal Court, charged with war crimes among other things – and at the same time seem to be declaring victory simply because it was not destroyed? It is here Netanyahu must take some of the blame, for asserting Hamas' complete destruction was one of the war aims. From this point of view, the Hamas coordinated circus which is the hostage release, is a very public poke in the prime minister's eye, a visceral reminder of its failure.
And why does there seem to be a tacit assumption, despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio's pronouncement earlier this week about Hamas never being able to govern the Gaza Strip again, it is doing just that? It is coordinating the hostage releases, its leadership is communicating with mediators, it seems to be calling the shots. Doesn't this seem a bad and untenable look for an organization which is no longer supposed to be in charge?
Why is the Red Cross among other so-called humanitarian or human rights organizations silent and inert when it comes to the hostages – both Israeli and foreign. From the evidence it doesn't seem like they have tried to visit the hostages once, even when medicines were arranged to be sent for those who were in desperate need of it. What makes Hamas so special – and protected – when people are kidnapped from Israel the usual rules simply do not apply?
And why were Western countries – particularly the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada – so meek when it came to demanding the return of its dual-national citizens? Is it something about the dual nationality in general, or because the other nationality was Israeli? Even Russia, which has recently asked for assurances from Hamas about the condition of its dual-nationality hostage Sahsa Trufanov, could presumably have exerted significant pressure on any of Hamas' financiers to secure his release. And yet, Moscow did no such thing. It is only Thailand – prior to the November release of 23 of its nationals – which seems to have leveraged every avenue it could to have as many of its people as possible freed.
And what about the Vatican? Pope Francis reportedly sends WhatsApp messages to Gaza's tiny Christian population via Father Gabriele Romanelli on a daily basis, but he is incapable of holding Hamas to account and demanding from his pulpit the immediate release of civilians, including women and children? Eighty years on from the liberation of Auschwitz and once again those at the top of the Catholic Church are covering themselves in ignominy when it comes to attempting to save Jews.
This whole rotten situation has also highlighted the sham of the United States' relationships with its other so-called allies in the Middle East – in particular Turkey, a NATO member, Egypt, and Qatar. Is the international community and the human rights groups so beholden to the Muslim Brotherhood, and no doubt other nefarious backers such as the Open Society Foundation? Will the Trump administration review this cozy arrangement. Turkey and Qatar have provided succor for Hamas for years, allowing its leaders to live in exile a life of gilded opulence, while those remaining in Gaza mostly live a meager existence. And what of Egypt, under whose porous border Hamas was able to smuggle so much of its weaponry via the Philadelphi Corridor?
Hamas and its Western defenders may point to Israel's ground offensive as a reason for not releasing more hostages, except this belies two simple facts; there was no invasion between Oct. 7 to Oct. 27, and because it was only the decimation of Hamas' leadership and forces, which forced it reluctantly to the negotiating table. But its incentive structure is perverse and anyone with a modicum of common sense will recognize the value this mob of psychopaths sees in causing untold destruction on "its people," as well as kidnapping the innocents of the hated enemy it wishes to destroy.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
One U.S. senator has moved quickly to build on the momentum started by President Donald Trump's executive order to prevent federal promotions and payments for transgender "treatments," also described as body mutilations, on children.
Trump on Tuesday signed his executive order titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation."
It includes, "It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called 'transition' of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures."
But, as a report in RedState confirmed, "executive orders are, of course, limited, and must eventually be supported by legislation."
That brought Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., into the discussion.
He announced he is reintroducing the "Protecting Kids from Child Abuse Act," which allows victims to sue the doctors who hurt them.
Online, Hawley explained his plan will "create a private right of action for individuals who were harmed by a gender-transition procedure performed on them when they were minors."
The liability would fall on "a pediatric gender clinic where the procedure was performed; a medical practitioner who performed the procedure or was employed by the clinic; and a university or hospital that is affiliated with the clinic."
Further, it was bar "federal funding to any pediatric gender clinic, to any university or hospital that is affiliated with a pediatric gender clinic, and for any gender-transition procedure performed on minors."
It essentially "would enshrine most of President Trump's EO into law," the report said.
"This seems like a no-brainer, a policy statement that should be enshrined in the hallowed halls of the Museum of the Mind-Numbingly Obvious. But the fact is that the rise of 'transgenderism' has made it necessary, especially where children are concerned. There is a reason we don't allow children to make certain decisions; they lack the maturity, the experience, and the wisdom to do so. That's why we don't let children sign contracts, or buy alcohol, tobacco, or firearms," the report explained.
"We don't let them sign consent for medical treatments, even as something as minor as filling a cavity; we don't let them get tattoos. We sure shouldn't allow them to get harmful, permanent, life-changing, and sterilizing treatments and procedures that will require them to have medical intervention for the rest of their lives."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Not only did White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt point out to reporters in the briefing room on Tuesday that some of their outlets had been lying about the president, the White House followed up just hours later with a list of new lies that appeared in publications.
In her first briefing, she said, "I vow to provide the truth from the podium, we ask all of you in this room to hold yourselves to that same standard."
But she wasn't done: "We know for a fact there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets in this country about this president, about his family, and we will not accept that. We will call you out when we feel that your reporting is wrong or there is misinformation about this White House. So yes, I will hold myself to the truth and I expect everyone in this room to do the same."
Just hours later, the evidence appeared, in a statement from the White House Office of Communications.
"President Donald J. Trump has been subjected to more manufactured Fake News hoaxes than any president in history, and it hasn't gotten any better in his second term. Here are just a few:"
Then it listed a "hoax" from Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, "and media outlets" who claimed the president's directive to "pause radical, wasteful government spending means an end to Medicaid, food assistance, and other individual assistance programs."
The facts are that "Individual federal assistance programs — such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and other important programs — are explicitly excluded, as was made clear by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and a memo from the Office of Management and Budget. Only unnecessary spending — such as DEI, the Green New Scam, and funding nongovernmental organizations that undermine the national interest — are included in President Trump's directive," the statement said.
Then Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, and officials at Chicago Public Schools were called out.
They "claimed, without bothering to verify, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had conducted a 'raid' at a local elementary school — a false claim echoed by media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune."
What happened, actually, was an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service of a threat "unrelated to immigration."
Then another "hoax" appeared on the list, from a purported "physicians advocacy group" expressing opposition to Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
"FACT: The 'advocacy group' is an astroturfed partisan organization funded by prominent left-wing donors — and accepts fake signatures," the White House said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – Middle East/Israel Morning Brief
U.S. State Department ends program that Hamas used for 'explosive condoms'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to freeze foreign aid over the weekend included pulling millions of dollars-worth of US funding for condoms in Gaza, Fox News Digital reported.
According to Israel Hayom, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the funding pause during her first briefing Tuesday. "That is a preposterous waste of taxpayer money. So that's what this pause is focused on, being good stewards of tax dollars," Leavitt said.
Over the past decade, Hamas has used condoms to create IED-carrying balloons that winds would fly into southern Israel, raising the alarm on schoolyards, farmlands, and highways.These improvised explosive devices burned thousands of hectares of land and caused extensive damage.
The State Department's review comes in response to President Donald Trump's executive order, "Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid," issued last week directing a 90-day pause on most U.S. foreign assistance disbursed through the State Department.
American high-school coach hangs Palestinian flag, refuses to shake hands during basketball game against Jewish school
A Colorado high school is facing backlash after its basketball coach reportedly hung up a Palestinian flag during a game against a Jewish school and then refused to shake hands with the opposing coaches.
A boys basketball game between Lotus School For Excellence and Denver Academy of Torah last Wednesday showed flashes of anti-Semitism, particularly over the non-handshake postgame, Brandon Rattiner of the Jewish Community Relations Council said in an interview.
Rattiner, who was talking on behalf of the Denver Academy of Torah, called the actions disappointing and shocking.
"I think everybody in the Jewish community is very aware that there's been a rising tide of antisemitism since Oct. 7," he said in reference to Hamas' terror attack on Israel.
"And we've seen it in schools here and all throughout the country on many different occasions."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other nations, countering with the suggestion Israelis should be resettled in Greenland, Iran International reported.
"My suggestion is different. Instead of Palestinians, expel Israelis and send them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone," Araghchi said in an exclusive interview with Sky News.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has joined a cacophony of voices in the Middle East criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of repatriating – at least temporarily – hundreds of thousands, perhaps even a million plus people from Gaza while its reconstruction is undertaken – by countering with a proposal that Israelis should be resettled in Greenland.
"My suggestion is different. Instead of Palestinians, expel Israelis and send them to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone," Araghchi said in an exclusive interview with Sky News.
The suggestion is a kind of Frankenstein's monster of two of Trump's recent pronouncements, the first being the desire to purchase Greenland from its current owner Denmark – a hangover from his first term – and the other idea concerning where Palestinians in Gaza should live following the widespread destruction caused during the paused Hamas-Israel war.
Although Trump's words are music to the ears of Israel's right-wing, many of whom have never forgiven former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's decision to unilaterally pull out of Gaza in the fractious 2005 Disengagement, there are others who are skeptical it is a workable plan.
On Saturday, Trump said he had spoken with Jordanian King Abdullah II about the idea of getting some 1 million Palestinians out of Gaza to neighboring nations. He was set to speak to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi a day later about the same issue. Both countries gave the president's suggestion short shrift.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority, whose very legitimacy is seemingly coming under increasing threat as Hamas and other militant Islamist groups – with significant Iranian backing – stir trouble in Judea and Samaria, immediately rejected the idea saying it would "violate red lines."
"You're talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing," the president also told reporters over the weekend.
Araghchi was also asked about whether there might be negotiations with the U.S. over Iran's nuclear program. He said while Tehran was willing to hear President Trump out, it would be more difficult to reach an agreement than in 2018, when the-then commander-in-chief pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal thrashed out under President Obama in 2015.
Earlier this week, Trump refused to be drawn on whether he would back an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, which it insists is for peaceful civilian use, although this was drawn into question when in its widespread October strike following Iran's second ballistic missile attack, Israeli warplanes badly damaged an undeclared top-secret Iranian nuclear site. The president went on record saying, "It would be really nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step."
Iran's foreign minister was more strident in his response. "We have made it clear that any attack on our nuclear facilities would be faced with an immediate and decisive response," Araghchi said in English. "But I don't think they will do that crazy thing."
"This is really crazy. And this would turn the whole region into a very bad disaster," he added. But he insisted that Israeli saber-rattling "was not a real threat."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – In an effort to get some kind of grip on the anti-Semitism, which has swept the U.S., especially since the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 onslaught on Israel, President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Wednesday which will instruct all federal agencies to take decisive action, including identifying legal avenues to punish and deport individuals engaging in anti-Jewish activities – in particular, foreign students on visas.
A document describing the order requires agency and department leaders to provide the White House with recommendations within 60 days and outlines plans for the Justice Department to investigate pro-Hamas graffiti and intimidation, including on college campuses, according to a New York Post exclusive.
Among those to be targeted in the executive order are resident aliens – including those on student visas – who broke laws as part of the anti-Israel protests following the Oct. 7, terrorist attack, which sparked Israel's invasion of Gaza.
Some of the protests began before the IDF's entry into the Strip had begun. The Department of Justice will also intensify its investigations into pro-Hamas graffiti, harassment, and intimidation.
Last month, six House Republicans called on the government to more to address the rising tide of anti-Semitism, including the conditioning of federal aid to colleges – such as Columbia, which has become a hotbed of anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist agitation – to enforce stricter policies to counter it. The college reportedly took in more than $2 billion in federal funds in the 2023 fiscal year.
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department allegedly stonewalled on releasing key records on the matter, reinforcing Republican claims the Biden administration had been slow – at best – to address anti-Semitic threats.
For his part, Trump is keeping yet another campaign promise, following up on remarks he made calling for the expulsion of foreign students openly supporting Hamas. Last week, he signed another executive order hinting at broader measures to prevent non-citizens from supporting designated terrorist organizations within U.S. borders.
While so-called "hate speech" is protected under the First Amendment, the same House GOP report released last month argues federal law bars recipients of taxpayer funds from tolerating discrimination, under the rubric of which preventing Jewish students – and only Jewish students – from certain areas would presumably fall.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein has handed a sobbing former Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat, 11 years in prison for convictions of bribery and corruption.
Prosecutors had asked for a 15-year term for the 71-year-old, and his lawyers initially asked for a two-year sentence, revising their request to eight years after the judge sentenced co-conspirators to terms of that length.
Reports said Menendez was sobbing as he was sentenced.
A report at the Gateway Pundit noted Menendez resigned in August after Chuck Schumer, then the Senate majority leader, and other Democrats pressured him.
At the time, Menendez claimed he would be appealing his conviction "all the way and including to the Supreme Court."
He also said he was "proud of the many accomplishments I've had on behalf of New Jersey, such as leading the federal effort for Superstorm Sandy recovery, preserving and funding Gateway and leading the federal efforts to help save our hospitals, State and municipalities, as well as New Jersey families through a once in a century COVID pandemic."
He was accused in a superseding indictment of acting as a foreign agent, with allegations he gave "sensitive U.S. government" details to Egypt.
He and his wife also were accused of obstruction of justice.
Investigators found $500,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and gold bars in the couple's home.
"This case has always been about shocking levels of corruption, hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, a Mercedes Benz. This wasn't politics as usual, this was politics for profit. And now that a jury has convicted Bob Menendez, his years of selling his office to the highest bidder have finally come to an end," Damian Williams, U.S. attorney, said earlier in the case.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of an Atlanta family targeted – wrongly – during an FBI SWAT raid.
Their home was broken into and they were subjected to the tactics SWAT teams use to arrest fugitives.
Then the government refused to pay their costs.
According to the Institute for Justice, which has represented the family, the decision will be over whether the Federal Torts Claims Act case can move forward.
Victimized by the government scheme were Trina Martin, her son Gabe, and her partner Toi Cliatt.
"What happened to us was deeply unjust, and I'm relieved that the Supreme Court is taking up our fight for justice and accountability," Trina said in a statement released by her lawyers.
"Congress wanted people in our unfortunate position to have the right to sue. When the government harms innocent people, it has a responsibility to make things right."
Patrick Jaicomo, a lawyer for the IJ, said, "Congress amended a federal statute to ensure that victims of wrongful federal police raids have a remedy in American courts. It's time for the Supreme Court to make it clear that the FTCA means what it says, and courts have no business carving exceptions into the statute Congress passed."
While federal law allows for compensation for people injured by federal employees, the government has fought for seven years against being responsible for the SWAT raid.
The story began one morning in 2017, when family members "were jolted awake by the sound of a flashbang grenade exploding in their living room. Toi, fearing that the home was being robbed, pulled Trina into the bedroom closet and reached for his legally owned shotgun. Just as he was about to grab it, an FBI agent barged in, threw him to the ground, and began interrogating him and Trina. All the while, Gabe (seven years old at the time) was separated from his mother as officers stormed into his bedroom with guns drawn."
When given a chance, Toi told the agents the address, and they realized they raided the wrong home.
There was a warrant, but the address on it was not that of the family's home.
The agents then fled, heading to the correct target.
"Afterward, one of the agents returned, apologized, and gave Toi his supervisor's business card to discuss paying for the damage. Toi called the number on the card, but it quickly became clear that the federal government did not plan to help. With no other way to recover for these injuries, Trina, Gabe, and Toi filed a lawsuit under the FTCA," the legal team said.
The congressionally adopted FTCA waives sovereign immunity under certain circumstances, the report said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was Kamala Harris' running mate in her failed 2024 Democrat presidential campaign, says Democrats knew what President Donald Trump would do if elected.
But they're still off-balance simply because he is doing what they expected, he confirmed.
Trump has, in fact, delivered a multitude of executive orders that take aim directly at Joe Biden's progressive and social agenda points, including an order halting transgender body mutilations for children, many orders launching a roundup of illegal alien criminals, pardons for J6 trespassers and much more.
Further, Trump has delivered new terrorism designations, banned DEI from government, declassified multitudes of files, appointed officials at breakneck speed, rescinded dozens of Biden's actions, halted new regulations, frozen federal hiring, ordered federal workers back to the office, and offered them severance to leave, ordered agencies to address the cost of living, pulled America out of the Paris Agreement, pulled out of the World Health Organization, ordered an end to the weaponization of government, announced the name "Gulf of America," created an agency to eliminate unnecessary government spending and lifted the security clearances for dozens of officials who falsely claimed the Hunter Biden laptop scandals were Russian disinformation.
"To the voters, I'm with this too. Everybody's fatigued. Trust me, I get it," Walz said in an interview on MSNBC. "It was pure hell, and the disappointment and the frustration, and I'm, you know, soul-searching – what could we have done to make the case? Because we knew this was coming. We knew the implication. And they're throwing so much at us that we're fatigued."
It is Fox News that reported on Walz interview:
Walz was asked for advice for "average people" who oppose Trump's agenda, including those who fall into the group of people with "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
"You know that overused term, 'The frog in the boiling water?' We've been in the damn pot way too long," Walz claimed. "I think it is speaking up. It's thinking about your neighbors. It's writing and putting those members of Congress – look, there is no spine among those folks – but this is real."
He complained about his own party's obsession with things Trump, including Trump allies like tech billionaire Elon Musk.
He said it was a waste of time to debate whether Musk gave a "Nazi salute" at a recent rally, a claim that has been debunked over and over.
"Of course he did, but that is a distraction from what, I think you said it, this is 'game on' stuff right here. And I am worried with these federal employees because look, they're in a tough spot, that some of these folks, especially those that are doing good work around environmental concerns, around justice for people, around, you know, criminal justice reform, all of the things that make our society better," he said.
Trump, in fact, has targeted spending federal money and federal workers' time on "environmental concerns, around justice for people" and more, charging that those social ideology campaigns are not something for the government to promote with taxpayer money.
Walz, whose scandals during the campaign included documentation that he once was arrested for drunken driving, said people should "stay focused."
"Don't take the bait on the distractions. Surround yourself with people who understand this, and recognize the things they went after today are basically a big chunk of what society does, and people like to have clean water, and hospitals, and safety, and roads, and airports, all the things that they are going after… We have to find that voice. We have to push back. We have to be organized."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared in Washington for a Senate hearing on his confirmation to be President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services secretary and came face-to-face with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who went bonkers over onesies being sold to parents for their infants.
It's because the clothing items, sold by an organization that Kennedy no longer has an affiliation with, express vaccine-skeptical messages.
One message stated, "Unvaxxed. Unafraid," while the other indicated: "No Vax, No Problem."
Sanders was described as going "unhinged" and demanding whether Kennedy was going to do something about the sales of the clothing by the outside organization.
"Are you supportive of these onesies?" Sanders demanded, over and over.
Kennedy, long known as a vaccine skeptic, has confirmed multiple times that there are good results from some vaccines, but that all vaccines carry with them the possibility of affecting different people in different ways.
Also in the hearing:
Kennedy dismantled claims from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who brought up excerpted comments from Kennedy about his opinion on vaccines.
Kennedy schooled and scolded Wyden:
"Senator, as you know, because it's been repeatedly debunked that statement I made on the Lex Fridman Podcast was a fragment of the statement," Kennedy charged. "He asked me and anyone who goes back and looks at this podcast will see this. He asked me whether there were vaccines that were safe and effective and I said to him some of the live virus vaccines are. And I said there were no vaccines that were safe and effective for every person. Every medicine has people that are sensitive to them, including vaccines. He interrupted me at that point. I've corrected it MANY TIMES, including on national TV. You know about this, Senator Wyden, so bringing this up right now is dishonest."
The Gateway Pundit commented, "The early award for most unhinged lunatic questioner goes to Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) who set out from the beginning to conduct a massive character assassination on RFK Jr.. But the man at the forefront of Making America Healthy Again (along with President Trump) was more than ready and blew up his lies."
Also, Kennedy called out Democrats and ripped them for burning money.
"I would ask any of the Democrats who were chuckling just now, do you think all that money, the $900 billion that we're sending to Medicaid every year, has made Americans healthy? Do we think it's working for anybody?"
Kennedy also pointed out the failings of the Obamacare plan, the Affordable Care Act, with concerns about its inefficacy and fiscal wastefulness.
"Americans, by and large, do not like the Affordable Care Act. People are on it, they don't like Medicaid, they like Medicare, and they like private insurance," suggesting a huge overhaul is in order.
He explained the president has asked him to work on the chronic disease epidemic in America, and that's his goal.