Terror Attack in Central Israel: Multiple Bus Explosions Spark Manhunt and Heightened Security Measures

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02/20/2025

Terror Attack in Central Israel: Multiple Bus Explosions Spark Manhunt and Heightened Security Measures

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a shocking and coordinated series of explosions, multiple buses detonated across central Israel on Thursday evening, prompting an immediate and large-scale security response. According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, three buses were hit by explosives in Bat Yam, and authorities discovered two additional buses rigged with bombs, which were swiftly neutralized by Israeli security forces. The Israel Police have since launched an intensive manhunt for suspects, believing the explosions to be a deliberate terrorist attack.

The Jerusalem Post reported that no injuries were recorded in the attacks—a fact that has been described as a miracle considering the scale and intent behind the coordinated bombings. However, the sheer number of devices discovered raises concerns about potential future attacks and the security of Israel’s public transportation system.

As a precautionary measure, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev has called for an immediate halt to all bus, train, and light rail operations to allow security forces to conduct thorough sweeps for additional explosive devices. This unprecedented move underscores the severity of the situation and the potential risk posed to civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been receiving real-time updates from his military secretary and is expected to hold a high-level security assessment in response to the attacks, according to the information provided in The Jerusalem Post report. While no official statement has been issued by Netanyahu yet, the Jerusalem Post notes that Israeli leadership is treating this event as a significant national security crisis.

Security forces, including bomb disposal units, have been deployed en masse to scan the affected areas, searching for additional devices. The Jerusalem Post quoted Israel Police as saying: “We urge the public to avoid the areas and remain alert for any suspicious items.”

Authorities are also urging the public to report any suspicious behavior or unattended objects to assist security personnel in their search for those responsible.

In response to the bus bombings, Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the IDF to intensify its operations in refugee camps across Judea and Samaria, a move that signals an immediate and forceful response to the attack. The Jerusalem Post report indicated that Israeli forces are expected to increase counterterror operations in Palestinian areas known to harbor militants.

The decision to escalate military action comes amid growing concerns that these attacks could mark the beginning of a broader terrorist campaign aimed at disrupting Israeli daily life. The report in The Jerusalem Post emphasized that Israeli authorities are preparing for the possibility of further attacks and heightened threats in the coming days.

The attack has already sparked political backlash, with former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir openly criticizing the government for what he perceives as weakness in handling terrorist threats. The Jerusalem Post quoted Ben-Gvir’s statement on X/Twitter, in which he warned that signing agreements with terrorists only emboldens them.:

“When the government signs reckless surrender deals with the enemy instead of unleashing hell upon it, the enemy gains an appetite to intensify its attempts to massacre Jews wholesale. These are exactly the costs we warned about!”

Ben-Gvir’s comments reflect the growing frustration among right-wing politicians and security hardliners who argue that Israel must take a more aggressive stance against terror groups operating within its borders.

Bat Yam has been a site of previous security incidents. Just last month, Israeli police reported an incident involving a suspicious object near a vehicle, prompting a major security response and road closures, as was reported by The Jerusalem Post. While authorities at the time managed to neutralize the potential threat, The Jerusalem Post notes that today’s explosions signal a disturbing escalation in terror tactics targeting public areas.

The Jerusalem Post report also highlighted concerns that terrorist cells could be shifting their strategy, moving away from large-scale missile attacks and toward localized, coordinated bombing campaigns aimed at disrupting civilian life in urban centers.

As security forces continue their search for suspects behind the attacks, Israel remains on high alert. The discovery of additional explosive devices suggests that this attack may not have been an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader terror plot.

With the transportation network on lockdown and security personnel sweeping the country, the coming hours will be critical in determining the full scale of this attack and whether further threats remain. The report in The Jerusalem Post placed an emphasis on the fact that Israel’s security apparatus is treating this situation with the highest level of urgency, mobilizing all available resources to prevent additional attacks.

The bus bombings in central Israel mark one of the most serious terrorist incidents in recent memory, exposing vulnerabilities in public transportation security. While no injuries have been reported, The Jerusalem Post report stressed that the intent behind these coordinated explosions was clear: to cause mass casualties and spread fear among civilians.

With Prime Minister Netanyahu preparing a security assessment, Defense Minister Katz escalating IDF operations, and police forces on high alert, Israel is now entering a heightened phase of counterterrorism operations. The nation watches anxiously as authorities race against time to track down those responsible and prevent further bloodshed.

For now, the message from Israeli officials, as reported by The Jerusalem Post, remains clear: Stay alert, stay safe, and trust that Israel’s security forces will respond with full force against those who seek to harm its citizens.

Saudi Grand Mufti Condemns Hamas, Declares Their Actions an Affront to Islam

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02/20/2025

_91050120_mediaitem91041211 — Saudi Grand Mufti

Saudi Grand Mufti Condemns Hamas, Declares Their Actions an Affront to Islam

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a rare and powerful declaration, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, has issued a scathing condemnation of Hamas, asserting that the terror and violence witnessed in Gaza are fundamentally opposed to Islamic teachings. According to a report on Thursday on the jfeed.com web site, the Grand Mufti stated: “What we saw today in Gaza is a disgrace to Islam, an act of blasphemy against Allah, and a sin that does not represent the followers of the Prophet, peace be upon him, or the honorable religion of Islam.”

Al-Sheikh’s remarks, reported by jfeed.com, underline a significant shift within influential religious circles in the Arab world, as more leaders disavow radical groups that claim to act in the name of Islam. By directly condemning Hamas, the Grand Mufti has taken an unequivocal stance against those who exploit religion to justify their violence.

According to the information provided in the jfeed.com report, Al-Sheikh expanded on his remarks by emphasizing that Islam upholds the sanctity of all human life, including that of non-Muslims. This fundamental belief, he explained, stands in direct contradiction to the brutality displayed by Hamas. By desecrating this core tenet of Islam, Hamas has, in his words, “deviated from the path of Islam, turning its back on the principles that define the faith.”

This denunciation carries weight, as Al-Sheikh is not merely voicing personal condemnation—his role as Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia makes him one of the highest religious authorities in the Muslim world. His public rejection of Hamas’s actions signals a growing divide between mainstream Islamic scholarship and extremist factions that attempt to justify their violence through religious rhetoric.

As the jfeed.com report highlighted, this is not the first time the Grand Mufti has taken a firm stance against terrorism. In 2017, Al-Sheikh issued a fatwa (religious ruling) explicitly forbidding fighting against Jews, making clear that such acts are not permissible under Islamic law. In that same ruling, he labeled Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, aligning his position with the broader Saudi policy that views these groups as threats to stability.

Furthermore, the report on jfeed.com indicated that in 2013, Al-Sheikh issued another fatwa categorically denouncing suicide bombers, stating that they are “criminals who rush themselves to hell by their actions.” His strong rebuke of suicide attacks marked a clear Islamic rejection of the tactics used by extremist groups like Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.

The Grand Mufti’s condemnation of Hamas is an important moment in the broader battle against extremism. Saudi Arabia has increasingly distanced itself from radical groups, moving toward a policy of counterterrorism and religious reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. Al-Sheikh’s latest comments align with these efforts, reinforcing the notion that Islam cannot be used as a justification for terrorism.

The Jfeed.com report emphasized the significance of this statement in the wider geopolitical context. While Hamas has long attempted to frame itself as a legitimate resistance movement, the explicit rejection by one of the most authoritative Sunni Muslim scholars in the world weakens their religious and ideological claims. His words serve as a direct rebuttal to those who seek to use Islam as a tool for violence and destruction.

The importance of religious leaders speaking out against extremism cannot be overstated. According to jfeed.com, Al-Sheikh’s strong denunciation of Hamas serves as a wake-up call to the Muslim world, urging communities to reject radicalization and instead embrace the true principles of Islam—peace, respect, and coexistence.

By discrediting Hamas and its ideology, Al-Sheikh contributes to efforts aimed at dismantling the narrative that terrorism can be justified through faith. His statements also place pressure on other religious scholars to take a clear stance, reinforcing the message that groups like Hamas do not represent Islam.

The condemnation of Hamas by Saudi Arabia’s top cleric reflects a broader regional shift in how Hamas is perceived. While some factions in the Middle East have historically supported Hamas, the increasing willingness of Arab leaders to denounce the group as illegitimate and dangerous is a sign of changing dynamics.

With Saudi Arabia inching toward normalization with Israel, statements such as those from Al-Sheikh demonstrate a calculated distancing from extremist movements. This shift not only weakens Hamas’s diplomatic position but also isolates them further within the Arab world.

A Nation in Mourning: The IDF Honors Slain Hostages in Gaza Ceremony

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02/20/2025

A Nation in Mourning: The IDF Honors Slain Hostages in Gaza Ceremony

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a solemn and deeply emotional ceremony held in the Gaza Strip earlier this morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) paid tribute to four Israeli hostages whose bodies were returned by Hamas. The remains were of Shiri Bibas, 32, her two sons, Kfir and Ariel who were just 9 months and 4 years old, and 84-year old Oded Lifshitz. All four were abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 terror attack in southern Israel. The event, marked by military precision and profound grief, highlighted both the personal and national tragedy of the hostages’ deaths, as well as Israel’s unwavering commitment to honoring its fallen.

Led by IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim, the ceremony carried significant religious and military symbolism. As troops stood at attention, Rabbi Karim recited Psalm 83, a passage calling upon divine justice against Israel’s enemies. The words resonated deeply, encapsulating the sorrow and determination that filled the air as soldiers and officers paid their final respects.

At the heart of the ceremony, the coffins of the four hostages, each draped in the Israeli flag, were carried with reverence by officers of the Nahal Brigade—a unit known for its combat readiness and deep-rooted Zionist traditions. The sight of the flag-covered coffins, hoisted by steadfast soldiers, spoke volumes the gravity of the moment: these were not just victims of war, but beloved sons and daughters of Israel, brutally taken in a conflict that has tested the nation’s resilience.

The ceremony took place in Gaza itself, a striking testament to Israel’s military presence in the enclave and its commitment to retrieving hostages, even under perilous conditions. The IDF has prioritized the return of both the living and the dead, operating under the sacred principle that no Israeli is left behind—a cornerstone of the nation’s military and national ethos.

Following the ceremony, the bodies of the four deceased hostages were carefully transported to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in central Israel, where experts will conduct formal identification procedures. The institute, known for handling some of Israel’s most sensitive forensic cases, will employ DNA analysis and other medical examinations to confirm the identities of the fallen.

This process is not merely procedural; it is an essential step in providing closure to the families who have endured months of anguish, uncertainty, and relentless hope. For families of hostages, the excruciating wait for news—any news—often oscillates between hope for a miracle and the gut-wrenching reality of loss. Today, these families received that devastating confirmation, yet even in grief, there is a solemn relief in knowing that their loved ones are finally home.

The return of these hostages—albeit in death—has sparked profound emotions across Israel and beyond. Political leaders, military officials, and religious figures have all weighed in, expressing both sorrow and renewed resolve in the fight against Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel will continue its operations to bring every hostage back—dead or alive. “We will not rest until we fulfill our promise to our people,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the global Jewish community, as well as Israel’s international allies, have expressed solidarity, with many emphasizing the urgent need for further efforts to free the remaining hostages still held by Hamas.

For now, the focus remains on the fallen. As the bodies undergo forensic examination, preparations will begin for their burial, which will likely be attended by thousands—friends, family, and strangers alike—who will come together in grief, remembrance, and an unwavering commitment to honor their memory.

In a conflict that has shattered lives, Israel’s promise to its people remains unbroken: “No one will be forgotten.”

Trump’s Ambitious Plan to Abolish the IRS: A Radical Shift in U.S. Taxation Policy

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02/20/2025

Trump’s Ambitious Plan to Abolish the IRS: A Radical Shift in U.S. Taxation Policy

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a bold and unprecedented move, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Wednesday evening that President Donald Trump’s goal is to “abolish” the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—a statement that sent shockwaves through political and economic circles. Axios reported that this radical shift in taxation policy builds upon Trump’s broader vision of restructuring the federal revenue system. If implemented, the abolition of the IRS would fundamentally transform the way the U.S. government collects revenue, replacing federal income taxes with a tariff-based system designed to generate funds from foreign nations rather than American citizens

Axios reported that Trump’s proposed solution to eliminating the IRS is the creation of an “External Revenue Service”, which would oversee tariffs and other potential revenue streams derived from foreign nations. This approach aligns with Trump’s long-standing economic philosophy of shifting financial burdens away from American taxpayers and onto external sources. By leveraging tariffs and trade duties, Trump’s strategy seeks to “tariff and tax foreign nations to enrich our citizens,” as he has repeatedly stated in campaign speeches and interviews.

Trump’s economic team appears to be coalescing around this dramatic restructuring, with Lutnick outlining the administration’s rationale on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime. The Axios report highlighted that Trump’s push to overhaul the federal tax system is not just about cutting taxes but about fundamentally changing the way government raises revenue.

According to the information provided in the Axios report, Elon Musk—serving as a senior White House adviser leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has been tasked with spearheading a massive cost-cutting initiative. Lutnick stated on Fox News that Musk intends to “cut $1 trillion” from government spending, followed by eliminating tax loopholes and scams that disadvantage American taxpayers.

This strategic move, Axios noted, is a key pillar in Trump’s overarching economic plan. With Musk at the helm of DOGE, the administration is signaling a commitment to dramatic reductions in federal expenditures while simultaneously identifying new revenue sources outside traditional income taxation.

The report at Axios emphasized that Trump’s plan to eliminate the IRS represents a fundamental departure from how the U.S. tax system has operated for over a century. Lutnick explained on Fox News that under this new system, the burden of taxation would largely fall on foreign entities rather than domestic earners. The vision, as laid out by Lutnick and Trump, suggests that tariffs and other foreign revenue-generating mechanisms would replace personal income taxes, effectively shifting financial responsibility from American workers to international trade partners.

Jesse Watters, the Fox News host, questioned Lutnick about what would happen to the money saved from these government cuts. Axios reported that Lutnick responded by framing Trump’s approach as a populist, America-first strategy, saying: “Think about it, Donald Trump announces the External Revenue Service, and his goal is very simple … his goal is to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and let all the outsiders pay.”

This statement calls attention to Trump’s effort to redirect tax obligations from American citizens to external sources, reinforcing his nationalist economic stance.

While Lutnick did not explicitly discuss mass layoffs at the IRS during his Fox News interview, Axios reported that the agency is poised to lay off thousands of employees as part of a DOGE-led effort to downsize the federal workforce.

One of the most immediate impacts of this policy shift is already being felt by IRS workers. The Axios report noted that Shannon Ellis, president of the Kansas City chapter of the National Treasury Employee Union, confirmed that employees in the Small Business/Self-Employed Division who are still on probation were notified that their terminations could take effect as soon as Thursday.

These layoffs are indicative of a larger strategy by the Trump administration to significantly reduce the size of the federal government, particularly within agencies that Trump has criticized as inefficient or overly bureaucratic. The Axios report highlighted that these cuts could be just the beginning of a broader purge within federal agencies.

The report at Axios also outlined several critical implications and potential challenges associated with Trump’s plan to dismantle the IRS and replace it with an External Revenue Service:

Eliminating the IRS would require significant congressional approval and could face intense opposition from lawmakers, particularly those concerned about government revenue stability.

While Trump’s plan relies on tariffs and foreign taxation, the Axios report questioned whether such measures could reliably generate the same level of funding currently collected from income taxes.

Economists have long debated the effectiveness and sustainability of tariffs as a primary revenue source.

The Axios report suggested that abolishing income taxes would be immensely popular with voters, especially those who feel overburdened by tax obligations.

However, businesses and trade groups may push back against increased tariffs, which could lead to potential trade disputes or higher costs for American consumers.

Shifting the tax burden from individuals to international trade partners could have unintended economic consequences, including possible retaliatory tariffs from foreign nations.

The report at Axios pointed out that the global economic landscape could shift dramatically if the U.S. were to abandon income taxation in favor of tariff-based revenue collection.

As Axios reported, Trump’s plan to abolish the IRS and create an External Revenue Service is one of the most ambitious economic proposals of his presidency. With Elon Musk leading a cost-cutting initiative through DOGE and the administration aiming to collect revenue from external sources, the U.S. could see a monumental shift in how government funding is structured.

However, the feasibility of this plan remains uncertain, as Axios highlighted the numerous legal, economic, and political challenges that such a sweeping reform would entail. While Trump’s supporters view this as a populist-driven economic revolution, critics warn that eliminating federal income taxes and relying solely on tariffs could destabilize the U.S. economy and government operations.

Regardless of the outcome, the Axios report asserted that Trump’s commitment to dismantling traditional tax structures and overhauling federal revenue collection signals a defining moment in American fiscal policy—one that could reshape the country’s economic foundation for generations to come.

Trump Calls for Gaza to be “Wiped Out” After Hamas’ Gruesome Celebration of Slain Israeli Children

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02/20/2025

Trump Calls for Gaza to be “Wiped Out” After Hamas’ Gruesome Celebration of Slain Israeli Children

By; Fern Sidman

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, President Donald Trump has reportedly declared his desire to see Gaza “wiped out” following distressing images of celebrations in the territory over the return of the bodies of Israeli children. Channel 14 News in Israel reported that Trump, upon seeing footage of the grim exchange, expressed his outrage in stark and unequivocal terms to his advisors, stating, “I want to see Gaza wiped out. I don’t want to see even one building standing.”

Hamas terrorists staged a blasphemous parade today and carried out coffins with children to loud music .
Meanwhile, “Innocent civilians” in Gaza brought babies to watch other babies in body bags. Their cruelty knows no bounds.

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— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) February 20, 2025

The statement, if confirmed, would mark one of the most courageous positions taken by a US president on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. While Trump has long been a staunch supporter of Israel, this reported comment signals an unprecedented hardline stance that could have significant implications for both U.S. foreign policy and the broader geopolitical landscape.

BREAKING: U.S. President Trump, after witnessing the return of the deceased Israeli hostages, reportedly told his advisors, according to Channel 14:

“I want Gaza wiped out. I don’t want a single building left standing.”

Let H3LL break loose.
NO MERCY.

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— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) February 20, 2025

Trump is widely regarded as one of Israel’s most supportive American leaders. His administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv, and the brokering of the Abraham Accords—all reinforced his image as a champion of Israeli interests.

There is no end to the depravity. Imagine taking your child to watch this. It is not a soccer match, it is the m*rder of babies. 💔🎗️#kidnappedfromisrael #amyisraelchai #standwithisrael #westandwithisrael #endjewhatred #bibas pic.twitter.com/7Dwxq81m5N

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) February 20, 2025

Trump’s approach to Gaza has always been confrontational, but his reported remarks represent a shift from a strategic military stance to one of total eradication. Such rhetoric echoes calls from certain Israeli factions advocating for decisive military action against Hamas.

The highly publicized Hamas celebrations in Gaza over the handover of the remains of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, their mother Shiri and 84-year old Oded Lifshitz struck a nerve in Israel and among its allies. This event, a macabre glorification of terrorism, calls attention to the deep and seemingly unbridgeable chasm between the two sides.

For Israel, retrieving the bodies of its citizens—especially children— shines a spotlight on the brutality of Hamas. For Palestinians, the return of remains is often framed as part of a larger struggle, where even the dead become symbols of resistance.

As Trump’s reported comments made waves, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) served as a rallying point for staunch pro-Israel policy in the U.S. Among the most striking moments at the event was a speech by Vice President JD Vance, who addressed the plight of the hostages still held in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Gaza puts on a parade to *celebrate* their kidnap and murder of a mother and her babies and an 84-year-old grandpa.

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— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) February 20, 2025

Speaking before a highly energized crowd, Vance directly addressed the families of those taken captive, delivering a message of solidarity and resilience: “You are not forgotten. We stand with you. America stands with you.”

His words were met with resounding applause, highlighting the widespread support within the conservative movement for Israel and the need for stronger American leadership in securing the release of those hostages remaining in Gaza. Vance’s speech focused on a growing demand among Republicans for a more forceful approach to hostage situations and foreign policy concerning U.S. allies.

The previous Biden administration pursued a policy of cautious support for Israel, balancing humanitarian concerns with military aid. However, Trump’s statements suggest a drastic shift toward a more aggressive posture that could lead to full-scale U.S. involvement in Israeli military operations.

The reported comment raises serious questions about the extent to which the U.S. would back an Israeli offensive. If Trump were to advocate for the complete destruction of Gaza, this could provoke backlash from Arab nations, heighten tensions with Iran, and potentially trigger broader regional instability.

If Trump’s words are to be taken at face value, they mark a turning point in American foreign policy rhetoric—one that could redefine U.S. involvement in the Middle East for years to come.

The Jews are not going anywhere

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02/20/2025

kotel-pre-state-1320x880 — The Western Wall of the ancient Jewish Temple area in Jerusalem. Credit: Courtesy of the G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection and the Library of Congress.

By Phyllis Chesler

( JNS) What kind of a liberation movement purposely, with malice aforethought, murders a 9-month-old infant, a 4-year-old toddler and their terrorized mother?

What kind of world praises Hamas’s atrocities? How “civilized” can people in the civilized West be if, in response to the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, they continue to support the rape, torture, murder and kidnapping of civilians from southern Israel? Or, just hours after Hamas announced that it would be returning the corpses of the Bibas children and their mother, respond by violently attacking Orthodox Jews in Borough Park, a heavily Jewish community in Brooklyn, N.Y., the very neighborhood in which I grew up?

No matter what our individual views may be, and whether or not we are religious, Jews are indigenous to the Holy Land. We were there long before anyone else ever visited or occupied us. There were always Jews there. Now, we are a sovereign nation in the Holy Land once again. Yet even throughout our many exiles, culture, prayers, rituals, ethics and memories were centered upon, or radiated out from, the Holy Land. The language of our prayers and holy books was first Aramaic, then Hebrew; these languages have existed and been utilized for nearly 6,000 years.

However, if you search online for “the indigenous nature of Jews,” you will read this: “The Jewish people have a very ancient history in the land known both as Palestine and the Land of Israel.” Known as Palestine? By whom? By those who wish to exterminate the Jewish presence in Israel, just as they have done in every single Arab and Muslim country in the world? By AI? Wikipedia? Or by the left-wing billionaires in the West who are joined by the deep pockets of Iran and Qatar, and, in the past, Egypt and Saudi Arabia?

Since Oct. 7, a close friend of mine in London—a woman who is not Jewish but has been standing for both the truth and the Jews—has been suffering the loss of former colleagues. She tells me about Arab, Muslim and Southeast Asian women who have turned on her and now cut her off. I listen as patiently as I can to yet another astonished survivor of Jew-hatred and cancel culture.

Me? I’m long used to this. These cowards and conformists will never break my spirit. However, I have not yet met the challenge of how to deprogram those suffering from mass psychosis, hysterical paranoia or a belief in inverted truths.

All I can write, again and again, is this: Whenever Hamas and its supporters accuse Israel of some crime, it must be taken as Hamas’s own confession. The genocidal maniacs are the Islamist terrorists, not the Israel Defense Forces. The practicing of gender and religious apartheid is not characteristic of Israelis, but it does describe Arab and Muslim culture, both historically and in our times.

Many of us have said all this over and over again. Now, more people in the West are beginning to understand it as well.

I do not believe a word Hamas says. Maybe the corpses to be returned tomorrow are not those of the Bibas family, but I will only believe it after proper Israeli forensic examinations confirm it. One way or the other, as Seth Mandel has written in Commentary magazine, with this family’s murder, a line has been crossed that can never be uncrossed.

I would add that the world’s continued reaction to the murder of Jews can never be forgotten. We must draw all the necessary conclusions.

The Orthodox Jews in Borough Park fought back. The Israel Defense Forces fight back. We wordsmiths are fighting back.

None of the pogroms we’re seeing against the Jews are spontaneous. Most are well-funded and well-organized uprisings meant to further terrorize grieving and vulnerable Jewish communities. The vicious verbal attacks, tearing down of hostage posters, smirks and curses of those who do so, jeering and menacing mobs, such as the masked and armed Hamas warriors who mocked and mobbed the three skeletal Israelis as they were being returned to Israel, and the encampments on college campuses—all are meant to traumatize and retraumatize our people in the hope that we will give up, quit, resign and disappear. Not just from the Holy Land but from life itself.

This has never happened before, and it will not happen now.

Trump officials want to ban junk food from SNAP. Past efforts show it’s not easy to do

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02/20/2025

(AP) – A push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the U.S. program that helps low-income families pay for nutritious food has been tried before — but it may soon get a boost from new Trump administration officials.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly confirmed health and human services secretary, and Brooke Rollins, the new agriculture secretary, have both signaled that they favor stripping such treats from SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Kennedy has been most vocal, calling for the government to stop allowing the nearly $113 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans to use benefits to pay for “ soda or processed foods.”

“The one place that I would say that we need to really change policy is the SNAP program and food stamps and in school lunches,” Kennedy told Fox News host Laura Ingraham last week. “There, the federal government in many cases is paying for it. And we shouldn’t be subsidizing people to eat poison.”

In one of her first interviews after being confirmed, Rollins said she looked forward to working with Kennedy on the issue.

“When a taxpayer is putting money into SNAP, are they OK with us using their tax dollars to feed really bad food and sugary drinks to children who perhaps need something more nutritious?” Rollins said. “These are all massive questions we’re going to be asking and working on in the coming months and years.”

But removing certain foods from SNAP — known for years as food stamps — isn’t as simple as it sounds.

The program is run by the USDA, not HHS, and is administered through individual states. It is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which says SNAP benefits can be used for “any food or food product intended for human consumption,” except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods, including those prepared for immediate consumption.

Excluding any foods would require Congress to change the law — or for states to get waivers that would let them restrict purchases, said Katie Bergh, a senior policy analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research group. Over the past 20 years, lawmakers in several states have proposed stopping SNAP from paying for bottled water, soda, chips, ice cream, decorated cakes and “luxury meats” like steak.

“None of those requests have ever been approved under either Republican or Democratic presidents,” Bergh said.

In the past, Agriculture Department officials rejected the waivers, saying in a 2007 paper that no clear standards exist to define foods “as good or bad, or healthy or not healthy.” In addition, the agency said restrictions would be difficult to implement, complicated and costly. And they might not change recipients’ food purchases or reduce conditions such as obesity.

Anti-hunger advocates point to research that shows SNAP recipients are no more likely than other low-income Americans to buy sugary drinks or snack foods. And they say that limiting food choices undermines the autonomy and dignity of people who receive, on average, about $187 per month — or about $6.16 per day, according to latest figures.

“This is just another way to cut benefits,” said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. “It’s like, how do we restrict people more? How do we stigmatize them more?”

Bills are pending in Congress and in several states to restrict SNAP benefits from paying for soda, candy and other items.

Rep. Josh Breechan, an Oklahoma Republican, sponsored the Healthy SNAP Act.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. …

“If someone wants to buy junk food on their own dime, that’s up to them,” he said. “But what we’re saying is, ‘Don’t ask the taxpayer to pay for it and then also expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the resulting health consequences.’”

One SNAP recipient said she uses her monthly $291 benefit to buy necessities such as meat, oil, milk and coffee. Martina Santos, 66, of New York City, supplements those foods with fresh vegetables and fruits from a pantry run by the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, where she’s also a volunteer. Because she has diabetes and other health conditions, she said she understands the importance of using the benefits only for nutritious options.

“For me, SNAP is to be used toward healthy food to get people to avoid all the disease they’re having around right now: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure,” Santos said.

In Kansas and elsewhere, bills that would ban soft drinks and candy highlight some of the challenges of such changes.

Several pending bills seek to keep SNAP from paying for soft drinks, but they would continue to allow drinks containing milk, milk alternatives like soy or almond milk, or drinks with more than 50% vegetable or fruit juice. Candy is characterized as any unrefrigerated, flourless preparation of “sugar, honey or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops or pieces.”

By that definition, Kit Kat and Twix bars, which contain flour, wouldn’t be banned. And juices that contain high amounts of sugar, but are more than half fruit juice by volume, would be allowed.

Such conundrums have stymied changes to the SNAP program for decades. But this moment could be different, said Dr. Anand Parekh, chief medical officer of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington, D.C.

The momentum behind Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement could spur a new focus on solutions to poor diets that account for leading risk factors for early disease and death.

“When we talk about the SNAP program, we have to remind people that the ‘N’ stands for nutrition,” Parekh said. “It’s about time that both parties can come together and see what are the innovations here to improve diet quality and nutrition.”

Israel-Based Research Institute Exposes Terror Ties of Borough Park Protest Organizers

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02/20/2025

Israel-Based Research Institute Exposes Terror Ties of Borough Park Protest Organizers

Edited by: Fern Sidman

An in-depth investigation conducted by NGO Monitor, an Israel-based research institute, has revealed alarming connections between the group that organized a February 18th protest in Borough Park and a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. As reported by VIN News on Wednesday, the protest, which was staged against a real estate expo by The Getter Group, was orchestrated by Pal-Awda, a New York/New Jersey affiliate of Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition.

According to the information provided in the VIN News report, NGO Monitor has established that Al-Awda is linked to Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, an organization officially designated as a terrorist entity by the United States Treasury Department. These findings cast a troubling light on the true nature and objectives of the Borough Park protest, which was marketed as a real estate demonstration but was, in reality, rooted in extremist rhetoric and incitement against Jews.

As documented in the VIN News report, NGO Monitor has conducted extensive research on Al-Awda and its various affiliates, including Pal-Awda. The organization has been directly linked to Samidoun, which has openly praised and glorified Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—all of which are classified as terrorist organizations by the U.S. and other Western nations.

In an alarming revelation, VIN News reported that Samidoun’s international coordinator, Charlotte Kates, who is also a board member of Al-Awda, made pro-terror statements in March 2024, saying: “There is nothing wrong with being a member of Hamas, being a leader of Hamas, being a fighter in Hamas.”

According to the information contained in the VIN News report, Kates doubled down on her extremist views after being arrested as part of a hate crime investigation in Vancouver, praising the October 7th terrorist attacks—in which Hamas brutally murdered over 1,200 people in Israel—as “heroic and brave.”

The VIN News report indicated that the Borough Park protest was not a spontaneous demonstration but rather a coordinated effort by Al-Awda and its affiliates to target Jews. NGO Monitor’s research director, Yona Schiffmiller, confirmed that Al-Awda directly invoked the October 7th Hamas attacks in its promotional material for the demonstration.

According to VIN News, one of Al-Awda’s Instagram posts ahead of the protest urged supporters to “FLOOD BORO PARK” to oppose what they called a “stolen land real estate event.” This wording mirrored Hamas’ terminology, which refers to its October 7th massacre as the “Al-Aqsa Flood.”

The VIN News report further highlighted that the Borough Park protest turned violent at times, prompting NYPD officers to intervene on multiple occasions to prevent clashes between pro-Israel demonstrators and anti-Israel protesters affiliated with Al-Awda.

NGO Monitor’s findings show that Al-Awda has a long history of glorifying violence against Israel and its citizens. The VIN News report said that following the October 7th attacks, the organization issued a statement on October 8th, 2023, in which it expressed: “Unwavering support of the Palestinian resistance” and asserted that the attacks were part of a “brave path to bring the ongoing Nakba to an end.”

This statement aligns with Al-Awda’s history of endorsing violence as a legitimate means of achieving its goal of dismantling Israel. As per the VIN News report, in May 2024, Al-Awda co-signed a declaration urging demonstrators at an Orlando protest to exercise their ‘right to resist by any means necessary’—a direct call for violent action.

Furthermore, VIN News cited an April 2022 speech by Al-Awda’s New York representative, Lamis Deek, in which she classified all Palestinians as “freedom fighters” engaged in a global battle against Israel, referring to the Jewish state as a “global threat.”

In the aftermath of the Borough Park protest, Schiffmiller is calling for immediate government action to prevent pro-terror groups such as Al-Awda from organizing future demonstrations. VIN News reported that NGO Monitor is urging both local and federal authorities to investigate the group’s ties to terrorist organizations and take action against Samidoun’s broader network of affiliated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charities that support extremist activities.

As reported by VIN News, Schiffmiller stressed the urgency of cracking down on groups that incite violence against Jews, warning that: “To prevent further antisemitic violence, NGO Monitor urges local and federal authorities to investigate Al-Awda’s connections to terrorist organizations and to take necessary action against a broader Samidoun network that includes 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charities.”

This is yet another example of how radical groups operating in the U.S. disguise themselves as human rights organizations while actively promoting terrorism and violence against Jews. The exposure of Al-Awda’s terrorist connections and its orchestration of the Borough Park protest highlights the urgent need for stricter monitoring and enforcement against extremist networks operating under the guise of political activism

Israeli President Herzog Appeals for Hostage’s Release During State Visit to Hungary

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02/20/2025

Israeli President Herzog Appeals for Hostage’s Release During State Visit to Hungary

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received an official state welcome in Hungary on Tuesday, where he met with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and the family of Omri Miran, an Israeli and Hungarian citizen who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. The visit highlighted the strong relationship between Israel and Hungary, as well as Hungary’s firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism. According to a report on Algemeiner.com, Herzog’s visit was a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at securing international support for Israel’s efforts to bring its hostages home.

During the meeting, Miran’s wife, Lishi, provided a harrowing account of their ordeal. She described how their daughters, Roni, now three and a half years old, and Alma, nearly two, were also taken hostage but were later released, while Omri remained in Hamas captivity. “The last time he saw them, and they saw him, was on October 7, when Alma was only six months old,” she explained. Lishi made an urgent plea for global leaders, including President Sulyok, to exert maximum pressure to secure Omri’s release. She emphasized the urgency of the moment, saying, “My daughters need their father.” Algemeiner.com reported that Sulyok responded with a firm commitment to doing everything possible to ensure Omri’s safe return.

The broader context of Miran’s captivity is part of an ongoing hostage deal negotiated between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, a 42-day truce that began on January 19, involves the gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages—eight of whom are believed to be deceased—in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were convicted of terrorist activities. The second phase, set to be negotiated in the coming days, would involve the release of the remaining living hostages and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The Algemeiner.com report said that 70 hostages remain in Gaza, including 35 whose deaths have been confirmed by the Israeli military.

In addition to discussing the hostage crisis, Herzog and Sulyok met with Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor Aharon Shevo and his family. They presented the Hungarian president with a commemorative stamp marking 80 years since the Holocaust. The report at Algemeiner.com highlighted that this meeting reinforced the commitment of both leaders to Holocaust remembrance and the fight against rising antisemitism in Europe.

During a joint press conference, Herzog expressed deep gratitude for Hungary’s unwavering support of Israel. “In the year and a half since the horrific massacre of October 7, Hungary has stood by Israel, and I deeply appreciate that,” he said, according to the information provided in the Algemeiner.com report. He praised Hungary’s refusal to succumb to the global surge in antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel sentiment. Hungary has consistently backed Israel in international forums and has actively supported efforts to bring Israeli hostages home.

Herzog also placed an emphasis on the historical connection between the Jewish people and Hungary. He noted that Hungarian Jewry is among the most distinguished Jewish communities in the world, with deep historical roots and a thriving community in Israel. The report at the Algemeiner.com said that the Israeli president will visit the site where the home of Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism, once stood. This visit follows in the footsteps of his father, Chaim Herzog, Israel’s sixth president, who was the first Israeli head of state to visit the site over three decades ago.

Sulyok, for his part, emphasized that he and Herzog share a common vision regarding national sovereignty and security. “We see eye to eye on everything related to protecting our national borders, the independence of our nations, and issues concerning these matters,” he stated. Algemeiner.com also reported that Sulyok reaffirmed Hungary’s view that a strong Israel is crucial not only for Israel’s security but also for European stability and the global fight against antisemitism.

Hungary’s support for Israel extends beyond rhetoric. Hungary categorically rejects the actions of Hamas and fully supports Israel’s right to self-defense. “We categorically reject what the Hamas terror organization did to Israel on October 7. We categorically reject the inhumane conditions in which the hostages are being held,” Sulyok declared, according to the Algemeiner.com report. He also reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to opposing antisemitism and ensuring that the Jewish community in Hungary feels safe amid rising hate crimes across Europe.

Hungary has also backed Israel in the face of controversial legal actions at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Algemeiner.com reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pledged that his country will not recognize the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Orbán went so far as to invite Netanyahu to visit Hungary, ensuring that the ICC ruling would have no effect there.

Sulyok reinforced this message during Tuesday’s press conference, stating, “Israel can count on us as steadfast supporters. We will not only continue our support but also seek further cooperation with Israel.” He stressed the importance of Holocaust remembrance for future generations and reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to combating antisemitic rhetoric. The visit solidified the strong diplomatic ties between Israel and Hungary, demonstrating unwavering solidarity amid global political challenges.

As Herzog’s visit continues, the significance of Hungary’s alliance with Israel remains evident. The meeting not only highlighted Hungary’s vocal support for Israel but also underscored the urgent need for international pressure to secure the release of remaining hostages. The report at Algemeiner.com noted that Hungary’s consistent backing of Israel—whether in security matters, historical remembrance, or diplomatic battles—reinforces the depth of this bilateral relationship at a time when global alliances are being put to the test.

Cost of the Deal: 602 security prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons

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02/20/2025

Release of terrorists, illustration Flash 90

(A7) The Palestinian Authority has announced that 602 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons this week. Among them, 445 are residents of the Gaza Strip arrested during the war. They will be released tomorrow.

Others, set to be released on Saturday, include 50 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, 60 serving long-term sentences, and 47 previously released in the Shalit deal. 108 inmates will be deported to Egypt as a first step before being transferred to other countries, including 13 prisoners with medical issues.

Among the released is the terrorist Khalil Jabarin Abu-Hamid, a resident of Yatta who murdered Ari Fuld in 2018 at the entrance of a shopping center at the Gush Etzion Junction and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ari was one of five siblings. He was married to Miriam and fathered four children – Tamar, Naomi, Yakir, and Natan. He confronted the terrorist after being stabbed, managing to shoot and neutralize him before collapsing, thus saving many lives of those present.

Also to be released from Israeli prison is Nael Barghouti, convicted of the murder of bus driver Mordechai Yekuel, of blessed memory, in 1978. He was released in the Shalit deal – and returned to prison for breaking his release terms.

Another terrorist is Bilal Abu-Ghanem, serving three life sentences for a 2015 attack that killed Haviv Haim, Alon Govberg, and Richard Lakin on a bus in Jerusalem.

Terrorist Abed el-Nasser Isa is also expected to be released. He is considered a disciple of Yahya Ayyash. He was first arrested in 1984 for two and a half years, accused of involvement in a cell responsible for throwing explosive devices and Molotov cocktails at IDF patrols.

Another released will be the terrorist Omar al-Zaban, sentenced to 27 life sentences and 25 years in prison, a leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing. He is responsible for the deaths of at least 27 Israelis.

The release is part of an ongoing effort by Hamas to posthumously fulfill Yahya Sinwar’s pledge to free all the security prisoners in Israel after Sinwar’s own release in the Shalit deal.

Yale Study: New York Times Coverage of War in Israel Has Been Pro-Hamas

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02/20/2025

Special Features - NY Times article - pic 3 — The New York Times, though, insists on erasing the Israeli victims from Jehezkel’s gesture. It is the journalistic equivalent of tearing down posters of the kidnapped — vandalism against the truth, at the expense of the hostages. Credit: AP

By Joel B. Pollak(Breitbart)

A new academic study of New York Times coverage of the war in Israel launched by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, published by a professor at Yale University has concluded that the newspaper is guilty of pro-Hamas bias.

The study was published by Edieal J. Pinker of the Yale School of Management, and is titled “An Analysis of the New York Times Coverage of the War Between Israel and Hamas.” The abstract says (original emphasis):

I conduct a quantitative analysis of the text of 1,561 New York Times articles published from October 7, 2023 to June 7, 2024 that reference both “Israel” and “Gaza” to assess whether there are imbalances in the coverage that have a potential to influence readers opinions about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in a systematic way. I find that there is a dominant narrative of the war that contextualizes many of the articles. In this narrative, Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, killing 1200 Israelis, and Israel’s military response has killed X thousand Palestinians with X increasing over time. Little mention is made of Israeli casualties post-October 7 or of Palestinian acts of violence post-October 7, even as Israel and Hamas were locked in intensive combat over the eight months of the study period. In fact, “Israel” is mentioned more than three times as often as “Hamas”. Personal stories of Palestinian or Lebanese suffering appear an average of two out of every three days while it is common to go a week at a time without a single mention of IDF deaths even when such deaths were frequent. I argue that the net result of these imbalances and others is to create a depiction of events that is imbalanced toward creating sympathy for the Palestinian side, places most of the agency in the hands of Israel, is often at odds with actual events, and fails to give readers an understanding of how Israelis are experiencing the war.

The Jerusalem Post adds:

Pinker’s study dismisses the argument that the reason “Israel” appears more is because the Jewish State has “more independence than the Palestinians and thus will have more freedom of action.”

If this were to be the case, he argued, there would be less of an imbalance in the ratio of mentions of Hezbollah and Iran. However, the data indicated the imbalance was the same.

Furthermore, while personal stories of Palestinian or Lebanese suffering are generally featured on two out of every three days, “it is common to go a week at a time without a single mention of IDF deaths even when such deaths were frequent.”

The analysis is just the latest study of pro-Hamas bias in mainstream media outlets. The BBC, for example, has been faulted for pro-Hamas bias and for violating its own editorial standards over 1,500 times. (The BBC claimed that the study reaching these conclusions was itself biased.)

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days, available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency, now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse Sidewalk Shed Finally Set for Removal After Close to Two Decades

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02/20/2025

Courthouse New York — Supreme Court is shown, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse Sidewalk Shed Finally Set for Removal After Close to Two Decades

Edited by: TJVNews.com

After nearly two decades of frustration and delays, the sidewalk shed surrounding the Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse on Adams Street is finally set to be dismantled this fall, according to city officials. VIN News reported on Wednesday that the removal of the structure, which was first erected in 2007 due to safety concerns about the courthouse’s deteriorating facade, comes after years of mounting costs and bureaucratic stagnation.

According to the report at VIN News, the sidewalk shed was initially put up as a temporary measure to protect pedestrians from falling debris while structural repairs were planned. However, what was supposed to be a short-term solution stretched into an 18-year-long fixture, frustrating residents, local businesses, and city officials alike. The delays resulted in a staggering taxpayer cost of over $1 million, as repairs to the courthouse’s exterior were continuously postponed.

Now, as part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “Get Sheds Down” initiative, the city is finally taking steps to dismantle the structure in phases as the courthouse restoration progresses. The long-overdue decision marks a significant step in addressing the city’s problem with excessive and often neglected scaffolding structures that linger well beyond their intended use.

The initiative to remove the Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse shed aligns with Mayor Eric Adams’ broader push to reduce the number of outdated and obstructive sidewalk sheds citywide, as reported by VIN News. The mayor’s “Get Sheds Down” campaign aims to reform the city’s approach to scaffolding regulations and accelerate the removal of sheds that no longer serve their original purpose.

New York City currently has thousands of sidewalk sheds, many of which have remained in place for years or even decades due to delayed building repairs, bureaucratic red tape, and lax enforcement of removal timelines. The VIN News report highlighted that these structures, while initially intended to protect pedestrians, often become long-term urban blights that obstruct sidewalks, block natural light, and negatively impact local businesses.

Brooklyn Council Member Lincoln Restler, who represents the Adams Street area, has been vocal in his criticism of the 18-year delay in removing the courthouse shed. VIN News reported that Restler called the situation “unacceptable” and is now advocating for policy changes to ensure that no other scaffolding project lingers as long as this one.

Restler’s push for reform calls attention to a broader issue in New York City, where lax oversight and inefficient bureaucracy have allowed sidewalk sheds to become near-permanent fixtures in many neighborhoods. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, some scaffolding structures have been in place for decades, trapping residents and businesses in a cycle of delayed maintenance and continued expense.

For residents and businesses near the Brooklyn Supreme Courthouse, the removal of the sidewalk shed represents a long-awaited return to normalcy. The report at VIN News noted that local store owners have long complained about the structure, which has obstructed foot traffic, reduced visibility, and created a sense of neglect in the area.

Now that the city has committed to dismantling the shed, community members are hopeful that this case will serve as a catalyst for broader changes in how New York City manages scaffolding projects. As the VIN News report emphasized, this situation is a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of neglected infrastructure and the urgent need for accountability in public works projects.

Bodies of Shiri Bibas, her children, and Oded Lifshitz returned to Israel

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02/20/2025

By World Israel News Staff

The Hamas terror organization handed over the remains of four slain Israeli civilians held hostage since October 7th, 2023, to the International Red Cross Thursday morning, as part of the ongoing hostage deal and Gaza ceasefire.

The captives include 85-year-old Oded Lifshitz, 33-year-old Shiri Bibas, and her two sons – the youngest Israelis taken hostage by Gazan terrorists on October 7th – Ariel and Kfir.

The two boys would have been five and two years old respectively.

After an event held by Hamas in the Bani Suheila neighborhood of the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis Thursday morning, during which four coffins were presented on stage, the remains of the four Israeli captives were transferred to the International Red Cross at 9:50 a.m.

The transfer took place in front of a large crowd that was cheering when Hamas arrived carrying four black coffins in four separate cars.

“As the bodies of four Israeli hostages are transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross, hundreds of ‘innocent Gazans’ dance to music, and happily film this tragic event,” Israel’s Government Press Office wrote on X. “Speechless doesn’t begin to describe how this makes us feel.”

Elderly hostage slated for release reported dead, signs of life from twin captives

Half an hour later, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that the coffins carrying the four slain hostages had been handed over to an IDF force.

“Israel has received, through the Red Cross, the coffins of four fallen hostages,” the PMO said.

“The coffins were handed over to the IDF and Shin Bet forces, within the Gaza Strip area, from where they will be transferred to Israel to the National Forensic Medicine Institute of the Ministry of Health. After the identification process is completed, an official notice will be delivered to the families.”

“The families of the hostages have been updated, and in this difficult time, our hearts are with them.”

Lifshitz, a former journalist, was abducted, along with his wife Yocheved, from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th, 2023, before their home was torched by Hamas terrorists.

The couple have been described as peace activists who volunteered to drive Gazans from the border into Israel for medical treatment.

Shiri Bibas and her children, Ariel and Kfir, were also residents of Nir Oz.

Video taken at around 10:00 a.m. on October 7th shows the three being taken hostage by a group of terrorists aligned with the Katayeb al-Mujahideen group.

Hamas to release six living hostages on Saturday

“Agony. Pain. There are no words,” President Isaac Herzog said Thursday morning following the transfer of the hostages’ remains.

“Our hearts — the hearts of an entire nation — lie in tatters.”

“On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day. Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely. May their memory be a blessing.”

Historic Visit: Syrian Jews from US Return to Damascus for the First Time Since Assad’s Fall

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02/20/2025

FOR SYRIAN JEWS STORY - PIC 1 — Syrian Jews from the US visit the Kever of Rav Chaim Vital, the renowned 16th-century Mekubal and disciple of the Arizal. The significance of this visit cannot be overstated, as no such pilgrimage has occurred since the rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa to power in Syria, making it a pivotal moment in the history of the exiled Syrian Jewish community.

Historic Visit: Syrian Jews from US Return to Damascus for the First Time Since Assad’s Fall

Edited by: Fern Sidman

For the first time since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a group of Syrian Jews from the United States has made a landmark visit to Damascus, according to a report on Wednesday at Yeshiva World News. This unprecedented journey saw the delegation paying homage to the historic Jewish cemetery in the city’s Jewish Quarter and visiting the Kever of Rav Chaim Vital, the renowned 16th-century Mekubal and disciple of the Arizal. The significance of this visit cannot be overstated, as no such pilgrimage has occurred since the rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa to power in Syria, making it a pivotal moment in the history of the exiled Syrian Jewish community.

Yeshiva World News reported that the delegation’s visit serves as a major milestone for Syrian Jewry, who once flourished in Damascus but were driven out due to persecution and political instability in the late 20th century. The delegation carefully documented their journey, capturing images and videos of the ancient Jewish sites that have remained preserved despite the country’s prolonged civil conflict. Their accounts, highlighted by YWN, highlight the resilience of Jewish heritage in a land where Jewish life has long since vanished.

According to the information provided in the Yeshiva World News report, the visit is especially notable given the rarity of Jewish travel to Syria. Damascus, once home to a vibrant Jewish community, has largely been devoid of Jewish presence for decades. Most of its Jewish residents fled to the United States, Israel, and other countries following waves of discrimination, government restrictions, and security threats. The delegation’s ability to enter the country and visit sites of Jewish significance reflects a changing dynamic in Syria, though it remains unclear whether this signals a broader shift in attitudes toward Jewish heritage in the region.

The report at YWN emphasized that the Jewish cemetery in Damascus remains a crucial link to the city’s rich Jewish past. The site, where many members of the once-thriving community were laid to rest, has withstood years of conflict and remains relatively intact. The delegation also visited the grave of Rav Chaim Vital, one of the most revered figures in Kabbalistic tradition, whose teachings and writings continue to influence Jewish thought today. The ability of the group to access and document these sites highlights both the historical depth of Jewish life in Syria and the ongoing efforts to preserve this legacy.

As reported by Yeshiva World News, the visit took place against the backdrop of a Syria still grappling with political and economic instability. While the Jewish sites have remained largely untouched, the broader situation in the country remains fragile. The YWN report noted that Ahmad al-Sharaa’s rise to power has not led to any clear policy shifts regarding Jewish heritage sites, making this visit all the more remarkable. The visit raises questions about whether Jewish travelers may, in the future, be able to return more freely to the land their ancestors called home for centuries.

Despite the rarity of such a visit, the Yeshiva World News report indicated that it represents an important step in reconnecting the Syrian Jewish diaspora with its historical roots. The delegation’s journey to Damascus serves as a powerful reminder of the endurance of Jewish heritage, even in places where Jewish life has been largely extinguished. Their documentation and observations provide a crucial glimpse into a past that, while distant, remains deeply significant to Syrian Jews around the world.

The Alexander Family Quietly Sells Miami Beach Properties Amid Criminal and Civil Legal Troubles

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02/20/2025

The Alexander Family Quietly Sells Miami Beach Properties Amid Criminal and Civil Legal Troubles

Edited by: TJVNews.com

As legal troubles continue to mount for the Alexander family, several of their high-profile Miami Beach properties are being quietly offered for sale. Facing both federal criminal charges and escalating civil litigation, the family is seeking potential buyers for multimillion-dollar real estate assets while maintaining an unusually discreet approach. According to a report on Wednesday at The Real Deal, the Alexanders are looking to offload properties valued at more than $50 million, signaling a possible effort to liquidate assets as legal battles intensify.

One of the most notable listings is Oren Alexander’s nearly 10,000-square-foot waterfront mansion at 2135 Lake Avenue on the Sunset Islands, a luxury property completed just last year. The two-story residence, featuring a pool and private dock, was home to Oren and his wife, Kamila Hansen Alexander, until his high-profile arrest. As reported by The Real Deal, the family is aiming for a price north of $50 million for the home, which sits on a half-acre lot Oren originally purchased for $10 million in 2020 before demolishing the existing structure.

However, the family’s real estate dealings are unfolding under intense legal scrutiny. Oren, along with his brothers Tal and Alon, remains in federal custody at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting trial on serious federal sex trafficking charges. All three brothers have pleaded not guilty, but their trial, set for January 2026, looms large over the family’s business dealings. Given the legal cloud hanging over them, the quiet attempt to market these properties without a formal listing suggests an effort to avoid undue attention, The Real Deal report noted.

Rather than working through traditional brokerages, the Alexander family has chosen an off-market approach, leveraging informal networks to find potential buyers. According to the information provided in The Real Deal report, Shlomy Alexander, the family patriarch and a luxury spec home developer who runs The Alexander Group, has personally shown Oren’s Miami Beach home to select interested parties. Notably, no brokers are officially involved, but some agents previously affiliated with Official Partners, the high-end brokerage co-founded by Oren and Tal, have been informally presenting the property to prospective buyers.

This covert approach stands in stark contrast to the Alexanders’ past real estate dealings, which were typically high-profile and marketed through their own luxury brokerage network. Yet, as The Real Deal report highlighted, the family may be trying to avoid unwanted publicity given the serious allegations against the brothers and the civil lawsuits that surfaced last summer. In fact, a source indicated that the family was already considering a sale of Oren’s home before these lawsuits became widely known.

The listing gained wider attention when The Wall Street Journal first reported that federal authorities had arrested Oren at the residence in December. That revelation, combined with the continued fallout from the legal case, has only added to the urgency surrounding the family’s efforts to offload their properties.

Beyond Oren’s Sunset Islands mansion, the Alexanders are also shopping two other prime waterfront properties, further underscoring the scale of their real estate portfolio liquidation. According to The Real Deal report, these include Tal Alexander’s vacant waterfront lot at 2687 Flamingo Drive. Purchased for $3.1 million in 2020, the half-acre lot was cleared for new construction. The Real Deal reported that listing estimates value the property between $6.5 million and $12.6 million, with the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser valuing it at $7.4 million.

It also includes the Sunset Islands waterfront home at 1611 West 24th Street. Records reviewed by The Real Deal show that a company managed by Oren acquired the 4,300-square-foot home for $9.8 million in 2021. The property, which is located just one island away from Oren’s Lake Avenue residence, was also tied to an $8.5 million mortgage recorded in March 2023. Ownership records reveal that Oren, Tal, Alon, Shlomy, and their uncle, Gil Neuman, are all members of the LLC that controls the property.

The decision to quietly list multiple properties suggests that the family may be preparing for significant legal expenses as the federal case moves forward. Additionally, the civil litigation, which has already drawn considerable media attention, could further complicate the family’s financial situation.

At the center of the Alexanders’ financial woes is a legal battle with Side, Inc., the white-label real estate firm that helped launch Official Partners, the boutique brokerage co-founded by Oren and Tal in 2022. According to the report at The Real Deal, Side provided a $5 million loan to help establish Official but later sued the Alexanders in October, alleging they had failed to make payments as agreed.

Compounding the gravity of the situation, the brothers personally guaranteed the loan, pledging a broad range of assets—including bank accounts, cash reserves, intellectual property, and investment properties—as collateral. With their financial resources now entangled in legal disputes, the Alexanders face an intensifying battle to retain control over their assets.

In a decisive legal blow, a California judge granted Side a preliminary injunction in December, barring the brothers from selling, leasing, transferring, or otherwise disposing of any assets classified as collateral in the lawsuit. The Real Deal obtained court documents detailing the ruling, which effectively ties up significant portions of the Alexanders’ wealth while the litigation plays out.

Facing mounting pressure, the Alexanders have attempted to push back against Side’s claims. Attorneys for the family filed a request in Florida courts seeking to remove the legal notices attached to the 1611 West 24th Street property and Oren’s home on the neighboring island, arguing that the restrictions should not apply to these assets.

According to documents obtained by The Real Deal, the filings—certified by Shlomy Alexander, the family patriarch—assign a combined valuation of approximately $35 million to the two properties based on Miami-Dade property appraiser assessments. However, industry experts note that county appraisals typically fall below actual market values, suggesting the real worth of these homes could be substantially higher.

With these properties already being marketed off-market, the question remains whether the family can successfully remove these legal encumbrances before securing a sale. The Real Deal report pointed out that any such transaction would likely face intense scrutiny given the ongoing lawsuits and injunctions restricting the Alexanders’ ability to sell or transfer assets.

As their legal troubles deepen, the Alexanders have also seen key members of their legal team withdraw from representation. Earlier this month, two attorneys representing Oren and Tal in the Side lawsuit formally withdrew, citing non-payment of legal fees. The Real Deal report noted that this development could further complicate the brothers’ legal strategy, particularly as they are now navigating lawsuits on multiple fronts.

While the Alexanders filed an appeal in January, their ability to sustain costly legal battles remains uncertain. With restrictions on their assets and the departure of legal counsel, they may soon find themselves in a precarious position where they lack both liquidity and professional representation.

Beyond financial and real estate disputes, the Alexanders are simultaneously facing a torrent of civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and rape—claims that have gained increasing media attention since The Real Deal first reported them. The allegations span two decades and multiple locations, including South Florida, New York, and other cities, with multiple accusers describing a pattern of coordinated abuse.

According to The Real Deal report, the first wave of lawsuits primarily focused on accusations against Oren and Alon, but additional accounts have surfaced in recent weeks, revealing even more graphic details. A new bundle of 11 lawsuits was filed this week, adding to the legal onslaught.

Federal prosecutors have indicated that their investigation continues to expand, revealing that they have interviewed approximately 60 women who claim they were assaulted by one or more of the Alexander brothers. The scope of these allegations suggests that the legal battle facing the family will likely extend well beyond the upcoming criminal trial in 2026.

For years, the Alexander brothers positioned themselves as elite real estate brokers, managing some of the most high-profile deals in Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. However, as The Real Deal has extensively documented, their rapid rise has now been eclipsed by a spiraling legal and financial downfall.

With their assets frozen by court orders, legal fees piling up, and accusations of rape and abuse multiplying, the brothers are now facing an existential crisis. Official Partners, once a promising luxury brokerage, has been crippled by financial disputes, while their personal fortunes—once buoyed by lucrative property deals—are now embroiled in litigation.

As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Alexanders can salvage any part of their once-dominant real estate empire, or if their legal troubles will completely dismantle their business and personal assets. With civil lawsuits escalating and their financial avenues rapidly shrinking, the outlook for the Alexander brothers appears increasingly grim.

Nation mourns Bibas family, Oded Lifshitz as bodies transferred to Israel

By

TJV news

-

02/20/2025

F250219CG110-1320x880 — Pictures of Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel who are held hostage in Hamas captivity hang outside the protest tent calling for the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, Feb. 19, 2025. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

(Israel Hayom) Israel redeemed on Thursday the bodies of four slain hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza: the three members of the Bibas family—mother Shiri, infant son Kfir and his older brother Ariel, and octogenarian Oded Lifshitz.

The Red Cross handed four coffins to Israel Defense Forces troops and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) agents in the Gaza Strip, after the Geneva-based agency received the caskets from the Hamas terrorist group following a propaganda ceremony.

IDF sappers inspected the caskets, which were locked without keys, to ensure they were not booby-trapped. The IDF also verified whether any personal belongings of the hostages were returned with the bodies.

A brief military ceremony was held and presided over by the chief rabbi of the IDF before the bodies were taken to Israel for identification.

Israel has released the names of the four bodies being released by Hamas tomorrow:

– Shiri Bibas
– Kfir Bibas
– Ariel Bibas
– Oded Lifshitz

May their memories be a blessing to the families they have left behind – our hearts are broken for them. pic.twitter.com/kiJDEghv7C

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) February 19, 2025

Israelis waving national flags and yellow flags in solidarity with the hostages lined the route of the convoy carrying the bodies to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for identification.

There are now 69 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity in Gaza, of whom 36 are believed to be dead.

Although the Israeli government has made the names public, official confirmation of the four hostages’ identity will depend on forensic analysis of the remains. On Wednesday, it emerged that the names were not to have been revealed prior to that confirmation, but were due to a miscommunication between the Israeli military and the government.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors about the return of the slain captives and not to contact the families regarding the matter.

“The Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, Brigadier General (ret.) Gal Hirsch, has updated the families of the hostages through IDF representatives,” according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Thursday.

“In this difficult hour, our hearts are with the grieving families. We will continue to provide reliable information as required and request to avoid spreading rumors and unofficial information,” the statement continued.

‘Do not eulogize until there is confirmation‘

The Bibas family has issued a statement urging patience.

“If there is to be bitter news, we need to receive it through the proper channels after all identification procedures are completed. We ask not to eulogize our loved ones until there is confirmation after final identification,” it said.

Pictures of Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel who are held hostage in Hamas captivity hang outside the protest tent calling for the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, Feb. 19, 2025. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

The Lifshitz family released a similar statement, noting that they had hoped things would turn out differently.

“These hours are not simple for us, after being informed that our beloved Oded is on the list of deceased hostages to be returned to Israel on Thursday, after being taken alive from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz [on Oct. 7, 2023]. For 502 days we hoped and prayed for a different ending, but until we receive absolute certainty our journey will not end, and even afterward we will continue to fight until the return of the last hostage. We ask the media and the public not to contact us regarding this matter at present and to respect our privacy.”

Early morning: Handover process to begin

The initial stage of the handover involved the Red Cross receiving the fallen from Hamas at a predetermined location in Khan Yunis before transferring them to the IDF. Following the transfer, a military memorial ceremony took place inside Gaza, featuring the Israeli flag, a salute ceremony and a rabbi reciting from the Book of Psalms.

Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, who heads Mental Health Services at the Israeli Ministry of Health, has advised against extended viewing of broadcasts covering the return: “We anticipate an extremely complex day as we receive the fallen hostages, and strongly recommend that the public limit their media exposure and minimize their viewing of Hamas psychological warfare tactics.”

Al-Qassam Brigades terrorists stand guard while Palestinians wait for the handover of the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip, Feb. 20, 2025. Photo by Saeed Mohammed/Flash90.

Identification process

Following their return to Israel, the coffins were transported under police escort directly to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for identification. There, experts were set to conduct tests to determine the cause and time of death.

The institute will employ standard identification methods including imaging scans, DNA sample extraction and laboratory analysis, and comparison with existing medical records such as dental X-rays. Reference samples have already been prepared, including DNA profiles provided by the Israel Police.

According to the IDF, the identification process may take up to 48 hours, depending on the condition of the remains.

An ambulance is parked at the entrance to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on Feb. 20, 2025. Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images.

The families will be integral to the entire process. At their own request, they will remain at home rather than at a designated location, accompanied by IDF representatives. They will observe the military ceremony in real time, with documentation to be distributed afterward. The IDF will inform the families of the identification results before any public announcement is made.

Professor Chen Kugel, who directs the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, elaborated: “We will exhaust every possibility to determine the circumstances of death. This isn’t always achievable, particularly with fallen who arrive after an extended period. Our commitment is to do everything possible to provide answers to the families about what happened to their loved ones.”

The confidential clause

Political officials have clarified that this release represents an unpublicized portion of the phase one ceasefire agreement, whereby eight hostages who died in captivity are to be returned in two stages. In exchange, Israel will free women and minors detained in Gaza after Oct. 7, 2023.

Simultaneously, mediating parties are preparing for discussions about the deal’s second phase. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated on Tuesday that negotiations for the second phase haven’t officially commenced, though he confirmed that delegations from both Israel and Hamas are present in Doha.

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Pinker’s study dismisses the argument that the reason “Israel” appears more is because the Jewish State has “more independence than the Palestinians and thus will have more freedom of action.”

If this were to be the case, he argued, there would be less of an imbalance in the ratio of mentions of Hezbollah and Iran. However, the data indicated the imbalance was the same.

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Nation mourns Bibas family, Oded Lifshitz as bodies transferred to Israel

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