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→Notes part II: Dec 26, 2025+
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Omar’s Double Standards.
Ilhan condemns Somaliland independence - while pushing for a Palestinian state that rewards terror.
December 30, 2025. By Joseph Klein.
[https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm-plus/omars-double-standards/ FPM]
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'Qatar Charity' Water Projects In Al-Shabaab's Somalia | MEMRI.
December 30, 2025.
Special Dispatch.
No. 12316
'Qatar Charity' Operates 73 'Strategic' Water Projects In Regions Of Somalia Controlled By Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabaab.
December 30, 2025
Qatar Charity, a Qatari government entity that bills itself as " the largest humanitarian and development NGO in the Global South"
and has been linked to U.S. Treasury-designated terrorist fundraising networks, [2] is currently operating water projects that include drilling 73 surface wells in four regions in Somalia. According to the Facebook page "Somalia now – the truth first" (الصومال_ الآن – الحقيقة أولاً), 28 of these "strategic" wells are in the country's Hiran region, 20 are in the Bakool region, 15 are in the Bay region, and 10 are in the Gedo region.
About Qatar Charity.
Qatar Charity was one of the entities designated in June 2017 as terrorist by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE; these entities had, according to the designation, "specifically financed, aided, and/or provided material support to Al-Qaeda and its associated organizations and networks." The aim was "to address the long-term and continuing threat of terrorist financing emanating from Qatar."
A U.S. lawsuit filed in June 2020 stated that Qatar Charity was one of three Qatari financial institutions with links to members of the Qatari royal family that provided funding to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas.
The organization has not been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., U.N., or E.U.
The Somalia Drought Emergency
According to the UN, Somalia has recently declared a drought emergency, and is appealing for urgent international assistance as conditions continue to deteriorate across the northern, central and southern regions.
Although all parts of Somalia are affected by the drought, the wells drilled by Qatar Charity are concentrated primarily in regions that are either controlled by Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia, or in areas where the organization is attempting to take control.
[https://www.memri.org/reports/qatar-charity-operates-73-strategic-water-projects-regions-somalia-controlled-al-qaeda MEMRI]
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The Masks Are Off.
The Masks Are Off.
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Watch: Iran protesters torch Qassem Soleimani statue.
Protesters in Iran burn a Qassem Soleimani statue, one day before the anniversary of his death, as nationwide unrest escalates.
Elad Benari.
Jan 2, 2026, 1:16 AM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420278 INN]
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Iranian man to Netanyahu: Iranians stood by you for 2 years, will you stand by us now?
Iranian man to Netanyahu: Iranians stood by you for 2 years, will you stand by us now?
An Iranian man published a video asking PM Netanyahu to support the Iranian people protesting against the regime.
Israel National News.
Jan 1, 2026, 10:20 PM (GMT+2)
An Iranian man published a video message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking for the Israeli leader's support as Iranians take to the streets to protest against the Ayatollah's regime.
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420273 INN]
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The downplaying of momentous events in Iran.
The terrible fact is that conscience in the West has become harnessed to absolute evil. There have been no demonstrations in Western streets chanting “Free, free Iran!” or “Death, death to the IRGC!” Opinion.
Melanie Phillips.
Jan 2, 2026, 6:58 AM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420288 INN]
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Combat Antisemitism Movement @CombatASemitism:
On day one as Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani revoked the IHRA definition of antisemitism and overturned the city’s anti-BDS executive order.
In doing so, he erased years of actions taken under Mayor Eric Adams to protect the Jewish community.
These decisions endanger New York City’s Jewish population, the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G9pb4faWEAA2lz-?format=jpg&name=900x900]
Jan 2, 2026
[https://x.com/CombatASemitism/status/2007017656210043204.on X]
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Once an antisemite, always an antisemite
Mamdani Attacks New York's Jews on His Very First Day in Office.
Why yes, Zohran is wasting no time making life unbearable for New York Jews, even doing a full-on Nazi salute. What can we even say? You asked for this and now you got it. And if you didn't vote him, open your eyes and get out, now.
Jfeed Staff.
Jan 2, 2026 03:41
Zohran Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, began his term on January 1 with a series of executive actions that have ignited fierce controversy, particularly among Jewish leaders and pro-Israel groups. He signed an order revoking all executive actions issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, after Adams' September 2024 federal indictment.
This broad stroke nullified several policies related to Israel, protests, and antisemitism, prompting accusations from critics that Mamdani's moves amount to "active antisemitism" and endanger the city's large Jewish population.
Key Actions on Day One and the Backlash
Mamdani's inaugural day was marked by a midnight swearing-in ceremony in the historic Old City Hall subway station, followed by a public event at City Hall where he was sworn in by Senator Bernie Sanders using a Quran, a first for any New York mayor.
In his speech, he emphasized inclusivity, pledging to build a city that "protects, celebrates, and cherishes" its diverse communities, including Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers.
However, his first major policy decision, the blanket revocation, directly impacted measures seen as safeguards for Jewish residents.
Revoking the Anti-BDS Order: Adams had barred city agencies from engaging in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) activities against Israel. Mamdani's action lifted this, aligning with his longstanding support for BDS, which he has called "consistent with the core of my politics."
Critics, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Zionist organizations, argue this enables economic targeting of Israel and signals tolerance for antisemitism. Mamdani has defended BDS as a nonviolent tool for Palestinian rights, not hatred of Jews, but anyone with two eyes and half a brain knows excatly what he thinks about Jews and about Israel.
Ending Protest Restrictions Near Synagogues: An Adams-era directive instructed the NYPD to evaluate and potentially restrict protests outside houses of worship, such as buffer zones during services, following incidents like a 2025 demonstration near a synagogue.
By revoking this, Mamdani has drawn ire from those who say it allows harassment of Jewish congregants. Supporters, including civil liberties groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union, praise it as protecting free speech.
Scrapping the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: Adams adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which includes certain criticisms of Israel as potentially antisemitic. Mamdani eliminated it, citing free speech concerns and echoing his past statements that "anti-Zionism is not antisemitism."
Jewish advocacy groups like the ADL have
These moves have fueled claims that Mamdani is "actively antisemitic," with social media posts and commentators labeling them as "declaring open season on Jews" or predicting increased violence. For instance, the group StopAntisemitism highlighted the changes as removing protections for NYC's Jewish community, the largest outside Israel.
Mamdani's critics point to his past rhetoric, including calling Israel an "apartheid state" and supporting phrases like "globalize the intifada," which some interpret as calls for violence against Jews.He has consistently rejected these accusations, emphasizing his commitment to fighting all forms of hate and distinguishing criticism of Israeli policies from antisemitism.
Notably, Mamdani retained the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, created under Adams, and has met with Jewish leaders during his transition. Some anti-Zionist Jewish groups, like the Satmar Hasidim, have supported him, viewing his stance as promoting equity.
What Lies Ahead for New York's Jewish Community?
With NYC home to over 1.3 million Jews, Mamdani's term raises questions about safety and inclusion amid rising antisemitic incidents nationwide. Optimists point to his pledges for dialogue and protection, noting his administration's focus on housing affordability, free public transit, and social justice, policies that could benefit all residents, including Jewish New Yorkers.
Progressive voices, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hail it as a "new era" for equity.
Pessimists, however, foresee challenges:
Increased Protests and Tensions: Without prior restrictions, pro-Palestinian demonstrations near synagogues could escalate, as seen in past incidents.
Economic and Policy Shifts: Plans to divest from Israel-linked companies could strain ties with Jewish and Israeli-American businesses.
Federal and Legal Battles: Under President Trump, threats of funding cuts loom, potentially exacerbating city divisions.
Community Polarization: While some Jewish groups engage with Mamdani, others plan advocacy to codify protections like IHRA into law.
Experts like AJC's Josh Kramer stress the need for monitoring, urging Mamdani to unequivocally combat hate.
As one analyst noted, "This isn't about one day; it's about sustaining trust over four years."
Trust? NY's Jews will be lucky to survive the next four years unscathed. It's time to consider leaving NYC, seriously. For anyone still wondering, just look at hime doing Hitler's salute. NY's loss is Florida's gain.
[https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/zohran-mamdani-nyc-mayor-jewish-community JFeed]
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Conf. of Presidents CEO: 'Mamdani cancelling Adams' antisemitism orders troubling sign'.
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish organizations CEO William Daroff condemns Zohran Mamdani for cancelling the order recognizing the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Israel National News.
Jan 2, 2026, 9:26 AM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420294 INN]
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Diaspora Minister: 'New York mayor an overt anitsemite & terror supporter'.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli responds to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's cancellation of executive orders that combatted antisemitism.
Israel National News.
Published: Jan 2, 2026, 1:23 PM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420301 INN]
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Akunis: Mamdani’s moves endanger New York City Jews.
Israel’s Consul in New York warns that Mayor Mamdani’s cancellation of IHRA recognition and anti‑boycott rules endangers Jewish communities, after the Mayor revoked Israel‑related orders issued by Eric Adams.
Elad Benari, Canada.
Published: Jan 2, 2026, 9:14 PM
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420312 INN]
Mamdani's choice to cancel IHRA antisemitism definition must alarm New York Jews - comment..
Jews should start watching the exits when institutions start treating their safety as optional. And especially after the biggest Jewish city outside of Israel made protecting Jews a political matter.
By Zvika Klein.
January 2, 2026.
New York's new mayor took office on Thursday and immediately decided that defining antisemitism was too politically costly. Zohran Mamdani took power and, within hours, canceled the city's use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. He also got rid of rules that stopped city agencies from boycotting Israel.
He called it a "new beginning." A new beginning. When the biggest Jewish city outside of Israel says it can't agree on what Jew-hatred looks like anymore, that's what we're calling.
[https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-882131 JPost]
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Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol:
Here’s a list of all the news networks who have not covered Zohran Mamdani’s salute:
- NYTimes
- CNN
- Washington Post
- MSNBC
- NPR
- USA Today
- Reuters
- Axios
- ABC News
Every single one of them wrote stories on Elon Musk’s “salute”…
…do you get it yet?
7:23 PM · Jan 1, 2026
[https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2006884069183991957 X]
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Zohran Mamdani's Wife Sparks Outrage.
Mamdani's wife wore $630 boots to his swearing in ceremony, and absolutely no one is impressed with her tone deaf choice of clothing.
Jfeed Staff.
Jan 2, 2026 03:29
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor on January 1, 2026, shortly after midnight. The ceremony highlighted his "everyman" persona and commitment to policies aimed at equity, such as taxing the rich more heavily and implementing rent freezes.
However, attention quickly shifted to his wife, Rama Duwaji, a 28-year-old artist, animator, and illustrator known for her outspoken criticism of US imperialism. During the event, she appeared to wear $630 Miista "Shelley Boots", luxury lace-up boots made from vegetable-tanned cow leather, featuring a memory foam insole and a 6 cm heel,along with a black coat, skirt, and gleaming earrings.
This wasn't the first instance of her sporting high-end fashion; during his November 2025 victory speech, Duwaji wore a denim top by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi and earrings from upscale NYC jeweler Eddie Borgo, whose pieces can retail for over $46,000.
The New York Post article framing this as a controversy sparked backlash on social media, with critics accusing the couple of hypocrisy. Comments included calling Mamdani's agenda a "scam" for pushing rent policies that could harm housing while his wife flaunts expensive items, labeling it "performative socialism," and sarcastically noting that seizing the means of production might make such luxuries accessible to all.
[https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/zohran-mamdani-wife-luxury-fashion JFeed]
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Trump Threatens Iran: "We are Locked and Loaded".
Trump’s statement came as protests inside Iran entered a sixth consecutive day, with mounting lethal force used against demonstrators. The language marked one of his most explicit public warnings to Tehran since unrest escalated earlier this week.
Judah Pe'er.
Jan 2, 2026 03:47
US President Donald Trump warned Iran overnight that the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iranian authorities continue killing protesters, issuing the threat in a post published early Friday morning.
[https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/t88b2l JFeed]
'We are locked and loaded': Trump threatens to attack Iran regime if protesters harmed.
'The United States of America will come to their rescue,' President Donald Trump announced about the protestors on Truth Social.
By Jerusalem Post Staff
January 2, 2026.
US President Donald Trump declared that the United States was "locked and loaded and ready to go" if Iran killed any more protestors, in a post on Truth Social early Friday morning.
[https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-882108 JPost]
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The journalistic mistake that softens Hamas and humanizes the wolf - opinion
Targeted language promotes certain feelings and thoughts. When Hamas is referred to as a militant Palestinian group, it almost evokes sympathy against the backdrop of the war ruins in Gaza.
By Afshin Ellian
January 2, 2026.
Language use reveals intention. Journalists learn to use words carefully. When Hamas is referred to as a militant Palestinian group, the audience does not immediately think of a terrorist organization. We are talking about a Palestinian group that is militant in conveying its ideas.
A militant does not have to be a terrorist. A resilient democracy (a democracy that defends itself) is often referred to as a militant democracy. This does not mean that democrats are going to resort to terrorist methods.
Targeted language promotes certain feelings and thoughts. When Hamas is referred to as a militant Palestinian group, it almost evokes sympathy against the backdrop of the war ruins in Gaza. The truth of the Gaza war disappears.
But if the Dutch national news medium - an important part of Dutch Public Broadcasting (funded by government money) - NOS Journal were to refer to Hamas as a terrorist organization every evening for two years, Hamas's Ministry of Health would also be seen as part of a terrorist organization. Then the audience would not accept the reports from this Hamas ministry as truth.
Moreover, they would wonder why the Gazans are not rebelling against a terrorist organization. The Gazans no longer need to fear that: the Israeli army is already in Gaza, and Hamas has been considerably weakened. This does not mean that the audience will no longer empathize with civilian victims. However, if the media uses the right words, the audience will take the complexity of the conflict into account. Ultimately, the audience will be less susceptible to anti-Semitic propaganda.
[https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-882116 JPost]
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Father sings for fallen son: 'You were never torn from my heart'.
Israel National News.
Jan 2, 2026, 3:05 PM
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420306 INN]
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FBI foils New Year’s Eve ISIS‑inspired attack in North Carolina.
Israel National News.
Jan 2, 2026, 8:11 PM
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420310 INN]
FBI disrupts alleged ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack plot targeting NC grocery store, fast food restaurant.
Christian Sturdivant is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization
Greg Norman By Greg Norman Fox News
Published January 2, 2026.
[https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbi-disrupts-alleged-isis-inspired-new-years-eve-attack-plot-targeting-nc-grocery-store FoxNews]
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Hezbollah threat.
Report: Israel weighs Lebanon operation.
Israel is weighing a Lebanon operation as Hezbollah rebuilds under the ceasefire. Netanyahu discussed expanded strikes with Trump, while US officials urge waiting to allow further talks with Beirut.
Elad Benari, Canada.
Jan 2, 2026, 9:52 PM
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420313 INN]
Israel strikes Hezbollah sites in Southern Lebanon.
A Radwan Force terror training compound was among the targets.
JNS Staff. (Jan. 2, 2026 / JNS)
[https://www.jns.org/israel-strikes-hezbollah-sites-in-southern-lebanon/ JNS]
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Antisemitic map marks Jewish-owned schools and businesses in Barcelona
The map identified 152 schools, companies, nonprofits and businesses allegedly linked to Jews or Israel using a public, interactive mapping platform; following widespread criticism, the map was taken offline
ynet | published:13:07
[https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/r1tovysv11x YNet]
Spanish Jews warn map of local Jewish and ‘Zionist’ businesses will lead to violence.
The project lists more than 150 Jewish and Israeli businesses, schools and organizations in Catalonia, with the goal of ‘understanding how Zionism operates’
By Zev Stub.
January 2, 2026, 10:34 am
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/spanish-jews-fear-that-map-of-local-zionist-businesses-will-lead-to-violence/ TOI]
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IDF: Militant who crossed yellow line in Gaza Strip eliminated.
IDF soldiers eliminated a militant who crossed the yellow line in the Gaza Strip "and approached the forces in a way that posed an immediate threat," according to the IDF spokesperson. "IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat," the statement said.
Yoav Zitun|01.02.26.
[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ldslmkr1k YNet]
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Rabbi lightly wounded in Jaffa attack
The victim said the assailant shouted “Allahu Akbar.”
JNS Staff.
(Jan. 2, 2026 / JNS)
A rabbi was lightly wounded in an assault on a Jaffa street on Thursday.
Police are investigating the attack as a possible nationalist or antisemitic incident, with the circumstances still under review, as the search for the suspect continues on Friday.
Rabbi Netanel Avitan, a rabbi at Jaffa’s Shirat Moshe Hesder Yeshivah and Israel Defense Forces reservist who was reportedly recently wounded in Gaza, was attacked while walking on Yefet Street shortly before 7 p.m., when an Arab allegedly punched him in the face, knocked him to the ground and broke his glasses before escaping.
[https://www.jns.org/rabbi-lightly-wounded-in-jaffa-attack/ JNS]
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‘Ready for imminent war’: IDF displays captured terrorist weaponry.
“Hamas chose to smuggle weapons to carry out a massacre of civilians instead of helping its population,” lieutenant colonel tells JNS.
Amelie Botbol.
Jan. 2, 2026
“The anti-tank rocket launchers and rockets we found belonging to Hezbollah are the most technologically advanced weapons you see here today,” Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, deputy commander of the Israel Defense Forces Asset Confiscation Unit, told JNS at an exhibition at the army’s Tzrifin Camp in central Israel.
Sharon-Kettler’s unit has been operating since 1973. He was called up for duty on Oct. 7, 2023, and since then, the unit has been actively extracting weapons and equipment from all areas in which the IDF is operating.
[https://www.jns.org/idf-displays-captured-terrorist-weaponry/ JNS]
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Mamdani deletes social-media posts about Israel, Jew-hatred from mayoral account
“The decision to erase official statements affirming the safety and protection of Jews is not merely tone-deaf; it is shameful,” stated Mark Goldfeder, of the National Jewish Advocacy Center.
(Jan. 2, 2026 / JNS)
Mark Goldfeder, director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, wrote to Zohran Mamdani on the latter’s inauguration day as mayor of New York City, informing him that he was violating city records law by deleting posts from his predecessor about Israel and about Jew-hatred.
“At a moment of unprecedented antisemitic intimidation, violence and exclusion in the city, the decision to erase official statements affirming the safety and protection of Jews is not merely tone-deaf; it is shameful,” Goldfeder wrote on Jan. 1.
After the official mayoral account transitioned from Mamdani’s predecessor, Eric Adams, screenshots circulated showing Mamdani’s name appearing over Adams-era posts supporting Israel and condemning antisemitism. These posts were later deleted from the account.
Goldfeder noted that posts from the mayor’s official social-media account “are not personal commentary, they are official city records,” adding that, under New York law, “public records may not be destroyed or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an approved records-retention schedule.”
He called on the mayor to affirm the city’s commitment “to protecting Jewish New Yorkers, not as a favor, but as a fundamental obligation of office.”
“Your first days in office will define your administration,” Goldfeder wrote. “This is not how that definition should begin.”
U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote in response to Goldfeder’s letter that the attorney general’s office “will be extremely vigilant as to any and all violations of religious liberties in NYC.”
“We will investigate, sue and indict as needed,” she stated.
Along with the deletions, one of Mamdani’s first actions in office was to revoke all executive orders issued since Sept. 26, 2024, which included the city’s formal adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism and an order barring the city from participating in boycotts of Israel.
[https://www.jns.org/mamdani-deletes-social-media-posts-about-israel-jew-hatred-from-mayoral-account/ JNS]
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What Happened to Romi Gonen in Gaza.
Inside Islamic hell.
January 2, 2026. By Hugh Fitzgerald.
Every Israeli hostage story is different in its details, but what unites them all is the savagery and cruelty of their captors. Some of them keep quiet when they return to Israel. It was all so sordid. They are embarrassed to talk. Others think the world should know. In the latter category is Romi Gonen.
More of her story can be found here: “‘If you tell anyone, I’ll kill you’: Ex-hostage Romi Gonen recounts captors’ repeated sexual assaults,” by Leon Kraiem, Times of Israel, December 26, 2025:
'Former hostage Romi Gonen shared that she was sexually assaulted by four different men on separate occasions during her 471 days as a hostage in Gaza, speaking in an interview that aired on Thursday.
The sit-down on Channel 12’s “Uvda” program detailed her harrowing ordeal, beginning with her abduction from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when she was 23 years old.
Gonen, now 25, detailed being taken into the Strip, being moved between several private houses, and then being taken underground several weeks into the war. The hour-long segment is set to be followed up with more of the interview next week.
As soon as she was abducted, Gonen said, she was taken to Shifa Hospital — she’d been shot in the arm amid the Hamas-led terror rampage, before being kidnapped — and already there, she was abused.
As a woman, presumably a nurse, tried to find a vein in her arm, “a guy just started to tear off all my clothes. One of them took off my shoes. Another one took my earrings off my face, another one took the jewelry off my body.”
“I was just there, with some 15 people touching me, at the same time. Until it got to the point they were tearing off all my clothes, but I lay there naked. It was like an out-of-body experience, where you’re seeing everything from above,” she said. “I was sure I was going to wake up without an arm.”
When she came to, she was taken to the first house of her captivity.
Gonen said that, when she speaks about her time in Gaza, she imagines people all wonder: “‘Did they harass you?’ And people don’t ask that question.”
“I also wouldn’t ask, if I were you. But also, I think no one asks because no one wants to hear the answer,” she said.
“I went through all kinds of assaults, from four different men, over the course of my captivity. Different levels of severity.”…
The thousands of Hamas-led terrorists who invaded southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023, took 251 hostages back to Gaza, amid rampages in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, amid numerous acts of brutality, overt targeting of families in their homes and revelers at a music festival, and sexual assault.
Over the course of two years, through several ceasefire-hostage deals, the hostages were either rescued by troops or released in exchange for thousands of Palestinian security prisoners, including terror convicts serving life sentences. The body of one last hostage — Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili — remains in the Strip.'
Subject to every sort of sexual assault by four captors, amid nonstop threats of violence, and real acts of violence carried out over 471 days of captivity, that she almost entirely spent deep underground, Romi Gonen came home to Israel, and as brave as she had been while enduring her calvary in Gaza, she was just as brave, or perhaps even braver, for choosing to tell her story to the world.
[https://www.frontpagemag.com/what-happened-to-romi-gonen-in-gaza/ FPM]
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NYC rabbis alarmed by Mamdani’s first actions, appointments as mayor.
“Wherever anti-Zionism has been normalized, it has led to an increase of hostilities toward Israel and the Jewish people,” Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch told JNS. “I would welcome the mayor waking up one day and understanding that.”
Debra Nussbaum Cohen.
(Jan. 2, 2026 / JNS)
Within moments of Zohran Mamdani’s swearing in as New York City mayor at midnight on Jan. 1, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch called JNS from Jerusalem, explaining that his worries about the safety of Jewish New Yorkers, due to Mamdani’s longstanding anti-Zionism and pledges to institute anti-Israel municipal policies, continue unabated.
Hirsch, with other rabbis, had two long meetings with the then mayor-elect in the months leading up to the inauguration, as Mamdani actively pursued connections with many of New York’s Jewish leaders. Several of the latter had warned publicly that his views, if put into practice as mayor, would pose dangers for Jewish New Yorkers by leading to more antisemitism, which has already increased dramatically since Oct. 7.
The New York City area is home to about 1.3 million Jews, second only to Israel’s greater Tel Aviv area.
Hirsch published a video in November addressing Mamdani directly.
“You call Zionism, the liberation movement of the Jewish people, a racist project and a colonial enterprise,” the rabbi said in the video. “You support Students for Justice in Palestine and co-founded its Bowdoin College chapter, a group that rejects co-existence and seeks the dismantling of Israel altogether. You have never disavowed these views. The opposite. You’ve doubled down on them.”
[https://www.jns.org/nyc-rabbis-alarmed-by-mamdanis-first-actions-appointments-as-mayor/ JNS]
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Pro-Palestinian activists vandalize aircraft parts factory in Scotland linked to Israel supplier.
About half an hour into 2026, masked activists attacked a factory near Edinburgh over alleged links to Israel, sharing footage of smashed machinery and sprayed graffiti
ynet | published:01.02.26.
[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1kf8xivbg YNet]
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French mayor suspended after calling France ‘too Jewish’.
Bernard Bazinet, mayor of Augignac, made the remark while supporting a boycott of Israel’s Eurovision bid; government and party condemn him for antisemitism and suspend him from office for one month.
ynet | published:01.01.26 | 20:08
[https://www.ynetnews.com/jewish-world/article/s1aqtc4vbe YNet]
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Katz instructs IDF to prepare to resume combat in Gaza as Hamas refuses to disarm.
Defense Minister Israel Katz told the IDF to prepare for renewed fighting in Gaza as talks stall and Hamas refuses to disarm.
By Amir Bohbot.
January 2, 2026 06:38
Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for the possibility of returning to intense fighting against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Walla learned on Friday.
The security establishment clarified that no instructions have been received from the political echelons to prepare for reopening the Rafah Border Crossing.
[https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-882103 JPost]
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Michele Weiss and Justin Brasch mark milestones as first Orthodox Jewish mayors in their cities.
The inaugurations of Michele Weiss in University Heights, Ohio, and Justin Brasch in White Plains, New York, this week marked a milestone for Orthodox representation in local politics.
By Grace Gilson/JTA
Januar 3, 2026.
(JTA) — This week, as New York City inaugurated its first Muslim mayor, two cities in the United States also made history with the swearing-in of their first Orthodox Jewish mayors.
While Orthodox mayors have been elected in cities and suburbs across the country, including New Jersey, New York State, and Florida, the inaugurations of Michele Weiss in University Heights, Ohio, and Justin Brasch in White Plains, New York, this week marked a milestone for Orthodox representation in local politics.
[https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-882152 JPost]
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Arabic 'Mein Kampf' with Hitler’s image found as illegal Palestinian is arrested.
Bat Yam police arrested the illegal Palestinian at a construction site in the city, detained his employer for questioning and ordered the site closed for 30 days.
Meir Turgeman | published:01.02.26
The police on Tuesday arrested a Palestinian man who was in Israel illegally at a construction site in the coastal city of Bat Yam, authorities said. During the arrest, officers also found an Arabic-language copy of Adolf Hitler’s book “Mein Kampf,” bearing the Nazi leader’s photograph.
The man was identified by police as a Palestinian from the West Bank who did not have valid permits to be in Israel. Police said he was employed at the site and had also been sleeping there.
In a statement, the Tel Aviv District Police said the arrest was part of “focused enforcement activity against offenses involving the employment, transportation and housing of illegal residents.” The statement said police have stepped up inspections at businesses and construction sites where there is suspicion that Palestinians without permits may be present, “in order to strengthen public safety and security.”
Police said officers from the Bat Yam station located the man at a construction site on Ha’orgim Street.
His employer was detained for questioning, and the district police commander, Maj. Gen. Haim Sargarof, signed an administrative order closing the site for 30 days.
The discovery echoed a statement made last year by President.Isaac Herzog, about a month after the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Herzog said Israeli troops had found a
copy of “Mein Kampf” in what he described as a children’s room that had been converted into a Hamas base in northern Gaza.
In an interview with the BBC at the time, Herzog said the book contained notes and markings made by a Hamas operative. “This is the book that led to the Holocaust and World War II,” Herzog said. “This book was found a few days ago in northern Gaza, in a children’s room that became a base used for terrorist activity by the Hamas terrorist organization. The terrorist wrote notes, marked sections and studied again and again the ideology of Adolf Hitler — hatred of Jews, killing Jews, burning and slaughtering Jews wherever they are. This is the real war we are facing.”
[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bj3prgivzx YNet]
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Lapid: 'Iran should pay attention to what's happening in Venezuela'.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented on the U.S. strikes in Venezuela. He wrote in English on his X account that "the regime in Iran should pay attention to what is happening in Venezuela."
Ynet|01.03.26
[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/1dpcavubm YNet]
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Iran's ally turned enemy of Trump: Who are you, Nicolas Maduro?
Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, after months of military and political escalation. • The Venezuelan leader came to power in 2013 and became a brutal dictator who suppressed any attempt to replace him. • Under his rule, Venezuela collapsed economically and was condemned by the West, and greatly strengthened its cooperation with Iran and Hezbollah.
Tomer Almagor.
N12.
Published:01.03.26
United States President Donald Trump announced this morning (Saturday) that the United States had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flown him out of the country. The operation, which according to CBS was carried out by the US Army's Delta Force, is the culmination of the escalation between the two countries that has gradually built up in recent months. Maduro has ruled Venezuela with a strong hand for more than a decade, in the face of fierce opposition from the US and the West.
A brutal dictator who was branded by the West.
Maduro, 63, was born in the Venezuelan capital Caracas and worked as a bus driver in his youth. He later became an activist and labor union leader, and in 2000 was elected to the local parliament.
He is considered a protégé of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and under his leadership he has gained more and more power within the country and the socialist party. Under Chavez, Maduro served as foreign minister and vice president, and after his death in 2013, Maduro succeeded Chavez and entered the presidential palace.
Over the years, Maduro has increasingly weakened Venezuela's democratic institutions, turning it into a de facto dictatorship. Under his unpopular rule, Venezuela has suffered an economic and social collapse that has led to the flight of some 8 million citizens. According to the United Nations, more than half of Venezuelans live in extreme poverty, and more than 80% of them live in poverty.
In 2018, Maduro declared victory in the elections, but the West and the opposition claimed fraud, which did not prevent him from continuing to rule the country. Widespread waves of protests against him repeatedly broke out in the streets of Venezuela under his rule, but Maduro, as a political opponent, restricted freedom of expression and effectively became a dictator who stifled any democratic attempt to replace him.
Cooperation with Iran, Russia and China.
In recent years, dictator Maduro's Venezuela has become a key ally of Iran, as well as of Russia and China, which has purchased large quantities of oil from it. The cooperation with Iran and its terrorist arms has also been reflected in the significant establishment of the terrorist organization Hezbollah. About a month ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed in an interview that Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards have established themselves in Venezuela and are using it as a base for terrorist operations.
Maduro's security forces in Venezuela have over the years acquired Iranian Shahad drones, as well as attack vessels and missile boats from Iran. The operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro took place exactly six years after the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, who was killed in a targeted assassination in Baghdad on January 3, 2020, on the orders of President Trump.
Trump's accusations.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Maduro, calling him a “dictator” and making it clear that his rule is illegitimate. The president has even called on Maduro to flee the country, offered a reward for anyone who helps arrest the leader and announced that he considers him to be the head of a terrorist organization. However, Trump said that the two have spoken in recent weeks, as part of efforts to reach a diplomatic solution.
Trump focused on three main allegations against Maduro and Venezuela. According to the president, Venezuela is responsible for waves of criminal immigration into the United States, has stolen oil from the United States, and is responsible for smuggling drugs into the United States. Following these accusations, in recent months Trump has ordered more and more forces to the region, and has carried out a series of attacks near the coast of Venezuela and even carried out operations on its territory.
[https://www.mako.co.il/news-world/2026_q1/Article-8e54fdafa538b91027.htm Mako]
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GOP senator warns leaders of Iran and Cuba after US captures Venezuela’s Maduro.
January 3, 2026
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, an ally of US President Donald Trump, tells the Axios news site that the leaders of Iran and Cuba should be concerned following the American military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“There is a new sheriff in town. He has put life into the Monroe Doctrine,” Graham says. “If I were the leader of Iran, I would go pray in the mosque.”
Graham also says “all options will be on the table” when pressed if there could be further strikes in Venezuela.
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gop-senator-warns-leaders-of-iran-and-cuba-after-us-captures-venezuelas-maduro/ ToI]
US attacks Venezuela, Trump: Maduro captured and flown out of the country.
Trump confirmed that the United States attacked Venezuela and according to a CBS report, Maduro was captured by the US Army's Delta Force • Trump added new details: "Maduro was at home, which was more like a fortress" • The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency in the country and general mobilization, Maduro's deputy confirmed that he had disappeared • Senator Lindsey Graham to N12: "If I were the leader of Iran, I would go pray in a mosque".
Barak Ravid, Assaf Rosenzweig, Tomer Almagor and the Bezalel Foundation.
N12.
Published:01.03.26.
[https://www.mako.co.il/news-world/2026_q1/Article-43caf6b40828b91027.htm Mako]
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Iran, Hezbollah condemn, Russia offers mediation after US operation on Venezuela
US allies are "monitoring the situation." US President Trump will be holding a press conference later on Saturday to share more information.
By Tobias Holcman, Reuters
January 3, 2026.
[https://www.jpost.com/international/article-882159 JPost]
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'Dangerous precedent': UN, world leaders decry US op. that saw capture of Venezuela's Maduro.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres decried the strikes on Venezuela as a “dangerous precedent," while Argentinian President Javier Milei celebrated the "excellent news."
By Goldie Katz. January 3, 2026.
Global outcry arose after the United States captured Venezuelan President Vincent Maduro and his wife under the cover of airstrikes in the Venezuelan capital on Saturday.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “deep alarm” regarding the situation through a statement delivered by his spokesperson. He described the strike and capture as setting a “dangerous precedent,” warning of potentially “worrying implications for the region” that may result from the escalation
[https://www.jpost.com/international/article-882171 JPost]
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Indigenous solidarity: Mapuche leader visits Israel, finds common ground with Jewish people.
DIASPORA AFFAIRS: A delegation from Chile, including the current president of a Mapuche community called Kupal Pichinao, Ivan Enrique Pardes Pichinao, recently visited Israel for the first time.
By Audrey Lynn Leinoff. January l 3, 2026 15:10
When Spain’s King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile launched their campaign to rid the realm of perceived heretics in the late 15th century, the Spaniards did not stop at persecuting Jews.
Beyond the execution of the gruesome, local autos-da-fé, by the early 16th century, for one, Spanish conquerors over 7,000 nautical miles away were brutalizing another ethnic group – the Mapuche.
A delegation from Chile, including the current president of a Mapuche community called Kupal Pichinao, Ivan Enrique Pardes Pichinao, recently visited Israel for the first time. He sat down with The Jerusalem Post to discuss why.
“We are the ‘People of the Land.’ ‘Mapu’ means land, ‘che’ means person. We are an indigenous nation that developed in what is now known as Chile and Argentina,” Pichinao said.
Beyond being “intrinsically linked” to the land from whence they come, he said, his people’s worldview is based on respect for and reciprocal ties with nature.
“Our way of life is also deeply rooted in a connection to family, a bond with Mother Earth, and the songs and ceremonies that have been passed down to us from generation to generation,” Pichinao added.
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The Mapuches’ history, much like the Jewish one, is riddled with instances of external forces invading, enslaving, and oppressing the local population.
“From the Inca Empire through the Spanish Crown to the modern state,” the Mapuche have had to engage in “constant resistance” to preserve their culture and identity, the leader said.
“Indeed, our community has been historically recognized for its strength and resistance to colonialism. We keep alive a rich culture, with traditions and an ancestral system of organization,” he continued.
They have been victorious overall. Case in point, try as they did, the Spaniards were never able to quash Pichinao’s people.
A strong nation of warriors
When asked if he could share some of the legends pertaining to the community’s heroic figures dating back to those medieval times, Pichinao stipulated that he regarded passing on these stories as a hallowed task.
“As president of the Kupal Pichinao community, I consider it a sacred duty to honor the memory of our weichafe (warriors) and lonko (leaders). They not only resisted the invading [Spanish] forces – they cemented the dignity we breathe today,” he said. “Their stories are not just history.
They are living songs that we pass on to new generations so that the spirit of our nation will never die.”
First and foremost, there was Lautaro, “the strategist of the wind.” Captured by the first governor of Colonial Chile, Pedro de Valdivia, Lautaro was enslaved as a stable boy. Instead of losing heart, he “keenly observed the weaknesses of the Spanish, learned their tactics, and, most importantly, mastered the use of a horse,” Pichinao detailed.
Armed with this knowledge, Lautaro escaped, returning to his people as a toqui (military chief).
“He introduced rotating companies – to avoid exhausting his forces – and ambush strategies that led to our victory in the 1553 Battle of Tucapel. Lautaro taught us that intelligence is as powerful as strength. He is the most iconic figure of our resistance. His legend stems from his ability to turn oppression into knowledge,” Pichinao said.
Then, there was Colo Colo, whose name means “the wisdom of consensus.” Reminiscent of Israel’s conundrum over its internal societal rifts, Colo Colo, at a time of great internal divides, sought a way to bridge the gaps between people.
“This wise lonko prevented a civil war between Mapuche factions by proposing the famous physical endurance log test. Today, his name transcends the battlefield, as Chile’s most popular soccer club is named after him. In sports, Colo Colo’s ‘Mapuche spirit’ is invoked to refer to the fighting spirit and unbreakable will to never give up. He represents the political maturity and judgment that sustains our people,” Pichinao said.
Last but not least, there was the female warrior Janequeo, whose name means “women’s leadership.” According to the Mapuche president, “Janequeo broke traditional norms by assuming military command in the Arauco War, demonstrating the strength of women in our culture. After her husband was murdered by the Spanish, she not only sought personal justice but also organized an army comprised of both men and women.
“Janequeo’s figure is essential in understanding that we are all equal when it comes to defending our land. Her courage is a benchmark of female leadership and strategy that endures to this day,” Pichinao noted.This is not a story to pass on
The Mapuches’ ancestral language, Mapudungun, is another way by which the community honors, preserves, and conveys its rich cultural history.
“Feytiñma che, ñi dungun mülen is a fundamental proverb in our oral tradition,” the president said. “It means ‘The words of those who have gone before us are still present.’ This saying underscores the immensity of our ancestral legacy. It teaches us that the truth and essence of our ancestors never disappear; they remain alive in the community’s memory.”
That said, in other instances, sounds, rather than articulated words, are used to convey emotions and meaning.
“The Afafán is one of the most important and powerful vocal expressions in Mapuche culture. It is a collective ritualistic shout performed in solemn ceremonies, social gatherings, or moments of great importance. But this is not just any shout – it is a controlled burst of energy that seeks to connect participants with their surroundings and spiritual forces,” Pichinao elaborated.
“The Afafán has multiple functions, depending on the context. Sometimes, it is meant to provide encouragement and strength, and in others, it marks notions of celebration and joy. Further, this yowl, conveyed in unison, has a spiritual dimension, used as an affirmation of one’s identity. The cry is a guttural and rhythmic sound. In Mapuche literature and stories, it is usually represented as follows: ‘Ya-ya-ya-ya-ya!’”
A Mapuche in Israel.
As for the reason Pichinao has made his first-ever visit to the Jewish state now, this relates to a deep concern of his regarding what he sees unfolding among members of his own community.
Often encountering images of the Mapuche draped in Palestinian flags with captions hailing Hamas’s assault, Pichinao said he feels that, beyond this forced conflation between two disparate cultures, his people’s cause and identity are, de facto, being hijacked once again by conceited, self-serving foreign powers.
This diminishes what they have fought for over the centuries – to remain the distinct nation that they are – Pichinao said.
“This visit to Israel is due to the work I have been doing with the Israeli Embassy in Chile, where we are collaborating to reduce antisemitism in Mapuche communities,” he noted.
“For many years now, this hatred has been taking root in my people’s hearts,” Pichinao continued. “Mapuche children, adults, and elders are seen at various gatherings carrying flags expressing hate for Israel and comparing totally different conflicts in the same way.
“Unfortunately, nowadays signs can be seen hanging on some restaurants in Mapuche tourist areas that read: ‘No Israelis allowed.’ It is a painful reality that motivates us to act. Together with the embassy, and quietly on our own, we have been working to find common ground between our two cultures,” the president said.
Although he is familiar with some aspects of Judaism, Pichinao’s recent trip to the Holy Land solidified his conviction that the Mapuche share with Jews what he could best describe as a spiritual bond: “Clearly, there is a supernatural connection between our peoples despite the distance between us.”
Pichinao listed numerous similarities he said he found. “We both believe in one God. We both have an ancestral and spiritual bond to the Earth.
“Further, lineage and family are central pillars in our social structure. Respecting our ancestors and preserving the continuity of our bloodline are of the utmost importance to us, as they are to you.”
And it does not stop there. Craftsmanship practices, notable among them artifacts pertaining to pottery, reminded him of creations made back home. Israeli cuisine and, interestingly, musical instruments also resonated with him.
Moreover, much like deeply entrenched AI biases against Jews, Pichinao noted that artificial intelligence displays similar bigotry when it comes to his people.
For instance, an Anti-Defamation League study released in March found that AI models exhibited “patterns of bias, misinformation, and selective engagement on issues related to Jewish people, Israel, and antisemitic tropes.”
“AI has significant biases about Mapuche culture as well. When asked to show an image of a Mapuche woman or man, for instance, the results often show people with features more like those of Native Americans or Canadians than ours. This ‘digital colonization’ renders our true appearance and aesthetic richness invisible,” Pichinao specified.
Perhaps the most common ground to be found between both ethnicities is the approach to land.
“At the heart of our existence – for both Jews and Mapuches – lies the concept of the Holy Land,” the president said. “With that, the protection of our sacred spaces is another core value. We defend the land not only as a resource, but as a spiritual home that faces constant threat.”
Common ground.
The work to combat growing antisemitism within the Mapuche community began over two years ago with the former Israel ambassador to Chile, Gil Artzyeli, “with whom we share some of these cultural commonalities,” Pichinao said.
“But we have not publicized this much on social media, due to the high level of online violence faced by those of us who work on these types of initiatives.”
Fortunately, Ambassador Peleg Lewi, the current Israeli envoy to Chile, has decided to continue this wonderful work, he said.
“My trip to Israel has deeply reinforced my conviction about the work we are doing,” Pichinao said. “During my visit to the Israel Museum, as I observed the ancient Hebrews’ history, I could not help but wonder: Who would have imagined that, while this rich history was being built here, more than 14,000 kilometers away, our Mapuche culture was doing exactly the same thing?”
“My motivation today is to continue to discover and highlight our bond. That is why I want to invite the Jewish community worldwide to join and support my pilot project that seeks to eradicate antisemitism in Mapuche communities.”
The project to which Pichinao was referring is the Mapuche-Jewish Fraternity Bond, which he said was “born from the direct observation of the cultural richness and love that both nations share.” Its stated purpose is to foster a profound awareness grounded in respect and mutual understanding.
In order to achieve this goal, this initiative aims to “promote the creation of documentaries, reports, and genuine encounters that allow both peoples to get to know each other without prejudice and to eradicate antisemitism through affection,” Pichinao said.
To this end, he further stated, “I offer my Mapuche community and myself as a bridge for the Jewish world to find a real space for dialogue and peace.
“I am convinced that these two great cultures seek the same things: peace, understanding, tolerance, and love for family. In today’s world, which has become so individualistic and disconnected, this project is key to spreading a message of unity. We are two ancient peoples who, by joining hands, can teach the modern world a great deal about brotherhood,” the leader remarked.
“The most important message I want to convey to Jews and Israelis is that the Mapuche are a people of dialogue, not hate. We are actively working to dismantle the misinformation and antisemitism that is being imported into our communities. Building bridges, promoting mutual respect instead of allowing distant geopolitical conflicts to contaminate our local identity movement – that is what we want.”
[https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-882115 JPost]
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At least 10 killed, over 130 arrested in Iran as Khamenei blames West for unrest.
As security forces crack down on demonstrations fueled by economic collapse, Iran’s supreme leader marks Soleimani’s death by denouncing 'rioters' while offering sympathy to struggling merchants
Lior Ben Ari, news agencies | 1.3.26.
[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgu22inze YNet]
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Northern Gaza: IDF takes out rocket launcher prepared in violation of ceasefire.
IDF destroys Hamas shaft containing rocket launcher aimed at Sderot, which was prepared after the ceasefire.
Israel National News.
Published: Jan 3, 2026, 8:03 PM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420323 INN]
Israel strikes loaded rocket launcher in Gaza aimed at Sderot.
In a separate incident, the IDF killed a terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line in violation of the ceasefire.
(Jan. 3, 2026 | Updated Jan. 3, 13:23 / JNS)
The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday carried out a precise strike on a Hamas tunnel shaft in the northern Gaza Strip containing a rocket launcher “loaded and ready to be launched toward the city of Sderot,” the military said.
“The shaft was used by Hamas to conceal a rocket launcher that was ready to fire toward southern Israel and posed an immediate threat to Israeli civilians,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.
The army added that the terrorist group’s action was a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.
The IDF noted that steps were taken before the strike to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence information.
[https://www.jns.org/idf-kills-terrorist-who-violated-gaza-truce-2/ JNS]
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Hamas claims it has only 'light weapons'.
Dalit Halevi.
Jan 3, 2026, 6:48 PM
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420321 INN]
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Huckabee slams Mamdani for supporting 'drug trafficker' Maduro.
NY Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee hits back. 'Will he go to Maduro's jail cell to sip margaritas?'
Israel National News.
Published: Jan 3, 2026, 10:11 PM (GMT+2)
[https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420327 INN]
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Chikli urges Australia to confront radical Islam.
In a letter to Cabinet minister Tony Burke, Israel’s Diaspora affairs minister offered assistance in training security personnel.
JNS Staff.
(Jan. 3, 2026 / JNS)
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister of Diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism, has written a sharply worded letter to Australian Cabinet Minister Tony Burke, warning that Canberra’s failure to explicitly name radical Islam as the ideological driver behind the recent Bondi Beach terrorist attack is undermining efforts to confront the threat.
[https://www.jns.org/chikli-urges-australia-to-confront-radical-islam/ JNS]
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Protests continue in Iran for seventh night as death toll rises to 16.
[1.3.26]
Summary.
At least 15 protesters and one member of security forces have been killed during seven days of demonstrations in Iran that have spread to 174 locations nationwide, with rallies reported in 60 cities across 25 provinces.
At least 44 people have been shot and wounded by live ammunition or pellet guns fired by Iranian forces during the protests, Iran International could confirm.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday called the protesters 'rioters' in his first public speech since the beginning of the unrest and called for their repression.
Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States and President Donald Trump stand firmly with Iranians seeking freedom.
Mai Sato, the UN special rapporteur on Iran human rights, urged Iranian authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and to refrain from using excessive force against protesters.
After two days of relative calm in Iran's capital, protesters poured into the streets in eastern and western districts of Tehran on Friday night. Similar protests were also held in the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom.
[https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202512283787 IranIntl]
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