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The Corruption-Fueled Wealth Gap in Gaza and the West Bank 23 February 2024 By: Mid East Journal Do Israelis really live in comfort and wealth as their Palestinian neighbors live in abject poverty? According to the United Nations , as the war in Gaza continues the poverty rate in Palestinian-controlled areas will continue to rise. The United Nations estimates the poverty rate among Palestinians rising by more than 34% and putting more than half a million people into poverty. The assumption is that gross domestic product has plummeted by 8.4%, a loss of $1.7 billion, and over 390,000 jobs have been lost due to the war. These numbers would normally be alarming and warn of dangerous poverty rates if not for the Palestinian claim that Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank have been living in poverty for decades. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, an official institution of the Palestinian Authority, the overall poverty rate among Palestinians was between 24 and 51%. The narrative of Palestinian poverty is decades old. New Facts Challenge the Old Assumption Around Widespread Poverty in Gaza The contrast is stark: poor Gazan neighborhoods with shack-like homes, contrasted with images of Gazan sea-side resorts, first-class malls, and luxury shops. For decades, the world was told Gaza was an open-air prison. NGOs like Human Rights Watch have reported that due to Israel’s closure of Gaza and the restrictions it placed on the Palestinians of Gaza since 2007, there was no path to economic advancement for the Palestinians. Many of the same claims have been made about Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank. As Israel began its bombing of Gaza , and its soldiers began taking over large sections of Gazan neighborhoods, journalists had their first opportunity to freely report what they saw without Hamas intimidation and censorship . They reported about Gaza City’s upscale Rimal neighborhood, with its shopping malls, restaurants, residential buildings, and offices. Instead of another poor rundown neighborhood, the Gaza of wealth was revealed and documented. The Wealth Gap Among Palestinians Is Fueled by the Corruption of Palestinian Leadership Gaza is one of the world’s largest recipients of foreign aid . From 2014-2020, U.N. agencies spent nearly $4.5 billion in Gaza, including $600 million in 2020 alone. More than 80% of that funding is channeled through, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Qatar has provided $1.3 billion in aid to Gaza since 2012 for construction, health services, and agriculture. That includes $360 million pledged in January for 2021 and another $500 million pledged for reconstruction after the Israel-Hamas war. Qatar’s aid also goes to needy families and to help pay Hamas government salaries. If billions of dollars have been deposited into Gaza over the past 10 years, why do so many reports of poverty come out of Gaza? The answer speaks to the corruption of Palestinian leadership . Khaled Mashaal, the leader of Hamas, is estimated to be worth over five billion dollars. Dr. Musa Abu Marzook, the number two man in Hamas, is reportedly worth two to three billion dollars. Hamas “Prime Minister” Ismail Haniyeh is also reported to be a billionaire. These men have been siphoning off foreign aid and charity meant for the people of Gaza to fund their own bank accounts and investments. The Palestinian Authorty’s Corruption Keeps Palestinians Poor As Israel fights its war against Hamas, President Biden and his administration are looking to “the day after” the fighting ends. In an op-ed he penned in November 2023, President Biden wrote, “As we strive for peace, Gaza and the West Bank should be reunited under a single governance structure, ultimately under a revitalized Palestinian Authority , as we all work toward a two-state solution.” President Biden and his administration frequently mention a revamped and revitalized Palestinian Authority because they are well aware of the corruption within the Palestinian Authority leadership. Today, 87 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that the Palestinian Authority is corrupt , 78 percent want Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to resign, and 62 percent believe that the Palestinian Authority is a liability to the Palestinian people. While Hamas’s leadership’s corruption was cited above, President Mahmoud Abbas hasn’t acted much differently. Abbas is reportedly worth over $100 million , even though he has never owned a business or invested well. Abbas, too, has seemingly stolen foreign aid meant for his people. The Palestinian people do not have to be poor, nor are Israel’s security policies the cause of Palestinian poverty. That there are wealthy Palestinians proves that wealth can be generated in Gaza and the West Bank. Financial corruption within the Palestinian leadership, both in the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, is the top impediment to Palestinian success and breaking out of the cycle of poverty. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

Death of 2 more hostages: Kibbutz announces deaths of 2 Israeli hostages held in Gaza since October 7 17 January 2024 By: CNN Two Israeli men held hostage in Gaza since October 7 and featured in recent videos released by Hamas have died, according to statements from their home village Tuesday. Kibbutz Be’eri announced the deaths of Yossi Sharabi and Itai Svirsky in separate statements released with the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum headquarters. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

Medicine and aid for Palestinians and hostages arrives in Gaza, Qatar foreign ministry says 17 January 2024 By: CNN Medicine and aid for Palestinians and the Israeli hostages have entered the Gaza Strip, according to Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry. "Over the past few hours, medicine & aid entered the Gaza Strip, in implementation of the agreement announced yesterday for the benefit of civilians in the Strip, including hostages. Qatar, along with its regional and international partners, continues mediation efforts at the political and humanitarian levels," Al-Ansari wrote on X, formerly Twitter, late Wednesday. Two Qatari Armed Forces aircraft carrying 61 tons of aid — including food and medicine —arrived in El Arish, Egypt, earlier Wednesday. The aid was provided by Qatar and France, according to Qatar's Foreign Ministry. Ansari said Wednesday Qatar and its regional and international partners are continuing mediation efforts at the political and humanitarian levels after the aid arrived in Gaza. The aid arrives after Qatar announced on Tuesday it brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas to allow medication into Gaza for Palestinians and Israeli hostages. France also took part in helping with the Qatari-led mediation, Qatar's foreign ministry has said. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

10 Things to Know About the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) 11 January 2024 By: FDD The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was established in 1949 to serve Palestinian refugees displaced during Israel’s War of Independence. UNRWA continues to operate in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan nearly 75 years later. The United States has contributed over $1 billion to UNRWA since 2021 even though the agency provides cover for terrorist activity and perpetuates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 1. UNRWA perpetuates the Palestinian refugee problem The United Nations (UN) treats Palestinian refugees differently than refugees from every other conflict or circumstance. Specifically, UNRWA automatically registers the descendants of Palestinian refugees in perpetuity, which has led to explosive growth in its official number of clients. From an original number of around 700,000 refugees, there are now 5.9 million Palestinians registered with UNRWA, even though the vast majority did not flee the conflict. In 2021, then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that fewer than 5 percent of UNRWA-registered “refugees” meet the criteria for the designation that the UN applies to refugees from other conflicts. By growing the refugee population and promoting Palestinian claims to Israeli land, UNRWA perpetuates and exacerbates the conflict. 2. UNRWA is a bloated agency with no authority to meaningfully solve the refugee issue With the exception of Palestinian refugees, all other refugees in the world fall under the responsibility of the United Nations Refugee Agency (also known as UNHCR), which has a mandate to assist refugees in “repatriation and resettlement” and “assimilation with new national communities.” The UN Refugee Agency has a staff of 18,000 to serve over 100 million people. By contrast, UNRWA employs 30,000 staff to service 5.9 million Palestinians. UNRWA admits that it “does not have a mandate to resettle Palestine refugees and has no authority to seek lasting durable solutions for refugees.” 3. Neighboring governments refused to resettle Arab refugees after Israel’s War of Independence Both Jews and Arabs fled their homes during and after Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. Following the war, Israel absorbed hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees from Arab states who faced persecution and expulsion. However, due to the challenges of resettlement and the benefits of wielding the refugees as a future weapon against Israel, these same Arab states did not resettle a similar number of displaced Arabs. In 1949, the United Nations established UNRWA to serve Palestinian refugees. Although most of UNRWA’s original beneficiaries are no longer alive, the agency continues to operate in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. 4. UNRWA does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization In 1997, the United States designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, freezing its U.S.-based assets, barring members from entering the country, and banning the provision of “material support or resources.” Other countries and international entities that have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization include Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Israel, the Organization of American States, Paraguay, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. However, UNRWA follows the guidelines of the United Nations Security Council Consolidated List of terrorist groups and individuals, which does not include Hamas. As such, the agency has a history of hiring Hamas affiliates. U.S. law forbids American funding for UNRWA to be used for “furnishing assistance” to terrorists, but there is no way to enforce this provision. 5. By delivering basic services, UNRWA frees up money for Hamas to spend on terrorism Despite the poverty experienced by Gaza residents, Hamas spends over half of its budget on military needs and diverts humanitarian resources to its terrorist purposes and the pockets of its senior leadership. By picking up the civilian tab, UNRWA frees up Hamas resources for terror operations. A Hamas official admitted as such on October 30, explaining that Hamas built hundreds of kilometers of tunnels to protect its fighters, while “it is the responsibility of the United Nations to protect [civilians].” Following the 2014 Gaza war, former Israeli National Security Advisor Maj. Gen. Yaakov Amidror explained that “when you look at what Hamas did with all the cement and the materials that went into Gaza for ‘building,’ and you see that most went on the tunnels, you understand that from their point of view the civilian side is not important.” 6. UNRWA schools radicalize Palestinian children The curriculum taught in UNRWA schools denies Israel’s legitimacy, incites antisemitism, and encourages violence and jihad. In a study published after the massacre of October 7, IMPACT-se — a research and policy organization that monitors education around the world — documented statements from more than a dozen UNRWA employees who publicly praised the atrocities. For example, as posted on the school’s official Facebook page on October 26, a teacher led elementary students in prayer to support the jihad warriors against the enemies of religion, i.e., Israel. IMPACT-se also identified more than 100 UNRWA employees who promoted hatred and violence on social media prior to the attack. 7. Hamas manipulates UNRWA’s Gaza operations Hamas has built tunnels underneath UNRWA schools in Gaza for years, using students as human shields. On November 8, Israeli forces destroyed a Hamas terror tunnel adjacent to an UNRWA-administered school in the Gaza Strip. Further, the group stores rockets inside UNRWA schools and uses school grounds as launchpads for attacks. UNRWA leadership also clamps down on employees whose statements reflect well on Israel or poorly on Hamas. For example, UNRWA recalled its Gaza chief in 2021 after he publicly acknowledged that Israel carried out “precise” and “sophisticated” strikes in order to avoid civilian casualties. Similarly, just weeks after the October 7 massacre, UNRWA reported Hamas officials were removing fuel and medical equipment from an UNRWA facility in Gaza City. Yet the agency quickly deleted the information, likely under pressure from Hamas authorities. 8. UNRWA facilities provide a haven for violence outside the Gaza Strip Violence erupted in an UNRWA refugee camp in southeast Lebanon in July 2023 when tit-for-tat shootings killed an Islamist militant and five members of Hamas’s main rival, Fatah. Fatah is a major Palestinian political party led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Bloody street battles continued into August, killing 13 Palestinians and displacing an additional 2,000. UNRWA’s Jenin Camp in the West Bank is also a locus of terrorism, frequented by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other local armed groups. 9. UNRWA management has a history of scandal Reports surfaced in 2019 of “credible and corroborated” corruption allegations against senior UNRWA personnel. In an internal review that leaked to the press, UNRWA detailed “sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination, and other abuses of authority” among its top brass. UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl resigned in the aftermath of an internal investigation. The scandal prompted Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands to suspend their funding. UNRWA has no board of directors to ensure accountability and prevent corruption within the agency. Krahenbuhl won appointment last month as global head of the Red Cross, another indicator of impunity. 10. The United States has contributed over $7 billion to UNRWA Between 1950 and 2018, U.S. taxpayers contributed about $6 billion to UNRWA. The United States cut funding to UNRWA in 2018 at the direction of President Donald Trump, labeling the agency “irredeemably flawed.” President Joe Biden unconditionally resumed funding UNRWA in 2021, delivering $1 billion over three years, making the United States once again UNRWA’s single largest donor. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

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TIKVA INTERNATIONAL We fight hate propaganda against Israelis and Jews, share facts, and promote a better future for all in the Middle East. Israelis & Palestinians alike The Story of the October 7th Events Explore the events of 'October 7th' to learn about the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians and its complicated aftermath. In an environment rife with misinformation spread by terrorist groups and extremists aiming to destabilize global peace and target liberal democracies, our project is committed to the truth. We focus on educating and providing clear, comprehensive insights amidst widespread distortions. Explore Latest Posts More News Latest Blog Posts Blog Post 5 Al-Jazeera Arabic: The Qatari-Owned TV Channel That Promotes Islamist Terrorism Worldwide Blog Post 2 The Muslim Brotherhood undertakes fieldwork to polarize society and establish narratives that eventually lead to terrorism. Blog Post 4 The New Antisemitism Blog Post 1 Religion is reemerging as a significant global force, challenging prevailing Western methods of addressing fundamentalism and terror. Blog Post 3 5 MYTHS ABOUT ISRAEL AND THE WAR IN GAZA Search Our Video Database Search Dive deeper with our extensive database of video clips. Here, you have the freedom to search and discover a wealth of information. Whether it's detailed analyses, eyewitness accounts, or expert discussions, our videos offer a comprehensive view of the October 7th events. Latest Video Clips View More Most Popular Video Clips Lebanese-American Author Brigitte Gabriel Unveils the Strategy of Islam "It was a blood-curdling terrorist attack on men, women and children" The 1947 quote that explains everything 🇬🇧 The full story behind the Hamas attack on Israel The Gospel According to Berkeley. Meet the Palestinian Jesus The truth will always win. By Lucy Aharish Pro Palestinian protest around the world are filled with anger, hate, malice and jealous. Understanding the reasons behind the events of October 7th. The Last Line of Defense By Bari Weiss Join our newsletter • Never Miss Out: Get Early Access to New Content – Subscribe Now! Join Thanks for subscribing!

"They were sure they were going to die," daughter of freed hostage says 13 February 2024 By: YNET Rinat Har Shelg, the daughter of Louis who was rescued in the successful extraction operation in Rafah says her father is strong and mostly talked about how much he missed the family during his 129 days in captivity. "My father and his brother were sure they were going to be killed," the daughter of Louis Har, Rinat Har Sheleg said in an interview while they were being treated at the Sheba Medical Center after their rescue from 129 days of captivity by Hamas terrorists. "They said they were taken completely by surprise. We of course were also unprepared and are still coming to terms with events. Dad is still in shock," she said. "They tried to hold on to their Argentinian identity but that did not really help. I can't elaborate on what they had gone through, but the conditions were harsh." Rinat said they were not kept in underground tunnels but did suffer from hunger. "Mostly they ate Pita bread and white cheese. There was no meat or anything else. There were days when they went hungry, but we did not really delve into that and there are things we want to keep private, inside our family," she said. "We can only wish them well. The reunion was emotional, and it has taken me time to accept that I can be near my father again. It was very powerful and joyous. Louis Har came to Israel from Buenos Aires, Argentina when he was 17-years old and will celebrate his 71st birthday on February 25, as a free man. His family were called at 3 am on Monday to be informed that he and his brother were rescued in the IDF operation and were told to join them at the Sheba Medical Center. "There was shelling around them all the time," Har said. "They were sure they would be hurt by the IDF fire. They were not beaten, and it seems that they were in the hands of the same family the entire time. I am tired and the adrenaline rush seems to be dissipating. We are still trying to grasp the situation and are not thinking ahead to tomorrow and to how we will recover and move forward. Mostly we are thinking of the 134 families who are still longing for their loved ones. We will really be happy only when everyone is returned," she said. Har Sheleg said her father is very weak and still undergoing medical tests. "It is unclear whether he was given medications. He did receive a pill for his stomach, but we don't really know. They spoke often with their captors about soccer during their captivity. I don't know if they showered, we did not ask. We want to give my father the time he needs. We are not pressing him too much, now." She said her father was thin and so is his brother Fernando. "They lost half of their body weight," she said. "Our family is reunited but we do not for one minute forget all the 134 that are still held hostage there. We wish for all the families to have this moment and hold their loved ones near or be able to part with them honorably." Har Sheleg said the family does not know where they will go once Louis and Fernando are released from hospital. "I did not think that they would be freed in an IDF operation and believed that the only way for them to come back was in a hostage release deal. But I was surprised, big time. We hope there would be more such operations and more hostages would come home," she said. "We have a ways to go and I cannot feel the relief yet. My father mostly talked about how much he missed us and that he remembered each birthday. They did not watch any television or listen to the radio but for one time. He knew when my birthday was. I don't know how but he surprises us with his clear mindedness. My father is strong." Dr. Yael Frenkel Nir, Deputy Head of the Sheba Medical Center said the two men were stable but that in the course of the day, evidence of their time in captivity and the lack of medical attention during that time, was beginning to appear. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack 21 March 2024 By: i24news Despite a humanitarian crisis, 71 percent of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank still favor Hamas's decision to carry out the 'offensive' and many want the terrorist organization to stay in power. The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) released its latest poll on public opinion across the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, finding that widespread support remains for the Hamas-led October 7 “offensive” and a surprise upswing in favor of a two-state solution. Despite the ensuing war, the humanitarian crisis and the atrocities committed against Israelis, the vast majority of Palestinians in the West Bank (71 percent) and the Gaza Strip (71 percent) still viewed the October 7 “offensive” as the correct decision even though 80 percent of Gazans reported a family member had since been killed or wounded. Even though the initial “offensive” was supported by the vast majority, only nine percent responded that Hamas was to blame for the suffering of Gazans, a drop from 11 percent three months ago, yet 20 percent placed the blame on the U.S. and 64 percent on Israel. Gazans had previously responded in even higher numbers (19 percent) that the terrorist organization was to blame for the suffering, however the latest poll indicated an increased 56 percent responded that Hamas would win the war and even more (59 percent) preferred that it would continue controlling Gaza. Although there was a considerable split between respondents in the West Bank (64 percent) and in the Strip (52 percent). The vast majority were against proposed solutions, whether a Palestinian Authority (PA) rule with or without its current president Mahmoud Abbas, or international forces taking over after the war. Most of all, the Gazans did not trust the regional powers, Jordan and Egypt barely getting support from 22 and 12 percent of the population. Distrust was also seen in the Gazans’ response to a scenario that Israel entered Rafah with tanks and displaced people began rushing to Egypt in search of safety, with only 24 percent thinking this would happen and 68 percent responding that Egyptian soldiers and police would shoot at Palestinian attempting to cross the border, as such 69 percent would not go to the border if others were seen rushing to it. While PSR summarized that a majority of Gazans were “unable to find food,” the polls provided showed a different picture, with 96 percent responding that they could reach a place that provided food or water, though 77 percent said it would be with great difficulty or risk. Though not explicitly elaborating on the difficulties or risks, particularly in humanitarian zones to which a large portion of Gazans have fled from the warzones, PSR polled the experience of fairness at aid distribution centers. Local Palestinian groups were viewed as the most discriminatory by a vast majority of 90 percent, UNRWA close behind at 70 percent, with others at 58 percent and 56 percent. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

The Free Press in Israel: A Special Limited Series 6 March 2024 By: The Free Press You can’t cover a country at war over Zoom. So we went. And now we’re bringing the stories back to you on Honestly. By Candace Mittel Kahn “I don’t know if I should go,” I told my husband. It was a few days before I was supposed to fly from my home in Atlanta to Tel Aviv with Bari and a small team of Free Press producers to report on the war. I had the ticket. I am the executive producer of Honestly and I needed to be there. I just didn’t know if I could get on the plane. There were the practical reasons holding me back: I have two small children and I had never been away from them for anything close to an entire week. There were the safety concerns that kept me up at night: I am the kind of person who does not like to shower when I am alone in my house. I bring pepper spray with me wherever I go. But there were also intangible, existential things eating away at me. The last time I had been to Israel was a decade ago, when I lived in Jerusalem after college. I was young and hungry, and I devoured the country. I loved its motley cultures, the country’s ancient history, the way everyday people found a way to live inside one of the most contested pieces of land in the world. Israelis are often called sabras, after the thorny desert cactus: prickly, thick, harsh on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside. I remember a man yelling at me on the bus one afternoon after I mistakenly took his seat. Minutes later, as my dates and grapes and tomatoes from the market spilled out of my bags, he helped pick them up. We happened to get off at the same stop, and he carried my heavy groceries for me all the way to my apartment. I also felt safe there, both in a practical sense (I would walk the streets alone late at night without hesitation) and also in a deeply emotional sense. I was safe in Israel as a Jew. And as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors who once had no place to flee, I realized how precious and profound that feeling was. Now, months after Hamas invaded the country, I knew that Israel was gone. What I would find in its place, I didn’t know. But I went. I went because I wanted to know. The sun was just beginning to rise as we flew over the Mediterranean Sea and past the city-side beaches of Tel Aviv, but you couldn’t tell because it was an overcast and foggy morning. I looked at the in-flight map in front of me and I thought of the two redheaded boys—ages 1 and 4, the same age as my own children back home—who are being held as hostages by Hamas in Gaza. I thought: if only we could fly just a few more minutes south, we could reach them . We walked down the long hallway from the gate to customs and saw those two redheaded boys—on posters lining the walkway—along with hundreds of others, some already confirmed dead. We changed in the airport bathroom and headed directly to Kfar Aza, a kibbutz just four miles from Gaza. Of the 950 residents of that community, 63 were murdered, 18 were kidnapped, and six were severely injured on October 7. I had seen the videos and the pictures. I had even reported on the stories: within 48 hours of October 7, we had interviewed over a dozen people for Honestly . But that is different from standing in the home of a young couple who had been slaughtered. I looked up at the ceiling and saw hundreds of bullet holes. There was nowhere in the tiny, 400-square-foot home to hide. I noticed the spices—amba, cinnamon, salt—left on a small shelf above the kitchen sink and wondered what they had been planning to make for breakfast that morning. From there we went to the Nova music festival site where 364 civilians were murdered on October 7. We spoke to two young women who shouldn’t have survived but did. Michal recalled hiding under a tank for hours after she’d been shot: “They threw grenades at us. I lost my hearing. And it was just: wait for death. We all knew we were going to die. We just didn’t know which way and when.” “They came very fast,” Mazal, the other woman, told us about the moment the terrorists approached her and her two close friends. “Then, I felt a ‘boom’ in my head, and I fell to the floor. And I felt that someone put ropes on my legs. I felt his hands on me for at least a month after.” Mazal—her name means “luck”—made it. Her friends were murdered next to her. While they told us their stories in the same fields where their friends once lay dead, we heard the thundering of weapons just a few miles away. Those sounds, which were the backdrop of the day alongside the wind and the birds, reminded us that what happened here months ago is far from over. Over breakfast at our hotel in Jaffa the next morning, we met a young woman from Sderot and her two-year-old twins. The majority of the hotel was occupied not by beachside vacationers but by Israeli refugees who cannot return to their homes. I made peek-a-boo faces with the children when the mom pulled out her phone and showed me a picture. “This is my brother, Kobi,” she said. “He was murdered by Hamas on October 7. He was out for his morning run. He loved to run.” The two-year-olds giggled at our feet. She told me her brother was named after their uncle—also named Kobi—who was killed in the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago: October 10, 1973. “The same day as my brother’s funeral.” And that was just the first 24 hours. In the week that followed, we talked to people across the country. Everyone from former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky . . . To Arab-Israeli Muslim journalist Lucy Aharish . . . From people who hate the Netanyahu government but nonetheless showed up as reservists without hesitation. . . To people who voted for Bibi and now want him—and his entire coalition—removed from power. . . From family members of hostages who can barely get out of bed each morning. . . To the soldiers who have no choice but to do so every day. . . From the son of one of Hamas’s founders who escaped the terror group in the West Bank and now calls Israel his home. . . To Palestinians in Ramallah who told us they supported the events of October 7. . . On our final evening in Tel Aviv, just a few hours before we were headed to the airport, rocket alert sirens sounded throughout the city. I was in the shower. Frantic, I grabbed the hotel robe and ran to the stairwell, which serves as the makeshift bomb shelter. I still had shampoo in my hair. As I heard the booms of the Iron Dome intercepting Hamas’s rockets, I thought about the Israelis on October 7 who also sought safety in their shelters, only to soon discover they were their slaughterhouses. And I thought about the civilians and children in Gaza who have no shelters at all. Hamas’s tunnel network is longer than the London Tube. But it’s reserved for terrorists—not innocents. If you would have told me before I left that I’d have to take cover in the hotel stairwell as a dozen rockets flew over my head, I might not have gone. I am so glad I did. For a journalist, nothing compares to reporting on the ground. There is so much to capture and discover that a phone call or a Zoom conversation simply cannot. I got back to Atlanta with some 30 hours of tape. And I got to work putting together the story of a people in mourning, a country at war, and a nation on the frontlines of a civilizational fight. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

October 7th Impact on the Arab World In a Nutshell The Arab world's response to the Gaza-Israel conflict is a complex mix of historical solidarity with Palestinians and pragmatic geopolitical considerations. While there is empathetic support for the Palestinian cause, practical concerns are evident, as seen in Egypt and Jordan's reluctance to host Palestinian refugees due to fears of importing terrorism and destabilizing their own countries. This reflects the delicate balance between solidarity and internal security. Geopolitically, the Middle East has witnessed a shift, with key Arab states like Egypt and Saudi Arabia aligning with Israel on strategic interests, largely driven by mutual concerns over Iran's regional influence. This realignment is highlighted by their cooperation to protect Israel from threats like missile attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, considered Iranian proxies. This evolving dynamic indicates that traditional Arab-Israeli conflicts are being overshadowed by the perceived threat from Iran. Economically, the impact of these conflicts is significant for Arab nations. Activities in the Red Sea, disrupted by Houthi attacks, have caused economic losses for countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Consequently, these nations find themselves in a challenging position, needing to balance public support for Palestinians with addressing their own security and economic interests. The full story References Related Videos Full Story The Full Story The Arab world's reaction to the Gaza-Israel conflict is a nuanced blend of historical solidarity with the Palestinians and pragmatic geopolitical considerations, particularly in the face of shared threats like Iran's regional ambitions and the direct impact of regional conflicts on their own security and economic stability. On one hand, there is a historical and empathetic support for the Palestinian cause among Arab nations. However, this support is tempered by practical concerns, as evidenced by Egypt and Jordan's hesitance to host Palestinian refugees, largely due to fears of importing terrorism and destabilizing their own countries. This cautious approach highlights the delicate balance these nations must maintain between solidarity with Palestinians and internal security concerns. On the other hand, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has seen a shift, with several Arab states, notably Egypt and Saudi Arabia, aligning with Israel on certain strategic interests. A significant factor in this realignment is the shared apprehension regarding Iran's growing influence in the region. Iran's efforts to disrupt the normalization of relations between some Arab countries and Israel have been met with resistance. Notably, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have taken proactive measures to protect Israel from threats such as missile attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are perceived as Iranian proxies. This cooperation underscores a broader regional realignment, where traditional Arab-Israeli conflicts are increasingly overshadowed by the perceived threat from Iran. Moreover, the economic impact of these conflicts is also a concern for Arab nations. For instance, the decrease in Red Sea activity due to Houthi attacks has led to economic losses for countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. This situation has forced these countries into a delicate position of balancing their public support for the Palestinian cause with the need to address their own security and economic interests. References References Pay Attention to the Arab Public Response to the Israel-Hamas War Why Egypt and other Arab nations are hesitant to take in Palestinian refugees How arming Saudi Arabia helped Israel and the United States Iran wanted Saudi Arabia to drop Israel — but failed miserably US public support for Israel drops; majority backs a ceasefire, Reuters/Ipsos shows Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia remain mum despite rising cost of Houthi attacks Reletaed Videos Related Videos The 1947 quote that explains everything 🇬🇧 “Don’t you dare talk about Palestinian resistance!” The Blood Of The People Of Gaza is on Haniyeh and the Hamas Leaders Families in Iran have to live under threat of execution Iranian people for the state of Israel Palestinian lives matter! Load More

'We have hostages, I caught one': IDF uncovers recordings of UNRWA employees from October 7 5 March 2024 By: YNET UNRWA workers who took part in October 7 attack (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Army releases names and recordings of 4 UNRWA employees talking and joking with alleged terrorists about taking part in October 7 massacre The IDF revealed Monday new evidence based on military intelligence regarding the involvement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Hamas’s October 7 attack. The military published the identities of four additional workers who were involved in the massacre - after the identities of other involved employees in the UN agency were already exposed - and also published incriminating recordings of two terrorists for the first time who, alongside their operation for terror organizations in the Strip, worked as teachers in UNRWA schools, and admitted to participating in the massacre. 'I'm inside, with the Jews' In the first recording, a terrorist who works as an Arabic teacher in a UNRWA school in Deir al-Balah described how he infiltrated Israeli territory on October 7 and said he was holding onto an Israeli woman he abducted. The terrorist, and another one with whom he conversed on the phone, are heard laughing and joking - with the latter even describing some woman, likely a hostage, as a "noble mare." In the second recording that was exposed, another terrorist who works as a teacher in an elementary school of UNRWA in Khan Younis, is heard saying he managed to infiltrate Israel: "I’m inside, with the Jews ," he said. "Terror organizations in the Strip use civilian institutions, hospitals, and international aid organizations, and coerce them for terrorist purposes and harming innocent civilians," the military said in a statement. It added that according to its intelligence, over 450 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Strip are employed as UNRWA workers. IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, issued a statement on the incriminating recordings, saying the identities of additional terrorists employed by UNRWA will be revealed in the coming days - including those holding senior positions within the UN agency. He noted that in the recordings, the terrorists speak with contempt and hate, referring to the abducted women as "Sabaya" - an Islamic term that refers to women and children as the property of men, and can also be interpreted as slaves or servants. Hagari mentioned that the Islamic State also used the term to describe Yazidi women whom they abducted for sexual slavery. According to Hagari, this is further evidence that Hamas terrorists treated women with brutality and saw them as animals on October 7 — after numerous pieces of evidence and testimonies have already been exposed regarding the terrorists’ sexual atrocities. "The way they refer to the abducted women as 'Sabaya' or 'noble mares' is extremely worrying and calls for a global outcry – the same as when the world cried for Yazidi women," Hagari said, highlighting Israel’s concerns for hostages still held in the Strip. In the main recording released by the military, Yousef Zidan Suliman al-Hawajri, an Arabic teacher in Deir al-Balah, who according to the IDF is a terrorist associated with Hamas's military wing. "We have hostages. I caught one," al-Hawajri says. In the recording, the date of which wasn’t disclosed, he’s heard speaking with another undisclosed individual — though it’s likely he also took part in the massacre due to the context of his words. In the second recording the two individuals, as mentioned, are heard congratulating each other and expressing joy over Hamas's success in carrying out the most severe attack against Israel in its history. 'I saw, they shot them in the eyes' Al-Hawajri asks his unnamed caller if "he found something," to which he replies: "Yes, they brought a horse." According to the IDF, this is likely a codename for a woman. "You brought in a mare?" al-Hawajri confirms - and the other answers that it is a "noble mare, not just any horse." He then adds, "I’m kidding bro.” In the recorded conversation, the two discuss the massacre in southern Israel, and the unnamed caller says: "I was in the eastern area; there’s a lot of smoke in all of the military outposts." Al-Hawajri: "I was there." Caller: "Where?" Al-Hawajri: "Inside, east of al-Dair." Caller: "No way, how is it there?" Al-Hawajri: "We went in." Caller: "Really, bro?... I saw the (graphic) sights." Al-Hawajri: "Yes, I saw it... They shot them in the eyes." Caller: "How many did you see?" Al-Hawajri: "I saw two, me and another guy from our group." Caller: "You should’ve brought them with you.” Later in the conversation, al-Hawajri recounts how the terrorists in the massacre "broke the cameras and the gates" in southern Israel. "Wow, what a thing they did. Listen, they carried out an operation to free us." The second speaker asks if he brought weapons with him, and he replies, "No, we brought what we could." When asked "what he found in Israel," al-Hawajri replied: "1,000 shekels." As mentioned, the IDF revealed another recording of a terrorist named Mamduh Hassin Ahmed al-Kak — a member of the Islamic Jihad’s military wing — who also works as a teacher at a UNRWA elementary school in Khan Younis. The military didn’t detail who he talked with, but it could be assumed to be another terrorist based on the conversation’s context. The second speaker asks al-Kak where he is, and he indicates that the Gaza border "is full of shooting and fighter jets." Al-Kak responds, "I'm inside, with the Jews inside." Later, the second speaker asks al-Kak how he intends to return home, to which he answers, "When I die." In addition to the two recorded terrorists, the IDF revealed the identities of two other terrorists employed by UNRWA: Rassan Al-Jabari, who according to the IDF is associated with Hamas's Al Furqan Battalion and also works as a UNRWA "health officer", and Bakr Mahmoud Abdullah Darwish, who served as an advisor at a UNRWA school - alongside his involvement in Hamas's military wing. After cutting ties with 10 workers out of 12 Israel has previously uncovered as working for Hamas and taking part in the October 7 attack, UNRWA has accused Israel of abusing its workers into confessing these crimes, which they allege didn’t take place. The UN body announced Monday that it will soon publish the conclusions of an investigation it conducted into the alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees held at bases in Israel by the IDF, according to the New York Times. Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded to the report and attacked UNRWA, saying that "there is no limit to the brazenness of this organization, dozens of whose employees took an active part in the October 7 massacre, thousands of them are members of Hamas and its facilities were used by Hamas' infrastructure." <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'

NYU Professor Tells Students of Hamas Atrocities: ‘We Know It’s Not True’ 22 January 2024 By: The Free Press Meet Amin Husain. Amin is an adjunct professor at NYU, where he has taught a course on “art and activism.” He also gave a talk last month at The New School, where he denied some of Hamas’s recent atrocities in Israel. Video obtained by The Free Press shows Husain speaking at a “teach-in” organized by Students for Justice in Palestine at The New School. “We know it’s not true,” he says of evidence that women were raped and babies were beheaded on October 7. During his speech on the “Palestinian liberation struggle,” Husain also declares that New York is a “Zionist city” and jokes that he has “won the honors of antisemitic multiple times.” In other words, Husain is exactly the sort of person who should be molding young minds at $60,000-per-year NYU. Amin Husain, an adjunct professor at NYU, denied reports that Hamas beheaded babies and raped women in Israel, stating at an event at The New School on December 5, "We know it’s not true." He referred to New York as a "Zionist city" and joked about being labeled antisemitic, referencing a petition calling for his dismissal. At the event, organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, Husain, known for his activism, discussed the "Palestinian liberation struggle." Husain's profile on Canary Mission, a site documenting people and groups promoting hatred of the USA, Israel, and Jews, mentions his involvement in violent disruptions in New York City, promoting hatred of America and the police, and inciting hatred against pro-Israel supporters with an anti-Israel activist group. He has expressed support for Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, both designated as terrorist organizations by various countries. In a video, Husain praises "Islamic resistance movements," including Fatah, and talks about the right of these groups to fight for their people's liberation. He encourages people to read Hamas's 2017 charter, which states that its conflict is with the Zionist project, not Jews because of their religion. Husain, born in the West Bank, has boasted of participating in the First Intifada. He taught a course at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study called Art, Activism, and Beyond, focusing on activist movements. He is also an adjunct professor at The New School of Public Engagement. The New School stated that Husain has not been affiliated with the university since 2019 but has been invited to speak by the campus's SJP. NYU spokesperson John Beckman indicated that Husain is not currently teaching at NYU. Husain also spoke at a November 17 event about a trip to the Middle East before Hamas's invasion of Israel, killing at least 1,200. He emphasized the importance of not denouncing groups and considering the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. His group, Decolonize This Place, is known for disruptive tactics, including a 2020 protest causing over $100,000 in damages in New York City. Sofie Braun, a Jewish student at The New School, expressed disappointment that Husain was hosted by the university, considering its history of supporting Jewish people, particularly during the 1930s. <- Previous Read full article Next -> More Insights 7 Ways Hamas Exploits Palestinian Civilians in Gaza Antisemitism defined: Why opposing the Jewish people's right to self-determination is antisemitic What You Need to Know About Israel’s Humanitarian Aid To Gaza Fatah responds to Hamas criticism of new formation of PA government ‘without consulting Hamas’ Surprise jump in Gazan support for 2-state solution, while still in favor of Oct 7 attack Hamas' Most Horrific Weapon of War: 5 Takeaways from UN Report on Sexual Violence Against Israelis Latest Video Clips The History of Israel This Muslim Israeli Woman Is the Future of the Middle East Natasha Hausdorff responds to the content of the House of Commons Gaza Debate. Its time to face the hard truth that you're being played as a sacrificial fool by terrorists. Peace cannot be achieved with those who desire war and jihad instead. 'Awful Things Happening In Israel Nothing To Do With British Jews'