Day 273 — Friday, July 5

Iranian General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, recently announced that the ayatollah regime was looking for an opportunity to launch a direct missile attack against Israel.

“We are hopeful of the arrival of the opportunity for [conducting] Operation True Promise 2,” Hajizadeh said, according to the Iranian state-controlled Mehr News Agency.

“Operation True Promise,” the Iranian regime’s official name for its unprecedented attack in April, when Tehran fired over 300 aerial projectiles – a combination of drones, missiles and ballistic missiles – against Israel. Israel, with the help of American forces and other allies, reportedly succeeded in neutralizing 99% of the incoming launches. A seven-year-old Bedouin Israeli girl was seriously injured in the attack that reportedly targeted key Israeli military bases in the Golan Heights in the north and Negev Desert in the south.

The April attack was a deviation from the Iranian regime’s typical strategy of waging war through its terror proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen.

Hajizadeh did not elaborate on how many drones and missiles Iran would use in a potential second direct attack against Israel but said Iran supplies weapons to its terror proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and others.

“As it is obvious from the weapons of our dear ones in Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere, it has now become clear that they are in fact being helped and supplied by Iran.”

Since its inception in 1979, the Islamic regime has reportedly viewed Israel as the “small Satan” and the United States as the “great Satan.” This terminology reflects the regime’s strong anti-Western and anti-Israeli stance, a fundamental aspect of its ideology.

Turning to the United States, Hajizadeh said Iran continues to attack Washington’s interests in the Middle East and mentioned its rocket barrage launched at U.S. military bases in Iraq following the U.S. elimination of the Iranian Quds Force commander, Maj.-Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in January 2020.

As the intense phase of the Gaza War is reportedly winding down, the focus has shifted to a potential full-scale war between Israel and Iran’s most powerful terror proxy – Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Backed by Tehran, Hezbollah forces began attacking northern Israeli communities on Oct. 8, officially in a show of solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally killing 1,200 Israeli men, women and children on Oct. 7.

All Israel News 

Day 273 — Friday, July 5

The internal feud didn’t take a holiday following October 7. In fact, the progressive movement in Israel took advantage of it – even with our military. Two branches of the IDF had a colossal failure on October 7th and ever since: our intelligence and Air Force. The intelligence failed to alert ahead of time and the Air Force failed to act fast enough to defend the skies of Israel from aerial threats. Interestingly enough, these two branches had the most active members in the judicial reform protests. Make no mistake, October 7th was years in the making. However, unfortunately, a lot of “useful idiots” made it easier for it to take place!

Netanyahu is dealing with pressure that none of Israel’s prime ministers have faced before. Imagine dealing with the internal strife, military conflicts in multiple places, corrupt leaders within, and dealing with a White House that’s constantly giving you ultimatums. Speaking of the White House, Netanyahu made it clear to the Americans that Israel will not accept a situation where Hezbollah decides when to fire and when to start fighting according to what is happening in Gaza.

According to the same sources, Netanyahu made it clear to the Americans that we will not accept the issue of Hezbollah on the border fence and the immediate threat to the settlements in the area. The essence of his message to the Americans: Either you will make them (Hezbollah) withdraw beyond the Litani River, or the IDF will push them beyond the river.

Day 273 — Friday, July 5

Last week, I discussed how those who hate the Jewish State consistently accuse Israel of actions they themselves commit or desire to commit. These anti-Israel claims line up precisely with what we read in Isaiah 5:20 when God says, “Woe unto those that call evil good and good evil.”

I’m amazed at how the world stands alongside Hamas instead of Israel. As I have said before, if the world can’t see the stark difference, they must have been handed over to a reprobate mind that is incapable of thinking clearly.

Such was the case last week when Palestine Solidarity in Regina organized a lecture at the city’s downtown public library film theater. As I previously reported, the event was canceled after Israel-loving individuals, myself included, voiced our concerns. Unfortunately, the Israel-bashing night was back on the schedule shortly after.

As I attended the event, the theater was packed, with only room for those standing. From the applause of the people there for Jeet Heer, the keynote speaker, it was evident that they were not there to support Israel.

Throughout Jeet’s almost hour-long lecture, Israel was referred to as colonizers committing genocide and ethnic cleansing of the land. He likened Israel to an old-fashioned colonial settlement similar to the old West, with Israeli forces everywhere holding guns. Well, I say, thank goodness for the Israeli forces keeping the peace. We need law and order in our countries.

Do the Jewish people not have a right to the land of Israel? The mantra “From The River To The Sea” says no Israel, and, therefore, no Jew allowed. People chimed in with their displeasure to my question. But what else could that mantra mean? Show me anywhere on an Arab map where Israel and so-called Palestine are shown together. You won’t find it. This mantra calls for Israel’s destruction, and ultimately, that means the destruction of the Jewish people—plain and simple.

Day 272 — Thursday, July 4

The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah launched around 100 rockets at the northern Galilee and Golan Heights on Wednesday afternoon after Israel Defense Forces killed a senior commander of the group in a targeted strike earlier.

The IDF confirmed that about 100 rockets were launched at northern Israel, without specifying how many were intercepted. At the time of publication, there were no reports of casualties or serious damage as a result of the attack.

The Israeli military estimates that Hezbollah’s rejoinder will be similar to the last elimination of a top terror commander about three weeks ago when the group launched some 215 rockets at Israel.

In the evening, Hezbollah claimed to have launched 100 rockets at the headquarters of the IDF’s Golan Division and an air defense base in Kila.

The commander was identified as Muhammad Naamah Nasr, who commanded the “Aziz” unit and was responsible for the warfare against Israel conducted from the western sector of southern Lebanon for the past several months.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the targeted operation to eliminate Nasr, Walla News reported.

Nasr was killed along with another person while they were traveling in a car in the city of Tyre.

Along with Sami Taleb Abdallah, who commanded the “Nasr” unit responsible for southern Lebanon’s eastern sector, and Wassim Tawil, who commanded the elite “Radwan” unit, Nasr is the most senior Hezbollah to be eliminated so far. He held a rank parallel to a brigadier general, according to Army Radio.

“A tank that comes out of battle in Rafah can reach as far as the Litani [river in Lebanon],” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a first reaction to the strike.

“We are hitting Hezbollah hard every day, and we will reach full readiness and a position of strength, ready for any action or a diplomatic arrangement,” Gallant stated.

Nasr’s importance in the eyes of Hezbollah was underlined by its official statement calling the terrorist a “martyr commander,” which has so far only been reserved for Tawil and Abdallah.

According to Army Radio, Nasr was 59 years old, rose through the ranks of Hezbollah’s commando forces, and had been commanding the Aziz unit for the past eight years. He reportedly served in various key positions and was often involved in terror operations and attempted kidnappings of Israelis.

Nasr was reportedly in close contact with officials of the Iranian regime, Hezbollah’s most important backer.

All Israel News

Day 271 — Wednesday, July 3

Columbia University deans accused Jewish students of asserting “privilege” — and mocked them for needing a place to “huddle” to avoid antisemitism and harassment on campus, new text messages released Tuesday show.

Associate deans Josef Sorett, Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm exchanged the dismissive and derisive texts while seated in the audience of a May 31 alumni event about Jewish life on campus, which were released in full by the House Education Committee.

“Laying the case to expand physical space! They will have their own dorm soon,” said Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, in one message, prompting Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia College, to respond: “Comes from such a place of privilege.”

“Hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center Huh??” Chang-Kim added, referring to the campus Hillel chapter. ​​”Trying to be open minded to understand but the doors are closing.”

“Amazing what $$$$ can do,” Kromm said, adding at another point: “If only every identity community had these resources and support.”

The May 31 panel had included Columbia’s Kraft Center for Jewish Life executive director Brian Cohen; former Columbia Law School dean David Schizer, who co-chaired the university’s task force on anti-Semitism; religious life dean Ian Rottenberg; and rising Columbia junior and journalist and the campus newspaper Rebecca Massel.

The Washington Free Beacon first obtained and reported on the text exchanges — including one that used vomit emojis in reference to an op-ed about antisemitism authored by Columbia’s Campus Rabbi Yonah Hain.

Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm were later placed on leave.“I’m going to throw up,” Chang-Kim wrote in response to another portion of the discussion when a Holocaust survivor, Orly Mishan, expressed fear about her daughter “hiding in plain sight” while student-protesters embraced Hamas following the terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, the outlet noted.

“His use of the word Hamas is interesting,” Patashnick claimed elsewhere. “Students generally weren’t protesting for Hamas.”

A spokesman for the US-designated foreign terrorist organization endorsed the tent cities that popped up on college and university campuses nationwide last spring, praising them for having helped “refute the Zionist narrative.”

“Jewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats against them dismissed as ‘privilege,’ and Jewish faculty members deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,” Education Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said in a statement.

“These text messages once again confirm the need for serious accountability across Columbia’s campus,” she added of the exchanges, which had been provided voluntarily.

In late April, a mob of masked pro-Hamas rioters even occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall building, breaking a window with a hammer and flying a huge flag calling for “intifada” from a second-story window. Dozens were arrested within 24 hours — with many seeing their charges dropped by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik came under fire for refusing to say whether “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” was an antisemitic phrase while testifying before Congress.

New York Post

Day 271 — Wednesday, July 3

Halevi toured the Kerem Shalom crossing and a forward logistics center established in Gaza, meeting also with soldiers in the reserves and regular army.

“We count in the Rafah Brigade – what we saw with our eyes,” he said, “over 900 dead terrorists, including commanders.”

This includes “at least one battalion commander, many platoon commanders, and many operatives.”

i24 News

Day 270 — Tuesday, July 2

In an effort to mitigate Rising antisemitism in Germany, a new law will require those applying for citizenship or a new passport to affirm they believe that Israel has a right to exist. The new citizenship law is designed to emphasize German values and protect Jewish life in a nation that was once most at risk, according to JNS.

The reform, which allows dual citizenship for first-generation migrants and reduces the waiting time for naturalization to 5 years, comes amid a complex political landscape.

Since October 7th, Germany has seen a surge in anti-semitic incidents. Felix Klein, the government Commissioner for the Fight against Antisemitism, has reported an alarming 83% increase in hate crimes against Jewish people in 2023—totaling 4,782 incidents.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser really hit the nail on the head when she said, “Anyone who does not share our values cannot get a German passport.”

She continued, “We have drawn a crystal clear red line here.”

What are those values Faeser is talking about? It’s very simple: standing with Israel and supporting the Jewish people who live in Germany.

Friends of Israel

Day 270 — Tuesday, July 2

Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv announced on Tuesday morning that Liora Argmani, mother of Noa Argmani who was recently rescued from Hamas captivity, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.

“The late Liora spent her final days next to her daughter, Noa, who returned from captivity and next to her close family. We convey the family’s request to respect their privacy during these difficult times. We share in the Argamani family’s grief. May her memory be blessed,” the hospital said.

In November, Liora Argamani previously published a heart wrenching video in which she begs to see her daughter one last time due to her terminal illness.

“I am Liora Argamani, the mother of Noa, the beautiful girl who was abducted on October 7th by Hamas to Gaza. I am now sick with cancer – brain cancer. I do not know how much time I have left,” the mother stated.

She added, “I want to get to see my Noa at home. I call on President Biden and the Red Cross: bring me my Noa as fast as possible so I’ll get to see her.”

The mother asked to send a message to her daughter in case she would not get to see her: “Noa, I want to tell you, if I don’t see you, know that I love you the most. We did everything to get you out quickly. The entire world loves you.”

Later, Liora Argmani also wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden pleading for his help to secure the release of her daughter.

In the letter, the mother said that, before she dies of brain cancer, she wants to see Noa who was abducted at the Nova music festival.

“I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. All that’s running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time,” Argamani wrote, adding that she was “devastated” by her daughter’s situation.

Argamani wrote that Biden has been “instrumental” in bringing some of the Israeli hostages home to their families.

“It’s Christmas now, and I would like to request from you, Mr. President, as a present, to see my daughter again before I leave this world,” Argamani said.

“My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family. She deserves to be back where she belongs, pursuing her dreams, surrounded by love and care. She deserves to see her mother alive one last time,” Argamani wrote in the letter.

Noa Argamani’s kidnapping became one of the symbols of Hamas’ attack on Israel. On October 7, a video was published of Argamani, 26, and her boyfriend Avinatan Or being kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the video, Noa could be seen screaming in terror and reaching for Avinatan as she was driven away on the back of a motorcycle.

Arutz Sheva

Day 269 — Monday, July 1

The Biden administration has held up transfers of seven weapon systems to the Jewish state, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Shannon Bream on the program Fox News Sunday.

“This is what is most disturbing to me—is that we’re withholding weapon systems that I have signed off on and Congress has appropriated with the intent of sending those weapons to Israel,” McCaul said. “Remember the supplemental? They were effectively withholding seven weapon systems.”

“I can’t get into the details,” the congressman said. “That is not helping Israel.”

Bream noted that Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said that the United States would have difficulty defending the Jewish state against a Hezbollah attack.

“I respect him, Gen. Brown. I know him, but the fact is we’re not helping them,” McCaul said of Israel.

Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security at the Heritage Foundation, wrote that the Biden administration was holding up the seven arms shipments as Iran reportedly is sending weapons to Hezbollah.

David Milstein, a former adviser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign, wrote that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was right to release a video stating that it was “inconceivable” that the Biden administration was withholding weapons from Israel.

“Those who criticized him were wrong,” Milstein wrote.

JNS

Day 268 — Sunday, June 30

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah publicly thanked Iran for its support of Lebanon on Saturday.

Hezbollah’s leader thanked Iran following the Islamic Republic’s envoy to the UN addressing Friday night’s tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and after he posted on his official X, formerly Twitter, account that, “if Israel expands its activities in Lebanon, a war of annihilation will ensue.”

“We see the achievements of our martyrs and what their blood has achieved daily,” claimed Nasrallah. “We must understand the magnitude of the achievements and victories accumulated over decades, especially since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. What is happening in the Gaza Strip and occupied Palestine is hunger, siege, and acts of genocide.”

“Our achievements and victories against Israel have put our nation on the path to a great victory in a campaign that will take time, and its significance is the liberation of Palestine from Zionist occupation and the liberation of our entire region from American hegemony and tyranny,” he added.

“We are oppressed in the region and attacked by the Great Satan (the US) and the Zionists. During this time, we are blessed with the presence of Iran. The sacred regime, its good people, and the wise [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] help us greatly.”

Simultaneously, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also addressed the tensions, stating, “The threats facing Lebanon are a form of psychological warfare. We are at war, and there are many casualties and destroyed villages due to Israeli aggression. The intensity of psychological warfare is escalating, but I believe we will overcome this phase to achieve a semblance of stability at the borders.”

The Islamic Republic’s envoy to the UN addressed an IDF attack in southern Lebanon following heavy and prolonged rocket fire that was launched earlier on Friday towards northern settlements, with sirens sounding in Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, and across the Galilee.

In Shlomi, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fell, causing a small fire and a house was damaged by shrapnel. Another impact was reported near residential homes, causing minor damage but no injuries.

The IDF spokesperson reported that three UAVs crossed from Lebanon and fell in the Western Galilee area, with no injured or wounded reported. Interceptors were launched at the UAVs that crossed from Lebanon, but no interceptions were carried out.

Additionally, approximately twenty-five rocket launches were identified crossing from Lebanon towards the Western Galilee and the Finger of the Galilee, causing damage to a building in the Western Galilee area but no injuries.

Jerusalem Post 

Day 267 — Saturday, June 29

The United Kingdom submitted a brief questioning to the International Criminal Court challenging its jurisdiction over Israel, potentially delaying moves to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, news reports revealed on Thursday.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli figures, including Netanyahu, in May accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrants have not yet been issued but the decision on whether doing so would be lawful or not may be delayed by the British government’s move, which was revealed on Thursday but made on June 10.

The United Kingdom submitted a brief as an entity not party to the case, offering information or expertise pertinent to the court’s future decisions. The British submission hinges on the fact Israel is not a member of the court and, while Palestinian leaders joined in 2015, the Oslo Accords signed by Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat in 1993 made clear Israel alone has legal jurisdiction over its soldiers.

The ICC awarded itself the competence to investigate war crimes in Palestinian and Israeli territory in 2021, but the British paper challenges this power.

The Times of Israel reported that the ICC originally tried to keep the UK’s challenge secret. Now that it is out in the open, other ICC members have until July 12 to submit their own briefs on the matter. A decision on issuing arrest warrants or not appears to be suspended until after this time, so the court’s pre-trial chamber can consider these questions.

The United Kingdom government has previously made abundantly clear the decision by the ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who is a UK-born human rights lawyer, to pursue an arrest warrant is not welcome. As reported in May when the announcement was made, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it “deeply unhelpful,” saying there was no moral equivalence between a diplomatic state – Israel – defending itself and “the terrorist group Hamas.”

Breitbart

Day 267 — Saturday, June 29

Iran has issued a warning to Israel, asserting it would launch a “war of annihilation” should Israel initiate a major military assault on Lebanon. 

The threat was conveyed through Iran’s mission to the UN late Friday.

The statement from Iran came in response to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s recent visit to Washington, during which he expressed Israel’s preference for a diplomatic resolution to ensure security along its northern border. Gallant indicated openness to an agreement that would keep Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, away from Israeli borders.

According to reports, U.S. intelligence has cautioned that a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could erupt in the coming weeks if diplomatic efforts fail to de-escalate tensions. Both sides reportedly continue to prepare for potential hostilities, with concerns mounting over the possibility of renewed violence.

In response to the heightened risk, several European countries have advised their citizens to evacuate Lebanon, underscoring international concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region. Canada, too, is making plans to evacuate thousands of its citizens from Lebanon.

i24 News

Day 273 — Friday, July 5

Iranian General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, recently announced that the ayatollah regime was looking for an opportunity to launch a direct missile attack against Israel.

“We are hopeful of the arrival of the opportunity for [conducting] Operation True Promise 2,” Hajizadeh said, according to the Iranian state-controlled Mehr News Agency.

“Operation True Promise,” the Iranian regime’s official name for its unprecedented attack in April, when Tehran fired over 300 aerial projectiles – a combination of drones, missiles and ballistic missiles – against Israel. Israel, with the help of American forces and other allies, reportedly succeeded in neutralizing 99% of the incoming launches. A seven-year-old Bedouin Israeli girl was seriously injured in the attack that reportedly targeted key Israeli military bases in the Golan Heights in the north and Negev Desert in the south.

The April attack was a deviation from the Iranian regime’s typical strategy of waging war through its terror proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen.

Hajizadeh did not elaborate on how many drones and missiles Iran would use in a potential second direct attack against Israel but said Iran supplies weapons to its terror proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and others.

“As it is obvious from the weapons of our dear ones in Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere, it has now become clear that they are in fact being helped and supplied by Iran.”

Since its inception in 1979, the Islamic regime has reportedly viewed Israel as the “small Satan” and the United States as the “great Satan.” This terminology reflects the regime’s strong anti-Western and anti-Israeli stance, a fundamental aspect of its ideology.

Turning to the United States, Hajizadeh said Iran continues to attack Washington’s interests in the Middle East and mentioned its rocket barrage launched at U.S. military bases in Iraq following the U.S. elimination of the Iranian Quds Force commander, Maj.-Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in January 2020.

As the intense phase of the Gaza War is reportedly winding down, the focus has shifted to a potential full-scale war between Israel and Iran’s most powerful terror proxy – Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

Backed by Tehran, Hezbollah forces began attacking northern Israeli communities on Oct. 8, officially in a show of solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally killing 1,200 Israeli men, women and children on Oct. 7.

All Israel News 

Day 273 — Friday, July 5

The internal feud didn’t take a holiday following October 7. In fact, the progressive movement in Israel took advantage of it – even with our military. Two branches of the IDF had a colossal failure on October 7th and ever since: our intelligence and Air Force. The intelligence failed to alert ahead of time and the Air Force failed to act fast enough to defend the skies of Israel from aerial threats. Interestingly enough, these two branches had the most active members in the judicial reform protests. Make no mistake, October 7th was years in the making. However, unfortunately, a lot of “useful idiots” made it easier for it to take place!

Netanyahu is dealing with pressure that none of Israel’s prime ministers have faced before. Imagine dealing with the internal strife, military conflicts in multiple places, corrupt leaders within, and dealing with a White House that’s constantly giving you ultimatums. Speaking of the White House, Netanyahu made it clear to the Americans that Israel will not accept a situation where Hezbollah decides when to fire and when to start fighting according to what is happening in Gaza.

According to the same sources, Netanyahu made it clear to the Americans that we will not accept the issue of Hezbollah on the border fence and the immediate threat to the settlements in the area. The essence of his message to the Americans: Either you will make them (Hezbollah) withdraw beyond the Litani River, or the IDF will push them beyond the river.

Day 273 — Friday, July 5

Last week, I discussed how those who hate the Jewish State consistently accuse Israel of actions they themselves commit or desire to commit. These anti-Israel claims line up precisely with what we read in Isaiah 5:20 when God says, “Woe unto those that call evil good and good evil.”

I’m amazed at how the world stands alongside Hamas instead of Israel. As I have said before, if the world can’t see the stark difference, they must have been handed over to a reprobate mind that is incapable of thinking clearly.

Such was the case last week when Palestine Solidarity in Regina organized a lecture at the city’s downtown public library film theater. As I previously reported, the event was canceled after Israel-loving individuals, myself included, voiced our concerns. Unfortunately, the Israel-bashing night was back on the schedule shortly after.

As I attended the event, the theater was packed, with only room for those standing. From the applause of the people there for Jeet Heer, the keynote speaker, it was evident that they were not there to support Israel.

Throughout Jeet’s almost hour-long lecture, Israel was referred to as colonizers committing genocide and ethnic cleansing of the land. He likened Israel to an old-fashioned colonial settlement similar to the old West, with Israeli forces everywhere holding guns. Well, I say, thank goodness for the Israeli forces keeping the peace. We need law and order in our countries.

Do the Jewish people not have a right to the land of Israel? The mantra “From The River To The Sea” says no Israel, and, therefore, no Jew allowed. People chimed in with their displeasure to my question. But what else could that mantra mean? Show me anywhere on an Arab map where Israel and so-called Palestine are shown together. You won’t find it. This mantra calls for Israel’s destruction, and ultimately, that means the destruction of the Jewish people—plain and simple.

Day 272 — Thursday, July 4

The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah launched around 100 rockets at the northern Galilee and Golan Heights on Wednesday afternoon after Israel Defense Forces killed a senior commander of the group in a targeted strike earlier.

The IDF confirmed that about 100 rockets were launched at northern Israel, without specifying how many were intercepted. At the time of publication, there were no reports of casualties or serious damage as a result of the attack.

The Israeli military estimates that Hezbollah’s rejoinder will be similar to the last elimination of a top terror commander about three weeks ago when the group launched some 215 rockets at Israel.

In the evening, Hezbollah claimed to have launched 100 rockets at the headquarters of the IDF’s Golan Division and an air defense base in Kila.

The commander was identified as Muhammad Naamah Nasr, who commanded the “Aziz” unit and was responsible for the warfare against Israel conducted from the western sector of southern Lebanon for the past several months.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the targeted operation to eliminate Nasr, Walla News reported.

Nasr was killed along with another person while they were traveling in a car in the city of Tyre.

Along with Sami Taleb Abdallah, who commanded the “Nasr” unit responsible for southern Lebanon’s eastern sector, and Wassim Tawil, who commanded the elite “Radwan” unit, Nasr is the most senior Hezbollah to be eliminated so far. He held a rank parallel to a brigadier general, according to Army Radio.

“A tank that comes out of battle in Rafah can reach as far as the Litani [river in Lebanon],” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a first reaction to the strike.

“We are hitting Hezbollah hard every day, and we will reach full readiness and a position of strength, ready for any action or a diplomatic arrangement,” Gallant stated.

Nasr’s importance in the eyes of Hezbollah was underlined by its official statement calling the terrorist a “martyr commander,” which has so far only been reserved for Tawil and Abdallah.

According to Army Radio, Nasr was 59 years old, rose through the ranks of Hezbollah’s commando forces, and had been commanding the Aziz unit for the past eight years. He reportedly served in various key positions and was often involved in terror operations and attempted kidnappings of Israelis.

Nasr was reportedly in close contact with officials of the Iranian regime, Hezbollah’s most important backer.

All Israel News

Day 271 — Wednesday, July 3

Columbia University deans accused Jewish students of asserting “privilege” — and mocked them for needing a place to “huddle” to avoid antisemitism and harassment on campus, new text messages released Tuesday show.

Associate deans Josef Sorett, Susan Chang-Kim, Matthew Patashnick and Cristen Kromm exchanged the dismissive and derisive texts while seated in the audience of a May 31 alumni event about Jewish life on campus, which were released in full by the House Education Committee.

“Laying the case to expand physical space! They will have their own dorm soon,” said Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support, in one message, prompting Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer of Columbia College, to respond: “Comes from such a place of privilege.”

“Hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center Huh??” Chang-Kim added, referring to the campus Hillel chapter. ​​”Trying to be open minded to understand but the doors are closing.”

“Amazing what $$$$ can do,” Kromm said, adding at another point: “If only every identity community had these resources and support.”

The May 31 panel had included Columbia’s Kraft Center for Jewish Life executive director Brian Cohen; former Columbia Law School dean David Schizer, who co-chaired the university’s task force on anti-Semitism; religious life dean Ian Rottenberg; and rising Columbia junior and journalist and the campus newspaper Rebecca Massel.

The Washington Free Beacon first obtained and reported on the text exchanges — including one that used vomit emojis in reference to an op-ed about antisemitism authored by Columbia’s Campus Rabbi Yonah Hain.

Chang-Kim, Patashnick and Kromm were later placed on leave.“I’m going to throw up,” Chang-Kim wrote in response to another portion of the discussion when a Holocaust survivor, Orly Mishan, expressed fear about her daughter “hiding in plain sight” while student-protesters embraced Hamas following the terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, the outlet noted.

“His use of the word Hamas is interesting,” Patashnick claimed elsewhere. “Students generally weren’t protesting for Hamas.”

A spokesman for the US-designated foreign terrorist organization endorsed the tent cities that popped up on college and university campuses nationwide last spring, praising them for having helped “refute the Zionist narrative.”

“Jewish students deserve better than to have harassment and threats against them dismissed as ‘privilege,’ and Jewish faculty members deserve better than to be mocked by their colleagues,” Education Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said in a statement.

“These text messages once again confirm the need for serious accountability across Columbia’s campus,” she added of the exchanges, which had been provided voluntarily.

In late April, a mob of masked pro-Hamas rioters even occupied the university’s Hamilton Hall building, breaking a window with a hammer and flying a huge flag calling for “intifada” from a second-story window. Dozens were arrested within 24 hours — with many seeing their charges dropped by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik came under fire for refusing to say whether “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” was an antisemitic phrase while testifying before Congress.

New York Post

Day 271 — Wednesday, July 3

Halevi toured the Kerem Shalom crossing and a forward logistics center established in Gaza, meeting also with soldiers in the reserves and regular army.

“We count in the Rafah Brigade – what we saw with our eyes,” he said, “over 900 dead terrorists, including commanders.”

This includes “at least one battalion commander, many platoon commanders, and many operatives.”

i24 News

Day 270 — Tuesday, July 2

In an effort to mitigate Rising antisemitism in Germany, a new law will require those applying for citizenship or a new passport to affirm they believe that Israel has a right to exist. The new citizenship law is designed to emphasize German values and protect Jewish life in a nation that was once most at risk, according to JNS.

The reform, which allows dual citizenship for first-generation migrants and reduces the waiting time for naturalization to 5 years, comes amid a complex political landscape.

Since October 7th, Germany has seen a surge in anti-semitic incidents. Felix Klein, the government Commissioner for the Fight against Antisemitism, has reported an alarming 83% increase in hate crimes against Jewish people in 2023—totaling 4,782 incidents.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser really hit the nail on the head when she said, “Anyone who does not share our values cannot get a German passport.”

She continued, “We have drawn a crystal clear red line here.”

What are those values Faeser is talking about? It’s very simple: standing with Israel and supporting the Jewish people who live in Germany.

Friends of Israel

Day 270 — Tuesday, July 2

Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv announced on Tuesday morning that Liora Argmani, mother of Noa Argmani who was recently rescued from Hamas captivity, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.

“The late Liora spent her final days next to her daughter, Noa, who returned from captivity and next to her close family. We convey the family’s request to respect their privacy during these difficult times. We share in the Argamani family’s grief. May her memory be blessed,” the hospital said.

In November, Liora Argamani previously published a heart wrenching video in which she begs to see her daughter one last time due to her terminal illness.

“I am Liora Argamani, the mother of Noa, the beautiful girl who was abducted on October 7th by Hamas to Gaza. I am now sick with cancer – brain cancer. I do not know how much time I have left,” the mother stated.

She added, “I want to get to see my Noa at home. I call on President Biden and the Red Cross: bring me my Noa as fast as possible so I’ll get to see her.”

The mother asked to send a message to her daughter in case she would not get to see her: “Noa, I want to tell you, if I don’t see you, know that I love you the most. We did everything to get you out quickly. The entire world loves you.”

Later, Liora Argmani also wrote a letter to US President Joe Biden pleading for his help to secure the release of her daughter.

In the letter, the mother said that, before she dies of brain cancer, she wants to see Noa who was abducted at the Nova music festival.

“I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. All that’s running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time,” Argamani wrote, adding that she was “devastated” by her daughter’s situation.

Argamani wrote that Biden has been “instrumental” in bringing some of the Israeli hostages home to their families.

“It’s Christmas now, and I would like to request from you, Mr. President, as a present, to see my daughter again before I leave this world,” Argamani said.

“My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family. She deserves to be back where she belongs, pursuing her dreams, surrounded by love and care. She deserves to see her mother alive one last time,” Argamani wrote in the letter.

Noa Argamani’s kidnapping became one of the symbols of Hamas’ attack on Israel. On October 7, a video was published of Argamani, 26, and her boyfriend Avinatan Or being kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the video, Noa could be seen screaming in terror and reaching for Avinatan as she was driven away on the back of a motorcycle.

Arutz Sheva

Day 269 — Monday, July 1

The Biden administration has held up transfers of seven weapon systems to the Jewish state, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Shannon Bream on the program Fox News Sunday.

“This is what is most disturbing to me—is that we’re withholding weapon systems that I have signed off on and Congress has appropriated with the intent of sending those weapons to Israel,” McCaul said. “Remember the supplemental? They were effectively withholding seven weapon systems.”

“I can’t get into the details,” the congressman said. “That is not helping Israel.”

Bream noted that Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said that the United States would have difficulty defending the Jewish state against a Hezbollah attack.

“I respect him, Gen. Brown. I know him, but the fact is we’re not helping them,” McCaul said of Israel.

Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security at the Heritage Foundation, wrote that the Biden administration was holding up the seven arms shipments as Iran reportedly is sending weapons to Hezbollah.

David Milstein, a former adviser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign, wrote that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was right to release a video stating that it was “inconceivable” that the Biden administration was withholding weapons from Israel.

“Those who criticized him were wrong,” Milstein wrote.

JNS

Day 268 — Sunday, June 30

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah publicly thanked Iran for its support of Lebanon on Saturday.

Hezbollah’s leader thanked Iran following the Islamic Republic’s envoy to the UN addressing Friday night’s tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and after he posted on his official X, formerly Twitter, account that, “if Israel expands its activities in Lebanon, a war of annihilation will ensue.”

“We see the achievements of our martyrs and what their blood has achieved daily,” claimed Nasrallah. “We must understand the magnitude of the achievements and victories accumulated over decades, especially since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. What is happening in the Gaza Strip and occupied Palestine is hunger, siege, and acts of genocide.”

“Our achievements and victories against Israel have put our nation on the path to a great victory in a campaign that will take time, and its significance is the liberation of Palestine from Zionist occupation and the liberation of our entire region from American hegemony and tyranny,” he added.

“We are oppressed in the region and attacked by the Great Satan (the US) and the Zionists. During this time, we are blessed with the presence of Iran. The sacred regime, its good people, and the wise [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] help us greatly.”

Simultaneously, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also addressed the tensions, stating, “The threats facing Lebanon are a form of psychological warfare. We are at war, and there are many casualties and destroyed villages due to Israeli aggression. The intensity of psychological warfare is escalating, but I believe we will overcome this phase to achieve a semblance of stability at the borders.”

The Islamic Republic’s envoy to the UN addressed an IDF attack in southern Lebanon following heavy and prolonged rocket fire that was launched earlier on Friday towards northern settlements, with sirens sounding in Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona, Shlomi, and across the Galilee.

In Shlomi, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fell, causing a small fire and a house was damaged by shrapnel. Another impact was reported near residential homes, causing minor damage but no injuries.

The IDF spokesperson reported that three UAVs crossed from Lebanon and fell in the Western Galilee area, with no injured or wounded reported. Interceptors were launched at the UAVs that crossed from Lebanon, but no interceptions were carried out.

Additionally, approximately twenty-five rocket launches were identified crossing from Lebanon towards the Western Galilee and the Finger of the Galilee, causing damage to a building in the Western Galilee area but no injuries.

Jerusalem Post 

Day 267 — Saturday, June 29

The United Kingdom submitted a brief questioning to the International Criminal Court challenging its jurisdiction over Israel, potentially delaying moves to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, news reports revealed on Thursday.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli figures, including Netanyahu, in May accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrants have not yet been issued but the decision on whether doing so would be lawful or not may be delayed by the British government’s move, which was revealed on Thursday but made on June 10.

The United Kingdom submitted a brief as an entity not party to the case, offering information or expertise pertinent to the court’s future decisions. The British submission hinges on the fact Israel is not a member of the court and, while Palestinian leaders joined in 2015, the Oslo Accords signed by Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat in 1993 made clear Israel alone has legal jurisdiction over its soldiers.

The ICC awarded itself the competence to investigate war crimes in Palestinian and Israeli territory in 2021, but the British paper challenges this power.

The Times of Israel reported that the ICC originally tried to keep the UK’s challenge secret. Now that it is out in the open, other ICC members have until July 12 to submit their own briefs on the matter. A decision on issuing arrest warrants or not appears to be suspended until after this time, so the court’s pre-trial chamber can consider these questions.

The United Kingdom government has previously made abundantly clear the decision by the ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who is a UK-born human rights lawyer, to pursue an arrest warrant is not welcome. As reported in May when the announcement was made, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it “deeply unhelpful,” saying there was no moral equivalence between a diplomatic state – Israel – defending itself and “the terrorist group Hamas.”

Breitbart

Day 267 — Saturday, June 29

Iran has issued a warning to Israel, asserting it would launch a “war of annihilation” should Israel initiate a major military assault on Lebanon. 

The threat was conveyed through Iran’s mission to the UN late Friday.

The statement from Iran came in response to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s recent visit to Washington, during which he expressed Israel’s preference for a diplomatic resolution to ensure security along its northern border. Gallant indicated openness to an agreement that would keep Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, away from Israeli borders.

According to reports, U.S. intelligence has cautioned that a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could erupt in the coming weeks if diplomatic efforts fail to de-escalate tensions. Both sides reportedly continue to prepare for potential hostilities, with concerns mounting over the possibility of renewed violence.

In response to the heightened risk, several European countries have advised their citizens to evacuate Lebanon, underscoring international concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region. Canada, too, is making plans to evacuate thousands of its citizens from Lebanon.

i24 News