NEW YORK — In one of his first acts in office on Thursday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked the city’s implementation of an antisemitism definition that includes some forms of Israel criticism, in a sweeping rejection of his predecessor’s executive orders.The mass revocation of those executive orders also canceled other pro-Israel measures taken by the former mayor, Eric Adams.
Mamdani, a far-left anti-Zionist, took office with the start of the new year, replacing Adams’s staunchly pro-Israel administration.
In one of Mamdani’s first moves as mayor, he issued an executive order that revoked all executive orders Adams implemented since September 26, 2024, when Adams was indicted for corruption. The corruption charges were later dismissed amid allegations of shady dealings between Adams and the Justice Department of US President Donald Trump.
Mamdani’s campaign said the revocations would ensure “a fresh start for the incoming administration.”
(Read more at timesofisrael.com)
IDF strikes Hezbollah training compound
A short while ago, the IDF struck Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in several areas in southern Lebanon.
As part of the strikes, the IDF struck a training compound used by Hezbollah’s ‘Radwan Force’ to conduct drills and training of its terrorists, for the planning and execution of terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians. The terrorist’s training at the compound included shooting exercises and additional drills involving the use of weapons.
In addition, the IDF struck military structures that were recently used to store weapons for Hezbollah terrorist activity.
“The infrastructure sites struck and Hezbollah’s conduct of military training constitute a violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon and pose a threat to the State of Israel. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat to the State of Israel,” the military stated.
(Read more at israelnationalnews.com)
Diaspora Affairs Minister offered to help Australia with counterterrorism after Bondi Beach attack
Israel has offered to train Australian police and security officials in counterterrorism and responses to antisemitism following the deadly Bondi Beach attack that took place on the first night of Chanuka, Australian Jewish News reports.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli made the offer in a letter to Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, proposing that senior Australian law enforcement and security personnel travel to Israel for professional training.
Chikli wrote that Israel was prepared to assist Australia as it confronts growing security threats.
“We bring extensive experience in combating radical Islamic terrorism and antisemitism, threats that have regrettably become increasingly common, overt and dangerous, not only in Australia but across the world,” Chikli wrote.
He said Israel would “welcome the opportunity to host and train senior Australian police officers and security personnel in Israel, sharing our experience, expertise and best practices in countering terrorism and antisemitism.”
The proposal followed the Bondi Beach attack, which authorities said was carried out by a father and son connected to Islamist extremist networks in Australia and had close ties to a convicted ISIS-affiliated operative.
(worldisraelnews.com)
Israeli military bases in Somaliland? Gov’t says ties ‘purely diplomatic’
Days after Israel announced recognition of breakaway region Somaliland, the African nation officially rejected on Thursday the “false claims of the President of Somalia” regarding the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of military bases in its territory. A statement released by the government stressed that “Somaliland’s connection with the State of Israel is diplomatic only, which is conducted with full respect for international law and the sovereign interests of both countries.”
Officials in the Somaliland government slammed President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, emphasizing that “these baseless claims were intended to mislead the international community and to undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress. Somaliland remains committed to regional stability and to peaceful international cooperation.”
(Read more at israelhayom.com)
