News Digest — 7/24/25
Knesset Approves Resolution Affirming Israel’s Right To Sovereignty In Judea And Samaria
The Knesset Plenum voted on Wednesday afternoon (23rd) to approve a resolution affirming the State of Israel’s natural, historical, and legal right to all parts of the Land of Israel, with specific emphasis on Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
The resolution passed with a majority of 71 Members of Knesset, with only the 13 votes of the Arab parties and the “Democrats” party led by Yair Golan against, while Blue and White and Yesh Atid parties were absent from the vote.
The resolution states that these territories are an inseparable part of the Jewish people’s historic, cultural, and spiritual homeland, and that cities such as Hebron, Shechem (Nablus), Shiloh, and Beit El reflect the historical continuity of Jewish existence in the Land of Israel.
The document further stresses that the events of October 7, 2023 proved that the establishment of a Palestinian state would pose an existential threat to Israel and undermine regional stability. The Knesset reiterated its position that the idea of a Palestinian state has been removed from the agenda.
Later, the Knesset called on the Israeli government to “work as soon as possible to apply Israeli sovereignty, law, jurisdiction, and administration in all areas and forms of Jewish settlement in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
According to the resolution, this move will “strengthen the Jewish state and its security and will prevent any challenge to the Jewish people’s basic right to peace and security in its land.”
At its conclusion, the resolution called on friends of Israel around the world to “support the return of Zion and the vision of the prophets,” and to stand with the State of Israel for its right to apply full sovereignty on these territories.”
The proposal was led by MKs Simcha Rothman, Oded Forer, Dan Illouz, and Limor Har-Melech.
Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, stated: “I thank the ministers and Members of Knesset from both the coalition and the opposition who voted for this important proposal to advance Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The approval of the proposal, by a large majority of Zionist MKs, once again proves the broad support of the people of Israel for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. It is clear and undeniable evidence of the national will to realize our values and our right to our land. This vote is a significant milestone on the path toward advancing the strategic step that will fortify the security of the entire State of Israel. I now call on the government of Israel. Turn this decision into reality on the ground. We are at a critical and historic juncture. We must not miss this opportunity. The Yesha Council will continue to work tirelessly until Israeli sovereignty is applied in Judea and Samaria.”
Syria Formally Invites Turkey To Rebuild Its Military Force
On Wednesday (23rd), officials in Turkey’s Defense Ministry announced that Syria officially sought assistance from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration to collaborate on security issues.
The officials noted, “We are assessing the possibilities of offering training, guidance, and technical aid” to strengthen Syria’s defenses against ISIS and other radical factions.
Turkey and Syria have maintained complex relations, often marked by tension due to differing political and security interests. Turkey has historically supported opposition groups against the Assad regime, including backing rebel factions during the Syrian civil war, while also conducting military operations in northern Syria to counter Kurdish forces it views as a threat.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Turkey has emerged as a key player in Syria’s transitional phase, engaging with the new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), and it has been actively involved in the ongoing affairs there, to the point of rebuilding military bases for potential permanent presence of Turkish advisors in southern and central Syria.
This shift has opened avenues for cooperation, particularly in security and reconstruction efforts, as Turkey seeks to leverage its regional influence and become the main power broker in Syria, effectively replacing Iran and forming a new Sunni sphere of influence.
Hamas Terrorists’ Luxury Diet: This Is What They Are Hiding
The IDF Arabic Spokesperson unveiled dramatic video evidence Wednesday (23rd) documenting Hamas terrorists’ comfortable underground life, showing fighters enjoying fresh bananas, dates, and meat in tunnel complexes while their organization publicly accuses Israel of creating starvation conditions for Gaza residents.
Col. Avichay Adraee emphasized that “while the organization’s senior officials accuse Israel by fabricating “starvation” claims, these videos reveal the terrorists proudly displaying their tunnel meals. It must be noted that the food shown in the videos did not arrive through humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.”
The footage captures Hamas operatives showcasing their food supplies with enthusiasm, declaring “Bananas! Dates! Meat!” while occupying well-equipped underground facilities that stand in stark contrast to the hardships faced by Gaza’s civilian population during the extended conflict.
Adraee explained that “Hamas terrorists’ detachment from civilian suffering reveals itself in its ugliness yet again. This same organization that spreads falsehoods worldwide about ‘starvation,’ amuses itself with destruction scenes it inflicted upon its own people. Gaza residents, this represents the truth. These terrorists are not heroes – they are thieves who prioritize themselves at your expense and hide in tunnels fearing repercussions from their actions.”
The revelations highlight the fundamental disconnect between Hamas leadership’s public messaging about humanitarian conditions and the reality of their operatives‘ comfortable underground accommodations and abundant food supplies during wartime.
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation To UN: Let Us Deliver Your Aid
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) made a public offer to the United Nations and other international aid organizations on Wednesday (23rd) to deliver all their current aid for free.
The organization’s offer comes in response to aerial video released on Wednesday (23rd) by Israel’s COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), showing 950 fully loaded trucks containing 2,500 tons of food, sitting untouched inside Gaza near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Recent media reports indicate that the UN agencies, including WFP, and other humanitarian partners have struggled to deliver aid in Gaza, with nearly all of their aid convoys being looted and or otherwise confiscated. Critics say the underlying problem for the UN and partnering humanitarian groups is not access, its operational failure.
By contrast, GHF says it is delivering at scale and is currently the only consistent source for aid in Gaza, delivering more than 87 million meals to date, averaging between two to three million meals per day.
“We’ve been sounding the alarm for weeks on the need for more aid in Gaza while we’ve seen aid by the UN and other organizations being piled near the borders but not being delivered,” said GHF interim Director John Acree. “Our top priority is feeding the people of Gaza, and we are prepared to adjust our supply chains, work with the UN or other teams to organize the packaging and transport, and distribute it to those in need, or we can work with organizations to provide security to ensure food reaches its intended destination. We are ready and able to start today.”
This offer follows a letter sent yesterday to UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher from GHF’s Executive Chairman Johnnie Moore, reaffirming the foundation’s willingness to collaborate with the UN and other international aid organizations to avoid more abandoned aid and restore a functioning, accountable aid pipeline.
“Our door remains open. We are prepared to support the safe and accountable delivery of UN aid to Gazans who desperately need it. But time is short. People are hungry, and food is sitting idle out of their reach. We cannot let politics stand in the way,” wrote Moore.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Criticizes Hypocrisy: Hamas Is To Blame For Gaza’s Crisis
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the UN for its hypocrisy regarding Israel, saying, “Hamas causes the crisis, and we get the blame,” in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. “We are not ignoring the suffering in Gaza – but the blame lies with Hamas, not Israel, “said Danon.
He told the Post that the international pressure being directed at Israel in recent weeks is less a result of humanitarian concern, and more a product of what he calls “a calculated propaganda campaign orchestrated by Hamas and its allies.”
“People see the images, they hear the outcry – but they don’t check the facts,” Danon said. “That’s why we’re fighting not only on the battlefield, but in the arena of perception.”
In the interview, Danon firmly rejected the claim that Gaza is currently facing famine, citing international benchmarks.
“Look at the quantity of food entering through Kerem Shalom, through humanitarian convoys, through aid centers – there is a constant flow of food,” he explained. “But Hamas hijacks aid, disrupts distribution, and prevents civilians from accessing relief – and then blames Israel.”
The deeper issue, according to Danon, who has been fighting to prove that the claims of famine in Gaza are fake, is Hamas’ absence from the diplomatic arena.
“They’re not in the Security Council, not at the General Assembly. We are. So all the pressure goes to us — even though we are not the problem, we’re the target.”
When asked about UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent comments accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian access, Danon responded firmly: “it’s hypocrisy. From day one, the UN tried to undermine the Israeli National Relief Fund that was set up to provide direct aid to Gaza. They don’t want Israel to succeed – they want control, even if that means fewer Palestinians get fed.”
In March, Danon also directed criticism at the UN Security Council for failing to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas, as previously reported by the Post. How can they have the audacity to talk about a ceasefire without demanding the release of those held in Hamas’ terror tunnels?” he asked.
How can you claim to stand for international law while ignoring the hostages as they languish in conditions that defy human comprehension?” he added, referring to an address by released hostage Eli Sharabi to the Council, in which he asked,”Where was the UN during my 401 days in captivity?”
Danon described the UN’s silence as a “moral collapse of the highest order.”
Furthermore, Danon condemned the lack of action by the Red Cross, saying that for “530 days, the Red Cross has continued to act according to Hamas’ playbook.”
Addressing the topic of the renewed IDF military strikes and ground force operations in Gaza, Danon said, “There is one absolute certainty in this situation: the war will not end until the hostages are freed.”
“The choice is simple,” he concluded. “If you want a ceasefire, then pressure Hamas to release the hostages immediately.”
Israel’s European Critics Ready To Sacrifice The Jews To Save Themselves From Radical Islam – Amb. Dror Eydar
Many of Israel’s European critics despise Israel and hope for its downfall. On the other hand, they watch helplessly as radical Islam steadily takes over city after city in Europe. Europe is asleep at the wheel of its own civilization. Rather than confront the threat, it clings to a familiar tradition: sacrifice the Jews to save yourselves, hoping radical Islam will let you be. It will not. History has shown that a society’s treatment of Jews is a litmus test for its health.
Israel, unlike Europe, recognizes the threat of radical Islam and fights back on multiple fronts. Israel is fighting for the entire Free World, while they condemn. We declare some values are worth dying for.
The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians was a textbook act of genocide. To counter this, the “Gaza genocide” lie was disseminated to shift attention from the Palestinian goal of Israel’s destruction and the murder of Jews.
In fact, the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza during the war was, on average, higher than before the war. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry classifies combatants as “innocent civilians” and hides natural death figures. There is no evidence of a systematic Israeli policy targeting civilians, and the IDF has taken extensive precautions to minimize collateral damage.
The writer is a former Israeli ambassador to Italy.
European Rabbis Receive Krav Maga Training To Protect Themselves Amid Rising Anti-Semitism
Dozens of rabbis from across Europe are undergoing specialized self-defense and Krav Maga training in Eindhoven, Netherlands, as attacks on Israelis and those perceived as Jewish surge in European cities. The seminar, organized by the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE), the leading body representing over 850 rabbis continent-wide, responds to growing safety concerns.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, RCE chairman and head of the European Jews Association, said the situation was a wake-up call for governments, urging strong security around Jewish centers and harsher penalties for anti-Semitic attacks.
He noted that rabbis now face the risk of assault with every public outing. RCE director Rabbi Aryeh Goldberg said the training was prompted by requests from rabbis, who feel vulnerable and unprotected amid constant threats of physical attack.
Since Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing war in Gaza, anti-Semitic incidents have skyrocketed. France reported a 350% surge, with a poll showing 64% of French citizens believe Jews have a reason to fear for their lives. The UK saw a 450% increase, recording nearly 2,000 incidents in the first half of 2024 alone.
In the Netherlands, where the seminar took place, incidents spiked, including a firebomb attack on Israel’s UN embassy in March 2024, an assault on an Orthodox rabbi in an Utrecht mall in April, harassment of Israelis at Schiphol Airport that same month and a violent attack on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans after a match against Ajax in Amsterdam in November. The events highlight systemic failures in addressing the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
