47069
Original reporting on everything that matters in Israel!
After eight months of captivity in Gaza, Russian-Israeli hostage Andrei Kozlov is turning his pain into art. Rescued in a dramatic IDF mission in June 2024, Kozlov is now preparing for his first solo exhibit in NYC, titled “So-Real Surreal.” The collection, opening next month in Chelsea, captures his harrowing experience — from being blindfolded and tied up, to the fear of not surviving.
Kozlov, who moved to Israel from Russia to avoid the war in Ukraine, was working as a guard at the Nova festival when he was kidnapped. His paintings reflect the mental and physical torture he endured, influenced by artists like Picasso and Munch. He says art helped him survive: “It was just for my soul… to get my mind out of this prison.”
Now living in Midtown, he sees this new chapter as a gift. “By accident, I became a symbol of hope,” he says. “I have a second chance. I need to use it.”
Sometimes you hope something’s just a lie… but then humanity comes through and says, “Wait, I can make it worse.”
Читать полностью…
YouTube star Ms. Rachel — known for her educational videos for toddlers — is speaking out after being accused of promoting antisemitic messages. The group StopAntisemitism reported her to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, asking for an investigation into her social media posts about children in Gaza.
Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, is loved by millions of parents and kids for her videos that teach language and emotional skills through songs. Earlier this month, she shared a post on Instagram calling for compassion for children in Gaza, saying: “All children have the right to food, water, medical care and education. All children should be protected from violence.”
The post led to backlash from critics who claimed she was spreading pro-Hamas messages and turning her platform into anti-Israel propaganda. In response, Ms. Rachel posted a poem defending her message, saying she believes in standing up for all children, especially the most vulnerable.
Russia’s Supreme Court officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, signaling growing ties with Afghanistan’s rulers. The move, backed by Putin and lawmakers, ends a decades-long ban that criminalized contact with the group, despite its global isolation over extremist policies and human rights abuses.
Читать полностью…
An Israeli woman was among four people killed in a tragic cable car accident near Naples, Italy, after a cable snapped and sent the car crashing to the ground. Another Israeli tourist is in intensive care.
The crash occurred on Monte Faito in Castellammare di Stabia, when the upward cable car failed to stop and fell just as it approached the station. Eight others, including the operator, were safely evacuated from the second car.
Rescue teams, firefighters, and police responded immediately. The cable car had only reopened a week earlier for the tourist season, offering views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences from Washington, where she is currently visiting.
At a Kremlin meeting with freed hostages Sasha Troufanov, his mother Elena, and partner Sapir Cohen, Russian President Vladimir Putin credited their release to Russia’s ties with Hamas and urged “gratitude” to the terror group’s political leaders—despite Hamas murdering Troufanov’s father on October 7.
Putin said Russia would continue working to secure more releases and praised Hamas for cooperating. The meeting included Russian Jewish leaders and highlighted Moscow’s ongoing coordination with all players in the Middle East, including Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and Israel.
Update: IDF: Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted.
Читать полностью…
Senior Israeli officials claim the New York Times report about a thwarted Israeli airstrike on Iran was inaccurate and the leak came from within the U.S. administration—specifically from officials opposed to military action.
They argue that the leak aimed to either pressure or embarrass Trump, and that Israeli leadership had no involvement. The report had stated that Israel planned a May strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities with U.S. support, but Trump blocked it due to internal disputes between hawks and diplomats in his team.
Israel denies the operational details and says the U.S. leak was politically motivated.
‼️ He had told police he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he encountered him after breaking into the building, according to court documents.
Читать полностью…
After enduring 505 days in Hamas captivity, Eliya Cohen returned to the Western Wall during Passover, participating in the Priestly Blessing ceremony.
As a Cohen, he joined hundreds of fellow priests in blessing tens of thousands of worshippers. This poignant moment marked his first visit to the Kotel since his release on February 22, 2025.
Israel was set to launch a U.S.-backed strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but President Trump halted the plan in favor of diplomacy, The New York Times reports.
Despite Israeli pressure and support from some U.S. military officials, concerns about sparking a regional war led Trump to reject the strike. The operation, planned for May, relied heavily on U.S. involvement to succeed.
Marine police rescued four people — two adults and two children — after their boat sank in the Sea of Galilee. No injuries were reported. The boat owner called police and fired a distress flare, helping officers locate them. All passengers wore life jackets.
Читать полностью…
Tila Falic: Real coexistence comes through living together, not by separating people 🇮🇱
Читать полностью…
Egyptian proposal required that the terrorists disarm.
Читать полностью…
Two American women were lightly hurt when stones and paint were thrown at their tour bus near Burqa, east of Ramallah.
IDF Statement: Earlier today (Wednesday), terrorists hurled rocks and a bottle of paint toward a tourist bus adjacent to Burqa. As a result, two American citizens were lightly injured and received medical treatment at the scene.
Upon receiving the report, IDF and Israel Police forces were dispatched to the scene and began a search after the terrorists.
Command Sergeant Major G’haleb Sliman Alnasasra, 35, a dedicated IDF tracker, was tragically killed in combat in northern Gaza.
May his courage and sacrifice never be forgotten.
May his memory be a blessing. 🕯️💔
New details have emerged about a deadly cable-car accident in southern Italy that killed four people and seriously injured one. The crash happened on the Monte Faito line near Naples when a support cable snapped, sending the cabin falling hundreds of meters down a ravine.
Among the victims was 20-year-old Israeli tourist Janan Suliman. Her brother, Taabet Suliman, survived and the hospital said on Friday morning that he remained “stable in the seriousness” of his injuries and would undergo further tests. The car also carried a British couple and the local operator, all of whom were killed.
At the time, another cable car had stopped mid-air with tourists on board and was safely evacuated. Italian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into possible negligence, as weather conditions were poor but the lift remained in operation.
Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and all those affected by this devastating event. 💔 🕯️
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee placed a handwritten note reading “For peace in Israel,” signed “Donald Trump,” at the Western Wall. The ambassador opened his visit with this symbolic act, personally delivering the note and requesting it be placed between the stones.
He prayed with the rabbi, read Psalms, and emphasized the importance of continued U.S.-Israel cooperation, noting it was an honor to deliver the note written by Trump.
This marks the first time an ambassador has placed a prayer on behalf of a U.S. president, including a prayer for peace in Israel and for continued unity. 🇺🇸 🇮🇱
At least 178 people have been arrested across Pakistan after anti-Israel protests turned violent, targeting over 10 KFC branches in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Police say some outlets were vandalized, one employee was killed, and investigations are ongoing into the motives behind the attacks.
Читать полностью…
Hamas rejected Israel’s offer to release 10 hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire, demanding instead a full end to the war, a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza, and permission to begin reconstruction.
The group accused Netanyahu of pushing partial deals for political gain and said they’re only willing to negotiate a comprehensive deal to release all hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners.
Bring Rom and ALL the Hostages Back Home 🎗️ ❤️
Читать полностью…
BREAKING: Red alert sirens sound across central Israel.
🚨 IDF: Initial report - The IDF has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, IAF aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat.
The public is instructed to follow the guidelines issued by the Home Front Command.
Hamas is struggling to pay its terrorists and officials due to a severe cash shortage, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Israel’s military operations and blockade have cut off key funding sources, especially humanitarian aid that Hamas had seized and resold. Intelligence officials say targeted strikes on Hamas money handlers have disrupted cash distribution.
Rank-and-file terrorists, who previously earned $200–$300 a month, are now unpaid, while senior officials receive only half their salaries.
Hamas had relied on $15 million monthly from Qatar and looted $180 million from banks early in the war. It later taxed merchants and resold aid to survive.
But with Israel sealing Gaza’s borders in March, those income streams collapsed—plunging Hamas into a deep financial crisis.
Lebanon has banned the upcoming Disney film Snow White due to the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. This marks the third time a movie starring Gadot has been banned in Lebanon, following similar bans on Wonder Woman and Death on the Nile.
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar reportedly suggested the ban because Gadot, a vocal supporter of Israel, is on Lebanon’s boycott list.
📸 Disney
President Trump has named Judge Matthew Solomson the first Orthodox Jew to serve as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Known for his Talmud study and public opposition to pro-Hamas activism on campuses, Solomson is praised for his legal expertise and principled leadership.
A Brandeis and Maryland alum, he’s also an adjunct professor and active in the Jewish legal community. In his statement, he called the role a “sacred duty” and celebrated the appointment as a reflection of American opportunity.
📸 Official Headshot
Hundreds of Gazans protested in Beit Lahiya, calling for an end to Hamas’s rule and the ongoing war, Ynet reported. Crowds are chanting, “Deliver the message… all of Hamas is garbage.”
Similar spontaneous protests occurred in northern Gaza in March.
🥹❤️😩 After a year and a half apart, the tears said it all.
Billy the dog is finally back in the arms of Rachel Danzig. He was found in Rafah by a soldier who took him in. For over a year, Rachel didn’t know if Billy had survived—but their journey ended with an emotional and heartwarming reunion.
🎥 @kan_israel
Today, hundreds of Gazans have recently arrived in Europe as part of international relocation efforts. These are the countries currently accepting them.
Читать полностью…
Palestinian Islamic Jihad published a video of Rom Braslavski, kidnapped from the Nova festival while working as a security guard who stayed behind to save others.
Now 21, this marks the first sign of life since his abduction. His family has not authorized the video’s release and says they’ve had no information about his condition for over a year.
From the Nova music festival to 245 days in captivity, Noa’s story shook the world. Her bravery, advocacy, and refusal to stay silent have made her a global voice for the hostages still in Gaza.
TIME writes: “Her bravery has embodied Jewish resilience and strength… She is living proof to the world that, despite everything, we will dance again.”
What an incredible and well-deserved honor, Noa 🥹❤️