Weekly roundup of world briefs

Since Oct. 7, Israel Bonds has raised $1 billion

(JNS) — In the first nine days since Hamas brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7, Israel Bonds—which supports the Jewish state with its sales, which have totaled more than $50 billion since 1951—raised $200 million. Since then, Israel Bonds has raised four times that amount, raising its total in the past month to more than $1 billion.

“This is Israel Bonds’ highest surge of investment ever, which demonstrates the strong support for Israel of the Jewish communities and Israel’s supporters in the United States and around the world,” said Dani Naveh, president and CEO of Israel Bonds, in a statement.

The new investments have come from 15 U.S. state and municipal governments and from institutions, Israel Bonds stated.

“Jews from around the world came forward to be part of the story that is Israel,” Isaac Herzog, Israeli president, stated in a release.

“In those critical early years, Israel Bonds served as a primary organ of the Jewish people in building the basic infrastructure of our young country,” he added. “It is no surprise that it is there for us now, helping mobilize world Jewry in immediate and urgent action for the State of Israel.”

Armed terrorist attempts to infiltrate Samaria town

(JNS) — A masked individual armed with a knife attempted to enter the town of Ofra in northern Samaria on Tuesday, according to Israeli media reports.

The suspect fled toward the Palestinian village of Ein Yabrud north of Ramallah after being fired on by Israeli security forces. 

Video footage of the incident was posted on social media.

Tensions in Judea and Samaria are extremely high in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in the western Negev, which sparked a war between Israel and the terrorist group.

Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Gantz issued a stark warning on Tuesday that lethal force would be used against anyone attempting to infiltrate Israeli towns in the region.

“No one dares to approach our settlements. Whoever does this will be shot with the aim of killing,” he said, according to Channel 13.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli forces foiled a terrorist attack at the Qalandiya Crossing near Jerusalem.

According to police, a Palestinian woman draped in a Hamas flag and armed with a knife was shot by Israeli security forces after ignoring directives to halt.

She was treated at the scene before being taken into custody.

An Israeli man was killed last week in a shooting attack on Route 557 near the town of Einav in Samaria.

Magen David Adom emergency medical personnel said the victim’s vehicle overturned after being targeted by gunfire.

One terrorist was shot and captured, according to reports.

The victim was identified as Elhanan Klein, 29, a father of three from Einav. He was reportedly murdered as he returned home on leave from military reserve duty.

South Korea ‘closely watching’ Hamas-North Korean relationship

(JNS) — In a joint Nov. 9 press conference in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin were asked about Hamas’s alleged use of North Korean weapons in its brutal terror attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.

“Is there proof of direct cooperation between North Korea and Hamas?” asked Nike Ching, of Voice of America, asked the foreign minister. “If so, should we expect South Korean government to impose sanctions on North Korean entities and individuals that directly provide Hamas with weapons?”

Speaking via interpreter, Park said that Seoul is watching North Korean-Hamas relations closely. “Heavy weapons that are being used by Hamas, or the doctrine that’s being adopted by Hamas, or the military tactics—all of these aspects are something that we are keeping a close eye on.”

“If any relationship between them is revealed, then North Korea should be condemned accordingly,” the minister added. “This crisis that is unfolding in the Middle East is related potentially to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and that is a perspective that we’re having and are watching the Middle East situation.”

Ching asked Blinken what Washington believes “North Korea is getting in return regarding alleged North Korea weapons shipments to Russia?”

Blinken responded cooperation between Russia and North Korea “is a matter of deep concern for both of us, as well as for other countries around the world, and we’re seeing a two-way street.”

Earlier in the press conference, the South Korean official condemned “strongly” the “indiscriminate attacks on Israel” but added that “a humanitarian pause is necessary” to stabilize the “Middle East situation” following a “sharp rise” in civilian casualties.

Lebanese terrorists fire 20 rockets into Israel

(JNS) — Terrorists in Lebanon fired some 20 rockets at Israel late Tuesday afternoon, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Local media reported explosions near Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, with videos on social media showing interceptor missiles being fired over the Druze town.

IDF artillery forces responded by firing into Southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli forces attacked a Hezbollah position in Southern Lebanon, and an IDF tank targeted a terror cell preparing to launch an anti-tank missile towards Moshav Shtula.

On Monday night, Hamas terrorists in Southern Lebanon fired some 30 rockets at Israel, triggering air-raid sirens in cities including Haifa, Nahariya and Akko. Several of the rockets were intercepted, while most fell in the Mediterranean Sea.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Pope Francis meets European rabbis, denounces antisemitism

(JNS) — In a meeting with European rabbis on Monday, Pope Francis condemned antisemitism, war and terrorism in a speech which, citing poor health, he didn’t read out. 

“I’m not feeling well, and so I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you, so you can take it with you,” Francis told the rabbis at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. He said he was very happy to see them, despite his illness, the Associated Press reported.

The 86-year-old pontiff “preferred to greet the European rabbis individually, and that’s why he handed over his speech,” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, adding that the pope “has a bit of a cold and a long day of audiences.’’

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during his weekly Sunday address on Oct. 29 in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

“In Gaza, spaces must be left to guarantee humanitarian aid and the hostages must be released immediately,” the pope said. “Cease fire! Cease fire! Stop, brothers and sisters. War is always a defeat.”

On Oct. 11, the pope called for the immediate release of the Israelis and foreign nationals held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Catholic News Service reported.

He also affirmed Israel’s right to defend its citizens against terrorism.

“I ask that the hostages be released immediately,” stated the pontiff at his weekly audience at the Vatican.

RJC announces six new board members

(JNS) — The Republican Jewish Coalition has elected new leadership to its board of directors.

“It is a pleasure to welcome our newest board members, each of whom is an accomplished, dedicated American patriot, and a strong defender of the U.S. Jewish community and of Israel,” RJC national chairman Norm Coleman said in a statement on Monday.

Those joining include VativoRx CEO Michael Bogachek, lawyer Allan Polunsky, philanthropist Susan Schneider and writer Irit Tratt. Philanthropist Barbara Feingold, the widow of Dr. Jeffrey Feingold, has also been elected to the board, a position held by her late husband.

Investor Jay Zeidman will also join the board of directors. Zeidman was appointed this year to serve on the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission.

Woman arrested for car attack on building she thought was Jewish

(JNS)  — Ruba Almaghtheh, 34, told police when they arrested her that the war in Gaza had angered her so much that she chose to run her vehicle into a building she described as “the Israel school.”

But as with many rockets fired by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Almaghtheh accidentally struck a target ostensibly on her side.

The Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge features a logo on the building that does not look like a standard Jewish Star of David. The image features two such stars, each made with one black and one white triangle, with two intertwining swords. It belongs to a Black Hebrew Israelite group the Anti-Defamation League calls “extreme and antisemitic.”

Meanwhile, Indianapolis law enforcement labeled her a “terrorist” and reported the incident to the FBI.

Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis released a statement saying, “although a Jewish facility was not targeted, solely due to ironic misidentification, this is yet another reminder to maintain security protocols, remain vigilant of suspicious activity and to (report promptly) to the appropriate authorities.”

Jewish man dead after ‘altercation’ with anti-Israel protester in LA area

By David Swindle

(JNS) — Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, died from injuries sustained in “an altercation” at about 3:20 p.m. on Monday in the greater Los Angeles area. At the time, there were simultaneous “pro-Israeli” and “pro-Palestinian” events at the same intersection, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

“During the altercation, Kessler fell backwards and struck his head on the ground,” per the sheriff’s office. He was treated at a local hospital before succumbing to his injuries.

The sheriff’s office “is investigating the incident and has not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime,” it stated in a release.

“An autopsy was performed on Nov. 6 and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force head injury and the manner of death homicide,” per the sheriff’s office. “The incident appears to be isolated and not part of a large effort.”

According to a statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles earlier in the day, the victim was killed in Westlake Village, in the greater Los Angeles area, after an anti-Israel protestor struck him in the head with a megaphone.

Photos and videos on social media, which blurred the face of the victim, appeared to show a man bleeding from his head lying on the ground.

Israeli media referred to the victim as “an older Jewish man” and the alleged attacker as a “young pro-Palestinian protester.”

“The injured man fell to the ground bleeding and was rushed to the hospital. His death was confirmed to have been caused due to a brain hemorrhage,” per reports. “Israelis who were present at the scene described it as ‘a terrifying sight’ and expressed shock that such an incident took place in their neighborhood.”

Fox News reported that the anti-Israel protestor threw the megaphone at the pro-Israel victim.

Antisemitic hate crimes surge in London amid Israel-Hamas war

By Georgia L. Gilholy

(JNS) — The Metropolitan Police Service has reported a startling surge in antisemitic hate crimes in London, with incidents increasing by 1,353% since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

There were 218 anti-Jewish incidents in London between Oct. 1 and 18 of this year, compared to 15 during the same span in 2022, per police. There was also a 140 percent increase in anti-Muslim crimes during that time span: 101 compared to 42, according to the police.

Police said that 21 people were arrested in connection with these hate crimes during that period last month.

One man who was arrested in the city’s Camden neighborhood was apprehended on suspicion of defacing posters depicting Israeli hostages in Gaza. Another man was arrested for Islamophobic graffiti at bus stops in New Malden and Raynes Park, in southern London.

Despite heightened security measures and increased police patrols, including visits to 445 faith schools and 1,930 places of worship, hate crimes continue to surge across the capital.

Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, recently met with Muslim and Jewish faith leaders, law enforcement officials and community groups to address the ongoing crisis. (On Nov. 3, the mayor visited a Holocaust library that “was the target of an unacceptable hate crime” that week.)

Khan has called for a ceasefire in Gaza, drawing pushback from Jewish leaders.

“I know how the conflict in Gaza and Israel is having a direct impact on London and Londoners,” Khan wrote on Oct. 20. “Increasing cases of abhorrent antisemitism and Islamophobia seen in the capital show how important it is for us to be united against hate.”

But some Jewish leaders, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, have pushed back against the Labour politician for urging a ceasefire. Mirvis reportedly told Khan that “a ceasefire now would be an irresponsible stepping stone to yet more Hamas terrorist brutality.”

Over the weekend, an anti-Israel rally attracted some 30,000 people to central London. It marks the fourth weekend since the Oct. 7 attack that such large-scale pro-Palestine protests have been arranged in the British capital.

Police told the BBC that 29 attendees were arrested on suspicion of public-order offenses, racially motivated crimes and assaulting police officers. “The force said fireworks were thrown at officers and a pamphlet reported to support Hamas was on sale,” according to the BBC.

Israeli forces thwart several attack

(JNS) — Israeli forces on Tuesday foiled a terrorist attack at the Qalandiya Crossing near Jerusalem. 

According to police, a Palestinian woman draped in a Hamas flag and armed with a knife was shot by Israeli security forces after ignoring directives to halt.

She was treated at the scene before being taken into custody.

On Monday, one Israeli Border Police officer was killed and another moderately wounded in a terrorist attack near Herod’s Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City.

The slain officer was named as Sgt. Elisheva Rose Ida Lubin, 20, from Kibbutz Sa’ad near the Gaza border.

According to police, Lubin immigrated from the United States in August 2021, and was drafted into the force in March of the following year.

The terrorist, who was killed by Israeli security forces, was identified as a 16-year-old resident of the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya. Police said that another suspect was detained at the scene and that his connection to the assailant and the attack were being investigated.

Last week, an Israeli policeman was seriously wounded in a stabbing near the Shivtei Yisrael light rail stop in Jerusalem.

On Oct. 12, two police officers were injured in a terrorist shooting just outside Jerusalem’s Old City.

Archaeologists help identify human remains from Oct. 7 massacre

(JNS) — Israeli archaeologists have uncovered the remains of at least 10 people burned to death by Hamas terrorists in their Oct. 7 assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday.

The archaeologists, who were enlisted to join the efforts to search the houses and cars incinerated in the massacre, employed techniques and knowledge acquired in archaeological excavations, according to the state-run agency.

Over the last two weeks, archaeologists have been combing and sieving the ashes from the burnt houses in which families from Kibbutz Be’eri, Kfar Aza and Nir Oz were murdered, as well as the contents of the cars from the music festival at Kibbutz Reim that was targeted by the terrorists.

“The archaeological methods employed at ancient sites are similar to the methods applied here,” the IAA said in a statement. “But it is one thing to expose 2,000-year-old destruction remains, and quite another thing—heart-rending and unfathomable—to carry out the present task of searching for evidence of our sisters and brothers in these communities.”

Some of the at least 1,400 victims of the Oct. 7 attack have already been buried, while other remains have been sent to Camp Shura, a military facility near Rehovot. The most difficult remains to identify are transferred to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv.

“Taking into account all the difficulty and the emotional challenges involved, our hope is that we can contribute to the certain identification for as many families as possible regarding the fate of their loved ones,” said IAA Director Eli Escusido.

The Oct. 7 assault was the worst one-day loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. At least 5,000 people, mostly civilians, were wounded in the massacre, and more than 200 were taken back to the Gaza Strip as hostages by Hamas.