Weekly roundup of world briefs

IDF drills for Oct. 7-type attack in Judea and Samaria

(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces this week carried out a drill simulating an Oct. 7-style attack in Judea and Samaria and northern border communities, according to Israeli media reports.

The exercise was one of various scenarios the IDF is preparing for in Judea and Samaria following the invasion by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip, in which 1,200 mostly civilians were murdered, thousands more wounded and 240 people kidnapped.

IDF released report on capture of Nahal Oz base

(JNS) — A Channel 12 report on Monday highlighted findings from an IDF report on the capture by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 of the Nahal Oz military post near the Gaza border, during which 66 Israeli soldiers were killed.

According to the IDF, on the morning of the attack some 3,000 terrorists penetrated the border fence in 29 places. Some 600 to 1,000 terrorists entered the Nahal Oz sector, which includes the communities of Re’im, Be’eri and Kfar Aza. In total, about 170 terrorists arrived at Nahal Oz, where 25 soldiers were posted.

The terrorists used toxic gas against IDF spotters stationed at the base, with only seven out of 22 soldiers managing to escape through a window in the base’s command center.

1,300-plus terror attacks in Judea and Samaria

(JNS) — Palestinian terrorists in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley have escalated their campaign against Israeli civilians and security forces in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in the northwestern Negev, data published by Channel 14 News on Dec. 11 shows.

In the nine weeks since Hamas launched its cross-border attack from the Gaza Strip, the broadcaster counted 1,388 attacks in Judea and Samaria, including 569 stonings, 287 attacks with explosives, 143 fire-bombings and 70 shootings.

Three Israelis—a civilian, a soldier and a Border Police officer—have been murdered in Judea and Samaria since Oct. 7. In addition, at least 52 Israelis sustained injuries, according to Channel 14.

At least 15 members of the security forces were wounded during counterterrorism raids in Judea and Samaria, while one Israeli was moderately injured as he neutralized a Palestinian terrorist.

Since the beginning of the war, 2,200 terror suspects have been arrested throughout Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, 1,190 of whom are associated with Hamas.

Anti-Israel protester yells death threat outside Zara clothing store

(JNS) — A masked activist demonstrating at the East Centre mall in Toronto said in a moment captured on video, “I’ll put you six feet deep,” and “If you’re a man, come touch me.”

Former Canadian senator Linda Frum asked in response to the video: “How is it possible that you can say to a Toronto police officer’s face, ‘I’ll put you six feet deep’ and not be arrested? This makes us all unsafe.”

The unidentified man appeared at the Zara fashion store at the mall as part of a coordinated series of protests at the Spanish company’s locations. Other stores with protests in Canada included Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Ottawa’s Bayshore Shopping Centre. Internationally, the “Boycott Zara” campaign hit stores in Istanbul, Turkey; Hanover, Germany; Melbourne, Australia; and twice in Glasgow, Scotland.

The boycott campaign originated when anti-Israel activists drew a visual connection between the imagery in a Zara fashion marketing campaign called “The Jacket” and wrapped-up dead bodies of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip.

Zara said it planned the advertising efforts during July and shot the photographs in September. It features an artist packing up sculpted statues wrapped in white, as well as mannequins with missing limbs.

It said in a statement: “Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created.”

Richmond Jewish food festival canceled due to threats, security costs 

(JNS) — The emotional toll from the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, coupled with a subsequent burst in hate crimes and the need for increased guards on Saturday services, have led to the indefinite postponement of one of the most prominent annual Jewish events in Richmond, Va.

Rabbi Dovid Asher, director of Keneseth Beth Israel, called the Richmond Jewish Food Festival organized by the congregation the “biggest Jewish event” annually in the city. In the past, the gathering had acted as a successful fundraiser and a way to connect with the broader community.

Asher noted that the synagogue’s security costs have risen tremendously—up to $500 each Sabbath. He further described how the Jewish community still felt “reeling emotionally” and that they didn’t feel like they “had it in us to pull off a massive event.”

On Monday at Richmond’s Congregation Or Ami, police responded to a bomb threat. A check of the building showed no dangers. Over the weekend, dozens of synagogues across the country—some reports stated as many as 200—received similar “swatting” threats.

Biden ‘aware’ of but no comment on threats to hundreds of synagogues 

(JNS) — During a press briefing on Tuesday, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, was asked whether U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on hundreds of bomb threats to Jewish facilities over the weekend.

“The FBI has said that they appear coordinated and could have originated outside of the United States,” a reporter said. “Can we expect to hear from him at any point on them, and what is the White House’s current understanding of where this could have come from?”

“We are closely tracking hundreds of emailed bomb threats to Jewish synagogues, schools and other institutions over the weekend. Local and federal law enforcement are investigating each and every one of them,” Jean-Pierre said. 

“The president has been very clear, and I have said this many times right here at this podium: Antisemitism, threats of intimidation or violence of any kind is unacceptable, it is dangerous and it—there is no place of that type of threat or any threats of violence in America,” she added.

Pressed about whether Biden was briefed specifically about the threats, Jean-Pierre said “The president is aware of these threats.”

“And, obviously, we will do everything that we can to—to ensure that—that communities—the Jewish community, specifically, as—as were—as these threats are being targeted at—feel safe—religious communities, more broadly, obviously, feel safe,” Jean-Pierre said, per a White House transcript. “And so, this is—certainly, this type of an—this antisemitism and hate is unacceptable, and we will continue to be loud and clear about that.”

Asked if Biden is planning to issue a comment about the threats, Jean-Pierre replied: “I just don’t have anything to share specifically about the president making an announcement or speaking to this directly. The FBI, obviously, is on top of this, working with local government.”

Jean-Pierre added that there is no place in America for “any type of violence,” and people should feel safe “in a synagogue or any religious community should be safe.”

The White House press secretary has answered questions about antisemitism in the past by pivoting to Islamophobia.

Dozens of anti-Israel protesters arrested at Capitol Rotunda in DC

(JNS) — About 60 anti-Israel protesters were arrested in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The trespassers chanted “Not another nickel! Not another dime! No more money for Israel’s crimes!” and bore “Stop Arming Israel” signs, the New York Post reported.

Linda Sarsour, a political activist and former Women’s March leader who has a long history of antisemitism, reportedly led the protesters.

“Pro-Hamas insurrectionists are storming the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. We were told for three years that this is a serious federal offense that must be prosecuted by the Department of Justice,” wrote Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.), referring to the prosecution of those who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Will the FBI be rounding them up at their homes? Solitary confinement? Will Biden Department of Justice prosecute?” she asked.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced that one of the Jan. 6, 2021 rioters, who spent half an hour in the Capitol, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release.

“We were aware of a group’s potential plan to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and then start a protest,” the Capitol Police stated.

Anti-Israel protesters in Midtown Manhattan hurl profanity at Alec Baldwin

(JNS) — Hundreds of activists flooded Penn Station and Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan on Monday night in an anti-Israel demonstration with some breaking off to taunt an actor known for his advocacy of progressive causes as he was on his way to teach an acting class.

Alec Baldwin, star of TV’s “30 Rock,” which was filmed in New York City, received a flurry of verbal abuse from protesters while he was passing by a crowd.

The protesters said the actor, who parodied former president and now Republican frontrunner for the 2024 elections Donald Trump on “SNL,” had a “tanking” career and “no ****** shame.”

When asked to condemn Israel, Baldwin responded, “No, I support peace in Gaza,” to which he received more harassment in return.

“You ask stupid questions,” the actor said back, according to the Post. “Ask me a smart question, and I’ll answer your question.”

IDF closing in on Hamas chief Sinwar

(JNS) — Israeli forces are hot on the heels of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, and twice in recent days nearly caught up with him, according to Israeli media reports.

One of the masterminds of the Oct. 7 massacre, along with the leader of Hamas’s “military wing” Mohammed Deif, Sinwar is believed to be hiding in the Khan Yunis area of the southern Gaza Strip. He is believed to have escaped from the north by hiding in a humanitarian convoy.

Israeli troops have twice managed to reach tunnels in which Sinwar was believed to be hiding, with the terror chief narrowly escaping. Intelligence indicates that Sinwar is moving around constantly in an effort to avoid being killed or captured; Israeli forces have orders to eliminate the terror organization’s top leadership.

During the manhunt, troops also uncovered a space in which Deif had previously hidden. 

“In the south of the Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis has become the new capital of terrorism,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Tuesday.

“Until we reach our goals, we will not let go of this place, until we bring the senior members of the murderous organization Hamas to where they deserve—either to the cemetery or to the prison,” he said.

Israel signals readiness for another hostage exchange

(JNS) — Israeli leaders have signaled their willingness to negotiate another hostage exchange with AFP reporting that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will visit Egypt on Wednesday to hold talks.

Hamas still holds 129 hostages. One hundred ten have been released, most in an earlier deal that Hamas violated on Nov. 28.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of abductees, “We are committed, and I am personally committed, to the release of all of the hostages. Rescuing them is the highest mission.

“Just now I twice sent the director of the Mossad to Europe to advance a process for the release of our hostages. I will spare no effort on the matter and the demand is to bring them all,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, while briefing ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps from 80 countries, President Isaac Herzog said, “Israel is ready for another humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian aid in order to enable the release of hostages.”

Speaking of Israel’s efforts to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Herzog noted, “First and foremost, we must remember that there are dozens of humanitarian cases within the group of hostages—such as babies, the elderly, sick, wounded, and, of course, many women.”

According to CNN political and foreign policy analyst Barak Ravid, at a meeting  Monday in Warsaw between Mossad Director David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and CIA Director William Burns, Israel proposed a weeklong pause in fighting in exchange for 40 hostages.

A Qatari paper, quoting an Egyptian source, reported Tuesday that Hamas’s leadership won’t accept any Israeli hostage deal proposals that don’t include a ceasefire as a “good faith gesture.”

12,000 foreign workers have returned to Israel

By Pesach Benson

(JNS) — Despite the war in Gaza, some 12,000 foreign workers have returned to Israel, an Interior Ministry official told Knesset lawmakers on Tuesday.

Inbal Mashash, the director of the Population and Immigration Authority’s Foreign Workers Administration, testified to the Knesset Committee on Foreign Workers that the 12,000 are made up of new laborers as well as workers who had returned to their homelands after Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in the northwestern Negev.

Mashash said that the first 100 of an eventual 10,000 workers had arrived from Sri Lanka and that Israeli officials are in talks with other countries to attract more laborers, primarily in construction and agriculture. Among the countries Israel has reached out to are India, Kenya, Moldova, Ecuador and Malawi.

Before the war, the majority of the foreign laborers working in agriculture were from Thailand. But 10,000 working on farms near Gaza and the Lebanese border went home. Others working in safer areas such as the Jordan Valley and central Israel also opted to return to Thailand after Hamas terrorists killed 39 Thai workers and took 32 hostage.

Israeli agriculture is facing staggering losses in production and manpower. Before October 7, Israel had 29,900 foreigners, mostly Thais, working in farms, orchards, greenhouses and packing plants. Nearly all returned to Thailand.

Farmers also employed 10,000-20,000 Palestinians depending on the season, but they are currently denied entry into Green Line Israel.

Israeli workers who might have filled the gaps have been called up for military reserve duty.

A survey of 389 farmers conducted by the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute from Oct. 26-Nov. 5 found that 89 percent of Israeli farmers had experienced some form of damage, and 96 percent expect more during the next three months. While farmers in the Gaza and northern regions saw the greatest disruption, all areas were severely affected, and the impact was expected to continue for months to come.

When asked to estimate their expected losses, farmers on average predicted a 35 percent drop in both production and revenue. But farmers in the area near the Gaza border—regarded as Israel’s breadbasket—projected on average a 70 percent loss of produce and 69 percent loss of income.

Seinfeld visits Be’eri during solidarity visit to Israel

(JNS) — American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld on Tuesday toured Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the Gaza border communities whose residents were murdered during Hamas’s Oct. 7 onslaught on the northwestern Negev.

The entertainer, who is of Ashkenazi and Syrian Jewish descent, arrived on Monday for a solidarity visit to Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza. 

On Monday night, Seinfeld and his family met with families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and with hostages released from captivity.

“Seinfeld told the families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages, whose lives are in immediate danger,” according to a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. 

“Hearing the stories, Seinfeld and his family were very moved, and it was evident that they were deeply affected by the experiences they heard from the family members and the released hostages.”

Seinfeld expressed support for Israel a few days after the Oct. 7 massacre, writing on his Instagram account that he has “loved the Jewish homeland” since working at Kibbutz Sa’ar, in the Western Galilee, at the age of 16.

“My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities. But we are also a very strong people in our hearts and minds. We believe in justice, freedom and equality. We survive and flourish no matter what. I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people,” he said.