President Donald Trump opened his remarks at the White House Chanukah celebration by addressing the deadly terror attack against Jews at a Chanukah gathering in Australia earlier in the week.
“All nations must stand together against the evil forces of radical Islamic terrorism, and we’re doing that,” Trump said.
As he continued, the president turned his attention to what he described as a troubling shift on Capitol Hill, telling guests that Congress “is becoming antisemitic” and arguing that Jewish political influence in Washington has diminished. While he initially spoke broadly, Trump then focused his criticism on progressive Democrats known as the Squad, even as the White House has sought to minimize growing skepticism toward Israel among some Republicans.
“My father would tell me, the most powerful lobby that there is in this country is the Jewish Lobby. It’s the Israeli lobby. It’s not that way anymore,” Trump reflected, reprising a theme he has raised in past comments.
Trump assured attendees of his continued support for the Jewish community, drawing applause from a crowd that was noticeably smaller than in previous years due to ongoing construction in the White House East Room.
“I will always be a friend and a champion to the Jewish people,” Trump said.
During the evening, Trump invited several guests to take part in the program, offering shoutouts to supporters and calling some to the podium. Conservative radio host Mark Levin introduced himself by praising Trump as “the first Jewish president.”
Trump also invited Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson to speak, joking about the scale of her political contributions.
“$250 million doesn’t buy what it used to,” he quipped.
Adelson told the audience that she had recently spoken with attorney Alan Dershowitz, who, she said, told her it would be legal for Trump to seek a third term.
Later in his remarks, Trump highlighted what he described as his record of support for Israel while in office, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
“I sold the rights to the Golan Heights to Israel… It could be worth trillions of dollars,” he said.
{Matzav.com}U.S. military operations targeting drug trafficking near Venezuela have intensified in recent months, with officials confirming a series of strikes aimed at disrupting narcotics smuggling routes. Since September, there have been at least 22 strikes on suspected trafficking boats operating in waters near Venezuela, resulting in 87 deaths, according to U.S. officials.
American officials view these maritime actions as part of a broader pressure campaign directed at Caracas, intended not only to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States but also to weaken the grip of Nicolás Maduro on the oil-rich country.
That campaign escalated sharply this week after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. authorities had seized an oil tanker known as the “Skipper” off Venezuela’s coast. The move significantly raised tensions between Washington and Caracas. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the vessel was confiscated for allegedly transporting sanctioned oil linked to both Venezuela and Iran.
According to the administration, the “Skipper” is part of a shadow network of roughly 1,000 vessels that move oil from countries under international sanctions, including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. These tankers operate covertly, often avoiding detection as they traverse major shipping lanes.
Officials say such so-called “ghost ships” typically sail under foreign flags to disguise their origins, frequently change names, cycle ownership through shell companies, shut off tracking transponders, and conduct ship-to-ship transfers at sea to conceal the source of their cargo.
Reuters reported that the “Skipper” had taken on approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil earlier in December and transferred an estimated 200,000 barrels shortly before U.S. authorities seized the vessel.
Based on prevailing oil prices, the value of the cargo was estimated to range from several million dollars to more than $100 million. Fox News Digital contacted the White House seeking further clarification on the valuation but did not receive an immediate response.
Against this backdrop, President Trump announced sweeping new measures against Venezuela, ordering a complete shutdown of oil tanker traffic tied to the country and formally designating the Maduro government as a foreign terrorist organization. He accused the regime of profiting from assets he said were stolen from the United States and using them to bankroll criminal enterprises.
“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said on Truth Social. “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before – Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”
He went on to accuse Caracas of using oil revenues to fuel violent and illicit activity. “The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping,” he continued. “For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.”
Trump then formally announced the blockade, tying it to broader immigration and national security efforts. “Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela,” Trump added. “The Illegal Aliens and Criminals that the Maduro Regime has sent into the United States during the weak and inept Biden Administration, are being returned to Venezuela at a rapid pace. America will not allow Criminals, Terrorists, or other Countries, to rob, threaten, or harm our Nation and, likewise, will not allow a Hostile Regime to take our Oil, Land, or any other Assets, all of which must be returned to the United States, IMMEDIATELY.”
{Matzav.com}
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What was meant to be a holiday gift from Bloomingdale’s instead sparked outrage online after a customer alleged a store employee placed a handwritten “free Palestine” note into the package of Chanukah pajamas, prompting an internal investigation by the retailer.
“Yesterday, on the first night of Chanukah, my …friend gave me a gift he ordered from Bloomingdale’s. Holiday pajamas covered in Jewish stars from P.J. Salvage,” Arielle Harris said in a social media video shared on Dec. 15. The note, seemingly written on a store-branded card, was tucked into the clothing on top of a receipt, she said.
“This never should have happened, and Bloomingdale’s needs to answer for their employees,” Harris said.
She added that her boyfriend, Andrew Jones, had not opened the package before giving it to her.
“Craziest part is how many commenters think I faked this,” Jones wrote. “Typical denials of antisemitism. My heart dropped when this happened. Totally twisted a nice night of celebrating.”
Jones and Harris told JNS that a senior Bloomingdale’s executive contacted them with a “preliminary apology” and invited the couple to speak further.
Jennifer Chadroff, director of brand communications for Bloomingdale’s, confirmed that the brand had connected with the customers and that the “matter is currently under investigation.”
“This was an unauthorized and unacceptable act,” she told JNS.
“Antisemitism, or discrimination in any form, has absolutely no place in our business and does not align with our values or our care for our customers,” Chadroff said. “Please know we are treating this with the utmost seriousness.
Jewish leaders condemned the alleged incident after it spread online.
“A ‘free Palestine’ note in a Bloomingdale’s Chanukah gift. No limits. No shame,” stated Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.
Joan Leslie McGill, executive director of the U.S. Israel Education Association, stated, “Jewish identity does not require permission, and it will not be intimidated.” JNS
{Matzav.com}
A Israeli media investigation has revealed that a public campaign backing the Israeli government’s controversial milk reform was in fact a fictitious initiative financed by the Religious Zionism party, headed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The disclosure comes amid an ongoing public battle over the proposed dairy reform, which has drawn sharp opposition from various quarters. While Smotrich has been actively confronting critics of the reform on social media, it now appears that behind the scenes additional efforts were underway to manufacture public support.
According to a report aired by Channel 12 News, the group presenting itself as a civic organization advocating for the milk reform is not an independent body at all. Instead, it is allegedly a fabricated entity funded through party money from Religious Zionism.
In recent weeks, advertisements praising the reform appeared across social media platforms, on websites serving the religious public, and in Shabbos leaflets distributed in shuls. Smotrich himself amplified some of these promotional messages, lending them further visibility.
The campaign was reportedly advanced by right-wing media consultant and political activist Berel’e Crombie, who is closely associated with the current governing coalition.
The Religious Zionism party did not deny the report, stating that it is “committed to and actively engaged in lowering the cost of living for all citizens of Israel.” Smotrich declined to comment personally.
Crombie, for his part, said in response: “Just like countless social initiatives and campaigns I have led in recent years, I also initiated and am leading this campaign as a private citizen and activist.”
{Matzav.com}
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