President Donald Trump downplayed the uproar surrounding conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s recent sit-down with Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist notorious for his antisemitic statements and Holocaust denial. The interview sparked sharp division within the Republican Party, but Trump chose to back Carlson rather than criticize him.
Speaking to reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend in Florida, Trump dismissed the controversy. “You can’t tell him who to interview,” he said, referring to Carlson. “If he wants to interview Nick Fuentes, I don’t know much about him, but if he wants to do it, get the word out. People have to decide.”
Trump also noted that Carlson had long been friendly toward him. He pointed out that the commentator “has said good things about me over the years,” making clear that he harbored no criticism toward either Carlson or Fuentes.
A few minutes later, Trump added, “Meeting people, talking to people for somebody like Tucker — that’s what they do. You know, people are controversial.”
Fuentes appeared pleased with Trump’s remarks, quickly posting online, “Thank you Mr. President!” along with a clip of Trump’s exchange with the press.
The connection between Trump and Fuentes had already drawn scrutiny years earlier, when Fuentes attended a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate alongside rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after Ye’s series of antisemitic rants. At the time, Trump said he had been unaware of who Fuentes was, stating that he “knew nothing about” him before the dinner.
The 2022 Mar-a-Lago meeting provoked widespread condemnation from Republican figures. Former Vice President Mike Pence called it wrong for Trump “to give a white nationalist, an antisemite and Holocaust denier, a seat at the table.” David Friedman, Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, likewise denounced the meeting.
Carlson himself has long been known for courting controversy on his platforms. He has hosted Holocaust revisionists in the past and has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel. His recent cordial conversation with Fuentes on his podcast reignited fierce debate among conservatives, leaving many in the party divided over how far free speech should extend within their ranks.
{Matzav.com}
November 16, 2025 – 25 Heshvan 5786
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The Gala Banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim in New Jersey gathered Chabad Rabbis and Jewish leaders. COLlive photographer Shalom Ross is photographing them.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar declared on Sunday that there is no chance Israel will ever accept the creation of a Palestinian state, warning that such an entity would immediately fall under the control of Hamas. “A Palestinian state would be a Hamas terror state,” he said emphatically.
Speaking before a visiting delegation of 160 German public figures and influencers, Sa’ar criticized the growing international campaign calling for Palestinian statehood. “There is a new obsession in the world, and mainly in Europe, that lacks any geopolitical logic,” he remarked. “We are facing three terror states, a unique phenomenon in the Middle East.”
Sa’ar explained that the danger of recognizing or legitimizing terrorist groups lies in their ability to evolve into full-fledged regimes. “I want you to understand, these are not simply terror organizations. Terror organizations that control land and populations become terror states, and it’s like comparing between neo-Nazis that exist in the world today, and the Nazi regime, who controlled a territory and people,” he said.
He went on to emphasize that allowing another such entity to emerge would pose a direct threat to Israel’s existence. “The terror states in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen have not yet been dismantled, but some people are quick to suggest that we will establish a Palestinian terror state in the heart of our tiny homeland, meaning two kilometers from the place we are sitting right now,” he noted. “It would control the topography over all our population centers. And this is what they suggested after October 7th, even though it’s clear that such an experiment would only lead to another terror state.”
Sa’ar’s comments came on the eve of a key United Nations Security Council vote scheduled for Monday, in which members will consider a U.S.-drafted resolution connected to President Donald Trump’s broader plan for peace and stability in Gaza.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism within Israel, as it includes provisions seen as paving the way for a Palestinian state. Over the weekend, Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to oppose the resolution outright.
Netanyahu addressed the matter directly on Sunday, reiterating his long-held position rejecting Palestinian sovereignty west of the Jordan River. “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any part of this territory has not changed in the slightest,” he affirmed.
{Matzav.com}
In a deeply emotional post shared Sunday night, released hostage Rom Braslavski revealed the overwhelming struggles he faced since returning home, describing how he had been left without meaningful government support and continues to suffer daily panic attacks.
“I am truly suffering, maybe it isn’t visible to the naked eye, but I am suffering indescribable pain, far beyond post-trauma,” he wrote. “I have around 10 panic attacks per day. Panic attacks that include pounding heartbeats, sweating, stuttering, tremors and even screams and violence.”
Braslavski was freed on October 13 after enduring over two years in Hamas captivity. His release came alongside 19 other surviving hostages. Earlier footage that emerged from Gaza had already shown him in extremely poor condition, a reflection of the ordeal he endured.
Since his return to Israel, he said, he had tried to allow himself to “fall apart” and process the trauma, but instead of receiving care and guidance, he felt entirely neglected by the government. “All of the government bodies are totally abandoning me, screening me, and telling me the hour is late,” he wrote. “I am abandoned perhaps in every possible aspect, every possible official, from the moment I’ve returned I’ve received nothing but derision from the state.”
Braslavski detailed that the financial assistance he received from government institutions totaled only NIS 60,000 (about $18,600) after two years in captivity — a sum he described as “simply an embarrassment.” “The state isn’t giving enough, the Defense Ministry and state are laughing in our faces,” he added, crediting private fundraising efforts for sustaining him and others. “It’s just because of you — millions have already been fundraised for all of the hostages.”
He pointed out that despite his ongoing suffering, neither Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu nor National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had reached out to him personally.
In his closing words, Braslavski expressed profound appreciation to the many ordinary Israelis who have reached out and shown support, calling them his source of hope. “You are my strength, you are what gives me energy and fuel to continue the journey back to life,” he wrote. “I promise I won’t let anything break me. I love you, people of Israel.”
{Matzav.com}
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem lashed out Sunday at the U.S.-backed resolution set to go before the United Nations Security Council, claiming that it undermines Palestinian autonomy while serving the interests of outside powers. The measure, tied to President Donald Trump’s broader peace initiative for Gaza, is scheduled for a vote this week.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, cited by Israel’s Channel 12 News, Qassem said, “The amendments, additions, and clauses included in this resolution do not serve the goal of continuity and stability in the Gaza Strip, because they grant guardianship to non-Palestinian entities over the Palestinian reality – whether at the level of governance, security, or through interference in internal Palestinian affairs without waiting for any internal Palestinian arrangement.”
He argued that the proposal fails to protect basic Palestinian rights. “We want a Security Council resolution that protects our people’s right to self-determination, that defends their right to establish a state, and that prevents war in Gaza and the continued Israeli aggression against our people – in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem. There should have been a clear formulation stating that the role of the international force in Gaza is to act as a buffer between the occupation and the besieged civilians,” Qassem stated.
When pressed on the fact that the resolution had garnered significant Arab and Islamic backing, Qassem dismissed that support as irrelevant to Palestinian interests. “Arab agreement does not indicate Palestinian consent to many details of this resolution. When the American president met with Arab leaders in New York before presenting the peace plan, he later presented a version different from what had been agreed upon with them. Even if the resolution is approved and there is agreement on a certain wording – the real obstacles will arise during implementation on the ground. The US is acting to appease several parties through general, non-binding language,” he explained.
Asked about what Hamas would support instead, Qassem proposed a markedly different approach. “There should be a resolution that mandates a ceasefire and establishes an international peacekeeping force to stand between the civilians and the occupation and to maintain the ceasefire. We agreed to the formation of a community aid committee – an Egyptian concept – to manage the Gaza Strip. We also agreed to the possibility of international-Arab oversight of weapons. There are many issues that could be framed positively, unlike the current resolution’s details,” he said.
The U.S. proposal has also drawn backlash inside Israel, where it is viewed as a step toward Palestinian statehood. Late Saturday night, Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to reject the resolution outright.
On Sunday, Netanyahu made his stance crystal clear, reiterating Israel’s firm opposition to Palestinian sovereignty west of the Jordan River. “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any part of this territory has not changed in the slightest,” he declared.
He noted that his position on the matter has remained steadfast throughout years of domestic and international pressure. “I do not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone,” Netanyahu added.
{Matzav.com}
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Against the backdrop of intensifying attacks from extremist factions within the chareidi community, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri has turned down an offer from the Knesset to assign him personal security guards. The proposal was made following repeated incidents targeting Deri and other chareidi lawmakers over their support for advancing the Giyus Law (conscription legislation).
According to a report aired Sunday evening on Kan News, Deri declined the Knesset’s offer for enhanced protection despite multiple recent confrontations, including heated protests held against him even on Shabbos. Sources confirmed that both the Knesset and Deri’s office refused to comment on the matter.
Just a day earlier, Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur was attacked in Yerushalayim when demonstrators smashed the window of his vehicle. The Shas party issued a statement condemning the incident, saying: “We strongly denounce the serious attack carried out this evening in Yerushalayim by a small group of rioters. Such violent actions, which lead to chillul Hashem, are not the way of the Torah and do not represent any God-fearing community.”
Earlier this evening, a letter was revealed from former Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef sharply rebuking the protesters who assaulted MK Ben-Tzur after his weekly shiur at the Yazdim shul in Yerushalayim. In his letter, Rav Yosef also condemned those leading the aggressive public campaign against Deri, while fully backing the committee of roshei yeshiva currently working on drafting the Giyus Law proposal.
“The instigators who spread slander and falsehood against public representatives are the same individuals who have sown division within the chareidi community for decades and who persecuted my father, Maran zt”l, during his lifetime,” wrote Rav Yosef. “It is clear that their intentions are not for the sake of Heaven, and one must distance themselves from them and their harmful ways.”
Addressing the ongoing legislative discussions, Rav Yosef added: “We have already expressed our position on regulating the status of bnei yeshiva. Everything has been entrusted to the special committee appointed by the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, which is carrying out its task faithfully and ensuring that the integrity of the Torah world is safeguarded.”
{Matzav.com}A leading figure on New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team is facing outrage after a series of vile social media posts from his past surfaced — including comments that demeaned Jews and praised Iranian extremists, the New York Post reports.
Hassaan Chaudhary, listed on LinkedIn as the newly appointed political director for Mamdani’s transition and inaugural committee, made a string of offensive remarks online, using the word “Jew” as a slur and lauding former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who declared that Israel is “a cancer which will be eliminated soon.”
Back in 2012, Chaudhary — who served as Mamdani’s campaign director for Muslim engagement — called Israel “a bloody country” and “a barbaric nation,” in posts dating from when he was about 18. But the rhetoric didn’t end there. As recently as December 2024, he reshared a post attacking pro-Israel Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Jewish Democrat.
“If Luigi [Mangione] had shot a Gazan toddler instead, Josh Shapiro would have given him a medal,” the original post said.
In another comment directed at Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi, Chaudhary wrote, “Hitler..why dont you face our Pakistani people? Your daughter works at WSJ [the Wall Street Journal].” He followed that with an Urdu insult: “oh forgot that Jew hoga tera baap,” a crude phrase translating roughly to “Jew will be your father.”
Chaudhary also expressed admiration for Ahmadinejad, writing, “This banda [person] is fearless RT ‘@murtazasolangi President Ahmedinejad has declared Israel as cancer which will be eliminated very soon.’”
The disturbing pattern continued in other posts. “There is a barbaric nation who’s killing indigents and innocent Palestinians called ISRAEL. TALK about it. #stupid media,” he declared in one tweet, while in another, he blasted Israel as a “bloody country” for opposing a pro-Palestinian UN resolution.
Confronted about the comments, Chaudhary issued an apology Sunday, telling The New York Post, “I apologize for my tweets, as they do not reflect my current views, or represent who I am today. Those comments from over a decade ago are not in line with how I see the world, and I look back at that rhetoric and mindset with deep regret.”
Jewish leaders, however, say the apology isn’t enough. “This is Adolf Hitler language. It’s antisemitic. It’s a horror show,” said Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former Brooklyn assemblyman.
Hikind placed the blame squarely on Mamdani, a supporter of the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) movement against Israel. “The fish stinks from the head. Mamdani sets the tone. It’s a hate-filled administration,” he said.
Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf also condemned the remarks, emphasizing that “words matter,” and warning that such rhetoric should have no place in public life or government service.
{Matzav.com}
