Why Israel should annex at least parts of Judea and Samaria

 

By Israel Kasnett, JNS

Israel’s strength stems from its people, but its continued presence on the Jewish nation’s historic homeland is vastly important as well—both from a security as well as a nationalistic perspective.

With a deeply pro-Israel U.S. administration currently in the White House under President Donald Trump’s second term, the question many Israelis have today is whether Israel will annex any part of Judea or Samaria.

Enia Krivine, senior director of the Israel Program and the National Security Network at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told JNS, “It’s very hard to predict what Trump will do.”

She said this administration’s staffing, different from the last administration, “will impact decision-making.”

Krivine pointed out that Mike Huckabee, a minister, former governor of Arkansas and Trump’s pick for ambassador to Israel, is “someone who has a long record of being vocally supportive of annexation.”

She noted that Huckabee “is also an emissary to Trump’s powerful Evangelical base, a large percentage of whom are supportive of Israel and believe that the Land of Israel – including Judea and Samaria – was promised to Jews in the Bible.”

“A lot will depend on who Trump empowers to manage this file,” she said.

Huckabee is not the only major U.S. figure to express pro-Israel views. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Trump’s appointee as UN ambassador, was asked in her confirmation hearing in January if she agreed with the view that Israel has a “biblical right to the entire West Bank,” to which she replied she did.

The Leftists and Gedoilim Like R' Feldman and R' Kotler are on the Same Page vis-a-vis WZO Voting

After running as a candidate last time, Abraham Silberstein will not even be voting in this year’s election for the World Zionist Congress.

In 2020, Silberstein had joined a liberal slate from the United States vying for representation in the congress, a unique legislative body that lets Jews from all over the world have a say in Israeli affairs. A critic of Israel, he agreed to join the Reform movement’s list of candidates. Serving in the congress, he felt, meant having a seat at the table. 

Founded by Theodore Herzl 128 years ago, the congress has influence over Israeli policy on immigration, land use and religious affairs through its control of institutions such as the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund. It also distributes about $1 billion a year to Jewish causes.

Given his position near the bottom of the list of candidates, Silberstein knew he had no chance of being elected. But his willingness to participate was an expression of his politics at the time: progressive and Zionist. 

The war in Gaza has changed that outlook — and his approach to the current election, which remains open for voting through May 4. 

“I have in general become disillusioned with progressive Zionism since Oct. 7,” said Silberstein, a doctoral student in modern Jewish history at New York University

Silberstein vehemently objects to Israel’s conduct and no longer believes in the possibility of changing Zionism from within. Even if he did, he can no longer ethically participate in the election. That’s because voters are required to say they accept the Jerusalem Program, an evolving set of principles that serves as the official platform of the Zionist movement. 

Biden Granted $830 MILLION FOR a Survey consisting of just 10 QUESTIONS on an 8x11 paper

 

Former Houthi official reveals what’s needed to destroy terror group

 Former Houthi spokesperson Ali Al-Bukhaiti argued that while Iran denied commanding the Houthis, it was their primary backer, and if the U.S. or Israel had retaliated directly against Tehran for every Houthi attack, Iran’s support—and the Houthis’ missile capabilities—would quickly crumble.

This is Mars! 140 million miles away!

 

Antisemite Candace Owens Reads Ami Magazine and Exploits it to Fuel Anti-Israel Conspiracies

 

This is too funny to be true but it is! 

Frankfurter the owner of Ami follows the Satmar Anti-Zionist "shit'......eh" though Satmar still thinks that the magazine is "Zionist" and in fact banned AMI in Williamsburg as they don't want the Satmar Yentas to read it, only G-d knows why! 

Frankfurter himself writes a "Torah" column in the magazine. I put "Torah" in quotes because no one has a clue what he is talking about! Every single week he tries to take an obscure Rambam and attempts to reconcile it with the Rambam's own Morah Nevuchim!   Totally incoherent and goes on and on and never lands! 

So I honestly thought that Candace was referring to the Frank's toreleh!

But lo and behold she is referring to a bona-fide lunatic who calls himself John Loftus! Loftus is a conspiracy theorist and most of his articles לא היה ולא נברא , never happened and will never happen, but that doesn't stop the fool, Frankfurter, from featuring him weekly!  

Last week Yitta Halberstam, an "anti-Trumper" and a featured writer for AMI, slammed Trump for throwing out Latino Gangsters who raped and murdered Americans, comparing the situation to when FDR had quotas and Holocaust survivors had a hard time getting in! Insanity in spades!

Candace Owens, a media personality with a long history of antisemitic rhetoric, weaponized an article from Ami Magazine to promote anti-Israel conspiracy theories.

In a recent livestream, Owens expressed astonishment at an Ami Magazine article she claimed to have read, using it to push the narrative that Israel has long controlled American policy through blackmail and manipulation. She alleged, without evidence, that Israel and its intelligence agency, the Mossad, have systematically blackmailed powerful American families—including the Bushes, Rockefellers, and the Dulles family—to exert influence over U.S. politics, business, and media.

Her “evidence” came from an article and book written by John Loftus, an Ami Magazine contributor who, sources tell YWN, makes things up on the fly.

“Literally mind-blown,” Owens told her audience, before directing them to the article. “America clearly got occupied at some point… and it seems like we’re just constantly doing Israel’s bidding.”

She continued, making the baseless claim that Israel has engaged in “sophisticated blackmail operations” that have extended to figures such as former Congressman Matt Gaetz, as well as a supposed historical effort to control the CIA.

“This is not anti-Semitism, my friends,” she insisted. “This is Ami Magazine. It’s very Jewish, okay? I probably wasn’t even allowed to read it.”

Despite her insistence that her claims were based on fact, Owens veered into outright conspiracy, stating, “Israel has been corrupt since its founding,” and falsely asserting that Israeli efforts to edit Wikipedia pages constituted a long-term propaganda campaign. She described Israel as a state engaged in systematic efforts to “warp” American minds, specifically targeting Jewish Americans with indoctrination.

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Pesach Travel to and From Israel: Important Advisories from Chaim V’Chessed

 

As the busy Pesach travel season approaches, Chaim V’Chessed urges all travelers—both those leaving Israel and visitors arriving for the holiday—to take note of several critical travel guidelines to avoid complications and ensure a smooth journey.

Traveler’s Insurance: A Must-Have

One of the most crucial travel precautions is securing proper traveler’s insurance. This applies to:

• Residents of Israel who are traveling abroad

• Visitors coming to Israel for Pesach

Each year, Chaim V’Chessed is called upon to assist travelers who either failed to obtain insurance or misunderstood their coverage, only to find themselves in a medical crisis without proper coverage. Travelers must verify that their insurance policy provides adequate medical and emergency coverage for the duration of their trip. If you do not have appropriate coverage, make sure to contact a qualified insurance agent before travel.

Israeli Customs: What You Need to Know

Travelers should be aware of Israel’s customs regulations, which have become more strictly enforced in recent months. Below are some important rules to bear in mind.

• Declaring Valuables – Those leaving Israel with valuables they plan to bring back can declare them before departure to avoid taxation upon return. This is done at the Customs office located after passport control.

• Bringing Goods into Israel – Only $200 worth of gifts may be brought into the country tax-free. Any amounts above $200 must be declared at the ‘Red Lane’ in the airport, and will be taxed.

• Personal Items – The passenger’s personal effects, such as a reasonable amount of clothing for the passenger, are generally exempt from taxation. However, expensive items, such as jewelry or watches, may be flagged for taxes and fines if noticed by customs officials. Additionally, there is no exception for goods brought for family members or others, beyond the $200 limit. Read more about Customs scrutiny here.

• Food Restrictions – Visitors should note that fresh food imports are highly regulated. For instance, travelers may only bring up to 15 kg of food, including no more than 5 kg of any specific type of food. Furthermore, raw meats are not permitted to be brought into the country whatsoever. Only 3 kg of cooked meat is allowed.

ETA Requirement

Since January 1, Israel has required that all travelers heading to the country submit an ETA-IL, an electronic travel application. While Israelis with valid Israeli passports are exempt from this requirement, several other categories of travelers—including student visa holders and permanent residents of Israel—are also officially not required to apply for an ETA. However, airline officials worldwide are often unfamiliar with these exemptions. This has resulted in airlines erroneously demanding an ETA from travelers who should not need one.

To avoid unnecessary complications, Chaim V’Chessed advises that all travelers without an Israeli passport apply for the ETA IL, regardless of their official exemption status. This proactive step can help ensure a smooth travel experience and prevent delays at check-in. It should be noted that Israeli citizens who do not hold a valid Israeli passport are required to obtain an ETA, as well.

Apply for an ETA at this link. For further details see here.

For further clarifications or inquiries, travelers are encouraged to contact Chaim V’Chessed before their trip. Adhering to these guidelines will help ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience this Pesach season.

Footage of Sirens at a Wedding

 

Shrapnel from Houtie Missile Falls Across Beit Shemesh

 

Emergency forces and the Beit Shemesh Iriya are currently handling five locations where shrapnel has fallen in the city: 

• The fire station and on the roof of a home across from the station. 
• Nachal Luz in RBS A. 
• Rashi Street — in a yard and on the road. 

In addition, there are reports of more sites on Ben Ish Chai in the Kiryah Charedit neighborhood and at a school in RBS B. 

Please note: If you see a suspicious object, report it immediately to security forces. 

*"Chilling Miracle": Heavy Shrapnel Fell in a Beit Midrash Courtyard — Students Saved at the Last Moment* 

A chilling account from a Beit Shemesh resident:

 Just minutes after the siren ended, as he stepped out of the protected area and stood near a pergola by the shul, he suddenly heard a powerful boom. A large, burning piece of shrapnel crashed down into the courtyard of the Pnei Shmuel Beit Midrash on Nachal Luz — landing just steps away from him. 

The incredible detail quickly became clear:

 At that very time, a shiur for local Talmud Torah boys was taking place inside. The class was supposed to end right before the siren, but the maggid shiur decided to continue for the full amount of time required to remain in the shelter. Because of that decision, the boys stayed inside — and a major tragedy was avoided. 

*"If the shiur had ended on time, at least one of the boys would have been hit,"* the witness described emotionally. 

 Missile Navigation Computer Falls in Beit Shemesh* 

Mayor Grinberg reported: 

"Home Front Command representatives updated me that there were a total of 9 small shrapnel falls from missile interceptions. Security forces were fully prepared, and B"H there were no injuries. The city continues with its normal routine." 

Police Station Commander *Asaf Duak* and police sappers are currently examining what appears to be the navigation computer from the Yemeni missile that fell on Nachal Kidron in RBS A.

In dramatic footage from security cameras, the shrapnel can be seen falling onto a construction site and then ricocheting toward a parked transport van, shattering its rear window. 

Yeshiva Student Suspected of Attacking the Mayor Arrested at Ben Gurion Airport

 A yeshiva student in his 20s was arrested upon landing in Israel, suspected of involvement in the violent attack on Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg. 

The arrest follows the serious incident that took place last Wednesday.

IDF & Shin Bet Eliminate Over 100 Hamas Vehicles Used for Terror

 

Israeli forces have destroyed more than 100 Hamas vehicles, including those used in the October 7 massacre. 

These vehicles were instrumental in raids, murders, kidnappings, and weapons smuggling for further attacks.

Mind Blowing Views On Eretz Yisrael!

 

Now listen to the American Rabbis at the Aguda Convention .. an Outrageous answer from Rabbi Reisman to the question of making Aliyah!  His reaction is the same as the Orthodox Rabbanim in Europe pre-WW2! 

Rabbi Uri Deutsch's answer is totally off the wall he says that stating that the rabbanim who advised Jews to stay in Europe instead of leaving is a mistake is "Kefirah" Who even decided to put this guy on the panel? Iposted about this immediately after the convention

.https://dusiznies.blogspot.com/search?q=Rabbi+Uri+Deutsch

Some may say that these Rabbis are the modern-day meraglim! 

INCREDIBLE: Watch: From The Nova Party to Meah Shearim

 

For 8 hours, Barak Nixon hid in a chemical toilet stall in Nova. He promised that if he got out of there alive, he would become a baal teshuvah – and he kept his word.

Barak, a secular young man who had only observed two Shabbosos before the massacre, moved to Meah Shearim. KAN 11’s reporter beings us the following incredibly inspiring story.

Tragic Details In Suicide of Shuki Roth That Caused Palisades Interstate Parkway Crash Released

On Feb. 6, Roth shared a photo from Playa Del Carmen with his wife captioned, "my better half."

As previously reported by Daily Voice, Yeshaya "Shuki" Roth, who hails from Bnei-Brak Israel but lives in Flatbush, NY, shot and killed himself while behind the wheel of a Jeep Wagoneer on Monday evening, March 17

On Wednesday, March 19, the PIP Police Department shared additional details. At approximately 5:40 p.m., officers responded to the Englewood Cliffs crash involving a Jeep that had crossed over the center median and into the northbound lanes, sideswiping a 2022 Infiniti QX6 that had been heading north, Lt. Raymond Walter said.

The Jeep came to rest along the guardrail in the northbound lanes. Roth, who police did not identify by name, was the sole occupant of the Jeep and was found with serious head trauma, Walter said. He was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. 

Members of the Parkway Police found a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun inside the Jeep along with one spent shell casing on the vehicle floorboard, Walter said. A Pitbull was also found uninjured inside the Jeep and turned over to Bergen County Animal Control. The operator, and only vehicle occupant, of the 2022 Infiniti, a 45-year-old male from Nanuet, NY, was not injured during the collision.

An investigation found that Roth shot himself in the head while heading south on the PIP. 

A campaign has been launched for Roth's wife, and had raised more than $42,000 as of press time. The fund says that the family is now facing financial challenges. 

The investigation was handled by the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police working in conjunction with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, the Bergen County Sheriff Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Palisades Interstate

 

White House Zeroes In on Qatar’s Role in Funding Pro-Hamas Campus Demonstrations

 

The Trump administration is reportedly developing plans to cut off the money supply fueling the surge of anti-Israel protests that have disrupted American college campuses since Hamas’s unprovoked attack the Jewish State on October 7, 2023.

Multiple sources familiar with the discussions tell the Washington Free Beacon that Trump is going for the jugular by targeting wealthy foreign nationals from Qatar with suspected ties to Hamas through sanctions and visa revocations. Among those reportedly drawing scrutiny is Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, former Qatari prime minister and co-owner of the Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel.

“President Trump has made it a priority to ensure that Jewish students, indeed all students, feel safe and free from harassment on college campuses,” one senior U.S. official confides to the conservative news outlet. “You can’t get rid of anti-Semitism on campus without getting rid of the funding, and the funders are Qatar.”

“To that end, his administration is taking a comprehensive approach, not just looking at the visas and green cards of student instigators, but also, for example, going after the people funding the protests, wherever they may be.”

Another diplomatic source claims the Biden administration considered similar measures but hesitated to implement them to avoid disrupting Qatar’s role as mediator in Israel-Hamas peace talks.

“This was on the menu when I was there, but the previous administration was a bit squeamish about taking extreme measures, like revoking visas,” he said. “But that’s not a problem in this administration, and we’re hearing they’re looking at all options—from sanctions on individuals to the revocation of visas.”

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are also developing parallel legislation targeting financiers of what they describe as “Hamas’s U.S.-based propaganda arms,” such as the controversial Students for Justice in Palestine organization.

“There are mountains of evidence that Qatar paid for groups committed to halting Israel’s campaign against Hamas,” a senior GOP congressional official told the Free Beacon. “Everyone knows where the investigation into illegal protests will end up, and Republicans will look to punish those responsible.”

Mike Huckabee Pays Respects at Rebbe’s Ohel Days Before Senate Hearing Confirmation

 

Mike Huckabee Pays Respects at Rebbe’s Ohel Days Before Senate Hearing Confirmation*

With his Senate confirmation hearing to become U.S. Ambassador to Israel scheduled for later this week, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee made a symbolic and spiritual stop in Queens, New York—visiting the Ohel, the revered gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

Holy Satmar Teens Singing

 

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Ben Gvir Demands Criminal Prosecution of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar

 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted on Sunday: 

“Ronen Bar is a criminal and a liar, attempting to deny his efforts to conspire against elected officials in a democratic nation, despite the documents now being made public. I will not settle for his dismissal—he must face criminal charges for attempting a coup and undermining democracy.”

Ben Gvir’s comments came after a News12 investigation revealed that Bar had ordered a secret procedure against the police and Ben Gvir, which involved gathering evidence in an effort to incriminate the minister.

Yotam Zimri, a regular panelist on News14’s popular “Patriots,” said Sunday night, 

“We are living in one huge prank. Ronen Bar is saying, how bad can I be at my job, which is to protect the lives of Israeli citizens, and still be protected by the ‘Anyone but Bibi’ camp, as it dismantles the country.”

Zimri said we live in a world where a person can be directly and clearly responsible for the murder of more than 1,200 Israelis, accept responsibility publicly, say I’m guilty, I’ll resign – and still disobey his employer, the Israeli public, and its elected officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday attacked Ronen Bar over news that the Shin Bet was investigating political interference by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in police work out of fear of “infiltration of Kahanism” into the police.

For the record, the Wiki definition of Kahanism is a religious Zionist ideology based on the views of Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the Jewish Defense League and the Kach party in Israel, according to which most Arabs living in Israel on either side of the Green Line are the enemies of Jews and Israel.

Following the 2021 riots in Israel’s mixed cities, the ongoing barrage of Arab terrorist acts against the Jews of Judea and Samaria, and the October 7, 2023, Arab atrocities, it stands to reason that a vast majority of Israelis mistrust the Arabs of Eretz Israel and expect them to carry out even more acts of violence against innocent Jewish civilians.

Seeing as the Shin Bet, when it is doing its job, also acts based on the above assumptions, it appears that the blanket use of “Kahanism” in this case is purely political, and is part of the efforts by Ronen Bar, AG Gali Baharav-Miara, and the state prosecution to entrap Minister Ben Gvir as part of their effort to topple the majority right-wing coalition government.

With that in mind, assigning criminal intent to Shin Bet chief Bar is not outlandish but anchored in the law.

The General Security Service Law, 5762-2002, section 4, says:

(a) The service is subordinate to the government; the government will approve objectives for the service subject to the provisions of this law.

(b) The Prime Minister is in charge of the service on behalf of the government.

(c) The service will operate on a non-political (mamlachti) basis; the service will not be assigned a task to promote party-political interests.

Section 19 says that a Shin Bet employee who acted without the consent of the prime minister will serve between one and five years in prison, depending on the severity of the violation.

Check it out.

by David Israel 

נט Dשהןג Iדרשקך JP

Nurse tricks woman into thinking she’s terminal — then kills her over $1.5M insurance policy

 

A nurse tricked a woman into thinking she had terminal cancer and injected her with a fatal dose of insulin — so that she could try to claim a possible $1.5 million life-insurance policy, Utah cops say.

Registered nurse Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, injected pal Kacee Lyn Terry, 38, with the lethal dose over the summer, according to newly surfaced police documents.

Investigating cops found more than 28,000 texts between the women that showed Sundwall had a fixation with helping her friend commit suicide.

The text exchanges — which dated back to December 2019 — included messages “detailing different ways Meggan would kill herself if she was Terry, and of Meggan offering to ‘help’ [her friend] die,” police said.

The messages also allegedly included discussions about Sundwall’s apparent financial woes and how being the beneficiary of Terry’s life-insurance policy would fix everything.

It was not immediately clear if Terry even had a policy, although Sundwall apparently believed she did and that the nurse was set to score a $1.5 million payout from it.

Terry’s family expressed relief after learning of Sundwall’s arrest, saying they believed she was trying to kill her for years.

The morning of Aug. 12, Sundwall sent her a text asking, “Do you want to take some promethazine when I get there so that you are asleep when this is happening?” according to KUTV.

Police were called to Terry’s home after her uncle said he found her unresponsive and gasping for air as if she were drowning. Sundwall told investigators she had been alone with Terry all morning and that she had been suffering for “several hours” that day.

Paramedics reportedly discovered a diabetic needle at the scene.

When Terry — who was not a diabetic — arrived at the hospital, her blood sugar level had plunged to 14. Blood sugar levels can become lethal at 40 or less.

Sundwall also claimed that Terry had signed a do-not-resuscitate order and said she didn’t want to go to the hospital.

A search warrant revealed that Terry’s sister had told hospital staff she had been suffering with leukemia for years. It’s unclear whether Sundwall told Terry’s family she had cancer.

Terry died Aug. 15.

Her sister said “she moved Kacee out of the shared apartment and into her grandfather’s house where she lives now due to Kacee complaining about Meggan bringing insulin home and trying to talk Kacee into treatments to help end her suffering,” the warrant stated.

But after her autopsy, Terry’s family received the shocking news that she didn’t have cancer — or any other underlying health issues — and no DNR order was ever found. The same doctor also said Sundwall was not her power of attorney, according to KSL.

The Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed Terry’s cause of death was an overdose of probable exogenous insulin, promethazine and other drugs, according to the outlet.

After Terry’s death, Sundwall allegedly deleted more than 900 texts from her phone and conducted a search for her life insurance policy.

Sundwall was arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on charges including first-degree aggravated murder and third-degree obstruction of justice.

Families of Hostages Blame it all on Ronen Bar Who Refuses to Resign!!

During a discussion held on Monday at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Shimon Or, uncle of Avinatan who is being held hostage in Gaza, harshly criticized Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, and put direct responsibility on him for failure in managing negotiations for the return of the hostages.

"Ronen Bar is responsible for the kidnapping of Avinatan," said Or, adding, "He is responsible for all the atrocities – for the 1,200 murders, for reckless negotiations with Hamas, while concealing information from the Prime Minister and not informing him about this document from Sinwar, which indicates that the entire negotiation is aimed solely at pulling Israeli society to pieces."

Or also noted that "for eighteen months, we have been holding negotiations that are yielding nothing and bringing no progress. They bring thirty hostages home, but leave Avinatan and the other hostages behind." He stated that Ronen Bar "was well aware of the fact that the families' protests only increased the price that Hamas is demanding."

During his remarks, he addressed the Knesset members and underscored: "Israeli society should think only of the hostages, not of Ronen Bar." He warned that "if they want to keep Ronen Bar as the Shin Bet chief, despite the government's decision, what will it do to the hostages?"

Finally, Or called for a change in the state's approach toward Hamas and for more taking more aggressive means. "We demand an ultimatum with a balance of fear. Hamas should know that it would be better for them to return the hostages alive, than what will happen to them if they are not returned safely."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted on Sunday: “Ronen Bar is a criminal and a liar, attempting to deny his efforts to conspire against elected officials in a democratic nation, despite the documents now being made public. I will not settle for his dismissal—he must face criminal charges for attempting a coup and undermining democracy.”

Ben Gvir’s comments came after a News12 investigation revealed that Bar had ordered a secret procedure against the police and Ben Gvir, which involved gathering evidence in an effort to incriminate the minister.

 

Schumer Rejects Calls to Resign as Democratic Favorability Plummets to 27%

 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has dismissed calls to resign despite growing backlash over his Israel-related comments. 

A new Gallup poll shows Democratic favorability has dropped to 27%, the lowest since 1992, intensifying criticism from both parties over the party’s shifting stance on Israel.

Trump Demolishes NYT "Stable" of Writers Peter Baker & Maggot Hagerman

 

Frum Gary Barnett Secures Full Fifth Avenue Blockfront Plans $1B Tower With Manhattan’s First Ikea

 

After ten years of relentless negotiations, strategic acquisitions, and high-stakes real estate maneuvering, Extell Development Chairman Gary Barnett has finally completed what many in the industry considered an elusive feat: securing the entire blockfront on Fifth Avenue between West 46th and 47th Streets, one of the most coveted parcels in Manhattan. As reported by The New York Post, Barnett finalized the acquisition of the last remaining piece — the holdout property at 576 Fifth Avenue — in a deal that officially closed on Thursday night.

The transaction marks the culmination of a decade-long chess game played across Midtown real estate, positioning Extell to build a 33-story, 1.1 million-square-foot mixed-use tower, featuring office space and a landmark retail component — Manhattan’s first-ever Ikea superstore.

According to the report in The New York Post, Extell paid a staggering $175 million for 576 Fifth Avenue, significantly more than the $101 million that South Korea’s enigmatic Sae-A Trading Co. shelled out for the same property just two years prior in 2021. Despite acknowledging the premium price, Barnett made no apologies for the hefty sum. “We paid a stupid price, but it gives us the whole block, which is amazing,” he told The Post, adding that the deal provides “the largest footprint available in Midtown and maybe anywhere.”

The acquisition consolidates Extell’s holdings at 574 and 576 Fifth Avenue, granting the developer a contiguous, uninterrupted site for the future skyscraper. The entire development will be readdressed under the unified designation of 570 Fifth Avenue.

The architectural plans for the development are being led by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), one of the world’s premier architectural firms. Barnett revealed to The New York Post that plans for the tower will soon be submitted to the New York City Department of Buildings, with delivery to tenants expected in approximately three years. Excavation work is already well underway, signaling Extell’s urgency to move forward on the $1 billion-plus venture.

The tower’s blueprint will feature a gradation in floor sizes — massive 65,000-square-foot plates at the base, tapering to more intimate 27,000-square-foot floors at the top, offering flexibility for both large corporate tenants and boutique office users. The office component alone will exceed 1 million square feet, placing it among the largest new commercial developments in Midtown.

As explained in The New York Post report, the project’s most headline-grabbing tenant is undoubtedly Ikea, whose parent company, Ingka Investments, has partnered with Extell on the development. Ingka will own 80,000 square feet outright, establishing the furniture giant’s first superstore in Manhattan — a significant milestone for both Ikea and the city’s retail landscape.

In a city where retail square footage is both premium-priced and hard to secure, Ikea’s move to Fifth Avenue represents a bold expansion strategy and a notable departure from its traditional big-box suburban locations. Its presence in Midtown could reshape pedestrian traffic patterns, draw new customer demographics, and act as a magnet for other high-profile retail brands.

While Extell now holds the full block, The New York Post report detailed the high-stakes drama that nearly derailed Barnett’s vision. The corner parcel at West 47th Street, now known as 576 Fifth Avenue, was originally controlled by a local partnership. In a surprise twist, Sae-A Trading Co. swooped in unexpectedly and purchased the property, demolished the existing 12-story diamond district building, but never filed development plans. The sudden move left Barnett with an incomplete footprint and a project with what he called a “missing tooth” at its northern end.

Despite being prepared to proceed without the corner lot, Barnett understood the symbolic and practical value of a seamless blockfront. Now, with full ownership in hand, Extell is poised to move forward without compromise.

The significance of this project extends beyond its architectural grandeur. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, this development represents a vote of confidence in the future of Midtown Manhattan, which continues to evolve in a post-pandemic commercial landscape. With remote work habits reshaping office demand and retail undergoing seismic shifts, Extell’s megaproject doubles as both a financial gamble and a strategic urban statement.

For Barnett, however, the risks are part of the reward. “You don’t get opportunities like this often,” he told The New York Post, clearly relishing the magnitude of what he’s accomplished. After ten years of patience, persistence, and negotiation, Gary Barnett now holds one of Midtown’s most commanding addresses — and he intends to make it a centerpiece of Manhattan’s next generation of real estate landmarks.