President Donald Trump has halted all military aid to Ukraine, escalating pressure on Volodymyr Zelensky just days after a tense Oval Office exchange cast doubt on U.S. support for its key ally.
A senior Defense Department official, who spoke anonymously about internal discussions, told Bloomberg News that the aid freeze will remain in place until Trump determines that Ukraine’s leadership is making a genuine effort toward peace.
The Biden administration buddied up with Iran and gave over a billion dollars to terror-supporting entities such as the Palestinian Authority and the UNWRA, and at the same time, since Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu re-entered office in December 2022, snubbed democratically elected senior Israeli politicians and even considered sanctioning them.
One of those officials was Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, who also serves as a Minister in the Defense Ministry. Despite his status as a senior and influential member of the government of one of the US’s closest allies, Biden administration officials refused to meet with him.
Now that President Trump is in office, Smotrich is no longer considered a persona non grata and received an invitation to the White House to meet with his US counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and other senior Trump officials.
On his flight overnight Monday, Smotrich issued a statement saying: “The purpose of the visit is to strengthen economic cooperation between Israel and the United States, to promote joint economic initiatives, and to deepen the strategic alliance between the countries.”
“I will emphasize in my meetings Israel’s firm position in the fight against terror and the need for clear US backing for the continuation of our security activities in the war.”
“This visit serves as an additional pillar in strengthening the strategic and economic ties between Jerusalem and Washington, out of a shared commitment to the stability and security of Israel and the entire region.”
Just a little bio on this guy:
He was sentenced on May 12, 2015, to one year in prison, and to pay a fine of 1 million shekels. He began serving his prison sentence on February 16, 2016. After his release, he became the Chief Rabbi of Morocco in 2019.
Russia has invited Israel to attend its Victory Day commemorations in May alongside representatives of China, Brazil, Slovakia and Serbia—but not Germany, the United States or most European Union’s member states, Russian media reported Sunday.
The annual May 9 commemorations on Red Square in Moscow feature a military parade and speeches by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in recognition of the sacrifices made by his country in its war against Germany in World War II. This year is a round anniversary since the German surrender to the Red Army 80 years ago.
A national holiday, May 9 is a major patriotic holiday in Russia and throughout much of the post-Soviet world. The holiday’s main event is the Red Square parade. In contrast to past anniversaries this year, Russia did not invite the United States, most of the European Union, Canada, Australia and other countries it deems “unfriendly,” according to News.ru.
Western leaders have attended the event in the past, including in 2005 when Putin hosted U.S. President George W. Bush and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac. Israel’s then president Moshe Katsav represented it at that event.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last attended the parade in 2018 as one of the only Western leaders present. Israel’s Knesset designated May 9 the previous year as an official holiday. Israel is one of the only countries outside the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States where May 9 is on the official calendar. The day’s addition to the calendar was widely seen as a gesture to Russia but also as recognizing the thousands of Jewish Red Army war veterans living in Israel.
U.S. Ambassador-Designate to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik, delivered a powerful speech at the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) “Never Is Now” Summit, vowing to take strong action against antisemitism both globally and within the United Nations. Stefanik’s remarks followed the October 7th Hamas attacks, which she described as a pivotal moment in the global fight against antisemitism and extremism.
Addressing the gathered audience, Stefanik declared, “The antisemites at the United Nations better buckle up, because I’m coming.” Her words marked a firm commitment to confronting the UN’s persistent bias against Israel and its failure to address rising antisemitism on the world stage. She stressed that under her leadership, the U.S. would no longer tolerate organizations like UNRWA, which she accused of enabling Hamas and perpetuating anti-Israel sentiment.
Stefanik, who expressed deep personal ties to the Jewish community, emphasized the critical need for action in the wake of the October 7th atrocities. “This fight is not just Israel’s fight; it is the West’s fight,” she said, describing the struggle as one between civilization and barbarity. She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the U.S. remains steadfast in its support for Israel and the Jewish people, underscoring that the Trump administration’s policies would continue to champion this cause.
The Ambassador-Designate also reflected on the moral failure of some U.S. universities to address the rise of antisemitism on campuses, citing her questioning of university leaders in hearings where they failed to condemn genocidal rhetoric against Jews. “We will not rest until every single hostage is returned home and Hamas terrorists are eradicated,” Stefanik vowed.
In closing, she echoed her call for decisive action, pledging to continue the fight for Israel, the Jewish people, and the values of freedom and democracy. “Never again is now,” Stefanik concluded. “We will win this fight for Israel, for America, and for all of Western civilization.”
⚠️ Warning: Graphic Content*
