Nations are rewarding Hamas terror

‘This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace’, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated. ‘It is a slap in the face to the victims of Oct. 7.’

The slap in the face was repeated often in reaction to the announcement of the French president Macron that ‘consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, Paris intends to recognize a Palestinian state. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September’, Macron stated. ‘The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population.’

Many recall the images of President Emmanuel Macron being slapped in the face — by his wife Brigitte earlier this year, and previously during a 2017 visit to southern France. In an effort to end the fighting in Gaza, France’s move to recognize a Palestinian state seems awkward. Critics, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, argue that such recognition serves as a reward for terrorism. ‘This move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became’, Netanyahu warned. ‘A Palestinian state under current conditions would be a launchpad for the destruction of Israel — not a partner for peace. Let us be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel. They seek a state instead of Israel.’

“‘This move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy”

Commentators argue that Macron’s actions strengthened Hamas’s position at the negotiating table and contributed to their refusal to agree to a ceasefire deal.

Following France announcements, other states followed suit. Keith Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, also intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September, before the U.N. General Assembly, ‘unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza’ and agrees to a ceasefire and to ‘commit to a long-term sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.’

Canada also intends to recognize a Palestinian state during the 80th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in September. Although Canada made it clear that its recognition of Palestinian statehood is conditioned on a series of commitments by PA-president Mahmoud Abbas, including serious governance reforms, the holding of general elections in 2026 in which Hamas will be barred from participating, and the demilitarization of the future state. Israel ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed said: ‘Recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of accountable government, functioning institutions or benevolent leadership rewards and legitimizes the monstrous barbarity of Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.’

In the meantime, eleven countries have joined the list: Andorra, Australia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxemburg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.

The New York Times’ On July 30, the paper acknowledged that Mohammed “had pre-existing health problems affecting his brain and his muscle development.”

Getting the story straight

Anti-Israel activists vandalized the entrance of The New York Times after the paper clarified that the Gazan boy featured in its ‘hunger’ article was actually suffering from a genetic disorder.

Five days after the article’s publication, The New York Times issued a correction, acknowledging that the boy, Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq — initially described as suffering from severe malnutrition — had underlying medical conditions, according to his doctor and medical records. An editor’s note emphasized that the article had been updated to reflect this new information.

Even long before October 7, 2023, it was often difficult to separate fact from fiction in reports coming out of Gaza. Since then, however, much of the media from Gaza appears to be controlled by Hamas, making it increasingly difficult for international news outlets to avoid amplifying propaganda. In a rare move, The New York Times — after being confronted with the inaccuracies in its reporting — partially admitted that the original story was misleading. Meanwhile, demonstrators in the streets have made it clear that they prefer to cling to the false narrative.

This bronze coin dating back two millennia to the Jewish Revolt against the Romans uncovered near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem features a chalice with an inscription in ancient Hebrew “For the Redemption of Zion.” | Photo: Emil Aladjem/IAA.

For the redemption of Zion

Just days before Tisha be Av, the commemoration of the destruction of the Temple, archeologist found a bronze coin in Jerusalem with the inscription ‘For the Redemption of Zion’. The coin was minted during the final year before the destruction of the Second Temple nearly two millennia ago has been unearthed near the Temple Mount.

‘It would seem that in the rebellion’s fourth year, the mood of the rebels now besieged in Jerusalem changed from euphoria and anticipation of freedom at hand, to a dispirited mood and a yearning for redemption’, said Yuval Baruch, who has researched this site for more than 25 years. It is as the Jewish fighters of that time were asking for Divine intervention.

Israeli minister of Heritage Rabbi Amicha Eliyahu echoed his sentiment, stating: ‘The coin that was found truly expresses the longing throughout the generations for redemption, for revival, for a free Jerusalem. Two thousand year later, we are privileged to discover this evidence in excavations in Jerusalem; another moving testimony that our roots here run so deep, they cannot be uprooted. This is a strengthening and encouraging message to the people and the nation of Israel, just before the National Day of Mourning of the 9th of Av.’

Let us take time this week to pray for the redemption of Zion — that the propaganda machinery of terrorist organizations and the nations that support them will be exposed, and that people around the world will develop a deep longing for truth. Pray for wisdom and strength in Israel’s diplomacy, that it may clearly convey to the international community what is truly needed to bring about the release of the hostages and an end to the war in Gaza.

UK plans to recognize Palestinian state absent ‘substantive’ Israeli steps
Israel and the United States rejected London’s statement, calling it a reward for Hamas.
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Canada intends to recognize Palestinian state in September
Ottawa said recognition is conditioned on a series of reforms by P.A. chief Mahmoud Abbas.
> Read more..

France to recognize Palestinian state, drawing Israeli, US reproach
“Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.
> Read more..

NYT building vandalized after Gaza story correction issued
Unknown individuals spray-painted the building hours after the paper amended a controversial report on a starving Gazan boy.
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‘New York Times’ issues correction, admits boy in Gazan starvation photo has pre-existing condition
“We have since learned new information, including from the hospital that treated him and his medical records,” wrote a New York Times spokesperson.
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Rare coin from Jewish revolt against Romans uncovered near Temple Mount
“Two thousand years after the minting of this coin, we come along a few days before Tisha B’Av and find such a moving testimony to that great destruction,” says archaeologist Esther Rakow-Mellet.
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First-of-its-kind discovery: Ancient coin from Second Temple Era reveals rebel mindset
In the year before the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Jews minted a bronze coin, which would later be uncovered in Jerusalem excavations thousands of years later. Found during a joint excavation between the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the City of David, and the Jewish Quarter Reconstruction and Development Company, this coin portrays the Jewish people’s fight for survival through centuries of persecution.
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