“We’re creating an antisemitism charter so universities can demonstrate an active commitment to tackling antisemitism”, said Education Minister Robert Halfon on Sunday after reported antisemitic incidents last week.
Following reports of antisemitic slogans graffitied across Leeds University’s Hillel House, Education Minister Robert Halfon met with Leeds chaplains last night to “reaffirm that [he] will do everything to tackle antisemitism in Higher Education”.
Halfon said on Sunday that “the rise in antisemitism we have seen in recent months is not acceptable” and that he has met with the Education Secretary to open dialogue with Jewish education and community groups.
CFI Honorary President Lord Stuart Polak CBE: Mike Freer MP represented Finchley and Golders Green with “immense fortitude”
CFI Honorary President Lord Stuart Polak CBE thanked Mike Freer MP for the “immense fortitude that he has demonstrated representing Finchley for over 30 years”, and as a “proud and public supporter of Israel, who passionately represents the views of his constituents”.
Writing in the Jewish News, he expressed “deep regret” over the antisemitic incidents leading to his resignation, and emphasised that “we must never lose sight of the friendship – and risks that it entails – from so many Parliamentarians”.
Two hostages rescued from Hamas captivity
IDF special forces have successfully rescued two hostages, Fernando Simon Marman, 61, and Norberto Louis Har, 70.
The IDF “carried out a very complex action on the premises and the second floor where the hostages were held”, at around 1:00 a.m, said IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
The rescue is the first successful operation of its kind since the rescue of IDF soldier Ori Megidish in late October.
“This is an operation that we prepared for and were waiting for the conditions that would make it possible to carry it out”, said Hagari.
The two are reportedly in good condition, having been brought to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan for examination, via military helicopter.
They were both abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on the morning of 7 October, amid the Hamas-led terror attacks.
Secret Hamas data centre discovered beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters
The IDF has discovered a secret subterranean data centre used by Hamas beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters.
The asset, used for Hamas intelligence and communications, is one of the most consequential findings of the war, according to Israeli media reports.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini denied any knowledge of the data centre, saying that the agency “did not know what is under its headquarters”.
He added that UNRWA does not have the “expertise nor the capacity to undertake military inspections of what is or might be under its premises”.
“We [previously] stated Hamas’ use of UNRWA’s headquarters. You chose to ignore the facts so you can later try and deny them”, responded Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).
The data centre, called a server farm, accommodated living quarters for Hamas personnel, and was located nearby an UNRWA school.
(photo credit: IDF)
Al Jazeera reporter uncovered as a commander in Hamas’ military wing
Mohamed Washah, a Palestinian journalist appearing in Al Jazeera reports over recent months, has been found by the IDF to be a commander in Hamas’s military wing.
IDF Arabic-language spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee said Washah’s laptop was found in a Hamas base in northern Gaza.
Images and documents recovered from the device revealed 37-year old Washah’s role as a “prominent commander” in Hamas’s anti-tank missile unit, he added. In late 2022, Washah reportedly began research and development projects for Hamas’ air unit.
“In the morning, he’s a journalist on the Al Jazeera channel, and in the evening, a terrorist in Hamas!” tweeted Adraee.
20 oxygen tanks delivered to Gaza hospital by IDF
The IDF facilitated the delivery of over 20 tanks of oxygen and medical equipment to Gaza’s Al-Amal Hospital.
IDF troops raided the hospital last week and arrested 20 Hamas fighters, after reports that Hamas fighters were operating within the hospital unit.
Located in in the neighbourhood of Khan Younis, the hospital has been used by Hamas as an “operational hideout”, according to the IDF.
The IDF delivered the aid in coordination with unnamed international aid groups and local officials, due to Hamas operating in the area.
Terror attacks thwarted in Jerusalem and the West Bank
An attempted stabbing terror attack against Israeli police officers in Jerusalem’s Old City was reportedly thwarted on Sunday. The assailant was killed by Israel’s police and one man was injured in gunfire.
Earlier in the day, Rami Rashid Al-Batha, a Palestinian man from Battir, northwest of Bethlehem, attempted to carry out a stabbing terror attack against Israeli soldiers near the West Bank village of Husan. Al-Batha was killed by the IDF, according to reports.
British Muslims targeted for recruitment by Iran’s IRGC
Iran’s paramilitary corps have been targeting British Muslims for recruitment, to spy on British Jews and Jewish targets in the UK, according to new Daily Mail reports.
The paramilitary corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is charged with spreading Iran’s revolutionary Islamist doctrine.
British Muslims have been approached by IRGC recruiters when making pilgrimages to religious sites in Iran and Iraq.
