Prominent antisemitic conservative Candace Owens has ignited a storm of controversy with new remarks about World War II and the Holocaust, in which she essentially defended Adolf Hitler and infamous Auschwitz mangler Joseph Mengele. In a YouTube episode titled, “Literally Hitler. Why Can’t We Talk About Him?”, Owens downplayed the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany while criticizing the Allies’ actions post-war.

As Hezbollah continues to launch near-daily attacks on northern Israel, concerns are growing about the terror group’s vast weapons arsenal and its potential to inflict significant damage on Israel in a full-scale war. According to a report by the Washington Post, Hezbollah has stockpiled an estimated 130,000 to 150,000 rockets and missiles, including low-grade unguided munitions and precision-guided missiles. While the majority of Hezbollah’s weapons are considered low-grade, they could still overwhelm Israel’s aerial defenses if launched in large enough quantities. “How many [Iron Dome interceptors] do they have left?” asked Fabian Hinz, a defense and military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, referencing Israel’s already-depleted stockpile.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday “it’s up to the president to decide” if he should stay in the 2024 race despite President Joe Biden’s insistence he is still running for re-election, showing how unsettled the question remains among prominent Democrats and Capitol Hill. “We’re all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short,” Pelosi said Wednesday on MSNBC. Pelosi has been widely watched for signals of how top Democrats are thinking about Biden’s imperiled candidacy, and her comments will be viewed as important for the party’s direction as they weigh possible alternatives in the campaign against Republican Donald Trump.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines revealed on Tuesday that the US intelligence community has uncovered evidence of Iranian government actors posing as activists online, inciting protests, and even providing financial support to demonstrators. This covert operation aims to influence American democratic processes, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to Haines, Iranian government actors have been exploiting ongoing protests to promote their interests, often without the knowledge of American participants. While acknowledging the legitimate right to peaceful protest, Haines warned that foreign interference can undermine the integrity of democratic processes.

Former senior Shin Bet official Yossi Amrosi spoke about the ongoing hostage deal negotiations on Tuesday. Speaking in an interview with Radio Tzafon 104.5 FM, Amrosi said: “We need to examine the details such as how many prisoners, which prisoners, whether to leave Gaza, when to leave, what happens to displaced Gazans, and how much the IDF will be able to operate in Gaza.” “One of the biggest minefields of the negotiations is the Philadelphi Corridor, the foundation for the question of whether Hamas will regain its strength – it’s the source of its military equipment.” Arosi warned of one terrorist who he believes must not be released at any cost.

A Jewish family is planning to sue the city of New York for $100 million over an alleged antisemitic attack at a fifth-grade graduation ceremony in Brooklyn. The incident occurred on June 14 at PS 682 in Gravesend, where a man was punched and dragged to the ground, and a woman was dragged by her hair and kicked. The family, who filed a notice of claim on Monday, alleges that the attack was incited by a student wearing a graduation cap with “Free Palestine” written on it, and waving a Palestinian flag. The family claims that the school allowed the student to display the cap and flag, which they say is a political statement that incited hostility.

Hezbollah has released a new propaganda video featuring drone footage of Israeli military bases in the Golan Heights. The video, which has not been verified by Israeli authorities, appears to show various military installations and equipment. In a ominous warning, the video concludes with a shot of an Israeli city, which Hezbollah claims will be the subject of an upcoming clip. This is not the first time Hezbollah has released such footage; weeks ago, the group published a similar video showing Israeli sites in the Haifa area. The IDF has yet to comment on the authenticity of the footage or when it was taken.

Tuesday, Gimmel Tammuz 5784 (July, 9, 2024), marks the 30th yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, HaRav Menachem Mendel Schneerson זי”ע. The days surrounding the Yartheit are being marked by people in every corner of the world who have been touched by the Rebbe’s love, his profound teachings and by the 6,000 Shluchim couples he sent to invigorate and revitalize Jewish life in more than 100 countries and thousands of cities. During more than 40 years at the helm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the Rebbe dedicated himself to teaching, guiding and inspiring Jews and Jewish communities around the world.

Left-wing groups in Israel have been protesting in the streets for weeks, calling for a hostage deal “at all costs” and accusing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of sabotaging proposed deals. Hamas leaders, who closely monitor events in Israel, know exactly how to fire up the Israeli left. On Monday, the terror group accused Netanyahu of torpedoing the talks. Hamas was only repeating the same statements made by left-wing politicians and media outlets, including Channel 12 News, which recently quoted two security sources who claimed that Netanyahu is trying to torpedo the talks.

The devastation wrought in the Gaza Strip by IDF forces has led top Hamas officials to soften its demands for a hostage release/ceasefire deal, several US and Middle East officials told the Associated Press. For months, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has repeatedly asserted that the only way to pressure Hamas to show up to the negotiation table and release hostages is to continue the war in Gaza. He maintained his stance as left-wing groups around the world and Israel called for a ceasefire and accused Netanyahu of sabotaging hostage release deals and even of wanting the hostages to remain in Gaza for his own purposes.