On Wednesday, the Senate decisively voted down three resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that sought to block a major arms deal with Israel.
The Vermont senator had aimed to prevent the delivery of $20 billion worth of military supplies, including tank rounds, mortar rounds, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). Sanders cited what he called “unacceptable civilian death and harm” in Gaza as his reason for opposing the deal.
Although the arms sale had already been approved by Congress, the vote provided an opportunity to gauge Democratic support in the Senate for the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to Israel’s war with Hamas.

This is the European twist on Doomsday prepping.
Classified documents unveiled on Wednesday show that Germany is strategizing for a scenario in which up to 800,000 NATO troops, including American forces, might be deployed to Ukraine in response to escalating nuclear threats from Russia, the NY Post reports.
Dubbed “Operation Deutschland,” the 1,000-page plan outlines how Germany could gear up for a potential World War III scenario.
According to the German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the confidential blueprint specifies which critical buildings and infrastructure must be safeguarded for military use. It also provides guidelines for businesses and civilians on how to brace for heightened threats.

New Zealand officially designated the Iran-backed terror proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen as terrorist organizations on Wednesday.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) vowed to fight Jew-hatred at the United Nations on Tuesday in one of her first public addresses since being named by President-elect Donald Trump as his choice to be the U.S. ambassador to the global body.
Speaking at the Endowment for Middle East Truth’s annual awards dinner in Washington, Stefanik, the chair of the House Republican Conference, called the United Nations a “den of antisemitism.”
“Even before the barbaric terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, the U.N. has continuously betrayed Israel and betrayed America, acting as an apologist for Iran and their terrorist proxies,” Stefanik told attendees.

CLAIM: Former President Bill Clinton appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, where he alleged that President-elect Donald Trump had made promises to Christian voters — whom he referred to as “Christian nationalists” — claiming that if they helped him regain the presidency, he would manipulate future elections.
Clinton stated: “Not long before the election, President Trump did an interview with a conservative radio station and said that his Christian nationalists had to get out and vote this time but if they did and he won they would never have to vote again because he’d have it rigged so they wouldn’t have to worry.”

President-elect Donald Trump and his new administration are “uniquely positioned” to stabilize the Middle East, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said on Wednesday.
“President Trump has strategically surrounded himself with a team of seasoned leaders who possess a deep understanding of the Middle East’s complex dynamics and the grave threats Israel faces from its enemies,” Haskel told JNS. “Supported by this powerhouse team, President Trump is uniquely positioned to stabilize the region and secure a better, more prosperous future—one that serves not only the safety and security of Israel, but also the strategic interests of the United States and democracies worldwide,” she added.

Watch Dallas mayor Eric Johnson explain his move away from the Democratic party to becoming a Republican.

In a crowded New York State Supreme Court courtroom in Manhattan, Judge Gregory Carro asked the handcuffed Christopher Brown, clad in a beige jumpsuit and white taqiyah skullcap, if he had anything to share before he was sentenced.
“No sir,” the 23-year-old said. “I do not.”
Just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Carro sentenced Brown to 10 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Alexander Giannakakis, 37, pleaded guilty on Monday to hiding information and otherwise tampering with a federal investigation of his now-deceased brother, who set fires at four Massachusetts synagogues and assisted living homes.
Giannakakis, who was extradited from Sweden, is slated to be sentenced on March 11, 2025. He faces up to 60 years in prison for the combined three counts, and three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Sephardi Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Yosef strongly criticized Pope Francis for implying that Israel might be engaging in genocide in Gaza, accusing the Pope of siding with aggressors rather than their victims.
“It’s very interesting that the Pope doesn’t call for an investigation of the terrible slaughter of Jews last year on October 7,” Rav Yosef remarked in a video message. “It’s interesting that he doesn’t call for an investigation of the incitement against Jews across Europe, overt antisemitic incitement.”