Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema on Sunday appeared to retract her use of the word “pogrom” in connection with the mass assaults by Arabs on Israelis in her city on Nov. 7.
Halsema, a former leader of the left-wing D66 party, said during a panel discussion on the NOS broadcaster that the term in the context of the attacks had become too politically loaded and a propaganda tool.
Her remarks are part of a broader narrative shift in the Netherlands about the attacks, which initially prompted harsh-worded condemnations from across the political spectrum. In recent days, politicians and opinion shapers on the left have downplayed, excused or denied the attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans returning from their team’s match against the local Ajax club.

Hamas continues to frustrate ongoing hostages-for-ceasefire negotiations in the hopes of ending the war and returning to power in Gaza, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday.
“The only thing that Hamas wants is a deal that ends the war and for the IDF to leave the Strip in order to return to power,” the premier said, according to Walla. “I am not ready to allow that under any circumstance.”
Netanyahu told lawmakers that the Palestinian terrorist group “sees the pressure” put on his government in both the domestic and international spheres, and believes it can thwart the talks to secure better conditions.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, discusses the ongoing border crisis as officials prepare for President-elect Trump’s border crackdown on ‘The Evening Edit.’
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Fox News contributor Karl Rove discusses the speed at which President-elect Trump is moving to build out his new White House administration on ‘The Story.’
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Donald Trump Jr. joins ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ to lay out the president-elect’s political agenda.
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Frustrated Chicago residents harshly criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) during a recent city council meeting, condemning his proposal for a $300 million property tax hike to cover growing expenses tied to the city’s migrant crisis.
Black Republican voters were among the most vocal critics, calling Johnson a “criminal,” “bully,” and a “loser” during the heated session.
The Wall Street Journal recently labeled Johnson “America’s Worst Mayor,” reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership. In April, he announced plans to request $70 million in additional taxpayer funds to supplement the $150 million already allocated for migrants in the 2024 budget, according to the Daily Mail.

Former CDC Director Richard Besser voiced strong disapproval on Sunday regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, describing Kennedy as “cruel” for perpetuating the notion that vaccines are linked to autism.
“This was a question that was asked and addressed decades ago, and to continue to lift that up is a cruel thing to do,” Besser stated during an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week.”
Besser, currently serving as the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, previously held the role of acting CDC director from January to June 2009.

Top Hamas leaders who had been based in Qatar have recently moved to Turkey, according to an Arab diplomat who shared this information with The Times of Israel on Sunday.
The diplomat clarified that members of Hamas’ overseas leadership often operate out of Turkey when not participating in meetings in Doha.
This development was initially reported by Kan 11 News, which noted the shift of Hamas leadership to Turkey.

Families of Americans affected by the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, as well as those who lost loved ones in combat in Gaza, have filed a lawsuit against Iran. According to The New York Times, the lawsuit accuses Iran of supporting the massacre through financial and logistical aid.
The legal filing, submitted to the US District Court in Washington, alleges that Iran has been a key backer of Hamas and other terror groups committed to Israel’s destruction.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), widely known for her critical stance on Israel, appeared to attribute the Democratic Party’s underperformance in the November 5 Presidential election to the influence of the pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC.
“If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats then they should be discussing AIPAC,” Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to as AOC, wrote in a post on the social media platform X.
Ocasio-Cortez is part of the progressive congressional group known as the “Squad,” whose members frequently voice criticism of Israel.