When Men Banter With Their Opposition

 Nadene Goldfoot                                             

        Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya

On 9 September 2025, al-Hayya and other Hamas leaders were targeted by an Israeli airstrike on a residential compound housing Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar. His son,  Himam and office director Jihad Labad were confirmed to have been killed in the strike.

We have at least two main banterings going on today that encompass our lives.  One is the case of our USA government in SHUT DOWN and the other is the WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS TERRORISTS.  Both situations call for men sitting down with their opposition and solving the problem somehow.  Both involve President Donald Trump.  

Trump may be thinking both can be solved with the same type of stylized approach to their matters but they are not alike.  It's very important that Trump keep his word with the war issues.  Hamas has been attacking Israel non-stop and this must come to a complete end by banishing them from the area as described in his 20 points of Peace.  Otherwise, like the PLO who turned into HAMAS,  they will molt into another terror group and remain.  Today was October 4th, the day Hamas was to turn over ALL hostages, both dead and alive.  It has not happened.  This date when first given was given as an ultimatum.  Debating and dodging had been going on for months already.  

The group announced yesterday:  The group announced on Friday, October 3, its willingness to free all remaining captives, both living and dead, based on the terms of the Trump administration's 20-point peace plan. Well?   On the West Coast, the time is 1:38PM.  In New York it is 4:39PM.  In Qatar right now it's also Saturday, October 4, at 11:40PM. Instead,  Trump urges Israel and Hamas to advance ceasefire plan and said this just a few minutes ago.  

• Hamas’ response: Hamas has agreed to “immediately” enter negotiations for the release of all hostages but stopped short of accepting Trump’s proposal unconditionally, with a finalized ceasefire deal far from certain.

• Netanyahu’s reaction: In an address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism that all hostages will be released within days, while Israel’s military remains deployed deep inside the strip.

• In Gaza: Despite Trump’s assertion that Israel has “temporarily stopped” bombing Gaza, dozens of people have been killed today in Israeli strikes, according to information from Gaza’s hospitals.  (Remember the source--Gazans who are in deeply with Hamas.  When Israel confirms that the war has not ended and shooting still is happening from both sides, then I'll believe it.  

Did you have money on a bet?  I could have told you.  Will Netanyahu take the lead as spoken of in the Peace Plan to finish the job?  Within days, as Netanyahu says?  The Israeli army of IDF soldiers are not the National Guard of the USA.  

Stalling has been taking place all day.  "Pending Hamas confirmation, the agreement will trigger an immediate ceasefire and exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners."  Hamas has a lot of changes in mind.  Fox News wrote: "President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Israel has agreed to the "initial withdrawal line" in Gaza, which the U.S. has shared with Hamas."  Why is this written saying it is Israel who winds up having to agree with Trump and Hamas? Why isn't Hamas keep their word that they are to return hostages to Israel and follow the peace plan as they said last night?  

Italy's Masses' Display of Rabid Thinking

 Nadene Goldfoot                                        

               A Gaza rally in Italy and anger at government

 While the Italian government has historically supported Israel, massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Italy indicate strong public dissent from that official position. Recent images show Italians rallying to protest the Gaza conflict, with some clashing with police and causing disruptions. 

Italy has gone along with their mass hysteria against Israel and sides withterrorists being it's against Jews.  

What a display of ancient conclusions and rabid thinking.  With Italy rioting in their streets in a display of siding with the murderous Hamas terrorists, accusing Israel of genocide when they are fighting for their life and right to exist against a terrorism of unbelievable bloodletting.  I refer to the recent attack on October 7, 2023.  As far as this goes, between attacks by Arafat's PLO that developed into Hamas terrorism, it's been a long long road to defending themselves against unbearable daily attacks.  This culmination of October 7th has only brought on something shocking---the fact that most of the world is on the side of terrorism as long as it is attacking Jews!

• "Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Protesters have been demonstrating against the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza, with many calling Israel's military actions a "genocide". The demonstrations gained momentum following the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in early October 2025, which included Italian citizens."  So in their streets and now on a 2nd flotilla, Israel must patrol the sea as well as keeping away those aiding and abetting the horrendous slaughtering terrorists whose goal is to PUSH ISRAEL INTO THE SEA.
• Surprisingly, Constantine had nothing against Jews before 315. 
  Laws Prohibiting Actions Against Jewish Converts: 
  As early as 315, Constantine enacted laws that made it a capital crime for Jews to harm or threaten Jews who converted to Christianity. That wasn't happening, but the reverse was.  Many Italians were
   converting to Judaism in those days.  That meant a loss of coffers in his royal piggy bank.               
  
• Emperor Constantine was very happy within his own religion of multiple gods, but his mother, Helena, wasn't.  She journeyed to Jerusalem in search of relics of Jesus, and had a talk with her son, Constantine.  He held large meetings called Councils with all those under the thumb of Rome.  He told them how they would all think from then on.  The dynasty founded by Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, was a period when borders were fortified with strongholds, Christianity spread, and the capital was moved from Rome to Constantinople.
• In 324, Constantine's focus regarding Jews was primarily related to the First Council of Nicaea, where he decreed it was inappropriate for Christians to follow the Jewish calendar for Easter, a "detestable" practice. There is no record of a meeting in Rome in 324 specifically discussing Jews, but rather the broader church-wide decision made at Nicaea in 325, for which Constantine had been laying the groundwork. 

  Separation from Jewish Practices: 

  In his letter following the council, Constantine stated that it was "unworthy to follow the practice of the Jews" and declared, "Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd," as cited by Wikipedia. 

  Punishment for Converting to Judaism: 

  These same laws also decreed severe penalties for non-Jews who converted to Judaism. 
• The first pope, Saint Peter, was Jewish, hailing from Galilee (modern-day Israel). His Jewish heritage is foundational to the Catholic Church, although the church's leadership has been predominantly European for centuries. The relationship between popes and Jews also includes historical instances of persecution and discrimination, as well as later attempts at reconciliation by figures like Pope John Paul II.
•  It sounds like a love, hate relationship.  The pope was the cause of Jews

  being forced to leave Spain in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue. It was the period of the Spanish Inquisition.  Then it moved on toSpain's neighbor, Portugal with the same conclusions. 

There was no single Pope causing the Jews' departure from Spain in 1492; the Alhambra Decree was issued by Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I. The Spanish Inquisition, established earlier with the assent of Pope Sixtus IV, was heavily influenced by Cardinal Tomás de Torquemada, who pushed for the expulsion to eliminate Jewish influence over recent converts to Christianity. 

 Owing to the Inquisition's use of torture to extract confessions and burning at the stake of those declared guilty, and to Torquemada's own approval, even advocacy, of these practices, his name has become synonymous with cruelty, religious intolerance, and fanaticism.

•  The Spanish Inquisition's 1492 expulsion of Jews had a world-wide impact, creating the Sephardic diaspora and contributing to Spain's economic decline, while the Inquisition's extension to the New World significantly affected crypto-Jewish communities. The expulsion forced Sephardic Jews to migrate to North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, establishing new communities and spreading Judeo-Spanish culture. Spain lost skilled citizens, damaging its economy and cultural life, and the Inquisition's legacy persisted in Spain's long-term social and economic development. Needless to say what it had done to all the Jews who were forced to pick up and leave their homes, families, businesses and face their fate with tiny ships who didn't always arrive at their destinations.  Many died seeking refuge.  
• The Inquisition was a group of hunters out for blood of those who pretended to accept Christianity but practiced Judaism in secret, calling them Marranos.  They went as far as Mexico seeking them.  

  

             Greta Thunberg addressing supporters ahead of the departure of the Barcelona, Spain  convoy
• Today, there is the flotilla coming out of Italy.  The flotilla set sail between August and September 2025, with convoys departing from Genoa, Italy  on 30 August, from Barcelona, Spain on 31 August, and from Tunis, Tunisia of North Africa  and Catania, Sicily, Italy  on 7 September (originally planned for 4 September); their arrival was estimated for mid-September. Preparatory actions included registration of over 15,000 participants, along with training sessions, solidarity events, and camps near departure points. This resulted in the participation of more than 500 people and 40 vessels. The Italian cargo consists of 45 tons of aid.

• Since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007, Israel has imposed a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. In 2008, the first ships to breach the blockade were launched by the Free Gaza Movement. From 2008 to 2016, 5 of 31 boats reached Gaza.

  In 2010, the first Gaza Freedom Flotilla consisting of six ships was raided by Israeli forces, resulting in 10 participants killed and dozens wounded by Israeli commandos, causing significant international outrage. 

• Since then, attempts in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2025 have all been intercepted, raided or attacked by Israeli forces. 

• From March to July 2024, a maritime corridor for aid was sporadically open between Cyprus and Gaza, used by barges in Operation Safeena and by the US military.  

• Israel claims no aid was found in the 1st Gaza flotilla

  Israeli police spokesman, Dean Elsdunne, said the

•  revelation showed the flotilla was about "social

•  media," not helping Palestinians.

Discussion On Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: Path to Peace Or New Disaster ?

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                   

      Mark Regev with Ruthie Blum

Mark Regev (Hebrew: מארק רגב; born 1960) is an Australian-Israeli diplomat, government advisor and civil servant. Between June 2020 and April 2021, he served as the Prime Minister's Senior Advisor for Foreign Affairs and International Communications. From 2016 to 2020 Regev was Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom. Previously, he was the International Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office (2007 to 2016).

Ruthie Blum is an American-Israeli journalist, columnist, former features editor of the Jerusalem Post, and web editor at The Algemeiner Journal as of 2016. Blum is the daughter of Commentary editor Norman Podhoretz and Midge Decter. Wikipedia

Books: To Hell in a Handbasket: Carter, Obama, and the Arab Spring. Ruthie Blum, a former adviser at the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is an award-winning columnist and a senior contributing editor at JNS. Co-host with Ambassador Mark Regev of the JNS-TV podcast “Israel Undiplomatic,” she writes on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. Originally from New York, she moved to Israel in 1977. She is a regular guest on national and international media outlets, including Fox, Sky News, i24News, Scripps, ILTV, WION and Newsmax.

Ruthie Blum is highly skeptical of a peace plan from former U.S. President Donald Trump, fearing it could be a "new disaster" reminiscent of the failed Oslo Accords. While she believes an end to the war on Trump's terms is possible, she is concerned that a deal involving the release of Palestinian terrorists in exchange for Israeli hostages could lead to further bloodshed. 

• Release of terrorists: She argues that freeing Palestinian prisoners responsible for violent crimes and terror could repeat the mistakes of the 2011 Gilad Shalit agreement, which preceded the October 7 massacre.
• Misunderstanding of fanaticism: Blum believes that Trump and his envoys, as businessmen, view the conflict through the lens of deals based on mutual interests. She argues they do not fully grasp the nature of Islamist fanaticism, seeing the issue as more than just a real-estate dispute.
• Ignoring Palestinian culture: She shares the view that Palestinian society is not ready to abandon its "culture of death," pointing to polling data that shows support for terrorism and rejection of Israel's legitimacy. She went into great detail how Arabs can woo anyone with their hospitality, food, and then stab you in the back.  I thought about that, in that the Arabs need the women to fix all the food and such, and they are in the palace and tents, ready to do it, whereas Israeli woman, like American women, are out working and not available to wine and dine like Abraham's Sarah must have done.  
• Qatar's role: Blum has agreed with others that the Trump administration's trust in Qatar is misplaced, noting the Gulf state's history of funding terrorism. Not just can we not trust them, but should realize that they
• were the most anti-Semitic with housing and wooing Qaradawi.  My gosh! Don't people in politics ever read about what's happening?  
• The best discussion group on today's news from Israel concerning a possible 21 point peace plan of President Trump between Hamas terrorists and the state of Israel is with JNS and the program with Ruthie Blum and Ambassador Mark Regev, former advisers at the Prime Minister's Office, as they dissect—and duke out—the issues that Israel grapples over it . It was on Jonathan Tobin's program, THINK TWICE.  https://www.jns.org/writers/ruthie-blum/

Ruthie did most of the explaining  and felt like she was in a panic.  She mentioned that this wasn't an end to war,  as it doesn't mean we'll have any peace.

She did mention that Jared Kushner, Trump's son in law, and Tony Blair are working together on this plan who seem to be the driving force of it.  They all are looking forward to actually seeing 20 live hostages with the dead hostages.  What ABC and other stations keep referring to are a 20 point peace plan, not the 21 I've heard with others including Israel.  Why?  Ruthie said in the first 48 hours Hamas has to give Israel ALL the hostages.  She doesn't think this will happen.  She thought that Jared Kushner being Jewish was unimportant;  and that's where I differ.  I don't believe Trump would have ever been turned onto Israel and do the good he did for our tiny country if it hadn't been for Jared entering his family and briefing him.  Jared probably knows more about our religion than he does of Israel's history  or Qaradawi of Qatar, but he does know a lot more than our government.  Remember, Truman had a Jewish business partner that made a positive big impression on Truman.  Truman went against all his politicians who didn't like Jews or Israel.  

The Steve Witkoff proposal envisions all hostages released in first 48 hours, grants amnesty for peace-committing Hamas members, encourages Gazans to remain, sees US establish Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.  Steven Charles Witkoff is an American lawyer and real estate investor who has served as the United States special envoy to the Middle East and special envoy for Peace Missions since 2025. He is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group, a real estate development firm. Wikipedia

Born: 1957 (age 68 years), The Bronx, New York, NY

                          Spouse: Lauren Rappoport (m. 1987)

Tony Blair is Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair, a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997 and held various shadow cabinet posts from 1987 to 1994. Wikipedia.  Born: May 6, 1953 (age 72 years), Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Party: Labour Party.  Ruthie thought he was a squishy person but compared to others, he is a pillar of strength.  

Jared Kushner is Jared Corey Kushner is an American real estate businessman and investor like Trump. He is a son-in-law of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, through his marriage to Ivanka Trump and served as a senior advisor in his father-in-law's first administration from 2017 to 2021. He's a modern Orthodox Jew. Wikipedia

Born: January 10, 1981 (age 44 years), Livingston, NJ

Spouse: Ivanka Trump (m. 2009)

Education: NYU School of Law (2007) 

Resource:

https://www.jns.org/writers/ruthie-blum/