Watch the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s global program, in partnership with The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, featuring leaders and peacemakers from the Gulf, Indonesia, Israel, and the United States, commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27. In a related story... Have you ever found an old box of photos... see this story from the Miami Herald

Tens of Thousands of Afghans Who Fled The Taliban Are Now Marooned in America's Broken Immigration Bureaucracy - Jasmine Aguilira (Time)

US Bank Freezes Accounts of Afghanistan's US Embassy  - Akmal Dawi (VOA) U.S. approach has led to confusion among Afghans who are trying to sort out visa and logistical issues, leaving them in legal limbo.

Plot Twist in the Sordid Mass Murder Scandal Rocking Argentina - Noga Tarnopolsky (Daily Beast) 

Meta removes Iran-based fake accounts targeting Instagram users in Scotland - Elizabeth Culliford (Reuters) ... with content supporting Scottish independence

Iran Rejects Russian Proposal for Interim Nuclear Deal - . Carol E. Lee (NBC News)

‘Apartheid’ Myth: The Improper Use of False and Misleading Claims Regarding Israel - Gidon Ben-Zvi (Honest Reporting) the apartheid claim is demonstrably false and misleading

Getting Away with Murder: The Campaign to End Kuwait's Honor Crimes Law - Abigail R. Esman (IPT News)

Hizbullah Facing Calls to End Iran's "Occupation" of Lebanon - Dalal Saoud (UPI) Some 200 political figures, including former ministers and parliamentarians, have established the National Council to Lift the Iranian Occupation of Lebanon.

Media, Diplomats Still Silent Over Hamas’ Violent Evictions of Dozens in Gaza - Akiva Van Koningsveld (Honest Reporting)

PA accuses PMW of incitement for exposing truth about its education! - Itamar Marcus (PMW)

Gulf Arabs Slam Palestinian Terror Groups for "Supporting" Houthi Attacks - Khaled Abu Toameh (Jerusalem Post)

Russian Expert On Turkey Starobudtsev: Russia Outflanked Turkey With Its Intervention In Kazakhstan, But The Competition Between The Two Claimants To The Turkic Parts Of The Post-Soviet Space Will Continue (MEMRI)

South Korea Pays Iran's UN Dues with $18 Million in Frozen Funds (Reuters)

U.S.-Backed Forces in Syria Battle to Regain Control of ISIS Prison - Louisa Loveluck (Washington Post) See also Kurdish-Led Forces End Prison Siege, Defeating ISIS Fighters - Ben Hubbard (New York Times)

U.S. THAAD Missile Defense System Intercepts Houthi Missile Attacking UAE for First Time - Jen Judson (Defense News)

Report: UAE textbooks encourage coexistence, yet Israel still not on school maps (JNS) The books also “offer a realistic approach to peace and security, teach patriotism, anti-radicalism, commitment to defending the homeland and cooperating with allies.”

The UN Descent to Its Deepest Depths of Hostility to Israel - Alan Baker (The Algemeiner) the recent unprecedented decision to establish and finance an “ongoing, independent, international commission of inquiry” to function as a permanent “inquisition” or “kangaroo court” aimed solely at one state — Israel — to the exception of all other countries in the world raises the fearful specter, reminiscent of times gone by, of unjustifiable persecution and discrimination.

see also Stand with Us petition to the UN  https://www.standwithus.com/unhrc-campaign

The lie of the “Gaza blockade” - Maurice Hirsch (PMW) In a literally unending list of publications, the United Nations insists on referring to the ostensible Israeli “blockade on Gaza.”... statistics published by none other than the UN itself disprove their own claim.

Why I'm Opposed to Ilhan Omar's Bill Against Islamophobia - Masih Alinejad (Washington Post)   

US approves $2.2 billion sale of C-130J aircraft to Egypt -Stephen Losey (Defense News)

Jewish groups slam top Presbyterian official for equating Israeli occupation with ‘slavery’ days after Texas attack - Ron Kampeas (JTA) 

China launches cooperation deal with Iran, rebukes US unilateral sanctions - Caroline Vakil (The Hill)

EU Is Funding PA Takeover of Israeli-Controlled Areas in West Bank - Tovah Lazaroff (Jerusalem Post)

EU Tries to Twist International Law to Fight Eviction of Squatters in Jerusalem - Israel Kasnett (JNS)

Iran's Vienna Gambit -  Djavad Salehi-Isfahani (Project Syndicate)

Iran Sentences Boxer to Death for Protesting Corruption - Benjamin Weinthal  (Jerusalem Post)

Iranian Regime Denounces Soccer Star for Wearing Tiny Flags of All FIFA Members including Israel - Meir Javedanfar (Middle East Institute)...there was public support for Mahdavikia inside Iran, including from the captain of Iran's national team, other top players, and the Iranian soccer federation.

How an Iranian vice president’s arrest warrant could change the world - Daniel Pomerantz (JNS)

Iraq says almost 4,000 repatriated from Belarus borders (France24)

Israel Wants U.S. to Bolster Local Weapons Stockpile - Arie Egozi (Breaking Defense)

Israel Clears Land for Special Needs School for Arab Children in Jerusalem, European Diplomats Seek to "Protect Criminals" - Lahav Harkov  (Jerusalem Post)

Preparing for Deterioration of the Latin America and Caribbean Strategic Environment - Evan Ellis (CSIS)

Lebanon’s Spiral Sets Europe’s Next Migrant Crisis in Motion (Rane)

Gaza TV Actors Who Play Israelis Face Local Hostility (AFP-Daily Mail-UK)'...On another day a 13-year-old boy threw a stone at my head thinking I was Jewish."

PA Committed 2,578 Violations Against Palestinians in West Bank in 2021 (Middle East Monitor-UK) The violations included oppression of people, raids of mosques, dispersing protests in public squares, cancelling elections, and using clubs to beat anti-corruption protesters.

Torture claims filed against new Interpol leader from UAE (AP)

 

NYT, BBC Get HonestReporting’s Memo, Update Reporting to Reflect Antisemitic Motive Behind Texas Synagogue Attack - Rachel O'Donoghue  (Honest Reporting)

 

Yemen's Houthis Used Missiles in Abu Dhabi Attack - Aya Batrawy (AP)

Houthi Drones in Yemen Can Reach Israel - Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem Post) Iran last year positioned Shahed 136 drones in Yemen.

Yesterday's horrific situation in TX is just one example, a reminder of why we can't bury our heads in the sand and ignore the world around us. 

'Anti-Israel agenda in global media has personal motivations' - Ran Puni (Israel Hayom)
Media Ignores Pro-BDS Congresswoman’s Checkered History on Israel avatar  - Rachel O'Donoghue (The Algemeiner)
 

Cost for Afghan Refugees at Bases Reaches $688 Million, Pentagon Says - Travis Tritton (Military.com)

UN chief warns millions of Afghans are on ‘verge of death’ - Edith M. Lederer (AP) 

Biden administration to give additional $308 mln in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan (Reuters)

In Iran, Taliban hold talks with anti-Taliban Afghan group (AP)

Entertainment Industry Leaders Stand United Against Cultural Boycott of Israel and in Support of Sydney Festival (CCFPeace)

Denmark accuses Russia, China, Iran of espionage threat - Jacob Gronholt-pedersen (Reuters)

Iran Increases Its Naval Forces - Agnes Helou (Defense News)

UN Report: Iran Navy Port Emerges as Key to Weapons Smuggling to Yemen - Benoit Faucon (Wall Street Journal)

The UN's Final Solution to the Israel Question - Clifford D. May (Washington Times)

The Netherlands cancels €2.2 million contract with Palestinian terror-linked NGO (De Telegraaf) Read here in Dutch  

Wanted Iranian Official Attends Inauguration of Nicaraguan President - Emanuele Ottolenghi and Toby Dershowitz (National Interest)

Hamas Leader Meets Iranian Foreign Minister in Qatar (Jerusalem Post)

Mahmoud Abbas Begins 17th Year as Palestinian President - Salam AbuSharar (Anadolu-Turkey)

Convicted murderer of 5 has tourney named after him at Birzeit University - Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Palestinians reinvent Jesus in their own image - as a terrorist - Itamar Marcus (PMW)

Saudi Arabia Turns to Gulf States to Replenish Depleted Air Defenses - Andrew England (Financial Times-UK)  A U.S. official said the Houthi rebels, who are aligned to Iran and control northern Yemen, launched 375 cross-border attacks last year against Saudi Arabia, many of which targeted oil infrastructure, airports and cities. 

Syrian Ballistic Missile Site ‘Threatens Almost All of Israel’- Tal Beeri (Alma)

Israel Warns Against Hizbullah Presence in Venezuela - Sabrina Martin Rondon  (El American) Israel is concerned about the presence of Iranian terrorists in Venezuelan territory.

January 11 marked the 20th anniversary of the first detainee arrivals at Guantánamo. At its peak, Guantanamo held about 780 prisoners. There are currently 39 detainees there, of which 10 are awaiting trial and 14 have been cleared for transfer. 

I’ve been held at Guantánamo for 20 years without trial. Mr Biden, please set me free - Khalid Qasim (The Guardian)

U.S. Congress Launches Bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus - Marc Rod (Jewish Insider)   The co-chairs will be Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), David Trone (D-MD), Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

Politico Provides Cover For Congressional Antisemitism - Sean Durns (JNS)

In 2021, U.N. General Assembly approved 14 resolutions demonizing Israel and only five for ALL other nations combined (including just one each for notorious human rights violators Iran and North Korea).

 

In 2021, CAMERA prompted a record 233 corrections in media outlets all over the world. Read about it here.

The first part of this weeks Update is all about Iran. Today's international news was all about Kazakhstan, Sudan, Beijing games and COVID; however, there is so much happening that all connects to Iran, I wanted to cover it. Hope you don't mind.

The New Yorker takes an in depth look at US options in confronting Iran, a country with 1000s of ballistic and cruise missiles. "Iran can fire more missiles than its adversaries—including the United States and Israel—can shoot down or destroy." If the US returns to the Iran nuclear deal, cash flowing to the regime, means more money for weapons to Hamas, not food and supplies for the people of Iran. This patron relationship documented here: Treasury took action in Nov 2019 and State Dept. here. It's important to remember that Iran is Israel's most deadly threat and an avowed enemy of the U.S.

The Looming Threat of a Nuclear Crisis with Iran - Robin Wright (The New Yorker)

The Media Continues Its Iran Deal Myth-Making - Sean Durns (The Algemeiner)

In 2021, the IDF Saw Action on Six Fronts - Anna Ahronheim (Jerusalem Post)

The President of Turkey is using Gaza by proxy to attack Israel. 

Hamas headquarters in Istanbul ‘directed hundreds of terror attacks’ (JNS)

Qatar (big money) and Malaysia (technical training) are also state sponsors of terror and seem to be seen by America and the American press as moderate and friendly states.

Israeli Tanks Fire Warning Shots near Israel-Syria Border - Emanuel Fabian (Times of Israel) A Syrian journalist from the area claimed the sites belonged to Iran or Iran-backed groups. 

Military Bases Housing U.S. Forces Attacked in Syria and Iraq - Jared Malsin (Wall Street Journal) Iran-aligned paramilitary groups have targeted America and its partners.

U.S. Coalition in Syria Takes Out Rocket Launch Sites - Robert Burns (AP-Military Times)

Iran, Hizbullah Bolster Presence, Weapon Shipments near Damascus (Ha'aretz)

The White House Is Sending Iran the Wrong Message - Eli Lake (Bloomberg)

For more details, read Gaza Conflict 2021 by Jonathon Schanzer; it challenges and corrects the some of the wildly inaccurate news reported during the conflict.

In other news:

Afghan Women Chronicle Daily New Horrors  by Phyllis Chesler (IPT News)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sanitizes Semen-smuggling Operation By Jailed Palestinian Terrorists (Honest Reporting)

France closes mosque north of Paris after 'unacceptable' preaching (France24)  

Wiesenthal Centre Commends Paris Arab World Institute for Withstanding Attacks on Exhibition "Jews of the Orient"  more on the Paris Exhibition  from The National News.

Israel Working towards Normalization with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia (i24News)

Will the Next Abraham Accords Be with Indonesia? - Amotz Asa-El (Jerusalem Post)

New Year, Same Old Media Erasures of Gaza's Belligerence Tamar Sternthal (CAMERA)

Fatah on its anniversary: Murderers are role models; terror will enable “Palestine” to replace Israel - Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Looking at top terms Googled in 2021, the Middle East and politics in general held little interest with the general public, other than how to pronounce Qatar and Kabul. So give yourselves a pat on the back for continuing to be interested in what's happening outside of your own backyard!

Wishing you a better 2022!

The Iranian and Houthi War Against Saudi Arabia (Center for Strategic and International Studies)

Deadly Water Crisis Threatening Iran's Leadership - Golnar Motevalli (Bloomberg)

Israel Protests to UN over Lebanese Plans to Drill in Its Maritime Waters - Tovah Lazaroff (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli Air Raid on Syrian Port Followed Arrival of Iranian Container Ship - Thomas Newdick (The War Zone)

A Report from MEMRI on The Water-for-Energy Deal Between Jordan And Israel Amid Popular Opposition

Hizbullah Deploys Air Defense Systems in Syria and Lebanon - Anna Ahronheim (Jerusalem Post)

Following Explosion Of Hamas Arms Depot In South Lebanon Mosque, Lebanese Politicians, Journalists Call To Remove Palestinian Weapons From Country (MEMRI)

Palestinian COVID conspiracy theories do matter - Stephen M. Flatow (JNS)

The crux of Abbas’ Fatah remains: Terror and Martyrdom for “Palestine” as Fatah celebrates 57 years of terror  - Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Normalizing Assad? Associated Press, AFP Botch Israel’s Golan Heights Development Plan Story - Gidon Ben-Zvi (Honest Reporting)

How a Victorious Bashar al-Assad Is Changing Syria (Economist-UK) 
Russia Unlikely to Help Syria Break Away from Iranian Influence - Anna Borshchevskaya (19FortyFive)

The Top 10 Worst U.N. Actions of 2021 (UN Watch)

Global Anti-Semitism 2021 Top Ten (Simon Wiesenthal)  Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism Have Real-world Implications

Why CAIR Merits Attention from All of Us (IPT News)

CAIR, The Investigative Project, and The Dispatch's Double Standard - Tamar Sternthal (CAMERA)

Former Iran hostage files lawsuit against Princeton University for 'abandoning him' - Benjamin Weinthal (Jerusalem Post) 

Nothing to do with the Middle East: NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week (Yahoo)

Wishing all those who celebrate, a very merry Christmas! 

Bethlehem To Nazareth To Jerusalem: A Christmas Tour Of COVID And Politics (WorldCrunch)

Toronto School Board Cancels Yazidi Nobel Peace Prize Winner Because Her Account As An ISIS Sex Slave Could Foster ‘Islamophobia - Anton Carillo (Christianity Daily)

Where Are Christians Persecuted in the Middle East? - Jake Wallis Simons (Spectator-UK)

Chile’s next president is Gabriel Boric, a left-wing politician who has spurned ties with Chilean Jews over Israel - Cnaan Liphshiz  (JTA)

Report: Russia and China Toughening Stance toward Iran - Jonathan Lis (Ha'aretz)

U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Weapons in Arabian Sea (U.S. Navy)

A Short History of ‘F**k Him’ How Netanyahu Enraged U.S. Presidents, From Clinton to Trump - (Haaretz) 

Hizbullah Has 2,000 Drones - Part of Iran's UAV Army - Tal Beeri  (Alma Research & Education Center)

Hamas' Growing Armed Presence in Lebanon - Yaakov Lappin (JNS)  

Latest Palestinian Attacks Are Motivated by Incitement Combined with Hamas' Interest to Increase Terror - Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)

Parents of Palestinian Murderers "Proud of Their Sons" - Khaled Abu Toameh (Jerusalem Post)

Get your friends to envy you - have a murderer of Israelis in the family - Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

UN passes 14 anti-Israel resolutions in 2021, only 4 against all other countries (UN Watch)

The UN’s Secret Data And Media Disinformation (CAMERA)

GOOD NEWS: Thanks to UN Watch Pressure, UNRWA Teachers Complain: “We can no longer praise Hamas attacks on social media” (UN Watch)

CAIR’s Zahra Billoo’s Chilling Incitement Against Jews - David Lange (Israelly Cool) A few years earlier, when Billoo was voted off the board of the Women’s March for antisemitic tweets, she likewise responded by labeling anyone who opposed her ‘Islamophobic.’

'Apartheid' and the Media's Complicity in a Modern-Day Libel - David Litman (CAMERA)

Egypt Is Rebuilding Gaza - Zvi Bar'el (Ha'aretz)

Iran's Missile Arsenal Growing in Size, Reach, and Accuracy - Farzin Nadimi (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Iran Top Priority for U.S., Israel - C. Todd Lopez  (U.S. Defense Department)

The Real Winner of the 70th Miss Universe Contest Is Israel - Allison Kaplan Sommer (Ha'aretz)

Gaza Boy Is 6,000th Child Saved by Israel's Save a Child's Heart (Jewish News-UK)

Israeli Woman Stabbed in the Back by Palestinian Girl in Jerusalem - Judah Ari Gross (Times of Israel-Ha'aretz) Since mid-November, one Israeli has been killed and ten wounded in a series of attacks by Palestinians. 

Israel, Jordan sign huge UAE-brokered deal to swap solar energy and water (Times of Israel) and then, Thousands of Jordanians protested major energy deal with Israel

Kenya Police Uncover Iranian Terror Plans (The Star-Kenya)

Lebanese Man Sentenced to Prison for Marrying Palestinian with Israeli Passport (Al-Araby Al-Jadeed-UK)

Fatah brainwashes 4th grade girls that Israel's destruction is inevitable - Nan Jacques Zilberdik (PMW)

Media Erase Iran Link In Coverage of Hamas Terror - Akiva Van Koningsveld (Honest Reporting)

UN General Assembly Erases Jewish Link to Temple Mount in Jerusalem (United Nations)

Israel Blasts UN "Palestine Day," Reminds that Jews Were Expelled from Muslim Countries (Times of Israel)

Trump says American Jews ‘either don’t like Israel or don’t care about Israel’ in new interview - Dan Mangan (CNBC)

Today’s GOP is Endangering the U.S.-Israel Relationship - Hon. Ron Klein and Steve Sheffey (Jewish Democratic Council of America)

Rep. Greg Meeks joins anti-Israel socialists to push NYC Council speaker pick - Julia Marsh and Carl Campanile (NY Post)

RANA – the Jaffa choir of Muslim, Jewish and Christian women singing about togetherness, community, peace, conflict, friendship.  https://ranachoir.com/en/home-page-english

Jewish and Arab Women’s Choir Shows How Music Builds Bridges

Rana Choir just released an original collaboration with Los Angeles-based indie pop band Distant Cousins… https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/music/342680/jewish-and-arab-womens-choir-shows-how-music-builds-bridges