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The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel

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In a first step toward a federal law punishing criticism of Israel, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a massive defense budget that would bar companies engaged in “politically motivated” boycotts of the country from Pentagon contracts.

The bill would effectively ban contractors boycotting Israel from tapping most federal contract dollars, since more than half of the $755 billion the U.S. government spent on contracts last year flowed through the Defense Department.

The ban, the latest legislative attempt to target the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel’s human rights violations, or BDS, would still have to pass the Senate. The upper chamber was debating its own version of the budget bill on Thursday that does not include an anti-BDS provision.

Critics predict a court challenge if the anti-boycott provision makes it into law.

“This amendment is really designed to shield Israel from any accountability by penalizing those who protest its violations of Palestinian human rights through boycotts, which should be protected by the First Amendment,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, the legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. (Read more from “The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel” HERE)

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A New Bill Could Let Marco Rubio Strip U.S. Citizens of Their Passports — for What They Say About Israel

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A bill making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives is raising red flags among civil rights advocates, who warn that it could give Secretary of State Marco Rubio the unchecked power to revoke U.S. passports — not for crimes committed, but for political beliefs expressed. The legislation, quietly introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), is set to be discussed in committee this week.

At first glance, the bill claims to target individuals providing “material support” to designated terrorist organizations. But a closer look reveals language so vague — and so sweeping — that experts say it could allow the government to strip passports from U.S. citizens simply for expressing dissent, especially dissent related to Israeli policy.

One section of the bill permits the secretary of state to deny or revoke a passport from anyone convicted — or even charged — with material support for terrorism. But the more controversial provision goes further, empowering the secretary to deny travel documents to anyone they believe has “knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support” to a foreign terrorist group.

Rep. Mast, the bill’s sponsor, is no stranger to controversy. A former soldier for the Israeli military, Mast once stated publicly that babies in Gaza were “not innocent Palestinian civilians.” He has openly called for expelling “terrorist sympathizers” from the United States — a label he’s used to describe college students protesting U.S. military aid to Israel.

And what qualifies as “support,” anyway? In the current political climate, even calls for ceasefires, criticism of Israeli policy, or support for Palestinian rights are frequently met with accusations of antisemitism or terrorism sympathy. That’s not a hypothetical — it’s the framework Rubio and Mast are already operating within.

The broader implications are chilling. If a student writing an op-ed or a protester chanting at a demonstration can be labeled a threat to national security, then the U.S. passport — a core proof of citizenship and international identity — becomes a political weapon, one that can be revoked for holding the wrong opinion.

And if this bill becomes law, the person wielding that weapon will be Marco Rubio.

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Israel Weighs West Bank Annexations in Response to Palestine Recognition Push

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The Israeli government is seriously debating the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank in retaliation for the imminent recognition of Palestine by several western countries, according to three Israeli, U.S. and European officials with direct knowledge.

Why it matters: Most of the international community views the West Bank as occupied territory and would consider any Israeli annexations illegal and inflammatory.

Israel’s next move will depend on the stance of President Trump, who blocked Israeli annexations twice in his first term. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Axios the administration doesn’t yet have a position.

“I don’t know how extensive [the planned annexation] is. I’m not sure there is common view inside the Israeli government about where would it be and how much,” he said.

Some Israeli officials claim the Trump administration won’t oppose annexation because they’re so angry at the countries planning to recognize Palestine. (Read more from “Israel Weighs West Bank Annexations in Response to Palestine Recognition Push” HERE)

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Las Vegas Child Sex Sting: Netanyahu Cyber Chief Arrested, Released, and Returned to Israel

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By The Guardian. An Israeli government cybersecurity official was reportedly arrested recently by Las Vegas police and other authorities in Nevada who were conducting an undercover investigation aimed at online users seeking to sexually prey on children.

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, 38, faces felony charges of luring a child with a computer for a sex act, alongside several other suspects who were apprehended during the two-week sting operation, the Las Vegas metropolitan police department said in a statement published on Friday. He has since been released from custody on $10,000 bail after an initial court appearance, records show, and returned to Israel.

As first reported by the news site Mediaite, a publicly posted screenshot of Alexandrovich’s page on the LinkedIn professional networking platform described him as the executive director of the Israel Cyber Directorate, an Israeli government agency under the purview of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Other information online attributes the same position to Alexandrovich.

The screenshot first reported by Mediaite also showed a post under Alexandrovich’s name alluding to his having been in Las Vegas earlier in August for the Black Hat Briefings, a yearly meeting of cybersecurity professionals.

“Two things you can’t escape at Black Hat 2025: the relentless buz of generative [artificial intelligence] and the sound of Hebrew … in every corridor,” Alexandrovich wrote in part in an accompanying post. Invoking an abbreviation for large language models and referring to one of Israel’s largest cities, the post continued: “The key takeaway? The future of cybersecurity is being written in code, and it seems a significant part of it is being authored in #TelAviv and powered by LLMs. An exciting time to be in the field!”

(Read more from “Las Vegas Child Sex Sting: Netanyahu Cyber Chief Arrested, Released, and Returned to Israel” HERE)

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Netanyahu associate, arrested in Las Vegas child sex sting, escapes without charges

By Press TV. An Israeli cyber official, who works directly under Benjamin Netanyahu, escaped to the occupied territories after his arrest in a US child sex operation in Nevada, US. . .

He has deep access to Israel’s cyber secrets and classified partnerships with foreign powers.

According to Las Vegas authorities, Alexandrovich and others were charged with luring a child with a computer for a sexual act. In Nevada, this felony carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

He was in Las Vegas for a professional conference, not as a registered diplomat. He has no diplomatic immunity. Yet US authorities allowed him to board a plane and return to Israeli-occupied territories within days, without trial, bail conditions, or public explanation.

Israeli outlet Ynet reported only that Alexandrovich was “briefly detained for questioning… before his release and return to Israel,” without mentioning the felony charges or the multi-agency child predator sting led by US authorities. (Read more from “Netanyahu associate, arrested in Las Vegas child sex sting, escapes without charges” HERE)

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Senior Israeli official arrested in US for child sex crimes

By The New Arab. . .[Tom] Alexandrovich, 38, was charged with attempting to lure a child with a computer for a sex act and detained in a facility near Las Vegas on 6 August, police records show. He was then released on $10,000 bail after appearing before a judge on 7 August.

It remains unclear who posted his bail or why he was allowed to leave the country. . .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office initially denied that the official had been arrested and confirmed they had returned to Israel.

“A state employee who travelled to the US for professional matters was questioned by American authorities during his stay,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement to Israeli media. “The employee, who does not hold a diplomatic visa, was not arrested and returned to Israel as scheduled.”

The Cyber Directorate later told Israeli media that the earlier statement “was accurate based on the information provided to us” and denied involvement in posting Alexandrovich’s bail. (Read more from “Senior Israeli official arrested in US for child sex crimes” HERE)

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Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ Remarks Sets Off a Wave of Anger in Egypt

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Egypt has strongly denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ vision, which implies expanding Israel’s territories from the Nile to the Euphrates rivers.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Netanyahu’s remarks undermine regional stability and reflect a policy direction opposed to peace, one that aims for escalation.

“This contradicts the aspirations of regional and international parties that crave peace and want to achieve security and stability for all regional peoples,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

“Egypt is keen on laying the foundations of peace in the Middle East,” it added.

Netanyahu stirred up major debates in Egypt after divulging his attachment to the controversial vision. During an interview with the Israeli television channel i24 late on Tuesday, the far-right premier said he feels he is on a “historic and spiritual mission” to fulfill this vision. (Read more from “Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ Remarks Sets Off a Wave of Anger in Egypt” HERE)

IDF Claims Killed Gaza Journalist Was Hamas Member as UN, EU Demand Independent Investigation

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Monday that Anas al-Sharif, a veteran Al Jazeera correspondent killed in Gaza City over the weekend, was a member of Hamas’ military wing and received a salary from the group. The claim, made amid mounting global condemnation of the strike, comes as the European Union and United Nations call for an independent investigation into the killing of al-Sharif and five other journalists.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the IDF’s international spokesman, stated that “current intelligence” showed al-Sharif was “the head of a Hamas terrorist cell” and had been involved in coordinating rocket attacks on both Israeli civilians and soldiers. The IDF did not provide details on the nature of the intelligence or public evidence supporting the allegation.

The strike, which took place Sunday near Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, also killed Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qraiqea, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal, along with freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi. The IDF declined to comment on any alleged affiliations of the other reporters killed in the incident.

International reaction was swift. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to provide “clear evidence” for its claims about al-Sharif’s ties to Hamas. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “independent and impartial investigation,” noting that at least 242 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the current war began. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stressed that “journalists and media workers must be respected, they must be protected, and they must be allowed to carry out their work freely, free from fear and free from harassment.”

Al Jazeera has rejected Israel’s claims outright, accusing the IDF of deliberately targeting its staff in Gaza. The network released a statement calling the killing of al-Sharif and his colleagues “a direct attack on press freedom” and “part of a systematic campaign to silence journalists.”

A posthumous message, reportedly written by al-Sharif in April in case of his death, was published on his social media account Monday morning. In it, he urged the public “not to forget Gaza” and warned of the dangers facing those reporting from the conflict zone.

The attack came just days after Israel announced plans to take full control of Gaza City and relocate approximately one million Palestinians currently sheltering there to the south of the territory. The decision, and the broader military campaign, have drawn criticism from multiple countries, including some of Israel’s closest allies.

Since the start of the war, Israel has barred most foreign journalists from independently entering Gaza, except for a limited number of press tours arranged under military supervision.

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Jeffrey Epstein IDF Sweatshirt Photo Sparks Mossad Connection Theories; Former Butler Speaks Out

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A newly surfaced photograph of Jeffrey Epstein wearing an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sweatshirt is reigniting speculation about the disgraced financier’s alleged ties to Israeli intelligence. The image—taken just months before his arrest in 2019—shows Epstein smiling aboard his private jet, a relaxed pose that sharply contrasts with the serious questions it raises. For years, rumors have swirled that Epstein may have worked with Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, a claim he reportedly laughed off.

The image, shared by Epstein’s longtime Paris butler Valdson Vieira Cotrin, was reportedly taken aboard Epstein’s private jet in January 2019. In the picture, Epstein appears relaxed, smiling, and noticeably puffy-faced. Cotrin, who worked for Epstein for 18 years as butler, chauffeur, and cook, claims it may be one of the last photographs of him before his arrest on July 6, 2019.

Cotrin, speaking to The Telegraph, insisted he did not believe Epstein died by suicide, stating his former employer “loved life too much” and was confident about securing bail before his death in August 2019. The butler also expressed fear for his own safety and suggested foul play in the April 2024 death of Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault. Authorities ruled Giuffre’s death a suicide.

In the same interview, Cotrin claimed that Epstein told him in 2016 he had been offered a position in Donald Trump’s first administration but declined. There is no evidence supporting the claim, and Trump has said he severed ties with Epstein in 2004 after a business dispute.

Cotrin remains in possession of multiple photographs with Epstein’s associates, including a shot of himself with former President Bill Clinton aboard Epstein’s notorious “Lolita Express,” the private plane prosecutors say was used to traffic underage girls.

The renewed attention to the IDF sweatshirt photo comes as pressure mounts on the Trump administration to make the Epstein files public.

Trump Admin Reverses Course After Outrage Over Israel Boycott Funding Ban

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The Trump administration has rolled back a controversial policy that would have blocked federal disaster preparedness grants from cities and states engaged in boycotts against Israel. The change came just days after updated funding guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sparked widespread criticism.

On Friday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released guidelines for its upcoming grant cycle, which governs the distribution of over $1.9 billion in emergency preparedness funding. The guidance originally referenced a DHS provision that prohibited awarding funds to jurisdictions involved in “discriminatory prohibited boycotts”—a phrase specifically defined to include boycotts of Israeli companies or entities doing business with Israel.

The policy language, which appeared to mirror anti-boycott measures found in some state laws, quickly drew backlash—not only from critics of Israel’s policies but also from prominent voices within the MAGA movement, who accused the administration of applying political litmus tests to public safety funding.

By Monday, DHS quietly updated the guidance, removing the explicit reference to anti-Israel boycotts while retaining more general anti-discrimination provisions. The reversal came after increased public scrutiny and pressure from right-leaning commentators and media outlets.

A DHS spokesperson clarified that no state or city had been denied funding and that no new restrictions had been imposed. “FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy, not political viewpoints,” the spokesperson said, adding that the department enforces anti-discrimination laws, including those concerning the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.

The initial proposal could have affected more than $300 million in emergency preparedness funding and over $1 billion in anti-terrorism support for major cities. While the policy is no longer in effect, the controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. policy toward Israel and how domestic political positions on the issue can impact federal funding.

President Trump has maintained strong public support for Israel, but this incident shows that policies seen as punishing dissent—even perceived anti-Israel sentiment—can create political friction, even among allies.

FEMA declined to comment on the policy update or its original inclusion in the funding requirements.

Second American Citizen Allegedly Killed by Israeli Settlers in West Bank

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A U.S. citizen has died following an alleged attack by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, marking the second American fatality linked to settler violence in less than a month.

Khamis Abdul Latif Ayyad, 41, reportedly died from smoke inhalation after fires were set to vehicles and homes in the village of Silwad, located northeast of Ramallah, late Thursday night. According to reports from the Miami Herald and Palestinian news sources, the fires were allegedly started by Israeli settlers who entered the village under cover of darkness.

“We can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in the town of Silwad in the West Bank,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said. “We offer condolences to the family on their loss and are providing consular assistance to them. We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank.”

Ayyad’s family said the fire broke out after settlers torched several cars and homes in the neighborhood. A funeral was held Friday in Silwad. An autopsy has been scheduled to confirm his cause of death.

The attack comes amid growing unrest in the region, where violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians has intensified throughout 2024. Ayyad is now the second American citizen confirmed dead as a result of that violence this month.

On July 11, 20-year-old Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet died after reportedly being beaten by settlers during clashes near the northern West Bank village of Burqa. That incident followed the hurling of rocks at Israeli civilians, which escalated into physical altercations, arson, and blockades, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. Musallet’s injuries allegedly went untreated for two hours because emergency medical crews were denied access by settlers, a friend of the victim told The Washington Post.

Ayyad had lived in the United States with his wife since 2008, but returned to the West Bank with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is remembered by relatives as a devoted husband and father.

“He was loved by everyone,” his brother told reporters. “He caused no problems at all.”

Ayyad leaves behind his wife and five children, ages 6 to 15.

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REPORT: Settlers Allegedly Vandalize, Attack Palestinian Christian Village

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Israeli settlers allegedly attacked the Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank Sunday and reportedly threw stones at houses, lit multiple cars on fire and left threatening graffiti messages on the walls.

The alleged attacks were carried out by a group called “Hilltop Youth,” Vatican News reported. The group is led by Neria ban Pazi. who previously targeted “farmland and livestock” in the West Bank, according to the outlet.

A group of settlers arrived at around 2:20 a.m., Vatican News reported.

There are no reports of arrests as of publication, according to the Times of Israel.

The reported attack occurred after multiple Palestinian Christian leaders accused Israeli settlers of setting fires near a Christian cemetery and a 5th-century Greek Orthodox Church, according to Reuters in July.

“These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community … but also to the historic and religious heritage,” Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos II said at a press conference in Taybeh, according to the outlet. (Read more from “REPORT: Settlers Allegedly Vandalize, Attack Palestinian Christian Village” HERE)

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