Donald Trump -

Trump taps Mel Gibson, actor-director with record of antisemitism, as ‘special ambassador’ to Hollywood

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025Jesse Orine

For years following his highly publicized antisemitic outbursts, Mel Gibson couldn’t find much work in Hollywood. But now he’s back in the filmmaking capital — as Donald Trump’s “special ambassador.” The president-elect announced Thursday he was appointing the actor-director, along with fellow conservative celebrities Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone, to the newly created role of […]

Rubio, in Israel-heavy confirmation hearing, says US should revoke visas for ‘a supporter of Hamas’

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025Sara Wood

In a Senate confirmation hearing that often turned to discussion of Israel, Marco Rubio voiced his view that the United States should revoke the visas of any “supporter of Hamas” in the country. The Florida GOP senator, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also used his Wednesday hearing to back an […]

Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire in war with Hezbollah

November 26, 2024David Leibermann

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, which would end more than a year of conflict with the terror group on Israel’s border with Lebanon. President Biden said in an address to the nation after the agreement that Lebanon’s government had agreed to the agreement, and that the withdrawal of forces […]

Trump named Mike Huckabee ambassador to Israel. Is that a sign of the second coming of annexation?

November 14, 2024David Leibermann

WASHINGTON — When Donald Trump appointed David Friedman as his ambassador to Israel eight years ago, American Jews sensed — correctly — that it would presage big changes in the U.S.-Israel relationship. Unlike any of his predecessors, Friedman was an Orthodox Jew and a public supporter of West Bank settlements. His ascension led to the […]

Trump names fellow real estate mogul Steve Witkoff as Middle East envoy

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024Sara Wood

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump named as his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, a realtor and golf buddy who was present at a recent foiled assassination of Trump. “Steve is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy, who has made every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous,” Trump […]

Trump taps Mike Huckabee, evangelical favorite, to be ambassador to Israel

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024Sara Wood

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump named Mike Huckabee as his ambassador to Israel, picking an evangelical Christian who favors Jewish sovereignty in parts of the West Bank and who, if confirmed, would be the first non-Jew to fill the role in 13 years. “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of […]

Trump taps Iran hawks Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz for top national security roles

November 12, 2024November 15, 2024Sara Wood

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump is filling out his national security team with pro-Israel hawks who favor maximum pressure on Iran to stand down from its belligerence in the region. Reports Monday said Trump planned to name two Floridian allies to top jobs: Sen. Marco Rubio will be tapped to be secretary of state, and […]

‘Deja vu all over again’: HIAS stares down 4 more years under Trump, a president hostile to the immigrants it aids

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024Sara Wood

WASHINGTON — When Mark Hetfield started work on Wednesday morning, he did not know what to tell the staff at HIAS, the Jewish immigration aid and advocacy group where he serves as CEO. Donald Trump, who reviles much of what the group does and stands for, had just been elected president. Trump’s actions during his […]

Could Donald Trump’s win end the war in Gaza and bring the hostages home?

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024Sara Wood

WASHINGTON — For months on the campaign trail, Donald Trump has said he wants the war in Gaza to end — even reportedly setting a timeline for Israel to finish its campaign against Hamas in the Palestinian territory by his inauguration. He also warned at the Republican convention that if Hamas does not release its […]

Donald Trump thanked a ‘historic coalition’ for his election. He didn’t include Jews.

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024Sara Wood

In his victory speech, President Donald Trump singled out constituencies traditionally associated with Democrats who swung toward him on Election Day: Black voters, women, Hispanics, and Arab and Muslim Americans. He did not mention Jews, a demographic who he said before the election would be blamed if he did not win. Jews traditionally vote in […]