SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The office of Israel’s Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas representatives are lying when they said ceasefire and hostage negotiations are being stalled by Israel imposing new conditions. Instead, his office said in a statement, “Hamas is reneging on the understandings already reached and continuing to make it difficult for the negotiations.” The statement continued that Israel nevertheless would work to bring home the hostages.
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On Rifman, co-founder of HaShomer HaChadash, commented Thursday: ‘The war has caused significant economic, professional, and personal damage to farmers in communities along the Lebanon border. As they prepare to return to their homes and resume work in the orchards and vineyards, the State of Israel must ensure that their return to routine is supported with substantial financial compensation, water subsidies, assistance with labor costs, and the urgent implementation of a government plan to strengthen agriculture.”
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Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Noa Tishby collaborated on a YouTube video timed for the first night of Chanukah. It may be seen above.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky joined 11 Chabad rabbis in a Chanukah candle lighting ceremony in the city of Dnipro. “The light will definitely overcome the darkness, I am sure of that. And there will be a just peace for our country, for all our children.”
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Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected the arguments of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that the United States might be entitled to take back the Panama Canal on the grounds that it is being overcharged. She agreed with other Latin American leaders that Panama’s sovereignty is inviolable.
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UNICEF honored Israeli photographer Avishag Shaar-Yashuv and Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for their photos of children survivors of the Israel-Hamas war Shaar-Yishuv pictured a forlorn Stav, a survivor of the Oct. 7 massacre, and Abu Elouf showed orphans Dareen, 11, and her 5-year-old brother Kinan. Their work were honored as UNICEF Photos of the Year.
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Former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson has announced she will seek to be elected as chair of the Democratic National Committee.
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U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont) says Americans are “disgusted” with Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire who seems to have major influence on President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. Sanders called on Democrats to curb the influence of wealthy donors by making elections publicly funded.
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Compiled by the San Diego Jewish World staff