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As US Voters Cast Ballots, Seven Americans Are Still Being Held Hostage by Hamas
A person stands in front of a montage of images of hostages seized by Hamas during a demonstration in Tel Aviv demanding their release. Photo: Reuters/Amir Cohen
As US voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to select their next president and representatives in Congress, supporters of Israel issued reminders that seven Americans were unable to join their fellow countrymen because they were still being held hostage in Gaza by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
On Oct. 7 of last year, Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists murdered 45 Americans and abducted 12 into Gaza during their massacre across southern Israel. As of now, seven American hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Four of them — Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Edan Alexander — are thought to still be alive. The other three — Itay Chen, Gad Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai — are believed to be murdered by the terrorist group with their bodies still in the Palestinian enclave.
On Tuesday, election day in the US, some pro-Israel voters urged the electorate to keep the American hostages in mind as they made their selections.
“Remember that while you are voting today, there are a lot of people who can’t — like the American hostages who are being held captive by Hamas,” Seattle radio host Ari Hoffman posted on X/Twitter.
“As we exercise our democratic rights, we will not forget those denied theirs,” added the American Jewish Committee. “For 396 days, US citizens Itay, Eden, Keith, Sagui, Gadi, Judith, and Omer have been held hostage by Hamas — three of them have been murdered. Remember them as you and millions of Americans exercise your right to vote.”
Over the weekend, Jewish actor and comedian Michael Rapaport expressed similar sentiments, saying his election “endorsement” is for the hostages.
“I’ve endorsed ISRAEL, JEWS, & the HOSTAGES. My endorsement is for the 101 Hostages to be freed. My endorsement is for the 7 American Hostages to be released. I endorse all Jews & Zionists,” he posted on social media.
The Biden administration, in which Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris currently serves as vice president, has faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle for being unable to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Criticism spiked when American-Israel hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was murdered by Hamas terrorists two months ago right before Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers could rescue him. He was found along with five other hostages in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Hamas terrorists had executed them prior to a raid by Israeli forces.
Both Harris and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, have promised to prioritize the return of the American hostages if they were to win the White House.
While speaking at an event focusing on antisemitism in August, Trump suggested that Hamas would suffer consequences if he wins the presidency and the hostages are not returned.
“We want our hostages back, and they better be back before I assume office,” Trump said. “They’re not going to keep people around for now three years; they’re not going to be taking care of them for three years.”
One month earlier, Trump called for the release of all American hostages around the world during the final night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Trump has also repeatedly blamed Harris and incumbent President Joe Biden for the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, arguing that their supposed weakness emboldened Hamas to attack the Jewish state.
Harris has also made the release of the hostages a focal point in many of her campaign speeches. The vice president has also met with the families of the American hostages, promising that she would do everything in her power to ensure their safe return home.
“[The Israel-Hamas war] must end immediately, and the way it will end is we need a ceasefire deal, and we need the hostages out,” Harris said during her presidential debate with Trump in September.
Securing the freedom of the hostages remains a priority for Americans invested in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. According to an Harvard-Harris poll from last month, nearly 7 in 10 Americans said they believe that Israel should only strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas after the hostages are freed.
According to the poll, Americans believe Trump will be more “effective” at resolving the Israel-Hamas war than Harris by a margin of 47-37 percent.
The post As US Voters Cast Ballots, Seven Americans Are Still Being Held Hostage by Hamas first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Brooklyn Nets Select Israeli Basketball Players Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf in NBA Draft
The opening tip between the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York, Dec. 13, 2020. Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
In a landmark night for Israeli basketball, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf were selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets, marking the first time two Israeli players have been drafted in the same year.
Saraf, a 19-year-old guard known for his explosive athleticism and creative playmaking, was taken with the 26th pick. A standout with Maccabi Rishon LeZion and a rising star on Israel’s youth national teams, Saraf gained international attention with his electrifying scoring and commanding court presence.
With the 27th pick, the Nets selected 7-foot center Danny Wolf out of the University of Michigan. Wolf, who holds dual US-Israeli citizenship and represented Israel at the U-20 level, brings a versatile skill set, including sharp passing, perimeter shooting, and a strong feel for the game. After his name was called, Wolf grew emotional in an on-air interview, crediting his family for helping him reach the moment.
“I have the two greatest brothers in the world; I have an unbelievable sister who I love,” Wolf said. “They all helped me get to where I am today, and they’re going to help me get to where I am going to go in this league.”
The historic double-pick adds to the growing wave of Israeli presence on the NBA stage, led by Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, who just completed a breakout 2024–25 season. After being traded to Portland last summer, Avdija thrived as a starter, averaging 16.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. In March alone, he posted 23.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, including two triple-doubles.
“I don’t think I’ve played like this before … I knew I had it in me. But I’m not really thinking about it. I’m just playing. I’m just free,” Avdija told reporters in March
With Saraf and Wolf joining Avdija, Israel’s basketball pipeline has reached unprecedented visibility. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the moment “a national celebration for sports and youth,” and Israeli sports commentators widely hailed the night as “historic.”
Both Saraf and Wolf are expected to suit up for the Nets’ Summer League team in July. As the two rookies begin their NBA journey, they join a growing generation of Israeli athletes proving that their game belongs on basketball’s biggest stage.
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Iran Denies Any Meeting With US Next Week, Foreign Minister Says
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attends a press conference following a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/Pool via REUTERS
Iran currently has no plan to meet with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday in an interview on state TV, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington planned to have talks with Iran next week.
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran was assessing whether talks with the US were in its interest, following five previous rounds of negotiations that were cut short by Israel and the US attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The US and Israel said the strikes were meant to curb Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons, while Iran says its nuclear program is solely geared toward civilian use.
Araqchi said the damages to nuclear sites “were not little” and that relevant authorities were figuring out the new realities of Iran’s nuclear program, which he said would inform Iran’s future diplomatic stance.
The post Iran Denies Any Meeting With US Next Week, Foreign Minister Says first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Ireland Becomes First European Nation to Advance Ban on Trade With Israeli Settlements
A pro-Hamas demonstration in Ireland led by nationalist party Sinn Fein. Photo: Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Ireland has become the first European nation to push forward legislation banning trade with Israeli communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem — an effort officials say is meant “to address the horrifying situation” in the Gaza Strip.
On Wednesday, Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris announced that the legislation has already been approved by the government and will now move to the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for pre-legislative scrutiny.
“Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza,” Harris said during a press conference.
The Irish diplomat also told reporters he hopes the “real benefit” of the legislation will be to encourage other countries to follow suit, “because it is important that every country uses every lever at its disposal.”
Today Ireland becomes the first country in Europe to bring forward legislation to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.
Every country must pull every lever at its disposal. pic.twitter.com/Z4RTjqntEY— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 24, 2025
Joining a growing number of EU member states aiming to curb Israel’s defensive campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, Ireland’s decision comes after a 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal.
The ICJ ruled that third countries must avoid trade or investment that supports “the illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Once implemented, the law will criminalize the importation of goods from Israeli settlements into Ireland, empowering customs officials to inspect, seize, and confiscate any such shipments.
“The situation in Palestine remains a matter of deep public concern,” Harris said. “I have made it consistently clear that this government will use all levers at its disposal to address the horrifying situation on the ground and to contribute to long-term efforts to achieve a sustainable peace on the basis of the two-state solution.”
“Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal and threaten the viability of the two-state solution,” the Irish diplomat continued. “This is the longstanding position of the European Union and our international partners. Furthermore, this is the clear position under international law.”
Harris also urged the EU to comply with the ICJ’s ruling by taking a more decisive and “adequate response” regarding imports from Israeli settlements.
“This is an issue that I will continue to press at EU level, and I reiterated my call for concrete proposals from the European Commission at the Foreign Affairs Council this week,” he said.
Last week, Ireland and eight other EU member states — Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden — called on the European Commission to draft proposals for how EU countries can halt trade and imports with Israeli settlements, in line with obligations set out by the ICJ.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the latest move by European countries, calling it “shameful” and a misguided attempt to undermine Israel while it faces “existential” threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas.
“It is regrettable that even when Israel is fighting an existential threat which is in Europe’s vital interest — there are those who can’t resist their anti-Israeli obsession,” the top Israeli diplomat said in a post on X.
It is regrettable that even when Israel fighting an existential threat which is in Europe vital interest – there are those who can’t resist their anti-Israeli obsession.
Shameful! https://t.co/lxm9qm8sM1— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 19, 2025
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