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IDF Soldier Killed in Gaza Was Contender to Represent Israel in 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Shaul Greenglick competing on “HaKokhav Haba.” Photo: Screenshot
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday the death of three soldiers who died fighting against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, one of whom could have been chosen to represent Israel in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden.
Captain (res.) Shaul Greenglick, 26, from the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, competed recently in HaKokhav Haba (The Next Star), the Israeli talent show and television program from Keshet 12 in which the winner goes on to represent Israel in the 2024 Eurovision competition, which will take place in May. The Raanana native auditioned in his IDF uniform and dedicated his performance to fellow soldiers currently fighting in the Israel-Hamas war. One of the show’s judges, Shiri Maimon, complimented Greenglick after his performance, saying, “You have a natural talent. You were born with an amazing voice.”
“You are the most beautiful Israeli, especially at this time, to see you standing here,” added fellow judge Keren Pels. “You are a gift and all your friends are a gift and I trust you. I am happy that you are wearing a uniform because it is reassuring to have someone like you in a uniform. I would love to see you represent Israel at Eurovision.”
The IDF soldier, who returned to fighting in Gaza after his audition, garnered 83 percent of the votes from the judges, which qualified him for the next round of the talent show. Keshet 12 said the next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be dedicated to Greenglick’s memory.
Greenglick was killed while fighting in the northern Gaza Strip along with Master Sgt. (res.) Maor Lavi, 33, and Cpt. Shay Shamriz, 26, who was a relative of Alon Shamriz — one of three Israeli hostages accidentally shot dead by IDF soldiers in Gaza.
Greenglick uploaded on Dec. 14 an Instagram post that included a clip of his performance on HaKokhav Haba. In the caption, he talked about putting his passion of singing on hold to help defend Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorists.
“I imagined this year differently, a year of ambitions and fulfilling dreams. Now I am living an old dream to fight for the country … a new dream and another will have to wait a little,” he wrote in Hebrew. “Thank you for the warm and encouraging words and also for the criticisms. I hope this period passes and that it will pass quickly. I promise to continue fighting for this country that I love and for my dreams in the future. Right now there is only one thing on my mind — and that is to continue fighting the darkness until we see the light.”
Following Greenglick’s death, the judges of HaKokhav Haba paid tribute to the IDF soldier.
Asaf Amdorsky praised him as “a sweet and beautiful young man with refreshing eyes, [who] put us, all of us, before his own good,” according to Israeli press reports. “He left the television program and went down to Gaza to fight with his fellow heroes. The sadness is unbearable,” Amdorsky added.
“I see the news and I can’t take it anymore,” said singer and HaKokhav Haba judge Ran Danker in an Instagram Story following the announcement of Greenglick’s death. “It’s hard to believe that a moment ago you were singing in front of us. Your music, your singing, and your eyes are etched in my memory. I have no words.”
Maimon said in a post on her Instagram Story on Tuesday: “Shaul, our dear hero, we didn’t get to know you the way we wanted but we got to hear your beautiful and comforting voice. I remember your family being happy and excited for you and now they’ve lost you, it’s impossible to understand.”
“The heart refuses to believe,” Israeli actress Rotem Sela, who hosts the program alongside Assi Azar, wrote in an Instagram post, remembering Greenglick. “You came to our first meeting and you brought so much joy and light with you. You sat surrounded by your beautiful family who looked at you proudly with sparkling eyes. You charmed us, made us laugh, we even got up to dance together. How beautiful , how much talent, how much sadness. Simply unimaginable. What a terrible reality. Sing and dance up there, beautiful boy like you, show everyone there how much of a star you are.”
Azar shared in an Instagram Story that although he met Greenglick only twice — in an interview before the audition and at the audition itself — “you didn’t need more than that to see the magic in him.” He also called the slain soldier “a smiling man, the kind you immediately want to be your friend. A singer with grace, good eyes.”
“Our hearts are full of sorrow. I wish this nightmare would end already,” he concluded by saying.
The post IDF Soldier Killed in Gaza Was Contender to Represent Israel in 2024 Eurovision Song Contest first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Hamas to Release 10 Israeli Hostages as US-Backed Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum

People watch a screen on the day Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, US, May 12, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Hamas said it would release 10 Israeli hostages in an effort to reach a ceasefire deal, as growing international pressure mounts on the Palestinian terrorist group to end the 21-month war in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement Wednesday, the Iran-backed terror group said negotiations with Israel had been difficult but reaffirmed its commitment to the talks, while offering no timeline for the hostages’ release.
Hamas “continues its intensive and responsible efforts to ensure the success of the ongoing round of negotiations, striving to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the aggression against our people, secures the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid, and alleviates the worsening suffering in the Gaza Strip,” the statement reads.
“In its commitment to the success of the current efforts, the movement has shown the necessary flexibility and agreed to release 10 prisoners,” the Palestinian terror group said.
Among the remaining 50 hostages still held in the war-torn enclave, fewer than half are believed to be alive, with 28 reported dead.
Hamas’ latest announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump in Washington this week to advance ceasefire efforts focused on securing the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
The US ceasefire plan proposed by Trump sets a 60-day timeline to finalize the details leading to a full resolution of the conflict.
Even though Trump hasn’t provided details on the proposed truce, he said Washington would “work with all parties to end the war” during the 60-day period.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he wrote in a social media post last week.
Since the start of the war, ceasefire talks between Jerusalem and Hamas have repeatedly failed to yield enduring results.
Israeli officials have previously said they will only agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile — a demand the terror group has firmly rejected.
For its part, Hamas has said it is willing to release the remaining 50 hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war.
On Wednesday, Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be reached soon, potentially as early as this or next week. However, he also stressed that no agreement is guaranteed yet.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed similar optimism, saying he believes “we’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while” to securing a ceasefire. He also noted that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is hopeful that indirect negotiations will take place soon.
According to media reports, the proposed 60-day ceasefire would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a surge in humanitarian aid, and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, with US and mediator assurances on advancing talks to end the war.
For Israel, the key to any deal is the release of most, if not all, hostages still held in Gaza, as well as the disarmament of Hamas. The terror group, meanwhile, is seeking assurances to end the war as it tries to reassert control over the war-torn enclave.
In earlier efforts, a ceasefire that ended in March brought roughly two months of relative calm and led to the release of 33 hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
After the first phase ended, however, the two sides failed to agree on terms for a second phase, leading Hamas to halt further hostage releases and prompting a resumption of Israeli military action.
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Jeffries, House Dem Leaders Demand GOP Rep. Randy Fine Apologize For Calling Ilhan Omar a ‘Terrorist’

Florida Republican State Sen. Randy Fine. Photo: Reuters
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sharply rebuked Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) for what he called “bigoted and disgusting” rhetoric directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), joining a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups denouncing Fine’s remarks as overtly Islamophobic.
In a post on X earlier this week, Fine referred to Omar as a “Muslim terrorist,” adding, “The only shame is that you serve in Congress.” The comment came in response to Omar’s criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent address to Congress, which she called “shameful.”
Jeffries, joined by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, issued a joint statement rejecting Fine’s language as “unhinged, racist, and Islamophobic.” The House Democratic leaders urged him to apologize, saying, “These vile comments have no place in our political discourse.”
Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, thanked her colleagues for standing in solidarity. She called on Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) to hold Fine accountable.
“Not only does normalizing this bigotry and violence endanger my life but all Muslims including in Fine’s own district,” Omar posted to her X account. “This type of Islamophobic language demands accountability.”
Fine has not apologized and instead doubled down on his attacks. In a follow-up post, he derided Democratic leadership as the “Hamas Caucus” and responded to backlash with, “Boo hoo.” Speaking to CNN, Fine dismissed criticism of his remarks as “ad hominem attacks” and claimed Democrats were more upset at his tone than at Omar’s earlier comments about Netanyahu, whom she referred to as a war criminal.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has renewed its call for Fine to face formal censure, citing a long record of inflammatory remarks about Muslims and Palestinians. In past social media posts, Fine has suggested deportations and called Palestinians “barbarians,” fueling accusations that his rhetoric goes beyond political disagreement and into outright hate speech.
The controversy arrives amid growing national scrutiny over the rise of incendiary language in politics, particularly as tensions continue to flare over US policy in the Middle East. With calls for accountability mounting, Democratic leaders say Congress must draw a clear line against hate, especially from within its own ranks.
The post Jeffries, House Dem Leaders Demand GOP Rep. Randy Fine Apologize For Calling Ilhan Omar a ‘Terrorist’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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EU Set to Consider Sanctions on Israel Over Human Rights Concerns Amid Gaza Conflict

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the media in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 24, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman
The European Union on Thursday announced 10 potential measures against Israel over concerns it violated human rights commitments under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a pact governing the EU’s political and economic ties with the Jewish state.
According to Reuters, the European Union’s diplomatic service (EEAS) drafted a document for member countries outlining options that range from major actions, such as suspending the trade-related agreement, to smaller measures like pausing technical cooperation projects.
This latest anti-Israel initiative follows a recent EU-commissioned report accusing Israel of committing “indiscriminate attacks … starvation … torture … [and] apartheid” against Palestinians in Gaza during its military campaign against Hamas, an internationally designated terrorist group.
According to the report, “there are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations” under the 25-year-old EU-Israel Association Agreement.
While the document acknowledges the reality of violence by Hamas, it states that this issue lies outside its scope — failing to address the Palestinian terrorist group’s role in sparking the current war with its bloody rampage across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israeli officials have slammed the report as factually incorrect and morally flawed, noting that Hamas embeds its military infrastructure within civilian targets and Israel’s army takes extensive precautions to try and avoid civilian casualties.
EU foreign ministers are set to discuss these potential options against the Jewish state at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. Most of these measures will require approval from all or a majority of the EU’s 27 member countries.
Despite efforts by some European countries to undermine Israel’s defensive campaign against Hamas in Gaza, Jerusalem continues to have support within the EU. For example, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has made clear that Rome opposes any suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Germany has also rejected calls to suspend the pact.
Following calls from a majority of EU member states for a formal investigation, last month’s report builds on Belgium’s recent decision to review Israel’s compliance with the trade agreement, a process initiated by the Netherlands and led by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Meanwhile, Kallas announced Thursday that the EU has reached an agreement with Israel to expand humanitarian access to Gaza.
In a statement on X, the EU’s top diplomat said the deal will open more crossings, allow increased aid and food deliveries, facilitate repairs to vital infrastructure, and ensure the protection of aid workers.
Last month, Ireland became 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.
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.”
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