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Israel’s Consul General in New York: Attempts to Isolate Jewish Communities From Israel ‘Will Fail’
Ofir Akunis, the consul general of Israel in New York, delivering a speech at the Altneu Synagogue on Dec. 21, 2025. Photo: Ohad Kab Photography
The Consul General of Israel in New York Ofir Akunis said in a statement shared with The Algemeiner that attempts to separate Jewish communities from the State of Israel will not work.
“Recently, we have been witnessing an attempt aimed at separating Jewish communities from the State of Israel. I say here in the clearest terms: Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. As in the past, any attempt to separate the communities from the Jewish state will fail,” Akunis said on Sunday.
He made the remarks the same day that he spoke at an event held at the Altneu Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to mark the conclusion of Hanukkah. The event was attended by elected officials, international diplomats, Jewish community leaders, and others.
Sunday night’s gathering took place exactly one week after the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14 in which 15 people – including a rabbi, Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl – were murdered. A day later, a group of Israeli Jewish men were violently assaulted on a New York subway while returning home from doing Hanukkah outreach, according to Chabad.org. Two of the victims attended Sunday night’s gathering, and Akunis led attendees in applauding the two men for standing strong during the attack.
“I know this year’s celebration has felt a bit hard to celebrate after witnessing many attacks against our people over the last week. From the Jewish community of Sydney, Australia, and 15 innocent souls being taken to us, to the two Chabad [emissaries] being physically attacked on the New York subway,” Akunis said. “If the story of the Maccabees and the story of Hanukkah has taught us something, it’s that our resilience and strength will always overcome the darkness and baseless hatred.
“The Maccabees fought back and stood strong,” he continued. “They know their fighting was going toward the greater good — the idea that we are not weak Jews with trembling knees. These same values that the Maccabees stood for then is the same that our modern Maccabees stand for now, the brave and young soldiers of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].” The consul general further praised IDF soldiers for having bravery and courage that is “built on morality, truth, and faith.”
Akunis also addressed the global surge in antisemitism. “To keep silent now is the same as encouraging it – antisemitism,” he said. “So, speak up, stand strong against antisemitism, and don’t you dare think we will be your victims again.”
“Now is the time to wake up before it is too late,” he added. “If we join together, and continue to spread our light and values, stand up for the truth and be resilient like our nation has been throughout our long journey, evil will not win. It will not beat us and will not beat Western civilization.”
Sunday night’s gathering was also attended by Shira Gvili, the sister of Ran Gvili, who is the last hostage still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip after being abducted from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Akunis’ comments on Sunday echo similar sentiments he expressed to The Algemeiner before the high holidays about Jewish unity and resilience.
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Iran and US Views on Sanctions Relief Differ, Iranian Official Tells Reuters
Iranian women walk past an anti-US billboard in Tehran, Iran, February 19, 2026. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Iran and the United States have differing views over sanctions relief in talks to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that new talks were planned in early March as fears of a military confrontation grow.
Iran and the US renewed negotiations earlier this month to tackle their decades-long dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program as the US builds up its military capability in the Middle East, fueling fears of a wider war.
Iran has threatened to strike US bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by US forces.
“The last round of talks showed that US ideas regarding the scope and mechanism of sanctions relief differ from Iran’s demands. Both sides need to reach a logical timetable for lifting sanctions,” the official said.
“This roadmap must be reasonable and based on mutual interests.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes.
READINESS TO COMPROMISE
While rejecting a US demand for “zero enrichment” – a major sticking point in past negotiations – Tehran has signaled its readiness to compromise on its nuclear work.
Washington views enrichment inside Iran as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and wants its right to enrich uranium to be recognized.
Washington has also demanded that Iran relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU). The UN nuclear agency last year estimated that stockpile at more than 440 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60% fissile purity, a small step away from the 90% that is considered weapons grade.
The Iranian official said Tehran could seriously consider a combination of exporting part of its HEU stockpile, diluting the purity of its most highly enriched uranium and the establishment of a regional enrichment consortium in exchange for the recognition of Iran’s right to “peaceful nuclear enrichment.”
“The negotiations continue and the possibility of reaching an interim agreement exists,” he said.
BENEFITS FOR BOTH SIDES
Iranian authorities have said that a diplomatic solution delivers economic benefits for both Tehran and Washington.
“Within the economic package under negotiation, the United States has also been offered opportunities for serious investment and tangible economic interests in Iran’s oil industry,” the official said.
However, he said Tehran will not hand over control of its oil and mineral resources.
“Ultimately, the US can be an economic partner for Iran, nothing more. American companies can always participate as contractors in Iran’s oil and gas fields.”
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Mike Huckabee’s Comments to Tucker Carlson on Israel and Middle East Land Draw Condemnation in Region
Tucker Carlson speaks on first day of AmericaFest 2025 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Dec. 18, 2025. Photo: Charles-McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect
Comments by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggesting that Israel had a biblical right to much of the Middle East drew condemnation over the weekend from countries across the region, who called his remarks “dangerous and inflammatory.”
Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, has been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout his political career and a longtime defender of Jewish settlements in the West Bank – land which the Palestinians seek for a state.
In an interview with Tucker Carlson that was conducted on Wednesday in Israel and aired on Friday, the populist US talk show host asked Huckabee about Israel’s right to exist and about Jewish roots in the ancient land.
Citing the book of Genesis, Carlson asked whether the modern state of Israel had a right to the lands promised in the Bible by God to Abraham, stretching from the Euphrates River to the Nile, covering much of the Middle East. In response, Huckabee said:
“It would be fine if they took it all. But I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here today.”
Huckabee added: “We’re talking about this land that the state of Israel now lives in and wants to have peace in, they’re not trying to take over Jordan, they’re not trying to take over Syria, they’re not trying to take over Iraq or anywhere else. They want to protect their people.”
In response, a joint statement condemning Huckabee’s comments was issued by the Palestinians and countries in the Middle East and beyond, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan.
They said his comments were: “Dangerous and inflammatory remarks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the region.”
A US Embassy spokesperson said Huckabee’s comments did not reflect any change in US policy and that his full remarks made clear that Israel has no desire to change its current boundaries.
Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the interview or the reaction from countries that signed the joint statement.
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Jack Hughes Makes History as 1st Jewish Male Athlete with Olympic ‘Golden Goal’
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics – Ice Hockey – Men’s Gold Medal Game – Canada vs United States – Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy – February 22, 2026. Jack Hughes of United States scores their second goal in overtime to win gold. Photo: REUTERS/David W Cerny
i24 News – Jack Hughes made history on Sunday as the first hockey player widely recognized for both having a bar mitzvah and scoring an Olympic game-winning goal, leading the United States to its first men’s hockey gold medal since 1980.
The 24-year-old New Jersey Devils star from Orlando, Florida, scored early in sudden-death overtime to secure a 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Hughes finished a cross-ice pass from teammate Zach Werenski, who had wrestled the puck from Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon.
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said. “I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.” Hughes also endured a high stick during the game, losing a couple of teeth but continuing to play.
The victory marked the first US win over Canada in a top-level men’s competition since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. The win completed a US sweep of Olympic hockey gold, following the women’s 2-1 overtime victory against Canada on Thursday.
Hughes ended the tournament with three goals and three assists, contributing offensively even from a lower line. His older brother, Quinn Hughes, a Minnesota Wild defenseman, scored the US overtime winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals. Their parents, Jim and Ellen Hughes, were present for the celebrations.
Team USA also paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed in 2024 with his brother. Gaudreau’s jersey hung in the locker room throughout the tournament, and players carried it onto the ice after the medal ceremony. Two of Gaudreau’s children joined the team for commemorative photos.
Sunday’s match marked the third men’s Olympic gold medal game between the US and Canada, with Canada having won in 2002 and 2010. Hughes’ golden goal solidifies him as a historic figure in hockey, blending his Jewish heritage with Olympic triumph.