Putin meets freed Hamas hostages in Moscow
(JNS) — Russian President Vladimir Putin met with former Israeli hostages Alexander “Sasha” Troufanov, and his mother, Yelena, at the Kremlin on Wednesday. Both are Russian nationals.
Also present at the meeting was Sasha’s fiancée, Sapir Cohen, 29, and Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar.
Troufanov was abducted along with his mother, grandmother and fiancée, from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of the terror group’s invasion of southern Israel.
His mother and grandmother were freed by Hamas on Nov. 29, 2023, at the request of Putin, while Cohen was released as part of a ceasefire deal that same month. Troufanov’s father, Vitaly, was killed during the Oct. 7 massacre.
Trump said to have called off planned Israeli strike on Iran, NY Times reports
(JNS) — Israel intended to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities as early as May, a plan that would have required American assistance. But U.S. President Donald Trump decided against an attack in favor of negotiations, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
Trump’s decision came “after months of internal debate” about whether to pursue a military or diplomatic option. Even hawkish members of Trump’s cabinet expressed skepticism that a military strike could destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions, resulting in a “rough consensus” that for the time being negotiation was the better option, the Times reported.
The Times said it had spoken to multiple officials who had been briefed on Israel’s plans. Most were interviewed on condition of anonymity.
Dozens of members of UK’s largest Jewish group sign letter condemning war in Gaza
(JTA) — Three dozen members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews have issued a public letter harshly criticizing Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, revealing a divide within the largest British Jewish group.
The letter, which was published in the Financial Times, includes the signatures of roughly 10% of the board’s deputies, who are appointed from local communities and smaller organizations. It directly criticizes the resumption of the war in Gaza and warns that the “extremism” in the Israeli government threatens its democracy.
The letter highlights the successful return of hostages during the second ceasefire deal, and accuses the Israeli government of breaking the ceasefire to appease Itamar Ben-Gvir and pass the Israeli government’s budget ahead of a potential election.
Huckabee arrives in Israel to take up ambassadorial posting
(JNS) — US Ambassador-designate Mike Huckabee arrived in Israel on Thursday, and will officially take up his position in Jerusalem next week.
The former Arkansas governor landed in Israel toward the end of the week-long Passover holiday and ahead of Easter Sunday after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week. He will present his credentials to Israel President Isaac Herzog on Monday at an official ceremony in Jerusalem.
“We are on our way to Israel,” Huckabee posted on social media on Wednesday, ahead of the transatlantic flight with his wife Janet and their two dogs. “Our dogs have no idea how long this flight is going to be so don’t tell them. This is not a trip but a complete move.”
A long-time champion of Israel’s cause, he has been a staunch supporter of Israel’s rights to the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria, the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and has worked to fight the BDS movement.
