Asher Fredman in Fox News on PA President Abbas’ Claim that Palestinian ‘Pay for Slay’ Payments have Stopped: Abbas’ announcement seems to be a ruse aimed at pulling the wool over President Trump’s eyes.

It appears that the terrorists and families of terrorists who received payments under the PA’s ‘Pay for Slay’ program will continue to receive the same payments, simply via a ‘foundation’ under the control of Abbas, rather than via a ministry under the control of Abbas.

It remains to be seen whether Abbas truly ends the Pay to Slay payments, as well as the virulent terror incitement and antisemitism in PA media, schools and summer camps.

Published in Fox News, February 11, 2025.

Moshe Fuzaylov: Israel approved for Egypt on different occasions to bring forces into Sinai [in excess of those permitted in the peace treaty], and we are today with a massive order of battle of the Egyptian Army in Sinai.

They built in Sinai three airfields; at least one airfield is for fighter jets. They built huge reserves of gasoline and diesel. Egypt also built large storage tunnels in Sinai for strategic storage of military gear, and transport links that could enable large formations to arrive in Sinai within a few hours.

Published in JNS, February 7, 2025.

Arsen Ostrovsky: For many years, including since October 7th, the international community has had the same failing strategy that allows Hamas to remain in power, and that is simply unacceptable.

There doesn’t appear to be anything illegal or contrary to international law with respect to the proposal as it is and that this is not about ethnic cleansing or forcible transfer. Trump is not talking about forcibly removing anyone but rather creating circumstances that allow Gazans to voluntarily choose to move.

Those insisting that Gazans stay there, in an active war zone, essentially being used as human shields by Hamas, may be the ones violating international law. Anyone that supports a better future for Gaza and peace in the Middle East should embrace the plan.

The interview took place on ILTV on February 6, 2025.

Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Despite oil sanctions on Iran, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that Iran’s oil revenue surged to $144 billion in the first three years of Biden’s presidency (January 2021–January 2024), $100 billion more than during the last two years of the Trump administration.

While Biden tightened sanctions, he did not enforce them, allowing Iran to continue profiting from oil exports, providing critical support to its economy. This approach reflects a flawed strategy of attempting to engage Ali Khamenei [the supreme leader of Iran] diplomatically while ignoring Iran’s oil smuggling.

it is unclear whether this strategy is sufficient. Military pressure on Iran is needed to disrupt its activities, send a clear message on its nuclear ambitions, and prevent further destabilizing actions.

Published in Fox News, February 05, 2025.

Asher Fredman: Gazans won’t be able to leave in large numbers if Hamas gunmen are stopping people from leaving. A military campaign would first have to weaken Hamas enough to keep it from barring Palestinians from emigrating.

But there won’t be military operations against Hamas while [ceasefire] negotiations are ongoing during the second or third stage of the hostage deal. I don’t see Hamas releasing all of the living hostages in any scenario because they know that Israel would strike the next day once all the hostages are out. Tragically, they’re going to keep a few of the hostages as insurance.

Published in TPS, February 05, 2025.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Hezbollah’s ability to manipulate the LAF has weakened considerably over the past year due to the damage it absorbed in the war against Israel. However, Hezbollah retains influence and ties within Lebanon, including Lebanon’s government structures and military.

A thorough analysis should be conducted, and the Americans should be approached to replace compromised personnel [in the LAF] with individuals who can be trusted. Overall, while the LAF is moving slower and less effectively than Israel would like, its deployment is nevertheless “moving forward, slowly.

Published in JNS, February 05, 2025.

Dr. David Wurmser: t’s actually what hasn’t happened. There’s no crisp definition of what MAGA is, going forward, and what we’re seeing now is a battle over the soul of the movement. The term-turned-epithet “neoconservatism” became a kind of clarion call on the part of those who hated Israel, were antisemitic or classic leftists like “The Squad.” It became a rubric, and the Iraq War became a symbol of how “evil” the neoconservatives were. Of course, the history of that war has been distorted. The people I was dealing with at the time had a very different vision of how it would progress from the way it’s been depicted by detractors. It was much less a colonialist American vision than an Iraqi one. It was Colin Powell’s vision to go in with 600,000 troops, and then it was Paul Bremer’s idea to have a colonial presence in Iraq to rebuild the country. That was horrifying to many of us. We wanted Iraqis to do the heavy lifting of liberating their country; we wanted them to assume control as fast as possible. Our model was the Free French in World War II.

Published in JNS, February 03, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Displacement is not a logistical issue; it’s a matter of national identity. The Nakba is deeply ingrained in Palestinian consciousness, and any suggestion of relocation—even temporary—will be perceived as ethnic cleansing and will intensify hostility.

Published in The Media Line, January 29, 2025.

Asher Frednan: The new U.S. administration offers a chance to deepen U.S.-Israel ties in order to advance regional stability and shared interests. Expanding regional multilateral initiatives, military collaboration, and AI innovation will enhance shared security and economic growth. Countering Iran through sanctions and supporting pro-democracy movements is key to stability. Addressing biased international institutions will protect both nations. Strengthening this alliance will help shape a safer and more prosperous future.

January 29, 2025.

https://youtu.be/yOyiLdk39Iw

Dr. Raphael Ben Levi: U.S. aid has become part of the central policy considerations of Israel in the last 30 years. He noted that this led Israel to accept territorial concessions in the past, including returning the Sinai to Egypt, which ended with a peace deal, but also in 1999 when the U.S. signed the first 10-year Memorandum of Understanding for aid after then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was willing to give roughly 97% of the West Bank to the Palestinians, which Yasser Arafat rejected.

Published in JewishInsider, January 29, 2025.