The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
Trump: Chuck Schumer ‘used to be Jewish’ but is now ‘a Palestinian’
US President Donald Trump falsely says that Senator Chuck Schumer is no longer Jewish and calls him a “Palestinian” while speaking to reporters.
The remarks are the latest instance in which Trump has used “Palestinian” as an epithet to refer to Schumer, whom he once also falsely called “a proud member of Hamas.” Generally, Trump has opted for such language to disparage Democrats whom he sees as inadequately supportive of Israel.
In this case, by contrast, Trump makes the comments alongside Irish leader Micheál Martin while talking about corporate tax rates. After saying that the American public will blame Democrats for high taxes, Trump launches into an aside on the New York senator, his top adversary in Congress who on Wednesday was opposing a Republican-drafted funding bill. (The setting is ironic for the comments as the Irish government is staunchly pro-Palestinian.)
“And Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I’m concerned,” Trump says. “You know, he’s become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.”
Schumer, the New York Democrat and Senate minority leader, has spoken frequently about his Jewish identity throughout his political career. He is soon to release a book about fighting antisemitism.
A spokesperson for Schumer does not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both Trump’s supporters and opponents are sharing clips of the remark online, and it has drawn criticism from some liberal Jewish organizations.
Syria’s interim president Sharaa forms national security council
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has issued a decree to form the country’s national security council, according to a statement by the Syrian president’s office.
The council will take decisions related to the country’s national security and challenges facing the state.
Israeli hostage negotiating team to remain in Doha as talks continue
Israel’s hostage negotiating team will remain in Doha tonight, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.
There was a possibility that they would return this evening.
Citing a Palestinian source, the Kan public broadcaster reports that the US is pushing a 60-day ceasefire in return for the release of 10 hostages.
If that does not work, the US could work to free only the US hostages. One — Edan Alexander — is alive, and another four have been killed.
An Israeli official pushes back on the reports on the US ceasefire proposal, saying that the negotiating team “has not received at all any proposal for the return of 10 hostages in exchange for 60 days of ceasefire.”
Petah Tikva hospital treating 18-year-old moderately wounded by West Bank gunfire
An 18-year-old Israeli civilian wounded in a shooting attack near the West Bank settlement of Ariel this evening was taken to Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva for treatment.
Magen David Adom says the victim is in moderate and stable condition, after he was shot in the arm.