Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Trump’s ultimatum: Did Bibi just drop the ball?

WATCH: “Jerusalem Minute” with Alex Traiman and Josh Hasten, Ep. 57

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire from both sides of Israel’s political spectrum for not following through on U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas last week, warning that if all hostages were not free by noon on Saturday, there would be “hell to pay.” While three men were freed, including an Israeli-American, that deadline has come and gone.

Join JNS CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief Alex Traiman and JNS Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten for an analysis of the possible reasoning behind Netanyahu’s decision not to move in with full force. Trump did later say that it was up to Israel to decide how to respond.

They will also discuss the latest chaos in Lebanon; the White House meeting between Trump and Jordan’s King Abdullah; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks; reactions throughout the Arab world to Trump’s Gaza plan; and more.

Don’t miss the up-to-minute news on “Jerusalem Minute!” Subscribe to ‪‪@JNS_TV‬.

Alex Traiman is the CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) and host of “Jerusalem Minute.” A seasoned Israeli journalist, documentary filmmaker and startup consultant, he is an expert on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. He has interviewed top political figures, including Israeli leaders, U.S. senators and national security officials with insights featured on major networks like BBC, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, Fox and Newsmax. A former NCAA champion fencer and Yeshiva University Sports Hall of Fame member, he made aliyah in 2004, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.
Josh Hasten is a Middle East correspondent for JNS. He is co-host of the JNS podcast “Jerusalem Minute,” as well as the host of the JNS podcast “Judeacation.” He also hosts the weekly radio program “Israel Uncensored” on “The Land of Israel Radio Network.” An award-winning freelance journalist, he writes regularly for JNS and other publications. He is also a sought-after guest for television and radio interviews on current events in Israel, having appeared on CNN, BBC, Sky News, Fox, APTV, WABC, ILTV, i24News, and many others.
The progressive Michigan lawmaker said she plans to introduce a House resolution “standing with the people of Lebanon.”
The Maricopa County supervisor has “been an outspoken supporter of the Jewish community and felt it was important to ensure the candidate he nominated was aligned with this core belief,” a spokesman told JNS.
“If you grab too much, you don’t grab anything at all,” the former U.S. envoy on Jew-hatred said, quoting the Talmud.
The France Unbowed representatives were called “fascists” at the annual ceremony for victims of the Ozar Hatorah Jewish school massacre.
El Al previously announced that it would not operate any regularly scheduled flights until the end of next week.
In December, Israel was called a “terror state” at a rally in the city.