Arlene Kushner | July 30, 2025
AFP
Before writing this post, I conducted a brief on-line search for the countries that have the most famine. Those that show up at the top of the list are places like Yemen, South Sudan, Haiti, the Congo, Chad and Somalia. Search for yourselves. Feel the shock I felt at seeing some of the truly horrendous pictures of children wasting away. (I have opted not to put up any of those deeply upsetting pictures here.)
Then ask yourselves: Why is it that we don’t hear more about the dying children of these places? Tens – no, hundreds – of thousands of children. Why are there no loud campaigns internationally demanding action to save them? Why aren’t people on the street taking about how terrible it is in these places?
Why? Because the starving children of Yemen, South Sudan and Somalia have nothing to do with Israel. The world is not really concerned about the children of Gaza: The world is concerned about Israel, which is fighting an existential war in Gaza – a war the world would prefer we not win. Making Israel responsible for the children of Gaza presumably provides a stumbling block to victory for Israel.
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As we proceeded to fight that existential war in Gaza, starting in October 2023, Hamas made a practice of seizing large portions of the aid intended for the people that was being brought in. Most of it came under UN auspices, via the World Food Program or UNRWA. Hamas used a portion of what they had taken for themselves and sold some of it – at inflated prices – to the Gazans for whom it had been intended at no cost.
In doing this, Hamas strengthened itself, secured necessary operating funds, and made it more difficult for the IDF to defeat them.
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Two months ago, a new distribution procedure was put in place with a private American group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), operating with the assistance of the IDF, which has been blocking terrorist actions against their aid distribution.
This new procedure threatened Hamas’s control of Gaza. Thus has Hamas promoted accusations that there was starvation and GHF was failing to get food to the people.
This is how Hamas plays it – with PR that the media readily and uncritically share. This is the other half of the war with Hamas that we are fighting: the fight against widely-believed false accusations. Widely- believed because of a readiness to believe them.
The UN, which is irredeemably corrupt, has sided with Hamas on this and insists that they must be the ones to do the aid distribution. When they were doing it, it was possible for Hamas to access supplies.
Recently, the UN kept 90 trucks of supplies at the crossing into Gaza, claiming that there were security problems and the supplies could not be delivered. Ultimately, food spoiled in the sun and had to be destroyed.
This is from Shurat HaDin on July 25:
“Hundreds of UN trucks packed with food are rotting outside Gaza.
“The UN refuses to move them. This isn’t a crisis of access. It’s a crisis of will. While private groups like GHF deliver aid quickly and safely, the UN does nothing.
“These photos are from yesterday. The UN isn’t helping. It’s standing in the way.”
Shurat HaDin
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Let me digress for just a moment: The UN “posted a job opening on July 23 for an executive assistant in the UN Resident Coordinator Office, based in what the global body describes as ‘Jerusalem, Palestine.’”
https://www.jns.org/un-hiring-new-employee-for-jerusalem-palestine/
Says it all, I think.
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Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev recently did a session on their regular podcast series on JNS, “Israel Undiplomatic,” in which they dealt with this situation. You may find it enlightening:
https://www.jns.org/the-gaza-aid-hoax-how-hamas-controls-the-narrative-and-the-food/
Munkdebates
Hamas control of the narrative is a key point. While the IDF is winning the military battle, Hamas is to a large extent controlling a fallacious narrative about how the refusal of Israel/the IDF to allow sufficient food in is causing children to die of starvation.
And so I wish to make an exceedingly important point here (which Ruthie made in her podcast) that is rarely if ever considered: NEVER is a country at war held responsible for feeding the enemy population. Only now, in order to weaken Israel, is this demand being made.
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Senator Cotton (R-AR) echoes this observation (emphasis added):
“I just want to point out to you what an unusual, I would say singular standard that the world seems to impose on Israel yet again. Israel was viciously attacked on October 7, without provocation. People were slaughtered, children were killed, women were raped, and yet the world expects Israel to provide food to the people from the land that launched that attack.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember food aid going from the United States to Germany and Japan in World War II…in the middle of a war, a war of aggression that was launched against Israel, Israel really has no responsibility whatsoever to provide any kind of aid into Gaza, and the fact that they’re doing so just proves they always go the extra mile because they always face unique standards in the world.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412473
The Hill
Ruthie told a story in the podcast mentioned above in which she describes a picture of an Arab mother, presumably in Gaza, sitting by a bed near an emaciated child on the edge of death. The mother, said Ruthie, was obese. And so, she concluded, if indeed that child was dying of starvation, it would have been the mother’s fault.
It’s typical of what we’re seeing: pictures and videos that allegedly but fallaciously represent starvation of Gazan children. I will be clear about this: I am not denying that there is hunger in Gaza or that some percentage of the children are malnourished. But the accusations of starvation – of famine – are false.
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There is a term that has been around for decades, one you may be familiar with: Pallywood – an amalgamation of the words Palestinian and Hollywood. It refers to pictures and videos that are doctored and falsify Israel’s situation. I would say the ability to discern truth is even more difficult now than when the term was coined because of AI and the inability in many cases to determine whether the picture we are looking at is real (never mind whether it was really taken in Gaza).
I share one picture here – presumably taken in Gaza – that was put out by AP. It raises legitimate questions and helps to make my point:
AP
The child sitting in his mother’s lap appears horrendously emaciated, so that his bones show through. Perhaps he is truly emaciated because of famine. But can we know that this was not doctored by AI? Especially as the skin on his back, where the bones show through, is a different color from the skin on his neck. Take a look at the toddler to the right. He has a round face and certainly doesn’t appear emaciated. Why the difference between the two, who presumably are siblings?
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The picture below is from Al-Jazeera, which is pointedly pro-Hamas. The words “STARVING GAZA” were on the picture I took from the Internet. Does saying it make it so? This picture shows a very cute child who may be hungry but certainly is not starving. What’s the point here? Are we to be so taken by her that we will be resolved to prevent her from starving?
Then let us look at a photo taken by a photographer from the Anadolu Agency, headquartered in Turkey, and put out by BBC and a number of other news sources. It went out broadly:
BBC
The direct implication here is that this emaciated Gazan child is starving because the people are not being provided with sufficient food.
Honest Reporting uncovered the truth of the situation, however: He is in this terrible condition because he is a sick child with a degenerative muscle disease.
See the story here and don’t miss the video clip that explains how the suspicions of Honest Reporting were raised:
https://honestreporting.com/another-photo-another-lie/
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Please see (and share) this posting on X that shows the peaceful distribution of food packages by GHF:
GHF put out a statement on X:
“Hamas is again spreading disinformation — falsely attributing casualties near UN/WFP convoys to GHF. We expect the media to treat Hamas claims with skepticism, not amplification. We expect the @UN to be transparent about the injuries and deaths occurring with their own convoys. And we expect the media to hold them to the same standards they hold GHF. We have received credible reports that there have been multiple casualties over multiple days due to stampedes of UN and other international aid vehicles.”
X @GHFUpdates
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On Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu denied the charges of starvation in Gaza. He then announced additional procedures that are being put in place to counter the charges: There will be 10-hour “humanitarian pauses” to allow food in, with the implementation of “safe corridors.”
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-to-christian-leaders-no-starvation-in-gaza/
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See here, as well, statements by Col. Abdullah Halabi, head of COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza (emphasis added):
Israeli moves in recent weeks to facilitate the delivery of aid include ‘expanding’ the Kerem Shalom Crossing and opening up three other terminals in the north and center of the Strip.
“We allowed longer work hours, and we took all the necessary steps to allow the international community to bring a very large amount of humanitarian aid into [Gaza], to combat the famine narrative, which Hamas uses to fight against us.”
“The State of Israel allows the entry of humanitarian aid beyond the standards of international law, without restriction. As long as the international community makes an effort to bring in the aid, we will allow them to bring it in.”
Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel
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There were those here in the government – notably Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich – who were not happy about these new procedures announced by Netanyahu as they work against our efforts to take down Hamas. How do we defeat the terrorists with 10-hour pauses?
The prime minister took these actions in the face of growing anti-Israel sentiment internationally, sentiment that could play negatively in diplomatic venues – including increased support (as perverse and idiotic as it is) for recognition of a Palestinian state.
Smotrich sought guarantees from Netanyahu that we would continue to fight until we defeated Hamas.
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There have been discussions at the highest levels here about how we might handle Hamas if negotiations fail – and there will be much to say about this. I thought that a rather strange concept: “if” they fail. It has been obvious for some time that Hamas didn’t want an interim agreement. They wanted to end the war, remain standing, have all of the terrorists in our prisons released, and see the IDF pull out of Gaza. Then they would release the hostages. Both the US and the Israeli delegations had returned home but indicated they still intended to work towards a deal. And I wondered, what sort of deal, if Hamas keeps upping its demands? A new proposal offering them more, and then another?
I have just now picked up a report from Israel Hayom, the first such report, indicating that negotiations have failed. There is no clarity as to what this actually means and how it was finally decided that this was the case.
The only information I have is that Witkoff is coming here by tomorrow (which of course, as my readers will know, brings great joy to my heart). He will visit the GHF aid stations in Gaza, and for the rest we will have to hold tight and see what transpires.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/30/witkoff-races-to-israel-as-gaza-talks-collapse/
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I ask for prayers for all of Am Yisrael.
Pray for the wisdom and courage of our leaders.
Pray for the safety of our soldiers as they fight.
Pray for the recovery of all hostages.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
https://www.camera.org/article/video-how-the-media-shifted-the-narrative-and-helped-hamas/
@dreuveni here’s a couple – three, actually – of Indian films playing there now: “Chal Mera Putt is a 2019 Indian Punjabi-language comedy-drama Film directed by Janjot Singh and co-produced by Rhythm Boyz Entertainment, Gillz Network and Omjee Star Studios. It stars Amrinder Gill, Simi Chahal, Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinyoti, Akram Udas, Rup Khatkar, Hardeep Gill and Gurshabad. The film revolves around Punjabis trying hard to make a living in a foreign land. The film will followed by a direct sequel Chal Mera Putt 2 (2020). It marked the feature film directorial debut for Janjot Singh.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chal_Mera_Putt
“Saiyaara is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama film directed by Mohit Suri.[6] Produced by Yash Raj Films, it stars debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film follows Krish Kapoor, a troubled musician who forms a deep connection with Vaani Batra, a shy poet.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saiyaara
“Chal Meri Put 4”
Overview
“Living in the UK, a group of immigrant friends from different countries struggle to make ends meet while supporting their families back home. Until one fateful day, they find a bag with a million pounds-sparking a hilarious misadventure none of them are prepared for.”
They have films playing in Korean, Cantonese, Telugu, Punjabi. All with English subtitles. As well as Hollywood. One of New York’s little known treasures. The theaters are mostly empty most of the time. Probably because they are so expensive and you can watch them streaming at home for little or nothing.
But, they have a program called the A One premiere list where you pay $26 dollars a month and can watch 3 movies a week or one called Stubs which is less than $15 for the year and you get $8 movies on Tuesdays but those are always sold out. otherwise it’s about $26 a movie! I used to get double features for a dollar $2 for adults in the early ’70s. when I was a kid! though home viewing did not exist. except for whatever they showed on tv.
Pallywood was invented in India as Bollywood.
There are no surprises here. The Gazans have been able to convince the gullible fools in a number of previously “allied” countries that, as usual, it’s Israel’s fault.
The amazing thing is that some countries who appear to be piling on the wood for this fire have nothing to do with the situation. For instance, I just read that Slovenia has declared a weapons embargo on Israel although they don’t deliver even a pin.
The fact that Canada is so offensive can only be explained by the Islamic takeover of their minds.
San Marino, a beautiful little country embedded in Italy, has nothing to do with any of this and nonetheless lend their name too.
As for the rest, the commonwealth countries could be expected to follow their leader, although in recent decades, they were very independent.
OK, I can understand the Scandinavian countries are terribly and awfully concerned about internal unrest. This concern is about 10 – 20 years overdue.
As long as these countries can’t restore their integrity, the negotiation will continue to fail miserably. Sorry about that.
@dreuveni No connection to Bollywood. Bollywood movies are light, fun, musical romcoms (romantic comedies) – usually with silly plots – with lots of singing and dancing much like the extravaganzas Hollywood put on in the ’30s and ’40s. I speak as a life-long Bolllywood fan. Don’t take my word for it. Google: bollywood meaning
“the Indian film industry
Bollywood is the common name for the Indian film industry. Bollywood movies are famous for their spectacular musical numbers and elaborately choreographed dancing. The name Bollywood is a portmanteau (a blend of two words), combining Bombay and Hollywood.”
However, Indian art films, also known as alternative Indian cinema, is another genre which I took a course in and wrote a number of papers about in 25 years ago.
Unfortunately, MIra Nair, Mamdani’s mother was a very good film maker in this genre. I wrote a paper about one of her films. She is a Hindu leftist. Indian nationalists were angry at her for highlighting Hindu – though never Muslim, in typical leftist fashion – oppression of women 100 years ago.
Apropos of nothing, I recalled a Tablet article about Jewish women in Indian film so I googled that phrase and got this AI overview:
AI Overview
+11
“Several Jewish women were prominent in the early Indian film industry, particularly during the silent film era and the early talkies. These women, often of Baghdadi Jewish or Bene Israel heritage, found opportunities in a nascent industry where Hindu and Muslim women were discouraged from acting. Actresses like Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Pramila (Esther Victoria Abraham), and Nadira (Florence Ezekiel) became popular stars, using stage names to conceal their Jewish identity.
Key Figures:
Sulochana (Ruby Myers):
One of the biggest stars of the silent film era, known for her roles in films like Heer Ranjha.
Pramila (Esther Victoria Abraham):
A former Miss India and actress, known for her roles in films like Ulti Ganga.
Nadira (Florence Ezekiel):
A popular actress known for her roles in films like Shree 420 and Julie, often playing the “vamp” character.
Rose (Rose Ezra):
Another actress from the Baghdadi Jewish community, who appeared in several films alongside Sulochana and Pramila.
Impact:
These actresses broke barriers for women in Indian cinema, proving that respectable women could pursue acting careers.
Their success helped shape the early Bollywood industry and paved the way for other women to enter the film industry.
The documentary Shalom Bollywood highlights their contributions and the unique story of Jewish women in Indian film.
Their careers also faced challenges, as some in the Jewish community disapproved of their on-screen portrayals, particularly the “vamp” roles. ”
Found it: https://www.tabletmag.com/podcasts/vox-tablet/the-queens-of-bollywood
No, that’s a podcast I haven’t heard.
Well, here’s a promo for the filim from last year.
https://vilnashul.org/events/event/film-screening-shalom-bollywood
Another article with photos from the films.
https://scroll.in/reel/802838/flashback-the-jewish-women-who-dominated-the-indian-cinema-screen
—
Though the term has also been used to describe the Indian film industry.
“The story of Bollywood begins in 1899, when Sakharam Bhatavdekar brought a camera to India from England, and recorded a short video of a wrestling fight in Mumbai’s Hanging Gardens, only ten years after the first motion picture film in England was produced (‘Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge’). The first full-length Bollywood silent movie, Raja Harishchandra, was created in 1913 by Dadasaheb Phalke, and less than 20 years later, India was producing 200 movies per year. And its progress hasn’t slowed since – Bombay Film Business is thought to be the largest global film industry, producing around 1000 films every year.”
https://www.studentfilmjournal.co.uk/columns/explorations-of-bollywood
If you are in Manhattan, the only place I know you can watch Indian cinema on the big screen is at AMC 25 on 42nd Street – a multiplex with 19 theaters – between 7th and 8th which hasn’t been a dangerous, seedy red light district in at least 25 years. They ripped all that up and replaced it. It’s all Disney, Broadway Shows, Two first run multiplex theaters, Madame Tousseaud’s house of wax, BB King’s jazz club, a candy supermarket etc. Very touristy.
Or Netflix. But, it’s better on the big screen.
“