Hamas tries to pull fast one on Trump’s Middle East envoy after latest cease-fire proposal: ‘Disappointing and completely unacceptable’ 

Anthony Blair / NEW YORK POST 

Hamas appears to have tried to pull a bait-and-switch on the latest cease-fire deal by altering the terms of the proposal that were sent to the terror group, according to President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Hamas claimed on Monday that it had been presented with a new US proposal that would see a 70-day ceasefire and the release of five live hostages on the first and final days of the truce, a Hamas-tied Palestinian official told Reuters.

The deal Hamas claimed to have received would also include a partial withdrawal Israeli from the Gaza Strip, the official said. This supposed deal would also include the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel, many serving lengthy prison sentences.

But a “disappointed” Witkoff blasted Hamas, claiming that the terms of the deal he had actually sent to Hamas were very different from their response.

The latest Witkoff proposal includes the release of 10 living and 19 dead hostages in return for 45 to 60 days of ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Read more »

Trump fires off Memorial Day message targeting 'SCUM' who sought to 'DESTROY' the US

The president asserts the nation 'WILL SOON BE SAFE AND GREAT AGAIN!'

Alex Nitzberg / FOX News

 

President Donald Trump issued one of his signature spicy holiday greetings on Memorial Day. 

The president, who posted the all-caps tirade on Monday morning, called out the "SCUM" who he said had attempted to destroy the nation.

"HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS, WHO ALLOWED 21,000,000 MILLION PEOPLE TO ILLEGALLY ENTER OUR COUNTRY, MANY OF THEM BEING CRIMINALS AND THE MENTALLY INSANE, THROUGH AN OPEN BORDER THAT ONLY AN INCOMPETENT PRESIDENT WOULD APPROVE, AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY SO THEY CAN ROB, MURDER, AND RAPE AGAIN — ALL PROTECTED BY THESE USA HATING JUDGES WHO SUFFER FROM AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS SICK, AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY," he declared in the first portion of the post. Read more and see videos here.

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

Today, Tuesday, May 27th from 7 to 8:00pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Deals Made...But At What Cost'; 'A Quantum Shift - The Trump Doctrine'; Trump's Memorial Day message targets those who want to destroy the US; Hamas tries to pull a 'fast one' on Trump’s Middle East envoy; and the latest on Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

Memorial Day - Monday, May 26, 2025

 'Honor and Remember' them everyday...

our freedoms exist because of their sacrifices made.

 

Op-ed: 

Deals Made...But At What Cost 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots, Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google

 

"I believe there has never been a greater friend to the Jewish people than my Administration.  We will never deviate from our conviction that anti-Semitism has no place in the greatest country in the world.  As the 47th President of the United States, I will use every appropriate legal tool at my disposal to stop anti-Semitic assaults gripping our universities. We will proudly stand with our friend and ally, the State of Israel.  I will never waiver in my commitment." 

- President Donald J. Trump's statement in a May proclamation marking the beginning of “Jewish Heritage Month,” specifically issued before his recent trip to the Middle East.

As I write this article, we're now almost two and a half weeks out from President Trump's triumphant return to the U.S. after his hugely successful Middle East trip...a trip the White House called a “historic return to the Middle East”...a trip that did indeed open up an entirely new dialog between our country and the leaders of allied Arab gulf nations. And to that effect, albeit very briefly, Trump secured financial commitments and reinforced trade agreements exceeding $2 trillion in investments from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE...great news for America indeed. 

In fact, while Trump was in the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways...the Emirates official carrier... announced that they would be purchasing...to a tune of  $14.5 billion (which is part of the total $200 billion UAE deal)...28 wide-body aircraft from Boeing...a leading global aerospace company and a top U.S. exporter of commercial airliners...including "a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft" powered by American made GE (General Electric) engines...how great is that.

Also of note during this trip, President Trump secured the release of Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier, and the last of the Americans kidnapped by Hamas on “October 7th” to be released. A truly brave young man, Edan Alexander was held captive for over 580 days in the dark, dank, and rodent infested tunnels Hamas dug under Gaza, and was tortured, beaten, and at times starved...his survival alone is testament to his will to survive and return home.

And while on this trip...which included Trump's surprising meeting with former Syrian jihadist...who until recently had a $10 million bounty on his head...now Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to talk about the possibility of lifting of sanctions on Syria...was indeed successful on so many levels, yet some found it odd, myself included, that President Trump did not stop in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially since the deals and partnerships Trump secured saw him advancing the very policies that aligned closely with both Israel's and Netanyahu's interests and priorities. And this including Trump's urging Saudi Arabia to “normalize relations” with the Jewish State and to sign onto the “Abraham Accords,” which I believe Saudi Arabia will sooner rather than later do.

Why so...because as per a May 18th report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), “minutes” of a high-level secret meeting held in Gaza discovered by the Israeli military...the IDF...in a tunnel beneath the Gaza enclave... “minutes” indicating that Hamas planned the “October 7th” attack to “thwart the normalization process between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” out of their fear that “normalization” would end the supposed Palestinian cause. In fact, according to said report, Hamas' then but now thankfully deceased, Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar stated that an “extraordinary act” was needed to “derail” what was to be upcoming talks between these two nations. Says a lot now doesn't it...and I don't think Trump's and America's new friend, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is too happy about that.

And yet when directly asked by reporters why he did not stop in Israel before returning home... something actually viewed as a misplaced insult by many...President Trump replied that, “This is good for Israel. Having a relationship like I have with these countries...I think it's very good.” So while I do understand where our president is now coming from, and do think it's a good thing as well, for it helps to temper down the centuries old conflicts while at the same time allowing for much needed “give and take” dialog to take place, I still have an underlying and quite uneasy feeling that President Trump's not going to Israel could send a subliminal message of sorts to Israel that maybe he, while still wholeheartedly supporting the Jewish State, might actually be making a conscious decision not be so publicly vocal or open in his or our doing so.

And why...I believe so as not to upset the sensibilities of the now friendly Arab nations we are currently making business deals with, while at the same time making it clear...especially to the liberal, anti-Israel media...that neither he nor the U.S. will ever put pressure on the Israeli government or on Benjamin Netanyahu...whom Trump rightly stated was facing a “tough situation”...to end the war in Gaza on any but Israel's terms.

So where exactly do we as a nation now stand regarding these recent newest Middle East developments, and can we trust our new Arab “friends” to follow through with their promises made? First, as per a fairly recent State Department “readout,” our great Secretary of State Marco Rubio...a staunch and unwavering supporter of Israel... stressed the deep U.S. commitment to its “historic relationship” with Israel and our “ironclad U.S. support for Israeli security.” In fact, in a phone conversation between Rubio and Netanyahu while Trump's trip was taking place, the two men shared their mutual commitment to make sure that,“Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon”...something I 100% do totally agree with.

And yet some in Israel...and might I add here in the U.S, as well...are feeling, as per chief political analysis Amit Segal of Israeli Channel 12 news, that “There is an uncomfortable experience from an Israeli perspective to see Air Force One flying over us on its way to countries, some of which are outright hostile and others semi-hostile. If you are not at the table, you are on the plate.” No truer words spoken, but know that right now U.S. policy in regards to Israel stands strong under President Trump, and will assuredly remain so for he knows that the more Arab nations that sign onto the “Abraham Accords” the safer and more secure both the “Jewish State of Israel” and the Middle East will be.

Now as for the Israeli people's response to the Trump “no show” in Israel. For many Israelis there remains growing concerns that their “might makes right” worldview...a view once totally shared by President Trump especially in regards to Israel's right to exist...might see Trump tempering it down a bit, for trust in Trump's new and deepening Arab friendships is being greeted in Israel not with unwavering support, but with cautious optimism and hope at best. Why so...because the Israeli's know well that not only does the Qur'an's own words promote deception and the call to “deceive” all nonbelievers...“taqiyya”...but they also understand why none of these rich gulf nations will either take in or give up any of their vast unused lands for a Palestinian homeland. The caste system still runs deep in theses nations as well as their knowing that those who call themselves Palestinians bring trouble wherever they go. And Trump also knows this, but for him to publicly say it would not sit well with his new found Arab friends.

So while Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. do seem, for the most part, to be or want to be part of the modern 21st century world as they appear to no longer be clinging to what remains Islam's mostly 6th century mentality, the question is, “Can these folks ever be totally trusted by either President Trump or by Israel to do the right thing no matter the monetary deals made?” Personally I say, “try to trust them for now for these nation's leaders do seem, at least on the surface, sincere in their hopes for a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East, but as always sleep with one eye opened until it's proven to no longer be needed.”

Simply, for now hopeful optimism at best coupled with a healthy dose of skepticism is the best way to go for the Israelis, for they have not forgotten that Qatar not only has been accused of helping Hamas but that it's playing both sides in the peace negotiations. Also, the Israelis have not forgotten that after Houthi missiles did hit the grounds of Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, that Trump made a deal with the Houthis to end what was then the US-led bombing strikes targeting the Iranian “backed” group in exchange for the Houthis promise to stop attacking ships navigating through the Red Sea toward the Suez Canal. But what Trump left out of that particular deal was a promise that the Houthis would stop firing rockets at Israel...rightfully concerning for many Israeli's.

And as for certain key specifics of Trump's trip, many Israelis were not happy when hearing of the possibility that Saudi Arabia could soon gain access to “civil nuclear technology” without first having to normalize relations with Israel, the very thing President Trump had always urged Saudi Arabia to do. But when you add in Trump's not having stopped in Israel...seen as a slap in Netanyahu's face by many in Israel...you can actually feel many Israelis concern that Trump has now started focusing more on securing lucrative business deals with wealthy Gulf nations, than he is in remaining focused on the all important and quite dangerous geopolitical issues.

Now when you add into this mix that a number of Israeli foreign policy experts have started talking about what is a possible “repositioning” of our long held U.S. relationship with the Jewish State, you can surely understand why a growing number of Israelis have started to question not only Trump's talks with Iran and his business deals made with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, but that ongoing threats to Israel are not being taken seriously enough or that they are simply, at least for now, being ignored or put on the back burner.

So while our president has every right to put “America First”...something we here at home should all applaud, herald, and be proud of...the fact remains that while most Israeli's did also herald Trump’s 2024 election win...the very win Benjamin Netanyahu himself has called “history’s greatest comeback”...a negative shift in Trump's favorability rating began for many Israelis soon thereafter.

And this began when Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff started pressuring Netanyahu into signing a temporary ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which Netanyahu was not really ready to do after having found out about Witkoff's personal business ties to Qatar, a growing number of Israelis began to fear that Trump’s preference for “deal making” would negate Netanyahu\s long planned military strike on Iran.

And while a military strike could well still happen and hopefully will, most Israelis know that the only thing that will permanently take out the Iranian trash is simply to take out Iran and the mullahs for only then will Israel be free to exist no matter how many business deals Trump successfully makes with her Arab neighbors. 

It's a story still in the making that we yet have a definitive ending to, but know that while Donald J. Trump is president that neither he nor the United States will ever turn its back on the Jewish State of Israel...America's closest and most trusted ally...or on the Jewish people themselves. Case closed.

Copyright © 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

**********************************************************************************************

For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, A Quantum Shift - The Trump Doctrine.

*********************************************************************************************

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27th from 7 to 8:00pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Deals Made...But At What Cost'; 'A Quantum Shift - The Trump Doctrine'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

Honor them everyday...for without their ultimate sacrifice 

we would not be free. 

 

Op-ed:

On Memorial Day...And Always  

By: Diane Sori / The Patriots Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio 

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google

 

Monday is Memorial Day and while many will go to the beach or enjoy a hearty barbecue, let’s not forget the real reason for this most special and solemn of days…a day to remember and honor those who put their lives on the line for our beloved country…a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for a purpose they believed was greater than themselves…a purpose of keeping "We the People" safe and free at home.

And while political battles continue in D.C. and across the nation, Memorial Day offers us the chance for all Americans…no matter our race, creed, color, religion, party affiliation, or whether this president is our president of choice…to unite together and remember the one thing we all we have in common...gratitude...gratitude for those who served…gratitude for the brave men and women who proudly wore but sadly died wearing our nation’s uniform…gratitude so that we can go to that beach and can enjoy that barbecue.

On Memorial Day there should be no hyphenated Americans (nor should there ever be)…just Americans bowing their heads together in prayer as the flag of these United States is raised throughout this great nation, and then as it's solemnly lowered to half-staff. On this day let us remember the more than one million American patriots who gave their lives in service to this country. And when the flag is once again raised high at noon we must also remember to not allow their sacrifice to be in vain for a nation that forgets its true heroes is a nation that loses its soul.

Memorial Day is a day when we should teach our children the importance of the sacrifices made by so many to ensure their freedoms and the freedoms of generations to come.

Memorial Day is a day when many Americans will visit cemeteries or memorials nationwide to place small flags at the base of the headstones of the fallen to let them know they are not forgotten nor will they ever be.

Memorial Day is a day to honor the remains buried at the Tomb of the "Unknown Soldier" for while he, brave soldier whomever he may be, is home resting on American soil he is not with his loved ones, but serves as a reminder of the many who never made it home, and should remind us that there are still some left behind who must be brought home.

Memorial Day is a day when the "Pledge of Allegiance" should take on a renewed meaning, and should reawaken in us all the realization that we do live in the greatest nation the world has ever known, and remind us that some things are indeed worth both fighting and dying for.

Memorial Day is a day to honor courage for while those lost in battle knew fear, they sacrificed with courage of heart and strength of conviction, something that must never be forgotten for without knowing fear there can be no courage and without courage there can be no victory. Those who gave all deemed their love of country and duty to freedom were of greater value and more important then the fears they faced in dying.

Memorial Day is a day to also honor the very freedoms those lost in battle gave to each and every one of us…the freedom we have in our beloved America to act, speak, and think as we so choose without hindrance or restraint…a freedom we intend never to lose…a freedom we will fight for with just as much passion, dedication, determination, and courage as those who sacrificed before us…for we will not allow their sacrifice to be forgotten nor will we allow our freedoms to be taken away.

No…we will never allow their sacrifice to have been in vain.

Memorial Day is a day for prayers for those lost…a day for honoring their memories not just with tearful remembrances but also with a smile…a day to rediscover the meaning of what our military fights and dies for…our liberty, our safety, our individual rights guaranteed us under our Constitution, and the continuing American story of which we all play a part in.

So on this Memorial Day I will bow my head in solemn prayer and thank and remember those who made that ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free…and pray to God that someday…"nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:4)

Someday…someday soon I pray. And may God our Father Bless America today, tomorrow,  and always.

Copyright @ 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.

(I originally published this article Memorial Day Weekend 2018.)