Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent NJN's views and policy positions.

The Battle over the October 7 Narrative Is Here

Despite concerns the truce could unravel, especially as Hamas fills the power vacuum, the sense is that the two years of war as experienced until now are over. 

But what has just begun is the battle over it’s narrative, starting with a Cabinet meeting less than a week after the scenes of hostages reunited with their families played on repeat across Israeli screens. The Cabinet approved a new name for the war: The War of Redemption. The name change is the brainchild of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Immediately a chorus of voices rose up against this new name, marketed by Netanyahu as Israel meeting the moment to rise again. To critics, though, it’s a brazen attempt by Netanyahu to avoid responsibility for Hamas’ assault on Israel’s southern border on October 7, 2023 – the biggest intelligence and operational failure, let alone the bloodiest day, in the country’s history. 

Dina Kraft is a journalist, podcaster and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller, My Friend Anne Frank, together with Hannah Pick-Goslar. She lives in Tel Aviv where she's the Israel Correspondent of  The Christian Science Monitor and a creator of the podcast Groundwork, about activists working in Israel and Palestine. She was formerly the opinion editor of Haaretz English.

Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent NJN's views and policy positions.

Legislative Round-Up, October 24, 2025

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(TRUMP IS THE HUGEST PEACEMAKER EVER!) HR 5766: Introduced 10/17/25 by Barr (R-KY) and no cosponsors, “To require the Secretary of State to annually award an honorary Trump Peace Prize.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see press release –Barr Calls for Trump to Receive Nobel Peace Prize [“Barr will also introduce legislation directing the State Department to establish the “Trump Peace Prize,” an honor given to peacemakers. The bill would designate President Trump as the first awardee.”]

(TRUMP IS THE HUGEST PEACEMAKER EVER IN THE MIDDLE EAST!) HR 5789: Introduced 10/17/25 by Van Orden (R-WI) and having 25 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To award a Congressional Gold Medal to President Donald J. Trump, in recognition of his extraordinary peacemaking efforts throughout the world and in facilitating the Trump peace agreement to end the war in Gaza and bring lasting peace to the Middle East.” Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services

(HONORING AMERICANS TAKEN HOSTAGE BY HAMAS & IRAN) HR 5772: Introduced 10/17/25 by Kean (R-NJ) and Moskowitz (D-FL), “To amend title 36, United States Code, to require the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag to be displayed on key historical dates, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Kean and Moskowitz Introduce Bipartisan Bill Honoring American Hostages and Wrongful Detainees Abroad [“Key dates for display under the bill include: November 4 and January 20: Marking the beginning and the end of the Iranian hostage crisis. August 19: Commemorating the life and legacy of journalist James Foley, who was kidnapped during the Syrian Civil War and murdered by ISIS in 2014. October 7: Honoring the victims of Hamas’ unprovoked terrorist attack on Israel in 2023, where more than 240 individuals were taken hostage, including 12 Americans.” — to be clear, those are the ONLY dates explicitly noted in the act, notwithstanding the many instances around the world of Americans wrongfully detained/held hostage; and of course no mention of Israel’s detention of Palestinian-Americans]. Also see: Bipartisan House bill calls for marking dates US hostages taken, including Oct. 7 (Jewish News Syndicate 10/22/25)