Fox News Latest Headlines
Republicans appeal judge's decision rejecting New York City GOP district lines
The Republican Party is appealing a New York judge's decision to throw out the congressional lines for a GOP-held district in New York City on Monday.
The judge ruled that the current map for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis' district, which lies in Staten Island and Brooklyn, dilutes the power of its Black and Hispanic voters. The state's Independent Redistricting Commission has now been tasked with creating a new map by February 6.
Republicans filed appeals to the ruling in two separate courts, including a mid-level appeals court and the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals previously ruled against a Democrat-favored map in 2024. It has not announced a date for when it will take up the case for Malliotakis' district.
REDISTRICTING BATTLES BREWING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS PARTIES COMPETE FOR POWER AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS
The case is the latest battleground in a war over congressional maps being waged across the country ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Texas and California have pursued redistricting maps that would grant roughly five seats to the GOP and Democrats respectively.
Meanwhile, the Virginia State Senate on Friday greenlit a constitutional amendment that would clear the way for the Democrat-controlled legislature to redraw the state's House maps in time for midterms.
DOJ URGES SUPREME COURT TO BLOCK CALIFORNIA MAP, CALLS NEWSOM-BACKED PLAN A RACIAL GERRYMANDER
If the ballot measure is approved this spring, the legislature, rather than the current non-partisan commission, would redraw the state's congressional maps through 2030.
Virginia Democrats, who currently control six of the state's 11 districts, are aiming to draw up to four additional left-leaning seats.
Republicans are defending their razor-thin House majority in the midterms, and Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to win back control of the chamber.
Republican-controlled Missouri and Ohio, and swing state North Carolina, where the GOP dominates the legislature, have drawn new maps as part of President Donald Trump's midterm push.
Florida Republicans, in a move pushed by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers, are also hoping to pick up an additional three to five seats through a redistricting push during a special legislative session in April.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
These celebrities followed through on leaving the country after Trump's second election win
More than a year after President Donald Trump began his second term, some celebrities have followed through on the often-touted promises to move out of the United States.
In an interview with The Times on Friday, "Twilight" actress Kristen Stewart spoke about her plans to eventually move out of the country because of Trump's threat of tariffs on movies made outside the United States.
"Reality is breaking completely under Trump," she said. "But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in."
Though she has yet to leave the country, Stewart made clear that she was "probably not" going to remain in the states after claiming she "can't work freely" in America.
Stewart's comments came less than a week after "Avatar" and "Titanic" director James Cameron spoke about his decision to move from the U.S. to New Zealand. Although Cameron had lived in New Zealand prior to the 2024 presidential election, he became a legal New Zealand citizen in 2025 and cited politics as a factor.
"I’m not there for scenery. I’m there for the sanity," Cameron said.
He pointed to New Zealand's handling of the coronavirus pandemic compared to the U.S. under Trump in 2020, suggesting that New Zealand was more "sane."
"Are you kidding me? Where would you rather live?" Cameron said. "A place that actually believes in science and is sane and where people can work together cohesively to a common goal, or a place where everybody’s at each other’s throats, extremely polarized, turning its back on science and basically would be in utter disarray if another pandemic appears."
Former daytime talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres directly pointed to Trump's re-election as the reason she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have remained in the United Kingdom since moving in 2024.
‘STAR WARS’ ACTOR MARK HAMILL REVEALS HE CONSIDERED LEAVING THE US WHEN TRUMP WON REELECTION
"We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, 'He got in,'" she told broadcaster Richard Bacon, according to the BBC in July. "And we're like, 'We're staying here.'"
The most notable example of an anti-Trump celebrity who moved after his election was comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who confirmed in March that she had moved to Ireland and applied for citizenship after Trump's re-election.
"Although I was someone who never thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child," she said on TikTok.
Some celebrities have moved out of the country following Trump's election, though they have not directly cited Trump or his policies as a reason.
HOLLYWOOD INSIDERS SAY TRUMP'S RETURN HAS A CHILLING EFFECT ON FILM INDUSTRY
In August, "House of Cards" and "The Princess Bride" actress Robin Wright described leaving the U.S. as "liberating," saying that in America, "everything’s rush, competition and speed."
"America is a s---show," she added.
Actors Richard Gere and Eva Longoria are also anti-Trump critics who have moved out of the country, but both have cited other reasons.
Other celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Cher and Sharon Stone have vowed to leave the U.S. after Trump's re-election but have yet to do so.
Texas teen dies after Jeep-pulled sled strikes curb and tree during severe winter storm
A teenage girl was killed and another critically injured in a sledding accident involving a Jeep in Texas, authorities said.
Police and firefighters responded just before 3 p.m. Sunday to a call about a sledding accident on a residential street, the Frisco Police Department said.
Two 16-year-old girls were found with life-threatening injuries. First responders performed life-saving measures and rushed the teens to local hospitals.
One teen died of her injuries at the hospital. The other remains in critical condition.
PLANE WITH 8 ON BOARD CRASHES AT MAINE AIRPORT, LEAVING 7 DEAD: FAA
A preliminary investigation indicated that a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler while pulling the two girls on a sled, police said. Witnesses said the sled struck a curb and collided with a tree.
Police said they would not release the identities of the three teens to the public as they are all juveniles, but a social media post by Megan Angle said the girl who died was her daughter, Elizabeth Angle.
"It is with deep despair and utter shock that Brian and I announce the passing of our beautiful 16-year-old girl, Elizabeth Marie Angle," she wrote.
GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SNOW DAY MAY BE HEALTHY FOR KIDS, DOCTORS SAY: 'PERMISSION TO UNPLUG'
Angle remembered her daughter as "a bright light, a fun spirit, a brave soul" who had just got her driver's license and a car.
"Life is fleeting and precious. I take comfort that she had people helping her til the end," Angle wrote. "We will never be the same and never forget how much love she brought to our family. Please lift her up in prayer."
Angle was a sophomore at Wakeland High School. She played soccer for her school team and the club team, FC Dallas.
Police said the investigation remains active. The department warned citizens that snow and ice can create extremely slippery surfaces and lead to serious or even deadly accidents.
A winter storm brought heavy snow and crippling ice to large swaths of the nation, including Texas, over the weekend. Most areas in North Texas were covered in ice, sleet and snow, creating hazardous conditions.
Coco Gauff smashes racket following Australian Open defeat
American tennis star Coco Gauff smashed her racket several times in the tunnel on her way back to the locker room following a tough defeat at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Gauff, the No. 3 seed in the Grand Slam tournament, fell to Elina Svitolina in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Gauff had five double faults and was 1-of-2 on break points.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The broadcast cameras caught Gauff’s frustrations being taken out on her racket. She took exception to the moment being shown to the viewing audience.
"Certain moments — the same thing happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after I played her in the final of the U.S. Open — I feel like they don’t need to broadcast," Gauff told reporters after the match. "I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera because I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets.
"I broke one racket (at the) French Open, I think, and I said I would never do it again on court because I don’t feel like that’s a good representation. So, yeah, maybe some conversations can be had."
THREE-TIME GRAND SLAM WINNER ENJOYS BEER ON COURT AFTER EMOTIONAL FINAL AUSTRALIAN OPEN MATCH
She added that it was much better for her to take her frustrations out on the racket than her support staff.
"They’re good people. They don’t deserve that, and I know I’m emotional," Gauff said. "So, yeah, I just took the minute to go and do that.
"I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Like I said, I don’t try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion."
Gauff has never won the Australian Open. She made it as far as the semifinals in 2024. She was ousted in the quarterfinals last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Melania Trump calls for national unity as Minneapolis tensions remain high following federal shootings
First lady Melania Trump called for national unity Tuesday as tensions remain high following the fatal shootings of two civilians by federal agents in Minneapolis.
"We need to unify… I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with the governor [Tim Walz] and the mayor [Jacob Frey], and they're working together to make it peaceful and without riots," Mrs. Trump said during a "Fox & Friends" exclusive interview.
"I'm against violence so, please, if you protest, protest in peace."
EXCLUSIVE: FIRST LOOK AT ‘MELANIA’ FILM
Mrs. Trump also offered comforting words to Americans reeling from the effects of a massive winter storm that slammed several states, leading to frigid temperatures, heavy ice and snowfall and widespread power outages.
"I feel deep compassion for the people who are impacted by this storm. I know the federal government is working hard to provide assistance to all who need it. As Americans, we need to help each other and come together in these difficult times," she said.
"I send them my strength and love and [I am] thinking of them…."
The first lady joined the show live from the White House to promote her upcoming movie, "MELANIA," ahead of its global launch on Friday.
The 104-minute film shares her life leading up to President Donald Trump's inauguration as 47th president — from her home in Trump Tower in New York City to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, plus behind-the-scenes access inside the White House.
"This story was never told before, so the audience will see me – how I manage my business, my philanthropy, family preparation for the inauguration and also establishing the East Wing for the White House – how I manage all of that in 20 days prior to the inauguration," she told Ainsley Earhardt.
Mrs. Trump hosted a star-studded White House screening of the film over the weekend.
Fox News' Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.
North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles into sea, show of force ahead of political meetings
North Korea is flexing its muscles and firing short-range ballistic missiles toward its waters ahead of a major political meeting.
South Korea's military detected the launches of several ballistic missiles from an area northeast of Pyongyang, North Korea, adding that each missile flew approximately 217 miles, The Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry said that two ballistic missiles launched from North Korea and landed off the coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to the AP.
These launches represent the first time North Korea fired weapons since testing hypersonic missiles in early January, the AP noted. In December, the country tested long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos of the apparent construction of a nuclear-powered submarine, which would be the first of its kind for Pyongyang, the AP reported.
NORTH KOREA TEST-LAUNCHES HYPERSONIC MISSILE SYSTEM IN FRONT OF KIM, NATION SAYS
The missile launches come as the ruling party prepares to hold its first full congress in five years, according to the AP, which cited state media. So far, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with other top officials to prepare for the meeting. The top-level meeting will reportedly be used to set new political and economic priorities as the U.S. and South Korea seek renewed talks with North Korea.
NORTH KOREA RELEASES IMAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), which is controlled by the North Korean government, reported in December that Kim presided over a plenary meeting of the Workers Party’s Central Committee in which participants discussed issues related to the party congress and this year's state policies, the AP reported. The outlet noted that Kim revived the congress in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus.
Additionally, North Korea recently accused South Korea of carrying out surveillance drone flights across the border. Seoul has denied operating drones during the times Pyongyang specified and said it began investigating the possibility that civilians sent them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The zero-calorie sugar substitute you're using may do more than sweeten food, study says
A fruit most commonly known for being a zero-calorie sugar alternative may offer healthy compounds that go beyond sweetening coffee and baked goods, a new study says.
Researchers in China found that different types of monk fruit contain a mix of antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds tied to inflammation and metabolism, according to a study published this month in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
Monk fruit, also known as Buddha fruit, is native to southern China and is a member of the gourd family. It's been used for centuries in traditional foods and remedies, but modern research has mostly focused on its role as a natural, non-glycemic sweetener.
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER 'SUPERFOOD' POTENTIAL IN OVERLOOKED VEGETABLE MOST AMERICANS CAN'T PREPARE
"From a dietitian's perspective, monk fruit is best known for its naturally sweet compounds, which allow it to be used in foods and drinks without adding sugar," Kelly Springer, a registered dietitian in Skaneateles, New York, and founder of Kelly's Choice, told Fox News Digital. Springer was not affiliated with the study.
The fruit has a spongy texture. It's typically dried rather than eaten raw, with a brittle shell and stringy pulp that's traditionally cracked open and steeped to make a mildly sweet, herbal tea.
The study aimed to take a closer look at the fruit's peel and pulp rather than just the sweetening compounds typically extracted for commercial use.
The team identified several major groups of compounds, including antioxidants, flavonoids, terpenoids and amino acids.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Flavonoids and terpenoids are known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while amino acids are essential for protein production, tissue repair and immune function.
"It also contains plant compounds that may contribute to the body's antioxidant defenses," Springer said.
Beyond identifying the compounds, scientists also studied how they interact with receptors in the body. Receptors help regulate biological pathways involved in processes such as inflammation, metabolism and cell protection.
The authors said that understanding these interactions may help explain why monk fruit has long been associated with health.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
Another key finding was that not all monk fruit varieties are created equal.
Each variety showed a different combination and concentration of bioactive compounds, which could affect how the fruit is used in food products or supplements, according to the scientists.
"It is crucial to conduct an in-depth investigation on the high-resolution metabolic profiles of different [monk fruit] varieties," the authors said in a statement, adding that the findings could inform both nutrition research and food manufacturing.
While the study highlights monk fruit's chemical complexity, researchers cautioned that the findings do not prove the fruit prevents disease.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
It also remains unclear whether monk fruit sweeteners provide the same benefits as the whole fruit.
"One barrier may be that most people don't encounter the whole fruit itself, and many modern products featuring monk fruit are highly processed or blended with other sweeteners," said Springer. "So reading ingredient lists remains important."
Experts note that, because monk fruit extract is so sweet, it's typically used in small amounts, which could limit the health benefits it might provide.
"Still, this does add more weight to the conversation around choosing better-for-you sugar alternatives and monk fruit maybe being a better option than others," registered dietitian Jessica Cording, the New York-based author of "The Little Book of Game Changers," told Self magazine.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study's authors for comment.
Chinese spies 'sham marriage' scandal exposes 'targeted' national security threat at major US base: expert
A former CIA operative says that a recent alleged "sham marriage" scandal involving U.S. Navy sailors marrying Chinese citizens exposes a "targeted" national security threat focused on a major U.S. Naval base, potentially opening the door to foreign spies.
According to court documents, Jacinth Bailey and Morgan Chambers, both Navy sailors based in Jacksonville, Florida, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud after they allegedly accepted thousands of dollars from Chinese nationals in order to enter sham marriages.
Both Bailey and Chambers allegedly took part in a plot where American citizens marry Chinese nationals for the sole purpose of getting green cards. According to Stars and Stripes, Bailey was assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier as an aviation boatswain’s mate.
According to federal prosecutors, Bailey even attended a party after the sham wedding in order to "substantiate its purported legitimacy by taking pictures to be used for immigration application purpose."
The plot dates back to September 2024 and involved several other unnamed individuals who are called "conspirators" in the indictment.
In Bailey's case, she was offered a total of $45,000 for entering into the sham marriage, obtaining a green card for her "husband" and divorcing him, according to federal prosecutors, including $10,000 that was offered upfront. Chambers, according to court documents, was offered $35,000 for the sham marriage, which included obtaining a green card and getting a divorce.
Notably, the scheme specifically preferred to target members of the military to "join the conspiracy and marry Chinese nationals," prosecutors detailed.
EX-ARMY SERGEANT SENTENCED FOR TRYING TO GIVE STATE SECRETS TO CHINA AFTER MENTAL HEALTH SPIRAL
Chambers and Bailey face up to five years in prison if they're found guilty. Neither has entered a plea, records show.
According to Stars and Stripes, former Navy recruiter Brinio Urena pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud after marrying a Chinese woman for money in August 2024.
In July, Navy Reservist Raymond Zumba pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he tried to bribe a Naval Air Station Jacksonville official to get fraudulent military identification cards for individuals that had links to China.
J. Michael Waller told Fox News Digital that he believes the sham marriages are an attempt to gain Chinese citizens access to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.
"It appears to be a targeted intelligence recruitment and collection operation. At the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. These sham marriages, why the marriage part was important is it would entitle the Chinese spouses to get passes to the Naval base," Waller said.
Waller said there's a clear reason that U.S. service members are being targeted rather than civilians.
"There's no shortage of Americans who'll be happy to get married for a day for $50,000 and get divorced right away and take off and pocket the money. This is a targeted operation against the U.S. Naval facility. They were recruiting Navy recruiters and they were recruiting someone whose duty was aboard a naval destroyer, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer responsible for anti-submarine warfare, responsible for air defenses, and then on a much larger naval facility that has a whole lot of sensitive programs vital to the national defense."
The former CIA operative said even if the Chinese nationals weren't trying to gain national security secrets, the alleged incident exposes a major problem for the Navy.
"It's a huge issue for the Navy. It involves the screening of personnel. It involves the training of personnel, it involves discipline, and you've seen recruitment, training, and discipline deteriorate in the Navy over recent years. It's only starting to come back," he said.
FBI investigating Minnesota anti-ICE Signal group chats, Patel says
Federal authorities are investigating alleged coordinated Signal group chats used by anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activists in Minneapolis to track, identify and impede federal law enforcement officers, FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday.
Patel told conservative commentator Benny Johnson in an interview that the bureau opened an investigation after independent journalist Cam Higby posted a viral thread on X that said people were using the encrypted messaging app to share information about agents’ movements.
"We immediately opened up that investigation because that sort of Signal chat being coordinated with individuals, not just locally in Minnesota, but maybe even around the country — if that leads to a break in the federal statute or a violation of some law, then we are going to arrest people," Patel said.
"You cannot create a scenario that illegally entraps and puts law enforcement in harm's way," he added.
JD VANCE SHARES ‘CRAZY' STORY OF ICE AND CBP OFFICERS BEING MOBBED IN MINNEAPOLIS
Higby said he "infiltrated" multiple Signal groups over several days, documenting what he described as structured efforts to identify suspected federal vehicles, relay license plate information and dispatch members to locations where ICE agents were believed to be operating.
The investigation has drawn concern from free speech advocates, who say coordination around law enforcement activity is not inherently illegal and must be carefully distinguished from criminal behavior.
"There are legitimate reasons to share such information, including enabling members of the public to observe and document law enforcement activity and to hold officials accountable for misconduct," Aaron Terr, the director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told NBC News.
MINNESOTA AGITATORS STALK, PELT BORDER PATROL AGENTS WITH FOOD AND SPIT AT GAS STATIONS, DHS SAYS
"Given this administration’s poor track record of distinguishing protected speech from criminal conduct, any investigation like this deserves very close scrutiny," he said.
Patel told Johnson that while peaceful protest and lawful firearm ownership are constitutionally protected, coordinated efforts that place law enforcement officers in danger or violate federal statutes are not.
The FBI director said the bureau is examining whether the alleged coordination crossed legal thresholds, including the doxxing of agents or threats against officers and their families.
"As I've said from day one, we will protect law enforcement. We will make sure they have the security and safety to do their jobs," he said. "We'll also ensure that civilians have the ultimate protection of the First and Second Amendment."
How Israel’s West Bank security realities are reshaping the two-state debate
The Israel Defense Forces conducted approximately 80 brigade-level counterterrorism operations over the past year in the West Bank — known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria — neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing more than 1,300 weapons, according to data released by the military.
The IDF said overall Palestinian terrorist activity in the area declined sharply in 2025, with incidents down 78% compared to the previous year. Attacks involving firearms dropped by 86%, the data showed.
Security remains essential in Israel’s ancient heartland, home to more than 500,000 Jews and up to 3 million Palestinians, and is at the center of intense political and diplomatic debate. Many Israeli officials argue that Jerusalem must assert sovereignty over the territory.
TRUMP LAUNCHES PHASE 2 OF GAZA PEACE PLAN — BUT HAMAS DISARMAMENT REMAINS THE REAL TEST
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, brokered during the Clinton administration, the West Bank was divided into three areas: Area A, under full Palestinian control; Area B, under Palestinian civil authority and Israeli security control; and Area C, under full Israeli authority.
A 2020 plan by the Trump administration, known as "Peace to Prosperity," envisioned Israeli annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria but was shelved in favor of the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with four Arab countries. In July 2024, the Knesset plenum overwhelmingly rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, and in July 2025, approved a declaration calling on the government to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria as well as the Jordan Valley, something Vice President JD Vance described as a "very stupid political stunt," when asked his thoughts on the vote.
On a visit to Israel, he said, "The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel… The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy. And if people want to take symbolic votes, they can do that, but we certainly weren't happy about it."
VANCE REBUKES ISRAEL ON 'VERY STUPID' VOTE TO ANNEX WEST BANK
Focusing on the national security significance of the area, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF international spokesperson and now a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that fundamental principles of warfare apply to the area.
"High ground, or elevated terrain, remains critical and extremely important in defending a country, its people and its sovereignty," Conricus said. "I cannot identify any credible professional military assessment that would suggest it is wise for Israel to allow a hostile entity to dominate high terrain that controls, by line of sight and fire, most of modern Israel west of the 1949 armistice line, where 80% of Israel’s GDP and 70% of its population reside."
WALTZ HAILS ‘NIGHT-AND-DAY’ MIDDLE EAST SHIFT AS TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN RESHAPES REGION
Conricus said that no Israeli government could relinquish military control over the area without endangering the most basic security of the State of Israel.
He emphasized that the area defines Israel’s eastern border and noted that, while Israel currently maintains strategic peace with Jordan, the kingdom remains unstable and vulnerable to both internal and external pressures.
"It could be jihadist elements, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas or the Iranian regime," he said. "Israel has to have an eastern border that is a natural barrier. The Jordan River is a natural barrier that limits the movement of troops, tanks and vehicles, and provides a border that is defensible," he said.
ISRAEL FM ACCUSES PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY OF AIDING TERROR WITH ‘PAY-FOR-SLAY’ AFTER DEADLY ATTACK
Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, pointed to the concept of defensible borders that emerged after the 1967 Six-Day War.
"As a result, Israel gained a major defensive position and strategic depth it had never previously possessed," Diker said, noting that Israel had been only nine miles wide at its narrowest point in the north.
After the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, Diker said its strategic importance has increased amid concerns that a similar large-scale attack could occur there, given the widespread flow of weapons.
"Although we control between 60% and 75% of the region, Iran has been penetrating the Jordanian border," he said, adding that Hamas incitement has energized jihadist networks.
Yishai Fleisher, international spokesman for Hebron — the cradle of Jewish civilization located in Judea — told Fox News Digital that the vast majority of events described in the Bible took place in Judea and Samaria.
Hebron, he said, is home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, while Jerusalem is where the two Jewish Temples stood and where King David reigned. In Bet El, the Biblical account of Jacob’s dream of the ladder took place.
"The reason we have national aspirations in the Land of Israel is because of our history," Fleisher said. He also cited an initiative to rename Route 60 — which runs through many Biblical cities — the "Biblical Highway."
Earlier this month, IDF troops were dispatched to the Shavei Shomron Junction following reports that dozens of masked Israeli suspects had vandalized property in the area. Several Palestinian vehicles were torched, and two Palestinians were injured. A day later, IDF troops were dispatched to the area of Jalud following reports that Israeli civilians had vandalized a local school. In a separate incident in the Bizzariya area, several Palestinian vehicles were set on fire and property was damaged.
In 2025, the IDF recorded an increase of approximately 27% in anti-Palestinian crimes.
Governor of Binyamin and Chairman of the Yesha Council Yisrael Ganz told Fox News Digital that Judea and Samaria has been in a state of war since Oct. 7. Over the past year, he said, citing Shin Bet data, there were more than 4,000 attempted attacks against Israelis.
UN AMBASSADOR WALTZ REVEALS TRUMP'S MIDDLE EAST PEACE PLAN IS ‘THE ONLY WAY FORWARD’
Ganz cited former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, who said only 1.5% of Shin Bet cases involve Jews, while roughly 80% focus on Arab terrorism.
"Yes, there are incidents of violence, but the number of Jews who attack Arabs is negligible," Ganz said, condemning extremist youth as a small and unrepresentative minority.
Ganz argued that the absence of Israeli sovereignty creates a legal gray zone that enables extremism.
"When there is governance, security and economic opportunity, there is no room for anarchy or violence," he said, envisioning Judea and Samaria as "the Israeli Tuscany."
Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren told Fox News Digital that the two-state solution was never viable but rather a diplomatic reflex.
"The Palestinians hold the world record for a people who have been offered a two-state solution and have rejected it," Oren said. "They rejected it in 1937, the British offer in 1947, the American-Israeli offer in 2001, and the subsequent offer in 2008."
According to polls, Oren said, most Palestinians oppose a two-state solution and support the Oct. 7 attacks.
"Rather, the two-state solution is viewed as an interim stage toward a one-state solution," he said, a phrase often used as a euphemism for the eventual destruction of Israel through demographic change.
While acknowledging Palestinian self-rule in Areas A and B, Oren said a fully sovereign Palestinian state is impossible.
"It could not have control over its borders, nor control over strategic affairs, such as entering a defense pact with Iran. It will never be a classic sovereign state, but it could be more than what they have today," he said.
While a two-state solution once seemed inevitable, Dan Shapiro — who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel under President Barack Obama and as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for the Middle East under President Joe Biden — told Fox News Digital that it has not been viable for many years and may now be harder to envision than ever, particularly in the aftermath of Oct. 7.
Still, Shapiro said, the framework remains a fixture of Middle East diplomacy due to the lack of viable alternatives for resolving the conflict between two peoples living in one land, each with legitimate claims to a homeland.
"President Trump includes a credible pathway to a Palestinian state in his 20-point plan to stabilize Gaza and remove Hamas from power. Presidents Biden and Trump have both viewed progress toward a Palestinian state as part of the formula to achieve Saudi normalization with Israel," Shapiro said.
"None of this means it can happen soon, or perhaps at all. If it ever does, it will take longer and look different from earlier efforts. It is not a copy-and-paste of ideas from the Oslo era. But that credible pathway to a Palestinian state — one that would live peacefully alongside a secure Israel — difficult as it is, remains relevant," he added.
Shapiro noted that even Israel’s current government — the most right-wing in the country’s history and one that includes multiple proponents of annexation — has stopped short of applying sovereignty across the West Bank, a sign, he said, that the political and diplomatic costs remain too high.
"President Trump has announced that it will not happen because he promised Arab states — the same ones he does business with and relies on to help stabilize Gaza — that it will not happen, and Netanyahu will not oppose him on it," Shapiro said.
Shapiro said that preserving the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state on some portion of the territory — even if it appears distant and would require major changes in Palestinian leadership and society — has remained relevant, even under Israeli governments that profess to oppose any two-state outcome.