Latest news with #Gal
ITV News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
'It can never end until they are home,' 'brother of Israeli hostage on fight for his return
Guy Gilboa Dalal and his brother Gal both attended the Nova music festival on October 7 when Hamas gunmen swarmed the area, as ITV News Senior International Correspondent John Irvine reports. When Guy Gilboa Dalal announced he was going to the Nova music festival, his older brother Gal decided to go with him. It was 22-year-old Guy's first festival: Gal wanted to look after him, as any big brother would. When Hamas began their attack, Gal urged Guy to get into his car. But Guy was reluctant to abandon his friends, and the two brothers separated. In the ensuing chaos, as Hamas militants riddled festival-goers' cars with automatic fire, Gal escaped the massacre in which 378 people died, but Guy became a hostage. So began 21 months of agony for both. 'I don't think anyone else can relate to what we're going through. I feel like every day we go through the same process, of losing faith, losing hope, finding it again, thinking about Guy, getting stronger for him,' said Gal. 'I go to sleep with him, I wake up with him. I can actually hear his screaming from the tunnels, telling me if I did enough today, what I'm doing to help him get out of there. As long as I'm here, I'm his voice and I have no other option than do everything I can for him.' Guy's condition is now unknown. He was last seen alive in February, when Hamas took him and his best friend, Evyatar David, to watch other hostages, their friends, being released. They had been tricked into believing that they, too, were going to be freed. A Hamas propaganda video shows them in the back of a car, gaunt, shaven-headed, pleading to be saved. 'That was the first time they were taken out of the tunnels in 400 days. They were staying in the same small, narrow tunnel, unable to move, with the same light, so they don't know when it's day or when it's night. They're abused on a daily basis, they're getting a lot of beatings, they're always hungry.' Gal says Hamas inflicted further psychological torture on Guy by telling him that Gal himself is dead. He has travelled the world with other relatives of hostages to raise support for the Bring Them Home Now campaign. Israel says 50 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 thought to be alive, 30 dead. As Israel and Hamas inch towards a new ceasefire, Gal's hopes are rising. But even if Guy is released, he will continue to campaign for the remaining captives. 'I can't stop fighting until all the hostages return. We are all one big family now. It can never end until they are home.'
Sydney Morning Herald
10-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We are losing sight of human beings': Tears, hugs and singing after attack on Miznon
'We are not able to see people in front of us as human beings. They always represent something. They're either with me or against me. They belong to that. They belong to this.' In the days preceding the incident, Miznon had been identified on social media as a target by activists over the links of Israeli co-owner Shahar Segal to controversial Israeli and US-linked charity the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Talia Sofizade, an Israeli national from the UK, was enjoying a dinner with two other Jewish friends at the restaurant on Friday night when she heard 'All Zionists are terrorists' being shouted over a megaphone. Sofizade said her first response was anger. 'I just saw red. I could see a lot of people scared,' she said, describing being blockaded in the venue during the attack. The entire ordeal lasted about half an hour, but as she and other customers sat trapped, Sofizade said, it felt like forever. 'My friend came and hugged me and I just burst into tears and started shaking.' Sofizade is now back in Israel and said she intended to return to Melbourne to finish her circus arts course in July, but had 'no interest in staying in Australia' and that the incident was her 'tipping point'. 'I feel safer here [in Israel] than I do in Melbourne.' In footage obtained by this masthead of the immediate aftermath of the incident, diners can be seen singing Jewish songs in solidarity as they return to tables to finish their meals. At the Shabbat, Nina Sanadze, a friend of Miznon's owners who arrived after hearing of the incident, described a scene of 'resilience' as candles were lit, songs continued to be sung and challah, a ceremonial Jewish bread, was shared. 'People took a symbolic pinch of challah … we were not in the mood to eat. It was more a thing of tradition and … to stand together,' she said. In his speech, Gal said it was important for him to carry on with the Shabbat, despite what had happened. 'It's a little bit of a demonstration of perseverance that I think is one of the things that's really needed,' he said. 'For me, Miznon is about spreading love and spreading light through food.' Loading In another video taken on the night, Miznon manager Nicole expressed her pride in the restaurant staff. 'They are not just incredible chefs, they are not just really good waitresses … they are family,' she said. '[Former staff] come back to visit … they send friends to work with us. We are really happy working [here].' At the conclusion of Gal's speech, he can be seen lighting two candles and saying a series of blessings to the 'light of the world … the light in human beings and ... the light of justice and peace'. Blessings he said, 'may be more important than ever'.
The Age
10-07-2025
- The Age
‘We are losing sight of human beings': Tears, hugs and singing after attack on Miznon
'We are not able to see people in front of us as human beings. They always represent something. They're either with me or against me. They belong to that. They belong to this.' In the days preceding the incident, Miznon had been identified on social media as a target by activists over the links of Israeli co-owner Shahar Segal to controversial Israeli and US-linked charity the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Talia Sofizade, an Israeli national from the UK, was enjoying a dinner with two other Jewish friends at the restaurant on Friday night when she heard 'All Zionists are terrorists' being shouted over a megaphone. Sofizade said her first response was anger. 'I just saw red. I could see a lot of people scared,' she said, describing being blockaded in the venue during the attack. The entire ordeal lasted about half an hour, but as she and other customers sat trapped, Sofizade said, it felt like forever. 'My friend came and hugged me and I just burst into tears and started shaking.' Sofizade is now back in Israel and said she intended to return to Melbourne to finish her circus arts course in July, but had 'no interest in staying in Australia' and that the incident was her 'tipping point'. 'I feel safer here [in Israel] than I do in Melbourne.' In footage obtained by this masthead of the immediate aftermath of the incident, diners can be seen singing Jewish songs in solidarity as they return to tables to finish their meals. At the Shabbat, Nina Sanadze, a friend of Miznon's owners who arrived after hearing of the incident, described a scene of 'resilience' as candles were lit, songs continued to be sung and challah, a ceremonial Jewish bread, was shared. 'People took a symbolic pinch of challah … we were not in the mood to eat. It was more a thing of tradition and … to stand together,' she said. In his speech, Gal said it was important for him to carry on with the Shabbat, despite what had happened. 'It's a little bit of a demonstration of perseverance that I think is one of the things that's really needed,' he said. 'For me, Miznon is about spreading love and spreading light through food.' Loading In another video taken on the night, Miznon manager Nicole expressed her pride in the restaurant staff. 'They are not just incredible chefs, they are not just really good waitresses … they are family,' she said. '[Former staff] come back to visit … they send friends to work with us. We are really happy working [here].' At the conclusion of Gal's speech, he can be seen lighting two candles and saying a series of blessings to the 'light of the world … the light in human beings and ... the light of justice and peace'. Blessings he said, 'may be more important than ever'.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
DJs Scottish Donald Trump impression goes viral in hilarious skits
Steven Galloni said he has been flooded with requests from companies and musicians to help promote them. A Scot has spoken of his joy at his Scottish Donald Trump character going viral - after his hilarious social media sketches have racked up over a million views. Restaurant boss, DJ and podcaster Steven Galloni - who is known as Gal - posted several clips of 'Big Donnie' on his TikTok. The skits talk of Trump on nights out and ridicule his spat with Tesla, X, formerly Twitter, and SpaceX boss Elon Musk. Gal, who also regularly does stand up comedy, said he has been asked by companies and fellow musicians to plug their creations. But he says the best part of his new found fame is that he's been making ill Scottish grannies laugh in their hospital beds. Gal, who was born in Italy but raised in Dumbarton, said: "I've been doing accents and impressions since I was like 5 years old so I've always experimented with voices. So a character like Trump I've been trying his voice for a long time. "It's got better and better over time. The Scottish twist to it just came naturally. It's currently sat at half a million views on my own TikTok alone. But a few big pages have shared it on FB too which was like nearly 500k. "Collectively it's sitting really quite high over a million views which is nuts. I honestly just make my mates laugh all the time with the impressions so to see them get so much traction online is really cool! I'm usually doing everyone's nut in." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. During the coronavirus pandemic, Gal and pal Stephen Kirkwood were forced to adapt when restrictions dented their music and training business, SKapade Studios. Inspired by old recipes handed down from Gal's gran, they opened authentic Italian restaurant Bangin' Pizza, serving pizzas made of only the finest Italian ingredients. And Big Donnie has given Gal the chance to embark on another career and possibly even his own TV show. He said: "I've had a few different requests. A couple companies wanting me to promote them, a couple of music artists too. "Loads of people telling me to start a personalised video service, like on Cameo. I'm thinking about it but I'm not sure. I'm still enjoying building a wee following here so we will see. It could be funny. "I've done stand up on and off for years and have always been a comedian. I'm definitely brewing up my own show or something. I love being on stage so I'm keen to get something together for Big Donnie. "I think it would be hilarious. But I'm just taking it all in my stride. I'm buzzing with the reaction that it's getting and I just want to thank everyone for the overwhelmingly positive support and love. "The most surprising thing is the messages of support I'm getting. It also seems like whole families are enjoying the content. So many people have told me their whole family have been laughing. "Wee grannies in hospitals have had their days lit up with Scottish Trump and people who are going through a lot have told me that the silly impressions have lifted their spirits. There's honestly been some mind blowing positive love has been coming my way. "It's such a nice thing to hear. I've also followed up with other videos that are doing pretty well and I can't believe how much folk are loving Scottish Trump." Gal's TikTok is @stevengalloni.
San Francisco Chronicle
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tucked away in the Bay Area redwoods, this cafe feels like summer camp
Surrounded by towering redwoods, Lightwave Coffee & Kitchen feels like an idyllic summer camp getaway, located next to a skatepark near a Russian River beach. The eclectic cafe has a maximalist attitude built on a passion for thrifting, as evidenced by two antique televisions, a horse bust, several vintage phones and a shelf lined with a half dozen cassette players. Married couple Gal and Ori Ginzburg opened it in the Sonoma County community of Monte Rio in 2018, bringing something that's in short supply in the forested area between Guerneville and Jenner: a quality restaurant and specialty coffee shop. The food leans on Levantine, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Moroccan flavors, with one standout dish that I'm dubbing the Bay Area food of the summer: a gussied-up pita designed to be enjoyed beachside as the sun warms your river-chilled skin. The appropriately called beach pita ($17) is modeled after the Iraqi-Israeli sandwich named sabich. Loquat in San Francisco makes my go-to sabich, but it's only available once a month and you'll undoubtedly encounter a line (sorry). Lightwave, on the other hand, offers its excellent pita year-round in a tranquil environment with none of the city's face-paced urbanism. Encased in a plush pita is a festival of ingredients: creamy, pulpy roasted eggplants; boiled eggs with bright yolks; and peppery arugula, sluiced with glorious condiments like spiced, pickled mango amba; herbaceous, verdant Yemeni-style zhoug; and briny, luminous preserved lemons. You might eat it at the charming cafe, but I emphatically believe it tastes best at the beach. As the sandwich sits, its flavors bind and concentrate. The longer it rests, the deeper its splendor becomes. It makes for an invincible post-swim meal at the Russian River. For plated dishes, however, I encourage you to dine at Lightwave, which has a lovely porch with an abundance of outdoor seating. There are picnic tables on the grass and plenty more on the wooden deck, some beneath an awning and one under a Victorian-style metal gazebo. Plus, the couple's dishware collection would make any grandma envious. Try the bourekas ($18), flaky handpies stuffed with tangy cheese and spinach, or the umami-ladden shakshuka ($18), poached eggs over stewed tomatoes accompanied by piquant zhoug, pita and salad. The latter is inspired by Gal's Moroccan grandmother, and it's the standout brunch choice. Don't miss the fantastic cream pies, a weekend-only offering with flavors ranging from lemon to chocolate peanut butter and sesame-rich halva mousse. On a recent outing, I was beguiled by the lemon blueberry combination, which was light and not-too-sweet. Skip the drip coffee in favor of a cortado ($5) served in a tea cup, or, better yet, order a refreshing mint-lemon slushy ($7). After operating for almost seven years, Lightwave has become a local landmark. Before moving to Sonoma for farm work, Ori worked at coffee shops and restaurants, as did Gal, who also worked at a bakery. While the area is marked by a sense of calmness, the pair has faced calamity with floods in 2019 and fires in 2022, to say nothing of the pandemic. Still, the couple has managed to grow the team to a staff of six. Ori is working on finding a place for a dinner concept nearby, dubbed Nightwave, but it's still top secret. They live up the street with their daughter, but Ori still has an ingrained sense of 'urbanism.' He's restless. He loves working. He wants to change that with the next generation: 'I hope my daughter will be like a nature hippie girl that grows in the trees and walks barefoot.'
