Results for: Israel

The United States does not consider the situation in Gaza to be genocide, but it expects Israel to take greater precautions to safeguard Palestinian civilians. According to President Joe Biden’s top national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, the responsibility for peace rests with Hamas, despite the ongoing ceasefire talks and Israel’s continued attacks on Rafah. Sullivan emphasized that the US employs the internationally recognized definition of genocide, focusing on intent, in making this assessment. While President Biden aims to defeat Hamas, he recognizes the suffering endured by Palestinian civilians.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, Republicans are taking action against President Biden’s decision to withhold weapons shipments to Israel. This move is seen as a betrayal of the U.S.’s long-standing commitment to its ally and is deemed to undermine Israel’s efforts to defend itself effectively. The GOP argues that withholding critical munitions, including precision-guided bombs, contradicts the Biden administration’s stated goal of reducing civilian casualties. This decision is also seen as fueling the conflict and empowering Iran-backed Hamas to continue its attacks. Republicans are pushing for legislation to halt this withholding and to provide Israel with the necessary support to defend its citizens and sovereignty.

Amidst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to eradicate Hamas, Senator Chris Coons highlights a crossroads for Netanyahu’s legacy. Coons emphasizes the potential consequences of a ground invasion in Rafah, where millions of civilians reside, and warns that such an action could strain the US-Israel relationship. While the US will continue to provide defensive systems, Coons cautions that it will closely monitor Netanyahu’s decisions regarding the use of American munitions. Coons advocates for a plan to relocate civilians from Rafah and urges Netanyahu to prioritize regional security and peace over the eradication of Hamas.

Iran’s Supreme Leader’s adviser, Kamal Kharrazi, has stated that Iran may alter its nuclear doctrine if Israel continues to threaten its existence. However, Iran maintains that it has no immediate intention to build nuclear weapons, and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has previously issued a fatwa prohibiting their development. Despite this, Iran’s former intelligence minister has suggested that Western pressure could push Tehran towards developing nuclear weapons.

Eurovision 2024, held in Malmö, Sweden, was marred by controversy over Israel’s participation. Despite the victory of Swiss singer Nemo, Israel’s performance drew significant attention and criticism due to the ongoing conflict with Palestine. While some users condemned Israel’s presence, others defended the country, arguing against discrimination based on identity.

Just hours before the Eurovision 2024 final, Dutch artist Joost Klein was removed from the competition due to a backstage incident. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) launched an investigation into an incident involving a complaint made by a female crew member, and Swedish police confirmed they were probing “unlawful threats” made after the semi-final. The investigation resulted in the EBU deeming Klein’s behavior in violation of contest rules, leading to his withdrawal from the grand final.

Israel has ordered further evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands more residents to flee as the military prepares to intensify its military operation. The order follows heavy international criticism, including from the US, and warnings from aid agencies of a humanitarian crisis. Israel has already displaced over 1.4 million Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, with many seeking refuge in Rafah. The latest evacuations will force them to move again to areas already devastated by previous Israeli attacks. The military is also moving into northern Gaza, where Hamas is believed to have regrouped.

In a significant setback to the United States’ support for Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict, 143 countries voted in favor of a United Nations resolution that seeks to expand rights for Palestinians. The move sends a clear message that the world stands with the Palestinian people and rejects Israel’s occupation of their lands. On Friday, the UN General Assembly held a vote on the resolution. Nine nations, including the US and Israel, voted against it while 25 abstained. The resolution calls for allowing Palestinians to initiate their own resolutions and fully participate in UN and global gatherings. Palestine has been an observer since 2012 and has been seeking full membership in the UN. Notably, the resolution urged the Security Council to accept Palestine’s full membership, a move the US had previously blocked. This outcome signifies a strain in relations between the US and Israel and a potential shift in US policy towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In a dramatic display of protest, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, shredded a copy of the UN Charter at the General Assembly over the passage of a resolution supporting full membership for Palestine. India, meanwhile, backed the resolution.

Erdan called the resolution a “clear violation” of the UN Charter, claiming that it undermines the US veto in the Security Council. He shredded the Charter as a symbol of his protest, stating, “This day will go down in infamy… I want to hold up a mirror for you, so you can see exactly what you are inflicting upon the UN Charter with this destructive vote. You are shredding the UN Charter with your own hands.”

The UNGA resolution, passed by a majority of 143 votes, including India, asks the Security Council to grant Palestine, which currently has observer status, full membership. The resolution argues that Palestine meets the requirements for membership under Article 4 of the UN Charter. However, Israel, the US, and several other nations voted against the resolution.

Erdan also criticized the resolution for opening up the UN to “modern day Nazis” and accused Hamas of being a terrorist organization. He presented an image of Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, as the potential future president of a UN-backed Palestinian state.

India’s support for the resolution contrasts with the US’s opposition. Last month, the US used its veto power to block a similar resolution in the UN Security Council. The Trump administration believes that the issue of Palestinian statehood should be resolved through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

This news article highlights the ongoing tensions and differing perspectives surrounding the issue of Palestinian statehood and the role of international organizations like the UN in resolving it.

President Biden has pledged to withhold offensive weapons from Israel if it invades the southern Gaza city of Rafah, drawing bipartisan backlash. While Biden continues to support defensive systems like the Iron Dome, the administration has quietly approved weapons sales to several Middle Eastern nations, including Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar, which have been accused of supporting anti-Israel groups. Despite Lebanon’s ongoing boycott of Israel, the State Department argues that the sanctions waiver is in the national interest for stability and counterterrorism efforts. Similarly, Yemen’s waiver is justified for tackling regional threats posed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Qatar’s waiver is attributed to the importance of its bilateral relationship for regional security and ongoing cease-fire negotiations.