The Senate has overwhelmingly approved a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, bringing the bill closer to passage. The package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for countering China in the Indo-Pacific. The legislation also includes a provision that could ban the social media app TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese owners do not sell their stake within a year.
A group of students gathered at the University of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, May 17th, to demand that the school disclose investments in Israeli organizations and divest from companies complicit in apartheid, occupation, and genocide. The demonstrators, who were part of a nationwide movement, also called on the university to condemn the ongoing conflict in Gaza and cut all ties with Israeli universities. The demonstration was held in solidarity with similar protests at other campuses across the country, including Columbia University, Yale, and MIT.
After a protracted delay in the House, the Senate is preparing to vote on a $95 billion foreign aid package that will provide financial assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Democratic and Republican leaders have emphasized the urgency of the aid, particularly for Ukraine, amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Former leftist Jackson Hinkle, now a self-described ‘American Conservative Marxist-Leninist,’ is co-hosting a ‘Free Palestine’ event in Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a significant Arab American population. The event, co-hosted by Adam Tahir, will discuss strategies for supporting Palestinian liberation in America. Hinkle has a large social media following despite being banned from several platforms for pushing extremism against Jews. Despite being a Trump supporter, Hinkle’s views on the Israel-Palestine conflict differ from other staunch Trump supporters, who have condemned Palestinian protesters and supported Israel’s efforts.
Satellite images revealed that an Israeli strike on the Iranian city of Isfahan targeted a radar system for an S-300 air defense battery, contrary to Tehran’s denials of damage. The precision strike, which analysts believe was limited, sends a clear message to Iran about Israel’s ability to penetrate its air defense systems and defend itself against threats. However, both countries are attempting to de-escalate tensions following a series of escalatory attacks, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia group based in Lebanon, has launched drone attacks on two Israeli bases in northern Israel, retaliating for the killing of one of its fighters. The attacks, targeting bases between Acre and Nahariyya, mark the deepest Hezbollah assault into Israeli territory since the start of the Gaza war.
The Senate is poised to pass a multi-billion-dollar foreign aid package that includes measures to potentially ban the Chinese-owned TikTok app, part of a comprehensive funding package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The legislation has cleared a key procedural hurdle and is expected to receive final approval soon.
The United States has accused the militant group Hamas of hindering ceasefire negotiations with Israel by shifting its demands and displaying a preference for a wider conflict in the Middle East. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller alleged that Hamas has repeatedly changed its goals in the talks, despite Israel making concessions. Hamas recently turned down an Israeli ceasefire proposal in Cairo, Egypt, and reportedly proposed that Israel cease hostilities in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages during later phases of a potential agreement. The ceasefire talks remain at a standstill as Israel continues its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. The United Nations has condemned the discovery of mass graves near Gazan hospitals, expressing concern over potential human rights violations. The Israeli military has denied involvement in the mass graves.
Google has fired an additional 20 workers involved in protests over the company’s contract with the Israeli government, bringing the total terminations to 50. The organizers of the protests, No Tech for Apartheid, claim that some of the fired workers were non-participating bystanders during the sit-in protests at Google’s offices. Google has confirmed the additional firings, stating that its investigation concluded that those terminated were directly involved in disruptive activities. However, No Tech for Apartheid alleges that Google is retaliating against workers who were simply present in the vicinity of the protest. The fired workers and their supporters have vowed to continue their activism, while the protests have sparked broader debates about the role of politics in the workplace and the ongoing civilian casualties in Gaza.
Qatar has declared that Hamas’ political leadership will continue to reside in Doha as long as their presence contributes to mediation efforts for resolving the Gaza conflict. The decision comes despite rumors of Hamas’ potential expulsion from the gas-rich Gulf state. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, emphasized that Hamas’ presence will be reevaluated upon the completion of their reassessment of mediation efforts.
