Hamas has declared its readiness for a Gaza ceasefire, contingent on a respected proposal and Israeli cooperation. We urge the incoming U.S. administration to pressure Israel to end its ongoing aggression, which continues to inflict heavy civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides, and the recent suspension of Qatari mediation efforts adds further complexity to the already dire situation. Meanwhile, Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, have caused further destruction and displacement.
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Following an Israeli airstrike near our air base in Latakia, Syria, we have requested that Israel desist from such actions in the future. The attack, which occurred close to the Russian base and one of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s strongholds, poses a serious threat to the safety of our personnel. Our military has conveyed to Israeli officials that these strikes are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
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Mike Huckabee, President-elect Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Israel, has previously stated that there is “no such thing as a Palestinian,” calling it a “political tool” to claim land from Israel. He further argued that a Palestinian state, if it were to exist, should be located in neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan, rather than within Israel’s borders. These remarks, made during his 2008 presidential campaign and reiterated in 2015, suggest a strong bias against Palestinian statehood and raise concerns about his ability to represent US interests in the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Asif William Rahman, a former U.S. government employee with top-secret clearance, has been charged with leaking classified information concerning Israel’s plans to attack Iran. The leaked documents, attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, appeared on a Telegram channel and revealed Israel’s military preparations in response to Iran’s missile attack on October 1st. These documents were part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing network and their unauthorized disclosure carries significant national security implications. Rahman was arrested in Cambodia and faces felony charges in Virginia, potentially resulting in lengthy prison sentences.
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Despite some limited progress by Israel in increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Biden administration has not yet determined if Israel is in violation of U.S. law. While acknowledging some positive steps, the administration maintains that the humanitarian situation in Gaza requires significant improvement. This decision follows a month-long ultimatum from the U.S., urging Israel to increase aid flow or face potential consequences. The U.S. remains Israel’s largest arms supplier and its key ally, but has expressed concerns about the dire conditions in Gaza and the lack of access for humanitarian organizations. The U.S. continues to press Israel to increase aid flow and ensure better humanitarian access, particularly in northern Gaza, which has been cut off from food for over a month.
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Two Ottawa teenagers were arrested in December and February for allegedly plotting to bomb a pro-Israel rally on Parliament Hill. According to court documents, the plot, potentially linked to ISIS, was inspired by the Hamas attack on Israel and involved plans to detonate an explosive device. The teens, both minors, are facing serious terrorism charges, including possession of bomb-making materials. The alleged plot comes amid a rise in antisemitic attacks in Canada, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting the Jewish community from such threats.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during a gathering of Islamic leaders in Riyadh, condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the country of “collective genocide.” This marks a significant shift in Saudi messaging, moving from condemnations to accusing Israel of genocide while simultaneously urging international protection for Iran. The Saudi crown prince’s comments come at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with the US election looming and a stalled normalization process with Israel. MBS appears to be seeking to unite Islamic nations behind Saudi leadership and leverage this influence to secure concessions from both Israel and the US, particularly on the issue of Iran.
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To ensure the safety of fans and prevent a repeat of the violence against Israeli supporters in Amsterdam, 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for the upcoming France-Israel soccer match in Paris. This robust security plan includes an anti-terrorist perimeter around the stadium, reinforced security checks, and coordination with Israeli authorities. Our priority is to maintain order and prevent any violence, upholding the spirit of sportsmanship and the universal values that sports represent.
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Israel has publicly acknowledged its responsibility for the September operation that detonated hundreds of pagers belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This revelation, confirmed by an Israeli official to CNN, comes as a result of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s briefing to his cabinet, which was subsequently reported by Israeli media. The decision to publicly acknowledge Israel’s role appears to be a strategic move within the context of ongoing domestic political turmoil in Israel, potentially aimed at criticizing the military leadership and intelligence establishment, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whom Netanyahu recently dismissed. The operation resulted in numerous casualties, including civilians, and was carried out despite opposition from senior security officials.
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Ireland has taken significant steps in supporting Palestine, including appointing its first ambassador and upgrading the Palestinian representation in Dublin to a full embassy. The country also passed a non-binding motion acknowledging Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and plans to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. While Ireland aims to impose sanctions on Israel, it faces legal challenges due to EU regulations and constitutional constraints. Despite these hurdles, Ireland remains steadfast in its commitment to international law and accountability, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker