Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon from the country’s president regarding his ongoing corruption trial, aiming to unify the divided nation. Netanyahu, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes, argues this move will help in a time of regional change. The request, which has garnered criticism from opponents, has sparked controversy and been met with mixed reactions, with some supporting Netanyahu’s plea, while others believe it undermines democratic institutions. While a pardon is possible, legal experts claim it is rare before a conviction and could threaten the rule of law.
Read More
The recent UN report highlights Israel’s “de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture” over the past two years, citing severe beatings, sexual violence, and other inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees. The report also addresses the excessive use of administrative detention and notes a “marked deterioration” in detention conditions during the Gaza war, with an abnormally high death toll among Palestinian detainees. The UN committee expressed concern over the lack of accountability for these actions, despite evidence presented and Israel’s persistent denial of torture practices. Furthermore, the report pointed out a lack of criminal prosecutions for such actions, and notes the conviction of one soldier for repeatedly attacking detainees.
Read More
Historian Jean-Pierre Filiu, who spent time in Gaza, reported witnessing evidence of Israeli support for looters who attacked aid convoys. According to Filiu’s account, Israeli military attacks on security personnel protecting aid allowed looters to seize vital supplies, exacerbating famine threats. In one instance, he observed Israeli quadcopters supporting looters’ attacks on local security forces, while also targeting those protecting the aid. Filiu argues that Israel’s actions aimed to discredit Hamas and the UN, while facilitating the redistribution or resale of aid by pro-Israeli groups. Although Israeli officials deny these charges, Filiu’s allegations echo concerns raised by some aid officials and highlight the complex challenges surrounding humanitarian aid during the conflict.
Read More
New footage shows Israeli forces fatally shooting two Palestinians in the West Bank who appeared to have surrendered during an ongoing military operation in Jenin. The Israeli military claimed the men were wanted individuals associated with a “terror network,” and the incident is under review. The Palestinian Authority condemned the killings as a “war crime,” while Israel’s national security minister fully supported the officers involved. The raid is part of a larger Israeli campaign in the northern West Bank, which has seen a spike in violence since the Hamas attack in October 2023.
Read More
Israel has approved a plan to bring the remaining 5,800 members of the Bnei Menashe community from India to Israel by 2030, marking the largest organized immigration effort for this group. The Jewish Agency for Israel will oversee the entire immigration process, including eligibility, flights, and absorption, with an estimated cost of 90 million shekels. A team of rabbis will begin interviewing potential immigrants soon, and new arrivals are expected to be settled in northern Israeli towns. This initiative aims to strengthen Jewish unity and complete the Aliyah of the Bnei Menashe, who trace their roots to one of the lost tribes of Israel.
Read More
During an Oval Office meeting, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The statement was made during a discussion with US President Donald Trump. Trump avoided directly addressing a question about potential intervention if Mamdani attempted to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York.
Read More
President Trump announced plans to approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a significant move preceding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House. This potential arms deal aims to strengthen ties with Riyadh as the US seeks to encourage Saudi Arabia to establish official relations with Israel. The decision raises concerns about maintaining Israel’s military edge in the region, a long-standing US policy, with some Israeli officials opposing the sale. If the deal goes through, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab country to receive the advanced F-35, a program the US has previously offered to the UAE.
Read More
A Russian military convoy, including over 15 pieces of equipment, has arrived in the Syrian province of Quneitra, near the border with Israel and the buffer zone, as reported by 9tv. This deployment is likely connected to ongoing discussions regarding a security agreement in southern Syria, potentially involving the resumption of Russian military police patrols. The Syrian government hopes these patrols will curb Israeli military activities in the region, particularly after Israel’s occupation of parts of southern Syria. Notably, this move follows Russia’s earlier resumption of patrols in Syria and Israel’s previous attempts to influence the United States regarding Russia’s military presence in the country.
Read More
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly speculated whether a foreign government is influencing Donald Trump to withhold the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Greene specifically questioned whether Israel or another country was pressuring Trump, citing the Epstein files’ connection to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and her lack of donations from AIPAC. She defended this line of inquiry, emphasizing that she was asking an important question that many Americans have regarding the Epstein files. Greene also defended Tucker Carlson’s interview with white supremacist Nick Fuentes and suggested that CNN should also interview Fuentes.
Read More
In an unprecedented move, former US President Donald Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu of corruption charges. Trump argued that the case was a “political, unjustified prosecution” and that Netanyahu should be allowed to unite Israel. This call for a pardon follows previous criticisms of the charges against Netanyahu, including comments made to the Knesset last month and a declaration of the trial being a “witch hunt”. President Herzog responded by stating that any pardon request must follow established procedures, highlighting the need for a formal request.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker