Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, made a historic visit to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, accompanied by Republican members of Congress. Johnson, the highest-ranking US official to visit an Israeli settlement, was photographed planting a tree with the settlement mayor. The visit, organized by a pro-Israel advocacy group, drew condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who cited the visit as a violation of international law. This trip follows Johnson’s strong public support for Israel, contrasting the current US stance against settlements that the US considers illegal.
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On Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife hosted US House Speaker Mike Johnson and several other Republican members of Congress, along with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, for dinner in the West Bank settlement of Shiloh. This event marked Johnson’s visit to Ariel and Shiloh, making him the highest-ranking US official to visit a West Bank settlement. Johnson expressed support for the Jewish people’s claim to the region, reflecting a shift away from the two-state solution previously favored by leaders of both parties. The dinner was organized by the US Israel Education Association and also included Ditsa Or, the mother of a hostage held by Hamas, who met with the Prime Minister and his wife.
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Hamas has stated it will not disarm until a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, rejecting a key Israeli demand for a ceasefire. This response follows reports attributed to US envoy Steve Witkoff suggesting Hamas was willing to lay down its weapons. The group’s statement comes amid stalled negotiations and pressure from Arab governments urging disarmament, especially after Western countries announced plans to recognize Palestine. Amidst these ongoing conflicts, the United Nations reports that at least 1,373 Palestinians have died seeking food since May, primarily near aid distribution sites.
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The Trump administration has taken the initial step towards declaring the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as an obstacle to peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aiming for its disbandment, according to a Washington Free Beacon report. This follows a historical pattern of UNRWA, originally established to aid Palestinian refugees, becoming a source of extremism and fostering claims against Israeli statehood. A non-public notification to Congress on July 29 confirms the administration’s stance, indicating no funding or ongoing programs with UNRWA. The administration’s shift is rooted in the belief that UNRWA is irrevocably compromised and seeks its complete dismantling.
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A significant declaration, spearheaded by France and Saudi Arabia, was signed by several Arab and Muslim countries, along with the EU, condemning Hamas’s October 7 attacks and calling for the release of hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. This “New York Declaration” outlines a phased plan for a two-state solution, culminating in an independent, demilitarized Palestine alongside Israel, with potential regional integration. While the declaration condemns attacks by both sides, it is opposed by the current Israeli government, and the United States, who view the meeting as unproductive. The declaration also calls for the deployment of foreign forces to stabilize Gaza after the end of hostilities, and encourages countries to recognize the state of Palestine.
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Recent reports indicate escalating international efforts to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Luxembourg hinted at recognizing a Palestinian state, potentially following France’s lead. France has also urged the EU to pressure Israel toward a two-state solution and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where airdrops of aid have begun amidst widespread famine-like conditions. The US, however, rejected a UN conference on the two-state solution, labeling it a “publicity stunt.” Furthermore, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israeli strikes resulting in numerous casualties.
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The French plan to recognize a Palestinian state, a move that has sparked considerable controversy, centers around a core issue: the potential for such recognition to either advance or impede the prospects for peace in the region. From one perspective, this could be interpreted as a step towards acknowledging the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people, potentially providing a framework for a two-state solution. However, the proposal has been met with strong opposition from both Israel and the United States, raising questions about its practicality and the conditions under which it might be implemented.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been vocal in his condemnation, framing the move as a reward for terrorism and a potential threat to Israel’s security.… Continue reading
Israel denies Gaza famine claims, says aid is entering Strip but not being distributed. This is a complex situation, to say the least, and it’s hard to ignore the stark contrast between the claims of the Israeli government and the dire situation unfolding in Gaza. The core of the issue revolves around the distribution of aid, or rather, the lack thereof, despite assertions that aid is indeed making its way into the territory.
If aid isn’t being distributed, doesn’t that effectively lead to a famine, regardless of how much enters? The core concern appears to be a breakdown in the mechanism by which essential supplies reach those in need.… Continue reading
On Sunday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least 93 Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd seeking humanitarian aid. The incident occurred near Gaza City, marking yet another instance of casualties among civilians attempting to access food supplies. Pope Leo XIV condemned the “barbarity” of the war in his Angelus prayer, following an Israeli strike on a Catholic church sheltering displaced people, and urged for an end to the conflict. The pope also called on the international community to uphold humanitarian law, protect civilians, and respect the prohibition of collective punishment.
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Following a ban, over 100 arrests have been made across the UK at events related to Palestine Action. Demonstrations took place in multiple cities, including London, Manchester, and Bristol, with arrests primarily made under the Terrorism Act 2000. Police confiscated signs and made arrests for supporting the group, while Defend Our Juries criticized the government’s actions. A high court hearing is scheduled to challenge the ban, which has been widely condemned by UN experts and civil liberties groups, while the home secretary announced the ban following Palestine Action activists breaking into RAF Brize Norton.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood