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☆ Opinion | Israel and Saudi Arabia Are Trading Places
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But the other part of the deal, which is seen as critical to winning support in Congress, is for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. There are a lot of “ifs” and “provided thats” in this equation that seem most unlikely today. As a result, the U.S. and the Saudis are considering finalizing the deal and taking it to Congress with the stated proviso that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel the minute Israel has a government ready to meet the Saudi-U.S. terms. Hopefully, though, if there can be a permanent end of fighting and a return of all Israelis taken hostage, Israel will hold new elections. And then — maybe, just maybe — the choice on the table for Israelis will not be Bibi or no Bibi, but Bibi or a credible pathway to peace with Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians.

Persons: Biden, Israel, “, Netanyahu, Bibi Organizations: U.S, West Bank, Palestinian, Saudi, New York, Facebook Locations: U.S, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Gaza

Sitting together last month, Graham and MBS spoke with Trump for roughly five minutes, two people familiar with the call told CNN. The call encapsulates how Trump looms over an agreement that US, Israeli and Saudi officials all see as vital to achieving lasting stability in the Middle East. Graham informed Biden officials of the call between MBS and Trump and says they understand why he wants to keep Trump in the loop. With the election looming and the region engulfed by turmoil over Israel’s war in Gaza, the window of opportunity is rapidly shrinking, people involved in the negotiations told CNN. “I think President Trump understands this is building on what he did,” Graham told CNN.

Persons: South Carolina Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, — Donald Trump, Graham, Joe Biden, Salman, Biden’s, Trump, Abraham, Biden, Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Evan Vucci, ”, ” Trump, “ They’re, That’s, “, ” Graham, Jamal Khashoggi, Sen, X.com Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Amos Hochstein, Antony Blinken, Jake, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Republican, Biden Administration, Trump, Saudi, Abraham Accords, Saudi Crown, White, MBS, New York Times, Biden, Republican, Graham, Saudi Press Agency, Israel, President’s National, US Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Saudi, Palestine, Bahrain, UAE, Washington, Gaza, Riyadh, NATO, Palestinian

☆ Fears Over Iran Buoy Netanyahu at Home. For Now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Patrick Kingsley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But a confrontation between Israel and Iran this week — including on Friday when Israel retaliated against last weekend’s missile barrage by Iran — may have helped change the dynamic, at least for the time being. Now, Mr. Netanyahu is in his strongest domestic position since the October attack, even as his global standing ebbs amid anger at the conduct of Israel’s war in Gaza. “This was his best week since October,” said Mazal Mualem, a biographer of Mr. Netanyahu. And that’s the reason that, this week, we can see Bibi recovering,” Ms. Mualem said, calling Mr. Netanyahu by his nickname. Mr. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition is still trailing the main opposition bloc in the polls, and he would still likely lose an election if it was called tomorrow.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel, Iran —, Netanyahu, ”, Mazal Mualem, Mr, “ We’re, Bibi, ” Ms, Mualem, Netanyahu’s, Benny Gantz — Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza

☆ Leaders Urge Restraint as Israel Considers Retaliation Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Netanyahu now must make a choice. Will he respond to Iran with a forceful counterattack and potentially entangle Israel and other countries in a broader war? No Israeli leader has warned about Iran so consistently as Mr. Netanyahu or, for that matter, has spent so long in office. Since his first year in office in 1996, Mr. Netanyahu warned that a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic and that time was running out. It was never clear if Mr. Netanyahu was bluffing, and the prospect of an imminent strike receded.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Mazal Mualem, “, ” Ms, Mualem, Efraim Halevy, Netanyahu’s, Jeremy Issacharoff, Obama, Barack Obama, bluffing, Donald J, Trump, Mr, Issacharoff, Israel, “ Bibi Organizations: Al, Mr, United Nations General Assembly, Munich Security Conference, of Foreign Affairs, United Locations: Israel, Iran, East, Iranian Embassy, Damascus, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Iranian, Israeli, Germany, U.S, States, Washington, United Arab Emirates

☆ Netanyahu shows no signs of losing grip on power, despite mounting pressures
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And yet, Netanyahu’s grip on power doesn’t appear to be in any imminent danger of slipping away. Never betray your natural allies, the other parties in the right wing.”That concept has never been truer for Netanyahu than in this current governing coalition, the most right-wing in Israel’s history. But Israeli political analysts now estimate it will likely be months before the issue comes to a head and presents any real threat to his government. But a Gantz departure from the government could shatter the image of wartime unity that has already begun to fray. “The more you squeeze Netanyahu, the more firm Netanyahu… shows that he is strong.”

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Joe Biden, “, –, ”, Aviv, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Bibi, ” Bushinsky, truer, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s, ” Gantz, Gantz, Netanyahu … Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israeli, –, Former, Biden White House Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, ’, Tel Aviv

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cairo for New Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. Credit... Fatima Shbair/Associated PressBy the middle of the night in Jerusalem, Israel made its first gestures to Mr. Biden. The reported agreement came as American officials held out the prospect of consequences if Mr. Netanyahu resisted. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, Biden’s, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Mr, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Chris Coons, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, William J, Burns, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, ” Julian E, Barnes, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, U.S . National Security Council, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Jordan, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Iran, Syria, United States, Cairo, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Pakistan court grants Imran Khan appeal of graft conviction, sentence suspended
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan May 18, 2023. A Pakistani court on Monday granted former Prime Minister Imran Khan an appeal of his conviction for graft and suspended his 14-year jail sentence, his party said. Just a week ahead of Feb. 8 elections, Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were both handed a 14-year sentence on charges of unlawfully selling state gifts. Khan remains in jail after multiple other sentences were imposed on the ex-cricket star ahead of the national polls, which also disqualified him from holding any public office for 10 years. Islamabad High Court said that the couple's sentence will remain suspended until a final decision on the conviction which will be taken up for arguments and evidence as a main petition after Eid holidays, the party said in a statement.

Persons: Imran Khan, Khan, Bushra Bibi Organizations: Court Locations: Lahore, Pakistan, Islamabad

☆ A Watershed Moment for the Politics of Israel, Courtesy of Chuck Schumer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Over 44 painstakingly scripted minutes on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, the majority leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke of his Jewish identity, his love for the State of Israel, his horror at the wanton slaughter of Israelis on Oct. 7 and his views on the apportionment of blame for the carnage in Gaza, saying that it first and foremost lay with the terrorists of Hamas. Then Mr. Schumer, a New York Democrat and the highest-ranking elected Jew in American history, said Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was an impediment to peace, and called for new elections in the world’s only Jewish state. The opposition was not nearly so painstaking. Within minutes, the House Republican leadership demanded an apology. The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, using Mr. Netanyahu’s nickname, declared: “Make no mistake — the Democratic Party doesn’t have an anti-Bibi problem.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mitch McConnell of, Netanyahu’s, ” Organizations: State, New, New York Democrat, Republican, Democratic Party, Republican Jewish Coalition Locations: Israel, Gaza, New York, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Congress

☆ A speech that sent shockwaves from Washington to Jerusalem
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Schumer’s rebuke of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday contained extraordinarily strong language for a senior US politician criticizing the Israeli government. He also voiced support for a two-state solution to the long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a position that Netanyahu has rejected. He was almost immediately accused of deserting a US ally in a time of war and of trying to interfere in Israeli politics. McConnell added: “Israel is not a colony of America whose leaders serve at the pleasure of the party in power in Washington. Biden himself last week warned Netanyahu was “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” with his assault on the Palestinian enclave.

Persons: Chuck Schumer’s, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, Schumer –, –, Netanyahu, “, ” Schumer, Schumer, Israel’s, United States Michael Herzog, Mitch McConnell, doesn’t, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Biden’s, Biden, Kamala Harris, Israel ”, Biden – Organizations: CNN, New York Democrat, Hamas, Likud, Democratic, Kentucky Republican, Senate, Progressives, Democrats, Biden, White, Israel, Israel Democrats Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Ukraine, America, Washington, Iran, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Michigan

☆ Rift between Biden and Netanyahu widens as Israeli leader vows to press on with Rafah operation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“It is a red line, but I am never going to leave Israel,” Biden said. We’re not going to leave (Gaza),” Netanyahu said Sunday in an interview with German outlet Axel Springer. “You know, I have a red line. “It (Israel) cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead,” Biden told MSNBC Saturday. Asked about the moment, Biden told MSNBC the comment meant he intends to have a serious meeting soon with Netanyahu.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Israel ”, Israel, “, ” Netanyahu, ” Biden, “ We’ll, We’re, Axel Springer, Kamala Harris, ”, Bibi –, Antony Blinken, Michael Bennett, Bibi Organizations: CNN, Israeli, MSNBC, Politico, Israel, Sunday, US, Gaza Ministry, Health, Michigan Democratic Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah

☆ How a brief exchange in a call explains the strained Biden-Netanyahu relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Netanyahu bristled at recent media coverage citing anonymous Biden administration officials who said that the US was actively making plans for a post-Netanyahu government. When asked for comment on the exchange, an official in the prime minister’s office rejected the characterization of the call. Still, they insisted, the Biden-Netanyahu relationship remains more or less the same – precisely because their divergent worldviews were never a secret. That will continue.”Even if their relationship remains in many ways consistent, the backdrop is drastically changed and the stakes dramatically higher. Still, Netanyahu’s political standing was a subtext to the visit to Washington this week of Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet and Netanyahu’s chief political rival.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu bristled, Netanyahu, Biden swatted, Israel, Biden, ” Biden, ”, “, Bibi, it’s, Benny Gantz, Gantz, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Netanyahu’s, Harris, John Kirby, Privately, Ramadan, isn’t Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Democratic, Netanyahu, Biden, Air Force One, National Security, White House, State Department, Pentagon, Netanyahu’s, White, Camp David Locations: Gaza, Israel, Netanyahu Israeli, United States, Washington, Pennsylvania, East Jerusalem

☆ Biden knows Israel's war in Gaza is a problem for him — and he's changing his strategy to address it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewAs bodies pile up in Gaza and "uncommitted" votes pile up in primary state after primary state, President Joe Biden appears to understand that he has a problem on his hands. AdvertisementPresident Biden: "I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting." One month ago, Biden described Israel's conduct in Gaza as "over the top." And roughly half of those who voted for Biden in 2020 believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to recent polling.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, We're, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Bibi, Jesus ’, ”, KCgpbx4awf — Sawyer Hackett, Pramila Organizations: Service, State, Business, Biden, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Gaza, Israel, @SawyerHackett, Washington, State

☆ Biden is changing his Israel-Gaza strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAs bodies pile up in Gaza and "uncommitted" votes pile up in primary state after primary state, President Joe Biden appears to understand that he has a problem on his hands. "We're not waiting on the Israelis," a senior Biden administration official told reporters as they previewed the plan on Thursday, ahead of Biden's speech. AdvertisementPresident Biden: "I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting." And roughly half of those who voted for Biden in 2020 believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to recent polling. "I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel, my entire career," said Biden.

☆ Concern rising among Biden officials that Israel is planning incursion into Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“We are operating in the assumption that an Israeli military operation is in the coming months,” one senior Biden administration official said. That deal would likely postpone an Israeli incursion, US officials believe. “Some Israeli officials suggest that it is more of an effort at creating a threat that they can utilize. A second senior Biden administration official said there are elements inside the Israeli government and military in favor of an incursion. Benjamin Netanyahu Ariel Tagar/USA Today“Once the war is over, his expiration date arrives,” the first senior administration official said.

Persons: Biden, ”, “, let’s, Let’s, ’, Israel, Herzi, Amos Hochstein, Amos Hochstein Michael Brochstein, Amos, Hochstein, Yoav Gallant, It’s, ” Gallant, Ziv, Jalaa Marey, Benjamin Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu Ariel Tagar Organizations: CNN, Biden, “, Israel, US, Getty, Lebanese Armed Forces, United Nations, UNIFIL, Bibi Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Israeli, Gaza, “, Washington, The State, Beirut, Baalbek, Israel's, Safed, AFP, ” Israel, Golan

☆ Jon Stewart says the Israel-Gaza solution could be a DMZ governed by an Arab NATO. Some experts say it's a pipe dream.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The DMZ would be enforced by an alliance of Arab countries, much like the North American Treaty Organization, Stewart said. While tongue-in-cheek, Stewart's solution isn't a new concept, experts on the Middle East told Business Insider. Advertisement"But really, Jon is conflating a Middle East 'NATO' with something else. Ironically, the very concept of the two-state solution could extend his political life, said Lord. "But only as part of a credible political process working toward a two-state solution, but unfortunately, this is something that the Israeli government rejects. "

Persons: Jon Stewart, Stewart, —, That's, let's, Jonathan Lord, Jon, Anna Jacobs, Jacobs, William Wechsler, Wechsler, It's, it's, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mohamed Chtatou, Chtatou, Israel, Weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu, Spencer Platt, Bibi, Mahmoud Abbas, Seth Wenig, Abbas, Lord Organizations: NATO, Service, American Treaty Organization, Treaty Organization, East, Business, Trump, East Strategic Alliance, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, Getty, United, Rafik Hariri Center and Middle, Atlantic Council, United Nations, League, AFP, Mohammed V University, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, BI Locations: Israel, Gaza, Arab, Palestine, NATO, New American, Washington, DC, East, Iran, Gulf, Qatar, Belgium, Anadolu, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Rafik, United States, Cairo, Rabat, Europe, Korea, Palestinian

☆ After 4 Months of War, Biden and Netanyahu Are on Different Timetables
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Peter Baker | Isabel Kershner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel each addressed the future of the battle in Gaza this week, speaking just a day apart but worlds removed from one another in a way that captured the essential tension between the two men after more than four months of fighting. Mr. Netanyahu spoke of war and how it would continue even if there is a temporary cease-fire to secure the release of hostages, just “delayed somewhat.” Mr. Biden spoke of peace and how such a cease-fire deal could “change the dynamic,” leading to a broader realignment that would finally end the underlying conflict that has defined the Middle East for generations. Mr. Netanyahu has a compelling interest in prolonging the war against Hamas to postpone the day of reckoning when he will face accountability for failing to prevent the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Mr. Biden conversely has a powerful incentive to end the war as soon as possible to tamp down anger in the left wing of his party before the fall re-election campaign when he will need all the support he can get. At the same time, each has reason to think he may yet get a better deal if the other loses his post.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu, Bibi, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Mr Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Israel’s Druze Arabs, fiercely loyal to the state, feel let down after ‘paying with their blood’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

About a million-strong, the global Druze community is largely spread across Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Some 130,000 Israeli Druze live in the Carmel and Galilee in the country’s north. There have been rumblings of discontent since 2018, when tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv to protest Israel’s controversial “nation-state” law. “The (nation-state) law didn’t affect our identity – it affected our sense of belonging,” he said in a video call with CNN. “The Druze community has no dream to have a country – we don’t want it, we don’t believe in it.

Persons: Alim Abdallah, Abdallah, we’d, ” Abdallah’s, Mona, Mona Abdallah Saad, “, ” Mona, ”, Alim Abdallah Saad, Adam, Maya, ” Abdallah, CNN hasn’t, Col, Salman Habaka, Be’eri, Habaka, Gadeer Kamal, Kamal, ‘ I’m, I’m, ’, Corinna Kern, Anwar Saab, It’s, Omri Eilat, Ariel Schalit, Benny Gantz, Bejamin Netanyahu, Bibi –, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, 300th Baram Regional Brigade, Washington DC, Jewish Agency for, Reuters ‘, Saab, University of Haifa, Druze Heritage Center, National Unity, Israeli Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Yanuh, Lebanese, Syria, Carmel, Galilee, Golan, Egypt, Israel’s, Hala, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Druze, Washington, Jewish Agency for Israel, Iran, Isfiya, Yanuh Jat

☆ Joe Biden growing more frustrated with Netanyahu as Gaza campaign rages on
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But he has become increasingly critical of Israel’s tactics, saying last week he believes the campaign in Gaza is “over the top,” one of his sharpest condemnations to date of the military effort against Hamas. Some officials now wonder how much longer Biden will withhold public criticism of Netanyahu as the war rages on. The president’s comments last week on Israel’s tactics reflected sentiments he has been voicing behind the scenes for a while, one person familiar with the matter said. The majority of a 45-minute phone call between Biden and Netanyahu on Sunday was about the hostages deal, according to an official. Netanyahu, meanwhile, offered Biden praise over the weekend as the president was combatting questions about his age and mental acuity.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “ Bibi, ” Biden, Robert Hur’s, he’s, “, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Sunday, United, ABC News Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States

Asked about Biden's private comments about Netanyahu, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said in a statement that the two leaders have a respectful relationship. His descriptions of his dealings with Netanyahu are peppered with contemptuous references to Netanyahu as "this guy," these people said. And in at least three recent instances, Biden has called Netanyahu an "asshole," according to three of the people directly familiar with his comments. U.S. President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also decidedly blunt last week after a meeting with Netanyahu in Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Bibi, Biden's Organizations: Israel's, Palestinian, Hamas, National Security Council, Israeli, Sunday, NBC News, NBC, Congress, Israel Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, WASHINGTON, Gaza, Rafah, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia

☆ Biden and Netanyahu's relationship hits new low just as Congress gets ready to send Israel another $14 billion
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Peter Gelling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Biden called Netanyahu's war in Gaza "over the top" last week. Meanwhile, the US Congress is on the cusp of approving another $14 billion in aid to Israel. On Thursday last week, Biden publicly called Israel's response in Gaza "over the top." During a phone call in January, Biden asked Netanyahu to prepare for a post-conflict resolution, including a two-state solution. Netanyahu publicly rejected the idea on social media, saying Israel would "not compromise on full Israeli control" of Gaza after the war.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, —, Netanyahu, Israel, Ben Rhodes, Bibi Organizations: Service, Israeli, ABC, US, The Washington Post Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States, The

☆ Middle East Crisis Biden Sharpens Criticism of Israel, Calling Gaza Response ‘Over the Top’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

“I’m pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage cease-fire,” President Biden said while meeting with the press on Thursday night at the White House. “I’ve been pushing really hard, really hard, to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” he added. Image A crowd waiting for food in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Mr. Biden said he was trying to get more aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. “I’ve been working tirelessly in this deal,” he added, because it could “lead to a sustained pause in the fighting and the actions taking place in the Gaza Strip.

Persons: ”, Biden, Mr, “, “ I’ve, it’s, Abdel Fattah el, Bibi, Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Joe, Antony J, ” Mr, Blinken, Hatem Ali, Victoria Kim Organizations: White House, Hamas, White, Israel Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Mexico, Sisi, Palestinian, Israel, Gaza . Credit, Saudi Arabia, Seoul

☆ Israel’s repudiation of a deal with Hamas draws fury from hostages’ families
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Survivors of the October 7 terror attack and the families of hostages were furious at the uncompromising repudiation of a deal that – ultimately – could have resulted in the return of all the remaining hostages in Gaza. Moshe’s words carried power – she was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz and held hostage in Gaza for seven weeks. The families of the hostages held in Gaza have emerged as a leading voice and they attract huge support among Israelis. Protesters demand a hostage deal amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, on February 1, 2024. These anti-government protests are still strictly separate from the hostage families’ events, which tend to take place just down the road at what has become known as the Hostage Plaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ” Netanyahu, –, Adina Moshe, Netanyahu, Sahar Kalderon, Aviva Siegel, Nili Margalit, Sharon Aloni Cunio, Susana Vera, I’m, ” Moshe, Nir Oz, David, Sa’id, Moshe, Lital Shochat, Shochat, ‘, Shochat Chertow, Shiva, ”, Doron Shabtai, Shabtai, Ivana Kottasova, Yair Lapid, ” “, Bibi ”, Evyatar Cohen, … Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN, State, Wednesday, Reuters, Protesters, Israel Democracy HQ, Hamas, CNN, Israeli, Yesh Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, Sderot, Jerusalem, Israel’s, Lebanon

☆ Analysis: At this general election in Pakistan, old dynasties vie for power and populist Imran Khan languishes in prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Sophia Saifi | Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

That sets the stage for a difficult road to recovery for whoever wins in a nation where no democratically elected prime minister has ever completed a full term in office. Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan attends a lawyers' convention in Lahore on September 21, 2022. Veteran Sharif will face a strong challenge, however, from first-time candidate for Prime Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 35, son of slain former leader Benazir Bhutto. Manahil Ahmed, 23, called Pakistan’s political environment “particularly hostile” right now. For Pakistan’s military and police forces, the last year was the bloodiest in a decade.

Persons: Imran Khan, –, Arif Ali, Nawaz Sharif, Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, Khan –, Khan, Fareed Khan, ”, Rabiya Arooj, Khan’s, Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan's, Asad Zaidi, Pakistan’s, Farzana Shaikh, “, ’, Murtaza Solang, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Mohsin Raza, he’s, Raja Ikram, Ameer Hamza, Manahil Ahmed, Shaikh, Hussain Nadim, Maurice R, Greenberg, ‘, Aamir Qureshi, Shoaib Tanveer, Baou Nadeem, ” Shaikh, Farooq Naeem, “ Sharif, He’s, Tim Willasey Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, Getty, PTI, World Bank, Pakistan, Bloomberg, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, CNN, for Research, Security Studies, Pakistan’s People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Baloch Liberation Army, Yale University, Pakistan Army –, Workers, King’s College London Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan CNN — Pakistan, Lahore, AFP, Karachi, “, Rawalpindi, Asia, Hafizabad, Khan’s, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, India, Afghanistan, Iran, State Khorasan, restive Balochistan, Balochistan, Punjab, Sharif, States, China, British

☆ Many Israelis Want Netanyahu Out. But There Is No Simple Path to Do It.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is on his last legs, it is widely believed, and will be forced to relinquish his post once the war against Hamas in Gaza ends. And he has defied President Biden on American efforts to create a postwar path to a two-state solution, with a demilitarized Palestine alongside Israel. While opposition to a Palestinian state is popular among Israelis, defiance of Washington is considered risky. But Mr. Netanyahu, 74, known everywhere as “Bibi,” has been a remarkable dancer through the complicated choreography of Israeli politics, having survived many previous predictions of his downfall. And new elections in Israel are not legally required until late October 2026.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, Netanyahu, “ Bibi, ” Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Palestinian, Washington

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