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☆ Iran Warns Israel Against War in Lebanon Against Hezbollah: Latest Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Illegal Israeli settlements in the Gush Etzion settlement block in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2020. But after the first Arab-Israeli war, Jordan took control of the West Bank, and Jerusalem became divided between Israel and Jordan. In the 1967 war, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and occupied the West Bank, which it says is disputed territory whose fate should be determined in negotiations. That appears to be the goal for Mr. Smotrich, who adamantly opposes Palestinian statehood. In a social media post on Thursday, Mr. Smotrich indicated that the latest settlement legalization was a response to those decisions.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Smotrich, Ammar Awad, Evyatar Borovski, Givat, Assaf Hershkovitz, Sde Ephraim, Jordan, Amit Elkayam, Volker Türk, Tor, “ We’ll, ”, Yehuda Fox, “, ” Aaron Boxerman Organizations: West Bank, Authority, Palestinian, Reuters, West, Peace, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Security Council, International Court of Justice, Bank, Geneva Convention, Criminal Court, United Nations, International Court of, The New York Times, East Jerusalem —, Mr, Israel’s, Command Locations: Gush Etzion, Bank, Israel, Jerusalem, Jabal Subeih, Nablus, West, Givat Assaf, West Bank, Ras Karkar, Ramallah, Settlers, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jordan, East Jerusalem, Palestinian, Oslo, Evyatar, Beita, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Armenia

☆ Israel-Hamas War in Gaza: Latest News and Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Image Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, center, has threatened not to renew the provision, which makes it easier for Israeli banks to work with Palestinian banks. But many called the West Bank’s current economic predicament the most difficult yet. Before the war, Mahmoud Abu Issa, 53, was earning over $2,000 a month — an enviable salary in the impoverished West Bank — as a construction worker in Israel. If Palestinian banks want to offer shekel accounts, they must maintain links with Israeli banks and rely on them to process shekel transactions. Since 2017, Israel’s Finance Ministry has issued the waiver indemnifying the Israeli banks, according to Lilach Weissman, a spokeswoman for the ministry.

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Smotrich, Israel, Biden, Mr, Smotrich —, —, Menahem Kahana, Mahmoud Abu Issa, “, Abu Issa, Mohammad Rabee, Shadi Abu Afifa, ”, Abu Afifa, Jake Sullivan, Lilach Weissman, Akram Jerab, Eytan Fuld, Azzam, Shawwa, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad Organizations: West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, Agence France, Mr, Palestinian Authority’s Finance Ministry, Israel’s Finance, Quds Bank Locations: Gaza, Bank, U.S, Israel, Hebron, ”, Palestinian, Palestine

☆ Far-right Israeli minister sets out plan to prevent West Bank from becoming part of a Palestinian state
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Lauren Izso | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has spoken about preventing the occupied West Bank from becoming a part of an independent Palestinian state, according to leaked audio of a speech he gave earlier this month. Smotrich, a leading far right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, said the way to prevent a Palestinian state that would endanger the state of Israel was to develop Jewish settlements. Israel’s Supreme Court defines Israeli control over the West Bank as a temporary military occupation rather than the annexation of territory under a civilian administration. But Smotrich, who lives in a settlement himself, has opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The official position of the government is that the status of the West Bank is subject to future negotiations.

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Smotrich, ” Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ Organizations: CNN, Israeli, West Bank, Ministry of Defense, Directorate, Ministry, Defense Ministry, Oslo Accords Locations: Israel, State, Judea, Samaria, Oslo, Gaza

An influential member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition told settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that the government is engaged in a stealthy effort to irreversibly change the way the territory is governed, to cement Israel’s control over it without being accused of formally annexing it. In a taped recording of the speech, the official, Bezalel Smotrich, can be heard suggesting at a private event earlier this month that the goal was to prevent the West Bank from becoming part of a Palestinian state. “I’m telling you, it’s mega-dramatic,” Mr. Smotrich told the settlers. “Such changes change a system’s DNA.”While Mr. Smotrich’s opposition to ceding control over the West Bank is no secret, the Israeli government’s official position is that the West Bank’s status remains open to negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that Israel’s rule over the territory amounts to a temporary military occupation overseen by army generals, not a permanent civilian annexation administered by Israeli civil servants.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Bezalel Smotrich, “, Mr, Smotrich Organizations: West Bank Locations: Palestinian

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli Military Says Hezbollah’s Strikes Risk ‘Wider Escalation’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Mike Ives | Randy Pennell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The change did not mean a cessation of fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, that statement said, adding that the campaign in the southernmost city of Rafah was continuing. The whipsaw statements appeared to reflect the competing pressures facing Mr. Netanyahu, as he juggles demands from the Biden administration and elsewhere around the globe with those of his own hawkish government. But Mr. Netanyahu insinuated that he did not learn of the plans until Sunday morning. Image Children waiting for food in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday. Credit... Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock“It’s classic Bibi,” said Amos Harel, the military affairs analyst for the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, referring to Mr. Netanyahu by his nickname.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, —, Khan Younis, Haitham Imad, Bibi, ”, Amos Harel, ” Mr, Harel, Shani Sasson, Ms, Sasson, “, Eid, Omar Al, Yoav Gallant, Gadi, Benny Gantz, Mr, Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Ben, Waseem Mahmoud, Amir Levy, Bezalel Smotrich, Gabby Sobelman Organizations: Military, ., “, Mr, Cogat, United Nations Security Council, Agence France, International Criminal, Israel’s, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Khan, Israel, Gaza City, The Hague, Egypt, Beit Jann

☆ Benjamin Netanyahu disbands Israeli war cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Eugenia Yosef | Elliott Gotkine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded the country’s war cabinet, an Israeli official has told CNN, just over a week after opposition leader Benny Gantz withdrew from the body. Announcing his “complex and painful decision” to leave the war cabinet on June 9, Gantz said, “Netanyahu prevents us from moving forward to a real victory [in Gaza].” Eisenkot also quit the war cabinet. By dismantling the cabinet, Netanyahu avoids having to accede to that demand – or reject it. Another interpretation is that without Gantz – and Eisenkot – in it, there was no longer any point in keeping the war cabinet going. Instead, an Israeli official tells CNN, Netanyahu will in future hold smaller forums to discuss sensitive matters relating to the war with Hamas.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu “, Netanyahu, Gantz, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer, Gadi, ” Ben, “ Netanyahu, ” Eisenkot, hesitancy, “, ” Gantz, Ben, Gvir, Gantz – Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Finance, National Security, Defense Locations: Gaza

☆ Israeli Daytime Pause in Combat Appears to Take Hold in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Shashank Bengali | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The change did not mean a cessation of fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, that statement said, adding that the campaign in the southernmost city of Rafah was continuing. The whipsaw statements appeared to reflect the competing pressures facing Mr. Netanyahu, as he juggles demands from the Biden administration and elsewhere around the globe with those of his own hawkish government. But Mr. Netanyahu insinuated that he did not learn of the plans until Sunday morning. Image Children waiting for food in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday. At least 10 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat this weekend and an 11th died of wounds sustained days earlier.

☆ Israel to ‘strengthen’ Jewish settlements in West Bank after countries recognize Palestinian state
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Israel’s government says it is looking to “strengthen” Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank after several countries unilaterally recognized a Palestinian state. The statement also said Israel would look at what actions to take against the Palestinian Authority as it took actions against Israel in international bodies. Earlier this month, the Palestinian Authority applied to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said in May that Israel should approve 10,000 settlements in the West Bank, establish a new settlement for every country that recognizes a state of Palestine, and cancel travel permits for Palestinian Authority officials. It is unclear if any of these radical ideas are part of the proposals currently under consideration in Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Israel biblically, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel’s, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Minister’s, Ministry, Palestinian Authority, Israel, International Court of Justice Locations: Palestinian, Israel, Judea, Samaria, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Palestine

CNN —A United Nations inquiry into the first few months of the war in Gaza has found both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and grave violations of international law, in the body’s first in-depth investigation into the October 7 attacks and the ensuing conflict. Rockets are launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on October 7, 2023. Hatem Moussa/APIn the first 2.5 months of the conflict, the commission found, Israel committed war crimes as well as crimes against humanity – the latter defined as a widespread, systemic attack directed at a civilian population. The International Criminal Court announced last month it was seeking arrest warrants for several top Hamas and Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. “It is imperative that all those who have committed crimes be held accountable,” said commission chair Navi Pillay.

Persons: Hatem Moussa, Israel, –, Israel’s, maiming, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Netanyahu, West Bank –, …, Said Khatib, Mahmud Hams, Nir, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Benny Gantz, Yoav Gallant, Gilad Erdan, Erdan, Anwar Organizations: CNN, United, The United Nations Commission, Rockets, AP, Criminal, Palestinian, West Bank, Getty, Al, Israel Defense Forces, UN, Gaza, National, Finance, UN Human Rights, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Human Rights, Israel, UN Security Council, Assembly, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Anwar Amro, UNRWA, Navi Pillay Locations: United Nations, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Rafah, AFP, Aqsa, Israel’s, Palestinian, United States, Lebanese, Beirut, East Jerusalem

☆ Israeli Airstrike on School Kills Dozens in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

One of the most intense fires threatened homes in the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanese border, according to Israeli news outlets. That city, like much of the Israeli border area, has been largely evacuated for months, and no casualties were reported. The Israeli military said that two drones landed in the area of Hurfeish, a Druse village whose citizens are primarily part of an Arab-Israeli minority in Israel. No sirens sounded warning of the attack, according to the Israeli military, which said it was reviewing the incident. The talks are aimed at moving Hezbollah forces away from the border, according to Lebanese and Israeli officials, and other participants.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, ”, Matthew Miller, Biden, “, they’ve, Mr, Miller, Herzi Halevi, ” Bezalel Smotrich, Adam Rasgon, Ephrat Livni Organizations: Israel, Wednesday, Hezbollah, Hamas, State Department Locations: Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Iranian, Lebanese, Kiryat Shmona, Hurfeish, ” Israel

☆ Why Israel-Hezbollah tensions risk boiling over now
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In Lebanon, Hezbollah is officially considered a “resistance” group tasked with confronting Israel, which Beirut classifies as an enemy state. Since then, the two sides have traded fire sporadically, but tensions boiled over in 2006 when Israel went to war in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. More than 1,000 Lebanese were killed in that conflict, mostly civilians, as well as 49 Israeli civilians and 121 soldiers. The military capability of the Lebanese group has grown since 2006, when it relied largely on inaccurate Soviet-era Katyusha rockets. Hezbollah has fired 35 kilometers into Israel, while Israel has targeted areas of Lebanon more than 120 kilometers north.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Rina Castelnuovo, Hassan Nasrallah, Heiko Wimmen, ”, Ramot Naftali, Peter Lerner, ” Amal Saad, ” Saad, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Ronni, Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Cohen, ” Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s, Al, ” Qassem, Jack Guez, Itamar Ben Gvir, Yair Lapid, ” Lapid, Matthew Miller, Biden, “, ” Shaked, Iran – Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Lebanese, Crisis, Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces, Cardiff University, Truman Institute, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, Holocaust, Reuters, Crisis Group, Getty, Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, National, State Department Locations: CNN — Israel, Lebanese Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut, Palestinian, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Brussels, Israeli, Cross, Jerusalem, Kiryat Shmona, Lebanese, Al Jazeera, AFP, United States, Iran

☆ Tensions ramp up on Israel-Lebanon border as IDF warns decision is approaching on fresh offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Mike Schwartz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Israel attributed the blaze to rocket fire from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah said it had launched a “swarm of drones” at Israeli military sites. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border, saying that Israel is prepared for “very intense action” in the north. Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading fire since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza in October. In April, the IDF said it is “preparing to move from defense to attack,” referring to operations on the northern border. Ten Israeli civilians and 18 soldiers have also been killed on the border, the Israeli military said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Staff Herzi Halevi, ” Halevi, Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s, Al, Kiryat Shmona, ” Amos Harel, of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Benny Gantz, Jack Guez, Gantz, that’s, ” Harel Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN, Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces, Staff, Lebanese, Gaza, GPO, IDF, Reuters, Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, CNN, Haaretz, of National Security, “, ”, Getty, Israel Locations: Jerusalem, Abu Dhabi, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Kiryat Shmona, Lebanese, “, Gaza, Al Jazeera, Israeli, Alma, Golan, Syria, AFP, An Iran, East, United States

☆ Netanyahu may be forced to choose between his government’s survival and a ceasefire deal – unless Hamas rescues him
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Jerusalem CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon be forced to choose: Agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas or keep his government in power. “I think that Bibi is cornered now,” said Aviv Bushinsky, a former adviser to Netanyahu, using the prime minister’s nickname. While Biden squarely framed the proposal as a way to end the war, Netanyahu is insisting Israel will not end the war until and unless Hamas is eliminated. His efforts to convince the far-right ministers in order to avoid choosing between a ceasefire deal and the survival of his government have so far fallen flat. Netanyahu is confronting the choice between his government’s survival and a hostage deal at a time when his political fortunes have begun to improve.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Hamas’s, ”, Joe Biden, – Netanyahu, Bibi, Aviv, Biden, Israel, Itamar Ben Gvir, Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich don’t, Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Amir Levy, ” Biden, I’ve, Yahya Sinwar Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israeli, Hamas, National, Unity, Likud, Israel’s, Monday Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza

☆ Biden’s Announcement Puts Netanyahu on the Spot
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

But he has been put on the spot this weekend by President Biden’s announcement outlining a proposal for a truce. Mr. Netanyahu, a conservative, has long juggled competing personal, political and national interests. Now, analysts say, it is crunch time for Mr. Netanyahu, or Bibi, as he is popularly known. Mr. Biden “booted Netanyahu out of the closet of ambiguity and presented Netanyahu’s proposal himself,” Ben Caspit, a biographer and longtime critic of Mr. Netanyahu, wrote in Sunday’s Maariv, a Hebrew daily. Instead, they were conditional and open to interpretation — seemingly designed to leave Mr. Netanyahu’s options open.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden’s, Mr, Netanyahu, Biden, Bibi, Biden “, ” Ben Caspit, Sunday’s, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben, Gvir, —, Netanyahu’s, Benny Gantz, Gadi Eisenkot, Ophir Falk, Falk, “, ” Organizations: American, Qatari, Mr, Hamas, National Unity, Britain’s Sunday Times Locations: Gaza, Israel, Sunday’s Maariv

☆ Netanyahu aide says Israel agreed to Biden's cease-fire plan for Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Freddie Clayton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Britain's Sunday Times that Israel had agreed to the framework for President Joe Biden's plan to bring an end to the war in Gaza, though he said it was "not a good deal." He added that Israel's conditions "have not changed" — the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas. "Indefinite war in pursuit of an unidentified notion of total victory will only bog down Israel in Gaza," Biden said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made calls to Arab leaders on Saturday affirming their commitment to the cease-fire. Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to urge the government to accept a cease-fire.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Ophir Falk, — it's, Biden's, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Yair Lapid, Ben Gvir, Lapid, Smotrich, Laura Blumenfeld, Antony Blinken Organizations: Britain's Sunday Times, NBC News, Minister's, Sunday Times, Zionist Party, Jewish Power Party, Johns Hopkins School, International Studies, U.S, Families Locations: Gaza, Israel, Hamas, East, Washington, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Qatar, Egypt, U.S, Tel Aviv

☆ Israel-Gaza War: Live Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Two Israeli officials confirmed that Mr. Biden’s proposal matched an Israeli cease-fire proposal that had been greenlit by Israel’s war cabinet. “Put your money where your mouth is.”But at home, Mr. Netanyahu faces a host of competing pressures. Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, also urged Mr. Netanyahu to take the deal as outlined by Mr. Biden. He repeated that his party would back Mr. Netanyahu’s government if hard-liners like Mr. Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, left over a hostage release deal. Political analysts said Mr. Netanyahu has tried to avoid that scenario, as it would make him dependent on some of his harshest critics.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, Biden’s, ” Mr, Mr, — Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Ben, ”, “ Biden, ‘, Uzi Arad, “, Cheriss, Gil Dickmann, Carmel Gat, Kibbutz, Dickmann, Benny Gantz, Gantz, Yair Lapid, Mr . Biden Organizations: Hamas, ”, Gaza Health Ministry, Palestinian, White, ., The New York Times, Kibbutz Be’eri, Mr Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv

☆ Two far-right Israeli ministers threaten to topple the government if it accepts Biden peace plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Eugenia Yosef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Two far-right Israeli ministers have threatened to resign and bring down the governing coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he accepts a peace proposal laid out by US President Joe Biden. “It’s time for this war to end,” he said, a clear indication that – as far as he is concerned – Israel’s war goals have been met. But the Israel government’s two most prominent far-right members, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, made it explicitly clear they reject an immediate ceasefire. The plan has been widely welcomed, with the UN and other international powers urging Israel and Hamas to accept it. Netanyahu’s government is facing growing international calls to end the war in Gaza as the conflict approaches its ninth month.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, “, ”, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Smotrich, Netanyahu, ” Smotrich, Ben Gvir, Otzma, Israel, ” Netanyahu, Yair Lapid Organizations: CNN, White, Hamas, Finance, National Security, ” National Security, UN, Saturday Locations: Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, ”

☆ Netanyahu says no Gaza ceasefire until Israel’s war aims are achieved, raising questions over Biden peace proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Benjamin Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter,” the statement said. The earlier PMO statement insisted the “exact outline” of the proposal allows Israel to “maintain” its goals in the conflict. Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister, had previously threatened to leave Netanyahu’s coalition if a ceasefire is reached before Israel achieves its declared war aims. The international pressure Netanyahu’s government is facing to end the war in Gaza has been mounting, as the conflict approaches its ninth month.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Israel, Biden, —, Israel ” —, Netanyahu, ’ Biden Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, Biden’s, ” Lapid, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, ” Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Hamas, UN, Prime, “, Prime Minister’s, Times, National Security Minister, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, France, Rafah

☆ Opinion: How is Netanyahu still in power?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

View more opinion on CNNCNN —A recent visitor to Israel told me about a conversation in which he noted that Benjamin Netanyahu is the worst prime minister in modern Israel’s history. Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated internationally, though experts say this could fortify the prime minister domestically. Israel’s longest-serving prime minister had been largely successful politically, but his personal style and alleged corruption turned many Israelis against him. Are there five courageous members of Likud willing to take the necessary action to move Israel beyond Netanyahu? That is unlikely to happen, however, as long as Netanyahu remains in power.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, CNN CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ Bibi, ”, Netanyahu, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, “, Israel, Brendan Smialowski, Israel’s, pariahs, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu –, Gantz, Yoav Gallant, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, CNN CNN, Frida Ghitis CNN, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Getty, West Bank, Trump, National Unity Party, Saudi Arabia ., Hamas, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Israel, Israel’s, Gaza, United States, Iranian, AFP, Washington, Iran, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

☆ UN's top court orders Israel to halt military offensive in Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The International Court of Justice displayed on a smartphone, with the flag of Israel visible in the background in Brussels, Belgium, on May 20, 2024. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesThe U.N.'s top court, the International Court of Justice, on Friday ordered Israel to cease its military offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, citing concerns over the safety of Palestinian civilians. The court further found that evacuation and other measures undertaken by Israel in Rafah were not sufficient. watch nowEarlier this month, Israel advanced its military campaign into Rafah, where more than 1 million of displaced Palestinian people have sought shelter. "And not only in Rafah governorate, what is happening in Jabalia and other governorates of the Gaza Strip is no less criminal and dangerous than what is happening in Rafah."

Persons: Israel, Nawaf Salam, Bezalel Smotrich, Nabil Abu Rudeineh Organizations: Court, Nurphoto, International Court of Justice, United, CNBC, Israel's, Hamas, Court of, Palestinian, Palestinian Authority, Reuters Locations: Israel, Brussels, Belgium, Rafah, Gaza, United Nations, South Africa, Jabalia

☆ Israel Responds to Move to Recognize Palestinian State by Withholding Funds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel will not transfer much-needed funds to the Palestinian Authority in the wake of the decision by three European countries to recognize a Palestinian state, the country’s finance minister said on Wednesday, as its foreign minister denounced the European moves as giving “a gold medal to Hamas terrorists.”The decision by the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right leader who opposes Palestinian sovereignty, threatened to push the Palestinian government into a deeper fiscal crisis. He said in a statement that he had informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would no longer send tax revenues to the authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank in close cooperation with Israel. Mr. Smotrich’s office signaled that the decision was at least partly a response to Spain, Norway and Ireland recognizing Palestinian statehood, and that the Palestinian leadership bore responsibility for campaigning for the move. “They are acting against Israel legally, diplomatically and for unilateral recognition,” said Eytan Fuld, a spokesman for Mr. Smotrich, referring to the authority. “When they act against the state of Israel, there must be a response.”

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Eytan Fuld Organizations: Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Palestinian Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Spain, Norway, Ireland

☆ Hamas and Israeli leaders may face international arrest warrants. Here’s what that means
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

If approved by a panel of judges, the arrest warrants would be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The decision to seek arrest warrants doesn’t immediately mean the individual is guilty, but is the first stage in a process that could lead to a lengthy trial. The ICC has so far issued arrest warrants against 42 people, 21 of whom have been detained with the help of member states. Signatory states are obliged to apprehend those facing arrest warrants, but leaders have often sought to evade those warrants, restricting their freedom of movement. Video Ad Feedback ICC chief details charges he is seeking against Hamas and Israeli leaders 02:04 - Source: CNNDoes the ICC have jurisdiction over Israeli nationals?

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyah, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al, Masri, Mohammed Deif, Netanyahu, doesn’t, ”, Putin, Haniyah, Omar al, Bashir, Saif Gadhafi, Moammar Gadhafi, Vladimir Putin, hasn’t, Karim Khan, “, Khan, Shelly Aviv Yeini, ” Yeini, Muhammad Nazzal, Gallant, Israel Katz, Yair Lapid, Israel “, Sinwar, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond, Benjamin Brown, Melanie Zanona, Aber Salman, Michael Schwartz Organizations: CNN, Criminal Court, Israeli, ICC, The Hague, International Court of Justice, United Nations, UN, Djibouti –, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Reuters, Foreign, National Security, Hague, Defense Ministry, Republican Locations: Israel, Gaza, Chile, South Africa, Qatar, Rome, The, Netherlands, Russian, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, Djibouti, Palestinian, East Jerusalem, Palestine, The Hague, Israeli

☆ Israeli political tensions boil over, revealing new danger for Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Analysis Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Divisions and disagreements within the Israeli cabinet on the conduct and priorities of the war against Hamas have simmered since the onset of the crisis. That has been a red line for the religious right in the Israeli cabinet. Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz, pictured in October, is widely seen to be a leading contender to be the next Israeli leader. Over the next three weeks, compromise may yet keep the war cabinet intact. It would, however, leave the prime minister more exposed to the demands of far-right- members of his cabinet.

Persons: –, Benny Gantz, Mahmoud, Abbas, Gantz, Amir Levy, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Gantz, Itamar Ben Gvir, Yair Lapid, Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, ”, Jack Guez, Yoav Gallant, “, “ Gantz, Anshel Pfeffer, ” Pfeffer, “ Bibi, …, Pfeffer, Gallant, Leo Correa, Bezalel Smotrich Organizations: CNN, Hamas, National Unity Party, Palestinian Authority, Israel, National, Getty, Sunday, Jerusalem Post, AP, Finance Locations: Gaza, “, Iran, Lebanon, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, AFP, Israel, Jerusalem

☆ Opinion: Netanyahu and his extremist allies are endangering Israel’s long-term security
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Opinion Richard J. Davis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. The former was appointed finance minister and was given responsibility for West Bank settlements. After the October 7 terrorist attack, Netanyahu had an opportunity to remove Smotrich and Ben Gvir from their posts when the first offer from the opposition for a unity government involved their elimination from the cabinet. It also gives license to followers of these extremists to, as we have seen, attack Palestinians in the West Bank and even to attack a Jordanian aid convoy. At the same time, Israel has continued with significant expansion of settlements on the West Bank.

Persons: Richard J, Davis, Joe Biden, “, ”, Richard Davis, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Ben Gvir, Yitzhak Rabin, Netanyahu’s Organizations: Treasury, CNN, US, Capitol, West Bank, New York Times, Israeli Defense Forces, Twitter, Facebook, United Locations: Carter, Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Oslo Peace, Jordanian, United States

☆ Israel and Hamas Face Growing Pressure for a Cease-Fire Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official, said in a text message that the group’s representatives were arriving in Cairo “with great positivity” toward the proposed deal. “If there is no agreement, it will be because of Netanyahu alone,” he said, referring to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. Mr. Sinwar is one of the presumed architects of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and roughly 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials. In Israel, Mr. Netanyahu faces substantial opposition within his own governing coalition to the proposed framework. Agreeing to the deal would be “humiliating surrender,” Bezalel Smotrich, the country’s finance minister, wrote on Facebook late last month.

Persons: Haitham Imad, United States —, Antony J, Blinken, ”, ” Mr, William J, Burns, Husam, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, ” Bezalel Smotrich, Biden, “ Organizations: United, McCain Institute, Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari, Hamas, Hamas’s, Facebook, Biden Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Shutterstock, Cairo, Palestinian, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Arizona, Cairo “, Washington

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