‘American Support Is Not a Blank Check’: An Interview With J Street Israel’s Executive Director Nadav Tamir, The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
“We believe the Netanyahu government continuing this war without a plan for the day after, without any attempt to release the hostages, with the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza — I believe the administration and Congress should show a signal to Netanyahu that the American support is not a blank check,” Tamir said. […] Tamir describes himself as a Zionist who believes that “a Palestinian state is absolutely necessary.” “And if we won’t end occupation,” he added, “the occupation will end us.”
J Street Statement on International Criminal Court Warrants, J Street
“It is unbearably painful for friends of Israel – particularly those who have lived there, have family and friends there and have been partners over decades in building the country – to read international justices hold that there are reasonable grounds to believe that leading Israeli officials have knowingly and intentionally violated international laws, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and other horrific crimes against humanity,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “This deeply distressing ruling is one more clear sign of the lasting damage this extreme right-wing government is doing to the State of Israel, its place in the world and its long-term security.”
J Street Dismayed by Passage of HR 9495 in the House, J Street
J Street is dismayed at the passage of HR 9495 in the House. We continue to stand proudly alongside our Jewish and pro-democracy allies – including HIAS, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Union for Reform Judaism and the ACLU – in opposing this legislation.
What the ICC Arrest Warrants Mean for Netanyahu and Gallant, The Washington Post
The court also does not try defendants in absentia, with a few exceptions, meaning Netanyahu and Gallant probably won’t face trial unless they travel to an ICC member state, are arrested and brought to The Hague. While the prospects of that scenario are low, the warrants nevertheless cast a shadow over Netanyahu and Gallant and threaten to further isolate Israel on the world stage.
Israel Strikes Across Lebanon After Ordering Evacuations of Southern Towns, The New York Times
Israel pressed on with its bombardment of Lebanon on Friday after issuing widespread evacuation warnings in the country’s south, as the conflict with Hezbollah militants showed no sign of abating despite a U.S.-led push for a cease-fire.
Israel Stands By As Aid Convoys Come Under Attack in Gaza, CBS News
Truck driver Abu Ahmad was in the worst incident so far when more than 100 trucks were attacked on Saturday. The gangs shot through the windows of his truck, he told CBS News, saying they would kill any driver who didn’t stop. Ahmad said Israeli tanks were nearby and an Israeli drone watched the entire attack unfold.
Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say, AP
The Health Ministry said 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access.
Biden Slams ICC Warrants as ‘Outrageous’, YNet News
In a statement delivered late Thursday night, Biden said, “The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”
Little Hope in Gaza That Arrest Warrants Will Cool Israeli Onslaught, Reuters
Gazans saw little hope on Friday that International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders would slow down the onslaught on the Palestinian territory, where medics said at least 21 people were killed in fresh Israeli military strikes.
UN Reports Heavy Clashes Between Israeli Troops and Hezbollah in South Lebanon, ABC News
Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers.
Defense Minister Katz Announces End to Administrative Detention for West Bank Settlers, The Times of Israel
New Defense Minister Israel Katz announces an end to administrative detention orders for West Bank settlers, a controversial policy of holding suspects without charge. While the practice is primarily deployed against Palestinians, it is also used against some extremist Jewish Israelis.
Calls for Minister’s Firing Could Tip Israel Into Constitutional Crisis, Reuters
In a letter to Netanyahu last week, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara asked the prime minister to consider firing [Ben Gvir], citing evidence that he allegedly interfered directly in police operations and politicized promotions within the force, threatening its status outside politics.
How Gangsters Took Over Gaza’s Aid Routes, The Financial Times
Malaika Kanaaneh Tapper and Jana Tauschinski report, “The rise of the gangs has caused fissures in Gaza’s society, with clans rushing to distance themselves from members caught up in the looting. Keen to deflect anger, some clans have issued public statements obliquely disowning anyone involved in theft. Some have even formed counter-looting committees to guard trucks.”
Lebanon’s Day After, Foreign Affairs
Maha Yahya writes, “Washington must work with Doha, Paris, Riyadh, and other partners to scale up financial, military, and institutional support to the Lebanese army to allow it to move to the south and take control of Lebanon’s borders. These states should also support reconstruction initiatives as part of their package deal with Lebanon, ensuring that their support is channeled through Lebanese state institutions.”
Where Do the Hostage Deal Negotiations Stand, and Do the Sides Genuinely Want to Reach an Agreement?, Haaretz
Jonathan Lis shares, “A few days ago, in the ongoing battle to assign blame for the collapse of negotiations for a deal, Netanyahu presented a list of public statements by U.S officials that placed the blame on Hamas. While these are true, Netanyahu did not include numerous statements by Israeli, American, and Qatari officials that also held him responsible. Sources involved in the talks say that, on at least three occasions in the past months, Netanyahu hardened Israel’s negotiating position in a way that thwarted the possibility of progressing to a deal.”