News Roundup for October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024
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J Street works to promote an open, honest and rigorous conversation about Israel. The opinions reflected in articles posted in the News Roundup do not necessarily reflect J Street’s positions, and their posting does not constitute an endorsement from J Street.

J Street In the News

US Pushes Back Against Israeli Laws Curtailing Main UN Agency for the Palestinians, Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Nadav Tamir, a former Israeli diplomat who currently runs the Israeli office of J Street, the liberal American Israel lobby, called UNRWA’s operations “problematic” but said the legislation doesn’t “serve Israel’s interests.” He added, “Those who want to end UNRWA’s activities in Israel aren’t even concerning themselves with what will take its place. Apparently most of them want the answer to be — no one.”

Time for Israel to Do What’s Right: Recognize Armenian Genocide, Establish Embassy in Yerevan, Ynet News
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “By affirming shared history and values with Armenia, Israel has a key opportunity to support justice and historical memory without major risks to strategic alliances.”

Top News and Analysis

Lebanon, Israel Could Agree to Ceasefire Within Days, Lebanese Prime Minister Says, Reuters
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had not believed a deal would be possible until after Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election. But he said he became more optimistic after speaking on Wednesday with U.S. envoy for the Middle East Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday.

What Will Israel’s UNRWA Ban Look Like for Palestinians? Experts Warn of ‘A Massive Ripple Effect’, Haaretz
The new legislation – which is supported by Israeli lawmakers from almost every political party – states that UNRWA cannot have representation, provide services or conduct activities directly or indirectly on sovereign Israeli soil. It also revokes the group’s privileges, including tax exemptions, diplomatic status and immunity.

Israel Bars Six Medical NGOs From Entry to Gaza, WHO Says, The Washington Post
Two of those medical NGOs, Glia and the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA), confirmed to The Washington Post that they were notified by the WHO this week about the bans. Both groups have worked in Gaza for years preceding the war.

News

At Least 30 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes, Hospital Hit, Says Gaza Ministry, Reuters
Israel’s military has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for military purposes and said “dozens of terrorists” have been hiding there. Health officials and Hamas deny the charge.

Israeli Strikes Kill 19 People Near Baalbek, Lebanese Health Ministry Says, CNN
Israeli strikes near the city of Baalbek have killed 19 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Eleven people were killed and three wounded by a strike at Salibi farm, the ministry said, adding that the injured had been admitted to intensive care.

Iran Said Threatening ‘Definitive, Painful’ Response to Israel, Likely Before US Election, The Times of Israel
Iran will deliver a “definitive and painful” response to Israel’s recent attack on its territory, likely before the US presidential election on November 5, CNN reported Wednesday, citing an anonymous senior source.

Hezbollah Chief Says Group Will Hold Out in Its War With Israel for ‘Suitable’ Cease-Fire Terms, AP
“If the Israelis decide to stop the aggression, we say that we accept, but according to the conditions that we see as suitable,” Kassem said, speaking from an undisclosed location in a pre-recorded televised address. “We will not beg for a cease-fire as we will continue (fighting)… no matter how long it takes.”

5 Killed, One Seriously Wounded in Earlier Direct Hezbollah Rocket Strike Near Metula, The Times of Israel
The rocket fired from Lebanon hit an agricultural area close to the northern border town. One of the killed was an Israeli citizen and the other four were foreign nationals.

Under Political Pressure, Israeli Forces Stay in North Gaza to Block Residents’ Return, Haaretz
Senior IDF officials acknowledge that forces are remaining in Gaza’s Jabalya and preventing residents’ return as part of a partial implementation of the Generals’ Plan, aimed at moving Palestinians south. Commanders on the ground warn of decline in willingness to continue serving in Gaza.

Democrats and Republicans Split on Israel’s Responsibility for War’s Escalation, AP-NORC Poll Finds, AP
There’s a big partisan split on whether the Israeli government bears “a lot” of responsibility for the war’s escalation. About 6 in 10 Democrats say they do — similar to the share of Democrats who say Hamas bears “a lot” of responsibility — while only about one-quarter of Republicans say the Israeli government bears “a lot” of responsibility.

Opinion and Analysis

How U.S. Elections Could Shape Israel’s Multifront Middle East War, The Washington Post
Loveday Morris, Steve Hendrix and John Hudson discuss, “While Biden administration officials had hoped Sinwar’s death would provide a new opening for cease-fire negotiations, it has also given more weight to hawkish voices in Israel who say Hamas is on the run and are urging Netanyahu to keep up the military pressure.”

Don’t Let Liberal Purity Elect Trump, The New York Times
Nicholas Kristof states, “So to those so upset about Biden’s policies in the Middle East that they are thinking about voting for Trump, staying home or voting for a third-party candidate — I understand. But don’t allow this anger to elect Trump, for that would amplify the suffering abroad that rightly upsets you. Refusing to vote may seem a noble gesture, but it’s a self-marginalization that could mean even more starving children, even more displacement and even more death.”