Democrats May Already be Signaling a Retreat on Israel, Salon
Speaking to Blaise Malley, J Street Chief Policy Officer Ilan Goldenberg said, “In the same way that we wouldn’t want countries walking away from the United States because of Donald Trump, we can’t walk away from Israel solely because of Bibi Netanyahu, but we can choose to walk away from him and this particular government, and some of the atrocious things they’re doing.”
Berlin Must Act, IPS Journal
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Instead of the reluctance to act, Germany’s historic commitment to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel should have led it to join the countries calling for recognition of a Palestinian state.”
Huckabee: ‘The US Has Never Asked Israel to Not Apply Sovereignty’ to the West Bank’, Times of Israel
“‘The US has never asked Israel to not apply sovereignty,’ Huckabee said, according to the post on X. ‘I have repeatedly stated that the US respects Israel as a sovereign nation and will not tell Israel what to do. This is also what Secretary Rubio has said as recently as this week.’”
Reports: Around 30 Israeli Settlers Wound at Least Three Palestinians in Raid on West Bank Village, Haaretz
“Khallet al-Daba locals said a baby and an elderly couple were among those wounded in the attack. The village is part of the Masafer Yatta area, home to over 1,000 Palestinians under continuous threat of displacement by Israeli settlers, authorities and the IDF.”
Senior EU Official Says Israel’s War in Gaza is Genocide, Reuters
“Ribera is the European Commission’s Executive Vice President, second only in seniority to President Ursula von der Leyen. The Spanish socialist, whose portfolio includes climate and anti-trust issues, is not responsible for EU foreign policy. The comments were stronger than a statement she gave last month when she said the displacement and killing in Gaza looked ‘very much like’ genocide.”
Netanyahu Blocks Macron’s Surprise Israel Visit Over Palestinian State Push, Ynet
“According to former French member of Parliament Meyer Habib, Netanyahu conveyed that Macron would only be welcome in Israel if he retracted his plan to recognize Palestine. Macron, however, reportedly stood firm and refused Israel’s demand.”
Egypt Vows to Block Palestinian Displacement, Hardens Rhetoric on Gaza, Reuters
“Egypt said on Friday it would not tolerate mass displacement of Palestinians and what it described as genocide, continuing to ratchet up its criticism of Israel’s Gaza offensive as thousands of residents of Gaza City defied Israeli orders to leave.”
[Audio] Can Israel Save Itself? A Conversation With Ami Ayalon, Foreign Affairs
Speaking to Foreign Affairs, Former Head of the Shin Bet Ami Ayalon explains why Israel’s long-term security depends on recognizing the rights and aspirations of Palestinians, and the creation of a Palestinian state—one that includes both Gaza and the West Bank.
‘I Wanted to Have Something to Give My Daughter From Gaza’, The Cut
“Countless friends and family members are gone forever: murdered, starved, buried in the bombardment, or disappeared. What the survivors carry this time are relics. Here, five Gazan women tell the stories of the objects they took with them as they left their lives behind. […] ‘I also brought Celia’s hospital bracelet from when she was born. Her clothes and toys were destroyed when the bombs came, and I wanted to have something to give her from Gaza when she’s older. I am afraid my child will grow up without a homeland as well as without a father.’”
Why Hamas Refuses to Give Up, New York Times
“Hamas leaders have said that the group’s calculation was less about defeating Israel on the battlefield, and more about drawing the government into an intractable conflict, one that isolates it diplomatically and undermines its international support. Eventually, they say, Israel will be compelled to realize that its policies toward Palestinians are not sustainable.”
Top IDF Commander Opted Not to Boost Security After Visiting Nova One Hour Before October 7 Hamas Massacre, Haaretz
“A Haaretz investigation reveals that Col. Haim Cohen arrived at the Nova site about an hour before the Hamas attack, saw thousands of party-goers with minimal police presence, but did not consider dispersing the festival. Most IDF forces were unaware it was even taking place.”