Articles in this Cluster
01-08-2025
Plans by France, the UK, and Canada to recognize a Palestinian state are unlikely to bring statehood soon, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes it and the US supports Israel. Critics argue that Western countries could take more meaningful actions to pressure Israel, such as suspending trade agreements or imposing sanctions. The recognition is seen as a gesture that may isolate Israel and strengthen the Palestinians' negotiating position in the long term, but some say it looks like a way for these countries to appear to be doing something. Israel views the recognition as a reward for violence, while Palestinian leaders see it as a step towards equal footing in potential future negotiations.
01-08-2025
The US is imposing sanctions on Palestinian organizations, including the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), in response to their actions at the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, and alleged support for terrorism. The State Department will deny visas to PLO members and PA officials. The move is seen as a reaction to a recent UN conference that rallied support for a two-state solution and commitments by several countries to recognize Palestinian statehood. Palestinian leaders described the sanctions as "revenge" and targeting the wrong side, while Israel welcomed the move.
01-08-2025
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successor, actually Mark Carney is not correct as he is not the Prime Minister, said Canada will recognize Palestine as a state in September at the United Nations General Assembly. The decision follows similar announcements from the United Kingdom and France, and comes amid criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza. Canada's recognition is conditional on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including holding general elections and demilitarizing the Palestinian state, as well as Hamas releasing hostages and disarming. Israel's Foreign Ministry denounced the decision, calling it a "reward for Hamas."
01-08-2025
Britain and France have taken steps to recognize a Palestinian state in an attempt to highlight Palestinian suffering, stop the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel, and revive the two-state solution. However, The Economist doubts that this recognition will achieve these goals and may even hinder them, as it is being done without a clear understanding of the terms and conditions that would lead to a lasting peace.
01-08-2025
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (referred to as Mark Carney in the article, likely an error) announced that Canada plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations, contingent on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms, including governance reform and holding general elections next year excluding Hamas. Israel and the US criticized the move, calling it a "reward for Hamas," while France and the UK have made similar announcements, reflecting growing international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
01-08-2025
The US imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority (PA) officials and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) members, denying them US visas, citing non-compliance with the PLO Commitments Compliance Act and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act. The State Department stated that the PA and PLO undermined peace prospects by supporting actions at international organizations that contradicted prior commitments and by supporting terrorism and inciting violence. The sanctions were praised by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who thanked the US for holding the PA accountable for its "pay-for-slay" policy and incitement against Israel. The move comes after several countries signed an agreement calling for Hamas to disarm and hand control of Gaza to the PA, which the US and Israel rejected.
01-08-2025
Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that the country will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, provided certain conditions are met, including the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforming its governance and holding general elections in 2026 without Hamas' participation. The announcement follows a similar statement by the UK, which said it will recognize Palestine as a state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, such as taking steps to end the crisis in Gaza and agreeing to a ceasefire. Canada had previously stated it would only recognize a Palestinian state after peace talks with Israel, but Carney cited the worsening situation on the ground, including the starvation of citizens in Gaza, as the reason for the change in position. Israel's foreign ministry criticized the move, saying it would "reward Hamas" and harm efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, a sentiment echoed by a White House official regarding the US position.
01-08-2025
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, despite the fact that "Palestine" is not a real entity and its creation is fraught with complications. The Palestinian Authority is led by 89-year-old dictator Mahmoud Abbas, and its future is uncertain upon his death. The region has a history of corruption, autocracy, and violence, with Hamas having won elections in Gaza and holding a majority of parliamentary seats in the Palestinian Authority. Recognizing a Palestinian state could lead to further conflict and instability, particularly if Hamas or a similar organization were to win future elections or take control. The author questions whether Macron and Starmer will support open elections, disarm Hamas, or intervene in the region to prevent violence. The decision is seen as a form of "cynical moral preening" aimed at appeasing domestic Islamist groups rather than a genuine attempt to resolve the conflict.
01-08-2025
The international community is once again calling for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it may be too late due to Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and calls for annexation, making a viable Palestinian state seem increasingly impossible.
01-08-2025
US President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel as the death toll among Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza rose to 91 killed and over 600 wounded in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Witkoff is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the humanitarian situation and a possible ceasefire. The Israeli military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and fired warning shots, but blamed the violence on gunfire from within the crowd. Israel has faced international criticism for its handling of the crisis, with some Israeli rights groups accusing it of committing genocide. The international community has pressed Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, but aid workers say the current amount is insufficient.
01-08-2025
US special envoy Steve Witkoff is to visit Gaza to inspect food distribution sites amidst reports of dozens being killed while seeking aid. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported 111 people killed and 820 injured in the last 24 hours, with two deaths attributed to malnutrition. A hospital director stated that over 50 Palestinians were killed and 400 injured while waiting for food near a crossing in northern Gaza. The Israeli military claimed to have fired "warning shots" but said it was "not aware of any casualties". The UN has warned of a "worst-case scenario of famine" in Gaza, where 2.1 million people are affected, and blamed Israel for man-made, mass starvation.
01-08-2025
Former US President Donald Trump urged Hamas to surrender and release hostages to end the Gaza crisis, stating it is the "fastest way to end the humanitarian crises in Gaza." His statement marked a shift from his previous comments, where he appeared to place some blame on Israel. Hamas responded negatively to Trump's criticism, demanding the US pressure Israel instead. The US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a potential ceasefire deal and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the international community issued the "New York Declaration," calling for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to leave the Gaza Strip, but Israel and the US objected to the declaration, labeling it "unproductive and ill-timed."
01-08-2025
A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, has killed at least 14 people, including a six-year-old boy, and injured 145 others, with 14 children among the wounded. The attack targeted 27 locations across Kyiv, damaging over 100 buildings, including homes, schools, and medical facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to pressure Moscow towards real negotiations, while US President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a deadline of August 8 to agree to a ceasefire, threatening punitive sanctions and tariffs if no progress is made.
01-08-2025
Two senior US officials, Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Mike Huckabee, are making a "highly unusual" visit to Gaza amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis. Aid workers have warned of a "politically manmade famine" and the situation is described as "terrible" with people "very hungry". The officials will inspect a food distribution site and report back to the president. The visit comes as Israel faces international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, with Germany's foreign minister warning that Israel is "increasingly finding itself in a minority position".
01-08-2025
Iran has forcibly deported around 1.5 million Afghans, with many being accused of spying for Israel following a brief conflict between Iran and Israel in June. Some deportees claim they were physically abused and mistreated while in detention, with accusations of espionage being used to justify their expulsion. Experts say Iran may be looking for scapegoats for its security failures during the war, and that the accusations are also aimed at legitimizing the government's plan to deport undocumented Afghans. The deportations have coincided with a rise in anti-Afghan sentiment on social media, with many Iranians and Iranian media outlets perpetuating false narratives about Afghan migrants. Afghanistan is struggling to absorb the large number of returnees, and experts warn of a growing humanitarian crisis.
01-08-2025
The US, UK, and over a dozen other Western nations have jointly condemned Iran's attempts to "kill, kidnap, and harass" foreign citizens, including dissidents, Jewish citizens, journalists, and current and former government officials, in a clear violation of national sovereignty, and have called on Iran to cease such activities. The statement was backed by countries including Canada, Germany, and France, and comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following Israeli-US strikes on Iran. Reports have shown Iran has been behind various plots, including an attempted assassination of Donald Trump and attacks on European and US soil, with the UK reporting over 20 Iran-linked incidents since 2022.
