Articles in this Cluster
24-05-2025
Several nations, including EU countries, Canada, and Turkey, condemned Israel after its troops fired "warning shots" at a diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The Palestinian Authority accused Israeli troops of deliberately shooting at the group, while the Israeli military said the convoy had strayed into a restricted zone, prompting troops to fire warning shots. The incident sparked outrage, with the UN Secretary-General's spokesman calling it "unacceptable" and demanding respect for diplomats' safety. Countries including Belgium, France, Germany, and Japan summoned Israel's ambassadors or demanded an investigation, with some calling for those responsible to be held accountable. The incident occurred amid rising tensions over Israel's military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
24-05-2025
Israel is facing a significant diplomatic backlash from its allies, including Britain, France, and Canada, over its actions in Gaza, with many countries condemning its military offensive and settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. The criticism has come in various forms, including joint statements, suspensions of trade talks, and targeted sanctions against Jewish settlers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted furiously to the criticism, accusing countries of supporting Hamas, while US President Donald Trump has remained largely silent on the issue despite previously expressing frustration with the war. Western allies and members of the Jewish diaspora are increasingly voicing anger and anguish over the war in Gaza, with some calling for a stand against Israel's actions.
24-05-2025
World leaders, including US President Trump, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington D.C. The suspect, a Chicago man, shouted "free, free Palestine" upon being taken into custody. The Israeli government blamed the attack on "antisemitic incitement" by other countries, particularly in Europe, with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stating that the "toxic, antisemitic incitement" had been ongoing since October 7th. European leaders rejected Israel's implication that they bear blame for the attack, with France's foreign ministry spokesman calling Israel's remarks "completely outrageous and completely unjustified." The victims, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were identified as a young couple who worked at the Israeli Embassy.
24-05-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (erroneously referred to as Mark Carney) for issuing a joint statement demanding Israel end its military campaign in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas. Netanyahu stated that Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel, not a Palestinian state, and that the leaders were on the "wrong side of justice," "wrong side of humanity," and "wrong side of history." Hamas responded by thanking the three countries for their statement, urging others to take action against Israel. Netanyahu also condemned the recent killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., calling it an antisemitic attack.
24-05-2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for fuelling antisemitism after two Israeli embassy workers were shot dead in Washington DC. Netanyahu linked the criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza to the shooting, saying that the leaders are "on the wrong side of humanity and history". The shooting suspect told a witness he "did this for Gaza" and shouted "free Palestine" during his detention. Israel's foreign minister and diaspora minister also made similar statements, accusing the leaders of emboldening forces of terror, but Israeli diplomats later distanced themselves from the diaspora minister's comments. The UK, French, and Canadian governments responded by condemning the shooting and rejecting the claims that they bear blame for the attack.
24-05-2025
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the limited aid allowed into Gaza, describing it as a "teaspoon" compared to the "flood of assistance" required, as at least 60 people died in Israeli airstrikes overnight. Israel says around 300 aid trucks have entered Gaza since lifting an 11-week blockade, but only a third have reached warehouses within Gaza due to insecurity, with many of Gaza's 2 million residents at high risk of famine.
24-05-2025
Chaos has erupted in Gaza as desperate residents wait for food aid, with bakeries overwhelmed by crowds and forced to close, and armed looters attacking an aid convoy, sparking a firefight with Hamas security officials. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of six Hamas officers, highlights the deteriorating security situation in Gaza. Despite a partial lifting of the Israeli blockade, only around 130 lorries carrying aid have entered Gaza in the last three days, far short of the 500-600 trucks needed daily. Humanitarian organisations warn of widespread famine, with many residents struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. The UN has called for increased aid and safe passage, while Israel says it is working to ensure aid does not reach Hamas.
24-05-2025
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been unable to visit hostages in Gaza for over 590 days, despite being prepared to provide medical assistance "from day one." The organization's communications coordinator, Jacob Kurtzer, described the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and said that the resumption of military action has contributed to a sense of despair. The ICRC is urging for humanitarian assistance to be allowed into Gaza, but critics argue that the scale of assistance remains insufficient. Kurtzer emphasized that the organization's role is to alleviate suffering on all sides of the conflict and that it recognizes the distinction between hostages and detainees under international humanitarian law.
24-05-2025
A DC couple, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were Israeli embassy staffers and about to be engaged, were killed in a shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. The attack is part of a long history of assaults on Israeli targets worldwide, with at least 31 terror attacks on Israeli embassies and diplomatic staff since 1969. The suspected shooter was apprehended after yelling "Free, free Palestine!" The incident has raised concerns about antisemitism and hate crimes. The attack is linked to heightened tensions over Israel's operations in the Gaza Strip. Previous attacks on Israeli embassies include a 2012 bombing in India, a 1992 bombing in Argentina that killed 29, and a 1982 shooting in London that seriously wounded the Israeli ambassador.
24-05-2025
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, two Israeli Embassy staff members, were fatally shot outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The couple, who were about to get engaged, worked at the Israeli Embassy and were described as being "in the prime of their lives." Milgrim, 26, was an American from Kansas with a background in international studies and policy, while Lischinsky, 30, was an Israeli and German dual national who advocated for interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, has been taken into custody and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Rodriguez allegedly shouted "Free Palestine" during his arrest and while in custody. The shooting is being investigated by the D.C. police department and the FBI.
24-05-2025
The suspect in the shooting of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC, Elias Rodriguez, 31, allegedly fired repeatedly at the victims, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, after they fell to the ground. Surveillance footage shows Rodriguez shooting the couple in the back before leaning over and firing multiple times. The FBI is investigating the killings as both a hate crime and terrorism. Rodriguez, who shouted "free, free Palestine" upon arrest, told police he "did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza". He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, and other related charges, and faces life imprisonment or the death penalty if found guilty.
