The Senate has confirmed Jack Lew as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, with support from only two Republicans. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of those Republicans, said the ambassadorship is "as important and timely as any nomination" due to the war against Hamas. Lew, who served as Treasury Secretary under President Obama, is expected to take up his post in Jerusalem soon.
Posts tagged as “east Jerusalem”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the nation of a long and difficult war ahead, as ground troops enter Gaza in response to Hamas' attack on Israel that left 1,400 dead and 200 kidnapped. Netanyahu said his goal remains to bring the hostages home and defeat Hamas, but the situation has been complicated by international pressure and the fate of the hostages. He urged the nation to remain strong and united during this difficult time.
Hamas' attack on Israel has been ongoing for three weeks, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. Israeli forces have responded with airstrikes, resulting in over 7,000 Palestinian deaths, while former U.S. intelligence and military officers believe the attack was primarily aimed at disrupting negotiations with Saudi Arabia and the U.S.
Secretary of State Blinken has stated there is no direct evidence linking Iran to the attack on Israel by Hamas, however the U.S. has levied sanctions on Iranian individuals and companies over 400 times since President Biden came into office. The $6 billion in Iranian oil assets that were freed up as part of the U.S.-Iran prisoner swap are now frozen, and the U.S. is continuing to investigate the role Iran may have played in the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz have formed a war-time Cabinet to oversee the fight against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The Cabinet is a sign of unity between the two sides and the Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground offensive. The situation in Gaza is dire as Israeli bombardment has destroyed neighborhoods and the only power plant has run out of fuel.
Israel is facing a major crisis as it is under attack by Hamas and Hezbollah militants, resulting in the death of at least 350 Israelis and 1,800 wounded. In response, Israel has conducted retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the death of more than 300 Palestinians. The international community is watching the situation closely, and many countries have called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all parties to de-escalate the situation and return to negotiations.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to hospital and fitted with a pacemaker early Sunday, as tens of thousands of protesters marched into Jerusalem and hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in a show of force against his controversial judicial reforms. Netanyahu's pacemaker implantation and the protests come ahead of a key vote on the reforms, which have been met with widespread opposition from former security chiefs and military reservists. The outcome of the vote remains to be seen.
On Thursday, May 18th, Israel deployed over 2,000 police officers to Jerusalem's Old City in anticipation of a march by Jewish nationalists waving Israeli flags. The march is an annual event commemorating Israel's capture of the Old City and has been met with criticism from some Palestinians, who view it as a provocation. Authorities have increased security in an effort to ensure the march passes without violence and the Israeli government is determined to ensure the march passes without incident.