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Daily Archives: 12. Mai 2025
Trump repeatedly bypasses Netanyahu, stoking dismay among Israelis
“It’s disconcerting,” said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.
“It’s total panic,” said Shalom Lipner, a former Netanyahu aide and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, describing the mood in Jerusalem.
Trump’s Middle East trip leaves Netanyahu watching from the sidelines again
The White House has called it a “historic return to the Middle East” and promised “a shared vision of stability, opportunity and mutual respect.” Israel is once again not on the itinerary. And after Trump blindsided Israel several times already – announcing talks with Iran, a deal with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and direct talks with Hamas – Israeli officials are concerned another surprise could be coming.
IDF: Red Cross confirms it has Edan Alexander, bringing him to Israeli troops now
The Red Cross is now bringing Alexander to IDF special forces inside Gaza to then be escorted out of the Strip, the military adds.
Alexander was released by Hamas without a public ceremony.
Erdoğan’s fourth term, brought to you courtesy of Turkey’s Kurds?
(February 13, 2025)
When Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ran for re-election in 2023, he told voters, it would be the last time. Under current provisions, Turkey’s President can only hold office for two five-year terms, but it now appears that Erdoğan will seek a (constitutionally prohibited) fourth term. To achieve this, he will need to find a way to change the constitution, but this can only happen if he succeeds in gaining the support of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party.
What’s behind Erdoğan’s calculated shift on Kurds and its potential consequences
(March 5, 2025)
Drawing Kurdish political support away from the opposition and securing Kurdish backing for constitutional reforms would allow him to seek another presidential term.
With 57 parliamentary seats, DEM holds significant sway and can make all the difference if Erdoğan initiates a constitutional amendment process.
Congress delegation meets Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu in detention
(May 7, 2025)Congress President Marc Cools led the first international delegation to meet Mayor İmamoğlu following his arrest on 23 March 2025.
After their official visit to Türkiye on 5-6 May 2025, the delegation made the following statement:
“Following our substantial exchange of views with Mr. İmamoğlu we remain convinced that it is unacceptable, under the rule of law, to deprive Istanbul of its elected mayor by detaining him without trial or substantiated charges, and we reiterate our call for his immediate release. This situation constitutes a violation of Mr. İmamoğlu‘s fundamental human rights and seriously hampers the ability of local governance in the largest city of Türkiye to function effectively in serving the needs of its citizens.
Musk’s X blocks account of jailed Erdoğan rival
(May 8, 2025)
Critics have slammed the platform for having a „double standard,“ slamming how Musk proclaims to be a free speech absolutist but also complying with Ankara‘s government gag orders. Other Big Tech platforms have also cooperated with similar Turkish government requests in the past.
X said in its post that it risks being entirely shut down in Turkey if it does not comply with the orders.
Türkiye hails PKK decision to disarm as ‚historic‘ for regional peace
“The decision taken by PKK is a historic and important decision, especially in terms of permanent peace and stability prevailing in our region,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a joint press conference with visiting Syrian and Jordanian foreign ministers on May 12 in Ankara.
“We will closely follow the pragmatic steps needed to be taken,” Fidan stated, explaining that the process includes so many details and requires many steps to be taken.
PKK disbands after 40-year-long conflict with Turkey
The Kurdistan Workers‘ Party (PKK) on Monday announced its decision to disband and end its armed struggle, following a call in February by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.
The Kurdish armed group, which has waged a war against Turkey since the 1980s, said that it had completed its „historic mission“ and brought the Kurdish question to a point where it could be resolved through democratic politics.
(…)
The DEM Party also expects the government to release thousands of its members imprisoned on non-violent charges and to end the practice of unseating its popularly elected mayors.
Edan Alexander handover now expected at 15:30 GMT
We are hearing from Israeli media, citing Israeli defence officials, that the handover is expected to take place around 6:30pm (15:30 GMT).
The handover will be facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Alexander will be handed over and then taken to Israeli officials.
Hamas says US-Israeli captive to be handed over after 14:00
A source close to Hamas told AFP the handover of US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander, who has been held in Gaza since October 2023, would „most likely“ take place after 14:00 GMT on Monday.
Hamas Says It Will Release Its Last American Hostage
Hamas, the Palestinian armed group, said on Sunday night that it would free the last living American citizen held captive in Gaza, just days before President Trump is expected to arrive in the region for the first major foreign tour of his second term.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s lead negotiator, said in a statement that Hamas had agreed to free the hostage, Edan Alexander, 21, after talks with the United States.
Dow set to soar 1,000 points after Trump team and China dramatically lower tariffs
US stocks surged on Monday after President Donald Trump’s top trade officials brokered a surprisingly dramatic de-escalation in trade tensions with China over the weekend, dropping tariffs to much lower levels, which some economists say could stave off a US recession.
Dow futures rose more than 1,000 points, or 2.6%. S&P 500 futures were 3% higher, and Nasdaq futures gained 3.9%.