Archiv: Central Consensus Agency proudly presents...


10.04.2024 - 17:06 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Gantz: ‚We will enter Rafah and go back to Khan Yunis‘

National Unity chairman Benny Gantz said during a press conference in Sderot on Wednesday that Hamas was militarily defeated following the IDF‘s operation in Gaza.

„From a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding. Its abilities are cut off, and we will continue to strike what remains.

10.04.2024 - 17:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Gantz: Hamas has been defeated militarily but we’ll fight against remnants for years to come

However, “from a military point of view – Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding” and its capabilities “crippled,” he continues, stating that “victory will come step by step” and that Israel “will not stop. We will enter Rafah. We will return to Khan Younis. And we will operate in Gaza. Wherever there are terrorist targets – the IDF will be there.”

10.04.2024 - 16:30 [ New York Times ]

Netanyahu Must Go

(09.04.2024)

Israel must destroy Hamas as a military and political force in the territory while minimizing harm to civilians. It must do what it can to rescue its hostages without jeopardizing the overriding goal of destroying Hamas. It must, by diplomacy or force, push Hezbollah back from Lebanon’s southern border, so that 60,000 Israelis can return safely to their homes in the north. It must take the battle directly, as it did last week in Damascus, to Hamas’s and Hezbollah’s patrons, whether in Syria, Qatar or Iran.

And for all of that to happen effectively, Benjamin Netanyahu must go.

19.03.2024 - 20:26 [ White House ]

Readout of President Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

The President affirmed the need to defeat Hamas in Gaza while also protecting the civilian population and facilitating the safe and unhindered delivery of assistance throughout Gaza. The President and Prime Minster agreed to have their teams meet soon in Washington to exchange views and discuss alternative approaches that would target key elements of Hamas and secure the Egypt-Gaza border without a major ground operation in Rafah.

19.03.2024 - 20:05 [ Axios ]

Scoop: Biden privately told Bibi he‘s not trying to push him out

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a briefing with reporters on Monday that Netanyahu „did raise his concerns about a variety of things that have come out in the American press.“

Sullivan added that from Biden‘s perspective „this is not a question of politics. It‘s not a question of public statements. It‘s a question of policy and strategy.“

One source said the fact that Netanyahu aired his grievances with Biden helped to somewhat clear the atmosphere.

16.03.2024 - 20:46 [ Washington Post ]

Schumer said out loud what many of Israel’s friends are thinking

“I spent two months thinking about this and wrestling with it,” Schumer told me in an interview Friday. Far from being an attack on Israel, Schumer said, it was an attempt to shore up support for the Jewish state, particularly among young Americans who have known Israel only under Netanyahu’s leadership.

16.03.2024 - 20:33 [ New York Times ]

Biden Embraces Schumer’s Speech Castigating Netanyahu

(15.03.2024)

But sometimes in Washington, the most telling indicator is not a public statement but the absence of one. Mr. Biden could have asked Mr. Schumer to hold back, so that he did not endanger the president’s future ability to deal with Mr. Netanyahu, with whom he now barely speaks. He could have said the United States should not express an opinion on the inner workings of Israel’s democratic processes. He did none of that.

Lawmakers and aides who have spoken with Mr. Biden in recent weeks say his anger at Mr. Netanyahu is now eating away at his reluctance to go public with his critiques.

15.03.2024 - 21:45 [ Axios ]

Biden backs Schumer‘s criticism of Bibi

What they are saying: „I‘m not going to elaborate on his speech,“ Biden said in response to a question at the top of his meeting with the prime minister of Ireland at the White House.

„He made a good speech, and I think he expressed serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans,“ Biden added.

15.03.2024 - 21:32 [ Axios ]

Schumer‘s anti-Netanyahu speech stuns Israel

(14.03.2024)

Behind the scenes: Schumer told senior White House officials on Wednesday that he was going to give a speech about Israel, but he didn‘t give them a copy of the speech or ask for their permission, U.S. officials told Axios.

(…)

„I don‘t know if people in Israel really understand how big of a step it is for him to do this,“ one U.S. official said.

15.03.2024 - 21:25 [ NBC News / Youtube ]

Full speech: Sen. Schumer calls for new elections in Israel

(14.03.2024)

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., delivered an address on the Senate floor to call for a two-state solution amid the conflict in Gaza and new elections in Israel.

15.03.2024 - 21:19 [ Tagesschau.de ]

US-Senator Schumer fordert Neuwahl in Israel

Netanyahu sei „vom Weg abgekommen, indem er sein politisches Überleben über die besten Interessen Israels gestellt hat“. Die vom israelischen Regierungschef eingegangene Koalition mit weit rechts stehenden Extremisten habe zur Folge, dass Netanyahu „zu sehr bereit“ sei, „die zivilen Opfer im Gazastreifen zu tolerieren“. Dieses Handeln lasse die weltweite Unterstützung für Israel auf einen Tiefstand sinken. Das Land könne aber nicht überleben, wenn es zu einem „Paria“ – einem Ausgestoßenen – werde, warnte Schumer.

15.03.2024 - 21:11 [ CNN ]

A speech that sent shockwaves from Washington to Jerusalem

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s warning that Israel risked becoming a “pariah” and his call for new elections marked a momentous moment in modern US-Israel relations.

15.03.2024 - 20:45 [ ABC News ]

Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, warns Netanyahu has ‚lost his way‘

(14.03.2024)

„As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed — radically — since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past,“ he said.

„At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government,“ he said.

(…)

He also called for a two-state solution.

(…)

Schumer also called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to step aside.

13.03.2024 - 18:49 [ Times pf Israel ]

‘Very senior’ Israeli official accuses US government of seeking to oust Netanyahu

Opening its main nightly news broadcast, Channel 12 said that the statement came from “the most senior Israeli political source you can imagine,” indicating this was Netanyahu himself, and added that the US report had left the prime minister “fuming.”

13.03.2024 - 18:39 [ StratNewsGlobal.com ]

Netanyahu’s Leadership In Jeopardy Warns US Intel Report

CNN quoting a US intelligence report, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s viability as a leader is “in jeopardy”.

“Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections,” the report said. “A different, more moderate government is a possibility.”

06.03.2024 - 16:59 [ CNN ]

Biden officials deliver a tough message on Gaza to Netanyahu’s chief political foe

Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, as the US seeks to ratchet up pressure on the Netanyahu government to allow more aid into Gaza. Those calls have gone largely unheeded as the humanitarian crisis deepens and ceasefire talks have yet to reach a breakthrough.

05.03.2024 - 02:42 [ USA Today ]

US rift with Netanyahu grows as top officials meet with his rival: Updates

The Biden administration‘s rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became even more acute Sunday, when Vice President Kamala Harris called for a cease-fire in Gaza the day before a controversial meeting with a top Israeli official and longtime Netanyahu rival.

Israeli Cabinet minister Benny Gantz traveled to Washington without the endorsement of Netanyahu, who instructed the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. to withhold assistance in arranging his meetings, Israel Hayom reported.

05.03.2024 - 02:30 [ PBS.org ]

U.S. visit by Netanyahu’s rival Gantz signals wider cracks in Israel’s wartime leadership

An official from Netanyahu’s far-right Likud party said Gantz’s trip was planned without authorization from the Israeli leader. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu had a “tough talk” with Gantz and told him the country has “just one prime minister.”

05.03.2024 - 02:11 [ Associated Press ]

Harris will meet with Israeli Cabinet official who is in Washington despite Netanyahu’s rebuke

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday is hosting a member of Israel’s wartime Cabinet who is visiting Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, is sitting down with several senior Biden administration officials this week, including Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken,

02.03.2024 - 22:41 [ Middle East Eye ]

Netanyahu ‚does not approve‘ of Gantz trip to Washington

„The prime minister made it clear to Gantz last night that he does not approve of his trip to Washington. Any official trip abroad by a minister that is not private but rather in an official capacity requires approval from the prime minister,“ the senior figure was quoted as saying.

A statement from Gantz confirmed that he would meet with Harris, as well as with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Republican and Democratic members of US Congress.

02.01.2024 - 19:50 [ Tagesschau,de ]

Israels Justizreform gekippt: Der Krieg überlagert den Streit über das historische Urteil

„Die Frage ist, ob dieses Urteil ein Scheitern ist oder der Beweis dafür, dass das System reformiert werden muss“, sagt er. „Dass die Notwendigkeit noch größer ist als bisher angenommen. Wir werden uns aus einem einfachen Grund jetzt nicht damit beschäftigen: Der Feind steht vor unseren Toren. Wer sich jetzt mit der Frage beschäftigt, hat den Bezug zur Realität verloren.“

01.01.2024 - 19:46 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Israel: Oberstes Gericht kippt Kernelement von Justizreform

Die von der Regierung seit ihrer Vereidigung vor einem Jahr massiv vorangetriebene Justizreform hatte die israelische Gesellschaft tief gespalten. Über Monate gingen immer wieder Hunderttausende von Menschen auf die Straße, um dagegen zu protestieren – sie sahen im Vorgehen der Regierung eine Gefahr für Israels Demokratie.

Netanyahus Regierung argumentierte dagegen, das Gericht sei in Israel zu mächtig, man wolle lediglich ein Gleichgewicht wiederherstellen.

29.11.2023 - 17:35 [ South China Morning Post ]

‘China’s position is clear’: Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes for one UN voice on Gaza ceasefire

The Security Council should reach another consensus, Wang told his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in a separate meeting, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry.

“We should seek a new consensus in the council to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, the release of detainees and a return to the two-state solution, which is the fundamental solution to the Palestine problem,” Wang said. (…)

Wang said Wednesday’s high-level meeting comes at a crucial time, being the last day of a temporary ceasefire. It will aim to push the council to reach a consensus on a ceasefire,…

11.11.2023 - 02:20 [ United Nations ]

‚Nowhere and no one is safe‘ in Gaza, WHO chief tells Security Council

The UN Security Council met again on Friday to discuss …

That‘s it from this latest UN Security Council meeting on the Israel-Palestine crisis, where consensus among the body‘s 15 members remains elusive.

03.11.2023 - 20:05 [ Times of Malta ]

„Present UN resolution for Gaza ceasefire,“ activists, PL MEPs urge Malta

Pursuant to this obligation, Frazier announced Malta’s initiative to coordinate an E10 draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.

„Since then, Malta has been working tirelessly to arrive at a consensual text, agreeable to both the elected and permanent members, which we hope the Security Council will be able to action in the coming days.

12.10.2023 - 14:49 [ Blake Allen / Twitter ]

Obviously we won’t know until more details come out but since the unity government is with Benny Gantz and not Yair Lapid that means that Ben Gvir and Smotrich will remain in government. That’s horrible for a host of reasons

12.10.2023 - 14:45 [ Louis Weijl / Twitter ]

It‘s not clear to me who is and isn‘t in it. Not Lapid (yet), Liberman, nor Michaeli, but Ben Gvir and Smuthrich? What kind of ‚unity‘ is that? We are used to Gantz immediately taking action. As soon as he can move up a step, he forgets principles and agreements.

12.10.2023 - 14:29 [ Prime Minister of Israel / Twitter ]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a joint statement with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and National Unity Chairman MK Benny Gantz: „Citizens of Israel, this evening we have formed a national emergency government. The people are united and today its leadership is also united.

(11.10.2023)

07.10.2023 - 20:39 [ Benny Johnson / Twitter ]

BREAKING: Israeli Opposition Leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz are calling for the formation of a unity government to manage the war after meeting with PM Benjamin Netanyahu

(today)

07.10.2023 - 20:34 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Opposition Lawmaker Gantz Briefed on Saudi Deal With U.S. National Sec. Advisor in White House

(05.10.2023)

The Biden administration hopes Israeli opposition parties will consider joining the coalition in place of its far-right members in case the latter opposes any concessions towards the Palestinians as part of a potential Saudi agreement

05.10.2023 - 14:30 [ chitowngringa #Boycott Bibi-BenGvir / Twitter ]

A unity government destroys Gantz and Lapid, especially Gantz politically, and will allow Bibi to remain in charge until his death followed by a Likud puppet. It means that there will be NO democracy in Israel in the future, which is what you don‘t seem to understand.

Plus on a personal level, it appears humiliating and degrading for anyone to be forced to „kneel“ and serve as Bibi‘s powerless slave ministers. Gantz wants to be PM, not spend what remains of his political career pouring Miss Piggy‘s pink champagne for her.

05.10.2023 - 12:50 [ Barak Ravid, Political reporter for Axios covering foreign policy & the 2024 election. Washington correspondent for Walla. Author of Trump's Peace. / Twitter ]

Scoop: Former Israeli minister of defense Benny Gantz is on a low profile visit to Washington & met today at the White House with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, two U.S. sources told me. His visit comes amid White House efforts to reach a mega deal with Saudi Arabia

05.10.2023 - 12:35 [ Haaretz ]

Israeli Opposition Lawmaker Gantz Briefed on Saudi Deal With U.S. National Sec. Advisor in White House

The Biden administration hopes Israeli opposition parties will consider joining the coalition in place of its far-right members in case the latter opposes any concessions towards the Palestinians as part of a potential Saudi agreement

26.09.2023 - 01:23 [ ResponsibleStatecraft.org ]

WSJ conceals Saudi funding of pro-Saudi nuke deal source

Israeli sources speaking to the WSJ acknowledged concerns about nonproliferation safeguards and the potential for a regional nuclear-arms race. But the one expert who was reported as thinking “the idea is worth exploring,” is an executive at an organization that depends heavily on Saudi funding, a potential financial conflict of interest that wasn’t disclosed by the WSJ to its readers.

The WSJ quoted Brian Katulis, described as “vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington,” supporting the controversial idea.

26.09.2023 - 01:15 [ Wall Street Journal ]

Saudi Uranium Enrichment Floated Under Possible Israel Deal

(21.09.2023)

“The question is whether the U.S. sitting on the sidelines, crossing its arms and scolding countries in the region for pursuing civilian nuclear energy is a more effective strategy than starting a discussion that aims to build trust and confidence among key actors in the region like Israel and Saudi Arabia.”

Katulis said, “The risk of some hostile leader getting these capacities is one we’ve seen and managed in a number of places around the world, including Pakistan.”

“It’s not an ideal situation in those instances,” he said, “but the risks can be managed.”

12.09.2023 - 21:36 [ Times of Israel ]

US said to hold undisclosed talks with Gantz, Bennett over Saudi normalization

Lapid told the Americans he was vehemently opposed to allowing Saudi Arabia to carry out any nuclear enrichment on its soil.

The report said Gantz and Bennett were believed to have also highlighted the dangers of a regional nuclear race if the Saudis had their own program.

22.08.2023 - 15:14 [ Washington Post ]

A Saudi-Israeli Peace Deal? Who Wants What and Why

The main thing the Saudis would get in exchange — security guarantees — wouldn’t come from Israel but from its closest ally — the US. Israel, a high-tech power, would play a major role in ambitious Saudi plans to move its economy beyond oil. It would also be expected to make concessions to the Palestinian self-ruling authority in the West Bank. The US would regain some of its influence over Saudi Arabia, stemming efforts by China to expand its sway in the Middle East. The deal offers significant rewards to all four governments, not least of them additional ways of dealing with Iranian military activity in the region. But the prospect of the pact stirs populist forces among all of their constituencies, posing risks to those in power.

09.08.2023 - 12:05 [ Washington Post ]

Why Israel Is Bitterly Split Over a Judiciary Overhaul

(August 8, 2023 at 10:09 a.m. EDT)

4. What else is planned?

• Changing the way judges are chosen. Currently, Supreme Court justices are selected by a committee made up of two ministers, two lawmakers (one of whom is traditionally from the opposition), two members of the bar association and three justices. The government wants to increase the role of politicians in picking judges but the details are still being debated. Some suggestions are to shift the balance of legal professionals and politicians on the committee, others to remove the judges and bar members entirely, replacing them with a mix of coalition and opposition politicians. Netanyahu says he will seek consensus and will wait till November before making his next move.

08.08.2023 - 13:55 [ Institute for National Security Studies - INSS.org.il ]

Normalization for Proliferation? The Saudi Nuclear Strategy and the Price of Peace with Israel

(March 19, 2023)

In general, the Saudis wish to present themselves as Iran’s equals, and if Iran can enrich uranium, say the Saudis, then so can we. In addition, the Saudis want to keep all their nuclear options open, even if they are not intending to work on the development of nuclear weapons immediately.

08.08.2023 - 13:39 [ Ynetnews.com ]

Netanyahu‘s government to back Biden in bid to win Senate support for Saudi pact

Recently, top Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, after stops in Riyadh and Jerusalem and voicing strong support for Saudi-Israel normalization, said that he would support the Biden administration plan to meet Saudi prerequisites, culminating in Saudi Arabia formally acknowledging Israel.

Beyond a defense pact, the Saudis also have raised requests with the US for civilian nuclear capabilities, advanced weaponry, and beyond. Israeli agreement would be crucial for these components. Historically, Israel has been wary, particularly regarding the nuclear aspect