Israel does U-turn, ‘cancels action’ against AP’s Gaza live feed
Israeli authorities are reversing course after confiscating camera equipment belonging to The Associated Press, following widespread condemnation from media groups and criticism even from its closest ally, the United States.
“I have now ordered to cancel the action and return the equipment to the AP,” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said in a statement. He said the final decision would be made by the defence ministry, which he said wants to examine the issue.
The ministry earlier accused AP of breaking the law by providing a live broadcast to Al Jazeera, which it placed under a temporary ban earlier this month.
Officials hadn’t previously told The AP that the positioning of its live camera was an issue. Instead, they repeatedly noted its images appeared in real-time on Al Jazeera Media Network.
“While we are pleased with this development, we remain concerned about the Israeli government’s use of the foreign broadcaster law and the ability of independent journalists to operate freely in Israel,” said Lauren Easton, AP’s vice president of corporate communications.
Going against Western press was one step too far. Aljazeera is still banned.
Israeli far-right minister expects war cabinet position
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he “expects” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appoint him to the war cabinet.
“I have no doubt that Netanyahu will bring me in. I think Netanyahu understands very well what I want from him. We have private conversations and in private conversations I allow myself to tell him many things,” Ben-Gvir is quoted by The Times of Israel as saying.
The comments come amid turmoil within the current war cabinet with both Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz criticising Netanyahu for failing to outline a post-war plan for Gaza.
Blinken: Gaza truce still possible but set back by ‘shameful’ ICC move
A Gaza ceasefire deal is still possible but an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest bid for Israeli leaders has set back diplomatic efforts, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.
“I think we’ve come very, very close on a couple of occasions,” Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “We remain at it every single day. I think that there’s still a possibility.”
Blinken added, however, “it’s challenged by a number of events and I have to say, yes, the extremely wrongheaded decision by the ICC prosecutor yesterday – the shameful equivalence implied between Hamas and the leadership of Israel – I think that only complicates the prospects for getting such an agreement.”
This snake needs to turn himself in to the ICC as well. Netanyahu is the problem that keeps a truce out of reach. Blinken will grasp at anything to divert attention away from the real problem, the US and Netanyahu.
CNN blames Egypt for the deal Hamas agreed to, falling through.
Egypt changed terms of Gaza ceasefire deal presented to Hamas, surprising negotiators, sources say
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/21/politics/sources-say-they-were-duped-by-egypt-changing-ceasefire-terms-for-hamas/index.html
Egyptian intelligence quietly changed the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed off on earlier this month, ultimately scuttling a deal that could have released Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and set a pathway to temporarily end the fighting in Gaza, according to three people familiar with the discussions.
The ceasefire agreement that Hamas ended up announcing on May 6 was not what the Qataris or the Americans believed had been submitted to Hamas for a potential final review, the sources said.
The changes made by Egyptian intelligence, the details of which have not been previously reported, led to a wave of anger and recrimination among officials from the US, Qatar and Israel, and left ceasefire talks at an impasse.
Reads like scapegoating to divert the blame from Netanyahu.
"A CIA spokesperson declined to comment." "The Egyptian government did not respond to a request for comment."
Rewriting recent history as well in the same freaking article. Hamas agreed to the deal that would lead to "sustained calm" in multiple phases.
"US officials have argued that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar doesn’t actually want a deal since he may think he’s winning and the greater the Palestinian suffering the more the world turns on Israel."
Unknown sources, CIA won't comment, Egypt won't comment. First Israel attacks Qatar for not pushing Hamas enough, now it's Egypt's turn for appeasing Hamas behind Israel's back...
The stalemate remains: Hamas wants a path to an end of the war, Netanyahu only wants a pause to exchange prisoners to then resume bombing Gaza.
Ireland to announce recognition of Palestinian state on Wednesday: Report
The Irish government is to announce the recognition of a Palestinian state on Wednesday, Reuters news agency reports, citing a “a source familiar with the matter”.
The Irish government on Tuesday evening said the prime minister and foreign minister would speak to the media on Wednesday morning, but did not say what the topic would be.
European Union members Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Malta have indicated in recent weeks they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Blinken will call it unhelpful no doubt.
