Israel-Arab deals ‘transforming the region for the better’: US legislator
Despite the rampant destruction in Gaza and the risk of an all-out conflict that could engulf the entire Middle East, US Congressman Don Davis has hailed the so-called Abraham Accords, which were sponsored by the former Trump administration to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab states.
“As we mark the fourth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, we reflect on how the historic agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain is transforming the region for the better,” Davis, a Democrat, wrote in a social media post.
“Let’s keep the momentum alive and work to expand the peace to other Gulf states.”
Critics say the agreements aimed to forge economic and diplomatic ties across the region at the expense of maintaining Israeli abuses and the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The Abraham accords led to Oct 7 and now close to all out war in the region. How delusional are US politicians.
US Senator says UN expert’s censure a ‘badge of honor’ for Israel
John Fetterman has dismissed UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s criticism of Israel over the mass atrocities in Gaza.
“These so-called ‘experts’ have consistently revealed their anti-Israel bias and a censure from one of them is a badge of honor,” Fetterman, a Democrat, wrote in a social media post.
“No apologies and zero conditions for any essential support for Israel.”
Albanese and other rights experts have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians – a major crime defined by the UN as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.
Fetterman has been a staunch supporter of Israel, drawing criticism from his progressive Arab and Muslim constituents.
We continue to work around the clock to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas with the release of hostages.
But this is ultimately a question of political will. The time has come for both sides make some hard choices and some difficult compromises. pic.twitter.com/virPmn7iyi
— Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) September 16, 2024
When is the US going to make concessions? There is no political will in the US to stop the genocide.
UN chief remains hopeful on ‘very difficult’ ceasefire talks
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the AFP news agency that mediated ceasefire talks to end the war in Gaza “are endless” and “very difficult” but he remains hopeful a deal could be reached.
It is unlikely the UN Secretary-General will get an opportunity to discuss the negotiations with the Israeli prime minister during the upcoming UN General Assembly, since a meeting “will very probably not take place”, he added.
“As far as I understand, it was already said publicly that it is not [Netanyahu’s] intention to ask for any meeting with me,” said Guterres, who usually meets with all visiting heads of state and government during the annual meeting.
The UN chief’s comments come as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is travelling to Egypt for three days of talks, which will likely include discussions over Israel’s contested claims to the Philadelphi Corridor on Egypt’s border with Gaza.
Netanyahu announces new war goal of returning residents to northern Israel
Israel’s security cabinet has expanded its war objectives to include the “safe return of the residents of the north [of Israel] to their homes”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a Tuesday statement.
Israel’s new war goal, approved during an overnight meeting of the prime minister’s security cabinet, joins three previously stated “conditions for ending the war”, as outlined by Netanyahu’s office in June.
These were the “destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel”.
Lebanese armed group Hezbollah opened a second war front with Israel in solidarity with the people of Gaza a day after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on southern Israel. Escalating cross-border attacks in the months since have seen many northern Israeli communities evacuated.
On Monday, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told US envoy Amos Hochstein the only way to return residents evacuated from northern Israel is through military action.
“The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict,” a statement from Gallant’s office said.
