Israel-Iran crisis presents ‘worst-case scenario’ for Biden, Harris before elections
We’ve been waiting for communication between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden. That still has not occurred. We are also expecting a Pentagon briefing in the next couple of hours.
This crisis is not good for the Biden administration. There is concern that it is spiralling into a broader Middle East conflict, a worst-case scenario for his vice president, Kamala Harris, who is also the Democratic presidential nominee, one month before elections.
Republicans have been saying on Capitol Hill that the reason the Biden administration finds itself in this situation is because it has not been more hawkish towards Iran in the past.
Did Iran oppress, kill and torture Palestinians for the past 76 years? The Biden administration is in trouble because Biden can't say no to Netanyahu. Republicans want war with Iran as much as Netanyahu... Trump's Abraham accords are a big part of why we are here now, next to moving the American embassy to Jerusalem and of course helping Netanyahu getting re-elected. Now Netanyahu is helping getting Trump re-elected.
Swedish FM escapes tomato, onion attack over Israeli occupation stance
Maria Malmer Stenergard ran out of a parliamentary debate over the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that demands an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of “occupied Palestinian Territory” within a year.
According to various Swedish media outlets, a bag of tomatoes and red onions was thrown at her while one person shouted, “Stop Israel, they are terrorists”, while someone else called out, “The coward runs.”
Sweden was one of the 43 countries abstaining from the nonbinding measure, which passed in the UNGA with a 124-14 vote in September.
According to Member of Parliament Ann-Sofie Alm, the activists were literally caught red-handed, having painted their hands with red paint before entry.
A member of parliament raised concerns about security after it appeared the activists had allegedly smuggled the fruit and vegetables under their jackets.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called for an investigation into the incident and stated that he now wants to see “powerful measures” introduced to ensure the safety of MPs.
Qatar condemns Israel’s efforts to politicise UN’s role
The Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed its support for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and “his role in promoting dialogue and consolidating international peace and security”.
The statement came a day after Israel declared Guterres “persona non grata” and barred him from entering the country, accusing him of failing to “unequivocally” condemn Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
Qatar condemned “any action aimed at politicising the role of the United Nations and affecting its mission to maintain security and stability”.
“We emphasise the necessity for Israel to respect its international obligations and cooperate with the international community to ensure that the United Nations performs its role without restrictions or obstacles,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said.
