Harris gaining some in my book
Harris skirts question on whether Netanyahu is ‘close ally’ of US
US Vice President Kamala Harris has skirted a question on whether Netanyahu can be considered a “close ally” of the US, as critics accuse the Israeli PM of stymying Washington’s stated goal of de-escalation in the Middle East.
In an excerpt of an interview with CBS News’s 60 Minutes, Harris was pressed on what the US is doing to get its top ally to end its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and stop its attacks on Lebanon.
Harris, the Democratic candidate in November’s presidential election, said the US has been applying pressure on Israel – as well as on Arab leaders in the region – to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal and would continue to do so.
Harris was then asked if the United States had a “real, close ally” in Netanyahu.
“I think, with all due respect, the better question is, do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? And the answer to that question is ‘yes’,” she replied.
The exchange highlights the continued refusal by President Biden’s administration to change tack and curtail its staunch support for Netanyahu’s government as the Israeli military bombards the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Problem is, how do you get Netanyahu to step down while still giving him everything he needs to stay in power...
Iran announces resumptions of flights
Iran has announced resumption of flights from some of the airports it had put restrictions on earlier today.
Iranian state media says “all flight restrictions are lifted are ensuring favourable and safe conditions”.
Earlier, a spokesman of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization told the state-run IRNA news agency that flights in “some” of the country’s airports will be halted from 9pm to 5am (17:30 to 01:30 GMT). The spokesman had only cited “operational limitations” without elaborating further.
Syria says Israeli air strikes result in ‘material damage’
Syria’s Defence Ministry said Israeli air strikes that targeted its central region caused “material damage”. In a statement, the ministry said Israel attacked Syria from the direction of northern Lebanon, targeting a number of military sites. It did not provide more details.
Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years, but it has ramped up such raids since last year’s October 7 attack.
