A majority of Americans – 54 percent – would prefer a partial government shutdown until federal spending reduces than avoiding a shutdown by authorizing higher levels of government spending, according to a recent survey by Rasmussen Reports.
The majority comprised more than a third of Democrats – 36 percent – and almost two-thirds of Republicans – 74 percent.
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A total of 57 percent of Democrats and only 17 percent of Republicans would prefer increased spending would prefer more spending.
Responsibility for the Federal Deficit Budget.
Rasmussen Reports also asked the 1038 likely U.S. voters: “Which is more to blame for the size of the federal budget deficit? Either “taxpayers’ unwillingness to pay more in taxes” or “politicians’ unwillingness to reduce government spending.”
The overwhelming majority of Americans – 68 percent – believe politicians are to blame, including a whopping 88 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Democrats.
Only 40 percent of Democrats believed that an unwillingness to pay taxes was the primary reason for the size of the budget deficit.
Delay in Debt-Ceiling Increase.
Lastly, Rasmussen posed the question: “How likely is it that delay in passing a debt-ceiling increase will lead to the United States defaulting on its debt payments?”
A majority of 57 percent believed it was either “very likely” or “somewhat likely,” with 67 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of Republicans.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Florida judge made hundreds of political donations totaling around $29,000 to Democrat-aligned organizations or candidates, violating judicial ethics rules.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Judge Diana Tennis and the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Donations were made since 2016; the case was filed at the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Judge Tennis admitted to her misconduct and has cooperated with the Commission in all respects during this inquiry. She has expressed deep regret that her conduct could have eroded the public’s perception of the integrity of the judiciary and judicial elections.” – Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission
🎯IMPACT: The case raises concerns about judicial impartiality, and the Florida Supreme Court will determine whether to approve a recommended public reprimand.
IN FULL
A Florida judge is facing disciplinary action for illicit political contributions barred under state ethics rules. According to a filing made earlier this week, Judge Diana Tennis made over 900 donations totaling approximately $29,000 to Democrat-aligned organizations and candidates. These donations, according to the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, violated judicial ethics rules outlined in Canons 1, 2A, and 7A (1)(e), which prohibit judges from making political contributions.
The commission noted that while other judges have made political donations, Tennis was described as “far and away the most prolific offender” in both the number of contributions and the total amount given. The organizations and campaigns receiving her donations included Democratic congressional candidates, pro-abortion PACs, and Joe Biden‘s presidential campaign.
Tennis expressed remorse for her actions, claiming that she misunderstood the rules and believed the prohibition only applied to state-level candidates. She also stated that some donations were unintentionally authorized as recurring payments or split into multiple entries by platforms or committees. Despite her explanations, the commission emphasized that her actions could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
In light of her cooperation and lack of prior disciplinary history, the commission recommended a public reprimand. “Judge Tennis admitted to her misconduct and has cooperated with the Commission in all respects during this inquiry. She has expressed deep regret that her conduct could have eroded the public’s perception of the integrity of the judiciary and judicial elections,” the commission said in its filing.
The Florida Supreme Court will now review and approve the recommendation. If accepted, Tennis will receive a public reprimand. If rejected, the case could proceed to a full hearing before the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Failed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has revealed Pete Buttigieg was her first choice for running mate but deemed it “too big of a risk.”
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Tim Walz.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Excerpt from Harris’s upcoming book107 Days, set to release September 23.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Part of me wanted to say, Screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk.” – Kamala Harris
🎯IMPACT: Harris ultimately chose Tim Walz as her running mate, losing to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in the election.
IN FULL
Pete Buttigieg was former Vice President Kamala Harris‘s “first choice” to be her running mate in the 2024 presidential election. The choice of Buttigieg—the homosexual former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, McKinsey consultant, former Secretary of Transportation, and Naval Reserve intelligence officer—was revealed in a newly released excerpt from Harris’s upcoming book, 107 Days, which recalls her disastrous presidential campaign.
Despite Harris’s preference for Buttigieg, she settled on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) instead, concluding that Buttigieg “was too big of a risk.” Harris wrote that Buttigieg, “would have been an ideal partner—if I were a straight white man.” She added, “But we were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man.”
“Part of me wanted to say, Screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk,” Harris wrote. “And I think Pete also knew that—to our mutual sadness.” Harris and Walz, effectively a straight white male diversity hire, went on to lose the 2024 presidential election in a landslide to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in November.
The excerpt also revealed that Buttigieg initially led Harris’s vetting list for running mates. Harris described him as “a sincere public servant with the rare talent of being able to frame liberal arguments in a way that makes it possible for conservatives to hear them.” She added, “I love Pete. I love working with Pete. He and his husband, Chasten, are friends.”
It is unclear whether Harris’s vetting of Buttigieg uncovered the former Transportation Secretary‘s ties to Patrick Wojahn, a former Democrat mayor of College Park, Maryland, who was sentenced in 2023 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to dozens of charges relating to the possession of child pornography. The 30-year sentence (150 in total with 120 years suspended) comes after Wojahn reached an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty in August to 140 counts related to the possession and distribution of materials depicting child sexual abuse.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal immigrationjudge ordered Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, to be deported to either Algeria or Syria due to alleged misrepresentations on his green card application.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mahmoud Khalil, Judge Jamee Comans, and the Trump administration.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued last week by a Louisiana-based immigration court.
💬KEY QUOTE: “This Court finds that Respondent willfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process,” wrote Judge Comans.
🎯IMPACT: Khalil now faces deportation unless he successfully appeals the decision within 30 days.
IN FULL
A federal immigration judge has ordered Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student who organized pro-Hamas protests, to be deported to Algeria or Syria. The ruling, issued last week, was revealed in court filings by Khalil’s lawyers on Wednesday as part of his ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent his removal.
Khalil, a green card holder, has alleged that the Trump administration detained him and sought to deport him as part of a broader policy targeting foreign students involved in protests against Israel. The administration accused him of “hateful behavior and rhetoric.” Judge Jamee Comans denied Khalil’s motion for a waiver to prevent his removal, citing alleged misrepresentations on his green card application.
In her ruling, Comans stated, “This Court finds that Respondent’s lack of candor on his [immigration forms] was not an oversight by an uninformed, uneducated applicant. Rather, this Court finds that Respondent willfully misrepresented material fact(s) for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration process.”
Khalil’s legal team criticized the decision, describing it as “highly unusual” and claiming procedural irregularities. “It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech,” Khalil said in a statement.
The Trump administration had initially sought to deport Khalil under a federal law allowing removal if the Secretary of State determines a noncitizen’s presence poses “adverse foreign policy consequences.” A federal judge blocked this attempt earlier in the year. Khalil now has 30 days to appeal the immigration court’s decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Khalil is currently a citizen of Algeria, but was born in Syria, leaving the two countries as the most reasonable places for Khalil to be deported to.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Three police officers were killed and two others critically injured in an apparent ambush while serving a warrant in North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Five officers, the suspect, and multiple law enforcement agencies including state police.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, September 17, in North Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania, roughly 115 miles west of Philadelphia.
💬KEY QUOTE: “This is an absolutely tragic and devastating day. We grieve for the loss of life of three precious souls who served this county, served this commonwealth, served this country.” – Governor Josh Shapiro (D)
🎯IMPACT: The incident marks one of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania police in decades, sparking widespread mourning and ongoing investigations.
IN FULL
In North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania, three police officers were fatally shot and two others critically wounded on Wednesday during an ambush while serving a warrant. The attack occurred during a domestic-related investigation, with a suspect, reportedly the ex-boyfriend of a local resident and dressed in camouflage, firing from a cornfield, officials said. The suspect was killed in the incident.
The two injured officers were airlifted to WellSpan York Hospital, where they remain in critical but stable condition, according to Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris. Governor Josh Shapiro (D), who met with the victims’ families, described the event as a “tragic and devastating day.” On X, he wrote, “These officers represent the very best of us.”
The officers were from the Northern York Regional Police Department and included a York County sheriff’s deputy. The response involved over 30 police vehicles blocking roads in the rural community. A procession honored the fallen officers, with residents waving American flags and leaving flowers at the police headquarters.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the attack “a scourge on our society,” noting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are aiding the investigation.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: Potential investigations into ANTIFA’s funding could follow.
IN FULL
President Donald Trump has taken a significant step by announcing the designation of ANTIFA as a major terrorist organization. This move was revealed through a post on his Truth Social account.
In his statement, Trump described ANTIFA as “A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER” and emphasized the need for this designation.
Furthermore, President Trump indicated that he would strongly recommend thorough investigations into those funding ANTIFA, ensuring that the highest legal standards and practices are upheld.
This announcement is likely to lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal actions against those associated with ANTIFA’s financial backing.
The President expressed gratitude for the attention given to this matter, highlighting the importance of addressing such domestic threats.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Disney’s ABC has indefinitely removed Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show from the air following his controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, Nexstar, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, and Charlie Kirk.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made Wednesday evening, affecting ABC-affiliated stations across the country.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” – FCC Chair Brendan Carr
🎯IMPACT: Nexstar pulled Kimmel’s show from its ABC-affiliated stations, and the FCC is reviewing the network’s compliance with public-interest standards.
IN FULL
Disney’s ABC has announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will be pre-empted indefinitely following backlash over comments made by the host regarding Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer. An ABC spokesperson confirmed the decision but declined to provide further details.
The controversy stems from remarks Kimmel made during his Monday evening monologue, where he accused the MAGA movement of trying to score political points by distancing itself from the alleged killer, Tyler Robinson. Nexstar, a major operator of ABC-affiliated stations, responded by refusing to broadcast Kimmel’s show, citing objections to his comments.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s remarks, calling them “the sickest conduct possible” and suggesting the FCC could take measures against ABC affiliates if Disney fails to address the issue. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr stated during an interview.
The Center for American Rights has filed a complaint with the FCC, arguing that Kimmel’s comments violated public-interest standards. “Disney as ABC’s corporate owner needs to act directly to correct this problem,” said Daniel Suhr, president of the organization.
This incident adds to ongoing tensions between ABC and conservative figures, with Carr previously targeting other ABC programming like “The View” for alleged bias. Meanwhile, Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez defended Kimmel’s First Amendment rights, warning against government overreach in response to controversial speech.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A memorial event honoring Charlie Kirk will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, featuring speeches by prominent political figures.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Speakers include President Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Erika Kirk.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The event will occur on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with overflow seating at Desert Diamond Arena.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Charlie was a servant of the Lord, a devoted husband to Erika, a loving father to two beautiful children, and a leader of uncommon clarity and strength,” notes a tribute on fightforcharlie.com.
🎯IMPACT: The event aims to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy and inspire future generations to uphold faith, freedom, and patriotism.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to speak this Sunday at a memorial event for assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The gathering will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and is expected to draw massive crowds.
According to the event’s website, fightforcharlie.com, other confirmed speakers include Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump Jr., and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller. More names are expected to be announced in the days leading up to the event.
State Farm Stadium has a permanent seating capacity of 63,400 and can expand to over 73,000 for major events. In anticipation of high turnout, overflow seating will be available at nearby Desert Diamond Arena. The event will also be streamed live on Kirk’s Rumble account.
Kirk was assassinated last week in Utah at the age of 31. He would have turned 32 next month. A tribute posted on the event’s website describes him as “a servant of the Lord, a devoted husband to Erika, a loving father to two beautiful children, and a leader of uncommon clarity and strength.” The dress code for attendees is “Sunday Best – Red, White, or Blue,” and seating will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
“He did not seek influence for its own sake. Instead, he poured his life into others, raising up a generation who would be bold in their faith, steadfast in their love of freedom, and unafraid to defend their country,” the tribute reads.
Vice President Vance and Stephen Miller have vowed to dismantle left-wing networks promoting political violence in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. “With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people,” Miller said.
President Trump has suggested Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges should be considered against left-wing plutocrat George Soros, accusing his network of fueling political violence. “You talk about real agitation, riots on the street… that’s RICO,” Trump said.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: A heated exchange erupted at a Dearborn City Council meeting after Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud told a Christian resident he was “not welcome” in the city for opposing street signs honoring an Arab publisher accused of supporting terror.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud, Christian resident Edward “Ted” Barham, and Arab publisher Osama Siblani.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Last week at a Dearborn City Council meeting in Dearborn, Michigan.
💬KEY QUOTE: “You are a bigot, and you are racist, and you’re an Islamophobe. Although you live here, I want you to know, as Mayor, you are not welcome here.” – Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud
🎯IMPACT: The incident has sparked controversy, with concerns raised over free speech, social cohesion, and the growth of parallel societies in America.
IN FULL
A contentious Dearborn City Council meeting last week saw Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud tell a Christian resident he was “not welcome” in the city. The controversy began when longtime resident Edward “Ted” Barham objected during the public comment period to new street signs on Warren Avenue honoring Osama Siblani, an Arab American publisher who has openly praised groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
“He’s a promoter of Hezbollah and Hamas,” Barham said, referencing past remarks by Siblani in which he glorified violent resistance. “He talks about how the blood of the martyrs irrigates the land of Palestine… others will fight with planes, drones, and rockets.” Comparing the honor of naming a road “Hezbollah Street or Hamas Street,” Barham called the move provocative and emphasized his Christian commitment to peace, quoting scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Mayor Hammoud responded aggressively, saying, “The best suggestion I have for you is to not drive on Warren Avenue or to close your eyes while you’re doing it.”
“His name is up there, and I spoke at a ceremony celebrating it because he’s done a lot for this community,” the mayor said, before launching into a torrent of insults: “You are a bigot, and you are racist, and you’re an Islamophobe. Although you live here, I want you to know, as Mayor, you are not welcome here. And the day you move out of the city will be the day that I launch a parade celebrating the fact that you moved out.”
Dearborn’s mayor has previously stoked controversy in 2023 when two Palestinian flags were posted at the city’s welcome sign following the Hamas massacre of over a thousand people on October 7 of that year.
Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, warned that Dearborn was at risk of devolving into a parallel society, similar to many Islamic enclaves in Europe, in his 2017 book No Go Zones.
WATCH:
Dearborn has fallen
A Dearborn, Michigan resident was testifying against naming a street after pro-Hezbollah radical Osama Siblani.
Mayor Abdullah Hammoud responded: “You do not belong in this city, Islamophobe! Get out!, you are not welcomed here”pic.twitter.com/j9v4BoNFNU
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Englishman Nathan Poole was sentenced to 30 months in prison for shouting at police and chanting “Who the f**k is Allah?” during a disorderly anti-immigration protest.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nathan Poole, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Judge Richard McConaghy.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The demonstration took place on August 3, 2024, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, following the mass murder of a number of young girls by a migration-background teenager in Southport.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The main location was the mosque and your specific chants in relation to Allah made it quite clear your involvement was hostility towards Islam.” – Judge Richard McConaghy
🎯IMPACT: Poole’s lengthy prison sentence contrasts sharply with the relatively light punishments handed down to more serious criminals, including sexual predators, and the lack of action against Britons celebrating the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, underscoring the increasingly two-tier nature of British justice.
IN FULL
Englishman Nathan Poole, 32, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a protest that took place in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on August 3, 2024. The demonstration, following the mass murder of several young girls by a migration-background teenager in Southport, involved around 300 people and saw some clashes with police in the city centre. Poole, who did not participate in any violence, was charged because he was heard shouting at police and chanting, “Who the fuck is Allah?”
Judge Richard McConaghy said Poole had been “abusive and argumentative with police officers,” although he conceded to him that there was “no evidence that you threw a missile or that you were an architect of any of the pushing.”
“But you were seen in different locations. You were being bullish and shouted, ‘Who the f*** is Allah’ at the other group,” the judge complained, adding: “The main location was the mosque and your specific chants in relation to Allah made it quite clear your involvement was hostility towards Islam.”
Poole’s case comes amid growing concerns about how police and courts have handled protests and unrest linked to immigration tensions. Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative Party councillor, was sentenced to a staggering 31 months in prison for posting a message on social media—which she deleted just hours later—calling for mass deportations and saying she would not care if hotels hosting migrants were burned down. In contrast, Sarah Hayes, a British TikTok user, faced no action for celebrating the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and urging her over 200,000 followers to “kill them all, kill them all.”
Notably, criminals convicted of crimes most people regard as very serious often receive far lighter punishments than Poole and Connolly. For instance, asylum seeker Moffat Konofilia, who sexually assaulted a minor while saying he had “never been so close to a white woman” before, received no prison time at all earlier this month.
Such cases have added to ongoing accusations of two-tier justice in Britain. This extends to policing, with a video of a Southport counter-demonstration in 2024 showing officers politely asking a Muslim crowd to deposit their weapons at a nearby mosque to avoid arrest.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The European Commission proposed sanctions on Israeli ministers and settlers, along with suspending preferential trade access for billions of euros’ worth of Israeli exports.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and European Union (EU) officials.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium, affecting EU-Israel relations.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We regret having to take this step. However, we believe it is both appropriate and proportionate given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” – Maroš Šefčovič
🎯IMPACT: Proposed sanctions could affect $7.1 billion worth of Israeli exports to the EU, but will face significant opposition from member states like Hungary.
IN FULL
The European Commission, the unelected executive for the European Union (EU), proposed a set of sanctions targeting Israeli ministers and settlers on September 17, along with the suspension of preferential trade access for billions of euros’ worth of Israeli exports. The move marks the EU’s most significant attempt yet to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its military campaign in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated nearly two years on from the Hamas attacks on the Jewish State on October 7, 2023.
European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič said, “We regret having to take this step. However, we believe it is both appropriate and proportionate given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” A senior Commission official added, “I think it’s important to show Europeans that we are able, willing, ready to react when principles and lines have been crossed.”
The proposed trade measures would suspend benefits granted under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, affecting roughly $7.1 billion in Israeli goods, amounting to around 37 percent of Israel’s total exports to the bloc. However, for the suspension to take effect, it must be approved by a so-called “qualified majority” of EU member states, representing at least 65 percent of the Union’s population.
In addition to trade actions, the Commission recommended sanctions against several nationalist Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. A number of Israeli settlers and organizations operating in the West Bank would also be targeted. The EU is simultaneously proposing sanctions on ten senior Hamas members whose actions helped trigger the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. These sanctions will require unanimous backing from all 27 EU member states.
Despite the proposed measures, EU funds supporting Israeli civil society groups, particularly those combating anti-Semitism, would remain unaffected. Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica confirmed that such funding streams would continue.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply criticized the EU’s proposals, calling them “morally and politically distorted” and warning that “steps against Israel will be answered accordingly, and we hope we will not be required to take them.”
The proposals come amid a noticeable shift in Europe’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several EU governments, including France, Ireland, and Spain, have either recognized or announced plans to recognize a State of Palestine.
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