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Tuesday, September 23, 2025
4 hours ago
Education
News

Education Sec Calls for More Sanctions Against Faculty Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk’s Assassination.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called for more accountability for faculty members celebrating the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Linda McMahon, Charlie Kirk, alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, and various university faculty and students.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington, following Kirk’s murder on September 10 at Utah Valley University.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve seen some of those college presidents who have fired or suspended teachers or other faculty members that have spoken out really incredibly poorly and celebrated Charlie’s death; I would like to see more of that, quite frankly.” – Linda McMahon.

🎯IMPACT: Kirk’s death has sparked calls for greater accountability and a renewed focus on civil discourse and free speech on campuses.

IN FULL

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is calling for greater accountability from colleges and universities after several faculty members and administrators were found publicly celebrating the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk. Speaking at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education in Washington, McMahon expressed support for institutions that have taken disciplinary action and encouraged others to follow suit.

“I’ve seen some of those college presidents who have fired or suspended teachers or other faculty members that have spoken out really incredibly poorly and celebrated Charlie’s death; I would like to see more of that, quite frankly,” McMahon said.

Her comments come amid a wave of backlash following Kirk’s assassination on September 10 at Utah Valley University during a stop on his American Comeback Tour. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder.

In the days after Kirk’s murder, several celebrations by students and teachers drew national attention. McMahon criticized such actions, stating, “That is really, in and of itself, is a crime of personal integrity, when those kinds of things happen.”

McMahon said she hoped Kirk’s death would serve as a catalyst for improving civil discourse and upholding the principle of free speech. “Charlie was a very forthright speaker about his faith, about his beliefs, about his principles. He didn’t shy away from challenging people who had different beliefs… but in a way to ask them to share why they believe what they believed,” she said.

Additional disciplinary actions have been reported across the country. In Texas, over 100 teachers are facing suspension or certification reviews after allegedly celebrating or justifying Kirk’s assassination on social media. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) stated that the educators could lose their licenses for promoting or glorifying violence.

A U.S. Secret Service agent, Anthony Pough, was placed on leave and had his security clearance revoked after posting remarks applauding Kirk’s death. Meanwhile, The Washington Post fired columnist Karen Attiah over Bluesky posts that the publication said constituted gross misconduct.

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4 hours ago
Crime
News

Mangione Seeks Dismissal of Federal Death Penalty Case, Citing Bondi.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Lawyers for Luigi Mangione have filed a motion seeking to block the Justice Department’s attempt to pursue the death penalty in the case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s assassination, citing comments by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Luigi Mangione and his lawyers, and Attorney General Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bondi made her comments in April on Fox News.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If there was ever a death case, this is one.” – Attorney General Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The defense has accused the Justice Department of constitutional violations and political motivations, as Mangione faces charges in multiple jurisdictions.

IN FULL

Attorneys for Luigi Mangione have filed a motion urging a federal judge to prevent the Justice Department from seeking the death penalty in the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The defense argues that the government’s pursuit of capital punishment is politically motivated and unconstitutional, citing public statements made by top officials that they say could prejudice a potential jury.

Mangione, 27, is accused of tracking Thompson to New York City, where prosecutors allege he shot and killed the health executive on a Manhattan sidewalk near a hotel where Thompson had planned to meet investors. The slaying took place on December 4, 2024. Mangione was arrested five days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where authorities say he was found with a firearm, fake identification, and a notebook containing anti-health insurance industry writings.

In a motion filed Saturday, Mangione’s legal team described the Justice Department’s decision to seek the death penalty as “arbitrary and capricious,” arguing it violates the Fifth and Eighth Amendments. They specifically pointed to a comment made by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox News earlier this year, where she stated, “If there was ever a death case, this is one.” The defense says this statement, along with others made by officials, could unfairly sway public opinion and taint the legal process.

The attorneys also criticized New York state prosecutors for initially charging Mangione with terrorism-related offenses and then allegedly leaking details of the investigation, including references to a “manifesto” and messages opposing the health insurance industry that were reportedly etched onto bullet casings.

On September 16, 2025, a New York judge dismissed the terrorism charges, ruling that prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence to show that Mangione acted with the intent to intimidate a civilian population.

Despite the dismissal of those charges, Mangione still faces a second-degree murder charge in New York state court and several federal charges, including stalking and firearm-related offenses. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Federal prosecutors argue that the defense has no authority to dictate how evidence is presented to a grand jury or how charging decisions are made.

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5 hours ago
Sports

Federal Court: Christian School Was Wrongly Banned for Refusing to Compete Against Trans Athletes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal appeals court ruled that a Vermont Christian school can rejoin the state’s sports league, overturning a ban imposed after the school forfeited a game against a team with a transgender athlete.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mid Vermont Christian School, the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA), Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its ruling in September 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We conclude that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that the VPA’s expulsion of Mid Vermont was not neutral because it displayed hostility toward the school’s religious beliefs.” — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

🎯IMPACT: The ruling challenges the Vermont Principals’ Association’s policies and signals an increasing legal shift against allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports.

IN FULL

A federal appeals court has ruled that Mid Vermont Christian School can participate in the state’s sports league, overturning a ban imposed after the school forfeited a high school girls’ basketball game against a team with a biologically male transgender athlete. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted the school a preliminary injunction on September 9, 2025, allowing it to rejoin the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) while legal proceedings continue.

The federal appellate court stated, “We conclude that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that the VPA’s expulsion of Mid Vermont was not neutral because it displayed hostility toward the school’s religious beliefs.” The case stems from the school’s decision in 2023 to forfeit a game, citing concerns over fairness and player safety due to the presence of a transgender athlete on the opposing team.

Following the forfeit, the VPA ruled that the school violated policies on race, gender, and disability awareness, barring it from participating in all state-sponsored events, including sports, debate tournaments, and science fairs. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), representing the school, students, and parents, argued that the state violated the school’s First Amendment rights. The organization stated that the school acted to avoid compromising its religious beliefs.

The appellate court criticized the VPA for its actions, describing the ban as “unprecedented, overbroad, and procedurally irregular.” It also pointed to comments made by VPA Executive Director Jay Nichols, who testified in favor of banning public funds for religious schools. Nichols reportedly stated, “Thank goodness the student in question didn’t attend that religious school,” which the court viewed as evidence of hostility toward the school’s religious stance.

The Trump administration supported state efforts to block transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, and at least 26 states have enacted laws restricting such participation. Additionally, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken legal action against several states, including Maine, that have attempted to circumvent federal rules. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to address the constitutionality of these bans in its upcoming term.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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5 hours ago
News
Politics

Turning Point USA ‘American Comeback Tour’ to Honor Charlie Kirk.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Turning Point USA will honor its slain founder, Charlie Kirk, with a tribute in Minnesota as the “American Comeback Tour” continues following his assassination.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Catholic conservative commentator Michael Knowles, Turning Point USA, and Charlie Kirk’s supporters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday evening, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I will appear tonight. There will be an empty chair on stage. I will give a tribute to Charlie and then we will open up the floor to an open conversation.” – Michael Knowles

🎯IMPACT: The tour continues as a defiant response to those who sought to silence Kirk and his movement.

IN FULL

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) will pay tribute to its late founder, Charlie Kirk, on Monday at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities as part of the ongoing “American Comeback Tour.” The event follows Kirk’s assassination on September 10, when he was fatally shot during an American Comeback Tour stop at Utah Valley University.

Catholic conservative commentator Michael Knowles, who is scheduled to headline the event, confirmed that a chair will be left empty on stage in Kirk’s honor. “I will appear tonight. There will be an empty chair on stage. I will give a tribute to Charlie and then we will open up the floor to an open conversation,” Knowles said.

He emphasized that Kirk’s commitment to free speech and open dialogue would continue. “Charlie’s enemies will not have stopped that. People who disagree can, like at all of his events, cut to the front of the line and we will continue to have a healthy debate,” he added.

Despite the shock of Kirk’s assassination, the organization has pledged to move forward with the tour. “I think that Charlie’s enemies thought that they could not only silence him, but in fact silence his whole movement. That will not happen,” Knowles said. “In fact, they will not even silence his speaking tour.”

Following Kirk’s death, his widow Erika Kirk was appointed CEO and Chairwoman of Turning Point USA in a unanimous vote by the organization’s board. The decision reportedly fulfilled Kirk’s personal wishes, as he had privately indicated to staff that Erika should lead the organization if anything happened to him. Erika Kirk stated her intention to continue her husband’s mission to promote conservative values, freedom of speech, and Christian principles among young Americans.

TPUSA has faced heightened security concerns in the days following Kirk’s murder. On September 17, a bomb squad was called to TPUSA’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, after a suspicious bag was discovered outside the building. Authorities later determined the bag was not a threat, and no injuries were reported. The incident occurred as staff and mourners gathered at the site in remembrance of Kirk.

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6 hours ago
Health
News

Trump Proposes Individual Vaccines for Measles, Mumps, Rubella.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump recommended that the combined MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps, and rubella, should be taken as separate vaccines.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: During a press conference on autism on September 22.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The MMR, I think, should be taken separately. This is based on what I feel, the Mumps, Measles, and [Rubella], the three should be taken separately. And it seems to be that when you mix them, there could be a problem.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The FDA is also approving leucovorin, or folinic acid, to treat autism symptoms, and strongly recommending that pregnant women limit Tylenol use unless absolutely necessary.

IN FULL

At a press conference on September 22, President Donald J. Trump suggested that the MMR vaccine, intended to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, should be administered as three separate shots instead of a single combined dose. “The MMR, I think, should be taken separately,” Trump said. “This is based on what I feel, the Mumps, Measles, and [Rubella], the three should be taken separately. And it seems to be that when you mix them, there could be a problem.”

Trump argued there would be no downside to separating the doses and said it might even be preferable. He compared the situation to the chickenpox vaccine, which is typically administered alone. “The chickenpox is already separate, because when that got mixed in, I guess they made it four for a while, it really was bad. So they make chickenpox individually,” he explained.

Trump repeatedly stressed that he believes young children are given too many vaccines too close together, lamenting the possible side effects of subjecting them to “a vat of 80 different vaccines,” and recommended they be much more spaced out.

The press conference also featured a very strong recommendation against using Tylenol (acetaminophen), a.k.a. paracetamol, during pregnancy, due to its possible links to autism. Trump announced that the FDA would “strongly recommend that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.” He said exceptions could include “cases of extremely high fever that you feel you can’t tough it out.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supported the new guidance and said doctors should only prescribe Tylenol to pregnant women when absolutely needed. He also suggested that autism could be related to folate deficiency during pregnancy.

Kennedy has recently drawn attention for his push to investigate potential environmental causes of autism. In April, he announced a federal initiative to launch a series of studies aimed at identifying specific toxins or exposures that could be contributing to the condition. While he has not directly blamed vaccines, Kennedy has stated that all potential causes, including pharmaceuticals and environmental chemicals, should be examined.

According to data from the CDC, autism rates in the U.S. have continued to rise, now affecting roughly one in 31 children, mostly boys. Kennedy has called the increase an epidemic and questioned whether the causes are being adequately studied. His efforts include plans to update safety labeling on common medications like Tylenol and to examine possible links between early childhood exposure to toxins such as aluminium and mercury—both used in vaccines—and developmental disorders.

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6 hours ago
Health
News

Trump FDA Set to Approve New Drug for Autism in Medicaid-Covered Kids.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to approve a new use for leucovorin to treat children with cerebral folate deficiency and autistic symptoms.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on September 22, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In the coming weeks, the FDA will approve leucovorin as a treatment for children with cerebral folate deficiency and autistic symptoms.” – FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, National Institutes for Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz

🎯IMPACT: States will be required to cover leucovorin through Medicaid and CHIP once the FDA label change occurs.

IN FULL

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve leucovorin for treating children with cerebral folate deficiency and symptoms of autism. This move, announced on Monday, highlights the potential benefits of leucovorin, also known as folinic acid, which is already used for cancer and anemia patients.

The announcement was initially made by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, National Institutes for Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, and underscored by President Donald J. Trump, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other officials at a Monday press conference on autism. They pointed to research suggesting the drug could aid children with folate deficiencies in improving verbal communication.

President Trump and Secretary Kennedy also stressed that they are recommending that pregnant women, in particular, should not take Tylenol, or acetaminophen (paracetamol), unless absolutely necessary, or give it to babies, citing potential links with autism. Use of ibuprofen, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy is already discouraged due to the risk of birth defects.

President Trump is likely to get the greatest amount of pushback for his comments on vaccinations, saying they should be much more spaced out and stressing that the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, in particular, should be taken in separate shots.

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7 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Dem Mega-Donor Netflix Chief Endorses Trump’s $100K H1-B Visa Fee: ‘Great Solution.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Anti-Trump Democrat mega-donor and billionaire Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is offering praise of President Donald J. Trump’s H1-B visa reforms, calling them “a great solution.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Reed Hastings, President Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and companies sponsoring H1-B migrant workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 21, 2025, on X (formerly Twitter).

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve worked on H1-B politics for 30 years. Trump’s $100k per year tax is a great solution. It will mean H1-B is used just for very high value jobs, which will mean no lottery needed, and more certainty for those jobs.” — Reed Hastings

🎯IMPACT: The endorsement of the H1-B reforms comes as a fairly significant surprise, as Hastings was a major donor to not just Never Trump groups but also to Kamala Harris’s disastrous 2024 presidential campaign.

IN FULL

Anti-Trump Democrat mega-donor and billionaire Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is offering praise of President Donald J. Trump’s H1-B visa reforms, calling them “a great solution.” Hastings is a major funder of the Never Trump’er group, Defending Democracy Together (DDT), and its Republican Accountability PAC. Notably, DDT is spearheaded by former Republicans Bill Kristol and Sarah Longwell.

“I’ve worked on H1-B politics for 30 years. Trump’s $100k per year tax is a great solution,” Hastings wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “It will mean H1-B is used just for very high value jobs, which will mean no lottery needed, and more certainty for those jobs.”

The endorsement of the H1-B reforms comes as a fairly significant surprise, as Hastings was a major donor to not just Never Trump groups but also to Kamala Harris’s disastrous 2024 presidential campaign. Harris’s embrace of Hastings, and other tech billionaires like Epstein Island guest Reid Hoffman and Mark Cuban, rankled labor unions and progressive activists concerned over Big Tech’s anti-worker and monopolistic actions.

President Trump announced late last week that new H1-B applications will require the sponsoring company to pay a $100,000 visa application fee. The policy, which took effect on Sunday, is aimed at encouraging U.S. companies to hire and train native-born American workers instead of relying on cheap, foreign labor.

“If you’re going to train somebody, you’re going to train one of the recent graduates from one of the great universities across our land. Train Americans. Stop bringing in people to take our jobs,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during a Trump White House event announcing the visa policy change.

Image by re:publica/Gregor Fischer.

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8 hours ago
War
World

Putin Offers Trump One-Year Deal on Nuclear Arms Control.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) nuclear arms control deal by one year if the United States reciprocates.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Putin made the statement during a Security Council meeting in Moscow on Monday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START treaty for one year after February 5, 2026,” said Putin.

🎯IMPACT: The proposal could open the door for dialogue on the treaty’s future, though tensions over Ukraine complicate negotiations.

IN FULL

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country’s willingness to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) arms control deal with the United States for one year, provided that the U.S. reciprocates. This treaty, which limits the number of nuclear warheads and delivery systems each country can deploy, is set to expire on February 5, 2026.

In remarks made during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, Putin emphasized the importance of global non-proliferation and signaled that extending the treaty could facilitate dialogue with Washington regarding its successor. He stated, “Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the central numerical limits under the New START treaty for one year after February 5, 2026.”

However, Putin also made it clear that this measure would only be viable if the United States refrains from actions that undermine the existing balance of deterrence capabilities. “We believe that this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or violate the existing balance of deterrence capabilities,” he remarked.

The New START treaty, originally signed in 2010, is the last remaining arms control agreement between the two nations. Despite U.S. President Donald J. Trump expressing interest in pursuing a broader nuclear arms control deal that includes China, no formal discussions have taken place amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.

With just over four months remaining before the treaty’s expiration, the future of arms control between the United States and Russia remains uncertain. The extension proposal could provide a temporary solution, but significant hurdles remain for any long-term agreement.

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8 hours ago
Breaking

BREAKING: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC Tomorrow.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to air after a brief suspension for making false statements about Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, and several celebrities lobbying on Kimmel’s behalf, such as Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The suspension occurred last Wednesday, with the show set to return on Tuesday night. The controversy unfolded nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Jimmy Kimmel said of Tyler Robinson, the leftist alleged to have assassinated Kirk, in the comments that earned him his suspension.

🎯IMPACT: The preconditions for Kimmel’s return, if any, are not entirely clear.

IN FULL

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is returning to air after being suspended last week following backlash over comments made by Jimmy Kimmel regarding the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk. Kimmel, 57, had made false statements about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin, a leftist with a transgender lover, by suggesting he was part of “the MAGA gang” despite all evidence to the contrary.

ABC announced the show’s return, stating that the decision was made after “thoughtful conversations” with parent company Disney. A spokesman for ABC explained, “Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

Kimmel had said of alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it”—even though there was no evidence Robinson was MAGA and ample evidence he was a radical leftist. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the comments, calling them “some of the sickest conduct possible,” and suggested ABC take action or face further scrutiny from the FCC.

Notably, it is against FCC rules for broadcast licensees or permittees to knowingly spread “false information concerning a crime or a catastrophe” if it causes “substantial” public harm.

In response to Kimmel’s comments, local station groups like Nexstar and Sinclair removed Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their schedules. Celebrities, including Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, who were relatively indifferent to Charlie Kirk’s assassination for exercising his free speech, were quick to rush to Kimmel’s defense, hailing him as a martyr for the First Amendment.

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8 hours ago
News
World

These NATO Members Are Recognizing Palestinian Statehood:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Britain, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal have formally recognized Palestinian statehood, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The governments of Britain, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, and Israel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcements were made on September 22, 2025, coinciding with the UN General Assembly in New York.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The hope for a two-state solution is fading, but we cannot let that light go out.” – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

🎯IMPACT: The decision puts diplomatic pressure on Israel and strains relations between the Trump administration—which opposes recognition of a Palestinian state as a de facto reward for Hamas terrorism—and key NATO allies.

IN FULL

Britain, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal—all members of the NATO military alliance—have formally recognized Palestinian statehood. This decision strains relations between these nations’ governments and the Trump administration, which opposes recognizing a Palestinian state as effectively a reward for the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has threatened to retaliate by partially annexing the West Bank.

The announcements came just before the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of a so-called two-state solution, stating, “The hope for a two-state solution is fading, but we cannot let that light go out.” Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Israel of obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned these recognitions. Netanyahu criticized the decision, stating, “You are giving a huge reward to terrorism,” and vowed that a Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River. The Israeli government is believed to be considering partially annexing the West Bank, where Jewish settlements exist in increasing numbers, in retaliation.

The Trump administration also opposes recognizing Palestinian statehood, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Leavitt saying on Monday that the President regards the move as a “reward to Hamas” and describing it as “just more talk and not enough action from some of our friends and allies.”

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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