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Friday, September 12, 2025

Tag: Israel
August 12, 2025
World

Australia Becomes Latest U.S. Ally to Back Palestinian Statehood.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to officially recognize a Palestinian state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Albanese, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Monday in the Australian capital of Canberra, with formal recognition planned for September at the UN General Assembly.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “A two-state solution remains the best hope for ending the violence in the Middle East and alleviating the suffering in Gaza.” – Anthony Albanese

🎯IMPACT: Israel has strongly opposed the move, warning it rewards terrorism, while Australia’s opposition cautions it could harm relations with the U.S.

IN FULL

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia will officially recognize a Palestinian state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Israel, which has labeled the move as a reward for terrorism.

“A two-state solution remains the best hope for ending the violence in the Middle East and alleviating the suffering in Gaza,” Albanese said during a press conference in the Australian capital of Canberra. The announcement aligns Australia with other Western nations such as France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which have also pledged recognition of a Palestinian state at the summit.

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon quickly condemned the move, stating, “We reject this recognition.” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the decision, arguing that recognition was a matter of “when, not if,” and warning that “there is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognize” without prompt action.

The decision has also sparked backlash from Australia’s opposition Liberal Party, which leans towards the center-right, with leader Sussan Ley warning that it risks damaging the close relationship between Australia and the U.S. “Despite the Prime Minister’s remarks, the reality is that this recognition comes while hostages are still held in Gaza and Hamas remains in power,” Ley said.

The Trump administration has previously voiced opposition to France’s stated intention to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Image by Matt Hrkac.

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August 7, 2025
News

Mahmoud Khalil to NYT: Palestinians ‘Couldn’t Avoid’ Oct. 7 Massacre.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil defended Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, calling it “unavoidable” and citing Palestinian grievances.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mahmoud Khalil, a former student activist, journalist Ezra Klein, the New York Times, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Statements were made during an interview this week, addressing the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Unfortunately, these horrible things happened, but we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims.” – Mahmoud Khalil

🎯IMPACT: Khalil’s remarks have sparked backlash, with critics pointing to his history of supporting Palestinian terror groups and refusing to condemn Hamas.

IN FULL

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and prominent pro-Hamas activist, described the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as “unavoidable” during an interview with New York Times journalist Ezra Klein. Khalil, who narrowly avoided deportation earlier this year, claimed the attack stemmed from Israel’s alleged disregard for Palestinians and their grievances.

“To me, it felt frightening that we had to reach this moment in the Palestinian struggle,” Khalil said, referencing his experience as an intern with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the time of the attack. Khalil argued that Israel’s diplomatic progress with Saudi Arabia under the Abraham Accords ignored Palestinian concerns, which he claimed exacerbated tensions leading to the violence.

Khalil declined to call the attack a “mistake,” stating, “Unfortunately, these horrible things happened, but we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims.” He further alleged that Israel’s actions, including the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, contributed to the escalation. Khalil also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming he sought a response to justify further actions against Palestinians.

Khalil’s comments come amid scrutiny of his past activities, including leading the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Columbia and his refusal to condemn Hamas terrorism. In March, Khalil was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for over 100 days on accusations of engaging in activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Khalil, who entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022, is now suing the federal government for $20 million over his detainment, alleging political motivation.

The October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli civilian deaths and widespread atrocities, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent history.

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July 31, 2025
News
World

Israeli NatSec Minister Says ‘Germany Is Returning to Supporting Nazism.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accused Germany of reverting to Nazism following comments by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on recognizing a Palestinian state.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Itamar Ben Gvir, Johann Wadephul, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: July 31, 2025, during Wadephul’s visit to Jerusalem.

💬KEY QUOTE: “80 years after the Holocaust, and Germany is returning to supporting Nazism.” – Itamar Ben Gvir

🎯IMPACT: The accusation highlights tensions between Israel and Germany concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

IN FULL

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has charged Germany with reverting to National Socialism in response to comments by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Wadephul had observed at a recent United Nations (UN) conference on a so-called two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians that “Israel is finding itself increasingly in the minority.”

Ben Gvir quickly condemned the statement, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “80 years after the Holocaust, and Germany is returning to supporting Nazism.” His remarks coincide with Wadephul’s visit to Jerusalem for meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wadephul recently said that “in view of the open threats of annexation [of Palestinian territories] by some in the Israeli government, a growing number of European countries are ready to recognize a state of Palestine without previous negotiations.”

Ben Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party are staunch supporters of West Bank annexation, a stance echoed by other figures in Netanyahu’s coalition—although a complete annexation is not the official policy of Netanyahu and his Likud party, which have held varying, usually more moderate stances on annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank over the years.

The clash reflects escalating tensions between Israel and Germany, as well as shifting European views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

France has already signaled its intention to recognize a Palestinian state at a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in September, with Britain saying it will do the same unless Israel meets certain demands on aid.

However, President Donald J. Trump, while increasingly critical of Netanyahu, believes such recognition would amount to “rewarding Hamas” for its October 7, 2023, terror raid against Israel. He has even warned the Canadian government that, if it moves to recognize Palestinian statehood, it could derail U.S.-Canadian trade negotiations.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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July 31, 2025
Immigration
World

This Country Is Mass Deporting Millions of Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Nearly one million Afghan migrants without proper documentation in Iran have been deported back to Afghanistan in recent weeks, with another million deportations targeted.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Afghan illegal immigrants, Iranian authorities, and the Taliban.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Iran, ongoing since 2023, with significant escalations in recent weeks.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’ve always striven to be good hosts, but national security is a priority.” – Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani

🎯IMPACT: The deportations show that mass deportations are perfectly possible over a short timeframe, in countries with far fewer resources than in the West.

IN FULL

Iran has initiated a sweeping deportation campaign targeting Afghan migrants without legal documentation, resulting in the removal of nearly one million illegal immigrants over the past month alone. According to Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, this figure represents approximately half of the estimated two million Afghans currently residing in the country.

The sudden surge in deportations comes in the wake of recent national security incidents linked to Iran’s conflict with Israel. Iranian authorities claim that some Afghan refugees were involved in serious security breaches, including piloting drones, collecting classified intelligence, and executing acts of sabotage. In one report aired on June 26, state-run television broadcast a confession from an Afghan national allegedly involved in a plot to bomb a power station located in southeast Tehran.

“We’ve always striven to be good hosts, but national security is a priority,” stated Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani. However, some critics argue the crackdown is being used to shift blame for intelligence failures onto the Afghan refugee population.

The Taliban has publicly urged its western neighbor to reconsider the pace of these expulsions, proposing a slower, more structured process. Afghans have already been returned to their homeland en masse from Pakistan, to its east.

The speed and scale of the removals appear to prove that mass deportations are not a logistical impossibility, as anti-deportation activists in the U.S. and other Western countries often contend. Notably, Afghans appear to be a disproportionate threat to public safety wherever they go, with British crime statistics indicating that they are over 22 times more likely to be convicted of sex crimes than locals, for instance.

Image by isafmedia.

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July 31, 2025
News
World

Trump Warns Canada That Recognizing a Palestinian State Could Derail Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump warned of potential trade consequences for Canada after its decision to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and the governments of France and the United Kingdom.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Truth Social late Wednesday night, amid ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” – President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Trump administration has taken a more assertive stance against Western allies supporting Palestinian statehood, complicating ongoing U.S.-Canada trade negotiations.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump issued a sharp warning to Canada late on July 30, suggesting that the country’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state could jeopardize ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!”

The comment comes in response to Canada’s recent declaration that it plans to support the recognition of “Palestine” during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session scheduled for September. Canada’s move places it alongside France and the United Kingdom, both of which have already signaled their intent to recognize Palestinian statehood.

This stance has sparked backlash, given Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. The jihadist group is still holding around 50 Israeli hostages.

Notably, there is currently no explicit agreement on the future borders of a Palestinian state. Critics argue that such recognition at this moment could be seen as legitimizing terrorism following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. President Trump, for instance, has dismissed efforts to recognize “Palestine” outright, labeling it a “reward for Hamas.”

Up until now, Trump had refrained from publicly targeting allied nations for their positions on Palestinian statehood. However, his statement Wednesday night marks a notable shift, indicating a more confrontational posture—despite his own disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and some discontent with the Israeli government among his MAGA base.

The dispute arises during a sensitive period in Canada–U.S. relations. The two countries are in the midst of what Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described as “intense” trade negotiations. A tariff deadline looms on August 1, and tensions are already high. Carney’s decision to proceed with recognizing Palestine could further strain the talks.

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July 31, 2025
News

Report: Trump Warns Donor ‘My People Are Starting to Hate Israel.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump reportedly warned a Jewish campaign donor about a shift in sentiment towards Israel among his MAGA base.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, an unnamed Jewish donor, and the Israeli government.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Reported by the Financial Times, July 31, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “My people are starting to hate Israel.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The comments highlight the Israeli government’s growing public relations issues in America, on the political right as well as the left.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump recently expressed concerns to a Jewish campaign donor regarding a shift in sentiment towards Israel among his MAGA base, according to reports. Sources say Trump warned the donor, described as “prominent,” that “My people are starting to hate Israel.”

These remarks come amidst growing criticism of Israel, including from Trump and other Republicans, following images depicting hunger in Gaza. Some in the GOP, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have gone so far as to label the situation a “genocide,” echoing commentary that until now has been more prominent on the political left.

On social media, Greene stated, “It’s the most truthful and easiest thing to say that October 7 in Israel was horrific and all hostages must be returned, but so is the genocide, humanitarian crisis, and starvation happening in Gaza.”

President Trump has himself become more critical of Israel in recent weeks, disagreeing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is no starvation in Gaza, demanding an explanation after Israeli forces bombed the only Catholic church in Gaza, and chastising the Israeli government for attempting to ramp up hostilities with Iran again shortly after a ceasefire deal had been brokered.

However, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has dismissed claims of a rift between Trump and Netanyahu, saying, “The disconnect is with the media [that] wants there to be an anti-Israel message that they keep getting across; but it’s a false message,” Huckabee asserted.

Nevertheless, Huckabee did himself recently threaten visa retaliation against Israel for the mistreatment of Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.

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July 29, 2025
News
UK

UK Threatens to Recognize Palestinian State Unless Israel Meets Aid Demands.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not take steps to alleviate the crisis in Gaza.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald J. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other members of the British cabinet.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Starmer’s announcement followed an emergency virtual Cabinet meeting over the weekend and discussions with international leaders.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering now in Gaza because of a catastrophic failure of aid. We see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end.” – Keir Starmer

🎯IMPACT: Starmer’s decision puts pressure on Israel to act and has sparked debate within the British Cabinet and internationally.

IN FULL

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that his government will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel takes “substantive steps” to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Britain’s recognition is being positioned as conditional, hinging on actions including ending “starvation tactics,” agreement to a ceasefire, and a commitment to a comprehensive peace process.

“The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering now in Gaza because of a catastrophic failure of aid,” Starmer said. “We see starving babies, children too weak to stand, images that will stay with us for a lifetime. The suffering must end.”

The issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood has sparked debate within Starmer’s Cabinet. Senior Labour figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, back the recognition, while others, such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have expressed concern, warning that the move could potentially “reward Hamas.”

In recent days, Starmer met with President Donald J. Trump in Scotland to discuss the crisis. Trump has said he and Starmer “never discussed” the issue, but that his position is that recognizing Palestinian statehood is indeed “rewarding Hamas,” and he is “not about to do that.”

However, the America First leader has been at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks, disagreeing with him, for instance, that children in Gaza are not starving, and—like Starmer—pressuring for more food aid. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday, the President noted that First Lady Melania Trump has been gripped by the “terrible” images from Gaza, explaining, “She sees the same pictures that you see. And that we all see… [T]hose are kids that are starving. They are starving.”

European leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are also signaling support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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July 28, 2025
War
World

‘You Can’t Fake That’ — Trump Disagrees With Netanyahu on Gaza Starvation.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump expressed disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is no starvation in Gaza.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The comments were made on Monday during Trump’s meeting with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “There is real starvation in Gaza—you can’t fake that.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: International pressure to bring the Gaza conflict to a close amid a growing humanitarian crisis is growing.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump publicly disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s assertion that there is no starvation in Gaza, citing televised images of hungry children as evidence. Trump’s remarks came during a press event at his Turnberry, Scotland, resort with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

“Based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry,” Trump stated when asked if he agreed with Netanyahu that there is no starvation. “There is real starvation in Gaza—you can’t fake that.”

Trump added: “Hamas doesn’t want to give the hostages. I told Bibi that he will have to now maybe do it in a different way.” The U.S. President emphasized that he believes a ceasefire “is possible” and that the conflict in Gaza must end. He also said the U.S. would be providing food aid.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, with recent ceasefire talks collapsing. Israel has begun implementing daily humanitarian pauses in military operations in several areas of Gaza and conducted air drops of food, a move mirrored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan. Despite these efforts, Netanyahu maintains his stance that there is no starvation in the region.

In recent weeks, the Trump White House has signalled a degree of frustration with Netanyahu. Following recent Israeli bombing strikes against Syria, anonymous White House officials told Axios, “Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” and “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”

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July 25, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
News
World

Rubio: France ‘Reckless’ for Moving to Recognize Palestinian Statehood.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slammed French President Emmanuel Macron as “reckless” for announcing he will recognize Palestinian statehood.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Rubio reacted to Macron’s declaration on the evening of July 24.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7.” — Secretary Rubio

🎯IMPACT: The condemnation reinforces the U.S. support for Israel, despite some recent friction between the Trump administration and the Israeli government.

IN FULL

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slammed France and its president, Emmanuel Macron, after Macron announced on July 24 that he would formally recognize Palestinian statehood at an upcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

“The United States strongly rejects [Macron’s] plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly. This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7,” Rubio wrote on X.

The U.S. Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner—father of President Donald J. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—added, “France’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state is a gift to Hamas and a blow to peace. I’ve just arrived, and I’m deeply disappointed. I hope to change [Macron’s] mind before September. Free the hostages. Focus on a ceasefire. This is the path to lasting peace.”

France is not the first European country to recognize Palestinian statehood, as at least a dozen other European nations also make the same move. During his announcement on July 24, President Macron said that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was needed immediately while calling for the release of all hostages and the demilitarisation of Hamas.

President Donald J. Trump and his administration have been working on a ceasefire, but exited talks in Qatar earlier this week after accusing Hamas of not acting in good faith.

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July 24, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

France to Recognize State of ‘Palestine.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that he will recognize Palestinian statehood.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Emmanuel Macron, Israel, Palestinians, Hamas.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Macron made the announcement in July on X (formerly Twitter), with a formal announcement to be made in September at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.” — Emmanuel Macron.

🎯IMPACT: The announcement is a major policy shift from the Western European country with the largest Jewish and Muslim populations.

IN FULL

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will recognize “Palestine” as a state, formalizing this recognition at a September United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Macron said, “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.”

“There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas [to] secure and rebuild Gaza. Finally, it is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,” he added. 

Macron has supported Israel’s right to defend itself since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on the Jewish State, and has frequently condemned anti-Semitism—a significant problem in France, due to its large Muslim population. However, he has also expressed frustration regarding Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

More than 140 countries, over a dozen in Europe, already recognize Palestinian statehood. France’s decision carries particular weight as it has both the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, meaning conflicts in the Middle East often lead to protests and tensions at home. Additionally, it is a leading NATO and European Union (EU) member and a nuclear power.

Last month, Macron reaffirmed his “determination to recognize the State of Palestine” and called for “a broader movement toward a two-state solution,” while acknowledging the importance of recognizing Israel and its right to security.

France’s move follows the U.S. exiting ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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