TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benjamin Netanyahu

  • Iran’s nuclear sites attack: Israel happy but U.S. lawmaker calls for Trump’s impeachment

    Iran’s nuclear sites attack: Israel happy but U.S. lawmaker calls for Trump’s impeachment

    US Congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said President Donald Trump committed an impeachable offence by his “disastrous decision” to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ocasio-Cortez to have said Trump carried out the US attack on the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan without authorization, and thus violated the Constitution and Congressional War Powers.

    “The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment,” the US Congresswoman wrote on X.

    Trump’s decision bold, will change history – Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu

    Meanwhile, following the U.S. attack on Iran’s three nuclear sites, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has described President Trump’s decision as bold.

    In a televised broadcast, Netanyahu said Israel has done “truly amazing things” since hostilities started but that with Trump’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the U.S. has done what no other country on earth could do.

    “Congratulations President Donald Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history.

    “In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things. But in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do.

    “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons. His leadership today, has created a pivot of history that can help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.

    “President Trump and I often say, “peace through strength”. First comes strength, then comes peace. Tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.

    “President Trump, I thank you, the people of Israel thank you, the forces of civilisation thank you. God bless America, God bless Israel, and may God bless our unshakeable alliance and our unbreakable faith,” Netanyahu in the broadcast.

    Meanwhile, in a post on X, addressing Israelis, the Prime Minister noted that Iran’s nuclear program threatens Israel’s very existence and also endangered the peace of the entire world.

    He confirmed to have spoken with President Trump after the U.S. bombing of the Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

    “Dear citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters. In Operation ‘Am Kalavi’, we achieved unprecedented achievements together in Israeli history.

    “You remember that from the beginning of the operation, I promised you that Iran’s nuclear facilities would be destroyed, one way or another. This promise was fulfilled.

    “A short time ago, in full coordination between me and President Trump, and in full operational coordination between the IDF and the United States military, the United States attacked Iran’s three nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

    “In doing so, the United States continued, with greater intensity and with great force, the attacks of the IDF and the Mossad on Iran’s nuclear program. This program threatened our very existence and also endangered the peace of the entire world.

    “Immediately after the operation was completed, President Trump called me. It was a very warm, very moving conversation. He blessed me, he blessed our army and he blessed our people. And I congratulated him, the United States pilots, and the American people.

    “President Trump is a strong leader of the free world. He is a great friend of Israel, a friend like no other. In my name and on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, on behalf of the entire Jewish people, I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

    “And I know, citizens of Israel, that I speak from the bottom of each and every one of your hearts. We stand together, We fight together, And with God’s help – we win together. As the verse says, “We will ascend, for we can overcome them,” Netanyahu wrote.

  • BREAKING: Israel reacts as Trump wins US presidential election

    BREAKING: Israel reacts as Trump wins US presidential election

    Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel has reacted after Donald Trump recaptured the White House on Wednesday after securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the 2024 US presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Trump was elected president, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

    “Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu,” the Israeli PM wrote via X (formerly Twitter).

    TNG reports Trump swept away challengers inside his Republican Party and then beat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to emerge the 47th President of the United States of America (USA).

  • United States to sanction ICC over threats to prosecute Israel’s Netanyahu

    United States to sanction ICC over threats to prosecute Israel’s Netanyahu

    The United States of America has threatened to impose sanctions against officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

    According to the UK Guardian,  the United States is willing to work with Congress to potentially impose sanctions against the world’s top court’s officials.

    This is following the prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over the Gaza war.

    Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, made this disclosure on Tuesday.

    At a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Blinken was told by Republican Lindsey Graham that he wanted to see renewed US sanctions on the court.

    It would be recalled that ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan had on Monday announced a move by ICC to arrest both the Israeli and Hamas leaders.

    “I want to take actions, not just words,” Graham said to Blinken.

    “Will you support [a] bipartisan effort to sanction the ICC, not only for the outrage against Israel but to protect, in the future, our own interest?”

    “I welcome working with you on that,” Blinken said.

    Khan had said in his announcement that he had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s defense chief and three Hamas leaders “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity

  • Israel needs to ‘think carefully’ about risks of escalation, U.S. warns

    Israel needs to ‘think carefully’ about risks of escalation, U.S. warns

    U.S. President, Joe Biden, has urged Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to carefully consider any Israeli retaliatory strike against Iran and the consequences this might have, sources in Washington say.

    This was according to a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Saturday evening, Biden made it “very clear’’ to Netanyahu that he needed to “think carefully and strategically about risks of escalation.’’

    A senior U.S. government official said this in Washington on Sunday evening.

    “This is something that is constantly being discussed with the Israeli side and other allies, the official said, noting that Biden also made it clear that the U.S. would help Israel to defend itself.

    Israel had made it clear to the U.S. government in the past talks that it was not looking for a significant escalation with Iran, the government representative said.

    Iran’s direct attack on Israel at the weekend was fuelling fears of a conflagration in the Middle East.

    The International efforts were already being made on Sunday to defuse the situation.

    Biden and fellow leaders of the seven leading democratic industrialised countries (G7) discussed the crisis and condemned the large-scale attack in the strongest possible terms.

    “We don’t want to see this escalate. We are not looking for a major war with Iran,’’ John Kirby, communications director of the U.S. government’s National Security Council, said.

    He added that the U.S. president had been clear he was not seeking war with Iran.

    The U.S. would continue to help Israel defend itself, Kirby said, but said that how Israel responded now would be up to them.

    The U.S. has been Israel’s staunchest ally and biggest military supporter and has repeatedly reiterated its support as tensions escalated between Israel and Iran.

    It was unclear on Sunday whether Israel would respond to Iran’s unprecedented direct attack the previous day, which, according to Israeli sources, involved some 300 missiles and drones.

    The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that its forces in the Red Sea area had shot down scores of drones and missiles headed for Israel.

    “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by U.S. European Command destroyers, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack unscrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV).

    “At least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen,’’ a statement said.

    “This includes a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs destroyed on the ground in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen prior to their launch.’’

    Iran’s “Operation Truthful Promise’’ was mounted in revenge for an airstrike on its embassy grounds in Damascus on April 1, in which two generals and others were killed.

    Israel is believed to have carried out the attack and has not denied responsibility.

    Israel has been Iran’s declared arch-enemy since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

    The decades-old tensions between the two countries have escalated following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October.

  • War On Jerusalem: Israel threatens to retaliate against Iran

    War On Jerusalem: Israel threatens to retaliate against Iran

    Benjamin Netanyahu the prime Minister of Israel has issued out strong warnings to the enemies of the country.

    The prime minister said this in a statement on Saturday evening in reaction to Iran’s drone attacks towards Israel on Saturday evening.

    In recent weeks, Israel and its allies such as the US and UK have been preparing for a direct attack by Iran.

    However, Netanyahu warned, “Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively,” he said.

    “The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong.

    “We appreciate the US standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries.

    “We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.

    “Citizens of Israel, I know that you also are level-headed. I call on you to follow the directives of IDF Home Front Command.

    “Together we will stand and with God’s help – together we will overcome all of our enemies.”

  • Gaza War: US president Biden knocks Israel’s Netanyahu

    Gaza War: US president Biden knocks Israel’s Netanyahu

    United States president, Joe Biden has knocked Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu over his approach on war on Gaza describing it as a mistake.

    Biden has now urged Israel to call for a ceasefire.

    This is Biden’s latest criticism of Netanyahu amid growing tensions over the civilian death toll from Israel’s war on Hamas.

    “I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network, when asked about Netanyahu’s handling of the war.

    The US number one citizen reiterated that an Israeli drone attack last week that killed seven aid workers from a US-based charity in Gaza – and sparked a tense phone call with Netanyahu – was “outrageous”.

    “What I’m calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country,” said Biden.

    The president’s earlier remarks was that the burden lay with Hamas to agree to a truce and hostage release deal.

    Biden also stepped up pressure on Israel to let more aid into devastated Gaza.

    “There’s no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now,” he added.

  • Israel to send Holocaust survivor, former supreme court judge to ICJ

    Israel to send Holocaust survivor, former supreme court judge to ICJ

    Israel is sending a former judge of the country’s Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, to the hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Gaza war.

    A spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed media reports on Sunday.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the appointment of the 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.

    Israeli media reported widely that Barak is to become part of the panel of judges for Israel.

    This is a special feature of the International Court of Justice in The Hague – plaintiff and defendant states can each send an additional judge.

    The news came as a surprise because Barak has been an outspoken critic of the judicial reform that Netanyahu’s right-wing religious government wanted to push through last year amid fierce protests.

    Barak had compared the planned reorganisation of the judiciary to a “coup with tanks” that would turn Israel into a “hollowed-out democracy.”

    The Times of Israel newspaper wrote that Barak was highly respected internationally and that Netanyahu had followed the recommendation of Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara with his appointment.

    Just over three months after the start of the war against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israel must answer to an international court for the first time for its ongoing military operation.

    South Africa brought the case against Israel before the highest UN court and accused it of genocide.

    The court has scheduled the hearings for January 11 and 12.

    The judgements of the UN court are generally binding.

    However, the judges do not have the power to force a state to implement them.

    South Africa is invoking the Genocide Convention in its lawsuit.

    Both states are signatories to the convention.

    In South Africa’s view, the UN judges should first order an end to the violence against Palestinians in summary proceedings in order to protect their rights.

    Israel firmly rejected South Africa’s accusations claiming that Hamas is solely responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza.

    Israel argued that it was doing everything in the war to minimise the damage to the civilian population.

  • Again, Israel gives condition for ceasefire in Gaza

    Again, Israel gives condition for ceasefire in Gaza

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a longer ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the time being during an interview on U.S. television on Monday.

    “There’ll be no ceasefire, general ceasefire, in Gaza without the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu told the U.S. broadcaster ABC.

    “As far as tactical little pauses, an hour here, an hour there.

    “We’ve had them before, I suppose, we’ll check the circumstances in order to enable goods, humanitarian goods to come in, or our hostages, individual hostages to leave. But I don’t think there’s going to be a general ceasefire.”

    Israel’s head of government had previously spoken to U.S. President Joe Biden about temporary ceasefires in the Gaza war.

    They had discussed the possibility of “tactical pauses” to allow the civilian population to leave combat zones, provide humanitarian aid for the people in the Gaza Strip and to enable the release of further hostages, the White House announced after the telephone conversation on Monday.

    At least 240 people – including U.S. citizens – are still being held by the Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

    Netanyahu said a general ceasefire would run counter to Israel’s war aims.

    “It’ll hamper our effort to get our hostages out because the only thing that works on these criminals in Hamas is the military pressure that we’re exerting,” he said in the ABC interview.

    According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to more than 10,000 since the start of the war a month ago.

    These include thousands of women and children.

    The Gaza Strip has been almost completely sealed off by Israel since Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented assault on Israeli communities, killing more than 1,400 including many women, children and young people and taking some 240 people hostage.

  • WAR UPDATE: Our enemy must pay unprecedented price-Natanyahu vows

    WAR UPDATE: Our enemy must pay unprecedented price-Natanyahu vows

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to avenge what he said was a “black day” for Israel Saturday, saying the army will strike back at Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza with full force and the enemy must pay an unprecedented price.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this is just as major airlines cancelled dozens of flights to Tel Aviv this weekend after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel.

    The IDF (army) is about to use all its force to destroy Hamas’s capabilities,” Netanyahu said in a brief televised statement.

    “We’ll strike them to the bitter end and avenge with force this black day they brought on Israel and its people,” he said, after Hamas militants launched a surprise dawn attack, sending hundreds of militants into Israel under cover of a huge rocket barrage.

    Gun battles raged into the night after Hamas’ large-scale attack against Israel Saturday, firing thousands of rockets from Gaza and sending fighters to kill and abduct soldiers and civilians.

    The attack signals the first of such combined ground, air and sea offensive, half a century after the outbreak of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

    “We are at war,” Netanyahu told the stunned nation as the army retaliated by pounding targets in the blockaded enclave, where several residential tower blocks were reduced to rubble.

    About 80 people were killed in Israel, medical services said, while Gaza authorities released a death toll of 232 in the conflict’s bloodiest escalation in years which also left many hundreds wounded on both sides.

    “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” Netanyahu vowed.

    Meanwhile, major airlines cancelled dozens of flights to Tel Aviv this weekend after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack against Israel.

  • Israel: Thousands march as former officials appeal for Netanyahu to halt Judicial overhaul

    Israel: Thousands march as former officials appeal for Netanyahu to halt Judicial overhaul

    Tens of thousands of protesters marched into Jerusalem on Saturday evening in a last-ditch show of force aimed at blocking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious judicial overhaul, as more than 100 of Israel’s former security chiefs signed a letter pleading with the Israeli premier to halt the legislation.

    In scorching heat that reached 33 degrees Celsius, 91 degrees Fahrenheit, the procession turned the city’s main highway into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags as marchers completed the last leg of a four-day, 70 kilometer, 45-mile, trek from Tel Aviv to Israel’s parliament.

    The marchers, who spent the last three nights along the way in rows of small white tents, were welcomed in Jerusalem by throngs of cheering protesters. They planned to camp outside the Knesset, or parliament, ahead of Monday’s expected vote. Meanwhile, tens of thousands flooded the streets of the coastal city of Tel Aviv, the country’s main hub.

    Netanyahu and his far-right allies claim the overhaul is needed to curb what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. But their critics say the plan will destroy the country’s system of checks and balances and put it on the path toward authoritarian rule.

    The proposed overhaul has drawn harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a fast-rising number of military reservists in key units have said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes, raising concern that the country’s security interests could be threatened.

    Over 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners and heads of intelligence agencies joined those calls on Saturday, signing a letter to Netanyahu blaming him for compromising Israel’s military and urging him to halt the legislation. The signatories included Ehud

    Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defense minister. Both are political rivals of Netanyahu.

    “The legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting fatal blows on Israel’s security,” they wrote.

    “The legislative process violates the social contract that has existed for 75 years between the Israeli government and thousands of reserve officers and soldiers from the land, air, sea, and intelligence branches who have volunteered for many years for the reserves to defend the democratic state of Israel, and now announce with a broken heart that they are suspending their volunteer service,” the letter said.

    After seven straight months of the most sustained and intense demonstrations the country has ever seen, the grassroots protest movement has reached a fever pitch.

    The parliament is expected to vote Monday on a measure that would prevent the Supreme Court judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are “unreasonable.”

    Proponents say the current “reasonability” standard gives the judges excessive powers over decision making by elected officials. But critics say that removing the standard, which is invoked only in rare cases, would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.

    Monday’s vote would mark the first major piece of legislation to be approved.

    The overhaul also calls for other sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions, to changing the way judges are selected.

    Protesters, who make up a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by various personal and political grievances by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and his partners, who want to deepen Israel’s control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

    In a speech Thursday, Netanyahu doubled down on the overhaul and dismissed as absurd the accusations that the plan would destroy Israel’s democratic foundations.

    “This is an attempt to mislead you over something that has no basis in reality,” he said. Alarmed by the growing mass of reservists refusing to serve, the country’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, pushed for a delay in Monday’s vote, according to reports in Israeli media. It was unclear if others would join him.