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On Tuesday (Oct. 28), the Israeli military carried out renewed actions in Gaza at the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, breaking the ceasefire negotiated Oct. 10. Netanyahu ordered “powerful strikes” to be carried out in response to an alleged cover-up by the Hamas organization regarding the return of the remains of an Israeli hostage taken Oct. 7, 2023.
The prime minister’s office said that the airstrikes were ordered after Netanyahu met with security ministers who advised him of Israeli Defense Forces coming under fire in the southern Gaza Strip, and showed drone footage allegedly of Hamas operatives using the remains of an IDF soldier in place of one of the hostages for a handover per ceasefire terms. “Hamas will pay many times over for attacking the soldiers and for violating the agreement to return the fallen hostages,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In a statement, Hamas said that Israel’s allegations were “baseless and aimed at misleading public opinion.” They also declared they would halt the handover of the remaining 13 dead hostages they have or are trying to locate. Families of the hostages and other critics have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war in order to further delay his ongoing trial. According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu is accused of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust.
The Gaza Government Media Office fired back at Israel’s allegation of Hamas breaking the ceasefire by listing 125 incidents where Israel broke it after Oct. 10, “resulting in the killing of 94 Palestinians and the injury of more than 344 others.” One instance occurred Oct. 19, when airstrikes took place after Israel claimed two of its soldiers were killed in Rafah. President Donald Trump, who helped enact the ceasefire, said that it was still in place after that attack, but that Israel should “hit back” if attacked. “Nothing is going to jeopardize” the ceasefire, he said to reporters on Air Force One, according to the BBC. “You have to understand Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East, and they have to behave.”
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On Sunday (June 9), the Madleen was captured by Israeli naval forces as it was approaching the Gaza Strip. The ship, organized by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg in conjunction with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying aid supplies to Palestinian people in Gaza. In a post to Instagram, Thunberg issued a plea to the world. “We have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel. I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
In a post made on X, formerly Twitter, Israel’s Defence Ministry stated that they had seized the boat, writing: “The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.” They went on to accuse the Thunberg and other passengers, which included French-Palestinian European Parliament minister Rima Hassan along with five others from that country of attempting “to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity.”
According to The Guardian, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that he instructed the IDF to “show the flotilla passengers the video of the horrors of the October 7 massacre.” In March, Israel ended a ceasefire that was in place from earlier in the year, blocking all imports and aid. The conflict, which began after a terror attack by the Hamas organization on a festival on Oct. 7, 2023, has displaced 90% of the Palestinian population with over 54,000 believed to have been killed in the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Two hundred and fifty-one Israeli hostages were captured during the attack, and to date 148 had been returned alive with 55 still believed to be held hostage by Hamas.“The ministry of foreign affairs and the ambassador in Tel Aviv are in contact with local authorities and monitoring the situation closely,” a spokesperson for the Swedish government said on Monday (June 10). A representative for the French government who asked not to be named said that President Emmanuel Macron requested that the French nationals onboard the Maldeen “be allowed to return to France as soon as possible.”
The situation underscores the dire need for aid in the region, with a new plan backed by the United States in place, but difficulties in delivery are still presenting itself, according to CNN.
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R&B singer Kehlani was scheduled to perform at a concert event at Cornell University next month, but it has been canceled due to their support for the Palestinian people and their stance on the war in Gaza. The decision was announced by Cornell University president Michael I. Kotlikoff in an email on Wednesday (April 23), where he wrote that “although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord” into the Slope Day event, which is held after the last day of classes at the school.“In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media,” Kotlikoff wrote, adding that the choice would “be celebrated by some and criticized by others,” but it was “the right thing to do.”The 30-year-old singer has been consistently vocal in their support for the Palestinian people and against Israel’s actions in the war. Kehlani was a signee of the Artists Against Apartheid letter calling for a ceasefire in October 2023 and featured Palestinian flags and kaffiyehs in their “Next 2 U” video. The singer has also criticized the silence of other artists regarding Gaza, saying in a video from last May, “f— Israel, f— Zionism.”The news was disappointing to students expecting to see Kehlani. “I was ecstatic,” said Black Students United history co-chair Muna Mohamed in an interview with the New York Times. And then, “to see it kind of torn from us so quickly, it was kind of like, oh, our happiness never really mattered in the long run.”Cornell University is one of the Ivy League institutions which has been targeted by the Trump administration over allegations of antisemitism, having had $1 billion in federal funding frozen by President Donald Trump. The decision also comes after Gambian-British student Momodou Taal, who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Cornell, left the school this year to avoid being forcibly deported by the administration.
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An Arab American group that supported President Donald Trump has changed its name in response to his threat to take over the Gaza Strip.
With President Donald Trump making the shocking proposal of moving the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip to make it the “Riviera of the Middle East” after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one prominent group of Arab American backers has opted to change their name from “Arab Americans For Trump” to “Arab Americans For Peace.” Bishara Bahbah, the group’s chairman, confirmed the decision on Wednesday (February 5) in talks with the Associated Press.
“The talk about what the president wants to do with Gaza, obviously we’re completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in Historic Palestine,” Bahbah said. “And so we did not want to be behind the curve in terms of pushing for peace, because that has been our objective from the very beginning.” He stated that the name change had been discussed and was agreed upon on Tuesday (February 4), but they still had the old moniker before Trump’s press conference with Netanyahu.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based group was a significant factor in Trump winning the area in the 2024 presidential election. Home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, they were critical of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s decision not to call for an arms embargo on Israel during that country’s war with the Hamas militia and critical of former President Biden’s support of Israel. Many either withheld their votes in alliance with the “Uncommitted” movement, decrying the genocide of Palestinians, or voted for third-party candidate Jill Stein.
Trump would double down on his statements in a Truth Social post on Thursday, proclaiming that “The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel.” In a press release, Arab Americans For Peace wrote that they “appreciate the president’s offer to clean and rebuild Gaza” but “take issue with the president’s suggestion of taking over Gaza and removing its Palestinian inhabitants.” While progressive activists aren’t offering regrets over their choices, one leader spoke anonymously to Politico about the growing concern in the Arab American community about their choices, stating that they “think we screwed up but we’re not going to admit it.”
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President Donald Trump floated the idea of moving the Palestinians out of Gaza permanently after the United States took ownership of the region.
On Tuesday afternoon, (Feb. 4), President Donald Trump met with the far-right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. He would go on to stun reporters (and reportedly Netanyahu) by proposing that the United States should take over Gaza. “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip,” Trump began. “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out.”
He would continue by proposing that the Palestinian people should “move out” of Gaza to be taken in by other countries, saying they live in a “hellhole.” Trump then said the Gaza Strip could be a “Riviera of The Middle East,” adding: “This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land.” Afterward, many pointed out comments made by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former adviser discussing the opportunities of that kind of move last year: “Gaza’s waterfront property, it could be very valuable if people would focus on kind of building up livelihoods…I think that it’s a little bit of an unfortunate situation there but I think from Israel’s perspective, I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up.”
Trump’s remarks at the press conference were met with outrage and firm refusals by the international community. “This is out of the question,” Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenza, said in an interview. “The Palestinians don’t want it, the world community doesn’t want it, and you cannot forcefully resettle someone, somewhere.” The Saudi Foreign Ministry, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Egypt’s Foreign Ministry have all rejected his proposal, reaffirming their commitment to Palestine having its own state within Israel as a bridge to peace in the Middle East.
The news was met with anger and defiance among those Palestinians who have returned to Gaza since the initial 42-day ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began last month. “This is my homeland and I have no intention to leave even if Trump provides me with the best of everything somewhere else,” said surgeon Nehad Ghonaim.
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Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that would end over a year’s worth of conflict in the Gaza region this coming weekend.
On Wednesday (Jan. 15), President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal. The truce is set to put an end to 15 months of hellish bombing and fighting in the Gaza Strip, which has killed thousands in the region and reshaped the scope of the Middle East. The deal is contingent upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receiving the approval of the terms from his full Cabinet and security Cabinet. Representatives for Hamas have agreed to the terms. The news was met with jubilation in Gaza. “Praise God, this tragedy is over,” Gaza City resident Mohammad Fares said when interviewed. “We’re all overcome with joy.”
The ceasefire deal, which is set to go into effect Sunday (Jan. 19), has three proposed phases beginning with a six-week period where Hamas is expected to release 33 of the 96 remaining hostages it captured after its attack in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. At least 34 hostages from the 250 who were taken have been confirmed or believed to have been killed. Israel is expected to release Palestinian hostages for every hostage returned in addition to allowing scores of humanitarian aid into the Gaza region. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said a “massive infusion of trucks” is expected to enter once the ceasefire begins. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe would send $123 million in aid to support those displaced. Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza during the bombing will be allowed to return to the area.
Negotiations for the terms of the second phase are set to take place on the 16th day of the first phase of the ceasefire, with the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt continuing to serve as mediators. On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Hamas added “last-minute updates” to the deal, which amounted to reneging on the original terms. Hamas has denied any changes. Observers note that Netanyahu’s stance may be to maintain his fragile coalition, including far-right parties who want to keep fighting Hamas. In the interim, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes on the region, with the Gaza Health Ministry claiming that over 80 lives were lost in the last 24 hours.
Annie Lennox is reflecting on the mass tragedies that have unfolded in the Middle East since Hamas launched its deadliest attack yet on Israel exactly one year ago.
Sharing a series of infographics via Instagram on Monday (Oct. 7), the politically outspoken musician took a moment to mourn all the casualties that have occurred over the past 12 months — from the 1,200-plus Israelis who lost their lives when Hamas descended on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to the countless Palestinians (Associated Press estimates more than 41,000) who have died in Israel’s war efforts against the terrorist organization in the year since.
“This is a heavy day – one year after the events that were to create a ‘tipping point’ in this decades long situation of discord and brutality,” Lennox wrote. “I had always hoped things might change for the better.. but tragically – that is not the case. On Oct 7th 2024 we are looking at a potential ‘forever war’ situation, with the entire Middle Eastern region on the brink of being completely drawn into it.
“Today’s career politicians have no moral compass and the ‘never again’ understanding has evaporated in plain sight, with ‘human rights’ shredded into pieces,” she continued. “We humans are capable of tremendous achievements and indescribable atrocities.”
The Eurythmics frontwoman also encouraged followers to “reflect upon the sanctity of life..and the qualities of peace, compassion and empathy.”
“I am for ceasefire and peace,” she added in the comments. “That is ALL I call for. I deplore anti – Semitism as much as I deplore the killing, wounding and continuous displacement of children, women and innocent Palestinian civilians.
“And of COURSE I want to see the innocent hostages returned safely to their families,” Lennox concluded. “This tragically doesn’t seem to be a priority for [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu and his government.”
As the “Sweet Dreams” artist pointed out, the violence in Gaza has been unrelenting since the Oct. 7 attacks. As Israelis gathered to pay tribute to the people they lost that day with memorial services Monday, AP reports that Hamas was simultaneously firing rockets at Israel alongside Hezbollah, an allied militant organization from Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to assail both Gaza and Lebanon as tensions mount with Iran, and Palestinians are facing rampant hunger and homelessness across the country.
Lennox is far from the first musician who has supported a ceasefire amid the crisis. Dua Lipa, Paramore, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Reneé Rapp, Hozier, Muna and more have also all called for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, while Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert and several more stars signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter to President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in October 2023.
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Ta-Nehisi Coates has attracted controversy and discussion given his decades as a reporter and writer who tackles themes as carefully as one can without pulling punches when necessary. In a recent appearance on CBS News’ morning program, Ta-Nehisi Coates engaged in what appeared to be an intense debate with co-host Tony Dokoupil regarding a segment in his book that touches on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Ta-Nehisi Coates was on CBS Mornings to discuss his newest book, The Message, a trio of essays regarding the writer’s visits to Senegal, South Carolina, and the Israel-Gaza region and draws some significant parallels to the idea of what it means to belong.
Tony Dokoupil, who seemingly angled to dominate the segment with his questioning, went on the offensive by framing Coates’ book as something you would in the backpack of an anti-Israeli extremist. It should be noted that Dokoupil’s ex-wife and his two older children are living in Israel currently and he is currently married to Katy Tur, who is of Jewish descent.
Coates gamely took on the challenge of attempting to explain himself in the face of Dokoupil’s critiques of his work.
“You write a book that delegitimizes the pillars of Israel. It seems like an effort to topple the whole building of it,” Dokoupil said. “So I come back to the question, and it’s what I struggled with throughout this book, what is it that so particularly offends you about the existence of a Jewish state that is a Jewish safe place and not any of the other states out there?”
Coates answered, “There’s nothing that offends me about a Jewish state. I am offended by the idea of states built on ethnocracy, no matter where they are. I would not want a state where any group of people lay down their citizenship rights based on ethnicity. The country of Israel is a state in which half the population exist on one tier of citizenship and everybody else that’s ruled by Israelis exist on another tier, including Palestinian Israeli citizens. The only people that exist on that first tier are Israeli Jews. Why do we support that? Why is that okay? I’m the child of Jim Crow. I’m the child of people that were born into a country where that was exactly the case, of American apartheid.”
It didn’t appear that any stance Ta-Nehisi Coates took satisfied the curiosities Tony Dokoupil and co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson remained oddly quiet during the segment. The moment has caused a stir online and probably deserves far more nuance than we have the space to examine here. That said, a larger discussion should arise from this considering both gentlemen had points to make but couldn’t be exhaustive in their explanations.
Keep scrolling to see reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
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Vice President Kamala Harris had a confrontational moment with Gaza war protesters at her campaign rally, with some division on social media over her response.
On Wednesday (August 7), Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a campaign rally held in Detroit, Michigan. As she spoke before the crowd of 15,000 gathered in a hangar at Detroit Metro Airport, a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters began shouting to interrupt her. “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide,” they chanted, “We won’t vote for genocide.” Harris looked to move on while acknowledging the group, saying: “I’m here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now.” The crowd cheered, and she began to talk about the threat of Donald Trump being re-elected when the protesters interrupted again. The vice president raised her hands up at that point. “You know what,” she said firmly, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.” She stared directly at the protesters as the audience cheered louder, chanting “We’re not going back”. The protesters were then escorted out of the venue.
The moment was a contrast to a meeting that Harris and her presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had with Uncommitted National Movement founders Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed (the sister of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib) before the rally. The Arab-American group mobilized to withhold 100,000 votes from President Joe Biden in the Michigan primary over his stance backing Israel in its 10-month war against Hamas in Gaza. Alawieh said that he “felt an openness from V.P. Harris, as well as a listening ear from Governor Walz”.In a statement, Harris’ campaign team “reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities.”
The confrontation at the rally left some on social media divided. Some felt Harris’ response was too flippant. Columnist Wajahat Ali wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that her team needed to prep her to have a better response: “You can’t mock it away. Just have a line ready that at least acknowledges you hear them.” Others noted how the protesters seemed more willing to attack Democrats but not Donald Trump and other Republicans. One X user by the name of Colorfullstory wrote: “Explain it to me like I’m 5…Why are they protesting the person calling for a ceasefire but not the person saying Israel should finish the job?”
Take a look at the responses to the campaign rally moment below.
1. Karen Attiah
2. Qasim Rashid
3. Yair Rosenberg
5. Dr. T. Anansi Wilson
6. Queen Zenobia
7. DMC0281
8. Ernest Owens
9. Roland Martin
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Rocker Dave Matthews joined the pro-Palestinian protests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke before Congress in Washington D.C.
On Wednesday (July 24), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech before a joint session of members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol. His appearance was denounced by a massive crowd protesting the treatment of the Palestinian people during the war in Gaza. They were joined by one notable figure – musician Dave Matthews. He spoke to a reporter from Al-Jazeera during the protests. “I just think it’s terrible when the majority of the world is looking at this man and what he’s doing in Gaza and then also what he’s overseeing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem [and] we’re welcoming [him] into the so-called sacred halls of our government,” he began.
“This has been an ongoing struggle for people that just want to have dignity and be able to live independent lives and dream of a better future,” he continued. “And this man is the pinnacle of the obstacle toward that freedom and that we have [him] visiting the country is obscene. It’s a disgusting show of support for someone that doesn’t deserve our support.” The “Crash Into Me” singer concluded: “I’m ashamed that my tax dollars are going to the brutalizing of an entire people. It’s shameful. And I’m ashamed that our government is welcoming him here.”
Netanyahu’s speech was controversial for multiple reasons. While he praised President Joe Biden initially, he soon turned to heap praise on former President Donald Trump “for all he’s done for Israel.” Netanyahu has long been a supporter of Republican and conservative causes. He also made no direct mention of ongoing efforts led by the U.S. to obtain a ceasefire with the Hamas organization and the release of hundreds of Israeli hostages or that he’d be willing to agree. Netanyahu also denounced the protests on college campuses against him, calling those involved “Iran’s useful idiots.” He also faced opposition from most of the Democrats, with Michigan representative and Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib holding up a sign reading “War Criminal” throughout his speech.
Netanyahu is currently facing arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes against the Palestinians during the conflict, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, with over 1,200 Israelis and 39,000 Palestinians killed in addition to other foreign nationals working with the United Nations and Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
