Podcasts about palestinian president mahmoud abbas

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander freed. Pres. Trump in Saudi Arabia for Middle East summit w/leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysis: Fleur Hassan Hahoum, Avi Shalev, Oded Ailam.

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander freed. Pres. Trump in Saudi Arabia for Middle East summit w/leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysis: Fleur Hassan Hahoum, Avi Shalev, Oded Ailam.

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander freed. Pres. Trump in Saudi Arabia for Middle East summit w/leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysis: Fleur Hassan Hahoum, Avi Shalev, Oded Ailam.

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander freed. Pres. Trump in Saudi Arabia for Middle East summit w/leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysis: Fleur Hassan Hahoum, Avi Shalev, Oded Ailam.

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander freed. Pres. Trump in Saudi Arabia for Middle East summit w/leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysis: Fleur Hassan Hahoum, Avi Shalev, Oded Ailam.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed a veteran aide Hussein al-Sheikh as vice president. The move came a week after the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood, which it says threatened its regime. Dr. Ronnie Shaked, Dr. Ronnie Shaked, an expert on Palestinian Affairs at the Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that Al-Sheikh was just as corrupt and despised as Abbas and would not likely succeed him. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan, that the move by Jordan’s King Abdullah the Second to outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood was a move to bolster Jordanian identity and likely a temporary ban. (photo: Raad Adayleh/AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump: free passage through the Suez Canal for American ships. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed a close aide as the first Deputy President of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. US and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet next week for a fourth round of nuclear talks. On this episode of Trending Middle East: Egyptians reject Trump's demand for free Suez Canal passage Palestinian President Abbas appoints aide as deputy and potential successor US and Iran agree to meet next week for fourth round of nuclear talks Death toll reaches 28 as fires burn after blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas port This episode features Kamal Tabikha, Cairo Correspondent; and Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter.

Who is Marwan Barghouti? Why is he nicknamed “Palestine's Mandela”? And why does Israel see him as such a big threat, even behind bars, that it is adamantly refusing to release him as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal?This week on Mehdi Unfiltered, Mehdi goes on a deep dive into Barghouti's life, his activism, and most importantly, all the red flags around his trial and imprisonment by Israel.Barghouti's story, like that of most Palestinians, is a mix of struggle and hope. The former Fatah official, the political party currently led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is the most popular leader among Palestinians today. And while 89-year-old Abbas sets a low bar for competition, Mehdi explains what makes Barghouti still so popular after decades of imprisonment - and such a threat to both Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas.It is rare for any Palestinian to see an inkling of justice in Israel's military courts. Red flag after red flag, Mehdi details everything that went wrong in Barghouti's trial, from torture to international law violations to a judge with a grudge, because there is no statute of limitations on injustice, especially when its victims continue to pay the price for it.“My father used to always tell me that hope is sometimes a privilege, and being hopeless is a privilege that we can't have as Palestinians.”Also, Marwan Barghouti's son, Arab Barghouthi, joins Mehdi to discuss the latest on his father's condition, his health after decades behind bars, and whether prison changed him from the leader he was.“I don't think so,” Arab refutes, “I have my trust in God first and in my father, because he is someone who has been through a lot in his life.” Despite his hope, Arab is also well aware of his father's difficult conditions in prison, especially since the October 7 attack.“The head of Ofer prison came to him and in front of other prisoners, he asked him to put his hands behind his back and to kneel, to try to tell the other prisoners that if I can humiliate your leader, I can humiliate you all, which he refused. So they forced him to do it, which got his shoulder dislocated,” Arab recounts, adding that many more torture techniques were used against his father including solitary confinement and sleep deprivation.Watch the full interview above to find out why Marwan Barghouti's case should have never reached Israeli courts, and if Arab believes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would actually support his father's release in 2025.If you liked this episode of Mehdi Unfiltered, do consider becoming a paid subscriber today and let us know who you'd like to see on our show next! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeteo.com/subscribe

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on October 2, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Leaders from both Saudi Arabia and Israel have been working toward normalizing relations. The Saudi Kingdom, which supports Palestinian statehood, says it hopes normalization would ease Palestinians' lives. But during an address at the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said peace can only prevail in the Middle East when Palestinians have full, legitimate, and national rights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has been adamant in making no concessions to the Palestinians. So, where do Palestinians fit as Arab-Israeli relationships change? In this episode: Mustafa Barghouti (@MustafaBarghoti), Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative Episode credits: This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker and Amy Walters. The original production team was Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, David Enders, and our host Malika Bilal.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take's executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the U.N. General Assembly overnight to stop the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants, saying Israel had almost entirely destroyed Gaza and it was no longer fit for life. New York correspondent Mitch McCann spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Thank God the UN General Assembly is underway in New York. Nothing solves global conflict like a good UNGA session. I've been to one of these before, back when John Key was the Prime Minister – there was a resolution on Iran. A lot of sitting around talking and listening, which as Winston Peters pointed out yesterday, is quite important! Netanyahu's enroute. Zelensky's there. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Putin the Pariah obviously won't be, but does anybody hold out any hope that the UN will fix the big issues? Magically solve the wars and conflict? As we reported to you on Thursday's show, China's launching missiles into the South Pacific for the first time since the 1980s. A Japanese warship's just sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time overnight. Israel's hammering Lebanon - today they said "no thanks” to a peace deal. Putin's lowering the threshold for nuclear weapons. Trump says Ukraine is dead, and delegates are talking over the top of Winston Peters at the Security Council, which he wasn't happy about, calling for the room to be quiet. "Maybe a third principal, when somebody's addressing you, the rest of the people in the room keep quiet.” Some would say these are challenges the world can face together, united as one United Nations, but most of the time it's about as useful as ashtray in a motorbike, and most countries and their leaders know this. But off they go to the off to the Big Apple, to do their dance and thump their fists and have their say, while the rest of world largely ignores and carries on - business as usual. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*) UN demands Israel must end 'unlawful' presence in Palestine within a year The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution demanding Israel end its "unlawful presence" in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within 12 months. The resolution received 124 votes in favour, with 43 abstentions and 14 countries, including Israel and the US, voting against it. It comes just before world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are both expected to speak. The resolution also calls for a halt in arms transfers to Israel that could be used in the occupied territories. *) Second wave of explosions hits Lebanon At least 20 people were killed and 450 injured when thousands of two-way personal radios used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon exploded in a second wave of intelligence operation that started on Tuesday with the explosions of pager devices. The latest deaths and injuries brought the toll from the two days of blasts to 32 dead, including at least two children, and more than 3,000 injured. *) US urges Israel, Hezbollah to 'keep us from moving into another conflict' US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has called for calm between Israel and Hezbollah following deadly attacks in Lebanon. Thomas-Greenfield emphasised the need for de-escalation to prevent the conflict from spreading, while the US continues to seek resolutions for Israel's ongoing war in Gaza and calls for the release of hostages. *) Cameroon dam release raises flood fears in Nigeria — link Nigeria is facing a flood threat as neighbouring Cameroon starts releasing water from its Lagdo dam. It comes after heavy rains in the region, already causing flooding in Borno state. Eleven Nigerian states are at risk, including key agricultural areas. Authorities are urging vigilance and preparedness to minimize potential damage. *) Fed cuts rates sharply The Federal Reserve made a significant move yesterday, slashing interest rates by half a percentage point. This is the first rate cut since the pandemic, aiming to ease inflation and support the economy. The decision will likely lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, impacting everything from mortgages to credit cards.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for international recognition of a unified Palestine, saying there won't be regional peace and prosperity without it.

*) Hamas wants ‘clear commitment' on Gaza ceasefire talks Hamas will not join the upcoming round of Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap talks, a leader of the group has said. "The movement will not be part of the upcoming negotiations set to resume, whether they take place in Doha or Cairo," Suhail Hindi told media. He said Palestinian resistance group wants a "clear commitment" from Israel regarding what was agreed upon based on the Biden-backed proposal. *) Erdogan reaffirms support for Palestine in meeting with Abbas Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential Complex in Ankara to discuss Israel's ongoing violence in occupied Palestinian territories and the steps needed for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. During the meeting, the leaders addressed the atrocities committed by Israel in Palestine. President Erdogan emphasised Türkiye's unwavering support for Palestine's rightful cause and its commitment to increasing international pressure on Israel. *) Israel pressures ICC to delay arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant Israel is pushing the International Criminal Court (ICC) to delay the issuance of arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza, according to Israeli media. Official sources said Tel Aviv is putting diplomatic pressure on The Hague-based court to delay its possible arrest warrants against the two. *) Sudan ceasefire talks kick off despite army's absence Talks on securing a ceasefire in the devastating civil war in Sudan has kicked off in Switzerland despite the Sudanese government staying away. The talks are being convened by Tom Perriello, the US special envoy for Sudan. It could last up to 10 days, and is being held behind closed doors in an undisclosed location in Switzerland. *) NASA to decide stranded Starliner astronauts' route home by end of month NASA needs to decide by the end of August whether to return two astronauts to Earth aboard Boeing's Starliner, which flew them to the International Space Station , or bring them home on a SpaceX craft, officials have said. NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams blasted off for the International Space Station on Starliner on June 5 for what was meant to be an eight-day stay.

Vice President Kamala Harris has officially clinched the Democratic nomination for the presidency, becoming the first woman of color on the top of a major party ticket in the United States. British authorities have been facing growing pressure to put an end to England's worst rioting in 13 years. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was intended to prolong the conflict in Gaza.

A Hamas delegation will discuss a ceasefire proposal handed to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel's response, during a visit to Cairo. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says only the United States could stop Israel from attacking Rafah.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the US is the only country in the world that can stop Israel from attacking Rafah. And President Biden has told Israel to go no further.But can he really do anything to stop it?And should there be consequences if Israel presses on with an invasion its most important ally does not support?Piers debates with Egyptian Podcaster, Rahma Zein & by son of Hamas' founder and former Palestinian militant, Mosab Hassan YousefYouTube: @PiersMorganUncensoredX: @PiersUncensoredTikTok: @piersmorganuncensoredInsta: @piersmorganuncensored Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Today is day 176 of the war with Hamas. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Magid spent much of last week in Washington with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his meetings regarding the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. We hear several updates from that reporting trip, including what the atmosphere was like. The Washington Post reported Friday that the United States has authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel even as it publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated military offensive in Rafah. With all the overt criticism against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct, which body made the decision to approve the new arms? The Palestinian Authority is making changes apparently in an effort to become a more viable player to help rule the Gaza Strip the day after the war with Hamas. Magid weighs in, including the new cabinet that was installed last week and the attempts by the US to change the PA's ongoing pay-to-slay policy. The US informed Israel this week that the Biden administration's sanctions against violent settlers are not intended to compel Israeli banks to close the accounts of targeted individuals. What's the back story behind this unusual letter? For the latest updates, please see The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Live blog March 30, 2024 Gallant seeks to smooth over tensions after PM's cancellation leaves him alone in DC US approves transfer of over 2,000 bombs, 25 F-35s to Israel — report Integrating PA into Gaza aid efforts offers pilot to post-war governance, say experts PA in final stages of talks with US to reform ‘pay-to-slay' policy – sources US says Israeli banks don't have to close accounts of sanctioned settlers THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands during their meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah, February 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gang violence in Haiti including attacks on schools and government buildings has intensified to unprecedented levels. Deaths linked to products from a Japanese dietary supplement company have risen to five, with 100 others hospitalized. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approves a new government headed by PM-designate Mohammad Mustafa.

Today's Headlines: In today's episode, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace. Additionally, the US imposes sanctions on two illegal outposts in the West Bank, freezing assets and barring individuals associated with the settlements from the US financial system and entry into the country. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appoints Mohammed Mustafa as the new prime minister of the Palestinian Authority to stabilize governance in the West Bank and assist in post-war Gaza. In other news, concerns arise over Chinese-manufactured cargo cranes at US ports equipped with cellular modems, potentially posing national security risks. Representatives urge the release of surveillance documents related to Latino civil rights leaders from the 1950s to 1970s, while Senator Bernie Sanders introduces a bill to reduce the standard 40-hour workweek to 32 hours over four years, aiming to protect employee pay and benefits in light of increased productivity. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Top Democrat Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace Axios: US announces new sanctions against occupied West Bank settler outposts Axios: Abbas appoints economic advisor as Palestinian Authority prime minister Wall Street Journal: Espionage Probe Finds Communications Device on Chinese Cranes at U.S. Ports Axios: Congressmen pursue FBI, CIA files on Latino civil rights pioneers NBC News: Bernie Sanders pushes bill to establish a four-day workweek Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Pierson speaks with Vivian Bercovici, former Ambassador of Canada to Israel, about foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly and MP Ya'ara Saks, meeting and posing for a photo with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has tasked Mohammad Mustafa to form the 19th government.

*) Hamas shows 'flexibility' for truce amid Israeli reluctance The Palestinian group Hamas has declared its commitment to ongoing negotiations through intermediaries until a ceasefire agreement is reached with Israel. Despite Hamas displaying flexibility for a comprehensive halt to aggression, the group accuses Israel of avoiding the terms of the proposed agreement. Currently, negotiators from Hamas, Qatar, and Egypt are in Cairo, aiming to secure a 40-day ceasefire before the start of Ramadan next week. US pushes UN to back temporary Gaza truce to free captives The United States has modified a draft UN Security Council resolution, supporting an immediate six-week ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. The revised text, proposed by the US two weeks ago, aligns with Vice President Kamala Harris's candid statements. The US emphasised that the Security Council's backing of a ceasefire should be contingent upon the liberation of hostages in Gaza. *) Actions of Israeli 'settlers' biggest obstacles to solution — Erdogan During a press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Recep Tayyıp Erdogan condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, labelling them "barbarity of the last century." Accusing Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of "blatant genocide," Erdogan emphasised the Western powers' unwavering support for Tel Aviv. He underlined that those responsible for the bloodshed would face accountability within the bounds of the law and public conscience. *) Biden, Trump dominate Super Tuesday, cruise toward nomination and rematch In a decisive sweep across coast-to-coast contests on Super Tuesday, US President Joe Biden of the Democratic party and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump solidified their positions for a November rematch. Both candidates secured victories in similar states, including Texas, Alabama, Colorado and Oklahoma. Additionally, Trump claimed states like Virginia and Maine, which were expected to be favourable to his major rival, Nikki Haley, due to their substantial moderate voter populations, reminiscent of her previous primary support. *) Tesla's factory in Germany halts production after far-right arson attack The Tesla factory in Germany faces a production halt after an act of “sabotage” targeted high-voltage lines, set ablaze by a far-left group, according to authorities. Emergency services responded to the burning electricity pylon near Berlin, causing damage to the lines and a power outage for the Tesla plant and neighbouring villages. The situation is still under investigation, impacting the electric vehicle manufacturer's operations.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accepts resignation of PM Mohammad Shtayyeh and his government. UN chief Antonio Guterres accuses multiple nations of 'ignoring' international laws and calls for urgent reforms of the UN Security Council. South Korea's government sets a Thursday deadline for trainee doctors to return to work, as protests against medical school admissions continue.

Today on America in the Morning    Hunter Biden On Capitol Hill   President Biden's son Hunter made a surprise visit to Capitol Hill as Republicans in the House take a first step to hold him in contempt of Congress.  Ed Donahue reports the House Oversight Committee wants testimony only in private, while the President's son is demanding a public hearing.       Christie Suspends Presidential Campaign   With just four days until the Iowa Caucus, the Republican presidential field has gotten one candidate smaller. John Stolnis has more.  Trump Told No In NYC   Donald Trump will not make his own closing arguments today in his New York civil fraud trial. As correspondent Julie Walker reports, the judge rescinded permission for it after setting limits the former president would not agree to.        Parents Rights Legislation   A number of states have taken up bills and worked to create laws regarding the rights of parents.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports that Republican-led legislation aimed at protecting parents' rights is now being filed on Capitol Hill.      Business News   There were job cuts a plenty within the past 24 hours. Fortune announced that Salesforce and its chat subsidiary Slack initiated a hiring freeze, Dish Network will jettison 157 workers in March, Blackrock will be cutting 3 percent of their global workforce, and Amazon will eliminate hundreds of jobs. Here's CNBC's Jessica Ettinger with Thursday business.        Trump Demanding Willis Off The Case   Former President Donald Trump is calling for the Georgia election interference case against him to be dropped after allegations of an improper relationship against District Attorney Fani Willis surfaced.  Pamela Furr has more.       Help Wanted – Alabama Football Coach   The most successful college football coach of the modern era is calling it a career. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.          The GOP Debate & Town Hall   Just hours after Chris Christie suspended his GOP campaign for the White House, three Republican Presidential candidates were featured in two separate televised events last night. Correspondent Clayton Neville has the details.      An Arctic Caucus   As the candidates take their messages to the voters of Iowa, they will also face a new complication – getting out their vote as record breaking cold is threatening to create a deep freeze for Iowa's leadoff caucuses next week. Ed Donahue reports.      Latest In The Middle East   Antony Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to seek governance reforms as part of U.S. efforts to rally the region behind postwar plans for Gaza, but not without controversy. As correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports, this comes as a legal battle over whether Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza amounts to genocide opens today at the United Nations' top court.     Update On The 737-MAX   Federal regulators are extending the grounding of some Boeing jets after an Alaska Airlines plane lost a door plug, used to cover optional emergency exits, which could have been catastrophic. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.       California's Budget Problems   There's going to be some belt tightening in California, after Governor Gavin Newsom told lawmakers in Sacramento they will have to make difficult choices to offset an expected $38 billion dollar deficit.      Tech News   In what is being called a watershed moment for crypto trading, 11 Spot Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds have been given the green light by the SEC.  Here's Chuck Palm with today's tech news.       Finally   The global music industry set a new single-year record for music streaming. Entertainment correspondent Margie Szaroleta reports.     The year is just beginning and more nominations and awards are coming this season. Kevin Carr has more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's podcast: 1) A highly anticipated decision by the US Securities and Exchange Commission on whether to approve a spot-Bitcoin exchange-traded fund quickly morphed into a major cybersecurity incident on Tuesday. 2) Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun fought back tears as he said the planemaker must own up to its shortcomings as it grapples with a safety incident that has renewed questions over the quality of its manufacturing. 3) Donald Trump's claim that he is immune from prosecution was met with skepticism by a US appeals court panel, suggesting an uphill battle in his effort to avoid a criminal trial over his attempt to overturn the 2020 election in his final days as president. Full transcript: Good morning. I'm Nathan Hager and I'm Karen Moscow. Here are the stories we're following today. We begin with the drama surrounding the highly anticipated decision into the United States first exchange traded fund tied directly to bitcoin. We get the latest from Bloomberg's John Tucker. John, what's the latest, Nathan? You're going to add this to the long list of twists and turns in the ten plus year effort to bring a spot bitcoin to EDF to market. Somebody hacked the ex account of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It made a false posts the SEC had approved a Bitcoin ETF. The agency quickly denied any approval and said its ex account had been compromised. The false post on the SEC's X account was up for a number of minutes before the agency clarified it was inaccurate, But in that period Bitcoin posted a jump to almost forty eight thousand dollars before falling back to forty five thousand. About a dozen companies have applied to listingts back by bitcoin in the US. The SEC has until today to take action at least in one of those applications. I'm John Tucker, Bloomberg radio. All right, John, thank you well. Now we want to get the latest on the grounded Boeing seven thirty seven Max nine. The planemaker CEO Dave Calhoun says the company will have to face its own shortcomings as it deals with the door plug belowout on last week's Alaska Airlines flight. We're going to approach this number one acknowledging our mistake. We are going to approach it with one hundred percent in complete transparency every step of the way. We're going to work with the NTSB, who is investigating the accident itself, to find out what the weak cause is. I have a long experience with this group. They're as good as it gets. And Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun fought back tears as he addressed an all hands meeting on the incident. Alaska and United Airlines say they've discovered more Max nine jets with loose bulls after the FAA ordered the model grounded formally. Inspections still have not yet begun. All right, Keren, Well, let's turn to politics now. A federal appeals court appears skeptical of Donald Trump's claim that he's immune from prosecution on charges that he illegally tried to overturn the twenty twenty election. Bloomberg's Amy Morris reports from Washington. The former president was in the courtroom during the hearing when Appeals Court Judge Florence pen asked a Trump lawyer whether a president would be immune for having taken a bribe or ordering Seal Team six to murder a political rival. Trump's legal team responded that the president would have to be impeached and convicted first. At a press conference after the hearing, Trump said that denying him immunity would cause quote bedlam in the country. Trump is also expected to sit in on a hearing tomorrow in his civil fraud case in New York. In Washington, Amy Morris Bloomberg Radio, all right, Amy, thanks, so we're learning more about the hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the lapse in communication regarding his whereabouts. Austin had prostate cancer surgery on December twenty second, and was re admitted to the hospital on New Year's Day because of complications. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby explained the timeline surrounding Austin's condition and when the president knew about it. He was not informed until last Friday that Secretary Austin was in the hospital. He was not informed until this morning that the root cause of that hospitalization was prostate cancer. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, the White House has announced a review of proto calls around Cabinet secretaries who are unreasonable or incapacitated. Well, another cabinet secretary, Secretary of State Anthony Blincoln, is still in the Middle East, Karen. He meets today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Tel Aviv. Yesterday, Blincoln said Israel must stop undercutting Palestinian governance and rein in settler violence. Israel must stop taking steps that undercut Palestin's ability to govern themselves effectively extrame the settler violence carried out with impunity. Settlement expansion, demolitions, evictions all make it harder, not easier, for Israel to achieve lasting piece and a Secretary blinkn has met with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Cattter, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey during his latest Middle East trip. Well, Nathan, we want to get back to the markets and update you on a story we told you about yesterday, It is now official. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has agreed to buy Juniper Networks for fourteen billion dollars. The maker of data center hardware will pay forty dollars to share in cash for Juniper. That price represents more than half of HPE's twenty one billion dollar market value and a thirty two percent premium over Juniper's closing price before talks of a deal emerged. Sticking with the tech theme, Karen Ces the Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show of all Things Tech is underway in Las Vegas, and Bloomberg Technology reporter Ed Ludlow is covering the show for US Day one at cs Las Vegas. The theme is definitely AI everything. Take, for example, Walmart, a big box retailer, but putting a lot of emphasis on a new generative AI search tool in the Walmart app on iOS only. Instead of searching for a specific item, the generative AI search allows you to look for an event or a theme. Then there's a kind of mainstay announcement. What was interesting is Google and Amazon both went after Apple's airplay, So in Google's case, they're working on the ability to cast video from an Android smartphone to a TV. Amazon actually want to step further. They developed technology where you can stream video from either an Android phone or an iOS or iPhone to Amazon's own TV hardware. Ed Ludlow for Bloomberg News in Las Vegas, Nevada. All right, Ed, thank you well. I did mention Amazon and they are also making news this morning at a different front. Bloomberg News has learned Amazon's live streaming site Twitch is poised to get thirty five percent of its staff, and that's about five hundred workers. Time now for a look at some of the other stories making news around the world, and for that we're joined by Bloomberg's Amy Morris Samy. Good morning, Good morning, Kieren. More than forty states are under blizzard, wind, snow or flood alerts. Winter storms continue to blanket the country. Bloomberg meteorologist Robed Carolyn significant storm system that spent the last twenty four hours wreaking havoc from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. Now lifting out of the northeast. The worst of the weather of this morning across eastern portions of New England, but we'll still see snow on the backside of the system from Michigan into parts of the Ohio and Tennessee River valleys. Scattered showers are possible over Virginia and the Carolinas. The heavy rain, though in north in New England, should end, as should the snow, but windy conditions will continue from the mid Atlantic into the Northeast today. Bloomberg Meteorologist Rob Carolyn said at Republican leaders say Congress, we'll need another temporary spending measure to avoid a partial government shut down in ten days. How's Republican Matt Rosendale of Montana tells ABC he does not support the bipartisan compromise on spending. Cast we're still looking at about one point six trillion dollars spend in discretionary spending, and we're going to be holding a press conference with members of the House and Senate saying that we are more concerned with securing our southern border and making sure that that is taken care of than we are in writing another check to Joe Biden to continue his agenda, and the Senate Republican John Thune says they will need a stopgap measure to march. Minority leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged there's just not enough time to resolve lingering spending differences before the deadline. We need to prevent a government shutdown, and so the obvious question is how long does the cr need to be And that'll be up to the Majority leader and the Speaker to determine the links at how Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not bring a continuing resolution to the floor for a vote. Vice President Kamala Harris was back in Atlanta for a roundtable discussion on protecting voting rights. We have seen in the state of Georgia by example of what is happening in the country, anti voter law laws that have limited dropboxes made it illegal to even provide food and water to people standing in line, often for hours. Vice President Harris met with city and state leaders near the Georgia Tech Campus. Global news twenty four hours a day and whenever you want it with Bloomberg News. Now I Amy Morris in this is Bloomberg Karen, all right, Amy, thank you well. We do bring you news throughout the day right here on Bloomberg Radio, much as Amy said, but now also as she said, you can get the latest news on demand whenever you want it. You just subscribe to Bloomberg News Now to get the latest headlines of the click of a button, you can get informed on your schedule. You can listen and subscribe to Bloomberg News Now on the Bloomberg Business app, Bloomberg dot com plus Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Well, and it's time now for the Bloomberg Sports Update. Here's John stash Hour John Karn. Just two years ago, Mike Rabel was the NFL the year he coached the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship game back in twenty nineteen. But after four straight winning seasons, two seasons under five hundred six to eleven, this past year and the Titans have fired dray Ball, and that immediately begins seculation that he could become the new coach of the New England Patriots, assuming Bill Belichick departs. Raybell played for the Patriots for eight years, won three Super Bowls. The biggest underdog of Wildcard Weekend the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have to go play red hot Buffalo, and the Steelers won't have their best defensive player, TJ Wantt out with a knee injury. Mason Rudolph will be their quarterback, and he was the third string QB for much of this season. Tyrese Haliburton has the strained hamstring injury, but it could have been worse. He's gonna miss only a couple of weeks. Haliburton averaging twenty four points the game. He leads the NBA in assists. The next have won five straight since they made that trade with Toronto. They blew out Portland. The Lakers top Toronto by one. Anthony Davis scored forty one. Memphis just lost John Moran for the season, but had to win at Dallas's Desmond Main score thirty two. Minnesota improving to twenty six and ten with a win in Orlando, Detroit falling to three and thirty four. The Pistons blown out by Sacramento. Perdue, number one in the college basketball lost at Nebraska Huskers, beating number one for the first time in forty one years, and second rank Houston, who was undefeated, was upset by Iowa State. John Stanshower Bloomberg sports from coast to coast, from New York to San Francisco, Boston to Washington, DC, nationwide on Sirius exam. The Bloomberg Business app in Bloomberg dot com. This is Bloomberg Daybreak. Good morning, I'm Nathan Hager. As we still wait for a decision from the Securities at Exchange Commission on approvals for the first spot bitcoin ETFs. Investors briefly thought that decision was made yesterday, only to find out the SEC's social media had been hacked. New questions about security at the agency tasked with ensuring the security of your investments. Bloomberg's Crity Gupta is here with us now. To call this an embarrassment for the SEC seems like it might be understating things. Yeah, it's a really interesting and almost ironic situation that you see from the SEC and of course a lot of these bitcoin issuers, because at its core of the concern about this ETF was simply this idea that bitcoin is a very volatile asset. It's a decentralized asset, it's a hard to track asset, and that means that if you start to create a vehicle, in this case, an ETF that allows the masses and the general public easier access to this volatile cryptocurrency, basically, what might the repercussions of that be. Cybersecurity was one of them. Hacking was one of them. So it's only kind of ironic on a day where, or I guess the day before, where largely the expectation was that the SEC would actually give some sort of approval. That expectation also shared, by the way, by our Bloomberg Intelligence ETF team, that this is exactly how it all plays out on by the way, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk, who himself has been quite an advocate for the cryptocurrency, and he's also been at loggerheads with SEC chairman Gary Gensler in the past, not just about crypto but about his own trying to get Tesla to go private. We remember that four to twenty tweet a while back, and the history that Elon Musk has with the SEC. Yeah, and ironically, the SEC is now going to be investigating themselves for the idea of simply did the call kind of come from inside the house at the end of the day, because it's been investigated from the social media platform from ex's perspective about the actual hack itself, and it's been found out that it's actually wasn't a flaw in the platform itself. In fact, someone got a home hold of a number associated with the account. Because the account did have two factor verification, they were able to post something like this. But now there's a big question about whether that person or that individual or the organization was within the SEC. And for that ironically, again, the SEC now investigating themselves for market manipulation because it did move billions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Yeah, it's more than just an irony. It's raising a lot of questions about a security in and of itself within the SEC. Does this affect the timeline for whatever the SEC is going to decide about bigcoin ETFs to have this kind of hiccup, So the expectation is that it shouldn't affect the timeline. So by the end of today, basically we should get an actual decision by the SEC about whether they or not they approved or at least make a decision on at least one of the etf that a filed. Remember we have I believe six that are currently the attention is on. It could paved the way for plenty more after that, So it shouldn't change the timeline. If it does, however, it would be one to mark for the history books, because never in history of the SEC's approval process for ETF regardless of whether it's a Bitcoin ETF or just a different kind of asset class. Do they reject ETF this late in the process. And that's why you start to see a lot of the consensus again, including Bloomberg Intelligence saying that this ETF process for Bitcoin should be a no brainer simply because they wouldn't have let it get this far if approval wasn't in the cards. Is this going to raise questions about the approval process itself? To have this kind of question raised about what when the approval happened? After seeing that Errent tweet yesterday, I think it won't necessarily change the approval process because this was something that the SEC has been very outfront about, very transparent about about their concerns about Bitcoin in particular. I think it might create a little bit more of a hesitancy on the investor standpoint, because this was supposed to be the moment where you kind of let open the floodgates for a lot of people to get that easier access to cryptocurrency and more easily included in their portfolios. But that might now be met with a little bit more hesitancy because it reups, a lot of those issues of security, who's behind it, who's involved, and frankly, the fact that it is a decentralized currency and you can't track it, which is why it's so hard, even in this particular scenario to say who is behind this the cyber attack. This is Bloomberg Daybreak Today, your morning brief on the stories making news from Wall Street to Washington and beyond. Look for us on your podcast feed at six am Eastern each morning, on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. You can also listen live each morning starting at five am Wall Street time on Bloomberg eleven three to zero in New York, Bloomberg ninety nine to one in Washington, Bloomberg one six one in Boston, and Bloomberg nineteen sixty in San Francisco. Our flagship New York station is also available on your Amazon Alexa devices. Just say Alexa play Bloomberg eleven thirty plus. Listen coast to coast on the Bloomberg Business app, Serriusxmbiheartradio app, and on Bloomberg dot Com. I'm Nathan Hager and I'm Karen Moscow. Join us again tomorrow morning for all the news you need to start your day, right here on Bloomberg DaybreakSee 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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Today is day 79 of the war. Arab affairs reporter Gianluca Pacchiani and legal affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's podcast. The Israel Defense Forces recently halted the operational activities of a controversial unit implicated in multiple incidents of abuse against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The unit, called “Sfar Hamidbar,” or Desert Frontier in English, was known for recruiting so-called “hilltop youth.” Sharon gives background and explains what has happened recently. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn criticism from the international stage for drawing an equivalency between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Pacchiani spoke with several experts in the Middle East to see whether that was correct. As expected, he heard different things from different people. National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi wrote an op-ed for an Arabic-language outlet that was taken to mean that the government may allow a reformed Palestinian Authority to play a role in governing Gaza after the ongoing war with Hamas in over, and that earned him criticism from far-right coalition members. Hours later, a "senior Israeli official" walked back these comments. What's going on behind the scenes? For the latest updates, please look at The Times of Israel's ongoing live blog. Discussed articles include: Live blog December 24, 2023 IDF freezes operations of ‘hilltop youth' unit linked to anti-Palestinian violence Hanegbi's words ‘misunderstood,' PA can't rule post-war Gaza — senior Israeli official THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Landscapers work beneath a billboard depicting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wearing a Hamas headband, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 23, 2023. The billboard equates Abbas' internationally recognized Palestinian Authority with Hamas, a rival Palestinian terror group that rules Gaza. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli troops said they closed in on Gaza City, and Gaza appeared to be under yet another communications blackout on Sunday – the third in 10 days. Meanwhile, the conflict at the Israel-Lebanon border has gotten more deadly after an Israeli strike killed four people Sunday evening.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Middle East over the last few days meeting with a host of leaders in hopes of containing the war's fallout. On Sunday, Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. He later stopped in Baghdad where he issued a warning, particularly to Iran and its proxies like Hezbollah.And in headlines: Donald Trump is set to take the stand in New York's civil case against him and his company for fraud, more than 150 people were killed in an earthquake in Nepal, and SAG-AFTRA is reviewing an offer by AMPTP after months of failed labor talks.Show Notes:What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffeeFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides discussed the humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza through Cyprus with both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jordanian King Abdullah II.Blinken made an unannounced stop in Cyprus on his way to Turkey, after visiting the West Bank on Sunday, and having a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.Meanwhile, Cyprus responded to a request from Chevron to extend a deliberation period for the ‘Aphrodite' gas field in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Sunday.Elsewhere, Two men arrested in connection with the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos last week, were remanded on Sunday for eight days by the Limassol District Court.All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the visiting US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, that there must be an immediate ceasefire. Blinken has been meeting with leaders in the Middle East, with Abbas saying humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip. A senior advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mark Regev, says Israel is open to a humanitarian pause, but Hamas must be flexible with releasing its hostages. In the last 24 hours Israeli attacks on three refugee camps have killed more than 50 people. Al Jazeera's Hamdah Salhut is in occupied east Jerusalem. Salhut spoke to Corin Dann.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met today with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. A 30-year-old woman was arrested in connection to a stabbing back in July that killed a 21-year-old mother of a two year old. There was thankfully nobody home when a house exploded in Needham yesterday morning. Five minutes of news to keep you in “The Loop.”

President Biden wrapped up a brief visit to Israel on Wednesday. The trip was also intended to include a meeting in Amman, Jordan with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah of Jordan and President Sisi of Egypt. That leg of the trip was abruptly cancelled following the tragedy at the hospital in Gaza.  Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly dire. According to the latest reports from the United Nations, fuel is running out and water supplies are dangerously low. Some one million people are displaced and several hundreds of thousands have fled to southern Gaza near the Egyptian border in the hopes of finding some modicum of refuge and relief.  My guest Nancy Okail is President of the Center for International Policy, a think tank in Washington, D.C. She is also an Egyptian activist and scholar and in our conversation explains some of the political considerations that are driving Egypt's response to the unfolding crisis over its border. Moments before I caught up with her, President Biden had delivered a speech in Tel Aviv in which he announced an agreement from Israel's War Cabinet for the provision of humanitarian relief into Gaza, from Egypt. We kick off discussing President Biden's speech before having a longer conversation about what the Israel-Hamas war looks like from the perspective of the Egyptian government.   

[00:30] Islamic Jihad Bombs Gaza Hospital, Blames Israel (37 minutes) Hamas blamed Israel for the bombing of a hospital in Gaza yesterday, leading Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi to cancel a planned summit in Jordan with Joe Biden today. Video evidence from multiple angles proves that the missile that hit the hospital parking lot was fired from Gaza by the Islamic Jihad, but most media sources and world leaders continue to promote the false narrative that Israel was responsible. Also, Lee Smith wrote an important article for Tablet questioning how much the Biden administration knew before October 7 about the impending attack on Israel. [37:00] Ask the Right Questions (18 minutes) In times of peace and in times of crisis, faithful Christians must learn to ask the right questions to understand God's will.

*) Israeli strike kills hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza An Israeli air strike on Gaza's Al Ahli Arab Hospital compound killed at least 500 people, the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza has said, with many still under the rubble. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning following the deadly attack. Israel's military has denied its forces bombed the hospital. Around 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza since the war erupted on October 7. *) World reacts to Israel's strike on Gaza Israel's hospital bombing in Gaza triggered condemnation and fury in the Middle East and beyond. "Israel has crossed all red lines. ... We will not leave nor allow anyone to expel us from there," Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "Hitting a hospital containing women, children and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks devoid of the most basic human values." United Nations Human rights chief Volker Turk shared a statement over the bombing: "Words fail me. Tonight, hundreds of people were killed — horrifically — in a massive strike at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, including patients, healthcare workers and families that had been seeking refuge in and around the hospital. Once again the most vulnerable. This is totally unacceptable." The World Health Organization also condemned the deadly strike in a statement, said: "The hospital was operational, with patients, health- and care-givers, and internally-displaced people sheltering there.Early reports indicate hundreds of fatalities and injuries. *) Jordan cancels summit with Biden after Israel bombs Gaza hospital Jordan has cancelled a planned summit with US President Joe Biden and leaders of Egypt and Palestine, saying "there is no use in talking now about anything except stopping the war." The decision came after Israel's deadly hospital bombardment. The summit will be held "when the decision to stop the war and put an end to these massacres has been taken," said Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. *) UN warns Israel against 'forcible transfer' of Palestinians in Gaza The United Nations has warned Israel against the "forcible transfer of civilians" in Gaza, which could be in breach of international law. Israel has demanded that residents of north Gaza leave for the south, hoping to clear the area of civilians in preparation for a perilous urban ground assault. "We have grave fears about the toll on civilians in the coming days. Military operations show no signs of abating," UN rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told a media briefing. And finally… *) Thousands of artists demand 'immediate' end to Israeli attacks on Gaza Over 2,000 artists demanded an "immediate ceasefire" and the opening of Gaza's crossings to allow residents to leave the enclave amid increasing tension in the region. Artists for Palestine UK released a letter signed by more than 2,000 artists that include famous novelists, singers, playwrights, filmmakers as well as famed actors such as Tilda Swinton and Charles Dance. "We are witnessing a crime and a catastrophe. Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and cut off the supply of water, power, food and medicine to 2.3 million Palestinians. In the words of the UN's undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, 'the spectre of death' is hanging over the territory," it said. The letter criticised governments that expressed support for Israel and it said there will come a time when they are held to account "for their complicity."

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 232, with 1,697 others injured, according to an update from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza on Saturday.根据巴勒斯坦加沙地带卫生部门10月7日的最新消息，以色列对加沙地区的空袭造成的死亡人数已上升至232人，另有1697人受伤。The airstrikes were carried out in response to an earlier rocket attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).此轮空袭是对先前巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）火箭弹袭击的回应。In a rare public statement, the head of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, said that “5,000 rockets” had been fired into Israel to begin what he termed “Operation Al Aqsa Storm”.在一次罕见的公开发言中，哈马斯领导人穆罕默德·迪夫称，射向以色列的“5000枚火箭弹”开启了他口中的“阿克萨风暴”行动。Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, claimed to have captured a number of Israeli officers and soldiers, adding that they are being held in “safe places.”哈马斯是目前控制加沙地带的军事组织。该组织声称已捕获数名以色列官员和士兵，并补充说他们正处在“安全的地方”。In response, the Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas sites and headquarters with dozens of warplanes across various regions of the coastal enclave. Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz also said his country would cut off the power supply to the Palestinian enclave in the wake of the Hamas attack.作为回应，以色列军方称他们已针对哈马斯沿海飞地多个地区的领地和指挥部派出若干架战斗机。以色列能源部长伊色列·卡茨表示，面对哈马斯的攻击，以色列将停止对巴勒斯坦飞地供电。Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a national address that Israel was “in a state of war” and ordered “a full mobilization of reserves.”以色列总理内塔尼亚胡在一次全国讲话中表示，以色列正处于“战争状态”，需要“尽可能调动一切资源”。Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held an emergency meeting with key officials, emphasizing the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against Israeli forces and settlers.巴勒斯坦总统马哈茂德·阿巴斯同政府要员召开了紧急会议，强调面对以色列的军队和殖民者，巴勒斯坦人民有权捍卫自身安全。Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)n.巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）Enclave英/ˈenkleɪv/美/ˈenkleɪv/n.飞地（指在本国境内的隶属另一国的一块领土）

Leaders from both Saudi Arabia and Israel have been working toward normalising relations. The Saudi kingdom, which supports Palestinian statehood, says it hopes normalisation would ease Palestinians' lives. But during an address at the United Nations General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said peace can only prevail in the Middle East when Palestinians have full, legitimate and national rights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right wing coalition has been adamant in making no concessions to the Palestinians. So where do Palestinians fit as Arab-Israeli relationships change? In this episode:  Mustafa Barghouti (@MustafaBarghouti), General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and our host Malika Bilal. David Enders fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik, and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take's executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

This week, Simone Rodan Benzaquen, Managing Director of AJC Europe, joins us to discuss AJC's leading role in the Jewish community's diplomatic efforts at the United Nations General Assembly. Simone highlights key areas of advocacy, including countering the Iranian threat, addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, advancing the Abraham Accords, and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. We also explore the impact of addresses from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, who have used the UN platform to spread antisemitic and anti-Israel narratives. Simone sheds light on the challenges and progress in shaping international policies on these critical issues. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Episode Lineup:  (0:40) Simone Rodan Benzaquen Show Notes: Test your knowledge: About the UN, Israel, fighting antisemitism, and AJC's role Read: AJC Advocacy at UN General Assembly 2023 Top 5 Things AJC is Tracking at the United Nations General Assembly Five Things to Know About President Raisi and Human Rights in Iran and Beyond Key Takeaways From President Biden's Address to the UN General Assembly Mahsa Amini Protests One Year Later: What is the Current Human Rights Situation in Iran? Listen: Deborah Lipstadt on the Abraham Accords' Impact and the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, tag us on social media with #PeopleofthePod, and hop onto Apple Podcasts to rate us and write a review, to help more listeners find us. __ Transcript of Interview with Simone Rodan Benzaquen: Manya Brachear Pashman:    All this week, leaders from 193 nations have gathered in New York, addressing the United Nations General Assembly. But there's a lot of action on the sidelines as well. That's where policy experts from the American Jewish Committee do their diplomatic outreach, urging leaders to expand and strengthen ties with Israel, and counter rising antisemitism and extremism. With us to discuss what's been happening on those sidelines is Simone Rodan Benzaquen, Managing Director of AJC Europe. Simone, welcome to People of the Pod. Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   Thank you. Thank you very much for having me. Manya Brachear Pashman:    So I'll start with Iran. How are we pushing leaders to address the threat from Iran this week? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   So Iran, as you rightly point out, is a really priority issue for us in all of the meetings we've had in particular with on my end with the European leaders, and it's, and our objective is really to make sure that we are countering Iran on all fronts. Of course, there's the nuclear file.  And so our objective is to push leaders to be aware and really understand that, if that was to happen, we are entering an entirely new world. If we think that the war that Russia has been waging on Ukraine was a game changer for the stability of the world, we have not seen anything yet. So our objective is to really push European and international leaders to really address the issue.  The second issue is, of course, human rights. We are now a year after the murder of Mahsa Amini, and really the horrible repression that the Iranian regime has committed against its own people. And there has been a time when European international leaders were very, very clear in their support for the Iranian people, and in condemning the Iranian regime and the Islamic Republic.  But these past months, we've heard a little bit less of that. So our objective is really, has really been to reengage them on that commitment.  And then third of all, and this is really a very specific issue, particularly in Europe, is the Iran Revolutionary Guard. And so the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council, the IRGC, is not listed as a terrorist organization in the EU. And that is obviously not normal. First of all, because they have been committing horrible crimes in their own country, because they have been committing terrorist acts across the world. Because they are obviously a key sponsor of terrorism across the world, because of their role also in Ukraine. They have armed Russia with Iranian drones, they have trained people on the ground. And lastly, and this is for us, very important as the Jewish advocacy organization, they have been threatening Jewish communities across Europe. There are a number of cases that are now very clear, which include in Germany, in the United Kingdom, but also in Greece and in Cyprus, where it's very clear that Iran is threatening Jewish communities and Israelis on European soil.  Now, Europe for the past years, has made it very clear that it's a key priority for itself to combat antisemitism on the ground and in Europe. And that's a very important commitment. Now, if they're very, very serious about that commitment, they also have to act against the IRGC, which is today a key threat to Jewish communities on the ground.  So we have been pushing European leaders to take steps to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. As always, this will take time; it's not going to happen just during the UN General Assembly. But we've made some progress. We have had some very good conversations with a number of European countries and I hope down the line that we will be able to get there. Manya Brachear Pashman:    So now what about Hezbollah? Because I know for many years we have pushed leaders at the UN General Assembly to designate Hezbollah, a terrorist organization in its entirety. This campaign has been going on for many years. Is that campaign changing in any way this year? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   No, it's not changing, it continues to be a key priority for us. By the way, the issue is linked, of course, I mean, what is Hezbollah, if not a proxy of Iran, an Iranian state within Lebanon, that is threatening, of course, Israel, but also has been committing terrorist acts across the world.  So no, it has not changed. We are just trying to link the dots and explain to everybody that everything is linked. We're not there yet. There are a number of countries, as you know Manya, who have taken individual steps in Europe to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, because it is blocked on the EU-wide level.  But you know what, we just celebrated Rosh Hashana. You know, at the end of the day, there is always hope,  particularly for the Jewish people. So we will not be giving up on it and eventually we'll get there. Manya Brachear Pashman:    You mentioned the IRGC's role in Ukraine with providing weapons and we heard from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky this week, warning that Russia was weaponizing essentials like food and energy, not only against Ukraine, but against every country. And I know the UN Human Rights Council created, with AJC's urging, an independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which has already determined that Russia is responsible for war crimes. So how are we advancing that conversation on the sidelines this week? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   Listen, on the European side, I would say the conversation is very easy, because Europeans understand that if Russia is allowed to strategically win this war. That means that, though, that they, their countries, that the European Union, as such, will be threatened by Russia. Russia will not stop with Ukraine. President I hesitate always to call him president, but Putin has made it very clear that for him, the biggest catastrophe of the 20th century, is the fact that the Euro that the Soviet Union fell apart. And so he wants to go back to that scenario.  So Europeans are aware of it, their commitment to Ukraine, is very much there, actually, surprisingly, because many people, when the war started, were very much afraid that that, at the end, you know, there will not be European unity, that there will not be unity in the international community and in the West, in their support for Ukraine, and finally, you know, a year and a half later, we're still there, the United States is committed in supporting Ukraine, the European Union is committed in supporting Ukraine.  But more needs to be done. We need to be able to provide more help to Ukraine. And again, as you said, especially as Russia is weaponizing every single possible way, whether it's energy, whether it's food, to exert pressure, to make sure that at the end, we are faltering. Manya Brachear Pashman:    So I want to switch the focus a little bit from international diplomacy and war to the IHRA working definition. This has been an ongoing conversation with the UN. AJC has been urging the UN and its member countries to use it to develop plans to counter anti semitism. How is that coming up on the sidelines this week?  Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   So we've had some very constructive conversations, first of all, a majority of countries now have adopted the working definition of antisemitism. And they've recognized how much an important tool it is to not only to recognize, to define, but also to apply and to combat antisemitism. So it's a very constructive conversation. But we have also had conversations with countries who have not yet adopted the working definition, who would say, we don't have a problem of antisemitism, we don't really have to do it. And after explaining to them how important it is, and what an important tool it has been for countries, and what an important signal also it would send to the world, if they were to adopt the working definition of antisemitism. I can tell you now, in advance that in a few days, a couple of countries will be announcing that they will be adopting the working definition of antisemitism because of the conversation that we have had with them. Manya Brachear Pashman:    The conversation you've been having this week with them, or ongoing over a matter of time? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   Over a matter of time, but that was concluded, specifically here at the UN General Assembly this year. Manya Brachear Pashman:    And what about anti-Israel bias? Has that come up? Because I know that has been a blockage for a lot of countries who won't adopt the IHRA working definition, they want to leave the door open for criticism of Israel, but there has been some pretty blatant anti-Israel bias at the UN. And that has really been a priority for AJC to address. How have you been trying to eliminate that kind of chronic one-sidedness that targets Israel?  Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   This is, I have to say, Manya, a complicated conversation that we've been having, obviously, for years. As you rightly point out, Israel is treated in a way that no other country is. There is a permanent agenda item at the UN Human Rights Council. There is a disproportionate number of resolutions against Israel compared to any other country in the world. Many countries we are speaking with acknowledge that fact. But often their excuse is that they are working in a multilateral environment and that is therefore complicated, because you always have to come to some sort of compromise. But I have to say that nevertheless, I think we are making progress.  If you and I had had that conversation 10 years ago, most European, most countries would not have even acknowledged that that was a fundamental problem. That situation today has changed. Many countries do recognize that there is something profoundly discriminatory in that disproportionate targeting of Israel. They just are very slow in finding solutions to that approach. Manya Brachear Pashman:    We also heard from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this week. What do you fear he is communicating? What do you fear that members of the United Nations are hearing from him and taking as truth? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   For years, I think Muhammad Abbas has been really in an endeavor to distort history by denying the link between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. He has engaged on a number of occasions in historical revisionism. He has been engaged in a number of occasions in Holocaust denial and antisemitism, in stereotypes and conspiracy theories. And I think the world needs to wake up to that reality. I mean, if any other world leader had had that kind of discourse, take away the face of Muhammad Abba, take away the voice of Muhammad Abbas and just neutrally look at what he's been saying over the years, we would not accept that. The world, the Western world, the European Union, the United States, we would not accept that, and rightfully so.  So why is it that we should continue to accept these kinds of words? European leaders were right, the United States was right, to criticize Mahmoud Abbas, as they have, after his recent antisemitic remarks. But that needs to now apply all the time, we sort of have a bigotry of low expectations on Mahmoud Abbas. I mean, why is it that we consider him somehow not capable of living up to the same standards as everybody else? So I hope that the world will, at some point, wake up, and just expect of the Palestinian Authority and of Muhammad Abbas himself, to accept to have certain rules. He cannot continue to have these kinds of statements. He cannot continue to do the pay for slay, meaning to pay the families of convicted terrorists. He cannot continue to incite hatred in Palestinian schoolbooks. We have to set the same standards for everybody, including for Muhammad Abbas, including for the Palestinian Authority. Manya Brachear Pashman:    And do you think the member states realize that or comprehend that and are kind of seeing through his narrative? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   There seems to be the beginning of a process. I don't know if we're there yet. But there seems to be a beginning of the process. I mean, when you have the mayor of Paris, for example, who took away the honorary medal of the city of Paris to Muhammad Abbas, when you have statements that you have never had before, by leaders of the Western world, criticizing Muhammad Abbas. I think we're maybe at the beginning of something new. I just really hope that we're not walking backwards from that, because we just simply cannot go back to that just behaving as if, you know, this wasn't happening.  Some of it has to do with the fact, with this delusional idea that, you know, if the Palestinian Authority was to fall apart, if Muhammad Abbas was to fall apart and not be president anymore, there would be worse. But still, I mean, this cannot be an argument in not having the same expectations of a leader than of any other leader in the world. Manya Brachear Pashman:    So speaking of narratives, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi spoke to the general assembly as well, this week. His narrative was that Iran is the model of human rights and justice. Did that surprise you? What surprised you about his sermon, if you will, to the UN? Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   No, there is nothing that surprised me, the Butcher of Iran, who is president, the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has been lying to everybody's faces, of course, for many years.  Iran is committing human rights abuses, Iran is imprisoning young people. Every single human rights organization has spoken about it. Every single western country knows it and has said it. They are committing rapes of young women in their prisons. They're abducting the families, including by the way the family of Masah Amini just a few days ago, every single day, and the fact that he is lying once again to the world is despicable.  What is equally despicable is that the Council of Foreign Relations has intended to host Ebrahim Raisi. There is no way even with people who are asking difficult questions or having difficult conversations with him. That it does anything else then legitimize him and legitimize this terrible, murderous regime. So the only thing that should be done is, really be as tough as possible with this regime, and clearly impose sanctions, condemn, walk out of the room, ignore, but certainly not welcome him with open arms. Manya Brachear Pashman:    And do you think the world is buying his narrative?  Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   Well, it depends what you mean by the world. But I don't think the western world is buying his narrative at all. I think everybody knows, you know, the reality of things. They know everything that is wrong with the regime. There might be differences in how they think they should be approaching that and they might, by the way, also be differences in perception between some Western countries and ourselves on how we think things should be approached. But nobody is naive about what is actually going on in the country. And the way this person, the Butcher of Iran, is treating his own people. Manya Brachear Pashman:    Simone, thank you so much for joining us, and giving us a glimpse of what's been happening there. Simone Rodan Benzaquen:   Thank you. 

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is ageing and his ruling Fatah party is deeply unpopular. There have been protests against him and the Palestinian Authority. Many Palestinians feel the PA has lost legitimacy. There's no plan for how to choose a successor to Mahmoud Abbas and any candidate is likely to be controversial. There's a risk that an unpopular replacement may throw the occupied territories into chaos, even violence, and have major implications for the future goals of Palestinian people. Presented by Emily Wither Produced by Louise Clarke Researched by Matt Toulson Edited by Tara McDermott Mixed by Jack Wood Contributors: Dalia Hatuqa, independent Palestinian journalist. Khalil Shikaki, Professor of Political Science and director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. Ahmad Khalidi, political analyst and writer on Palestinian and Middle East political and strategic affairs. Ines Abdel Razak, executive director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy. Image: Palestinians celebrate vote, Credit: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

This is TRT World's Daily News Brief for Monday, September 11. *) Morocco welcomes limited international rescue teams as time runs out Rescue teams and residents have been scouring the rubble of buildings in the west of Morocco, as the death toll from Friday's earthquake continues to climb. The number of dead is now officially at 2,122 but that's expected to rise. The United Nations estimates 300,000 people have been affected by the earthquake. Three days of mourning began on Sunday, as the government announced it will begin accepting some international offers of help. *) Fresh clashes in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camp leave many dead, injured Five people have been killed in renewed clashes between rival Palestinian groups in the Ein El Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media. Fifty-two other people were also injured in the violence that erupted between the Fatah movement and armed groups in the camp on Sunday, the National News Agency reported. Fighting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement and other armed factions has rocked the El Hilweh refugee camp since Friday. *) Russia 'destroys' two Ukrainian drones over Belgorod region In the latest in the Ukraine war, Russia has said it destroyed two Ukrainian drones close to the border in the Belgorod region. No casualties were reported. The Ministry of Defence said the incident involved two unmanned aerial vehicles and took place early on Sunday. The Belgorod regional governor said the drones were "shot down" over the Yakovlevsky district, which lies to the north and west of the city. *) Thousands rally in Greece as anger mounts against biometric ID cards Thousands of Greeks have rallied in Athens against the impending introduction of biometric ID cards, denouncing what they see as a move towards a surveillance society. The Greek government announced last week that the procedure for obtaining new identity cards would begin on September 25, citing the country's obligation to comply with European regulations. All members of the European Union must issue new biometric cards by 2026 in line with a 2019 treaty. And finally… *) Spanish football chief Rubiales to step down after kiss row Suspended Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has said he will resign from his post because of a scandal caused by forcibly kissing a Women's World Cup player. Rubiales said he is going to resign in an interview with television show "Piers Morgan Uncensored". He sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph in Sydney last month. And that's your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been trying to calm tension with a visit ot the West Bank city of Jenin. Three government officers had been forced to leave a funeral for two fighters killed in a two day long Israel operation. They were driven away by angry crowds. There have also been protests across Israel after the Government's push to overhaul the judiciary. The UN is speaking out about what it calls unacceptable conditions placed by the Syrian government on aid delivery to northwest Syria. And human rights groups are speaking out about Iran executing 354 people so far this year.

On today's episode, the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, promised to rebuild Jenin and its refugee camp during his first visit to the city in 10 years, following two deadly Israeli raids in recent weeks that left at least 17 dead and more than 100 wounded. Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur defeated champion Elena Rybakina to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in dramatic fashion on Wednesday. Jabeur rallied from a set down to reach the last four and gain revenge over Rybakina in a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final. The Dubai Financial Market reached its highest point in nearly eight years on Wednesday, a sign of growing investor confidence in the UAE's capital markets amid continued structural reforms and efforts to boost liquidity. Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani has officially asked the country's election commission to supervise the region's parliamentary polls, slated for November 8, his office said on Wednesday.

The Palestinian national movement is in crisis. Divided between a Hamas-controlled Gaza and a Palestinian Authority that has lost credibility with the West Bank population it partially controls, the movement lacks not only cohesion but an effective strategy to bring about an end to Israeli occupation. Confronted by Israel's most right-wing fundamentalist government, which is committed to maintaining permanent control over most of the West Bank and Jerusalem, the movement is drifting with little more than symbolic support from the international community.What is the Palestinian strategy? If the two-state solution has failed, what is the Palestinian endgame and how do they mean to achieve it? What happens in the wake of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' presidency? And what can Palestinians realistically expect from the Arab world and the United States?Aaron David Miller sits down with Dr. Ashrawi to discuss these and other issues.

This is TRT World's Daily News Brief for Wednesday, June 14th. *) Former US President Trump lashes out after federal indictment Former US president Donald Trump has lashed out at federal prosecutors following his indictment for allegedly mishandling top government secrets. Trump pleaded "not guilty" on Tuesday to over a dozen criminal felony charges filed before a federal court in Florida. Trump says the charges against him are a form of "election interference”, while claiming that he was cheated in the 2020 presidential election. Trump is seeking the Republican nomination in a bid to return to the White House in the 2024 presidential election. *) Over 100 wedding guests drown in Nigeria boat disaster A wedding reception in Nigeria has turned into a tragedy after more than 100 guests drowned when their ferry sank in a river in Kwara State. A Kwara State police spokesperson said 103 people had died and 100 survived. Kwara State governor's office said the victims had been returning from a wedding in Niger State to Kwara's Patigi district when the accident happened. Most of those who drowned were family members who attended the wedding and partied late into the night, police said. *) Beijing offers 'Chinese wisdom' to restore Palestine's legitimate rights China has said it is willing to help broker talks between Palestine and Israel that have deteriorated to the lowest level in recent years. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Beijing on a three-day state visit in which he hopes to demonstrate that there is Chinese support for Palestine's bid for an officially recognised state. Foreign Minister Qin (Chin) Gang says China attaches great importance to the Palestinian issue and will continue to support peace talks, while offering what he calls "Chinese wisdom" to resolve the ongoing diplomatic crisis. While in China, Abbas is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the Palestinian cause and other regional issues. *) Saudi Arabia announces Sudan aid conference as fighting rages Saudi Arabia is hosting an international conference on June 19 to gather aid pledges for conflict-ravaged Sudan, where the UN says more than half the population urgently needs aid. The country would jointly lead the meeting with Qatar, Egypt, Germany and the European Union, as well as UN agencies. Saudi Arabia and the United States have been mediating in the eight-week fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF. A record 25 million people are in need of aid and protection in Sudan, the UN says. As of late May, the world body only managed to raise $2.6 million to address the crisis. And finally… *) Colombia searches for dog who helped find missing kids in Amazon A six-year-old tracker dog named Wilson, who went missing following a plane crash in the Colombian Amazon, is now the subject of a rescue mission. Dozens of soldiers are scouring the jungle for the canine hero that disappeared on duty two weeks ago. As relief settled following the rescue of the children aged 13, 9, 5 and 1, Colombians are now clamouring on social media for the safe return of Wilson as well. The military vowed not to "abandon a fallen comrade" who may have found the four children, who survived the crash on May 1, long before the rescue team arrived. And that's your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

The Nakba (catastrophe) and Israel's legitimacy are often seem as a zero-sum game: you can acknowledge one or the other, but not both. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's recent speech at the United Nations during the first ever formal commemoration of this day (May 15th) did little to assuage this polarization. But many who live in Israel encounter fellow Israeli citizens for whom the Nakba is a central part of their identity. Donniel Hartman, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Elana Stein Hain explore these tensions and complexities as Zionists. They ask: can we acknowledge Palestinian suffering, especially in relationship to Palestinians who are citizens of Israel? Can we hear their stories without endorsing their political conclusions, and is there room for a cautious Zionist exploration of the Palestinian narrative of Nakba?

On Friday last week, a Palestinian gunman killed seven civilians in occupied East Jerusalem, the deadliest such attack for years. The shooting came the day after a raid by Israeli forces in a refugee camp in the West Bank city of Jenin, also the deadliest such operation for years. The week's violence follows months in which more Palestinians died, according to human rights groups, than in the past almost two decades. More frequent Israeli raids, which Israel says aim to root out Palestinian militants behind an increasing number of attacks on Israelis, often provoke gun battles in West Bank cities. Militants have died, but also civilians, including many young Palestinians. In West Bank cities, new militias have formed, attracting young Palestinians angry not only at Israel but also at their own political leadership. Meanwhile, the new Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which is the most right-wing in Israeli history and comprises openly Jewish nationalist and anti-Palestinian ministers, promises an even tougher line on Palestinians. This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood speaks with Mairav Zonszein and Tahani Mustafa, Crisis Group's Israel/Palestine experts, about the latest spike in violence. They talk about Israel's new government, its efforts to curb judicial power and what it might mean for policy toward the Palestinians. They also talk about Palestinian politics, many Palestinians' disillusionment at their leadership, the emergence of new militias in West Bank cities and what might happen when ageing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas passes from the political scene. They ask whether there is any hope of change in policy from Washington and other Western capitals following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to the region this past week. They also talk about flashpoints in the months ahead. For more on the situation, check out our latest report Managing Palestine's Looming Leadership Transition and Crisis Group's extensive analysis on our Israel/Palestine page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antony Blinken meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, cutting water use along the Colorado River, evidence is presented on Trump's role in paying hush money to Stormy Daniels.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel where he is meeting Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Topping the agenda is the recent spate of violence, the worst in years between Israelis and Palestinians, Iran's nuclear threat and the two-state solution.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. United States correspondent Jacob Magid and legal reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in this episode. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is currently in the US. It's, as he says himself, “a politically sensitive time" for both countries. What are we hearing so far from the trip? For many Israelis, the November 1 election is about two main issues — yes or no to former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and whether or not the country needs extreme judicial reform. On October 18, Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich combined the two issues. Sharon explains the interesting situation in which two right-wing politicians -- Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman and Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar of the National Unity Party -- are on different sides. The next Negev Forum is coming up in the UAE and behind the scenes, the countries involved are trying to rope in Jordan for the next session. What are the pluses and minuses for Jordan? And finally, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is not holding back his disdain for the current US government and using inflammatory rhetoric. Is this a strategic tactic to perhaps cozy up to Russia? Discussed articles include: Herzog invited to address US Congress, 1st Israeli to get honor since Netanyahu In US, Herzog says elections shouldn't affect ties amid tensions over far-right Two right-wing camps seek to reform Israel's judiciary, in opposite ways As Israeli-Arab Negev Forum prepares to reconvene, members try to bring in Jordan While not cutting ties, Abbas increasingly talks of Biden as if he is Trump Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. FILE PHOTO: Then leader of the Israeli Labour party, current President of Israel Isaac Herzog meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah. December 1, 2013. (Issam Rimawi/FLASH90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Biden administration has announced that the President will take his first trip to the Middle East as president. His first stop will be in Israel to meet with Israeli leaders and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, before heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The U.S.-Saudi relationship […]

The Biden administration has announced that the President will take his first trip to the Middle East as president. His first stop will be in Israel to meet with Israeli leaders and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, before heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The U.S.-Saudi relationship began nearly eight decades ago between FDR and King Ibn Saud. With varying degrees of tumult, the relationship has survived – and sometimes thrived – through 14 U.S. presidencies. Has all that now changed? Has there been a sense in Riyadh – and across the Middle East – that the U.S. (through recent Democratic and Republican administrations) is downgrading its focus in the Middle East. Is there a risk that China gradually replaces the U.S. as the most important geopolitical partner of Saudi Arabia? And will Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords? And, could President Biden engineer it and win the Nobel Peace Prize? Former Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer served as Israel's chief envoy to the U.S. from 2013 to 2021 – working with three U.S. administrations. He was one of Prime Minister Netanyahu's closest advisers and played a key role in what led to the U.S. relocation of our embassy to Jerusalem, U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, implementation of the maximum pressure campaign against Iran, and the historic breakthrough that led to the Abraham Accords. He's a graduate of the Wharton School and completed a degree at Oxford. Ambassador Dermer and I had this conversation a few days ago at the Jewish Leadership Conference (https://www.jewishleadershipconference.org/), which is sponsored by The Tikvah Fund (https://tikvahfund.org/).