Tag: ISRAEL

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Iran accuses Israel of attacking nuke site

“The Zionists want to sabotage Iran’s nuclear achievements and the nuclear negotiations (in Vienna) with these terrorist operations,”said Zarif…reports Asian Lite News

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday described the cyberattack on the Natanz nuclear facility as an act of terrorism and blamed Israel for it.

The plant in central Iran produces, among other things, new centrifuges for uranium enrichment, dpa news agency reported.

“The Zionists want to sabotage Iran’s nuclear achievements and the nuclear negotiations (in Vienna) with these terrorist operations,” Zarif told Parliament on Monday.

Neither, however, will happen, he said.

“Our revenge is that we will continue successfully in both areas,” Zarif added.

Israel has so far not commented on the allegations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

“The activities of the Israeli army in the Middle East are not hidden from the enemies,” Israeli Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi said on Sunday.

“They are watching us, seeing our capabilities, and carefully considering their moves.”

Israel considers Iran’s nuclear programme a serious threat because Tehran has missiles with a range of up to 2,000 km that could hit anywhere in the Jewish state.

If the missiles were equipped with nuclear warheads, Israel’s existence would be seriously threatened.

Tehran insists it has no nuclear warheads and will only use the missiles for a retaliatory strike.

Also read:Power struggle intensifies in Iran

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US vows to work for Israel’s security

Austin’s two-day visit marks the first by a US official since President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January…reports Asian Lite News

During a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz, visiting US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was committed to boosting the Jewish state’s security and “continuing our close consultations on threats posed by Iran”.

Austin’s two-day visit marks the first by a US official since President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January.

Following a meeting between the two diplomats on Sunday, Austin thanked Gantz for the “important discussions on the regional threat environment and ways to deepen US-Israel defence cooperation”.

“I’m committed to continuing our close consultations on threats posed by Iran and to strengthening Israel’s security,” he added.

In response, Gantz said: “We will continue to work with the US to ensure that any agreement with Iran safeguards the vital interests of the international community and protects Israel.

“Secretary Austin and I agreed to continue a close dialogue on the urgent security challenges in the region.

Also read:Austin in Israel for talks

“Israel sees the US as a full partner on all operational fronts – the first of which is Iran

“Grateful to share vision and goals with our strategic partner and friend and know that we will work together to make sure that any Iranian nuclear agreement protects the vital security interests of the international community and of Israel.”

Austin is also expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Defence Secretary is not expected to visit the Palestinian Territories, although Biden has signalled that he wants to rebuild ties with the Palestinians.

The previous administration of Donald Trump made several major diplomatic moves which were welcomed by Israel but denigrated by the Palestinians, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and weakening support for a two-state solution.

Austin is expected in Germany on Tuesday, and in Brussels after that.

Also read:Biden to curb US gun violence epidemic

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Austin in Israel for talks

Austin was received with military honours before meeting his counterpart Benny Gantz…reports Asian Lite News

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ON Sunday began talks with Israeli leaders, in the first visit by a member of new US President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.

Austin was received with military honours before meeting his counterpart Benny Gantz, DPA news agency reported.

The Israeli minister is expected to raise the recent negotiations between world powers and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme, saying Israel hoped for a better deal to be agreed in the future.

Israel had been vehemently opposed to the original 2015 deal and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers Iran to be Israel’s most dangerous enemy.

Also read:Biden to curb US gun violence epidemic

Austin is also due to meet Netanyahu during his two-day visit. Netanyahu is in an uncertain political position as he tries to pull together enough seats to form a coalition government after recent elections.

Austin is not expected to visit the Palestinian Territories, although Biden has signalled that he wants to rebuild ties with the Palestinians.

The previous administration of Donald Trump made several major diplomatic moves which were welcomed by Israel but denigrated by the Palestinians, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and weakening support for a two-state solution.

Austin is expected in Germany on Tuesday, and in Brussels after that.

Also read:US sanctions Pak-based human smuggling group

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Biden backs Jordan’s king

US President Joe Biden

Biden hailed Jordan and underscored the importance of King Abdullah II’s leadership to the United States and the region…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II to voice US support for his leadership and affirmed the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Biden expressed “strong US support for Jordan and underscore the importance of King Abdullah II’s leadership to the United States and the region,” the White House said in a statement on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties, Jordan’s important role in the region, and strengthening cooperation on political, economic, and security issues.

“The President also affirmed that the United States supports a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the statement added.

AMMAN, May 25, 2019 (Xinhua) — Jordan’s King Abdullah II (C) reviews the Royal Guard of Honor during the ceremony of the 73rd anniversary of the Independence of Jordan in Amman, Jordan, May 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh/IANS)

The phone call came as Jordan returns to stability from a royal rift over the weekend. King Abdullah II said on Wednesday that Prince Hamza, who was accused of being part of a plot to destabilize Jordan by authorities, was in the king’s care.

In a letter to the nation published by the Royal Hashemite Court, the king said the “sedition has been nipped in the bud” and Jordan is safe and stable.

The Biden administration on the same day announced plans to restore US assistance for the Palestinian people.

Also read:I will not abide by what they say:Ex-Jordanian Crown Prince

Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement introduced a US $235 million package of economic, development, and humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, a large portion of which will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Former US President Donald Trump cut hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Palestinians, and during his administration, diplomatic contacts with Palestinians came to a virtual halt.

After Trump declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel in December 2017, the Palestinian Authority broke off all official relations with the White House and the State Department, though security cooperation continued.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council last month that Washington will “re-open diplomatic channels of communication” with Palestinians that has been cut off under the previous administration.

Also read:Biden makes all adults eligible for vaccine by April 19

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Israel’s new Knesset sworn in

shows swearing-in ceremony of the Israeli 24th Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem.

The swearing in ceremony on Tuesday marked the inauguration of Israel’s 24th Knesset or Parliament and the ceremony started with an address by President Reuven Rivlin….reports Asian Lite News

Newly-elected Israeli lawmakers were sworn in amid uncertainties over the possibility of forming a new government two weeks after the country’s fourth election in two years also ended in a stalemate.

The swearing in ceremony on Tuesday marked the inauguration of Israel’s 24th Knesset or Parliament, reports Xinhua news agency.

The event began with an address by President Reuven Rivlin to the newly-elected 120 members of the Knesset.

He urged the lawmakers to show leadership and end the prolonged political deadlock.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin

“The Israeli people expect each one of you to show leadership,” he said in televised remarks.

Earlier in the day, Rivlin said no party leader gained enough support to form a majority government, but asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government.

Rivlin entrusted the longest-serving Prime Minister with the task as the latter held the most support, 52 seats, but still runs short of 61 seats needed to form a majority coalition in the Knesset.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls

The decision means that Netanyahu now has 28 days to put together a coalition government, with a possibility of a two-week extension before Rivlin tasks another candidate or asks the Knesset to choose one.

Netanyahu, who has been in power since 2009, is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases.

His trial in the Jerusalem District Court resumed on Monday with the prosecution’s opening arguments.

No party gained enough votes to form a majority government in the March 23 elections.

It was Israel’s fourth election in two years amid a lingering political deadlock.

The last election resulted in a broad, unstable coalition of political enemies that would have seen them taking turns in the Prime Minister’s office.

It collapsed after only a few months amid a fight about the budget.

Also read:Political logjam continues in Israel

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President Rivlin asks Netanyahu to form govt

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin

Rivlin entrusted the longest-serving Prime Minister with the task after Netanyahu received the most recommendations during post-election talks with party leaders…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government two weeks after the country’s fourth election in two years also ended in a stalemate.

Rivlin entrusted the longest-serving Prime Minister with the task after Netanyahu received the most recommendations during post-election talks with party leaders, reports dpa news agency.

The President emphasized that while none of the 13 groups represented in parliament currently held a majority, Netanyahu had slightly better chances of forming a coalition.

However, it was not an easy decision to put Netanyahu in charge of forming the government again, given he is being tried for corruption, Rivlin said.

Netanyahu, the first sitting premier in Israel’s history to stand trial, is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases.

Prosecutors allege that he systematically accepted expensive gifts and tried to improve media coverage of him in return for favours.

Voters were again evenly split in the last election, giving no candidate a clear path to victory.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls

As before, the split lies between a bloc supporting Netanyahu and a group of other parties hoping to oust the long-serving leader.

Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party again got the most votes, with 30.

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz

Next came the Atid party, with 17. It has ruled out a coalition with Likud.

The conservative religious Shas party came in third place, with nine mandates.

The last election resulted in a broad, unstable coalition of political enemies that would have seen them taking turns in the Prime Minister’s office.

It collapsed after only a few months amid a fight about the budget.

Also read:Political logjam continues in Israel

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Netanyahu shifts strategy

Jerusalem, Sept. 13, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a briefing on COVID-19 pandemic in Israel at his office in Jerusalem, on Sept. 13, 2020. Israel will reimpose a nationwide lockdown for three weeks, beginning on Friday, to slow a rapid resurgence of coronavirus infections, the government decided on Sunday. (Yoav Dudkevitch/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)

Netanyahu urged Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right pro-settler Yamina party, and Gideon Sa’ar, leader of the right-wing New Hope party, to help him put together a coalition…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on his right-wing rivals to join forces to form a right-wing government coalition under his leadership.

In his first remarks since the March 23 inconclusive elections, Netanyahu on Wednesday urged Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right pro-settler Yamina party, and Gideon Sa’ar, leader of the right-wing New Hope party, to help him put together a coalition, reports Xinhua news agency.

“It is time to put our differences behind us,” he said in a televised statement.

According to Netanyahu, together with allied parties and Yamina and New Hope, he could form a coalition of 65 members and gain a firm majority in the 120-member Parliament.

Naftali Bennett(Twitter)

“Let’s form a stable right-wing government that would last for years,” the long-time leader said.

Sa’ar however, has rejected Netanyahu’s call.

The New Hope’s main campaign promise was to replace Netanyahu.

On Wednesday night, Sa’ar repeated his promise and said he will not join a government with Netanyahu as Prime Minister.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Reuven Rivlin called for “unusual collaboration” in forming a new government to solve the country’s lingering political stalemate.

The elections on March 23, Israel’s fourth in two years, ended once again with no clear winner.

Also read:Political logjam continues in Israel

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US to resume ties with Palestine

A Palestinian boy sits on sacks of flour at a United Nations food distribution center in Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City

Our administration will take steps to re-open diplomatic channels of communication that were halted during the last administration,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield…reports Asian Lite News

The US will “re-open diplomatic channels of communication” with Palestine that had been cut off by the administration of former President Donald Trump, Washington’s Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council.

“Since January, our diplomatic engagement has been guided by the premise that sustainable progress toward peace must be based on active consultations with both sides,” Thomas-Greenfield said on Thursday during a virtual briefing on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

“To that end, our administration will take steps to re-open diplomatic channels of communication that were halted during the last administration,” the envoy added.

US President Joe Biden

“Our engagements all have the same aim: to build support for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Thomas-Greenfield, while expressing her country’s “continued support for Israel”, noted that the US wishes to “see both Israelis and Palestinians take steps toward a two-state solution”.

On the two-state solution, the ambassador said, “under President (Joe) Biden’s leadership, the US has recommitted to the vision of a mutually agreed two-state solution, one in which Israel lives in peace and security alongside a viable Palestinian state”.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

“We believe this vision is the best way to ensure Israel’s future as a democratic and Jewish state, while upholding the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for a state of their own and to live with dignity and security,” she said.

Thomas-Greenfield noted that Biden is restoring US assistance programs that support economic development and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

“Specifically, the US is pleased to announce today $15 million in humanitarian assistance to support the most vulnerable communities in the West Bank and Gaza,” she added.

Trump cut hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Palestinians, and during his administration, diplomatic contacts with Palestinians came to a virtual halt.

After Trump declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel in December 2017, the Palestinian Authority severed all official relations with the White House and the State Department, though security cooperation continued.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

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Political logjam continues in Israel

Its officially declared that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its allies won 52 seats in the 120-seat parliament as opposition garnered 57…reports Asian Lite News

The final results of Israel’s parliamentary elections held earlier this week revealed another stalemate, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents both fell short of a majority to form a government.

The Central Elections Committee, which oversees the elections, said in a statement that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and its allies won 52 seats in the 120-seat parliament, while opponents of the country’s longest serving Prime Minister garnered 57, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Likud won 30 seats, down from 36 in the previous elections.

The centrist party of Yesh Atid, led by former Finance Minister Yair Lapid, won 17 seats, becoming the second-largest party.

On Thursday, Lapid held series of meetings in a bid to form a coalition government.

But in the Israeli system, the government is formed by the candidate who manages to put together a majority coalition of at least 61 seats.

Netanyahu has secured three supporter parties, which won six, seven and nine seats, respectively.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

He also hopes to win the support of his former ally, Naftali Bennett, leader of Yamina, a pro-settler party that won seven seats.

Ra’am, an Islamist party, won four seats, becoming the balance of power between a Netanyahu-led coalition or a government led by his opponents.

Also read:Israel to seal West Bank, Gaza crossings

Ra’am party leader Mansur Abbas said on Wednesday that he doesn’t rule out sitting in any coalition.

Before Tuesday’s elections, which were the fourth in two years, Netanyahu said he will not rule out a coalition with Ra’am.

Mansour Abbas

Blue and White, a centrist party and Netanyahu’s partner in his current power-sharing government, won eight seats.

New Hope, a right-wing party formed recently by former allies of Netanyahu, won six seats.

Next week, President Reuven Rivlin is expected to officially receive the election results.

Then, he will launch a series of consultations with heads of the factions, after which the president will announce who will be tasked with attempting to form the next government.

The elections were held following a series of indecisive results and prolonged political deadlock.

Netanyahu is struggling for his political survival while facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls

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Netanyahu lacks majority as count goes on

Issrael moves towards a political deadlock amid Netanyahu’s bloc lacks majority…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may struggle to secure enough seats in Parliament to stay in power, incomplete results of Tuesday’s election suggested, even as he claimed victory in the country’s fourth elections in two years.

His announcement came within two hours of exit polls on Israel’s main three TV channels which indicated no immediate winner in the unprecedented elections amid a prolonged political deadlock.

“A huge victory to the right-wing and the Likud (party) under my leadership,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said his right-wing Likud party is “by far” the largest party in Israel, after the polls suggested it won about 31 seats.

With about 90 per cent of votes counted, his right-wing bloc is course to win 59 seats – two short of the threshold, the BBC reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

In a surprise development, an Arab party which is projected to win five seats could hold the balance of power.

The final outcome will among other things determine the course of Israel’s relations with the Palestinians.

The Arab party, Raam, has not declared whether it will support the efforts of Netanyahu – an unnatural ally – to form a government or those of the bloc opposed to him remaining in office.

Also read:Netanyahu due in Bahrain

Those parties have garnered 56 seats, according to the latest tally, and although backing from Raam could give them a sufficient number to form a government, they are fragmented and unlikely to be able to agree to work together.

If neither grouping can form a majority coalition, the country could face its fifth general election since April 2019.

Israel’s electoral system, a form of proportional representation, makes it almost impossible for a single party to win an election outright.

Ballot papers in Nesher(Wikipedia)

Based on the latest results, to stay in office, Netanyahu would need to secure the support of both Raam and a small right-wing nationalist party, Yamina.

Like Raam, Yamina’s leader, Naftali Bennett, has not announced which side he will throw his weight behind.

“I will do only what is good for the State of Israel,” he said after the voting ended on Tuesday night.

He added that he had told Netanyahu that Yamina would await the final results before deciding on its next steps.

Also read:Netanyahu claims win in Israeli polls