Families of Israeli hostages march in London
They're worried that the UK government might not insist on the release of their loved ones by Hamas – in return for recognising a Palestinian state.
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Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Mossad spy chief visiting Qatar to revive Gaza peace talks, Israeli officials say
Aug 14 (Reuters) - Mossad spy chief David Barnea is visiting Qatar to revive Gaza peace talks, two Israeli officials told Reuters on Thursday. The visit follows a reported expression of eagerness by Hamas for a swift return to Gaza ceasefire negotiations during a meeting with Egypt's intelligence chief in Cairo. Meanwhile, Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Thursday plans to commence work on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and isolate it from East Jerusalem, a move his office stated would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Israeli minister announces plans 'to prevent Palestinian state'
Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has approved the so-called E1 project between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, which has been frozen amid fierce opposition internationally and within Israel. The plan would effectively cut off the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem. "The plan will bury the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich said. READ MORE: Glasgow independent bottler unveils first ever 'Buckfast' whisky "After decades of international pressure and freezes, we are breaking conventions and connecting Maale Adumim to Jerusalem. This is Zionism at its best – building, settling and strengthening our sovereignty in the Land of Israel." Settlements are considered illegal under international law. Aviv Tatarsky, a researcher at Israeli NGO Ir Amim who has submitted formal objections to the plan, said the Israeli government is 'openly announcing apartheid'. 'It explicitly states that the E1 plans were approved to 'bury' the two-state solution and to entrench de facto sovereignty,' he said. 'An immediate consequence could be the uprooting of more than a dozen Palestinian communities living in the E1 area. Indeed, over the last 10 days, Israeli authorities have issued dozens of demolition orders there. 'States now working to recognise a Palestinian state should understand that Israel is undeterred by diplomatic gestures or condemnations. If they are serious about the prospect of peace, they must take concrete action.' The E1 plan has not yet received final approval, which is expected next week.
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Israel announces West Bank settlement that ‘could imperil Palestinian state'
Palestinians and rights groups worry the move will scuttle plans for a future Palestinian state by effectively cutting the West Bank into two separate parts. The announcement on Thursday comes as many countries said they would recognise a Palestinian state in September. 'This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise,' said finance minister Bezalel Smotrich. 'Anyone in the world who tries today to recognise a Palestinian state will receive an answer from us on the ground.' Development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades but was frozen because of US pressure during previous administrations. On Thursday, Mr Smotrich praised President Donald Trump and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee as 'true friends of Israel as we have never had before'. The E1 plan has not yet received its final approval, which is expected next week. It includes around 3,500 apartments to expand the settlement of Maale Adumim, Mr Smotrich said. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks to journalists during a press conference about a new settlement construction in the Israel-occupied West Bank (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) While some bureaucratic steps remain, if the process moves quickly, infrastructure work could begin in the next few months and construction of homes could start in around a year. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan. Peace Now called it 'deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution' which is 'guaranteeing many more years of bloodshed'. The announcement comes as the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement in an interview on Tuesday that he was 'very' attached to the vision of a 'Greater Israel'. He did not elaborate, but supporters of the idea believe that Israel should control not only the occupied West Bank but parts of Arab countries.
