What We Are Reading Today: The Invention of International Order by Glenda Sluga
This new coalition planted the seeds for today's international order, wedding the idea of a durable peace to multilateralism, diplomacy, philanthropy, and rights, and making Europe its center.
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Leaders
5 hours ago
- Leaders
Israel Authorizes Controversial Settlement Project that Would Split West Bank
Israel has given final approval on a controversial settlement project that will divide the occupied West Bank in two, Reuters reported. Undermining Palestinian Statehood On Wednesday, Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said that the settlement plan, known as the E1 project, will obstruct efforts to establish an independent Palestinian State. 'With E1 we are delivering finally on what has been promised for years. The Palestinian state is being erased from the table, not with slogans but with actions. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea,' he said in a statement. Smotrich announced the plan last week as a response to the recent wave of countries announcing their intention to recognize a Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly in September. The recognition of Palestinian Statehood is part of an international push to advance the two-state solution, which envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, living side by side with Israel. E1 Settlement Project Plans for settlement in E1, an area east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades but was frozen amid US and European opposition that the project could undermine a future peace deal with the Palestinians. The E1 project involves the construction of about 3,400 new housing units in Maale Adumin. Israel has built about 160 settlements, housing some 700,000 Jews, since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, according to BBC. Settlement Expansion The international law deems settlements illegal. However, successive Israeli governments have allowed settlements to expand, most notably since the return of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to power in late 2022. Netanyahu has not commented on the E1 approval announcement. But during a visit to a West Bank settlement on Sunday, he said: 'I said 25 years ago that we will do everything to secure our grip on the Land of Israel, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, to prevent the attempts to uproot us from here. Thank God, what I promised, we have delivered.' International Condemnation In response to the announcement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the plan as it will 'isolate Palestinian communities living in the area and undermines the possibility of a two-state solution.' Similarly, a spokesperson for the German government on Wednesday said that the E1 plan violates international law and 'hinders a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.' The E1 settlement project also faced strong opposition from Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, as it will further undermine the two-state solution. Short link : Post Views: 8
Al Arabiya
12 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Macron says Israel's offensive in Gaza will lead to ‘disaster'
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that Israel's 'military offensive' to conquer Gaza City 'can only lead to a complete disaster for both peoples,' after Israel's defense minister authorized the call-up of around 60,000 reservists. Israel's plan 'will drag the region into a permanent war,' the French president posted on social media, reiterating his call for an 'international stabilization mission.'
Leaders
15 hours ago
- Leaders
Tensions Rise Between Israel and France Over Palestinian State Recognition
A diplomatic crisis erupted between Israel and France on Tuesday over Paris's plan to recognize a Palestinian state next month after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused French President Emmanuel Macron of fostering 'antisemitism.' In response, the Elysee Palace labeled Netanyahu's claims as 'abject' and 'erroneous.' 'This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation,' the French presidency stated. Netanyahu's accusations appeared in a letter addressed to Macron, in which Netanyahu claimed that antisemitism had 'surged' in France since Macron announced last month that he would recognize Palestinian statehood. Macron plans to make this formal recognition during a UN meeting in September, a decision that drew immediate backlash from Israel. Netanyahu wrote, 'Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire. It is not diplomacy; it is appeasement.' He argued that this move rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to release hostages, and emboldens those who threaten French Jews. France Joins Growing List of Nations By announcing its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, France joins a growing list of nations that have taken similar steps since the Gaza war began nearly two years ago as at least 145 of the 193 UN member states now recognize or plan to recognize a Palestinian state. France has long supported the 'two-state solution,' as the French government asserts that recognizing a Palestinian state counters Hamas, which governs Gaza and opposes a two-state solution. Additionally, the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry condemned Netanyahu's remarks as 'unjustified and hostile to peace.' The ministry stated, 'The old record of confusing criticism of the Israeli occupation and its crimes with antisemitism has become cracked and exposed, and no one is fooled.' In response to Netanyahu's allegations, the French presidency emphasized that France 'protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens,' condemning violence against the French Jewish community as 'intolerable.' The presidency noted that since 2017, President Macron has consistently demanded strong actions against perpetrators of antisemitic acts, especially following the attack of 7 October, 2023. Macron's office indicated that Netanyahu's allegations 'will not go unanswered.' Benjamin Haddad, Macron's minister for Europe, stated that France has 'no lessons to learn in the fight against antisemitism,' adding that the issue, which 'poisons our European societies,' must not be 'exploited.' Rising Antisemitism in France France is home to Europe's largest Jewish community. Reported antisemitic acts in France surged from 436 in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, before decreasing to 1,570 last year, according to the interior ministry. On Tuesday, Netanyahu also criticized Australia, which plans to recognize Palestinian statehood next month. He labeled Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a 'weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews.' This personal attack occurred amid a diplomatic spat after Australia canceled the visa of far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman. Shortly after, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the revocation of visas for Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority. As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that promotes peace and stability in the region. Short link : Post Views: 14
