Latest news with #IsaacHerzog
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel warns EU of 'huge mistake' if research ties are suspended
Israel has told the EU it would be making a 'huge mistake' if it partially suspends Israeli participation in flagship research programme Horizon Europe. The European Commission has put forward the proposal after the bloc found that Israel had breached a human rights clause that is enshrined in EU-Israel relations. EU officials say a deal struck to allow more aid into Gaza has been insufficiently implemented by Israel and ministers are pushing for a concrete response from the bloc. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said he supported the proposal to suspend the participation of Israeli start-ups operating with dual-use technologies − such as in cybersecurity, drones and artificial intelligence − from an EU-funded accelerator programme. In response, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on X that, 'it will be a huge mistake if EU takes such steps, especially in light of Israel's ongoing and upgraded humanitarian efforts'. To be adopted, the proposal requires the backing of 14 of the bloc's 27 member states. The measure is widely viewed as symbolic and is not a sanction against Israel. It is the first concrete step taken by the EU in response to Israel's alleged breaches of international law the Gaza war. There has been growing international outrage over reports of mass famine in Gaza. Mr Schoof also said he also supports further measures against Israel, including 'in the realm of trade' as well as 'national measures to increase the pressure'. 'The [Dutch] government's goal is crystal clear: the people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid,' Mr Schoof said. In May, the Netherlands rallied support from a majority of member states to request that the EU's external action service (EEAS) conduct an internal review of Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The demand came as alarm grew over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and violence against Palestinians at the hands of extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. On June 20, the EEAS circulated the result of its review, based on findings by international bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the UN. It found that Israel had indeed breached its human rights obligations in Gaza. As a result, the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, suggested last month a list of 10 measures that could be taken against Israel. Most of them, including a full or partial suspension of Israel's participation in Horizon Europe, as well as suspending trade preferences, must first be tabled by the European Commission. The measures were discussed at the last meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, but at the time, ministers decided to wait and see how Israel respected a deal struck with Ms Kallas to allow more aid into Gaza. Israel has in the past days allowed more aid into Gaza, but the implementation of the deal has been deemed insufficient by the EU's humanitarian services.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Herzog makes inaugural visit to reservists in Gaza
"It is clear that everything you do is aimed at protecting the citizens of Israel, protecting the communities in the Gaza envelope, and protecting the entire country," Herzog said. President Isaac Herzog visited IDF soldiers inside Gaza for the first time on Wednesday. The president was accompanied by Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, along with several additional commanders, briefed the president on the operational situation in the sector. "When I hear and see you firsthand, it is clear that everything you do is aimed at protecting the citizens of Israel, protecting the communities in the Gaza envelope, and protecting the entire country," Herzog told the reserve soldiers of Battalion 969. "You left work, family, and routine, and came without hesitation because you knew there is no substitute for your presence. It is also important for me to reflect on the enormous burden on the reservists. We must understand that at this moment, the people of Israel must be united, and never give up for a moment." The Post visited Battalion 969 in northern Gaza The Jerusalem Post visited Battalion 969, led by Lt.-Col. (res.) T, on Thursday. The Post was visiting a new secret IDF position in northern Gaza, built by the battalion and dubbed 'Israela,' which is designed both to project power and serve as an additional forward defense line to prevent any potential invasion from getting anywhere near residential Israel. The position, along with two other nearby positions, gives a unique strategic high-ground view of Beit Hanun, Beit Lahiya, Jabalya, and Gaza City in the distance. Solve the daily Crossword
AsiaOne
7 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Israeli president visits Gaza, speaks of 'intensive' talks on hostages, World News
PUBLISHED ON July 24, 2025 1:21 AM Israel's President Isaac Herzog visited the Gaza strip on Wednesday (July 23) and told soldiers that there were "intensive negotiations" about returning the hostages in Gaza, adding that he hopes that they will soon "hear good news", a statement from the president's spokesperson reported. [[nid:720542]] Israel-Hamas conflictPalestinehostage
Roya News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
‘Israeli' President hints at progress in Gaza negotiations
'Israeli' President Isaac Herzog told soldiers in Gaza on Wednesday that "intensive negotiations" are currently underway, expressing hope for 'good news soon.' His remarks come amid ongoing international and regional efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between the occupation and Hamas, though conflicting signals persist about the prospects of success. While Herzog offered no details about the nature or timeline of the talks, his comments reflect growing speculation that a potential deal could involve a captive exchange and a halt to military operations. The Gaza Strip continues to face catastrophic humanitarian conditions under relentless 'Israeli' attacks.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
President Herzog denies Israel's role in Gaza crisis, blames Hamas for blocking aid
Israel's President Isaac Herzog visited the Gaza strip on Wednesday and told soldiers that there were 'intensive negotiations' about returning the hostages in Gaza, adding that he hopes that they will soon 'hear good news'. read more Palestinian children wait for a meal at a charity kitchen in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 22, 2025. Image- AFP President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday dismissed claims that Israel is to blame for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asserting that the country is operating within the bounds of international law in its ongoing war with Hamas. 'We are acting here according to international law. We are providing humanitarian aid according to international law,' Herzog told troops during a visit to the Palestinian territory – his first time there since the war began in October 2023, according to a presidency statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He blamed militant group 'Hamas and its people' for 'trying to sabotage this aid' in a bid to obstruct Israel's military campaign. Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the military and Defense Ministry agency overseeing humanitarian aid to Gaza, stated that approximately 950 truckloads of supplies are currently awaiting pickup by the United Nations on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom and Zikim border crossings. 🎥 WATCH: 950 trucks worth of aid, currently waiting in Gaza❗️for international organizations to pick up and distribute to Gazan civilians. This is after Israel facilitated the aid entry into Gaza. — LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) July 22, 2025 An official from COGAT noted that the aid stockpiled at the crossings is sufficient to meet Gaza's food requirements for about two and a half weeks. 'At this stage, we have not observed signs of starvation,' the official said, 'but we recognise the need for immediate action to stabilise the humanitarian conditions.' He acknowledged that while food might not be reaching all areas effectively, this was a problem that needed addressing. His remarks followed what he described as a thorough evaluation of the humanitarian situation in the enclave. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The official added that COGAT had been engaged in discussions with UN representatives to coordinate the distribution of the growing volumes of aid that have entered Gaza but remain undelivered. According to him, while there are no barriers preventing aid from reaching the border crossings and entering the territory, the primary challenge lies in its distribution. Although an agreement was reached to deliver between 70 and 80 truckloads on Tuesday, only 30 were actually moved into Gaza, he said. The UN, however, has consistently argued that COGAT has denied its requests for permission to collect and distribute the aid, also citing the hazardous and complicated situation on the ground as a major obstacle to effective distribution. With inputs from agencies
