Latest news with #Katz
Leaders
an hour ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Arab Ministers Condemn Israel's Ban on West Bank Visit
Jordan's Foreign Affairs Ministry has condemned Israel's decision to ban an Arab delegation from visiting Ramallah and meeting with Palestinian officials, according to Arab News. The ministry described the decision as 'a blatant violation of Israel's obligations as the occupying power.' Consequently, members of the ministerial committee decided to postpone their visit to Ramallah due to Israel's rejection of the delegation's entry through the airspace of the occupied West Bank. Planned Ramallah Visit The delegation consisted of ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and as well as United Arab Emirates. Importantly, the ministers were set to participate in 'a provocative meeting' to explore the establishment of a Palestinian state. 'Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel,' an Israeli official said. The source also added that Israel will not cooperate with such moves that seek to harm Israel and its security. The meeting proceeds an international conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, that will take place in New York on June 17-20 to consider the issue of Palestinian statehood. Mounting Pressure on Israel Recently, Israel has been experiencing mounting pressure from the United Nations and European countries which made serious steps to recognize a two-state solution in ordered to end the Israeli Palestinian conflict. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that recognizing a Palestinian state was not only a 'moral duty but a political necessity.' Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel was planning to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya. Katz's remarks follow Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. 'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said. Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground. Related Topics: Israel Plans to Build Jewish Israeli State in West Bank France May Toughen Stance on Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockage Israel Accepts Witkoff's New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal: Netanyahu Short link : Post Views: 3
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Where's Trump's $5-million Gold Card visa? Report says it possibly does not exist
Trump showed the Gold Card visa earlier but the program is yet to be launched. The Donald Trump administration has been teasing a Gold Card visa that would give US citizenship to the richest people who are ready to spend $5 million to become US citizens, but as it is yet to see the light of day, experts feel it probably does not exist. Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said the website would go live within a week but now that deadline is now over, an expert told Forbes that it is probably not even real. Lutnick, however, claimed he sold Gold Card visas in the Middle East during his latest trip. In an earlier interview, Lutnick said he sold 1000 such visas in a day. Nuri Katz, founder of Apex Capital Partners, told Forbes that the challenges to pull off something like this are daunting. 'In my 34 years of experience, I have rarely seen anybody spend more than 10% of their net worth on an immigration program, and generally it's more like 5%. So you've got to be worth $100 million in order to be able to afford this," Katz said adding that unlike what is being portrayed, the pool of such wealthy people who are willing to contribute $5 million is relatively small. Even if the government launches the Gold Card visa program any time soon, it won't be a million people and it won't be even 200,000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'It looks to me like they're backpedaling,' Katz said. 'Now they have to make a decision of whether or not there really is the interest, because they are going to have to expend a lot of political capital in order to get this done,' Katz said. Ultra-wealthy investors will be skeptical about such program and will wait for more details, he said. "We don't know where that information is going to go and who's going to use it. Will it be used only by the U.S. government? Could it maybe be sold to private businesses? It's going to be a pretty powerful database of rich people." A few weeks ago, Elon Musk said he was doing a quiet trial of the program but now that he is back to his companies, it is not known what happened to the Gold Card visa program.
Daily Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
UN warns of Gaza famine risk
AFP | Gaza The UN warned yesterday that the entire population of Gaza is at risk of famine, as Israel vowed to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank. Israel has faced mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN says only a trickle of aid has been allowed in after a more than two-month blockade. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resum-ing operations in March following a short-lived truce. Israel has meanwhile doubled down on its settlement expansion in the West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, yesterday called Gaza 'the hungriest place on earth'. 'It's the only defined area -- a country or defined territory within a country -- where you have the entire population at risk of famine. One hundred percent of the population at risk of famine,' he said. Recent AFPTV footage has shown chaotic scenes as large crowds of Palestinians desperate for food rushed to a limited number of aid distribution centres to pick up supplies. Israel recently intensified its Gaza offensive in what it says is a renewed push to destroy Hamas, drawing sharp inter-national criticism, including from allies such as Britain and Germany. 'Crusade' against Israel This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. London called the move a 'deliberate obstacle' to Palestinian statehood, and UN chief Antonio Guterres' spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution 'in the wrong direction'. Yesterday, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the Palestinian territory which Israel has occupied since 1967. 'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organisations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said in a video published by his office. Israeli settlements in the West Bank -- considered illegal under international law -- are seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron has recently stepped up his statements in support of the Palestinians, asserting yesterday that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was 'not only a moral duty, but a political necessity'. Macron confirmed he would personally attend a conference France is co-hosting with Saudi Arabia at the UN in June aimed at reviving the two-state solution. Israel yesterday accused the French president of undertaking a 'crusade against the Jewish state'. The foreign ministry said that 'instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state'. 'Go in with full force' Negotiations aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza have continued, meanwhile, with the White House announcing Thursday that Israel had 'signed off' on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian militant group, however, said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, stopping short of rejecting it out-right.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israel warns Hamas to accept deal or be destroyed
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Israel on Friday said Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement was "very close." It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "Hamas will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages – or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that the destruction of Hamas was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." Food shortages in Gaza persist, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called Gaza "the hungriest place on Earth." "It's the only defined area – a country or defined territory within a country – where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the UN condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. London said the move was a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood while Egypt called it "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights." The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also condemned Israel's decision. On Friday, Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory are considered illegal under international law and seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity." Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state." Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright, saying it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbour Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces." The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that at least 4,058 people had been killed since Israel resumed operations on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,321, mostly civilians. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.-AFP PIC
Nahar Net
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Israel threatens Hamas with 'annihilation' as Trump says Gaza ceasefire close
Israel has said that Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement is "very close". It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian militant group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "The Hamas murderers will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages -- or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that the destruction of Hamas was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." Food shortages in Gaza persist, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called Gaza "the hungriest place on Earth". "It's the only defined area -- a country or defined territory within a country -- where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the U.N. condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. - 'Crusade' against Israel - Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. London said the move was a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood while Egypt called it "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights". The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also condemned Israel's decision. On Friday, Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory are considered illegal under international law and seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state". Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. - 'Children in pieces' - The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright, saying it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defense agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbor Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces". The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that at least 4,058 people had been killed since Israel resumed operations on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,321, mostly civilians. Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas' attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
