Latest news with #Qatargate
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Coming days 'critical' for Gaza deal progress, Qatar, Egypt hold significant weight
Security sources stressed that the coming days are critical for the prospects of progress in a deal, and that mediators have a crucial role. Increased involvement by Qatar and Egypt amid a deadlock in hostage deal negotiations could help narrow gaps between the sides, with the coming days considered critical for progress, senior Israeli officials told Walla Monday. This was previously achieved during proximity talks and negotiations for the previous hostage deal held in Doha. A security source emphasized that a distinction should be made between the 'Qatargate' affair and the suspicions against Israeli citizens, and separating this from Qatar's role as a hostage deal mediator. 'This is an internal Israeli matter that must be separated from Qatar's role as a mediator, alongside the Egyptian mediator,' the source said. He stressed that the coming days are critical for the prospects of progress and that the mediators have an important role to play. Against this backdrop, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Gaza Strip on Sunday for a series of meetings with commanders in regular service and reservists. The visit took place while the US continues efforts to advance negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a hostage deal. A US announcement of a deadlock would prompt the government to instruct the IDF to move to an advanced stage of ground operations toward significant areas where the IDF has not operated so far, and such a move could increase pressure on Hamas leadership. Sources in the security establishment estimate that in the coming days, a decision will be made regarding the negotiations for a hostage deal. At that point, it will be determined whether the IDF will expand its operations in the Gaza Strip significantly. At the end of his tour, the chief of staff promised to review the numerous comments and questions raised by reservists. Some of the reservists present at the meeting have been mobilized for the sixth time since the start of the war. They urged the army commanders to 'defeat Hamas this time.' If that is not the intention, they requested clarity as soon as possible regarding the duration of their upcoming reserve duty.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Don't hijack hostage marches for other political causes, writes Einav Zangauker
Einav Zangauker urged a focus solely on hostage return. Yair Golan called for unity and hope despite political differences. Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, wrote a post on XTwitter on Thursday condemning those who attend hostage marches with other political causes other than returning the hostages home. She wrote: "When you come to Begin to support us, the families, to protest for your brothers and sisters – do it solely under messages that focus on the hostages, and no other messages." she said that for her, "there is no other issue at all" other than the return of the hostages. Zangauker mentioned that "If that doesn't suit you, then don't come to hitch a ride on the backs of hostages being held by Hamas." She also stated that the demonstrations at Begin "are a significant focal point to express their [our] rage at the government" Zangauker wrote this in response to The Democrats Party head Yair Golan, who came to a demonstration and spoke about the "Qatargate" affair. She continued to write, "My son has been held hostage for 601 days. For me, my personal world has collapsed." Golan spoke at a demonstration at Begin, saying, "The poison machine doesn't attack us because of a particular word here or there, but because of the threat and danger we pose to its rule. They know that if we stand united, we can form a government that will save the country." He continued to say that Israelis should not let the "poison" divide them. "We are not your enemies. We are your brothers and sisters. We may differ in opinions, but we are united in our love for Israel." He concludes with "In the face of the poison machine—let's build the camp of hope."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A-G working to 'bring about downfall' of Israeli government, says Sa'ar
Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the justice ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara is working 'persistently and openly' to 'paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall,' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Tuesday. Sa'ar's comments came in response to an opinion issued by the attorney-general on Monday, according to which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is legally barred from appointing a new Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head due to a conflict of interests. Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had decided to appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini to the position, despite a High Court ruling a day earlier that the 'Qatargate' investigation put him in a conflict of interest with regards to firing the outgoing Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar. Sa'ar's accusations were noteworthy, as he was responsible for Baharav-Miara's appointment to the position in his position as Justice Minister in the previous government. Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the Justice Ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. 'The reasoning presented by Baharav-Miara and [Deputy Attorney-General Gil] Limon is a supposed 'conflict of interests' involving the prime minister due to the Qatargate affair, despite the fact that the prime minister is not a suspect in the case,' Sa'ar wrote on X/Twitter. 'The very claim of a conflict of interests due to an investigation into people close to the prime minister is, in itself, far-reaching. In any case, any novice legal scholar knows that this alleged conflict of interest could have been 'neutralized' through much more proportionate measures instead of completely disqualifying the prime minister's involvement 'in any way' in the appointment of the head of the security agency he is legally mandated to oversee,' the foreign minister continued. 'For example, the attorney-general could have ruled that the new Shin Bet chief would not be involved in the investigation at all. 'The proposal to transfer the appointment authority to another minister makes a mockery of the explicit provisions of the law, which Baharav-Miara and Limon have ignored,' Sa'ar continued. In response to the A-G's opinion that it was 'doubtful' whether Zini could be appointed to the position, Sa'ar wrote, 'What remains of the legal provisions and the prime minister's responsibility in a key security domain when fundamental powers are stripped from him so casually by those who are supposed to provide him with legal counsel?" 'The Knesset was elected by the people. The government serves by virtue of the Knesset's confidence. The continued weakening of these institutions turns Israel into a caricature of a democratic regime. An attorney-general who persistently and openly works to paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall does not function as a legal adviser. By now, she is far more deserving of another distinguished title for her actual role: Leader of the Opposition.' The foreign minister's comments came alongside those of other ministers, some of whom, including Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Development of the Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, called on Netanyahu to ignore the High Court if it struck down Zini's appointment.
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First Post
24-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Most Israelis think Netanyahu's top goal is staying in power, not freeing hostages: Survey
When asked what Netanyahu's main goal is, 55 per cent of respondents said staying in power, while only 36 per cent said safe return of the hostages read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara react following the announcement of exit polls in Israel's election at his Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv. (Photo: Reuters) Most Israelis think Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more focused on staying in power than on winning the war or freeing hostages, according to a poll by an Israeli TV station aired on Friday evening (May 23). When asked what Netanyahu's main goal is, 55 per cent of respondents to the Channel 12 news survey said staying in power, 36 per cent said safe return of the hostages, and 9 per cent said they were unsure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Regarding why another hostage deal hasn't happened, 53 per cent of respondents pointed to political reasons, 38 per cent mentioned legitimate reasons, and 9 per cent were unsure. Earlier this year, Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told his cabinet colleagues that the second phase of the ceasefire deal won't happen unless Hamas agrees to completely disarm and leave Gaza permanently, something that the Gaza-based militant group has ruled out. Asked if Netanyahu convinced them in his press conference this week, 62 per cent of respondents said no, 34 per cent said yes, and 4 per cent were unsure. During the press conference, Netanyahu claimed he had complete backing from US President Donald Trump as he dismissed speculations of a potential rift between the two leaders. Netanyahu claimed Trump phoned him 10 days ago and said, ''Bibi I want you to know, I have a complete commitment to you and I have a complete commitment to the state of Israel.'' Regarding Netanyahu's claim that he didn't know about his top aides' work for Qatar, which is under police investigation in the Qatargate affair, 58 per cent said they don't believe him, 30 per cent said they do, and 12 per cent were unsure. Among coalition voters, 58 per cent said they believe him, while 27 per cent said they don't. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The survey also showed that half of the respondents think the government might cancel the elections scheduled for next year by declaring a national emergency, while 35 per cent don't believe that will happen. Netanyahu was asked during the press conference about why he hadn't resigned despite alleged failures regarding the Oct 7 massacre. The Israeli PM in response said, 'I am already being held accountable by the public every day. Every week there's the possibility of a no-confidence vote. And once a no-confidence vote passes — the public has already made its decision. That will also happen in elections, when the time comes.' 'Do you want elections now?' he asked. 'Do you want me to list what we're up against right now? Is that what we need — a commission of inquiry right now — when all our soldiers and commanders will be running around dressing up as lawyers instead of arming themselves with artillery shells and tank munitions?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Friday (May 23), Netanyahu denied that he would try to delay the elections. 'I hope [the elections] are held as scheduled and I will do everything so they don't happen before then. But one thing I can tell you — they won't take place after the scheduled date. This won't happen. You know why? Because we are democrats. We believe the public has the right to choose, unlike our rivals and others,' he said in a video statement.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israeli PM says new intelligence chief to take office in June
Israeli PM says new intelligence chief to take office in June JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 23 the newly named head of the domestic intelligence service would take office without delay next month, following a bitter row over the removal of his predecessor. "The Prime Minister is responsible for the security of the state, even more so during a multi-front war," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement, following the appointment of Major General David Zini, head of the military's Training and Doctrine Command as head of the Shin Bet intelligence service. Maj Gen Zini will replace Mr Ronen Bar, who said he would resign on June 15 following a bitter dispute with Mr Netanyahu who tried to sack him in March before the decision was blocked by a Supreme Court temporary injunction. In April, the Supreme Court ruled that the dismissal was illegal but Mr Bar said he would step down to allow an orderly handover. Mr Netanyahu said when he announced the dismissal in March that he had lost confidence in Mr Bar over Shin Bet's failure to prevent the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The move drew a furious reaction from critics who said the real reason for Mr Bar's dismissal was an investigation by police and Shin Bet into possible financial ties between a number of close aides of the prime minister and Qatar. The affair sparked large demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem by protesters who said Mr Netanyahu was undermining democracy by trying to sack Mr Bar while the so-called "Qatargate" investigation was underway. Earlier in May, the Supreme Court ruled that Mr Bar's dismissal was done in violation of the law, and that Mr Netanyahu had a conflict of interest over the Qatargate investigation. Mr Bar had always accepted responsibility for Shin Bet's failure in forestalling the Oct 7 attacks and had said he would leave his post early. Mr Netanyahu said any delay in appointing a new head of the agency, which conducts counterterrorism investigations, was a "security requirement of the highest order, any delay harms the security of the state and the security of our soldiers". Military The standoff over the head of Shin Bet followed more than two years of hostility between Mr Netanyahu supporters and elements of the security and defence establishment that was worsened by blame over the failures that allowed Hamas' Oct 7 attack. On May 23, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Maj Gen Zini would be leaving the military in the coming days and that any discourse between serving soldiers and the government had to be approved by the chief of the general staff, indicating the appointment had been made without its knowledge. Israel's domestic security agency chief Ronen Bar (right) greets leaders of the Druze community during a Holocaust memorial service on April 23. PHOTO: AFP The issue has been one of the most prominent battlegrounds between the government and an array of anti-Netanyahu groups who have attacked him over issues ranging from plans to curb the power of the judiciary to the failure to agree a hostage deal in Gaza. Maj Gen Zini's appointment was condemned by opposition parties and by the attorney-general, Gali Baharav-Miara, who said Mr Netanyahu was acting against legal guidance and that there were serious conflict of interest concerns. Ms Baharav-Miara has herself clashed repeatedly with Mr Netanyahu over the legality of some of his policies and the Cabinet has approved a no-confidence motion. In a sign of how poisoned the political atmosphere has become in Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had barred opposition politician Yair Golan, a former deputy head of the Israeli military who now leads the small left-wing Democrats party, from serving in the reserves. Mr Golan, who single-handedly rescued people from the Hamas attack on Israel after driving to the scene on Oct 7, 2023, warned this week that Israel risked becoming a "pariah state" over the war in Gaza, and said "a sane country does not fight against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby". Mr Katz said the comments amounted to a "blood libel" and would expose Israeli soldiers to being arrested by international courts when travelling abroad. "I have decided to instruct the IDF not to call Yair Golan up for reserve duty anymore and to prohibit him from wearing the IDF uniform and entering IDF bases," Mr Katz said in a statement. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
