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France 24
11 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
'Like a dream': Druze reunited across Golan Heights buffer zone
Young men drove around the area near the de facto border, waving the Druze flag with its five colourful stripes representing the pillars of their Druze faith, an esoteric offshoot of Shiite Islam. The area has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, separating the Golan Druze from their relatives across the demilitarised buffer zone. In the crowds, everyone asked for news of their families across the frontier, where days of violence in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida province have left hundreds dead since Sunday, according to a monitor. "Because of the dramatic situation in Syria, the murders, massacres and the violence, many people headed towards the border," said Qamar Abu Saleh, a 36-year-old educator, who lives in Majdal Shams. "They opened the fence and entered, and people from Syria also started crossing here. "It was like a dream, and we still can't believe it happened", she said enthusiastically, adding she came that day in the hope that the border would permanently reopen. "It was completely crazy," Amali Shufek, another resident, told AFP. Shufek, in her 50s, hoped to meet her uncle's family living on the Syrian-controlled side just a few kilometres away. She left her parents on chairs facing the fence, again guarded by the Israeli army, hoping it would open again so that she might meet her cousins. "I've only seen photos of them," she added. Talking all night Nearby, a group of men hugged one another while a small Druze child from across the frontier waved an Israeli flag. The boy's father, who did not disclose his name for security reasons, said they had come from the village of Hader, and that he had just spent a few hours with his cousins in Majdal Shams. "We didn't sleep all night, we only talked," he said. "I have goose bumps just seeing him here", said his cousin who lives on the Israeli-controlled side, adding that he wished for peace in the area so that these visits could become commonplace. In the afternoon, several Druze under Israeli army supervision were escorted through a hole in the ceasefire line fence back to Syrian-controlled territory. Israel, which is home to over 150,000 Druze, including those in the occupied Golan Heights, has presented itself as a defender of the minority group and bombed Syrian forces during the clashes in Sweida. Those living in Israel hold Israeli citizenship, but most of the roughly 23,000 from the occupied Golan do not and still identify as Syrians. Some analysts say that Israel is using the Druze as a pretext to pursue its own military goal of keeping Syrian government forces as far from their shared frontier as possible. Following former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December, the Israeli military took control of the UN-monitored demilitarised zone in the Golan Heights and conducted hundreds of strikes on military targets in Syria. Israel and Syria signed an armistice in 1974 after the Arab-Israeli war of the previous year, but never a formal peace treaty. Though Israel has made contact with Syria's new Islamist-led authorities, it has treaded with caution and is now showing clear antagonism towards them. 'Same family' A few local elders and Druze clerics wearing traditional clothing — a white veil covering the mouth for women and a red tarboush cap wrapped in a white cloth for men — had also come to watch the horizon. While the Druze are spread across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, they "all belong to the same family", Salim Safadi, a resident of a nearby village, told AFP. "I think we have some sort of agreement with Israel; when they have a problem we help them, and when we have a problem they help us," the 60-year-old lawyer said, pointing to the fact that many Druze serve in Israel's armed forces and police. He said he felt grateful for Israel's intervention in Syria's clashes, and that it was its involvement that brought the ceasefire announced Wednesday. "We condemn what is happening in Syria, it's a barbaric act", said Intisar Mahmud, a woman in her sixties shocked by the recent days' events. "Even animals don't do this -- they killed innocents", she added. "We ask the entire world to stand by our relatives in Syria", she said, adding that the current borders did not always exist and calling on people of the region to be like "the fingers of one hand".
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
IDF attempts to curb Syrian infiltrations into Israel, return Israelis crossing into Syria
The IDF emphasized that Israel citizens crossing into Syria is a criminal offense that endangers both the public and the IDF. The IDF identified dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Syria, the military stated Wednesday. The military and Border Police are currently working to disperse the gatherings and prevent further infiltrations Additionally, several Israeli citizens have crossed into Syrian territory from the Majdal Shams area. The military is currently working on ensuring their safe return. The IDF emphasized that this is a criminal offense that endangers both the public and the IDF. Israel's Druze announced it would cross the Syrian border Israel's Druze spiritual leadership called on its community to prepare to assist their Syrian counterparts 'by all means necessary,' calling for a general strike and national days of rage and mourning across Israel, in a statement published earlier on Wednesday. The statement, signed by Sheikh Mowafak Tarif, came after the recent escalation of attacks on Syrian Druze communities. 'Regrettably, despite explicit commitments, the IDF and theIsraeli government have taken no meaningful action to stop the killing,' the statement read. 'The leadership is calling on all members of the community to prepare by all necessary means to cross the border in order to assist their slaughtered brethren in Syria.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Matt Bevin's ex-running mate Ralph Alvarado announces bid to replace Andy Barr in Congress
A familiar name in Kentucky politics is entering the race to replace U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in Congress. Ralph Alvarado, a former state senator and ex-Gov. Matt Bevin's running mate in his unsuccessful 2019 reelection campaign, announced July 17 that he plans to run to represent Kentucky's 6th Congressional District in the next election. In a social media post announcing the move, Alvarado called himself "Day One MAGA" with priorities to "close the border," "crush the woke left," "bring jobs home" and "save America." The seat will be on the ballot in the May 2026 primary. Election Day that fall is set for Nov. 3. Alvarado served in the state Senate from 2015 into 2023, when he was hired as Tennessee's health commissioner by Gov. Bill Lee, who touted Alvarado's background in hospital management and experience as chair of the Kentucky Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, praised the Winchester Republican at the time as "among the most effective legislators in the Kentucky General Assembly." Alvarado stepped down from his position running Tennessee's Department of Health on July 11, state leaders announced. Alvarado made history as the first Hispanic person elected to the Kentucky General Assembly when he won his seat in 2014. While he was raised in California, his mother is from Argentina and his father is from Costa Rica. He was chosen by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention, drawing praise afterward from U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell as an "impressive leader" with "a bright future in the Republican Party." Other Republicans in the 2026 congressional race include state Rep. Ryan Dotson, also of Winchester, and state Rep. Deanna Gordon, of Richmond, who confirmed she's running on July 9. State Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, who represents Lexington, had been considered a potential contender but has said she does not plan to run. Democrats in the race include former state Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington and former Lexington city council member David Kloiber. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified the district as one of 35 across the county that it hopes to flip in 2026. Barr is vacating the seat in order to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by McConnell. He's running in the Republican primary against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris. Democratic state Rep. Pamela Stevenson is also running. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ralph Alvarado enters Kentucky race to replace Andy Barr in Congress
Washington Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Trump's immigration agenda is growing unpopular. Should he pull back?
You're reading the Prompt 2025 newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox. The government's mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, a signature promise of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, is in full swing. Border crossings reached an all-time low in June, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement — newly appropriated a $178 billion budget increase by Congress — is staging massive raids across the country. Yet Americans are souring toward the president's immigration crackdown. According to a new Gallup poll, only 35 percent of Americans approve of Trump's handling of immigration — down from 46 percent in February — against 62 percent who disapprove. Nearly four-fifths now say immigration is a good thing for the country. Why are Americans' views on immigration shifting, and what does this mean for the future of immigration policy? I'm joined by my colleagues Ramesh Ponnuru and Natasha Sarin to discuss. — Eduardo Porter, columnist and editorial board member 💬 💬 💬 Eduardo Porter So what's going on? Buyer's remorse? Ramesh Ponnuru There is enough polling to indicate that falling support for Trump's immigration policies, especially his enforcement within the United States, is a real phenomenon and not a blip. I think there are three main causes: the public perception that Trump is implementing his policies with unnecessary brutality; the fading urgency of the issue now that Trump has succeeded at the border itself; and the public's tendency to zig when a president seems to be zagging a lot. Natasha Sarin To add one: I suspect (well, as an economist, hope!) one of the reasons these efforts aren't popular is that Americans are starting to realize they are bad for the economy. In construction, 20 percent of the workforce are unauthorized immigrants. That's a big deal, and all this is massively disruptive. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Eduardo Indeed. Unauthorized immigrants account for half of workers in agriculture. So a hard crackdown would hit the price and availability of all sorts of food. Ramesh Which is one reason Trump keeps signaling that he might be willing to make an exception to his tough campaign against illegal immigration for the industries that rely on it most. Eduardo Natasha, do you agree with Ramesh's assessment here? Will carve-outs become the course of the immigration policy? Natasha Yes, but that's not enough, in some sense, to offset economic impact. Mass deportations mean fewer people are building homes and spending money in the U.S., which shrinks the economy. And Congress just gave ICE $178 billion — more than most other federal law enforcement agencies combined. Ramesh I don't see this administration pulling back. It would first have to incur much more political damage than it has so far, like the kind that led Trump to end the family-separation disaster in his first term. What remains interesting to me is that the administration has shown so little interest in expanding the use of E-Verify (which does not mean attempting to deport all undocumented immigrants, since it would apply only to new hires) so employers could do some of the work of enforcement. It would certainly raise the hackles of a lot of employers whose support Trump currently enjoys, but I think that if you're looking for the most enforcement in the least intrusive and brutal way, that's the way to go. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Eduardo The fact that E-Verify has not been deployed broadly is, to my mind, proof that no administration in the past 30 years has really been serious about eliminating unauthorized workers at scale. Natasha Agreed with Ramesh. I see no signs that the administration is pulling back from these efforts. A report came out Tuesday detailing efforts between the IRS and ICE to share data about undocumented immigrants who pay into the tax system each year. This goes against decades of norms and laws around taxpayer privacy and will impact the tax revenue we collect from unauthorized immigrants going forward — $66 billion annually! Eduardo I've been skeptical that Trump will engage in workplace enforcement for real. He would be messing with powerful business lobbies that are very influential in the Republican Party. The raids so far have been largely a performance to demonstrate he is not kidding. But he won't try to remove 8 million workers from the labor market. What's your take? Natasha Businesses are very concerned about all this. Companies — particularly in food production, tech and construction — are reporting that raids are having a negative impact on their operations. It's hard for me to guess the intent of the president or the administration. But I think generally, on matters of policy, we've learned during this term that you kind of have to take them at their word. Eduardo What do Americans actually want on immigration? Joe Biden's main problem with immigration was the hundreds of thousands of prospective asylum seekers creating this sense of chaos at the border. But that is largely over; fear of Trump apparently is a powerful deterrent. Very few migrants are showing up at the border these days. Could Trump not just take the win? Say 'mission accomplished' and not pursue undocumented migrants already living in the U.S.? Ramesh The public has conflicting impulses on immigration, which is one reason the polls seesaw in response to what presidents do. I don't think people want to see all unauthorized immigrants deported — especially 'dreamers' but really anyone who has put down roots here and followed the law. But I think the undocumented population has to appreciably shrink, and the public has to be reassured that the law will be enforced going forward. Only once that is accomplished can we move forward with steps such as offering legal status to a significant share of unauthorized immigrants. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Eduardo We all agree that some reform of the system is needed. But what would it look like? Would it have the three main pillars of prior attempts — i.e., some process to legalize undocumented immigrants who have been in the country a long time, some provision to legally provide employers with temporary migrant workers, and a mechanism that secures the border and prevents unauthorized immigrants from working? Natasha FWIW, I think the pillars are more like: border security, fixing the asylum system, expanding pathways to legal immigration in light of clear economic benefits, and easing the pathway to citizenship for people who have roots here and have positively contributed to their communities. Ramesh I don't think you can put a ton of immigration policies together in one package and expect it to work politically. That strategy has an extensive track record of failure. Reform would have to be piecemeal and sequential. I also don't favor guest-worker programs on principle — if we want people to work here, we should ask them to join our society — but if some such programs are needed to get worthwhile legislation passed, I could live with it. But we are a looong way away from that type of bargaining. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Eduardo Final thoughts? My take is we haven't seen enlightened immigration policy since the 1980s (and that attempt was also flawed). And I have zero optimism that we will achieve something enlightened now, but I'm just a grumpy old journalist. Natasha What we are witnessing now is clearly not the solution. Ramesh My advice to those liberals and Democrats who are glad to see these latest polls is to take seriously that they still have a problem: The public does not believe they are serious about enforcing the immigration laws. That's going to be a lingering weakness for them even if a backlash to Trump's policies helps them do well in 2026. Eduardo I would agree with that. Let's just see how far and how solidly the administration's tactics move the needle among voters.
National Post
17 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
What we know about unusual spike in asylum claims at this Quebec border crossing
A vehicle travels into the U.S. from St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, on March 6. The crossing has seen a spike in asylum seekers this month. Photo by Graham Hughes/ / Bloomberg In less than two weeks this month, a Quebec border crossing saw more than 1,500 asylum applicants coming from the United States, an unusual surge considering overall asylum claims are down by 50 per cent across Canada. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, a crossing located on Quebec's Highway 15, south of Montreal, saw 1,505 asylum applicants between Canada Day and July 13. In June, 1,593 applied for asylum in Canada over the course of the whole month. It represents a significant increase over 2024, when in the first two weeks of July, just 322 people tried to claim asylum in Canada. Many of the claimants are Haitians, fleeing insecurity at home and precarious legality in the United States, and seeking asylum in a French-speaking territory. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again It's not the first time that the Quebec border crossing has seen a major spike in claimants. In April, 2,733 people applied for asylum in Canada at that border crossing. It's an official border crossing that is near the infamous Roxham Road border crossing that is an irregular point of entry to Canada. Here's what to know about the border crossing and why there has been a surge in asylum seekers. How many people have applied for asylum in Canada overall? Between January and July 2025, there have been 19,730 asylum applications processed in Canada from people arriving at all ports of entry. This is a significant drop since 2024. By this time last year, the Canada Border Services Agency had processed 39,085 asylum applications. How many have been sent back to the United States? Of that total, 2,169 have been returned to the United States for being ineligible to enter Canada; 1,531 of those were people who made their asylum claims at official ports of entry, while the other 638 were irregular border crossers. Both Canada and the United States are signatories to the Safe Third Country Agreement. It means, basically, that a refugee claimant must make a refugee claim in the first country they arrive in, and if they show up at the Canadian border after entering the U.S., unless they meet an exception to the rules, they can be sent back to America. There are four exceptions, said Pia Zambelli, chairperson of the refugee committee at the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. The first is family ties to Canada. 'This is the main exception,' said Zambelli. The second is an exception for unaccompanied minors. The other two are exceptions for those with certain documentation, such as a valid study permit in Canada. The last one is a public interest exception, for those who may, for example, face the death penalty if returned to the United States.
