Netanyahu heads to U.S. for UN speech, White House talks with Trump
Source: Haaretz latest headlines
The Assocation for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), an Israeli civil rights NGO, sent a letter to the government on Thursday urging that the Allenby Crossing – the only land crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, which Israel has mostly kept closed since a Jordanian driver killed two IDF soldiers in a terror attack – be opened immediately, and that its closure constitutes a violation of the human rights of millions of people.
ACRI’s letter further stated that “closing the Allenby bridge to the passage of individuals, equipment, and goods means imposing a siege on the residents of the West Bank and exacerbating an economic and humanitarian crisis. Closing the crossing is not within Israel’s authority, and it undermines the country’s responsibilities under international and Israeli law.”
After briefly reopening following the terror attack, the border crossing was closed to passenger and truck traffic without warning on Tuesday and will remain closed until further notice. The Israel Airports Authority spokesperson’s office said that the closure was a direct order from the government.
Palestinian officials have told Haaretz that Israel’s closure of the West Bank’s main border crossing to Jordan amounted to “collective punishment” intended to apply political pressure after several countries recognized a Palestinian state.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has once again made it clear to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that the policy document he wrote directing police to restrict protests is invalid.
The document directs Israeli police to prevent protesters from blocking key roads during demonstrations. This could effectively prohibit the large anti-government protests taking place in central Tel Aviv every Saturday.
“The mere fact that it was made public before it underwent complete professional and legal review raises serious concerns about an attempt to improperly influence the work of the police,” Baharav-Miara wrote in a letter she sent to Ben-Gvir.
“This is contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling and the principles to which you have pledged,” she continued.
At the beginning of the month, Baharav-Miara wrote a similar letter in which she said that, if he published this policy document, Ben-Gvir would be exceeding his authority as national security minister.
A 23-year-old Palestinian resident of Taybeh in the West Bank was charged with planning to kidnap IDF soldiers and use them as a bargaining chip to end the war in Gaza.
The defendant, Amin Hassan Abdel Kader Azzam, was arrested in late August and charged with the offense of preparing to commit a terrorist act.
Azzam discussed his plan with acquaintances and sought help in acquiring weapons to carry it out, according to the indictment filed with the Lod District Court.
Additionally, Azzam sought to find religious justification for the act, practiced shooting by playing paintball, and ordered a walkie-talkie and a vest online, according to the indictment.
Italy has sent a second navy ship in support of the international aid flotilla that has come under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try and break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.
“We have sent one ship and another is on its way, ready for any eventuality,” Crosetto said in a speech to the lower house of parliament.
Italy sent a first frigate on Wednesday, hours after the GSF said it was targeted by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder, in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Greek island of Gavdos.
The GSF blamed Israel for the attack.
The Israeli foreign ministry did not respond directly to the accusation, but repeated an invitation for the flotilla to drop humanitarian aid in an Israeli port, leaving it to Israeli authorities to take it to Gaza, or else face consequences.
Spain has also decided to send a military warship to protect the flotilla.
Crosetto warned the activists against insisting on trying to break the Israeli blockade, and urged them to accept an Italian proposal to hand over their aid supplies and allow them to be distributed in Gaza by the local Catholic Church.
“We cannot guarantee the safety of our fellow citizens if they enter the territorial waters of other countries,” Crosetto said.
The GSF said early on Thursday that its vessels were sailing at slow speed in Greek territorial waters, had been subjected to “moderate drone activity” during the night, and were heading towards international waters “later today”.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that two Palestinian men were killed by IDF fire during a raid on the village of Tamun in the northern West Bank.
According to residents quoted in Palestinian reports, the IDF surrounded a house in the village for about three hours, and fired shells at it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed early on Thursday on a diplomatic visit to the United States to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York and meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Before his departure, Netanyahu said he would discuss with Trump “the need to complete the goals of the war – to bring back all our hostages, to defeat Hamas and to expand the circle of peace that has presented itself to us following the historic victory in Operation Rising Lion and other victories we have achieved,” referring to Israel’s 12-day war with Iran.
Netanyahu added that in his U.N. speech he plans “to denounce the leaders who, instead of condemning the killers, want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff presented a postwar plan for Gaza on Wednesday during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders of Arab and Muslim countries, which includes a new dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at coexistence, according to a White House official.
Witkoff outlined the U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza, which also calls for the return of all hostages and a commitment not to carry out further strikes in Qatar, the official said.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and focused on the situation in Gaza and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Participants included Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan; King Abdullah II of Jordan; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto; and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The IDF reported early on Thursday that Sgt. 1st Class Chalachew Shimon Demalash, 21, was killed in combat in northern Gaza.
The military has reported 912 soldiers killed since October 7, 2023, including 465 in Gaza.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Madrid will join Italy in sending a military vessel to protect the Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza after it was attacked by drones near Greece.
Speaking at a press conference in New York, where he has been attending the UN General Assembly, Sanchez said citizens of 45 countries are on board the boats, which aim to bring food to Gaza and show solidarity with its population.
“The Spanish government demands that international law be upheld and that the right of our citizens to navigate the Mediterranean in safe conditions be respected,” Sánchez said.
He added that “as of tomorrow, a maritime action ship will set sail from Cartagena, equipped with all the means necessary in case it is required to assist the flotilla or carry out a rescue.”
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement that the flotilla had been targeted by “currently unidentified perpetrators” after activists reported being hit with “explosive flares.” He voiced Italy’s “strongest condemnation” of the incident and said the multi-purpose frigate Fasan, previously sailing north of Crete, was already en route to the flotilla for possible rescue operations. An Italian official added that the ship had been mobilized primarily to assist Italians on board and was equipped with a well-stocked infirmary if needed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement stating that negotiations are underway with Syria, the conclusion of which involves “ensuring Israel’s interests.”
According to the statement, Israel’s conditions include the demilitarization of southwestern Syria and maintaining the safety and security of the Druze in the country.
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