Why the Palestinian case at The Hague took a big hit this past week

Backing Israel’s position against pending war crimes probe, 7 countries say Palestine is not a state that can transfer jurisdiction to the ICC. Not a single one argues the opposite Raphael AhrenToday, 9:40 am The notion that “Palestine” is a full-fledged state that can grant jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court was dealt a serious […]

Bennett bans PA construction in Area B

Bennett bans Palestinians from continuing construction in an area near the Shiloh Valley of the Binyamin Region Eitan Divinsky, 21/02/20 10:20 Defense Minister Naftali Bennett ordered a freeze on Palestinian Arab construction in Area B. In a letter to the attorney general’s office, the Assistant Secretary of Defense claimed that Palestinian Arab construction in an […]

Saudis ‘intercept missiles fired from Yemen’ as Pompeo tours kingdom with ‘Iranian threat’ show & promotes US air defenses (VIDEO)

21 Feb, 2020 00:38 Several ballistic missiles fired from the direction of Yemen were allegedly intercepted by Saudi Arabia’s air defenses, as the top American diplomat travels the country talking up an “Iranian threat” and the might of US weapons. The missiles are said to have been launched from the direction of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, […]

The rise of Trump’s new pro-Israel and anti-Iran intel director – analysis

Richard Grenell took the lead in Europe by highlighting Iran’s genocidal antisemitism targeting Israel. BENJAMIN WEINTHAL FEBRUARY 21, 2020 01:14 US President Donald Trump’s Wednesday appointment of Richard Grenell, the American ambassador to Germany, to acting director of national intelligence should not ambush foreign policy specialists.Grenell’s meteoric rise within the US government was based on […]

Saudi Air Defence Intercepts Several Ballistic Missiles Fired From Yemen’s Sanaa – Reports

Middle East 00:25 GMT 21.02.2020(updated 00:34 GMT 21.02.2020) Sputnik International https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png Sputnik https://cdn2.img.sputniknews.com/i/logo.png https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002211078364162-saudi-air-defence-intercepts-several-ballistic-missiles-fired-from-yemens-sanaa—reports/ The missiles were launched towards the city of Yanbu, where the state-owned Saudi Aramco oil refinery is located, although it is not clear whether it was the intended target. Saudi Air Defence has intercepted and destroyed several ballistic missiles launched from […]

Jordan stands firm against Trump deal despite risks to ties

Osama Al Sharif February 20, 2020 Now that Jordan has made its position clear on President Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East, will Jordan pay a price for its stand? Since the unveiling of the plan, without explicitly commenting on it, King Abdullah has continued to reiterate his long-standing position on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and achieving peace between Arab […]

Coronavirus outbreak likely caused by illegal pangolin trade, study shows

Pangolins are the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world, second only to humans, and are especially popular in China and Vietnam, where their meat is considered a delicacy. AARON REICH FEBRUARY 21, 2020 02:02 Researchers from South China Agricultural University believe the pangolin may have spread the deadly coronavirus to humans in China, starting […]

Pompeo meets US troops in Saudi Arabia amid heightened tensions with Iran

State Department says ‘deployed missile defense and fighter jets to deter any future attacks’ US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited American troops in Saudi Arabia Thursday after talks with King Salman on the second day of a visit focused on countering Iran. The United States began building up its military presence at the Prince […]

Russia, Turkey, Iran reassert glory of past empires in today’s Middle East

The three countries see the Arab countries as weak and exploitable, and two of them, seek to reassert their former spheres of control there. JACK COHEN FEBRUARY 19, 2020 20:17 Three countries – Russia, Turkey and Iran – are currently trying to reassert their former influence and glory, harking back to the power and greatness […]

Amid Re-Election Campaign, Netanyahu Announces New Israeli Home Construction in Jerusalem

 by Algemeiner Staff and Agencies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu said on Thursday that thousands of new homes would be built in two areas of Jerusalem where construction has long been frozen due to international objections. On a visit to the southern outskirts of Jerusalem on Thursday, Netanyahu — who is seeking re-election on March […]

ANALYSIS: Turkey now technically at war with Russia and Syria

Turkish troops shell Syrian army positions while Russian air force bombs Turkish positions in Idlib, Syria. Yochanan Visser, 20/02/20  A week after Israel National News reported that Turkey was on a crash course with Russia over Syria the parties are now at war technically speaking. This happened after talks between a Turkish delegation and the […]

Benjamin Netanyahu to ‘Post’: Democratic president can’t stop Trump plan

“What I do in an hour, my opponents can’t do in a year,” the prime minister said. GIL HOFFMAN FEBRUARY 20, 2020 23:12 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence on Thursday that even if a Democrat wins the American election, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan will be implemented. Speaking with The Jerusalem […]

Palestinian driver accelerates toward checkpoint, is shot by soldiers

No troops hurt in possible car-ramming attempt near Ramallah; condition of driver unclear By TOI staff 20 February 2020, 10:56 pm 1 Edit Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Thursday evening shot a Palestinian driver after he accelerated his vehicle toward them in a possible attempt to ram them with it, Hebrew media reports […]