Latest news with #AmirOhana
Al Mayadeen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Israeli settlement expansion surges by 40% under Netanyahu
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are enduring a significant surge in settler attacks and an exponential expansion of illegal settlement outposts. According to Israeli media on Friday, there has been a 40% rise in the number of settlements under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the West Bank has witnessed a boom in settlement activity since the formation of Netanyahu's government at the end of 2022. The number of settlements increased from 128 to 178, accompanied by extensive demolitions of Palestinian homes. This expansion directly affects Palestinian communities through land confiscation and home demolitions. The channel emphasized that these measures aim to entrench Israeli control over the area and dismantle the viability of the so-called two-state solution. Settler violence has also intensified. On June 28, three Palestinians were killed and seven others injured during a deadly settler assault on the town of Kafr Malik in the central West Bank. Meanwhile, two days prior to the Channel 12 report, 14 ministers from Netanyahu's Likud Party and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to annex the occupied territory immediately, as the Israeli political right intensifies pressure for full annexation. This includes efforts to legalize existing outposts and accelerate settlement construction in strategic areas. The channel noted that the scale and speed of settlement expansion are unprecedented. Meir Deutsch, CEO of the far-right Regavim movement, remarked, "No government has ever encouraged settlement as much as this one." He added that "Israel is managing Judea and Samaria as the homeowner for the first time since the state's establishment (1948/Palestinian Nakba)."According to Channel 12, at least 50 new settlements have been announced since the current government assumed office. Of these, 19 were pre-existing, seven were grazing farms, 14 were neighborhoods within other settlements, and 10 existed only on paper. Construction in existing settlements has reached record levels in the past two and a half years, particularly since early 2025. A total of 41,709 settler homes have been approved, exceeding the total from the previous six years combined. By the end of 2024, the number of illegal settlement outposts reached 214, with 66 established during the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. This represents a 300% increase compared to the two years prior. Most of these outposts are farming settlements occupying approximately 787 square kilometers, primarily in central and eastern West Bank. The rise in settlement activity is matched by a demographic increase. Between 2013 and 2023, the settler population in the West Bank grew by 38%, rising from 374,000 to 517,000, according to data from the Yesha settlement council. Read more: IOF demolish 1,000+ homes, turn West Bank camps into 'lifeless zones'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot formally resigns from Knesset
"I have seen greatness in serving the people," he wrote. "I will act with faith and commitment to creating a leadership alternative worthy of the State of Israel." National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot formally submitted his letter of resignation from the Knesset to Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana on Wednesday. "I have seen greatness in serving the people," he wrote. "I will act with faith and commitment to creating a leadership alternative worthy of the State of Israel." 'Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,' the party said in a statement earlier in the week. 'The two emphasized their long-standing friendship and mutual respect, and stated that they will continue to collaborate toward shared goals and for the benefit of the people of Israel in the future as well." Eisenkot held a press conference on Tuesday, elaborating his reasons for leaving Gantz's party. Eisenkot began by mentioning the establishment of the National Unity party three years ago, together with Benny Gantz and Gideon Sa'ar, with the aim of creating a liberal democratic state Zionist union. He emphasized that these principles are even more true after the October 7 failure. He said that he has been working for many months to strengthen the liberal party bloc, with the aim of presenting a governing alternative. Referring to his relationship with Benny Gantz, he clarified that his exit is not a personal matter but rather highlights a substantive debate. "I thought that a transparent and deep democratization process was needed to build the party as a significant entity, and unfortunately, that didn't happen. There was also a disagreement on the way to create change. We need to build a leadership alternative that will lead to victory in the next elections," Eisenkot said. Eisenkot has reportedly met with both Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and is considering joining both of them ahead of the next election.
Roya News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israeli' FM Gideon Sa'ar resigns from Knesset
'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar presented the Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana with his resignation from the 'Israeli' parliament. Under the "Norwegian Law' in 'Israel', Druze politician Akram Hasson will take his place in the Knesset according to the National Unity List and Sa'ar will continue to serve as foreign minister.
Reuters
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
U.S. House Speaker Johnson postpones trip to Israel
WASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday he has postponed his planned June 22 trip to Israel to address its parliament, as an escalating battle between Israel and Iran has raised fears of a broader conflict. "Due to the complex situation currently unfolding in Iran and Israel, (Knesset) Speaker (Amir) Ohana and I have made the decision to postpone the special session of the Knesset. We look forward to rescheduling the address in the near future and send our prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East," Johnson said in a statement. The trip by Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, had been set to take place on June 22.
Russia Today
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Bereaved October 7 families clash with guards in Israel's parliament (VIDEO)
A confrontation between bereaved parents of victims of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel and security at the nation's parliament, the Knesset, has left two people injured, the Jerusalem Post has reported. The scuffle ensued after families sought to observe a debate on Monday concerning the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the tragedy, but were barred from entering the visitors seating area. The parents, representing the October Council – an NGO advocating for 1,500 families affected by the tragedy – had previously sent a letter to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana requesting access to the session, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to attend. Despite this, Knesset guards and police officers prevented the families from ascending the staircase leading to the visitors section, citing limited seating availability. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, reportedly resulting in at least two people sustaining injuries after falling during the scuffle. In protest, the families gathered at the base of the staircase, reciting the Kaddish – a Jewish prayer of mourning – while displaying placards bearing images of their deceased loved ones, the Post reported. Subsequently, the families were granted access to the chamber under strict supervision. During Netanyahu's address, they reportedly stood and turned their backs to him, holding up photographs of their lost relatives. Speaker Ohana initially ordered their removal but later rescinded the directive. אין גבול לזוועה ולבושה מתמונות אנשי משמר הכנסת הודפים בכוח משפחות שכולות ממחדל השבעה באוקטובר, לחרפה הזו שותף אמיר אוחנה. אין מי שביזה את מוסד יו״ר הכנסת יותר ממנו Netanyahu has faced criticism over his handling of the hostage crisis, with some families accusing him of prioritizing military objectives over the safe return of the captives. A ceasefire with Hamas was implemented in mid-January following 15 months of intense fighting that caused heavy casualties and extensive destruction in Gaza. The agreement outlines a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners, ensures the delivery of humanitarian aid, and is expected to lead to Israel's withdrawal from the territory. In the first phase of the deal, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages, including the bodies of those deceased, in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli assessments indicating that 24 of them are still alive. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250 others. In response, Israeli troops invaded Gaza, leaving nearly 47,000 Palestinians dead, according to the territory's health authorities.
