Latest news with #Samaria
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Likud Party Ministers Urge Netanyahu to Annex West Bank
Cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party called on Wednesday for Israel to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank before the Knesset recesses at the end of the month. They issued a petition ahead of Netanyahu's meeting next week with US President Donald Trump, where discussions are expected to center on a potential 60-day Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. The petition was signed by 15 cabinet ministers and Amir Ohana, speaker of the Knesset, Israel's parliament. There was no immediate response from the prime minister's office. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, long a confidant of Netanyahu, did not sign the petition. He has been in Washington since Monday for talks on Iran and Gaza. "We ministers and members of Knesset call for applying Israeli sovereignty and law immediately on Judea and Samaria," they wrote, using the biblical names for the West Bank captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Their petition cited Israel's recent achievements against both Iran and Iran's allies and the opportunity afforded by the strategic partnership with the US and support of Trump. It said the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel demonstrated that the concept of Jewish settlement blocs alongside the establishment of a Palestinian state poses an existential threat to Israel. "The task must be completed, the existential threat removed from within, and another massacre in the heart of the country must be prevented," the petition stated. Most countries regard Jewish settlements in the West Bank, many of which cut off Palestinian communities from one another, as a violation of international law. With each advance of Israeli settlements and roads, the West Bank becomes more fractured, further undermining prospects for a contiguous land on which Palestinians could build a sovereign state long envisaged in Middle East peacemaking. Israel's pro-settler politicians have been emboldened by the return to the White House of Trump, who has proposed Palestinians leave Gaza, a suggestion widely condemned across the Middle East and beyond.
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Evangelical leaders praise Trump's continued support for Israel amid war with Iran
Some of the most influential evangelical leaders in the U.S. told Fox News Digital that they believe President Donald Trump's support for Israel is unwavering as the Jewish state finds itself at war with Iran. Speaking before and after the start of Israel's military campaign against the regime, the leaders highlighted the millennialong connection of the Jewish people to their historical homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings. The evangelical community helped deliver the White House to President Donald Trump and, therefore, believes his administration should support Israel's biblical rights to its historical heartland of Judea and Samaria, Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, told Fox News Digital "We hold strongly to that stand. President Trump won because of the Evangelical vote. There are 52 million of us in America, and we are Bible believers," he continued. "Jesus said, 'You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,'" he said. His organization claims nearly 30 million members. Evans praised the president's stance on Iran, saying, "The Trump strategy is brilliant because he's giving Iran a way out, but he's not taking it off the table that the U.S. will bomb Iran. Quite the contrary, he's made it very clear that if Iran does anything to attack U.S. bases in the Middle East or Americans, they will have hell to pay." Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, which numbers 10 million members, told Fox News Digital that Israel has long been a central concern for American evangelicals, a priority that has only intensified since the 9/11 attacks and more recently in the aftermath of Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre. For evangelical Christians, he said, support for Israel is rooted in religious conviction rather than political ideology. They view appeasement of Iran or engagement with terrorists not just as flawed policy, but as morally wrong and fundamentally evil. Just days before Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, and amid isolationist criticism against Israel, Hagee told Fox News Digital, "I do not think President Trump will allow himself to be played by Iranian negotiators or American isolationists. When it's all said and done, I believe President Trump is willing to do what it takes to ensure Iran is defanged either by enabling our strongest ally, Israel, to defend itself or otherwise." Following Israel's surprise attack on Iran, Hagee released a recorded message as part of an action alert asking his supporters to contact President Trump, thank him for his support of Israel and urge him to continue. "We must stand with Israel today and every day. Iran's future as an evil force in the Middle East is now in question. Only the people of Iran can take the country back. But Israel has opened the door for them and given the world room to breathe. Now the U.S. must take its seat at the head of the international table and stand alongside the only American ally in the free world willing to do what is necessary to protect the free world," Hagee said. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, posted about the growing threat Iran poses to both Israel and the United States on X. "Iran has said that they want to wipe Israel off the face of the map. They would also like to destroy America. Iran is a sponsor of terror … Israel has been forced into defending itself and needs our prayers," he added. "All of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him should 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:6). Pray that this can be resolved quickly." Graham pointed to the long connection of the Jewish people to their historic homeland, while also emphasizing the shared values rooted in biblical teachings. "Most evangelical Christians believe the Bible and, of course, we believe Genesis, we believe God gave the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that every inch of that land belongs to the Jews," Graham told Fox News Digital. He underscored the importance of continued U.S. support for Israel, citing both strategic and democratic considerations. "The U.S. government has supported Israel since it became a nation, and for that support to continue is extremely important. It's the only democracy in the Middle East, the only place where elections are held. No one else in that part of the world has the kinds of freedoms that Israelis have," Graham said. Evans, also quoting scripture, noted that, "In Genesis chapter 12, God said, 'I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.' Evangelicals believe that pressuring Israel to give up land will bring a curse on America. If they have to choose between God's word and anyone else's, they will choose God's word," he said. Hagee also cited biblical teachings that promise blessings for those who bless Israel, framing the principle as both a spiritual conviction and a practical truth. "Consider the tangible results that cannot be denied—whether through intelligence and technology sharing or fighting on the front lines of the global war on terror, America has been blessed by supporting Israel in numerous ways. If we turn our backs on Israel, not only will God turn His back on America, but we will lose freedom's foothold in the Middle East," he told Fox News Digital. Hagee noted that the issue has become deeply personal for many in the United States, especially in light of recent antisemitic attacks on American soil. These include the terror incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an illegal Egyptian immigrant injured 15 people with Molotov cocktails during a march supporting hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the fatal shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., which claimed the lives of two staff members from the Israeli Embassy. "We expect Congress to take up meaningful legislation aimed at combating the scourge of violent antisemitism raging across the country," Hagee said. He condemned the political delays surrounding the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the lack of progress on the Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act, which would prohibit federal agencies from engaging with companies that promote a boycott of Israel. "That Congress continues to dither here is shameful," Hagee said. For his part, Evans told Fox News digital that another issue that the Trump administration appears to be confronting aggressively: a French-Saudi-sponsored conference to push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. "We're not overly concerned, because we know the president will oppose this move at the U.N. Security Council," he said. "The United States will not back a Palestinian state at this time, as the entire premise of statehood has been based on land-for-peace—a concept that assumes Israel can secure peace by relinquishing territory. But Israelis have given up land and lost lives in the process, and it hasn't worked." "Israel is facing an existential threat and can no longer capitulate or play the land-for-peace game. Palestinians can lead a better life, as we've seen with Israeli Arabs, who have a better quality of life in Israel than anywhere else in the Middle East," Evans continued. "The only way forward is if they stop resorting to terrorism, and we believe the president supports this position of moral clarity, as do all Evangelicals."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
IDF, Shin Bet foil imminent terror attack in northern West Bank
Authorities say the arrest of Muslim Mazarwa, a key figure in the Jenin terror network, could deal a significant blow to planned attacks in the region. Security forces, guided by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) intelligence, thwarted an imminent terror attack in the Menashe Brigade sector in the West Bank over the past 24 hours, the IDF announced on Saturday. Undercover Border Police units operating in the West Bank arrested a senior wanted operative affiliated with a terror network in Jenin. The arrests are part of an ongoing operation in northern Samaria aimed at dismantling local terrorist networks and reshaping the area's security environment. Over the weekend,IDF soldiersfrom the Menashe Brigade, Yamam fighters and undercover Border Police units, guided by precise Shin Bet intelligence, carried out targeted operations against terror operatives. On Saturday morning, security forces operated in Wadi Burqin, near Jenin, to arrest Muslim Mazarwa, a key figure in the Jenin terror network. Undercover units approached the building covertly, surrounded it, used special equipment, and arrested Mazarwa along with two other wanted suspects. During a search of the premises, they found a Glock handgun. In a separate operation on Friday, Yamam fighters, working with IDF soldiers and guided by Shin Bet intelligence, operated in the Menashe Brigade sector to kill a terrorist planning an imminent attack. When the forces reached the building, two suspects attempted to flee. Yamam fighters shot them in the lower body and arrested one of them, along with four additional wanted suspects. The operation followed previous action at the end of May, when reservist forces from the Menashe Brigade, Duvdevan fighters, and Yamam forces conducted simultaneous raids in villages nearJenin, arresting three additional cell members suspected of plotting an imminent attack. During that operation, forces discovered two M16 rifles and full magazines believed to have been intended for use in an attack. In total, seven suspects were arrested during the latest operations. The arrested suspects and the seized weapons were transferred to security forces for further investigation. There were no casualties among Israeli forces.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Don't threaten us with sanctions': Katz visits West Bank as new settlements approved
Katz also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and others who support the recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such efforts would be meaningless. Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the northern West Bank settlement of Sa-Nur on Friday alongside Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, shortly after the government approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the region. Describing the move as a 'historic moment for settlements,' Katz framed the decision as a strong response to terrorism and a signal to international leaders. He also pushed back against the possibility of foreign sanctions in response to Israeli policy. 'Don't threaten us with sanctions — we will not be brought to our knees, and we will not bow to threats,' he said. 'The settlement movement in Judea and Samaria will continue to grow stronger, and the State of Israel will flourish and thrive.' He criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and others who support the recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such efforts would be meaningless: "It is also a clear message to Macron and his allies." 'You may recognize a Palestinian state on paper, but that paper will end up in the dustbin of history,' Katz declared.
Free Malaysia Today
31-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Far-right Israeli minister announces creation of 22 West Bank settlements
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law. (EPA Images pic) JERUSALEM : Far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced today the creation in the occupied West Bank of 22 new settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. 'We have made a historic decision for the development of settlements: 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, renewing settlement in the north of Samaria, and reinforcing the eastern axis of the State of Israel,' the minister said on X, using the Israeli term for the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967. 'Next step: sovereignty!' he added. In a statement on Telegram, the Likud party of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move a 'once-in-a-generation decision', saying the initiative had been led by Smotrich and defence minister Israel Katz and approved by the security cabinet. 'The decision also includes the establishment of four communities along the eastern border with Jordan, as part of strengthening Israel's eastern backbone, national security and strategic grip on the area,' it said. The party published a map showing the 22 sites spread across the territory. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are condemned by the United Nations as one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. The announcement comes ahead of an international conference to be led by France and Saudi Arabia at UN headquarters in New York next month, which is meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also comes after US envoy Steve Witkoff said yesterday he had 'very good feelings' about the prospects for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, adding that he expected to send out a new proposal imminently.
