Latest news with #i24News
Morocco World
a day ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Syria's President Ahmed Al Sharaa Reportedly Interested in Visiting Morocco
Rabat – Syria is formalizing a new chapter in its diplomatic relationship with Morocco, extending traditional ties between the two countries. i24News reported, citing a Syrian source familiar with the matter, that Morocco has been officially notified of Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa's desire to visit the North African country. 'Morocco has not yet responded to this request for a presidential visit,' the news outlet said. The same source added that Syria's Foreign Affairs Ministry has sent a technical delegation to Morocco to inspect the Syrian embassy in Rabat. Ties between Syria and Morocco experienced a momentum, especially after King Mohammed VI's instruction to reopen Morocco's embassy in Damascus, which had been closed since 2012. Morocco closed its embassy 13 years ago due to disagreements with the Assad regime. King Mohammed VI stressed that the reopening of the embassy in Syria will 'open broader perspectives in the historical relations between our two countries and our two people.' Last month, Damascus authorities made a significant move aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between Damascus and Rabat. The Syrian government officially closed premises occupied by Polisario separatists in the Syrian capital. The move dealt a heavy blow to both the Polisario and Algeria. Algeria's regime has long backed the Polisario Front's agenda in Morocco and beyond. In addition to its support for Polisario's independence claims in Western Sahara, Algiers has facilitated the separatists' activities in Syria, further entangling itself in the country's internal affairs. New reports have revealed additional evidence of the Polisario's incursions and interference beyond Morocco's borders, including operations in Syria. A 'highly confidential' document that surfaced in December last year shows a secret alliance between the former Syrian regime under Bashar Al Assad's collapsed government and the separatist group. The confidential document, which dates back to January 2012, was a correspondence from the Syrian government. It showed that the Polisario sent militias to undergo military training with the Syrian Arab army. The document also shows a series of communications between Algeria's Ministry of Defense, Syria's Ministry of Defense, and Polisario's leadership, with fighters divided into four groups. It detailed that Polisario's members traveled to Beirut in December 2011 for consultations with Hezbollah to coordinate military training missions in 'special operations' in Syria. An international appeal is now demanding the labeling of Polisario as a terrorist group. Many politicians from many countries have been urging their governments to take the initiative amid Polisario's threats and maneuvers undermining the stability of the region. Earlier this year, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced that he would introduce legislation to that effect. 'I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists,' Wilson said . He was joined by several other politicians, like Liam Fox, former Secretary of State for Defense in the UK, who also made the same appeal earlier this year, saying : 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation.' Throughout recent years, several research institutions and think tanks have made similar appeals, shattering Polisario's self-portrayal as a liberation movement and unmasking its terrorist acts as an armed group that is involved in terrorist attacks, arms smuggling, among others. Tags: Ahmad al-SharaaMorocco and Syria
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
America's #2?: Trump State Department spokeswoman picks Israel over US in resurfaced video she calls a 'SMEAR'
A clip of U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce saying that America was 'the greatest country on earth…next to Israel ' is making fresh waves on social media. Bruce, a former Fox News host, made the remark during an interview with i24News, an Israeli news station, last month on May 8th. Her remarks gained new scrutiny and online traction after independent journalist Ken Klippenstein posted it Sunday evening to his half million followers on X. It was then reposted by Glenn Greenwald, another independent journalist with anti-war ideology, adding more eyeballs to Bruce. In response to an inquiry about the viral interview clip, Bruce told the Daily Mail, 'My work obviously speaks for itself, which is a reflection of my love for the United States, as I said in that interview, the greatest country on Earth.' 'The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear,' Bruce continued. Prior to joining the Trump administration, Bruce spent over 20 years at Fox News, as a contributor and host of her own show, Get Tammy Bruce, which aired on Fox Nation, the network's streaming service. She now delivers the State Department briefing to reporters on behalf of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. America's close relationship with Israel has been put under a microscope in recent months, and that scrutiny has accelerated after the U.S. joined the Iranian bombing campaign this weekend. Shortly after Trump announced a successful execution of Operation Midnight Hammer - a night raid which the Trump administration claims eliminated three nuclear sites in Iran in the early hours of Sunday morning local time - the president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exchanged congratulatory remarks. Trump said he worked with Netanyahu 'as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.' Netanyahu responded saying the U.S. president 'acted with a lot of strength.' President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength.' First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025 A senior White House official told the Daily Mail Saturday that Trump gave Israel a heads up ahead of the bombing campaign and then spoke with Netanyahu after the operation was executed. 'We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,' the president said. 'NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!' Trump's Truth Social Post made on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. Prior to sending out his Truth Social posts, Trump had arrived back in Washington after spending a little more than 24 hours at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort, without speaking to reporters as he often does. Trump later sent out the Truth Social post announcing the attack on Iran's three nuclear sites. An earlier White House announcement floating a two week time frame for Trump's decision ended up being a monumental headfake.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Rubio's Spokeswoman Sparks MAGA Anger Over US-Israel Comments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's spokeswoman angered President Donald Trump's "America First" following by appearing to suggest the United States sits "next to Israel" in terms of being the best country in the world. Tammy Bruce made the quip during an appearance last month on the Israeli TV show i24 News. Newsweek reached out to Bruce via email for comment outside of usual working hours. Why It Matters The clip has been shared numerous times on X, formerly Twitter. One video, which also shows Bruce's comments before and after her Israel remark, was shared by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein in a post that went viral, with more than 5 million views, over 5,500 shares, and nearly 1,600 comments as of press time. Trump's State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says America is "the greatest country on earth next to Israel" — Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) June 22, 2025 Israel is now also embroiled in a military conflict with Iran, after launching a strike against the country's nuclear facilities earlier this month, amid fears that Tehran was working toward creating nuclear weapons. Trump waded into the conflict when he approved a U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend, with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian later vowing the U.S. "must receive a response for their aggression." At home, Trump needs to keep his MAGA supporters on side, while squaring his decision to attack Iran with his pre-election promise that the U.S. would not become involved in any more foreign wars. What To Know Bruce, who previously hosted Get Tammy Bruce on Fox Nation and worked as a contributor to Fox News, was one of several Fox presenters appointed to roles in Trump's second administration. She granted her sit-down interview with i24 News in early May, but the clip of her remarks about which country is "the best" has only begun going viral in recent days. During the interview, Bruce discussed her relationship with Judaism, U.S. foreign policy, and the Trump presidency with political journalist Mike Wagenheim. She told him she was "sadly not" Jewish, despite media reports that had suggested otherwise. She added that after the 2023 attack by the Palestinian terror group Hamas against Israel, she bought a Star of David necklace to wear on the air to show her affinity with the Jewish people. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce answers questions in a press conference in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce answers questions in a press conference in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. ANDREW THOMAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Image Later, an apparently throwaway comment about which country is the best subsequently enraged some MAGA supporters. She was discussing her experience on the job since she assumed the role. "The pride of being able to be here [in the State Department] and do work that facilitates making things better for people, and in the greatest country on Earth," she said—adding immediately, "next to Israel!" She delivered the line with a smile to her interviewer. She continued: "And it's an honor to be able to make a difference and to be able to speak in this regard with an administration that I love so much and that I feel genuinely represented by, it's a real honor." What People Are Saying As the clip went viral online overnight on Sunday, thousands of people took to X to share their views. Some were MAGA supporters furious that Bruce had placed America "next to Israel" in her ranking. Some suggested she should lose her job. An X user, whose profile describes himself as a "MAGA man," said: "I'm sorry but she needs to be relieved of her duties effective immediately." Political Commentator "Gunther Eagleman," real name David J. Freeman, who describes himself on X as "America First - MAGA - Unfiltered," wrote: "America is the best country. Point blank. I'd tag Tammy Bruce but she has me blocked." Another X user, who said in their profile that they were "inspired by Trump and firmly MAGA and MAHA," wrote: "Tammy Bruce just said America is the greatest country on earth NEXT TO ISRAEL. WTH IS GOING ON??? She should be fired on the spot for this. Her allegiance is not to America. WOW." However, others said that Bruce's words had been misinterpreted, with one arguing that her words "next to Israel" were a grammatical clause following her previous comment about "[doing] work that facilitates making things better for people." An X user, whose profile says they are an engineer and a mathematician who believes "leftism is a cult," replied to Klippenstein's post: "There's a comma missing. She's calling the UNITED STATES, the greatest country on Earth, (COMMA) (WORKING) next to Israel. YOU ARE TWISTING WHAT SHE SAID." He added: "And it's entirely possible she was also humoring her interviewer with a tongue-in-cheek comment. Either one or the other is likely. Tammy is 100% American." What Happens Next Bruce has yet to comment on the situation. In the meantime, Trump and his administration must try to take their supporters with them as they join forces with Israel against Iran.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli attack could drive Iran to seek nuclear weapons, IAEA chief warns
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned that an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities could push Tehran closer to developing nuclear weapons as indirect talks between the United States and Iran continue through Omani mediation. Speaking to i24 News and The Jerusalem Post, Grossi said Iranian officials had cautioned him about the potential consequences of a strike. 'A strike could potentially have an amalgamating effect, solidifying Iran's determination – I will say it plainly – to pursue a nuclear weapon or withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,' he said in an interview that was published on Monday. Grossi added that he did not believe Israel would launch such an operation. 'But one thing is certain,' he said, 'The [Iranian] programme runs wide and deep. And when I say 'deep', I mean it. Many of these facilities are extremely well-protected. Disrupting them would require overwhelming and devastating force.' He made his comments as Iran prepares a counteroffer to a US proposal for a new nuclear Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the US offer lacked key elements and failed to address sanctions relief – a longstanding demand from Tehran. 'We will soon submit our own proposed plan to the other side through Oman once it is finalised,' Baghaei said without elaborating on the details. He also criticised the IAEA's latest report on Iran's nuclear programme as 'unbalanced', accusing it of relying on 'forged documents' from Israel. The IAEA had recently described Iran's cooperation as 'less than satisfactory', particularly in clarifying past nuclear activities at undeclared locations. The US and Iran are trying to strike a new nuclear deal after a 2015 agreement was abandoned by US President Donald Trump in 2018 during his first term. In a surprise comment last week, Trump said he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to jeopardise the fragile negotiations. 'I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution,' Trump said. It remains unclear when the next round of indirect negotiations will take place. Baghaei said talks are ongoing but did not give a date for the next meeting
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘If US Can Hand Over Rana, Why Can't Pakistan Give Us Hafiz, Azhar?': Indian Envoy To Israel
Last Updated: In an interview with Israel's i24 News, India's Ambassador JP Singh warned that Operation Sindoor is only 'paused' and normalcy hinges on Pakistan handing over wanted terrorists In a strong and unambiguous message to Islamabad, India's Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, said that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) — long upheld as a symbol of bilateral goodwill — could no longer survive when one side chooses violence over peace. 'Goodwill, friendship and blood can't flow together," Singh told Israel's i24 News, confirming that the treaty has been put in abeyance following Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. 'Over the years, we allowed water to flow; Pakistan allowed terror to flow," Singh said, referring to decades of attacks by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The final trigger, he said, was the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed based on their religion. 'This cannot go on like this. Our Prime Minister made it clear — blood and water cannot flow together." Singh said the treaty's foundational principle of friendship and goodwill had been 'repeatedly violated" by Pakistan's actions. He asserted that the pause in the treaty will continue until Islamabad ends its terror infrastructure and hands over key perpetrators. 'When the US can extradite Tahawwur Rana, why can't Pakistan hand over Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, and Sajid Mir? Everything will be normal if Pakistan hands over these terrorists to India." Singh gave a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, describing it as a calibrated military response that unfolded in two phases. On May 7, Indian forces launched precision strikes on terror camps and launchpads in Muzaffarabad, the LeT headquarters in Muridke, and JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, killing over 100 terrorists. When Pakistan retaliated by targeting Indian military installations, India hit back with strikes on army bases, radar systems, and airfields, including Nur Khan and Sargodha. 'Their DGMO called ours — and that's how the ceasefire was initiated on the evening of May 10," he said. But Singh cautioned that this was not the end. 'The ceasefire is holding for now. But Operation Sindoor is paused, not over. A new normal has been set — we will follow an offensive doctrine. Wherever terrorists are, we will strike. Their infrastructure will be destroyed." He also took aim at Pakistan's duplicity. 'They keep saying they want investigations and international probes. But what about Mumbai, Pathankot, Pulwama? We gave them dossiers. The US gave them evidence. Yet Sajid Mir, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi are roaming free. You simply cannot believe them." Turning to India-Israel cooperation, Singh called it 'strategic and rapidly expanding". He noted that while India relies on its indigenous defence platforms under the Make in India initiative, Israeli systems were also crucial during Operation Sindoor. 'The difference is: we use these platforms to target terrorists. Pakistan uses its resources to protect them." He outlined the potential for deeper ties in infrastructure, agriculture, water management, science and technology, and workforce mobility. He cited India's $1.5 billion investment in Haifa port, interest in Tel Aviv metro projects, and the signing of migration and mobility agreements to send skilled Indian workers across sectors like caregiving, hospitality and agriculture. 'Even during conflict, there was no security issue for Indian workers in Israel," he said. Looking ahead, Singh called for a broad global alliance against terrorism, uniting countries like India and Israel. 'Those who suffer must come together — not just against terror groups, but their supporters and shelters. The world must act with zero tolerance."
