President Donald Trump is warning Israel that constructing new settlements “may not be helpful” to Middle East peace efforts, shifting toward a tougher line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Still, the White House made clear Thursday that the Trump administration “has not taken an official position on settlement activity,” departing from previous administrations that have considered the settlements illegitimate.
Category: Middle East
In shift, Trump warns Israel against new settlements
President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Israel that constructing new settlements “may not be helpful” to Middle East peace efforts, shifting toward a tougher line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s government. Still, the White House made clear that the Trump administration “has not taken an official position on settlement activity,” departing from previous administrations that have considered the settlements illegitimate.
Trump’s First Military Operation Goes Disastrously Wrong
Two Americans, including a Navy SEAL and an 8-year-old girl were left dead. Three other SEALs were left seriously injured.
Flynn puts Iran ‘on notice’ over missile launch as Trump team adopts aggressive posture
The White House put Iran “on notice” on Wednesday for test-firing a ballistic missile and said it was reviewing how to respond, abruptly adopting an aggressive posture toward Tehran that could raise tensions in the region. It was unclear what actions the new Republican administration might take to try to rein in Iran for a missile launch that President Donald Trump and his top aides considered defiance of a nuclear deal negotiated in 2015 by then-Democratic President Barack Obama.
Eviction of Israeli settlers from illegal outpost sparks violence
Israeli policemen remove a pro-settlement activist during an operation by Israeli forces to evict settlers from the illegal outpost of Amona in the occupied West Bank on February 1, 2017. Photo – Reuters Israeli policemen remove a pro-settlement activist during an operation by Israeli forces to evict settlers from the illegal outpost of Amona in the occupied West Bank on February 1, 2017.
For Israeli leader, Trump brings friendship and risks
By Associated Press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming White House visit aims to cement ties to a surprisingly supportive U.S. president – but it also presents a political minefield. In this handout photo made on Sunday, Sept.
Syria Warns of Setting Up Safe Zones for Civilians as Unsafe
Syria warned Monday of safe zones for civilians that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in creating, saying it would have to come in coordination with the Syrian government, otherwise it would be unsafe and violate the Arab nation’s sovereignty. The announcement was made in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem during a meeting with the head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, who began an official visit to Syria on Monday.
Prime Minister Netanyahu will visit February 15, White House announces
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on February 15, White House press secretary Sean Spicer announced Monday. A senior administration official said last week that moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem remains a priority for the president but cautioned that it would not be happen quickly.
Trump Will Meet With Benjamin Netanyahu In February
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his Jerusalem office December 25, 2016. REUTERS/Dan Balilty/Pool White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 15, in a Monday briefing with reporters.
Syria warns of setting up safe zones for civilians as unsafe
Syria warned Monday of safe zones for civilians that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in creating, saying it would have to come in coordination with the Syrian government, otherwise it would be unsafe and violate the Arab nation’s sovereignty. The announcement was made in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem during a meeting with the head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, who began an official visit to Syria on Monday.
Military: First-known combat death since Trump sworn in
Just days into his young presidency, a U.S. service member has died in military action authorized by Donald Trump. It’s the first known combat death of a member of the U.S. military since Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20 and underscores the gravity of the decisions he now makes.
Military: First-known combat death since Trump in office
SANAA, Yemen – A U.S. military service member was killed Sunday during a raid against al-Qaida militants in central Yemen that also left nearly 30 others dead, including women and children.
The Latest: Priebus defends swift action to bar refugees
The Latest on President Donald Trump, his travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries and other immigration actions : 10:50 a.m. The White House chief of staff says President Donald Trump acted early on in his term to impose a travel ban on refugees to block “people who want to do bad things to America.” Reince Priebus says there’s nothing to apologize for after Friday’s executive order drew widespread protests.
The Latest: Priebus defends swift action to bar refugees
The Latest on President Donald Trump, his travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries and other immigration actions : 10:50 a.m. The White House chief of staff says President Donald Trump acted early on in his term to impose a travel ban on refugees to block “people who want to do bad things to America.” Reince Priebus says there’s nothing to apologize for after Friday’s executive order drew widespread protests.
Donald Trump’s ban threatens us all
For the first time in my life, I strangely found myself agreeing with a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry. The statement, in response to US President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from travelling to the United States, read: “The US decision to restrict travel for Muslims to the US, even if for a temporary period of three months, is an obvious insult to the Islamic world…Despite the claims of combating terrorism and keeping American people safe, it will be recorded in history as a big gift to extremists and their supporters.”
The United States of…Arabia? Trump’s America morphs into the Middle East
Newly inaugurated President Trump has done little to hide his contempt towards the Middle East. One of his first acts as POTUS was to ban all visitors from a swathe of Muslim-majority countries in the region , including Syria, Iran and Iraq.
Mexico Rebukes Israel over Netanyahu Wall Tweet
Our eNewspaper network was founded in 2002 to provide stand-alone digital news sites tailored for the most searched-for locations for news. With a traditional newspaper format, more than 100 sites were established each with a newspaper-type name to cover the highest-ranked regions, countries, cities and states.
At Phila. airport, protest, detentions, anger, and hope15 minutes ago
After a New York City judge Saturday night put a stay on President Trump’s executive order banning certain refugees and immigrants from entering the United States, about five travelers remained held at Philadelphia International Airport as Philadelphia attorneys scrambled to keep them in the country. The order by Judge Ann M. Donnelly of Brooklyn Federal Court came too late for two Christian Syrian immigrant families who were sent back to Doha, Qatar, after being held at PHL on Saturday morning.
Christian family, visas in hand, turned back at airport
Two brothers, their wives and children left war-torn Syria with 16 suitcases and crossed the border into Lebanon. They were finally on their way to the United States after working for almost 15 years to join their family members stateside.
Trump says immigration order not a ‘Muslim ban’ as protests, detainments hit airports
The fallout from President Trump’s temporary ban on refugees to the U.S. struck with full force Saturday, blocking some travelers from boarding their planes overseas, compelling others to turn around upon arrival in the U.S., and prompting customs agents at New York’s JFK Airport to detain at least a dozen people, including a former Iraqi translator for the U.S. military in Baghdad. Speaking to hundreds of demonstrators at JFK Airport, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., called the ban ineffective, discriminatory, “disgusting,” and said it “goes against every ounce of our traditions from George Washington onward.”
Anger erupts over Trump’s order banning refugees from US
In this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 photo, released by the French Foreign ministry, French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, left, greets his newly appointed German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel, before… . In this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 photo, released by the French Foreign ministry, French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, left, greets his newly appointed German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel, before… LONDON – Anger erupted on Saturday – along with some praise from the far-right – about U.S. President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees entering the United States.
Netanyahu wall tweet angers Mexico
Mexico’s government has rebuked Israel for a tweet by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that appeared to applaud US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a border wall with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants. Earlier on Saturday, Netanyahu tweeted: “President Trump is right.
Anger erupts over Trump’s order banning refugees from US
Anger erupted in Europe on Saturday about U.S. President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees entering the United States.
Diplomatic debut: Trump makes uneven entry onto world stage
The president shifted a jam-packed schedule Friday to make room for an hourlong phone call with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who had abruptly snubbed the new president by canceling a visit. Trump’s team had appeared to respond by threatening a hefty border tax on Mexican imports.
Ex-Rep. Dennis Kucinich discusses his latest trip to Syria and…
Former Rep. Dennis Kucinich and his wife, Elizabeth, along with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met with Syrian religious leaders in Aleppo, led by Archbishop Denys Antoine Chahda of the Syrian Catholic Church of Aleppo, and joined by Archbishop Joseph Tabji of Maronite Church of Aleppo, Rev. Ibrahim Nseir of the Arab Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Aleppo, and others.
The Latest: Jonson: Assad should run in vote to resolve war
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini speaks during a press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. A senior European Union official says it is too early to comment on reports of U.S. plans for safe zones in Syria.
UN holds off action over new Israeli settler homes30 min ago
The UN Security Council met behind closed doors today to discuss Israel’s plan to build new settler homes in the Palestinian West Bank, but took no action. Council members heard a report from UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov after the Israeli government approved a major expansion of 2,500 homes, in defiance of a UN resolution that demanded an end to settlement construction.
US quietly sent $221M to Palestinians in Obama’s last hours
Officials said Monday that the Obama administration– in its waning hours– defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority that GOP members of Congress had been blocking. A State Department official and several congressional aides told The Associated Press that the outgoing administration formally notified Congress it would spend the money Friday morning.
Israeli army has a smoking problem, new study finds
Nearly 40 percent of Israelis are smokers by the time they finish their compulsory army service, according to a new study. That is twice as high as the overall national rate and dramatically higher than among American soldiers, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
Glad to see Obama go, Gulf Arabs expect Trump to counter Iran
Gulf Arab states are quietly applauding the arrival in the White House of a hawkish leader opposed to their adversary Iran, even if they suspect Donald Trump’s short temper and abrasive Tweets may at times heighten tensions in the combustible Middle East. While many countries around the world listened with concern to his protectionist inaugural address, Gulf Arab officials appear optimistic.
Israel delays annexation vote
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday delayed a vote on a proposal to annex one of the West Bank’s largest settlements, a move that gives him time to coordinate his policy toward the Palestinians with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, has been pushing Netanyahu to abandon the idea of a Palestinian state and to annex the Maaleh Adumim settlement near Jerusalem.
Trump, amid combative start, pledges to rise to moment
After what was seen as a combative start to his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a more unifying message Sunday and sought to reassure Americans he was ready to begin governing a divided nation. Mr. Trump began rolling out his plans for diplomatic outreach, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announcing plans for early meetings with Mr. Netanyahu and other world leaders.
Nation-Now 15 mins ago 7:19 p.m.Trump prepares for busy Monday,…
President Trump, having declared post-inaugural Monday the true opening day of his new administration, spent Sunday pondering a string of executive orders on topics ranging from immigration to Israel to the economy, including what he called a re-working of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Supervising the swearing-in of 30 new White House staff members, Trump said he will soon meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto to discuss changes to NAFTA, the trade deal he claims has shipped U.S. jobs to those other countries.
Trump, amid combative start, pledges to rise to moment
After a combative start to his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a more unifying message Sunday and sought to reassure Americans he was ready to begin governing a divided nation. Trump began rolling out his plans for diplomatic outreach, speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and announcing plans for early meetings with Netanyahu and other world leaders.
Trump, Israeli Prime Minister to discuss Iran nuke deal
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister set to speak two days after the inauguration as the state takes advantage of US support by approving settlement plans Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak by phone Sunday for the first time since Trump’s inauguration U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak Sunday for the first time since Trump’s inauguration, with Israel already taking advantage of his support by pushing through settlement plans. ‘A telephone conversation will be held this evening between President Trump and me.
Israeli leader delays West Bank annexation vote
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a vote Sunday on an explosive proposal to annex one of the West Bank’s largest settlements, apparently to coordinate his policy toward the Palestinians with the new administration of President Donald Trump. The move put on hold legislation that threatens to unleash fresh violence and damage already faded hopes for Palestinian independence.
Netanyahu and Trump to hold first call Sunday evening
PM says he greatly appreciated Trump’s “deep friendship” for Israel, as well as his “declared willingness to fight against radical Islamic terror with full force.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold his first telephone conversation with new US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening, the prime minister told the cabinet.
Mideast Expects Big Changes Under Trump
Donald Trump’s all-but-dismissal of human rights as a foreign policy principle could hit like an earthquake across a Middle East landscape beset by warring factions and beleaguered governments, with some players eyeing the prospect of once unimaginable new alliances. Syria is the foremost test of Trump’s promise of a return to a hard-headed realpolitik and could quickly show whether America is truly abandoning promotion of democracy and the rule of law in a way that could reshape much of the region’s post-Cold War, post-9/11 order.
Obama’s final message: ‘We’re going to be OK,’ U.S. president says in last news conference
In the final minutes of his final presidential news conference, Barack Obama insisted he’s not just tossing out reassuring platitudes about the nation’s future. “This is not just a matter of no-drama Obama,” he said.
Barack and the press sniff each other’s asses
WTF was that nonsense today? The press fawns over Barack. Yet again. He tells them that it’s their duty to be skeptical and then lies that they were skeptical of him and his claims.