JERUSALEM – Israel/Middle East Morning Brief
Senate majority leader-elect warns ICC to drop Israel arrest warrants or face sanctions
If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis. If Majority Leader Schumer does…
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 17, 2024
U.S. Senate Majority Leader-elect Senator John Thune, R-S.D., on Sunday threatened the International Criminal Court, or ICC, with sanctions unless it reverses its pursuit of arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis.”
Report: Hamas leaders leave NATO-allied Qatar, find safe haven in NATO member Turkey
BREAKING: Hamas leaders have left Qatar on their way to Turkey.
Channel 11 Israel pic.twitter.com/D8JEx3PPEm
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) November 17, 2024
Hamas’ senior leadership has relocated from Qatar’s capital Doha, to Turkey, Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster reported Sunday evening. The report cited unnamed Israeli sources as confirming the move, which was said to have taken place in “recent days.” Turkey has nixed the rumors suggesting the story is not true… which almost certainly means it is.
Despite ongoing war, Israel’s economy grew nearly 4% in Q3 2024
Israel’s Economy Booms Amid War: 3.8% Growth in Q3
Israel’s economy defied expectations in Q3, growing by 3.8% despite ongoing conflicts with Hamxs and Hezbollah.
The surge was fueled by an 8.6% increase in consumer spending, a 21.8% jump in fixed asset investments, and a 1.7%… pic.twitter.com/soLqLFAzuO
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 17, 2024
Israel’s economy unexpectedly received a boost in the July-September period as the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized 3.8 percent over the third quarter. Consumer spending, one of the main drivers of economic activity, increased 8.6% in the third quarter, and investment in fixed assets soared 21.8%, while exports of goods and services rose 5.2%. Meanwhile, government spending dropped 10.8%.
In historic first, IDF female combat soldiers operate against Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon
#BREAKING: For the first time in history, female Israeli soldiers have entered Lebanon to fight Hezbollah terrorists, @amirbohbot reports.
Since the war began, the IDF’s combat intel team has identified terrorists, built target lists, and guided precision strikes on Hezbollah. pic.twitter.com/udAgYvuGsm
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 18, 2024
For the first time in Israel’s military history, female combat soldiers entered Lebanon as part of an operational mission. Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin approved the deployment of a team from the combat intelligence battalion into southern Lebanon several weeks ago.
Families of American victims to sue Iran over Oct. 7 attack
Families of the American victims of the Oct. 7 massacre have sued Iran, accusing it of supporting the single deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, details Iran’s funding of Hamas and its embrace of other…
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 18, 2024
Families of American victims of the Oct. 7 massacre and those killed in the Israel-Hamas War are suing Iran for its part in supporting the deadly attack.
The lawsuit has been brought on behalf of 256 US families and dozens of individuals against not only the Islamic Republic of Iran but also against Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Report: Iran encourages Hezbollah to accept ceasefire deal
Lebanon (Hezbollah) reportedly ready for a ceasefire. This comes after reports that Iran has granted a green light to its proxy to stand down.
Amazing how positions can change after a solid shellacking. https://t.co/rVZWo7Pvak
— Jonathan Schanzer (@JSchanzer) November 17, 2024
Hezbollah submitted its response to the cease-fire proposal presented by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein Lebanon’s LBCI channel reported late on Sunday. Hochstein is due to arrive in Beirut as early as Tuesday and receive the official Lebanese position.
Amsterdam mayor denies coordinated violence against Jews, Israelis was a ‘pogrom’
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema:
“To say that what happened in Amsterdam was a pogrom? That’s Israeli propaganda.”
Is this a joke? What the hell? What was it then? pic.twitter.com/BTtzYjW3M5
— Vivid. (@VividProwess) November 18, 2024
Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema said she regretted describing the violent attacks against Israeli soccer fans in her city as a pogrom, adding the term was used as a way to discriminate against the local Moroccan-Muslim community. She was not asked how else she would describe Telegram messages and recorded footage exclaiming “Hunt the Jews.”
Amid regional tensions, Greece seeks $2 billion Iron Dome defense system from Israel
Greece Seeks €2 Billion “Iron Dome” Defense System from Israel Amid Regional Tensions https://t.co/jqebZ10w7J pic.twitter.com/KhUk9INJgN
— Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) November 14, 2024
Greece is negotiating with Israel to develop a 2 billion euro ($2.11 billion) anti-aircraft and missile defense system similar to Israel’s highly successful Iron Dome, according to Israeli and Greek officials.
Canada thwarts Iranian plot to assassinate former Jewish Canadian attorney general
No words. @IrwinCotler has been my mentor and guide through the world of human rights for 25 years. https://t.co/OzHBg74850
— Prof Gerald M Steinberg (@GeraldNGOM) November 18, 2024
According to reporting by the Globe and Mail, Canadian law-enforcement authorities recently foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate Irwin Cotler, a prominent human-rights advocate and outspoken critic of Tehran’s leadership. His daughter, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, is a former member of Israel’s Knesset.
Netanyahu aide jailed over security leaks put on suicide watch after noose found in cell
NETANYAHU AIDE JAILED FOR LEAKS PLACED ON SUICIDE WATCH
Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman for Netanyahu and a key suspect in the classified leaks investigation, has been placed under suicide watch after a noose was reportedly found in his cell.
Feldstein faces charges of… pic.twitter.com/ibEzdVFwG6
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 18, 2024
Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman and aide to Prime Minister Netanyahu and a central suspect in the Prime Minister’s Office leaks affair, has been put under suicide prevention watch in prison, the Prison Service and Hebrew media report. The identity of the inmate was not released, although Israeli media has surmised it is Feldstein.
