7 d. ago Trump says he ‘will not allow’ Israel to annex West Bank after lobbying from allies

British officials said they feared Trump would recognise Israeli control over the West Bank in retaliation for the UK, Australia, France and other recognising PalestineDonald Trump has said he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting calls from some far-right politicians in Israel who want to extend sovereignty over the area and snuff out hopes for a Palestinian state.“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago British officials fear Trump could recognise Israeli West Bank settlements

Government insiders say move would be a serious blow to prospect of a two-state solutionMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritish officials fear Donald Trump could recognise Israeli control over illegal settlements on the West Bank in retaliation for the UK, France and others deciding to recognise Palestine.Government insiders believe the US president is considering granting official recognition to the Israeli communities there, which would be a serious blow to achieving a two-state solution. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago UK warns Israel not to retaliate in response to Palestine recognition

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says Israel ‘must not’ expand settlements in the West Bank in retaliation at Palestine state recognition

Events

1 week ago UK, Canada and Australia recognise Palestine as an independent state

Move comes as Israel intensifies military action in Gaza and expansion of settlements in occupied West Bank

Politics

2 w. ago Rubio in Israel for talks to limit diplomatic damage over Qatar strikes

US secretary of state says Trump ‘not happy’ about Israeli attack that targeted Hamas officials in Doha for Gaza talksThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has held talks in Israel with Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at limiting the diplomatic damage to both countries by Israel’s attempt to assassinate Hamas leaders in Qatar, its continued demolition of Gaza, and the accelerated expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.The Israeli prime minister took Rubio on a tour of the Western Wall, where both men placed written prayers between the stones, before taking his American visitor underground to view archeological excavations. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Rubio arrives in Israel amid tensions over strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar

US secretary of state says Trump ‘not happy’ about Israeli attack that targeted Hamas officials in Doha for Gaza talksThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has arrived in Israel seeking to mend a rift with Washington’s other allies in the region over Israel’s attempted assassination of Hamas leaders in Qatar and the accelerated expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank.In talks with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio will try to balance criticism of the Israeli airstrike on a Doha building, which killed aides to a Hamas leader and a Qatari security officer, with a message of overall support for Israel before the expected formal recognition of Palestine by a number of other US allies, including the UK, France, Canada, Australia and Belgium. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ursula von der Leyen calls for suspension of EU trade with Israel

Commission president cites illegal West Bank settlement plans, Gaza and attempts to ‘undermine two-state solution’The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for a suspension of trade with Israel, as she spoke of Europe’s “painful” inability to respond to the war on Gaza and ensuring humanitarian disaster.In her most extended condemnation yet of the Israeli government, von der Leyen criticised plans for illegal settlements that would split the occupied West Bank in half, as well as incitement of violence by extremist Israeli ministers, as a “clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ursula von der Leyen calls for suspension of EU free trade with Israel

Commission president cites illegal West Bank settlement plans, Gaza and attempts to ‘undermine two-state solution’The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for a suspension of free trade with Israel, as she spoke of Europe’s “painful” inability to respond to the war on Gaza and ensuing humanitarian disaster.In her most extended condemnation yet of the Israeli government, von der Leyen criticised plans for illegal settlements that would split the occupied West Bank in half, as well as incitement of violence by extremist Israeli ministers, as a “clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution”. Continue reading...

Politics