Elad Benari

Elad Benari

News writer based in North America

Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.

News by Elad Benari

Iranian FM mocks Trump:

Iranian FM mocks Trump: Instead of relocating Gazans, take Israelis to Greenland

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi ridicules Trump over his suggestion to relocate Palestinian Arabs from Gaza to countries such as Egypt and Jordan: Instead of Palestinians, take Israelis to Greenland so they can kill two birds with one stone.

Iranian FM mocks Trump: Instead of relocating Gazans, take Israelis to Greenland

Senate Democrats block ICC sanctions bill

Senate Democrats vote against Republican-led bill aimed at sanctioning officials from the International Criminal Court in response to arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.

Senate Democrats block ICC sanctions bill

Columbia University:

Columbia University identifies two individuals who stormed Israeli professor's class

Columbia University says it identified two individuals from an “affiliated institution” who took part in disruption of course on the history of modern Israel last week. The students have been barred from entering the campus and referred to their “home institution for further investigation and discipline.”

Columbia University identifies two individuals who stormed Israeli professor's class

Trump doubles down

Trump doubles down: I wish Sisi would take in some residents of Gaza

US President says he spoke to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi about his relocation plan: I wish he would take some. We helped them a lot, and I'm sure he'd help us.

Trump doubles down: I wish Sisi would take in some residents of Gaza

Saudi official:

Saudi official: There will be no normalization without a Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK: We are happy to engage in processes with anyone, but we do have some red lines, and for us to end the last 75 years of pain and suffering caused by one problem has to include a Palestinian state.

Saudi official: There will be no normalization without a Palestinian state

Albanian PM:

Albanian PM: We're taking in 10,000 Gazans? Fake news

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama rejects Channel 12 report saying Trump is in talks with his country about the possibility of taking in as many as 100,000 Gazan civilians: “I haven’t heard something so fake in quite some time."

Albanian PM: We're taking in 10,000 Gazans? Fake news

Egypt rejects Trump idea to relocate Gazans

Egypt rejects idea floated by Trump regarding the evacuation of Gaza’s population to Egypt and Jordan, reiterates "continued support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land."

Egypt rejects Trump idea to relocate Gazans

France to allow Israeli companies at Paris air show

Netanyahu and Macron confirm French President will allow Israeli companies to attend this year's Paris air show, after banning Israel from Euronaval show late last year.

France to allow Israeli companies at Paris air show

'Sorry to ruin your weekend'

Israeli singer Aviv Geffen takes shot at Roger Waters: Sorry to ruin your weekend

Israeli singer-songwriter Aviv Geffen tags known anti-Israel musician Pink Floyd in a post on Instagram following the release of four female soldiers from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Israeli singer Aviv Geffen takes shot at Roger Waters: Sorry to ruin your weekend

Sa'ar: What a despicable person

Irish President appears to draw line between Holocaust and Gaza, Sa'ar fires back

Irish President Michael Higgins takes advantage of International Holocaust Remembrance Day speech to criticize Israel. Foreign Minister GIdeon Sa'ar: What a despicable person. What a distorted policy.

Irish President appears to draw line between Holocaust and Gaza, Sa'ar fires back

Trump:

Trump: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon

US President stresses in interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, suggests a deal with the Iranians can be reached: I want them to have a great country. They have great potential.

Trump: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon

Hamas executes alleged 'collaborators' with Israel

Video posted to Telegram and which cannot be independently verified reportedly shows Hamas terrorists executing several individuals accused of being “collaborators” with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas executes alleged 'collaborators' with Israel

Columbia University:

Columbia University: Student suspended over protest at Israeli history class

Columbia University suspends student following a disruption earlier this week during a class on Israeli history, in which protesters distributed flyers with “violent imagery”.

Columbia University: Student suspended over protest at Israeli history class

Houthis condemn US decision to reclassify them as terrorist organization

Houthi rebels claim the US decision to reclassify them as a Foreign Terrorist Organization is an attempt to "demonstrate bias towards Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict."

Houthis condemn US decision to reclassify them as terrorist organization

IAEA chief:

IAEA chief: Iran ‘pressing the gas’ on uranium enrichment

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi says Iran is significantly ramping up its uranium enrichment efforts, approaching levels close to weapons-grade.

IAEA chief: Iran ‘pressing the gas’ on uranium enrichment

Iranian VP claims:

Iranian VP claims: We did not know about October 7

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif claims his country had no advance knowledge of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel: Tehran's allies in the region, including Hamas, have always worked for their own cause, even at our expense.

Iranian VP claims: We did not know about October 7

Rubio to Netanyahu:

Rubio to Netanyahu: We'll work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages

US Secretary of State speaks to Prime Minister Netanyahu, underscores US steadfast support for Israel and says he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran.

Rubio to Netanyahu: We'll work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages

Turkish official:

Turkish official: We may resume trade with Israel if lasting peace is achieved

Turkey cut off trade ties with Israel last year in response to its conflict against Hamas in Gaza. Relations between the two countries have been strained as President Erdogan has continued to lash out at Israel.

Turkish official: We may resume trade with Israel if lasting peace is achieved

Australian police:

Australian police: Foreign entities may be funding antisemitic crimes

Australia's federal police investigating potential links between "overseas actors or individuals" and a recent surge in antisemitic crimes across the country.

Australian police: Foreign entities may be funding antisemitic crimes

Trump:

Trump: We're thinking about going to the Middle East, but not yet

US President says Biden's "weakness" allowed the October 7 massacre to happen. "Six months ago, you would have had 11 more living hostages. But Biden couldn't get it done."

Trump: We're thinking about going to the Middle East, but not yet

UN-backed Yemeni government:

UN-backed Yemeni government: Strike the Houthis while Iran is weak

Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, vice president of Yemen’s UN-backed government, calls on the West to act decisively to target the Houthi leadership while Iran is politically weakened: They have one remaining domain and that is Yemen. Now is the time to counter the Houthis.

UN-backed Yemeni government: Strike the Houthis while Iran is weak

Trump gives TikTok 75-day reprieve

Trump signs executive order aimed at postponing the enforcement of a ban on TikTok by 75 days.

Trump gives TikTok 75-day reprieve

Sydney, Australia:

Sydney, Australia daycare center torched, antisemitic graffiti scrawled on wall

Children’s daycare center in eastern suburbs of Sydney torched and the words “f--- the Jews” found scrawled on a nearby wall. Daycare center not affiliated with the Jewish community, but is located near a synagogue and Jewish school.

Sydney, Australia daycare center torched, antisemitic graffiti scrawled on wall

Houthi leader:

Houthi leader: We will respond to any foolish act committed against Yemen

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, senior leader of the Houthi rebels, says the rebels will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and will prepare for future rounds of fighting against Israel.

Houthi leader: We will respond to any foolish act committed against Yemen

Trump:

Trump: Hostage deal a first step toward lasting Middle East peace

US President-elect comments on hostage deal at rally in Washington, DC: This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November.

Trump: Hostage deal a first step toward lasting Middle East peace

Trump's Middle East envoy:

Trump's Middle East envoy: The hostage deal doesn't happen without Trump

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, speaks at victory rally for Trump, ahead of his inauguration: The President was responsible for this release, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all the families.

Trump's Middle East envoy: The hostage deal doesn't happen without Trump

Antisemitism in Australia:

Antisemitism in Australia: Sydney home previously owned by Jewish leader vandalized

Home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, previously owned by co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, vandalized in the latest antisemitic attack in the country.

Antisemitism in Australia: Sydney home previously owned by Jewish leader vandalized

Khamenei hails ceasefire deal as 'defeat' for Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attributes ceasefire and hostage release deal to "the patience of the people and the steadfastness of Palestinian resistance".

Khamenei hails ceasefire deal as 'defeat' for Israel

Trump:

Trump: Hostage deal better be done before I take the oath of office

US President-elect stresses urgency of finalizing the ceasefire and hostage release agreement before his inauguration on Monday: It better be done.

Trump: Hostage deal better be done before I take the oath of office

During military drills:

Iranian military introduces sophisticated reconnaissance ship during military drills

Iranian media claims the ship, named Zagros, is outfitted with "electronic sensors," interceptors, and additional cyber and intelligence capabilities.

Iranian military introduces sophisticated reconnaissance ship during military drills

Marco Rubio:

Marco Rubio: We will overturn sanctions on residents of Judea and Samaria

Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, says during confirmation hearing that the incoming administration will end the sanctions on Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria: I’m confident Trump’s administration will continue to be perhaps the most pro-Israel administration in American history.

Marco Rubio: We will overturn sanctions on residents of Judea and Samaria

Iranian FM:

Iranian FM: European powers committed to reviving nuclear negotiations

After talks in Geneva with Britain, France and Germany, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says the three appear committed to reviving nuclear negotiations: We felt the seriousness.

Iranian FM: European powers committed to reviving nuclear negotiations

ICC prosecutor to court:

ICC prosecutor to court: Reject Israel's move to dismiss arrest warrants

Chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, urges judges to dismiss Israel’s appeal challenging the court's jurisdiction, in wake of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.

ICC prosecutor to court: Reject Israel's move to dismiss arrest warrants

Iranian President insists:

Iranian President insists: We never planned to assassinate Trump

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denies in interview with NBC News that his country planned to assassinate Trump: Another one of those schemes that Israel and other countries are designing to promote Iranophobia.

Iranian President insists: We never planned to assassinate Trump

Antisemitism in Canada:

Antisemitism in Canada: Toronto-area kosher restaurant location and office broken into

Police in Toronto and in York Region investigating two incidents of graffiti, vandalism, and a break-in against a kosher restaurant and caterer.

Antisemitism in Canada: Toronto-area kosher restaurant location and office broken into

UN rapporteur suggests connection between LA fires and Gaza

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur who has become notorious for her anti-Israel rhetoric, sparks controversy after appearing to draw a connection between the Los Angeles wildfires and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

UN rapporteur suggests connection between LA fires and Gaza

Trump on hostage deal:

Trump on hostage deal: If they don't get it done, there's going to be a lot of trouble

US President-elect speaks to Newsmax on the talks for a hostage release deal: I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished. It has to take place.

Trump on hostage deal: If they don't get it done, there's going to be a lot of trouble

Cuba joins South Africa's ICJ case against Israel

Cuba becomes the latest country to declare its intention to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Cuba joins South Africa's ICJ case against Israel

Libya’s former foreign minister:

Libya’s former foreign minister: 2023 meeting with Israeli minister was not wrong

Libya’s former foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, says her 2023 meeting with then-Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was coordinated with the Libyan government.

Libya’s former foreign minister: 2023 meeting with Israeli minister was not wrong

JD Vance:

JD Vance: Progress in hostage deal talks driven by Trump’s 'hell to pay' warning

US Vice President-elect sheds light on Trump’s warning that “all hell will break loose” if hostages aren't freed by January 20: It means enabling the Israelis to knock out the final couple of battalions of Hamas and their leadership.

JD Vance: Progress in hostage deal talks driven by Trump’s 'hell to pay' warning