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

Japan to restore funding to UNRWA

Japan to lift suspension of funding to UN “Palestinian refugees” agency, which was cut after Israel said that 12 UNRWA staff had taken part in Hamas’ October 7 attack.

Japan to restore funding to UNRWA

PA seeking UN vote on full membership

Palestinian Authority envoy says he is seeking a Security Council vote on April 18 to make PA a full member of the world body.

PA seeking UN vote on full membership

Jordan makes 10 airdrops of humanitarian relief into Gaza

Jordan's army says the move is part of Jordan's keenness to help Gazans overcome the difficult conditions during the holy month of Ramadan.

Jordan makes 10 airdrops of humanitarian relief into Gaza

Hamas accuses PA of sending security men to Gaza

Hamas accuses its PA rivals of sending security officers into northern Gaza under cover of securing aid trucks. PA denies.

Hamas accuses PA of sending security men to Gaza

US destroys Houthi aerial systems in Yemen

CENTCOM says the unmanned aerial systems presented a threat to US and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region.

US destroys Houthi aerial systems in Yemen

ISIS praises Russia attack, calls for fight against Israel

ISIS spokesperson urges the group’s supporters to target “crusaders” everywhere, especially in the United States, Europe and Israel.

ISIS praises Russia attack, calls for fight against Israel

Reports in Syria:

Reports in Syria: 36 Syrian military personnel killed in Israeli strike

Syrian media report that Israel carried out an air strike targeting the Aleppo airport. 36 members of Assad's army and five Hezbollah members reportedly killed.

Reports in Syria: 36 Syrian military personnel killed in Israeli strike

New York:

New York: Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Biden fundraiser

Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters descend on Radio City Music Hall ahead of Biden’s campaign fundraiser, calling “Genocide Joe has got to go!” among other things.

New York: Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Biden fundraiser

Under certain conditions:

France to resume funding to UNRWA under certain conditions

France announces it will provide over 30 million euros to UNRWA while ensuring the agency fulfills its mission "in a spirit devoid of incitement to hatred and violence".

France to resume funding to UNRWA under certain conditions

Foreign Ministry on ICJ ruling:

Foreign Ministry on ICJ ruling: Israel places no limitations on the aid which enters Gaza

Israel’s Foreign Ministry responds to ICJ decision ordering Israel to allow unlimited aid into Gaza: South Africa has failed yet again in its cynical attempts to exploit the ICJ.

Foreign Ministry on ICJ ruling: Israel places no limitations on the aid which enters Gaza

Senator Graham:

Senator Graham: UNRWA is dead to the United States

South Carolina Senator says the US has no intention to resume funding to UNRWA: Somebody needs to pull the Palestinian school system up by its roots and destroy it.

Senator Graham: UNRWA is dead to the United States

'Enough is enough'

Ireland to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel: Enough is enough

Irish Foreign Minister says Hamas' October 7 attack and what is happening in Gaza now "represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale."

Ireland to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel: Enough is enough

Rutgers added to House probe of campus antisemitism

House Education Committee says it has sent a letter to Rutgers University requesting information regarding its handling of antisemitism on campus.

Rutgers added to House probe of campus antisemitism

UNRWA chief:

UNRWA chief: We have enough funds to operate through May

After warning that the UN agency would not be able to survive through March, UNRWA chief says the organization now has enough funds to keep operating until at least the end of May.

UNRWA chief: We have enough funds to operate through May

Jordan:

Jordan: Protesters arrested while trying to march towards Israeli embassy

Jordanian anti-riot police beat and arrest dozens of demonstrators who tried to storm the Israeli embassy in Amman.

Jordan: Protesters arrested while trying to march towards Israeli embassy

US stresses:

US stresses: We will continue airdrops of aid to Gaza

US National Security Council says airdrops of aid to Gaza will continue, despite pleas from Hamas to stop the practice.

US stresses: We will continue airdrops of aid to Gaza

Colombian President threatens to cut ties with Israel

President Gustavo Petro, who has repeatedly criticized Israel's war against Hamas, threatens to break off diplomatic ties if Israel fails to comply with UN Security Council resolution calling for immediate ceasefire.

Colombian President threatens to cut ties with Israel

Austin to Gallant:

Austin to Gallant: No to Rafah operation without plan that ensures safety of civilians

Pentagon Press Secretary summarizes meeting between Austin and Gallant: The Secretary stressed that the United States and Israel have a moral imperative and a shared strategic interest in safeguarding civilians.

Austin to Gallant: No to Rafah operation without plan that ensures safety of civilians

Israel's Foreign Ministry:

Israel's Foreign Ministry: Recognition of Palestinian state is a reward to terrorism

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticizes plan by Ireland, Malta, Slovenia and Spain to recognize a Palestinian state, as the four countries announced last week.

Israel's Foreign Ministry: Recognition of Palestinian state is a reward to terrorism

UN rapporteur at it again:

UN rapporteur at it again: Israel committed genocide in Gaza

UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese claims Israel violated three of the five acts listed under the UN Genocide Convention. US official: No reason to believe Israel committed acts of genocide in Gaza.

UN rapporteur at it again: Israel committed genocide in Gaza

UN chief:

UN chief: Resolution on Gaza ceasefire must be implemented

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for immediate implementation of UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza: Failure would be unforgivable.

UN chief: Resolution on Gaza ceasefire must be implemented

Blinken to Gallant:

Blinken to Gallant: Alternatives exist to a ground invasion of Rafah

US Secretary of State meets Defense Minister Gallant, reiterates US opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah.

Blinken to Gallant: Alternatives exist to a ground invasion of Rafah

Former UNRWA official:

Former UNRWA official: Haniyeh was a teacher in one of our schools

Former UNRWA official acknowledges that Hamas leader was a teacher in UNRWA school, claims Western countries "corrupted" the UNRWA curricula.

Former UNRWA official: Haniyeh was a teacher in one of our schools

'This is collective punishment'

AOC defends accusing Israel of genocide: This is collective punishment

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claims the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has “crossed the threshold of intent.”

AOC defends accusing Israel of genocide: This is collective punishment

US Army and Jordanian Air Force airdrop aid into Gaza

CENTCOM says the latest airdrop included 13,080 meal equivalents.

US Army and Jordanian Air Force airdrop aid into Gaza

Following Moscow attack:

France raises terror alert to highest level in wake of Moscow attack

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal says the decision was made in light of ISIS claiming responsibility for the Moscow attack and "the threats weighing on our country".

France raises terror alert to highest level in wake of Moscow attack

Rep. Tlaib charges:

Rep. Tlaib charges: Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war

Rep. Rashida Tlaib continues to level accusations at Israel amid the war against Hamas.

Rep. Tlaib charges: Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war

Blinken:

Blinken: Good progress has been made on Israel-Saudi normalization

US Secretary of State says the United States and Saudi Arabia have made "good progress" in talks on normalizing ties between the kingdom and Israel.

Blinken: Good progress has been made on Israel-Saudi normalization

Schumer hints:

Schumer hints he's not opposed to Netanyahu speaking to Congress

Senate Majority Leader comments on House Speaker's intent to invite Netanyahu for a speech: I will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way.

Schumer hints he's not opposed to Netanyahu speaking to Congress

US to submit draft UNSC resolution on Gaza

US says the new resolution will urge "an immediate ceasefire" in Gaza linked to the release of the hostages held by Hamas.

US to submit draft UNSC resolution on Gaza

Saudi Arabia announces funding for UNRWA

Saudi Arabia says it will provide $40 million in funding to UNRWA that will provide food and tents.

Saudi Arabia announces funding for UNRWA

John Kirby:

John Kirby: Netanyahu can decide for himself who he wants to talk to

US National Security Council spokesman comments on Netanyahu's decision to speak to Senate Republicans via video: Support for Israel has been a long-standing bipartisan issue in this country.

John Kirby: Netanyahu can decide for himself who he wants to talk to

Netanyahu as vampire

Canadian newspaper publishes antisemitic cartoon depicting Netanyahu as a vampire

Quebec-based newspaper La Presse criticized for publishing caricature of Netanyahu as the vampire in the movie Nosferatu.

Canadian newspaper publishes antisemitic cartoon depicting Netanyahu as a vampire

Congress address?

House Speaker considering inviting Netanyahu to address Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he is considering inviting Netanyahu to address Congress: It's very important for us to show solidarity and support for Israel right now.

House Speaker considering inviting Netanyahu to address Congress

UN review of UNRWA:

UN review of UNRWA: Critical areas still need to be addressed

UN independent review group says UNRWA is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality, but has also identified critical areas that still need to be addressed.

UN review of UNRWA: Critical areas still need to be addressed

Netanyahu to Republicans:

Netanyahu to Republicans: Israel will continue its efforts to defeat Hamas

Republican Senators who attended Netanyahu's address at their policy lunch say the PM stressed he is going to finish the job in Gaza.

Netanyahu to Republicans: Israel will continue its efforts to defeat Hamas

Planned attack in Sweden

Germany arrests two suspected ISIS members who allegedly planned attack in Sweden

Germany arrests two Afghan nationals for allegedly planning attack on the Swedish parliament in retaliation for Quran burnings which caused an uproar.

Germany arrests two suspected ISIS members who allegedly planned attack in Sweden

South African FM at it again:

South African FM at it again: Israel setting precedent to defy ICJ

South Africa’s Foreign Minister accuses Israel of defying ICJ interim ruling that it should take action to prevent acts of genocide as it fights Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

South African FM at it again: Israel setting precedent to defy ICJ

Report:

Report: US Congress deal bars funds to UNRWA until 2025

Sources say an agreement reached by US congressional leaders and the White House will continue a ban on US funding for UNRWA until March 2025.

Report: US Congress deal bars funds to UNRWA until 2025

Pentagon official:

Pentagon official: US Defense Secretary will host Gallant next week

Pentagon official says Secretary Lloyd Austin will host Defense Minister Yoav Gallant next week for a bilateral meeting at the US Defense Department.

Pentagon official: US Defense Secretary will host Gallant next week