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

IAEA chief:

IAEA chief: Iran is not entirely transparent on its nuclear program

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi warns about Iran after senior official says the country has all it needs to build a weapon.

IAEA chief: Iran is not entirely transparent on its nuclear program

UK Labour leader:

UK Labour leader: Labour has changed on antisemitism

Keir Starmer comments on removal of candidate who made anti-Israel statements: When I say the Labour Party has changed under my leadership, I mean it.

UK Labour leader: Labour has changed on antisemitism

'Unacceptable and antisemitic'

US envoy blasts UN rapporteur's anti-Israel comment: Unacceptable and antisemitic

US Permanent Representative to the UNHRC responds to UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese who denied that the October 7 Hamas massacre was antisemitic.

US envoy blasts UN rapporteur's anti-Israel comment: Unacceptable and antisemitic

Irish PM on the attack:

Irish PM on the attack: Israel has become blinded by rage

Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar launches tirade against Israel over planned Rafah operation: They're not listening to any country in the world.

Irish PM on the attack: Israel has become blinded by rage

US officials:

US officials: Talks in Cairo were productive, but no breakthrough was reached

US official tells CNN the outstanding area of disagreement in hostage deal talks is the ratio of prisoners to hostages that would be released.

US officials: Talks in Cairo were productive, but no breakthrough was reached

Toronto:

Police investigating anti-Israel protest outside Toronto hospital

Toronto Police investigating after pro-Palestinian Arab protesters gathered outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and chanted in support of Hamas.

Police investigating anti-Israel protest outside Toronto hospital

Columbia University added to House Committee's antisemitism probe

Congressional committee probing campus antisemitism expands its investigation to include Columbia University.

Columbia University added to House Committee's antisemitism probe

EU top diplomat suggests:

EU top diplomat suggests: Limit arms exports to Israel over Gaza deaths

Josep Borrell cites Biden's comments on Israeli response in Gaza, urges Israel's allies to stop sending it weapons.

EU top diplomat suggests: Limit arms exports to Israel over Gaza deaths

New York:

New York: Anti-Israel protesters arrested after blocking rush hour traffic

Multiple anti-Israel protesters arrested after using cars to halt traffic at the Brooklyn Bridge and two major tunnels during rush hour.

New York: Anti-Israel protesters arrested after blocking rush hour traffic

After anti-Israel rant:

UK Labour Party withdraws support for candidate following anti-Israel rant

Labour Party withdraws support for candidate Azhar Ali after he suggested Israel relaxed its security in run up to the October 7 attack by Hamas to provide grounds to invade Gaza.

UK Labour Party withdraws support for candidate following anti-Israel rant

Biden:

Biden: US working on Gaza truce of at least six weeks

US President says the key elements of a hostage release deal are on the table: Gaps remain, but I’ve encouraged Israeli leaders to keep working to achieve the deal.

Biden: US working on Gaza truce of at least six weeks

North Korea develops new ballistic control system

North Korea says it successfully developed a new ballistic control system for a multiple rocket launcher along with controllable shells.

North Korea develops new ballistic control system

US official:

US official: Framework in place for hostage deal, but gaps remain

Following Biden-Netanyahu conversation, senior administration official says Biden is determined to bring about a hostage release deal.

US official: Framework in place for hostage deal, but gaps remain

One month later:

One month later: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hospitalized again

Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized "for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue", one month after he was hospitalized for cancer treatment.

One month later: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hospitalized again

Nicaragua seeks to join South Africa's ICJ case against Israel

Nicaragua files an application with International Court of Justice to join South Africa in its genocide case against Israel.

Nicaragua seeks to join South Africa's ICJ case against Israel

Erdan to UN chief:

Erdan to UN chief: You should be leading a campaign not to ensure Hamas’ survival

Israeli Ambassador responds after US Secretary-General warns against Israeli operation in Rafah: A ceasefire means keeping the genocidal Hamas terrorists in power.

Erdan to UN chief: You should be leading a campaign not to ensure Hamas’ survival

Biden:

Biden: Israel’s response in Gaza is over the top

Biden tells reporters he is working to bring about a lasting pause in the fighting in Gaza: Lots of innocent people are in trouble and dying. And it's got to stop.

Biden: Israel’s response in Gaza is over the top

Blinken:

Blinken: A pathway to a Palestinian state is needed for Israeli-Saudi ties

Secretary of State says Saudi Arabia is still willing to normalize ties with Israel, but is demanding that a path be found for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Blinken: A pathway to a Palestinian state is needed for Israeli-Saudi ties

Surge in antisemitism continues

Surge in antisemitism continues NYPD reports 31 antisemitic crimes in January

Since the start of October, there have been 193 antisemitic incidents in New York City.

Surge in antisemitism continues NYPD reports 31 antisemitic crimes in January

US official:

US official: Elimination of terrorist leader in Iraq is just the beginning

Senior administration official says there is more to come in response to the deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan.

US official: Elimination of terrorist leader in Iraq is just the beginning

Putin:

Putin: Russia is working to free hostages held by Hamas

Russian President meets leaders of local Jewish community, says Moscow achieved "specific results" in efforts to free hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Putin: Russia is working to free hostages held by Hamas

The attacks continue:

The attacks continue: Houthis fire six ballistic missiles in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Houthi leader warns that the group will further escalate if the Israeli attack on Gaza does not stop.

The attacks continue: Houthis fire six ballistic missiles in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Saudi Arabia clarifies:

Saudi Arabia clarifies: No normalization with Israel without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry clarifies its position after White House says that Saudi Arabia and Israel are willing to continue to have normalization discussions.

Saudi Arabia clarifies: No normalization with Israel without Palestinian state

Vote falls short

Vote falls short of two-thirds majority: House fails to pass standalone Israel aid bill

Democrats reject the measure, saying they want a vote on a broader measure that would also provide assistance to Ukraine and new money for border security.

Vote falls short of two-thirds majority: House fails to pass standalone Israel aid bill

Syria claims:

Syria claims: Israel carried out air strike in Homs area

Syrian media report explosions in the Homs area as a result of an air strike which was blamed on Israel.

Syria claims: Israel carried out air strike in Homs area

France:

France: We expect verifiable proof that hostages received medication

Medicine for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas entered the Gaza Strip last month, but there has been no indication that the hostages received it.

France: We expect verifiable proof that hostages received medication

State Department:

State Department: US will redirect UNRWA funds to other agencies

State Department says the Biden administration will redirect any funds for UNRWA to other aid agencies in Gaza if Congress passes legislation barring funding of UNRWA.

State Department: US will redirect UNRWA funds to other agencies

Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince discuss Gaza war

The US Secretary of State is on a trip to the Middle East which will include a stop in Israel.

Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince discuss Gaza war

EU foreign policy chief:

EU foreign policy chief: Cutting funds to UNRWA could be considered collective punishment

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warns against defunding UNRWA.

EU foreign policy chief: Cutting funds to UNRWA could be considered collective punishment

US national security adviser:

US national security adviser: We will take further action against pro-Iranian militias

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the US strikes over the weekend were "the beginning of our response" to drone attack which killed three US service members.

US national security adviser: We will take further action against pro-Iranian militias

Iran begins construction of four nuclear plants

Iran has begun construction on four more nuclear power plants in the country’s south, with expected total capacity of 5,000 megawatts.

Iran begins construction of four nuclear plants

Despite the allegations

Norwegian MP nominates UNRWA for Nobel Peace Prize despite allegations against it

Norwegian politician says he nominated UNRWA for the Nobel Peace Prize: Their work has been crucial for over 70 years.

Norwegian MP nominates UNRWA for Nobel Peace Prize despite allegations against it

UNRWA warns:

UNRWA warns: We will be forced to shut our operations by the end of February

UNRWA Commissioner-General says the agency will most likely be forced to shut down its operations if international funding does not resume.

UNRWA warns: We will be forced to shut our operations by the end of February

Algeria-drafted UN Security Council resolution calls for Gaza ceasefire

Algeria shared the draft with the 15-member council on Wednesday, but it is unclear when or if the resolution will be put to a vote.

Algeria-drafted UN Security Council resolution calls for Gaza ceasefire

Senior Israeli official:

Senior Israeli official: Chances of a hostage deal are no more than 50/50

Senior Israeli official urges caution on the prospects of a hostage release deal being reached with Hamas.

Senior Israeli official: Chances of a hostage deal are no more than 50/50

South Africa’s Foreign Minister:

South Africa’s Foreign Minister: All states are obliged to stop Israel's actions in Gaza

South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, calls on all states to stop funding and facilitating Israel's military actions in Gaza in wake of ICJ ruling.

South Africa’s Foreign Minister: All states are obliged to stop Israel's actions in Gaza

UN organizations warn:

UN organizations warn of 'catastrophic consequences' if UNRWA funding not restored

In joint statement, array of UN organizations urge key donor countries to resume funding for UNRWA.

UN organizations warn of 'catastrophic consequences' if UNRWA funding not restored

US officials:

US officials: UNRWA needs to make 'fundamental changes' before aid is restored

US Ambassador to the UN says US is seeking more detail from Israel about the allegations against UNRWA. State Department spokesperson: US needs to see accountability from UNRWA.

US officials: UNRWA needs to make 'fundamental changes' before aid is restored

UN aid coordinator:

UN aid coordinator: Nothing can replace UNRWA

UN's coordinator for Gaza aid, Sigrid Kaag, says nothing can "replace or substitute" UNRWA after several countries suspend funding.

UN aid coordinator: Nothing can replace UNRWA

European Commission demands:

European Commission demands review of all UNRWA staff

European Commission calls on UN agency for “Palestinian refugees” to investigate all its staff to ensure they were not involved in Hamas’ October 7 attack.

European Commission demands review of all UNRWA staff