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

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

New Zealand suspends funding to UNRWA

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the allegations against UNRWA are "incredibly serious" and his country will suspend funding.

New Zealand suspends funding to UNRWA

Blinken:

Blinken: UNRWA needs to address allegations against it

Secretary of State calls on UN agency for “Palestinian refugees” to address allegations its staff were involved in October 7 attack.

Blinken: UNRWA needs to address allegations against it

Blinken:

Blinken: There is real hope for a hostage release deal

US Secretary of State says "important, productive work has been done" on a deal to free the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Blinken: There is real hope for a hostage release deal

After protests:

German far-right party suffers electoral defeat after protests against it

AfD party suffers a narrow electoral defeat after huge protests against the party over revelations of debates about mass expulsions of immigrants.

German far-right party suffers electoral defeat after protests against it

Iran seizes oil tanker, detains 14 crew members

Iran claims the foreign oil tanker was transporting “smuggled fuel”, says crew on board was "of Asian origin".

Iran seizes oil tanker, detains 14 crew members

'Extremely concerned'

'Extremely concerned': Japan becomes latest country to pause funding to UNRWA

Japan says it is extremely concerned about alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in October 7 attack on Israel.

'Extremely concerned': Japan becomes latest country to pause funding to UNRWA

Kuwait foils plan to attack Shiite places of worship

Kuwait's interior ministry says three people were arrested over plan by a terrorist cell to attack Shiite Muslim places of worship.

Kuwait foils plan to attack Shiite places of worship

State Department:

State Department: Qatar is an integral, irreplaceable, key regional partner

US State Department responds to Netanyahu’s comments criticizing Qatar’s role as “problematic.”

State Department: Qatar is an integral, irreplaceable, key regional partner

Report:

Report: US secretly alerted Iran ahead of ISIS attack

Wall Street Journal reports that the US secretly warned Iran about ISIS' plan to carry out the terrorist attack in Kerman early this month.

Report: US secretly alerted Iran ahead of ISIS attack

Iran:

Iran: 'Moderate' ex-President Rouhani banned from running for elite assembly

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani banned from running in election for the body which appoints and can dismiss the supreme leader.

Iran: 'Moderate' ex-President Rouhani banned from running for elite assembly

North Korea tests strategic cruise missile

North Korea claims the test-firing had no impact on the security of neighboring countries.

North Korea tests strategic cruise missile

Yemen:

US army destroys two Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen

In latest strike against Iranian-backed rebels, US army destroys two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were ready to be launched.

US army destroys two Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen

Push for Gaza ceasefire

British Foreign Secretary to visit Israel, push for Gaza ceasefire

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron expected to advocate for a pathway out of the war during visit to Israel on Wednesday.

British Foreign Secretary to visit Israel, push for Gaza ceasefire

Houthi leader:

Houthi leader: US and British strikes will only make the Yemeni people stronger

Houthi leader unfazed by US and Britain's strikes: The American and British must understand that our people do not know how to surrender.

Houthi leader: US and British strikes will only make the Yemeni people stronger

US Navy commander:

US Navy commander: Iran very directly involved in Houthi attacks on ships

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, says Iran is clearly funding and supporting Houthi attacks.

US Navy commander: Iran very directly involved in Houthi attacks on ships

“Operation Poseidon Archer”

“Operation Poseidon Archer” underway: US and Britain strike Houthi targets in Yemen

US and Britain strike eight Houthi targets in Yemen as the US names the ongoing operation to target Houthi assets in Yemen “Operation Poseidon Archer”.

“Operation Poseidon Archer” underway: US and Britain strike Houthi targets in Yemen

UK Defense Secretary:

UK Defense Secretary: No other option than a Palestinian state

Britain’s Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, says Netanyahu's comments rejecting the prospect of a Palestinian state were "disappointing".

UK Defense Secretary: No other option than a Palestinian state

Iran:

Iran: Soldier opens fire on fellow soldiers, killing 5

The attack took place in Kerman, where 94 people were killed in an ISIS attack earlier this month.

Iran: Soldier opens fire on fellow soldiers, killing 5

UN chief at it again:

UN chief at it again: Killings of Gazans are heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizes Israel again, calls for “immediate humanitarian ceasefire to relieve the suffering in Gaza".

UN chief at it again: Killings of Gazans are heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable

IAEA chief:

IAEA chief: Iran is barely cooperating with us

Rafael Grossi says the International Atomic Energy Agency feels it is being held "hostage" to Iran's disputes with Western countries.

IAEA chief: Iran is barely cooperating with us

Mexico and Chile to ICC:

Mexico and Chile ask ICC to investigate possible crimes in PA territories

Without directly mentioning Israel, Mexico and Chile ask International Criminal Court to investigate whether crimes have been committed in Palestinian Arab territories.

Mexico and Chile ask ICC to investigate possible crimes in PA territories

Over campus antisemitism:

Complaint filed against American University over antisemitism on campus

American University hit with federal complaint over allegations of a "rampant and pervasive" antisemitic environment on campus.

Complaint filed against American University over antisemitism on campus