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

After Trump withholds funds

Columbia University slashes 180 jobs as Trump withholds $400m over campus protest response

Columbia University will cut nearly 180 staff positions following the Trump administration’s suspension of $400 million in federal funding.

Columbia University slashes 180 jobs as Trump withholds $400m over campus protest response

Former Eurovision artists demand Israel’s suspension ahead of this year’s contest

Dozens of past Eurovision participants urge organizers to ban Israel from the upcoming contest, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. European Broadcasting Union reaffirms its commitment to keeping the competition inclusive and non-political.

Former Eurovision artists demand Israel’s suspension ahead of this year’s contest

Senator Graham to Israel:

Senator Graham to Israel: Do what you have to do against the Houthis

US Senator Lindsey Graham urges Israelis to do what they have to do to protect their airspace, after Trump announced a halt in US strikes on the Houthis.

Senator Graham to Israel: Do what you have to do against the Houthis

Trump:

Trump: There are only 21 living hostages remaining in Gaza

President Trump tells reporters three hostages in Gaza have died, lowering the total number of living hostages to 21. Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Gal Hirsch clarifies: 59 hostages are being held by Hamas, 24 of them are listed as living hostages.

Trump: There are only 21 living hostages remaining in Gaza

Iranian FM to US:

Iranian FM to US: Avoid unrealistic positions in nuclear talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says an agreement with the US is fully within reach provided it avoids "unrealistic and illogical positions".

Iranian FM to US: Avoid unrealistic positions in nuclear talks

Jewish leaders welcome

Jewish leaders welcome denial of bail for Montreal synagogue firebombing suspect

B’nai Brith Canada praises a Quebec court’s decision to keep Montreal synagogue firebombing suspect Mohamed Ilyess Akodad in custody, calling it a vital stand against antisemitic violence.

Jewish leaders welcome denial of bail for Montreal synagogue firebombing suspect

Campus antisemitism dispute:

Trump administration blocks new federal grants to Harvard over campus antisemitism dispute

US Department of Education suspends new federal grants to Harvard University, citing alleged institutional failures.

Trump administration blocks new federal grants to Harvard over campus antisemitism dispute

BDS claims credit

BDS claims credit for cancellation of UK concerts by Israeli Dudu Tassa

Planned UK performances by Jonny Greenwood and Israeli artist Dudu Tassa canceled without explanation after drawing criticism from pro-boycott activists. BDS: The concerts would have whitewashed Israel’s genocide.

BDS claims credit for cancellation of UK concerts by Israeli Dudu Tassa

Trump on Iran:

Trump demands Iran abandon nuclear ambitions: Total dismantlement is the only option

President Donald Trump says Iran must fully dismantle its nuclear program, warning of global catastrophe if Tehran obtains a nuclear weapon.

Trump demands Iran abandon nuclear ambitions: Total dismantlement is the only option

Malta denies blocking Gaza-bound aid ship damaged in suspected drone strike

International NGO accuses Malta of obstructing a humanitarian ship en route to Gaza after it was allegedly hit by drones. Malta denies the claim, saying the vessel's crew refused official assistance.

Malta denies blocking Gaza-bound aid ship damaged in suspected drone strike

Through 2026:

George Washington University suspends Students for Justice in Palestine through 2026

George Washington University suspends Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) until May 2026 for hosting unauthorized events. The group faces a full slate of sanctions, including activity bans, probation, and mandated educational sessions.

George Washington University suspends Students for Justice in Palestine through 2026

UN Watch:

UN Watch challenges reappointment of anti-Israel UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

UN Watch’s Hillel Neuer says Francesca Albanese’s renewed UN mandate is “invalid,” citing violations of internal procedures and calling for sanctions.

UN Watch challenges reappointment of anti-Israel UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Amid tensions

US-Iran nuclear talks delayed amid tensions over sanctions

A planned fourth round of US-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Saturday postponed, with Iran citing US sanctions and approach as key factors.

US-Iran nuclear talks delayed amid tensions over sanctions

Urges others to follow suit

Netanyahu praises Hungary for exiting ICC, urges others to follow suit

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanks Hungary for quitting the ICC after it issued arrest warrants over alleged war crimes in Gaza, urges other nations to do the same in defense of justice and sovereignty.

Netanyahu praises Hungary for exiting ICC, urges others to follow suit

Hegseth warns Iran:

Hegseth warns Iran: You will pay the consequences for supporting the Houthis

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns Iran of consequences for backing Yemen's Houthis, as the US military intensifies its air campaign. Over 1,000 Houthi targets have been hit since mid-March.

Hegseth warns Iran: You will pay the consequences for supporting the Houthis

Turkey slams Israeli airstrikes in Syria, calls for dialogue and regional stability

Turkey calls on Israel to stop its airstrikes in Syria, warning they harm efforts at national unity and reconciliation.

Turkey slams Israeli airstrikes in Syria, calls for dialogue and regional stability

Trump hints no more grants to Harvard: They are not behaving well

US President hints at halting federal grants to Harvard, citing concerns over the university's handling of speech, hiring, and recent pro-Palestinian Arab protests.

Trump hints no more grants to Harvard: They are not behaving well

Pentagon:

Over 1,000 Houthi targets hit by US strikes in Yemen since March, Pentagon confirms

Pentagon reports that over 1,000 Houthi targets have been struck in Yemen since March 15, when the US Army began its latest offensive against the Iran-backed rebels.

Over 1,000 Houthi targets hit by US strikes in Yemen since March, Pentagon confirms

Calls for sweeping reform

Harvard task force uncovers widespread antisemitism, urges sweeping institutional reform

Harvard’s antisemitism task force reveals a pervasive climate of hostility toward Jewish and Israeli students, driven by politicized instruction and rising intolerance.

Harvard task force uncovers widespread antisemitism, urges sweeping institutional reform

UN chief urges action on two-state solution, warns of 'point of no return'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges world leaders to act decisively in support of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinian Arabs, warning it may soon become unachievable.

UN chief urges action on two-state solution, warns of 'point of no return'

US sanctions ships linked to fueling Houthi terrorism in Yemen

The US Treasury and State Departments announce sanctions against vessels supplying Houthis with fuel.

US sanctions ships linked to fueling Houthi terrorism in Yemen

Iran:

Iran: US strikes in Yemen are a 'war crime'

Iran condemns US strikes on Yemen that Houthi rebels claimed killed at least 68 people.

Iran: US strikes in Yemen are a 'war crime'

Iranian MP blames Israel for deadly Bandar Abbas Port explosion

Iranian MP accuses Israel of orchestrating the Bandar Abbas port blast that killed 40 and injured over 1,000, claims explosives were pre-planted.

Iranian MP blames Israel for deadly Bandar Abbas Port explosion

US Army says it has hit more than 800 Houthi targets in Yemen

Since March, US forces have struck over 800 Houthi targets in Yemen, killing hundreds of fighters and senior leaders, says CENTCOM.

US Army says it has hit more than 800 Houthi targets in Yemen

Trump optimistic on Iran deal: I think we're doing very well

President Trump voices hope for a US-Iran nuclear deal, saying talks are progressing well and a pact could happen soon.

Trump optimistic on Iran deal: I think we're doing very well

Trump blasts Harvard amid legal battle over federal funding freeze

US President intensifies his criticism of Harvard University, calling it a “Liberal mess” and “Anti-Semitic, Far Left Institution,” as the school challenges a federal funding freeze imposed by his administration.

Trump blasts Harvard amid legal battle over federal funding freeze

Paraguay expands terror designations to include full Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran's IRGC

Paraguay broadens its terror designations to include the full political and military wings of Hezbollah and Hamas, and adds Iran’s IRGC. The move draws praise from Israel and the US.

Paraguay expands terror designations to include full Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran's IRGC

Trump:

Trump: We’re going to expand the Abraham Accords

US President hints he could be a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize due to his role in the Abraham Accords, says he plans to expand them. On negotiations with Iran, Trump suggests progress toward a peaceful resolution.

Trump: We’re going to expand the Abraham Accords

Eurovision director dismisses calls to boycott Israel

Martin Green, head of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, firmly opposes calls to exclude Israel, emphasizing the apolitical nature of the event.

Eurovision director dismisses calls to boycott Israel

After antisemitic remarks

Cornell cancels performance of singer who made antisemitic remarks

Cornell University removes singer Kehlani from its Slope Day concert lineup following backlash over her antisemitic and anti-Israel comments.

Cornell cancels performance of singer who made antisemitic remarks

IAEA says Iran is open to restoring nuclear surveillance

IAEA to dispatch a technical team to Tehran to explore reinstating surveillance at Iranian nuclear sites, signaling cautious progress in nuclear oversight.

IAEA says Iran is open to restoring nuclear surveillance

Houthis claim downing of US drone, target two American aircraft carriers

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim responsibility for shooting down a US MQ-9 drone and launching attacks on two US aircraft carriers.

Houthis claim downing of US drone, target two American aircraft carriers

UN appoints UK envoy to review UNRWA

UN Secretary-General António Guterres tasks veteran diplomat Ian Martin with leading a strategic review of UNRWA’s operations.

UN appoints UK envoy to review UNRWA

Trump clarifies:

Trump clarifies: No role for Hamas in Gaza's future governance

US President firmly states that Hamas will not govern Gaza post-war, emphasizing US opposition to the group’s role.

Trump clarifies: No role for Hamas in Gaza's future governance

Iranian President:

Iranian President: We’re ready for deal if national interests are respected

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expresses conditional readiness to reach a deal with the US in ongoing indirect talks, emphasizing the safeguarding of Iran’s national interests.

Iranian President: We’re ready for deal if national interests are respected

Iran claims:

Iran claims: Israel trying to undermine the nuclear talks with the US

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman claims a coalition is forming to disrupt Iran's nuclear talks with the US and that Israel is behind the effort.

Iran claims: Israel trying to undermine the nuclear talks with the US

Harvard files lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s research funding freeze

Harvard University launches federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully halting billions in research funding to pressure the school into sweeping policy changes.

Harvard files lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s research funding freeze

Iran asserts commitment to US talks, urges sanctions relief

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reaffirms Tehran's commitment to indirect talks with the US, calls for the removal of sanctions while defending Iran’s right to enrich uranium.

Iran asserts commitment to US talks, urges sanctions relief

In move against Israel

Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas in defiant move against Israel

Turkey’s intelligence chief holds with Hamas representatives amid rising anti-Israel rhetoric from Ankara.

Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas in defiant move against Israel

Morocco:

Morocco: Protesters in Tangier rally against ship allegedly carrying F-35 parts to Israel

Over 1,000 demonstrators gather in Moroccan port city of Tangier to oppose the arrival of a ship reportedly transporting parts for American-made F-35 fighter jets destined for Israel.

Morocco: Protesters in Tangier rally against ship allegedly carrying F-35 parts to Israel