Danish broadcaster opposes ban on Israel in Eurovision
Denmark’s DR says it won’t vote to expel Israel from Eurovision 2026, citing rule compliance and support for an apolitical, secure, international music event.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
Gaza flotilla enters 'high-risk zone', claims drone activity
Gaza-bound flotilla which seeks to breach Israeli naval blockade enters zone where previous flotillas were intercepted.
Following antisemitism probe
Trump announces $500M deal with Harvard following antisemitism probe
Trump announces $500M deal with Harvard to launch trade schools amid federal pressure over antisemitism, Gaza protests, and DEI policies.
Graham:
Graham: The ball is in Hamas’ court, I hope they choose wisely
Sen. Lindsey Graham says Hamas must accept Trump’s Gaza peace plan or face consequences, urging Qatar to expel Hamas leaders if they reject the deal Israel has already endorsed.
Houthis claim missile attack on Dutch ship in Gulf of Aden
Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen claim missile strike on Dutch cargo ship Minervagracht in Gulf of Aden, which injured two crew members.
Warns of risk to Trump plan
Meloni urges Gaza flotilla to halt, warns of risk to Trump peace plan
Italian PM Meloni urges the Global Sumud Flotilla to halt its Gaza-bound mission, warning it could destabilize peace efforts tied to Trump’s newly proposed regional plan. Sa’ar to flotilla participants: Listen to Meloni.
Macron:
Macron: Hamas must accept Trump’s deal and free all hostages
France and Italy back Trump’s Gaza peace plan, urging Hamas to release hostages and disarm. PM Meloni says the proposal could end hostilities and ensure humanitarian access.
'Sincere and determined'
PA backs Trump’s Gaza peace push: Sincere and determined efforts
The Palestinian Authority welcomes President Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, expressing confidence in his ability to broker peace.
Witkoff:
Witkoff: Hamas’s initial response sounds very positive
Trump’s Middle East envoy expresses optimism that the President’s plan for Gaza can be implemented: I'm very optimistic. I've met people on both sides and this needs to end.
Call for hostage release
Arab states back Trump’s Gaza peace plan, call for hostage release
Eight Arab and Muslim nations praise President Trump’s leadership and pledge support for a deal that ends the war, frees hostages, and ensures regional stability.
After Adams drops out
After Adams drops out | Mamdani: Trump’s donors won’t decide NYC mayoral race
Zohran Mamdani rebukes Trump’s influence after Mayor Adams exits NYC race, warning Cuomo and vowing to fight billionaire-backed efforts to narrow the field.
Aid flotilla resumes Gaza mission after drone strike off Crete
An international flotilla with 47 boats, including Greta Thunberg, sails for Gaza to defy Israel’s blockade. Italy urges caution, citing danger.
Tehran condemns snapback sanctions, rejects new nuclear talks
Iran condemns the UN's snapback sanctions as "unjustifiable" following failed nuclear talks and Israeli-US strikes, warning of retaliation while rejecting negotiations that bring "new problems."
Report:
Report: Syrian President meets WJC President in New York
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder in New York to discuss Syria-Israel talks, according to Syrian media.
GOP senators:
GOP senators seek to bar sanctioned Iranian officials from diplomacy in the US
Republican senators introduce bill to block sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the US for UN duties, citing threats to American safety and Iran’s history of targeting Americans.
Over Gaza war
Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Kamala Harris book tour over Gaza war
Former Vice President Kamala Harris’s NYC book tour launch disrupted by anti-Israel protesters, prompting her to address the situation in Gaza.
Trump:
Trump: I will not allow Israel to annex Judea and Samaria
President Trump says he firmly opposes Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria, expresses hope for hostage release deal after having a "very good" conversation with Netanyahu.
Iran’s President:
Iran’s President: European sanctions move lacks 'international legitimacy'
Iran’s President Pezeshkian condemns France, Britain, and Germany for reviving UN sanctions, accusing them of yielding to US pressure and undermining the JCPOA at the UN General Assembly.
Trump meets Syrian President Sharaa at UN
President Trump meets Syrian President Sharaa at the UN, marking their second meeting since May. The encounter follows the US lifting sanctions on Syria.
Kim has 'good memories' of Trump, but rejects denuclearization
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praises US President Donald Trump and says he is open to talks - if denuclearization is not on the agenda.
Public spectacle in Gaza
Hamas executes three 'collaborators' in public spectacle in Gaza
Hamas-affiliated social media pages release footage of the public execution of three Gazans accused of collaborating with Israel.
'Deep dismay'
'Deep dismay': British Jews denounce UK's recognition of Palestinian state
Board of Deputies of British Jews expresses "deep dismay" over the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state, which Prime Minister Netanyahu called a "reward for terror."
Macron:
Macron: No embassy in 'Palestine' until hostages freed
French President says his country’s recognition of a Palestinian state won't include an embassy opening until Hamas frees hostages.
Lawmakers slam Mamdani's rejection of IHRA
NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s rejection of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and support for BDS draws sharp criticism from US Reps. Gottheimer and Lawler, who call his stance "shameful and dangerous."
NYC Mayor Adams to meet Netanyahu, slams rival's call to arrest him
Mayor Eric Adams announces he will meet with PM Netanyahu when he visits New York for the UN General Assembly, rejects Mamdani’s “reckless” threat to arrest him.
German Chancellor:
German Chancellor: Israel’s actions in Gaza do not amount to genocide
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany will decide on its stance on EU sanctions against Israel before an October meeting.
'Unacceptable'
Pope Leo denounces 'unacceptable' conditions in Gaza, calls for ceasefire
Pope Leo XIV calls the conditions for Palestinian Arabs in Gaza "unacceptable" and voices solidarity with civilians, renewing his appeal for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.
Judge orders anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil deported
Immigration judge orders the deportation of former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, citing undisclosed info on his green card application. His lawyers fear a swift, unfavorable appeal.
Sanders accuses:
Sen. Sanders accuses: Israel is committing 'genocide' in Gaza
Bernie Sanders becomes the first sitting US senator to declare Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza, echoing a UN commission report.
Halifax man charged after synagogues vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
31-year-old man charged after six incidents of antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas and hateful slogans, found on Halifax synagogues and surrounding properties.
Report:
Report: UK to recognize ‘Palestine’ by week’s end
The UK is expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state, defying strong US opposition and warnings from the Trump administration. The move follows months of pressure from within the Labour Party.
Syria's President:
Syria's President: Israel security pact could be days away
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa says a security pact with Israel is a "necessity" and could be finalized "in the coming days."
Still criticizes Israel
UN chief stops short of genocide claim, but still criticizes Israel
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls the Gaza situation "horrendous" but says he cannot legally define it as "genocide."
Spain joins Eurovision boycott against Israel
Spain becomes the first of Eurovision's "Big Five" to say it will withdraw from the 2026 contest if Israel participates, citing "genocide" in Gaza.
'Horrific':
'Horrific': Canada condemns Israel’s operation in Gaza City
Canada's Foreign Ministry condemns Israel's operation in Gaza City as "horrific". HonestReporting Canada: The statement ignores Hamas's role in the humanitarian crisis.
Japan holds back on Palestinian state recognition
Japan will reportedly not recognize a Palestinian state for now, even as a growing list of countries, including Britain and France, announce plans to do so at the UN.
US Energy Secretary:
US Energy Secretary: Iran's nuclear weapons pathway 'must be dismantled'
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright declares that Iran's nuclear program must be "completely dismantled" following joint US-Israeli attacks on its enrichment plants.
Spain dumps Israeli arms deal, solidifying anti-Israel stance
Spain's government nixes a nearly $825M contract for Israeli-designed rocket launchers, cementing an anti-Israel decree over the Gaza war, with more cancellations possibly on the way.
Trump:
Trump to Hamas: If Hamas is using hostages as human shields, all bets are off
US President Donald Trump urges Hamas to release all hostages after reports they were moved above ground as human shields against an Israeli ground offensive, calls the move a "human atrocity."
Luxembourg PM announces plan to recognize ‘Palestine’
Luxembourg follows in the footsteps of other countries, plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly.
