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

'The wrong side of history'

'The wrong side of history': Israel blasts new Irish PM's comments on Gaza

Foreign Ministry criticizes Ireland’s new Prime Minister, Simon Harris, after he fails to mention the hostages being held by Hamas while criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.

'The wrong side of history': Israel blasts new Irish PM's comments on Gaza

Security Council fails to reach consensus on PA membership bid

UN Security Council ad hoc committee discusses PA bid for full UN membership, but fails to reach an agreement, meaning the effort is now likely headed for a more formal council vote.

Security Council fails to reach consensus on PA membership bid

Blinken to counterparts:

Blinken to counterparts: Dissuade Iran from attacking Israel

US Secretary of State speaks to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts on Iranian plans to retaliate for attack on its consulate in Damascus.

Blinken to counterparts: Dissuade Iran from attacking Israel

Austin to Gallant:

Austin to Gallant: Israel can count on full US support to defend itself

Pentagon Press Secretary says Secretary of Defense Austin reiterated to Defense Minister Gallant “ironclad US support for Israel's defense in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies.”

Austin to Gallant: Israel can count on full US support to defend itself

Iran to US:

Iran to US: Our response to Israel will be 'non-escalatory'

Iranian sources tell Reuters that Iran has signalled to Washington that it will respond to the attack attributed to Israel on its Syrian embassy in a way that aims to avoid major escalation.

Iran to US: Our response to Israel will be 'non-escalatory'

'Israel will be held accountable'

Erdogan offers condolences to Hamas leader: Israel will be held accountable for its crimes

Turkish President calls Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to offer condolences after three of his sons were eliminated in an Israeli air strike in Gaza.

Erdogan offers condolences to Hamas leader: Israel will be held accountable for its crimes

Houthis claim:

Houthis claim: We targeted a US warship

Yemen's Houthi rebels say they targeted four vessels, including what they described as a US warship, with drones and naval missiles.

Houthis claim: We targeted a US warship

House Speaker Mike Johnson:

House Speaker Mike Johnson: Biden has transformed into an anti-Israel president

US House Speaker Mike Johnson blasts President Joe Biden: He’s more concerned with placating the antisemitism in his base than standing with Israel.

House Speaker Mike Johnson: Biden has transformed into an anti-Israel president

Spanish PM:

Spanish PM: Israel's response in Gaza risks destabilizing the Middle East

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticizes Israel, insists recognition of a Palestinian state is "in Europe's geopolitical interests".

Spanish PM: Israel's response in Gaza risks destabilizing the Middle East

Blinken to Gallant:

Blinken to Gallant: The US will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran

US Secretary of State speaks with Defense Minister amid speculations Iran is planning an imminent attack.

Blinken to Gallant: The US will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran

Germany at ICJ:

Germany at ICJ: Israel's security is at the core of our foreign policy

Germany rejects accusations from Nicaragua at ICJ that it has been “facilitating genocide” in Gaza through its support for Israel.

Germany at ICJ: Israel's security is at the core of our foreign policy

France threatens sanctions on Israel over Gaza aid

France's Foreign Minister says pressure, and possibly sanctions, must be imposed on Israel to open crossings to get humanitarian aid to Gaza.

France threatens sanctions on Israel over Gaza aid

Irish Foreign Minister:

Irish Foreign Minister: Recognition of a Palestinian state will happen

Irish Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Micheal Martin says he will be bringing a formal proposal on the recognition of Palestinian statehood to Government.

Irish Foreign Minister: Recognition of a Palestinian state will happen

British Foreign Secretary:

British Foreign Secretary: We will not suspend arms exports to Israel

Despite pressure on the British government, Foreign Secretary David Cameron says the UK’s position on export licenses to Israel remains “unchanged”.

British Foreign Secretary: We will not suspend arms exports to Israel

Toronto:

Toronto: Posters depicting children hostages defaced with swastikas

Posters in Toronto depicting four-year-old Ariel Bibas and one-year-old Kfir Bibas vandalized with swastikas. Toronto Mayor condemns.

Toronto: Posters depicting children hostages defaced with swastikas

Biden:

Biden: I think what Netanyahu is doing is a mistake

US President ups his criticism of Netanyahu over the war in Gaza: I don’t agree with his approach.

Biden: I think what Netanyahu is doing is a mistake

Harris to hostages' families:

Harris to hostages' families: No higher priority than reuniting hostages with loved ones

US Vice President meets families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, provides update on US efforts to secure the release of all hostages.

Harris to hostages' families: No higher priority than reuniting hostages with loved ones

UN Security Council refers PA's membership bid to committee

UN Security Council president refers PA's application to become a full member to the committee on the admission of new member, which will meet on Thursday.

UN Security Council refers PA's membership bid to committee

Hamas:

Hamas: Despite Israeli intransigence, we will discuss the proposal

Hamas says that Israel's proposal did not meet any of its demands, but its leadership will discuss it regardless.

Hamas: Despite Israeli intransigence, we will discuss the proposal

Turkey claims:

Turkey claims: Israel denied our request to air drop aid to Gaza

Turkey’s Foreign Minister vows measures against Israel for denying his country’s request to join air drops of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Turkey claims: Israel denied our request to air drop aid to Gaza

Houthis claim:

Houthis claim: We fired at British, US and Israeli ships

Houthi forces claim they targeted a British ship and a number of US frigates in the Red Sea, and two Israeli vessels in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Houthis claim: We fired at British, US and Israeli ships

House Speaker:

House Speaker: It’s time to stop lecturing Israel on how it should defend itself

US House Speaker Mike Johnson blasts “appalling” lack of support for Israel from some Democrats.

House Speaker: It’s time to stop lecturing Israel on how it should defend itself

Calling to end aid to Israel

ICJ to hear Nicaragua's case calling for Germany to end aid to Israel

Preliminary hearings open Monday at International Court of Justice in Nicaragua's case which claims that Germany is “facilitating” acts of genocide by Israel.

ICJ to hear Nicaragua's case calling for Germany to end aid to Israel

Reports in Egypt:

Reports in Egypt: Progress made in hostage release talks

Egyptian official says Hamas and Qatar's delegations left Cairo and will return within two days to agree on the terms of the final agreement, while the Israeli and the US. delegations will leave within a few hours.

Reports in Egypt: Progress made in hostage release talks

Reversing previous trend:

NYPD reports spike in antisemitic crimes, reversing previous trend

NYPD reports 43 antisemitic incidents in the five boroughs last month, more than double the 17 reported in February.

NYPD reports spike in antisemitic crimes, reversing previous trend

Despite US opposition

PA insists on Security Council vote on statehood, despite US opposition

PA’s UN envoy says "we believe it is high time now for our state to become a full member at the United Nations" despite US indications it will veto the motion.

PA insists on Security Council vote on statehood, despite US opposition

VP Harris:

VP Harris: If Israel does not change its approach, we're going to change our approach

US Vice President says conversation between Biden and Netanyahu was "candid and frank" but Israel needs to change its approach on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

VP Harris: If Israel does not change its approach, we're going to change our approach

Report:

Report: Biden told Netanyahu he could condition aid to Israel

US officials tell NBC News that, during their phone call on Thursday, Biden warned Netanyahu that the US could condition military aid to Israel on what it does to address humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

Report: Biden told Netanyahu he could condition aid to Israel

State Department:

State Department: PA should seek statehood through talks, not at UN

State Department spokesman says establishing an independent Palestinian state should happen through direct talks with Israel, as PA seeks UN vote on the issue.

State Department: PA should seek statehood through talks, not at UN

Minister Chikli to Schumer:

Minister Chikli to Schumer: You're more than welcome to immigrate to Israel and vote

Diaspora Affairs Minister responds to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after he again called for Israel to hold elections: The gates of Israel are open to you.

Minister Chikli to Schumer: You're more than welcome to immigrate to Israel and vote

Haniyeh stresses:

Haniyeh stresses: We are sticking to our conditions for hostage deal

Hamas chief stresses the group will continue to demand an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza in a hostage release deal.

Haniyeh stresses: We are sticking to our conditions for hostage deal

Khamenei threatens Israel:

Khamenei threatens Israel: They will be slapped for Damascus strike

Iran’s Supreme Leader issues threat to Israel following strike on Iranian consulate in Damascus which has been blamed on Israel.

Khamenei threatens Israel: They will be slapped for Damascus strike

Security Council fails to condemn strike in Damascus

US, Britain and France oppose Russian-drafted UN Security Council statement that would have condemned an attack on Iran's embassy compound in Syria which has been blamed on Israel.

Security Council fails to condemn strike in Damascus

After Gantz's remarks:

After Gantz's remarks: Schumer again calls for elections in Israel

Senate Majority Leader calls on Israel to hold elections, cites Benny Gantz’s remarks: When a leading member of Israel’s war cabinet calls for early elections, you know it’s the right thing to do.

After Gantz's remarks: Schumer again calls for elections in Israel

Spanish PM:

Spanish PM: We will recognize Palestinian state by July

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tells reporters he plans to move ahead with plans to recognize Palestinian statehood which he announced recently along with other European leaders.

Spanish PM: We will recognize Palestinian state by July

Kim inspects

Kim inspects as North Korea test-fires hypersonic missile

North Korea successfully test-fires new mid- to long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile.

Kim inspects as North Korea test-fires hypersonic missile

Biden charges:

Biden charges: Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers in Gaza

US President has harsh words for Israel following the strike in Gaza in which seven workers for the World Central Kitchen organization were killed.

Biden charges: Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers in Gaza

Death of aid workers:

Death of aid workers: Blinken urges Israel to conduct a swift investigation

Secretary of State says US urged Israel to conduct a swift, thorough and impartial investigation into strike that killed seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza.

Death of aid workers: Blinken urges Israel to conduct a swift investigation

PA reports:

PA reports: Five aid workers killed in strike in central Gaza

Palestinian Arab sources in Gaza claim employees from World Central Kitchen were killed by Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah. IDF: We're conducting a thorough review at the highest levels.

PA reports: Five aid workers killed in strike in central Gaza

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