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

Rare praise:

Rare praise: Hillary Clinton commends Trump for Gaza peace deal

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praises Trump’s Gaza peace deal, calling it “a path forward.”

Rare praise: Hillary Clinton commends Trump for Gaza peace deal

Trump on the way to Israel:

Trump on the way to Israel: The war in Gaza is over

Before flying to Israel, President Trump notes rare unity around his Gaza peace plan, as 500,000 cheered in Israel and support echoed across Muslim and Arab nations. He also declares the war in Gaza over.

Trump on the way to Israel: The war in Gaza is over

Belgium foils terror plot targeting PM Bart De Wever

Belgian police foil a jihadist-inspired plot targeting PM Bart De Wever. Two suspects arrested, explosives and drone parts found.

Belgium foils terror plot targeting PM Bart De Wever

After ceasefire deal

Germany expected to lift arms ban on Israel after ceasefire deal

Channel 12 News reports that Germany is expected to lift its arms embargo on Israel following the Gaza ceasefire, after FM Gideon Sa’ar urged Berlin to resume exports.

Germany expected to lift arms ban on Israel after ceasefire deal

Austria warns:

Austria warns: No Eurovision hosting if Israel is boycotted

Austria’s leaders say national broadcaster ORF should not host Eurovision 2026 if Israel is boycotted. Backing down from hosting risks a €40M penalty.

Austria warns: No Eurovision hosting if Israel is boycotted

Trump:

Trump: This is more than Gaza, this is peace in the Middle East

President Trump tells Fox News host Sean Hannity that hostages held in Gaza may be released Monday, praises global cooperation behind the Israel-Hamas ceasefire as a step toward broader Middle East peace.

Trump: This is more than Gaza, this is peace in the Middle East

Iran:

Iran: IAEA cooperation deal invalid after snapback sanctions triggered

Iran says its Cairo nuclear deal with the IAEA is no longer valid after E3-triggered snapback sanctions. FM Araghchi warns the move hampers diplomacy.

Iran: IAEA cooperation deal invalid after snapback sanctions triggered

German Chancellor:

German Chancellor: Germany should quit Eurovision if Israel is barred

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany should quit Eurovision 2026 if Israel is excluded, calling the debate “a scandal.”

German Chancellor: Germany should quit Eurovision if Israel is barred

Trump:

Trump: Talks are very positive, first phase should be completed this week

Trump says talks with Hamas to end Gaza war and release hostages are progressing fast and expresses optimism first phase will be completed this week, but warns: “Time is of the essence or massive bloodshed will follow.”

Trump: Talks are very positive, first phase should be completed this week

Trump warns Iran:

Trump warns Iran: Renewing nukes will be addressed 'promptly'

US President warns Iran against restarting its nuclear weapons program, saying the US would respond “promptly” if Tehran makes that decision.

Trump warns Iran: Renewing nukes will be addressed 'promptly'

UK:

UK: Anti-Israel protest to go ahead despite police request to delay it

Police urge delay of London protest against ban on Palestine Action, after Manchester synagogue terror attack. Organizers vow to proceed, citing democracy.

UK: Anti-Israel protest to go ahead despite police request to delay it

White House:

White House: Trump will set deadline for Hamas to accept Gaza proposal

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will set red line for Hamas to accept his Gaza ceasefire plan, noted the proposal has global support.

White House: Trump will set deadline for Hamas to accept Gaza proposal

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.

Danish broadcaster opposes ban on Israel in Eurovision

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.

Gaza flotilla enters 'high-risk zone', claims drone activity

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.

Trump announces $500M deal with Harvard following antisemitism probe

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.

Graham: The ball is in Hamas’ court, I hope they choose wisely

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.

Houthis claim missile attack on Dutch ship in Gulf of Aden

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.

Meloni urges Gaza flotilla to halt, warns of risk to Trump peace plan

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.

Macron: Hamas must accept Trump’s deal and free all hostages

'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.

PA backs Trump’s Gaza peace push: Sincere and determined efforts

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.

Witkoff: Hamas’s initial response sounds very positive

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.

Arab states back Trump’s Gaza peace plan, call for hostage release

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.

After Adams drops out | Mamdani: Trump’s donors won’t decide NYC mayoral race

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.

Aid flotilla resumes Gaza mission after drone strike off Crete

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."

Tehran condemns snapback sanctions, rejects new nuclear talks

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.

Report: Syrian President meets WJC President in New York

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.

GOP senators seek to bar sanctioned Iranian officials from diplomacy in the US

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.

Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Kamala Harris book tour over Gaza war

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.

Trump: I will not allow Israel to annex Judea and Samaria

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.

Iran’s President: European sanctions move lacks 'international legitimacy'

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.

Trump meets Syrian President Sharaa at UN

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.

Kim has 'good memories' of Trump, but rejects denuclearization

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.

Hamas executes three 'collaborators' in public spectacle in Gaza

'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."

'Deep dismay': British Jews denounce UK's recognition of Palestinian state

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.

Macron: No embassy in 'Palestine' until hostages freed

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."

Lawmakers slam Mamdani's rejection of IHRA

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.

NYC Mayor Adams to meet Netanyahu, slams rival's call 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.

German Chancellor: Israel’s actions in Gaza do not amount to genocide

'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.

Pope Leo denounces 'unacceptable' conditions in Gaza, calls for ceasefire

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.

Judge orders anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil deported