Israel-US

Report:

Jared Kushner to be pivotal to Trump admin’s Middle East efforts

CNN report: Despite not likely taking a formal role within the new Trump administration, Trump's son-in-law is seen as central to its Middle East strategy.

Huckabee to Arutz Sheva:

There is no 'occupation', it is the 'promised land'

Soon-to-be US Amb. to Israel in special interview: "I oppose the two state solution, that's a position that Trump has held and I expect that he will continue to."

Minister Eli Cohen:

'We expect Trump to take a strong stance against Iran'

Energy Minister tells Reuters Israel expects the Trump administration to take a strong stance against Iran and its nuclear ambitions, potentially creating opportunity for additional peace agreements.

'We stand with Israel'

Senate Republican Leader John Thune speaks to Netanyahu

New Republican Senate Leader John Thune says he held a phone call with Netanyahu and "reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to standing with Israel, our closest friend and ally.”

Trump's first promise to Israel

President-elect Trump's associates have delivered an explicit promise that as soon as he enters the White House, he will remove all restrictions on the supply of military equipment and ammunition to Israel.

Last-ditch effort:

Democrats call on Biden to sanction Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

17 Democratic senators and 71 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to the President calling on him to take advantage of his time left in office to sanction the two senior Israeli officials.

Senators propose act to cut off UN agencies that exclude Israel

The Stand with Israel Act, which is backed by over two dozen senators, would prohibit the US from funding UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.

'Gift' to Trump

Report: Israel preparing Lebanon ceasefire plan

Israeli officials tell The Washington Post that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer told Trump and Jared Kushner that Israel is rushing to advance a ceasefire deal in Lebanon.

Trump appoints Steven Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East

Witkoff, a real estate investor, was born to a Jewish family in the Bronx and raised in Baldwin Harbor, New York.

Dagan congratulates Huckabee:

'We will work together hand in hand'

Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, congratulates Mike Huckabee on his appointment as US Ambassador to Israel: A great partner of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Report:

Dermer met Trump in Mar-a-Lago

Sources tell Axios the meeting between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and US President-elect was aimed at passing messages from Netanyahu to Trump and briefing Trump on Israel's plans in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran for the next two months.

Herzog at JFNA General Assembly:

'Iran is the engine behind the modern-day antisemitism'

President Herzog congratulates Trump, calls him "a champion of peace and cooperation", and also thanks Biden for his “steadfast support from the very beginning of the war”.

After taking office

Katz holds first conversation with US Defense Secretary Austin

Defense Minister Israel Katz thanks Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for the US steadfast support for Israel: "I am confident we will meet soon in Israel."

Blinken to continue to try resolving Gaza and Lebanon conflicts

State Department spokesperson says Secretary of State intends to continue working toward resolving the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts before Trump takes office in January.

Austin to Gallant:

'A trusted partner and friend'

Pentagon says US Secretary of Defense praised outgoing Defense Minister's "expertise, professionalism, and seasoned judgment in addressing pressing security challenges".

Netanyahu on Trump victory:

Powerful recommitment to the great alliance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Issac Herzog congratulated US President-Elect Donald Trump on his apparent victory in the elections. Herzog: 'I look forward to working with you to strengthen the ironclad bond between our peoples.'

US official:

'The decision to fire Gallant is concerning'

US official expresses concern following Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister: We have real questions about the reasons for Gallant’s firing.

Pentagon:

'The US will work closely with Israel's next Defense Minister'

Pentagon describes dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as a "trusted partner," stresses the Pentagon will continue to work closely with the next defense minister, Israel Katz.

Blinken to Gallant:

'US committed to Israel’s security against threats from Iran'

US Secretary of State speaks to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, urges Israel to take "further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid to Gaza".

Austin to Gallant:

'US fully prepared to defend Israel against threats from Iran'

US Secretary of Defense speaks to Defense Minister amid reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered an attack on Israel.

'You’re a war criminal'

Harris heckled twice during election rallies

US Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee twice heckled by anti-Israel protesters during campaign rallies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In the second incident, a heckler referred to her as a war criminal.

White House spokesperson:

'If Iran attacks Israel, we will support Israel'

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre comments on reports that Iran plans to attack Israel before the US election: Iran should not respond to Israel's retaliation. If they do, we will support Israel in defending itself.

Biden:

'I will talk to Netanyahu about negotiations under fire comment'

US President asked about Netanyahu’s view that it is better to conduct negotiations under fire rather than during a ceasefire: I’ll reserve that for my discussion with him.

Iranian FM charges:

'The US was complicit in Israel's attack on Iran'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accuses US of complicity in Israel's military operation against Iran: The US partnership in Israel's crimes and escalation of tension in West Asia is quite clear and Washington bears responsibility for it.

Harris:

Not concerned over Trump's conversations with Netanyahu

US Vice President says she has no concerns regarding recent discussions between Trump and Netanyahu, reiterates her own stance on the war.

US Treasury Sec. to Netanyahu:

Stop Palestinian Authority from collapsing

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen together with counterparts from several other nations sent a letter warning the Israeli PM that his Finance Minister's policies may lead to the financial collapse of the PA.

Austin to Gallant:

'Iran should not respond to Israel's strikes'

US Secretary of Defense speaks to Defense Minister following IDF’s strikes on military targets in Iran, reaffirms the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and support for its right to defend itself.

US official:

'Aid to Gaza was prominent in Blinken's meetings in Israel'

Senior US administration official says Blinken “went through in detail” the letter he sent to the Israeli government, in which he warned that US weapon shipments to Israel could be affected if Israel fails to make improvements in Gaza within 30 days.

Herzog to Blinken:

'We must take all the steps to eradicate Hezbollah's abilities'

Herzog noted that he was moved to see the Secretary of State meet with the families of the hostages.

Pentagon denies

Senior Pentagon employee behind leak of Israeli strike plans

A Pentagon official told Sky News Arabia that a director of one of the assistant secretary of defense's offices is suspected of leaking documents with Israel's plans to retaliate for the October 1st missile strike on the country by Iran.

Blinken to Netanyahu:

'Capitalize on Sinwar's elimination to bring hostages home'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the war in Gaza and Lebanon, the Iranian threat, the Hezbollah strike on Netanyahu's home, and the governmental structure in Gaza after the war.

'Intensive discussions'

Blinken takes off for Israel

US Secretary of State making his tenth visit to Israel since October 7, 2023: On my way to Israel for intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

US Sec. of Defense:

THAAD anti-missile system 'in place' in Israel

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted that the US could put the system into operation very quickly and added: 'We're on pace with our expectations.'

Former Amb. Michael Oren:

'Harris' claim is a very dangerous precedent'

Former Israeli ambassador to the US urges the White House to state unequivocally that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza.

House Speaker Johnson:

'Netanyahu is in good spirits and undeterred'

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to Netanyahu after Hezbollah fired a UAV at his private home: It is vital that the Biden-Harris Administration stop slow-walking needed weapons to Israel.

Trump:

'Netanyahu said he wouldn't listen to Biden'

Former US President praises Netanyahu for not following President Joe Biden's advice, says Israel "wouldn't be in this position" if Netanyahu had listened to Biden.

'It's real'

Harris appears to agree Israel is committing genocide

At a campaign stop at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, US Vice President Harris appeared to publicly agree with a protester who interrupted her to accuse Israel of committing genocide: What he’s talking about, it’s real.

After US ultimatum:

Israel vows to improve conditions in Gaza

Axios report: Israeli officials have been reassuring US counterparts that Israel will take swift action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following a threat of an arms embargo from the Biden administration.

AIPAC:

'Threatening to cut support for Israel sends a dangerous message'

AIPAC criticizes Biden administration's warning to Israel of a US arms embargo over humanitarian aid into Gaza: Israel routinely takes unprecedented steps to preserve and safeguard Palestinian lives.

Biden to Congress:

'THAAD, troops deployed to defend Israel against further attack'

US President writes letter to Congressional leadership detailing the measures his administration has taken to defend Israel against Iranian missile attacks.

Israeli official on US threat:

'Israel takes this matter seriously'

Israeli official responds to US letter warning of an arms embargo over entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza: Israel intends to address the concerns raised in this letter with our American counterparts.

After Hezbollah UAV attack

Austin calls Gallant, expresses condolences

US Secretary of Defense speaks to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, expresses condolences over deaths of four soldiers killed when a Hezbollah drone hit a base near Binyamina.

Pentagon:

Deployment of advanced missile defense system in Israel approved

Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of a THAAD battery and US military personnel to Israel to help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1.

Austin to Gallant:

'Israel needs to pivot to diplomatic pathway in Lebanon'

US Secretary of Defense speaks to Defense Minister Gallant, expresses concern about reports that Israeli forces fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon.

In Thursday phone call

Gallant and Austin discussed retaliation against Iran

Pentagon says Secretary of Defense "reaffirmed ironclad support for Israel's right to defend itself" in conversation with Defense Minister. Axios reports: Gallant discussed with Austin the Israeli plans for retaliation against Iran.

Harris on Middle East:

'We've got to de-escalate'

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate says de-escalation is needed in the Middle East.

Officials:

Biden and Netanyahu closer to consensus on Iran attack

US and Israeli officials tell Axios Biden and Netanyahu inched closer to agreement on Israel's planned retaliation against Iran following their call on Wednesday. US official: We are moving in the right direction.

White House:

'Biden affirmed Israel’s right to protect itself from Hezbollah'

White House issues statement summarizing call between Biden and Netanyahu: They agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days both directly and through their national security teams.

Report:

Biden and Netanyahu to speak on plans for Iran strike

Axios report: Biden to hold a critical phone call on Wednesday morning with Netanyahu to discuss Israel's plans to strike Iran.

After Netanyahu sets conditions

Gallant's visit to the US postponed

Gallant's flight to the US postponed after Netanyahu conditioned the trip on the coordination of a phone call between him and Biden as well as Cabinet approval of the plan for action in Iran.

US officials:

Washington no longer pushing Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

US officials tell CNN the US is no longer pushing to revive its proposed deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and is instead focused on shaping and limiting Israeli operations in Lebanon and against Iran.

Bolton blasts Biden for opposing Israeli strikes on Iran

Former US national security adviser condemns Biden administration for openly discouraging Israel from striking Iranian nuclear sites or oil fields: My first reaction was, it was just incompetence, or maybe it was mental capacity, or lack thereof.

Gallant on response to Iran:

'Everything is on the table'

Defense Minister tells CNN that Israel is working in coordination with the United States as it prepares for potential strike on Iran, but will ultimately make its own decisions on how to respond.

Will Israeli response be limited?

The US compensation offer to Israel

US officials offered their Israeli counterparts extensive diplomatic support and additional military aid if they would not attack certain targets in Iran.

VP Harris on 60 Minutes:

'Our imperative is to do what we can to let Israel defend itself'

The Democratic presidential candidate said that despite Israel not following the Biden administration's orders, there is an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people.

Biden:

'The United States is fully supportive of Israel'

US Vice President Kamala Harris after Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel: My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering.

Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone:

'Election is American-Israeli's biggest decision of the year'

Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, the former chief of staff for US Ambassador David Friedman, says that pro-Israel voices need to be louder than anti-Israel ones for politicians to make pro-Israel decisions.

Pompeo:

'US should encourage Israel to finish the job'

Former US Secretary of State says it is a mistake for the United States to push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Biden:

'I will speak with Netanyahu, an all-out war must be avoided'

US President tells reporters he will speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stresses the importance of an all-out war in the Middle East being avoided.

Sanders submits bill seeking to block arms sales to Israel

Senator Bernie Sanders officially introduces legislation seeking to block the sale of offensive weaponry to Israel, claims Netanyahu is thwarting ceasefire efforts.