Trump goes into UN General Assembly isolated but defiant

As we’ve reported, US President Donald Trump “disagrees” with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over recognition of Palestinian statehood.

When Trump delivers the first address of his second term to the annual gathering of global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, he will also be at odds with more than half of the member nations, including key allies, over the war in Gaza.

The Trump administration has become increasingly isolated on the issue as the conflict nears its two-year mark. As a growing number of countries have denounced Israel’s actions in the enclave, the US has not only stood by its ally but provided it with consistent political cover and military support.

One of the clearest examples of the US’ isolation will come tomorrow, when France and Saudi Arabia co-host a two-state solution conference, supported by 142 of the 193 UN Member States.

The US is not participating in the conference and was one of only 10 countries who voted against the General Assembly resolution backing the high-level gathering.

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce that France is recognizing a Palestinian state during the conference, saying in recent days that the move would isolate Hamas. It is a largely symbolic move that some nations have taken in recent months or plan to take in the weeks ahead, and one that Trump administration officials have condemned as counterproductive to peace efforts.

The UK is set to announce its recognition of a Palestinian state this weekend, and Canada, Australia and Belgium expect to join France in making the same announcement during the UN gathering.

-CNN

UK set to recognize Palestinian statehood today

• The UK is set to recognize a Palestinian state later today after Israel failed to meet conditions set out by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including agreeing to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

• The announcement will come despite pressure from US politicians and the families of hostages held by Hamas. Israel says recognizing a Palestinian state is tantamount to rewarding terror.

• Canada and France also plan to recognize a Palestinian state at next week’s UN General Assembly as international pressure builds on Israel over the ongoing war and starvation crisis in Gaza.

• Elsewhere today on the ground, dozens of people have been reported killed as the Israeli military presses on with operations in the Gaza City area.

-CNN

Netanyahu demands end to Gaza war amid massive protests in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing strong protests across the country. Protests have begun against a new operation in Gaza, Palestine. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Israel to demand a ceasefire. Important roads in Israel were closed due to the protests. They have expressed their anger against the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. Police have arrested at least 12 people from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The protesters allege that the government is continuing the war for political reasons. It is not thinking about the fate of the 59 people still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. It has been reported that 24 of the hostages are alive. News - The Guardian

The protests began on Tuesday over an attempt to fire Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet. But the protests against Netanyahu have intensified after he violated a two-month ceasefire by launching deadly airstrikes in Gaza. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Israel. They are demonstrating strongly against the government. On Wednesday, thousands of people took to the streets near Netanyahu's official residence in central Jerusalem. Many of them held flags and placards with slogans written in support of those still held hostage in Gaza. People chanted slogans such as "Make a hostage deal now."

According to the protesters, at least 59 Israeli prisoners are still held in Gaza, who were taken hostage by the Palestinian armed group Hamas on October 7, 2023. The protesters believe that the surviving hostages will be killed if Netanyahu breaks the ceasefire agreement and launches a new operation in Gaza. Hamas has handed over most of its prisoners since the ceasefire began. A large section of the country is upset that Netanyahu has resumed the offensive before everyone has returned. A recent opinion poll also showed that a majority of the country wants the government to stop the fighting and hold more talks about returning the hostages.