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Netanyahu tests Biden’s patience as war pressure builds on January 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
President Biden’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is showing new signs of strain amid the Gaza War, which has put both leaders under extraordinary political pressure.
Biden has stood firm in defense of Israel despite intense backlash among voters calling for a ceasefire, and Democratic lawmakers appalled at a Palestinian death toll of nearly 25,000 people.
But Netanyahu’s rejection of Biden’s push for a two-state solution in a day-after scenario for the Gaza Strip is challenging Biden’s efforts to stand strong in the face of Israel’s critics. The Israeli leader also appears to be blocking U.S. efforts to broker a new hostage deal.
“What’s happening now is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is rebuffing the Biden administration at virtually every turn,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
“Ignoring their entreaties, slapping down the proposal to move quickly toward a two-state solution, I would think there’s a point when the Biden administration runs out of patience, they have a lot more patience than I would. I think that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions are hurting Israel and I think they’re hurting the United States.”
Since Israel launched its retaliatory war following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack, Biden and his senior aides have sought to strike a delicate balance between unqualified support for Israel’s stated goal to defeat Hamas militarily, and confronting the horrendous humanitarian toll on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
On top of the deaths, the vast majority of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people has been forced out of their homes and face rampant crises of hunger and disease.
“The administration wants to see more done on humanitarian assistance, they want to continue to see fewer civilian Palestinian casualties,” said Dennis Ross, a veteran Middle East peace negotiator across Republican and Democrat administrations, and distinguished fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Ross said reports that Biden is frustrated and running out of patience with the Israeli leader is “a function of people below the president who are also dealing with pressures internationally and wanting to show that we’re putting pressure on Netanyahu.”
The White House has rejected calls for a ceasefire and argued one would only help Hamas, but the administration is putting its support behind efforts to pause the fighting for weeks to allow for humanitarian groups to aid Palestinians and help secure the release of about 100 hostages.
“We are in serious discussions about trying to get another pause in place,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday, amid reports that Israel had offered a two-month pause in fighting in exchange for Hamas releasing hostages.
But Netanyahu has signaled he’s not interested in U.S. calls to restrain Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip.
“Only total victory will ensure the elimination of Hamas and the return of all our hostages. I told President Biden this in our conversation over the weekend,” Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Netanyahu has further rejected Biden’s calls to establish a Palestinian state in a day-after scenario for Hamas’s defeat in the Gaza Strip, saying Israel must retain security control over Palestinian territories.
Biden has publicly played down these differences.
“There are a number of types of two-state solutions. There’s a number of countries that are members of the UN that are still — don’t have their own militaries,” Biden told reporters last week. “And so I think there’s ways in which this could work.”
Ross said the president’s response was likely influenced by Netanyahu — commonly called Bibi — when the two spoke on Jan. 19.
“What that reflected was clearly, Bibi said something to him privately in a way that led him to say that,” he said.
“Meaning, this was Bibi talking about, if you’re talking about a state that’s demilitarized, then we’re talking about a different kind of state. There’s different kinds of states that don’t pose a threat to us that we could accept — so that allows Biden to say this.”
Biden has not shied away from criticizing Netanyahu in public throughout the two leaders’ nearly 40 years of knowing each other, spanning Netanyahu’s early diplomatic career in the U.S. and Biden’s time as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman.
Biden, as President Obama’s vice president, had a front-row seat to some of the most fraught times in U.S. and Israel relations – from the failure of the U.S.-led peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to Netanyahu’s lobbying Congress against Obama’s efforts for a nuclear deal with Iran.
And throughout 2023, Biden has raised alarm over the Israeli leaders’ embrace of far-right fringe politicians and pursuit of judicial reforms that had sparked wide-spread protests in the months preceding Oct. 7.
But the president is using significant political capital to stand alongside Netanyahu, with an increasing number of Democratic lawmakers pushing for a ceasefire, protests and some resignations among staff at federal agencies, and protests staged outside his campaign events across the country.
Pro-Palestine advocates have warned that Bicen’s staunch support for Israel, even amid the carnage in Gaza, could cost him crucial votes in swing states like Michigan.
Still, the majority of U.S. public opinion is in support of Israel in its war against Hamas, which slaughtered an estimated 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 240 people hostage – dozens who have since been released in U.S. brokered deals.
“This is an extremely sensitive year in the United States. No serious presidential contender would basically take on either Netanyahu or Israel,” said Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations and Middle Eastern politics at the London School of Economics.
“Between now and the elections, the Biden team will not do anything to either anger or upset or really engage in any public spat with Netanyahu and Netanyahu knows this. Netanyahu truly, historically, is a manipulator-in-chief of the American electoral system.”
Biden and his top aides, as part of efforts to degrade Hamas, are looking to get Israel on board with agreeing to the creation of a Palestinian state by offering normalization with Saudi Arabia in return – a strategy the Saudis have endorsed.
Netanyahu has pushed for establishing ties with Saudi Arabia, but his rejections of a Palestinian state are further isolating him on the global stage.
Josep Borrell, the plain-spoken foreign policy chief for the E.U., was blunt in his criticism of Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution.
“Which are the other solutions they have in mind? To make all the Palestinians leave? To kill them?” Borrell said. “Certainly, the way of trying to destroy Hamas is not the way they are doing, because they are seeding the hate for generations.”
That has left Biden one of Netanyahu’s last allies amid the overwhelming international calls for Israel to implement a ceasefire.
“Netanyahu really cares about one man’s audience, and that’s Joe Biden,” Gerges said. “Israel has really lost in the court of public opinion. Whether you’re talking about Spain or Ireland or Belgium. I mean, it’s world public opinion. Truly, the United States and Germany and to a lesser extent, the U.K., are still solid supporters of Israel, but the United States really is against the world when it comes to Israel.”
Netanyahu also faces a reckoning at home.
Protests against Netanyahu that were put on hold in the wake of Oct. 7 have restarted amid growing criticism within Israel over failure to secure the release of hostages, the conduct of the war, and the failures that allowed Hamas to attack in the first place. The protests are still relatively small, but signal growing anger among the public even as they support efforts to defeat Hamas.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of the Israel Defense Forces and opposition lawmaker whose son was killed fighting in Gaza, has called for elections to be held after the war and raised doubt over the military defeat of Hamas.
“It is necessary, within a period of months, to bring the Israeli voter back to the polls and hold elections in order to renew trust, because right now there is no trust,” Eisenkot said in an interview with the Israeli program Uvda.
“As a democracy, the State of Israel needs to ask itself after such a serious event, ‘How do we continue from here with a leadership that has failed us miserably?’”
Families of hostages have criticized Netanyahu as prolonging the military fight against Hamas to preserve his political power.
“This holdup is with the Netanyahu government,” said Liz Naftali, who’s four-year-old niece was released after 50 days of captivity, and is advocating for the release of all the hostages.
She accused the Israeli prime minister of being “unwilling to agree to the terms to release our loved ones, to make these deals final.”
It’s a view that Netanyahu’s critics in Washington also believe.
“There’s a reason why he’s had nine political lives, he’s a very gifted politician, but that does not mean he’s taking the right course now,” Van Hollen said.
“In fact, I think it’s very clear he’s put his own political ambitions and political interests above the interest of Israel and its allies.”
President Biden’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is showing new signs of strain amid the Gaza War, which has put both leaders under extraordinary political pressure. Biden has stood firm in defense of Israel despite intense backlash among voters calling for a ceasefire, and Democratic lawmakers appalled at a Palestinian death toll of…
Business
The Cities Bracing for Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory and his promise of “the largest deportation operation in American history,” several major U.S. cities are bracing for potentially seismic shifts in their economic and social landscapes. As the nation grapples with the implications of this proposed policy, urban centers that have long been havens for immigrant communities find themselves at the epicenter of a looming storm.
Los Angeles, often dubbed the “City of Angels,” stands to lose more than its celestial nickname suggests. As a primary gateway for immigrants, the city’s vibrant tapestry of cultures and its economic engine could face significant disruption. From the bustling streets of Koreatown to the sun-drenched orchards of the Central Valley, the absence of undocumented workers could leave gaping holes in the city’s workforce and cultural identity.
Across the country, New York City, with its iconic skyline and melting pot reputation, faces its own reckoning. The Big Apple’s 5.9 million immigrants, many of whom are undocumented, form the backbone of industries ranging from construction to healthcare. The potential exodus could transform neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Flushing, altering the very essence of what makes New York a global city.In the Sunshine State, Miami’s tropical allure belies the turbulent times ahead. Home to 2.5 million immigrants, the city’s economy relies heavily on sectors like tourism and hospitality – industries where undocumented workers often fill crucial roles. The potential deportation of these workers could send shockwaves through Miami’s economic ecosystem, from South Beach’s glitzy hotels to the agricultural heartlands of South Florida.
Chicago, the “City of Big Shoulders,” may find those shoulders significantly weakened. With 1.7 million immigrants in its metropolitan area, the Windy City’s diverse neighborhoods and industries face an uncertain future. From the meatpacking plants to the tech startups, Chicago’s economic resilience could be tested like never before.
In the Lone Star State, Houston and Dallas stand as twin testaments to the complexities of immigration policy. These Texas titans, each home to large immigrant populations, could see their booming economies stumble. The construction sites that dot their ever-expanding skylines and the service industries that keep these cities humming could face unprecedented labor shortages.
Out West, the San Francisco Bay Area’s reputation as a bastion of innovation and progress could be challenged. The region’s tech industry, often reliant on immigrant talent, might find itself grappling with a new reality. From Silicon Valley’s coding campuses to the agricultural expanses of the Central Valley, California’s economic powerhouse could face a reckoning. Phoenix, rising from the Sonoran Desert, could see its growth trajectory altered. As Arizona’s urban center, it stands at the forefront of the immigration debate, potentially facing not just economic impacts but social and political upheaval as well.
These cities, along with others like San Diego and Las Vegas, are not just facing potential economic disruptions. They are staring down the barrel of profound social change. Family separations, community fragmentation, and the erosion of cultural enclaves built over generations are all possible consequences of mass deportations. Moreover, the fiscal implications are staggering. Undocumented immigrants contribute billions in taxes annually, often without receiving the full benefits of their contributions. Their sudden absence could leave gaping holes in city budgets, potentially affecting public services and infrastructure projects.
As these urban centers brace for impact, the debate rages on. Supporters of stricter immigration policies argue for the need to enforce laws and protect American jobs. Critics warn of economic devastation and the unraveling of America’s urban fabric. What’s clear is that America’s cities stand at a crossroads. The coming months and years will likely reshape urban landscapes in ways both visible and invisible. From the foods we eat to the services we rely on, from the neighborhoods we call home to the very character of our cities, the impacts of this proposed immigration crackdown could be far-reaching and long-lasting. As the nation watches and waits, these cities – vibrant, diverse, and economically vital – find themselves on the front lines of a policy that could redefine what it means to be an American city in the 21st century.
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Business
How Trump’s Deportation Plans Could Reshape Major Cities
In the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory, his ambitious plans for mass deportations have thrust America’s urban centers into the spotlight. As the nation grapples with the potential implications of what Trump calls “the largest deportation operation in American history,” cities across the country are bracing for significant changes that could reshape their economic, social, and cultural landscapes.
The stakes are particularly high for metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Miami, which host the largest populations of unauthorized immigrants. These cities, along with other major urban hubs such as Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco, stand at the forefront of a looming transformation that could reverberate throughout the nation.
Economic Tremors
Economists warn that the proposed deportations could send shockwaves through urban economies. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s, cautions that businesses would face “significant challenges” if a substantial number of immigrants were removed. Industries such as construction, hospitality, and healthcare—pillars of urban economies—could face severe labor shortages.
Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, emphasizes the potential ripple effects: “The native-born workforce cannot meet current labor demands.” This labor gap could lead to increased wages, potentially rekindling inflation—a concern that looms large over city planners and policymakers alike.
Community Fabric Under Strain
Beyond economic considerations, the social fabric of cities hangs in the balance. Elena, a Nicaraguan immigrant in Houston, voices a fear echoed in immigrant communities across the nation: “I’m scared… This is my home.” The threat of family separations, particularly in mixed-status households, casts a long shadow over urban neighborhoods.
Immigrant advocacy groups like FIEL are mobilizing, advising clients to prepare for “anything that can happen.” This atmosphere of uncertainty could lead to decreased community engagement and cooperation with local authorities, potentially impacting public safety and community cohesion.
Cities at a Crossroads
As the debate intensifies, cities find themselves at a crossroads. Some, like New York and Los Angeles, have historically positioned themselves as “sanctuary cities,” often at odds with federal immigration enforcement. The impending clash between federal policy and local governance promises to be a defining feature of this new political landscape.
Meanwhile, the logistical challenges of implementing such a massive deportation operation remain daunting. Questions abound regarding detention facilities, transportation networks, and the sheer manpower required to carry out Trump’s vision.
Looking Ahead
As America’s urban centers brace for potential change, the full impact of Trump’s deportation plans remains to be seen. Legal challenges are all but certain, and the resilience of America’s cities will be put to the test.
What is clear is that the coming months and years will be pivotal for urban America. As Jason Miller, a senior Trump adviser, puts it, the plan is to “immediately reinstate” immigration policies from Trump’s first term. For America’s cities, this could mean a period of unprecedented change, challenge, and, potentially, transformation.
As the nation watches and waits, the story of America’s cities in the face of this ambitious deportation plan is just beginning to unfold. The outcome will undoubtedly shape the future of urban life in America for years to come.
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Business
Donald Trump Wins 2024 USA Election
Based on the election results, Donald Trump has indeed won the 2024 U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Here’s an analysis of the key statistics and implications:
Electoral College Victory
Donald Trump has secured the presidency by winning crucial battleground states and flipping some key states that were previously held by Democrats. The final Electoral College tally is still being determined, but Trump has surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
Battleground State Performance
Trump’s victory was largely secured by winning several critical swing states:
- Wisconsin: Trump’s win here was pivotal in securing his path to victory.
- Pennsylvania: This state flipped back to Republican control.
- Georgia: Another key state that Trump managed to win back.
- Michigan: Trump successfully flipped this traditionally Democratic stronghold.
Popular Vote and Voter Priorities
While the final popular vote tally is still being calculated, exit polls provide insight into voter priorities:
- Economy and democracy were top concerns for voters.
- Abortion and immigration also played significant roles in voter decision-making.
Congressional Control
The election results extend beyond the presidency:
- Republicans are set to take back the Senate majority, securing at least 51 seats.
- Control of the House of Representatives remains undetermined.
Media Implications
The outcome of this election could be seen as a challenge to mainstream media narratives for several reasons:
- Polling Discrepancies: Many pre-election polls suggested a tight race or even a slight Harris advantage in key states. Trump’s victory, particularly in battleground states, may indicate that polls underestimated his support.
- Narrative Shifts: Throughout the campaign, much of the mainstream media focused on Trump’s legal challenges and controversies. His victory suggests that these issues may not have resonated with voters as much as economic and policy concerns.
- Voter Priorities: The emphasis on issues like the economy and immigration in voter decision-making may indicate a disconnect between media focus and voter concerns.
- Electoral Predictions: Many mainstream outlets were cautious about predicting a Trump victory, even as results began to favor him. This hesitancy could be seen as a reflection of broader media skepticism about Trump’s chances.
- Underestimation of Trump’s Base: The results suggest that Trump’s core support remained strong and potentially grew, despite negative coverage in much of the mainstream media.
It’s important to note that while the election outcome may challenge some media narratives, it doesn’t necessarily invalidate all mainstream reporting. The complex factors influencing voter behavior and the challenges of accurate political forecasting remain subjects of ongoing analysis and debate.
As the dust settles on this historic election, both the media and political analysts will likely engage in extensive reflection on the factors that led to Trump’s victory and the implications for future political coverage and analysis.
Bolanle Media is excited to announce our partnership with The Newbie Film Academy to offer comprehensive courses designed specifically for aspiring screenwriters. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, our resources will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive world of screenwriting. Join us today to unlock your creative potential and take your first steps toward crafting compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Let’s turn your ideas into impactful scripts together!
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