Search focused on the Middle East

16+ min ago (501+ words) Former UK leader loses out on key role in transitional authority after objections from Arab and Muslim nations Tony Blair will not occupy a key position on Donald Trump's Gaza "peace council" after Arab and Muslim nations were reported to have objected to the involvement of the former UK prime minister. According to the Financial Times (FT), Blair has been quietly dropped from consideration for Trump's "board of peace", which Trump has said he would chair himself. It had previously been reported widely that Blair had been canvassing behind the scenes for a prominent role in Gaza's interim administration, amid leaks of a plan drawn up in part by his Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) with Trump's son-in-law and informal envoy Jared Kushner. While Blair's backers had pointed to his role in ending decades of violence in Northern…...

36+ min ago (42+ words) Real time news brief - ICJ alowss Russian counterclaim that Ukraine committed 'genocide' - Israel National News flashes around the clock are waiting for you on the site ICJ alowss Russian counterclaim that Ukraine committed 'genocide' ICJ alowss Russian counterclaim that Ukraine committed 'genocide'...

36+ min ago (151+ words) The Russian government announced today (Monday) that it has charged 41 current and former Ukrainian officials with a "genocide" against ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine, the Moscow Times reported. The indictment states that the officials acted "with the intent of committing genocide" in the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, killing 5,000 civilians since 2014. The Russian Prosecutor's Office claimed the ethnic Russian population of the area fell by two million by 2022. when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not among the officials named in the indictment. The announcement comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Russia's counterclaims against Ukraine, including its accusation of "genocide," are admissible in the court. It added: "In respect of the first requirement, the Court concludes that it has jurisdiction to entertain the counter-claims of the Russian Federation under Article IX…...

47+ min ago (1006+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 794 Ariela Karmel is a political reporter at The Times of Israel. She was previously a reporter for Haaretz and Calcalist. Likud MK Galit Distel Atbaryan on Monday opened the first session of the special Knesset panel formed to advance Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's controversial media bill with a blistering attack on the media, despite assurances from the coalition that the legislation is intended to increase freedom of the press. Distel Atbaryan, who chairs the committee, called the proposed legislation, which will loosen broadcast licensing regulations, "a historic law intended to change the face of communications from end to end." She attacked "the media," which she accused of being "centralized, monopolistic, and frighteningly oppressive." "The media does not reflect reality, not even superficially. The media has created a caricature and erased complexity from public discourse in favor…...

48+ min ago (99+ words) [An IDF soldier holds the weapon of slain hostage IDF Capt. Daniel Perez after retrieving it in the Gaza Strip, December 8, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON]Captain Daniel Perez was murdered during the October 7 massacre. His remains were returned to Israel on October 13, 2025. His father, Rabbi Doron, was recently elected WZO president. IDF finds weapon of slain hostage IDF Capt. Daniel Perez in booby-trapped Gaza compound Captain Daniel Perez was murdered during the October 7 massacre. His remains were returned to Israel on October 13, 2025. His father, Rabbi Doron, was recently elected WZO president....

52+ min ago (1057+ words) Sanctions, instability and external meddling are still problems for Ahmed al-Sharaa, one year after Assad's fall Ddivided Syria struggles to escape cycle of violence The fall of the house of Assad " in pictures If ubiquity and handshakes were the only measures of success, Ahmed al-Sharaa would be diplomat of the year. Since he formally became president of Syria on 29 January 2025, the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham " a jihadist group with an al-Qaida lineage " has made a total of 21 public international trips to 13 countries. These include a visit to the UN general assembly, the climate change conference in Brazil, and numerous Arab summits. In the latest sign of the goodwill directed towards Syria's rebirth, envoys from all 15 members of the UN security council were in Damascus last week to mark the anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The display…...

58+ min ago (87+ words) [Mossad Director David Barnea seen over a backdrop of Qatari flags and the Mossad emblem (illustrative) (photo credit: FLASH90, SHUTTERSTOCK)]Israel's spy chief has used his extensive skill set to rebuild the Mossad's working relationship with Qatar following the attempted assassination of Hamas officials in Doha. Mossad chief Barnea bridges Doha divide after Israel's assassination attempt in Qatar - analysis Israel's spy chief has used his extensive skill set to rebuild the Mossad's working relationship with Qatar following the attempted assassination of Hamas officials in Doha....

58+ min ago (615+ words) Speaking in New York, President Isaac Herzog urged a united fight against antisemitism, defended Israel's conduct in war, and warned of growing Iranian aggression. President Herzog in NYC: Mamdani shows 'utter contempt' for Jewish nation state Speaking in New York, President Isaac Herzog urged a united fight against antisemitism, defended Israel's conduct in war, and warned of growing Iranian aggression. During his ongoing visit to New York, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the Biennial National Assembly of the American Zionist Movement, a forum of over 50 Jewish organizations based in the United States. In his remarks, President Herzog spoke of the importance of the global fight against antisemitism, recent developments affecting the Jewish community in New York, and the ongoing challenges facing the State of Israel. President Herzog stated that he was "extremely disturbed" by the rise of antisemitism in the…...

58+ min ago (54+ words) Real time news brief - President Herzog in NYC: Mamdani shows 'utter contempt' for Jewish nation state - Israel National News flashes around the clock are waiting for you on the site President Herzog in NYC: Mamdani shows 'utter contempt' for Jewish nation state President Herzog in NYC: Mamdani shows 'utter contempt' for Jewish nation state...

1+ hour, 13+ min ago (315+ words) Mattova was speaking to a friend on FaceTime in the back of an Uber when the driver abruptly stopped the car at a busy intersection, telling her to get out. Initially confused, Mattova was told by the driver that she was uncomfortable continuing the ride. When she pressed further, the driver explained bluntly, "I don't drive Jews." "I think when dealing with a serious incident involving hate, there needs to be action within 24 hours," Mattova told The National Post. "Anything less allows prejudice to be expressed freely. What happened to me was a direct act of antisemitism, and it's important to speak about it openly." Uber stated that discrimination was not tolerated and that they had taken "appropriate action" against the driver, though they declined to specify what actions were taken. Matova, however, expressed concern that Uber refused to clarify…...