Prof. Kobi Michael: It is well understood that a ground operation in Rafah will most certainly hurt the ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages, which is perceived as a priority for a vast majority of the Israeli public.
Published in The Medialine, April 30, 2024
Prof. Kobi Michael: Unfortunately, I am skeptical about the possibility of a breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas regarding the hostages. In my opinion, Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip lacks significant incentive for substantial concessions. They feel that time is working in their favor, not only time but also the United States and the international community, exerting pressure on Israel and criticizing its actions. In my view, only a combination of three efforts: military effort, American pressure on Qatar to exert significant pressure on Hamas, and the establishment of an immediate alternative to Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, could increase the likelihood of a breakthrough in negotiations. It’s important to understand that even in the event of a deal, Hamas will not release all the hostages, as they serve as the ultimate insurance policy for them to ensure their survival in Gaza. Their survival is their ultimate victory in their eyes.
The interview took place on the BBC News, 27.4.2024.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has urged the Biden administration to act as pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread to more American university campuses.
Some of the protests have included calls for violence and harassment of Jewish students. On many of the campuses, protesters have set up unauthorized encampments of tents to press their demands, most notably at Columbia University in New York City.
The White House said Tuesday that it was monitoring the situation at college campuses closely, saying people have the right to publicly protest but not physical intimidation or calls for violence, citing some “alarming rhetoric.”
KAN’s Mark Weiss spoke with Lahav Harkov on Kan English radio.
24.4.2024.
ISRAEL Vs IRAN: A Case of Clash of Civilisations: Dr #SubramanianSwamy with Mr Joseph Rozen.
21.4.2024.
Meir Ben Shabbat to JNS: Israel must consider the possibility of seizing this opportunity to derive significant benefit, such as in the realm of preventing Iranian nuclear proliferation.
Published in JNS, April 17, 2024.
Former Amb. NSA O’Brien on ABC News: We need to make a strong statement in support of Israel, and start treating Hamas like we treated ISIS…With the Iranians, we should put together a coalition with Israel and other Western allies, and at a minimum take out their drone factories and their ballistic missiles factories that are raining terror down on people in Ukraine and now in Israel.
Dr. Adi Schwartz: In the last week or two, there have been serious allegations against Hamas’s numbers. They’re on the defensive right now. That’s how I understand it. They didn’t have a choice.
They want to be seen as a credible source addressing the concerns of the international media. It’s their way of staying on top of the narrative, how to spin it,
Published in TPS, April 11, 2024.
The potential for mutually-beneficial cooperation between Israel and Indonesia exists in numerous areas, from defense and cyber to water, agriculture and innovation. As with Saudi Arabia, we may see normalization proceed in a gradual manner, focused first on specific areas or fields. Strong American support for the expansion of the Abraham Accords will be extremely important to their success.
Prof. Kobi Michael: The appointment of Mohammed Mustafa is really just replacing one Mohammed with another Mohammed. Mustafa, who previously served as the deputy prime minister and minister of the economy, was a close ally and adviser of Abbas and “he will do whatever Abbas tells him to do.”
Published in Fox Mews, April 7, 2024. .
Tehran’s diplomacy complements its military pressure on Jordan. Ten years ago Jordan rejected an Iranian offer to supply free oil to the kingdom. Now Tehran is trying again to tighten relations. The Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, is urging his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, to join Saudi Arabia in a regional rapprochement between Sunni and Shiite Mideast countries.
The full interview published in The New York Sun, April 4, 2024/
