International
The Israeli Parliament votes “as a principle” of a Palestinian state
The Knesset (Israeli Parliament) voted this morning “as a principle” against the establishment of a Palestinian State, in the midst of a growing debate about it in the international community for the war in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution that denies the possibility of a Palestinian State, co-sponsored by parties of the right-wing coalition of Benjamin Netanyahu and other parties of the same tendency as the opposition, passed with 68 votes in favor and 9 against.
The center-right National Unity party, of former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz – now in the opposition -, also voted in favor of the resolution, which rejects a Palestinian state even as part of a negotiation with Israel.
“National Unity is committed, in whatever future political scenario that arises, to preserve the Jewish and democratic identity of the State of Israel, and insist on its historical rights and security interests,” said a statement from the formation.
The legislators of the centrist “Hay Futuro”, the head of the opposition and former prime minister, Yair Lapid, left in the middle of the Knesset before the vote to avoid supporting the measure, despite the fact that he has spoken out in favor of the solution of the two States.
The only formations that were in favor of a Palestinian state were the Labour party and the Arab formations Raam and Hadash-Taal.
The initiative went ahead a few days before Netanyahu’s planned visit to the United States to address a joint session in Congress, on July 22, and also meet with President Joe Biden, a meeting that could be affected after the US ruler tested positive for COVID-19.
Already in February, the Knesset approved a resolution, proposed by Netanyahu himself, rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, but that motion specifically addressed the unilateral establishment of that state in the face of statements by several countries that were considering recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of a peace agreement with Israel.
Eight countries have unilaterally recognized the Palestinian State in 2024, driven by the lack of diplomatic exit to the war in Gaza: Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Armenia.
The joint recognition of the three EU countries – Spain, Ireland and Norway – caused great anger in Israel, which called for consultations with its ambassadors and summoned the three European representatives for a reprimand.
A total of 145 countries of the 193 that are part of the United Nations have recognized the Palestinian State, a dozen of them belong to the European Union (EU).
“Israel’s Knesset is firmly opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state in the west of Jordan. The establishment of a Palestinian State in the heart of the Land of Israel will pose an existential danger to the State of Israel and its citizens, perpetuate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and destabilize the region,” says the resolution adopted on Thursday.
“It will only be a matter of a short time before Hamas takes over the Palestinian State and turns it into a radical Islamic terrorist base, in coordination with the axis led by Iran to eliminate the State of Israel,” he adds.
The resolution considers that promoting the idea of a Palestinian State at this time is “a reward for terrorism and will only encourage Hamas and its supporters to see this as a victory thanks to the massacre of October 7, 2023, and a prelude to the seizure of power by jihadist Islam in the Middle East.”
Although he achieved the co-sponsorship of several right-wing parties, the resolution was initially proposed by the right-wing New Hope party – a split of Netanyahu’s Likud – whose leader, Guideon Saar, stated that its purpose is to “express general opposition among the Israeli people to a Palestinian state, which would endanger the security and future of Israel.”
“It is a message to the international community that the pressure to impose a Palestinian state on Israel is useless,” he said.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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