From: The Times of Israel April 28, 2025

Israeli President Isaac Herzog to UN ambassadors: We expect international institutions to end 'hypocrisy' in treatment of Israel
Herzog told a delegation of ambassadors to the UN that Israel expects from international institutions: "much more fairness" and "an end to hypocrisy"

"As somebody who has great respect for the international institutions, we expect:
1. major change in the behavior of the international institutions,
2. an end to hypocrisy, and much more fairness.
3. That is our demand. That's all we demand.

We know how to admit failures when we make mistakes, but we are defending ourselves according to our inherent right to protect and defend ourselves,"

The delegation, led by Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, represents countries from Europe, Africa, the Pacific, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
During their time in Israel, the ambassadors visited communities in the south that were impacted by the October 7 Hamas attack.

From: CNN April 28, 2025
US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier.

A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been "lost" at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement. All personnel are accounted for, and one sailor sustained a minor injury.

A US official said that initial reports from the scene indicated that:
the Truman made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire, which contributed to the fighter jet falling overboard.

The Houthi rebel group claimed to have launched a drone and missile attack on the aircraft carrier, which is in the Red Sea as part of the US military's major
anti-Houthi operation.

"The F/A-18E was actively under tow in the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft.
The aircraft and tow tractor were lost overboard," the statement said.

"Sailors towing the aircraft took immediate action to move clear of the aircraft before it fell overboard. An investigation is underway."
A second US official told CNN that the aircraft had sunk.

An individual F/A-18 fighter jet costs more than $60 million, according to the Navy.

The Truman Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed in the Middle East and was in the Red Sea at the time of the incident.

The Navy emphasized on Monday that the strike group and its air wing "remain fully mission capable."

The Truman has repeatedly been targeted in attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
It made headlines in February when it collided with a merchant ship near Egypt; no injuries were reported.

Another F/A-18 from the Truman was also "mistakenly fired" upon and shot down by the USS Gettysburg in the Red Sea in December; both pilots ejected safely.

US says it struck over 800 Houthi targets since March
How is it Houthis still firing coming to two months of US bombardment

Reuters April 30, 2025
U.K., U.S. forces conduct joint operation against Houthi military target in Yemen

U.S. and British forces conducted a joint military operation in Yemen on Tuesday, according to Britain's Ministry of Defence, which said the operation was against a Houthi military target responsible for making drones like those used to attack shipping.

President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting Iran-backed Houthi rebels until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.

Britain and the U.S. have also previously conducted joint operations and strikes in Yemen. Houthis still firing

The British statement said intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings located some 15 miles (24 km) south of Yemen's capital Sanaa that were used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

It did not mention details about any casualties.

The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced, the British statement said, adding that its aircraft returned safely. There was no immediate U.S. military comment.

Houthi-controlled television said on Monday a U.S. airstrike killed 68 people after striking a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen.

A U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday the U.S. military was aware of claims of civilian casualties and was conducting its assessment.

The Times of Israel April 29, 2025
Right-wing activists storm Ra’anana synagogue hosting screening of joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial event.

Dozens of right-wing activists surrounded the Beit Samueli synagogue in the central Israeli city of Ra’anana earlier this evening, where people were gathered for a screening of the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Jaffa.

In footage published online, protesters can be seen crowding around the courtyard and on the steps leading to the entrance to the synagogue, many of them clutching Israeli flags.

The Haaretz daily reports that a number of protesters also forced their way into the building itself, where they hurled abuse at the event’s participants, including by telling them to “go to Gaza,” while chasing after them.

“You are Nazis! Nazis!” someone screams at a participant, who captures the chaos on camera.
“Death to terrorists! Death to terrorists!” others chant and applaud. “All the Arabs are whores!”

Police were called to the scene to evacuate people from the event, but there are no immediate reports of any arrests.

Disgrace These activists not doing Israel any favors

CTV news April 29, 2025
NDP and Singh have been consistent critics of Israel's actions.

After a challenging election campaign that saw
1. New Democrats sidelined,
2. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has failed to secure his re-election,
3. The party has also lost its official status, failing to secure the 12 seats necessary.

Singh announced he will step down once an interim leader is appointed, Canadian media announced.

Mark Carney stirred controversy in recent weeks with comments that were critical of Israel ahead of his election for the premiership on Monday.

In contrast, opposition leader and Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre maintained a strong pro-Israel stance and consistently supported Israel, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War. Poilievre lost his seat in Monday's general election, Canadian media announced.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East CJPME April 30, 2025
Tell Carney to Drop Marco Mendicino

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has an opportunity to adopt a new approach to Israel's genocide in Gaza.

In a troubling first decision, however, Carney has appointed Marco Mendicino to be his Chief of Staff, a staunchly pro-Israel politician who is openly hostile to Palestinian human rights. Mendicino has amplified far-right anti-Palestinian figures and is one of the only Liberal MPs who is opposed to a ceasefire in Gaza.

At every opportunity, Mendicino has urged Canada to oppose efforts to restrain Israel’s actions in Gaza or to hold its leaders accountable for war crimes.
It is outrageous and alarming that Carney would choose him for a top position of power and influence in his transition team and next government.

Mendicino has been advising Canada to abandon international law and become even more complicit in Israel’s genocide.
He has no place in advising Carney on foreign policy.

In Europe people increasingly think of each other in terms of 'us' versus 'them' however the current Israeli government is the most right-wing in the nation's history. Far-right politics in Israel includes ideologies such as ultra-nationalism, Jewish supremacy, Jewish fascism, Jewish , anti-Arabism, and ideological movements such as neo-Zionism and Kahanism.

During the National Remembrance on May 4, we commemorate the Dutch victims of the Second World War, the colonial war in Indonesia and of war situations and peace missions afterwards. Of the estimated 140,000 Jews in the Netherlands in May 1940, approximately 101,800 were murdered or died of disease and exhaustion, which amounts to a shockingly high percentage of 73%. The first deportations were in February 1941, the mass deportations began in the summer of 1942.


But those activists want to bring the Gaza war up front on that day.

It will continue till Hamas surrender or nothing is left of Gaza.
October 7 was a turning point for Israel.

From: Reuters May 1, 2025
US-Iran negotiations delayed; Iran accuses US of 'provocative statements' ahead of nuclear talks

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said:
The fourth round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Saturday, will be postponed, citing logistics.

Earlier Thursday, Iran accused the US of "contradictory behaviour and provocative statements" after Washington warned Tehran of consequences for backing Yemen's Houthis and imposed new oil-related sanctions on it, in the midst of nuclear talks.

Washington and Tehran have been conducting negotiations over the past month on a deal to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for the lifting of financial sanctions. A fourth round of talks was due to be held in Rome on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Washington imposed sanctions on entities it accused of involvement in the illicit trade of Iranian oil and petrochemicals.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran on Wednesday that it will face consequences for supporting the Houthis, a group that controls northern Yemen and has struck shipping in the Red Sea in what it says is solidarity with the Palestinians.

From: Haaretz May 1, 2025

Largest Wildfires in Israel’s History:
Arson or climate change natural disaster

Firefighters continue to battle Jerusalem Area fire that already burned 5,000 acres, The Jewish National Fund (JNF) says.

The fire raging through the Jerusalem area remained uncontained Thursday morning, Fire and Rescue services announced, as 119 firefighting teams continued battling the blaze that broke out Wednesday.

Eight firefighting aircraft from Cyprus, Italy and France are expected to arrive throughout the day to assist suppression efforts.

Human and Material Damage:
Authorities reported that 17 firefighters were injured during operations, with two evacuated to the hospital.

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) estimated Wednesday that approximately 24,000 dunams (about 6,000 acres) have burned in what is being called one of the largest wildfires in the country's history.

According to the Israeli news site Walla most of the Canada Forest was destroyed, and the Eshtaol Forest sustained severe damage.
Public access has been barred to 15 additional forests and nature reserves.

Police said all roads previously closed due to the fires have since reopened to traffic.

Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar thanks EU for helping in Jerusalem fires

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar thanked Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for assisting Israel during massive fires near Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry said.

"Following [an Israeli] request yesterday, the European Union activated its emergency assistance mechanism for natural disasters used among EU member states — for the state of Israel," the statement read.

The ministry said that, accordingly, EU states have been instructed to provide aid to Israel.
"This mechanism enables rapid assistance between EU countries efficiently and with minimum bureaucracy," they said.

Over 7,000 residents were evacuated after a massive wildfire broke out Wednesday in the Jerusalem area.
Firefighting aircraft arrived from Cyprus, Italy and France.

French President Emmanuel Macron expresses 'full solidarity' with Israelis facing wildfires, ravaging the areas surrounding Jerusalem.
France is willing to supply aid, shortly.

I posted in another thread about the drought in the EU this will be a very dry year even in Holland we already had wildfires some weeks ago. Not on a huge scale but this summer it is a great threat to all of Europe.

From: The Palestine Chronicle May 1, 2025

Fear of Fire Regeneration:
As the fire service and rescue authorities in Israel expect the arrival of eight planes with firefighting support from Cyprus, Italy, and Croatia, there are concerns that the fires may reignite.

The head of the Jerusalem District in the Fire Service noted that the winds are expected to pick up, potentially restarting the fires.

According to Israeli fire services and the so-called Jewish National Fund, by 2 PM today, the window for controlling the blaze would close, with strong winds anticipated to reignite the fires between 4 PM and 7 PM.

Investigation into Causes: Ongoing Investigations:
The Israeli news outlet The Times of Israel reported that the vast majority of wildfires in Israel are caused by humans, often due to negligence.

The website also pointed out that Israel is experiencing a long, hot, and dry summer, conditions conducive to forest fires.
Significant wildfires have been reported in Israel in 1989, 1995, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Security sources suggest it is still too early to determine whether the fires were the result of “nationalist motives”.

Exchange of Blame:
Security sources, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, criticized the police and fire services, stating that they “failed, and there is a complete lack of understanding.”

They also noted that these agencies had ignored warnings from the army regarding the potential for fires that day.

At the same time, extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was criticized for allegedly obstructing the purchase of firefighting helicopters that could have helped in managing the major fire.

Israel’s large-scale planting of European pine trees, which are not native to the region, as part of efforts to reshape the landscape and cover depopulated Palestinian villages, has significantly increased the vulnerability of the region to wildfires.

Unlike native Mediterranean plants, these pines are highly flammable, with resinous wood and dense needle litter that ignites easily under dry, hot conditions.
1. With climate change exacerbating heatwaves and droughts,
2. these monoculture forests have become tinderboxes, fueling uncontrollable fires
3. and threatening both ecosystems and surrounding communities.

From: Haaretz May 1, 2025
Day 574

Netanyahu: 'Returning the hostages is a very important goal, the war has a supreme goal — victory over our enemies'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday at the annual Bible Contest ceremony held in honor of Israel's Independence Day that:
1. "We have many war goals.
2. We want to return all of our hostages."
3. "We want to bring back the living and the fallen. This is a very important goal.
4. The war has a supreme goal, and the supreme goal is to achieve victory over our enemies — and that, we will achieve."

IDF Chief: Ready and prepared to strike a decisive blow against Hamas, if required, we will do so soon

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said:
1. the military is ready and prepared to strike a decisive blow against Hamas.
2. "We will use all the power at our disposal, increase the pace and intensity of the operation.
3. If required, we will do so soon, with determination in the righteousness of our path"

US President Donal Trump to Israel's president: 'Through conflict and peace, the US remains your steadfast partner'

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday that he has received letters and messages of congratulations and support from international leadership marking Israel's 77th Independence Day.

Herzog said that US President Donald Trump wrote him a letter, reminding him that the United States was the first country to recognize the State of Israel, "minutes after Israel declared its independence."

"From that day forward, our support for Israel has remained resolute," wrote the US president.
"The strength and importance of the United States-Israel relationship is evident in our historic partnership and in the enduring ties of our peoples."

"Through conflict and peace, the United States remains your steadfast partner, promoting Israel's security against its many threats.
I am proud of all we have accomplished together, and I look forward to deepening our friendship," Trump wrote to Herzog.