July 18, 2024

*) US restricts visas of Israelis accused of West Bank ‘violence’ The United States has announced new visa restrictions against Israelis who have committed “violent” acts against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. It called on Israel to hold those individuals accountable. The measures bar certain Israelis and their loved ones from entering the United States. *) Israeli Knesset rejects Palestinian statehood in controversial vote In a controversial move, Israel’s Knesset has approved a resolution that overwhelmingly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian state, passing with a vote of 68-9. Even though Palestine is recognised by 147 of the 193 UN member states already, the matter was brought to the Israeli Knesset to discuss the recognition of its statehood. The resolution raised doubt on whether Tel Aviv is in a position to grant independence to occupied Palestinians. *) Hezbollah warns Israel over strikes targeting civilians in Lebanon Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has warned that his group would hit new targets in Israel if more civilians were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Nasrallah said “if the enemy continues to target civilians as it has done in recent days,” then this will push Hezbollah to target localities that it has not targeted until now. The Lebanese movement has exchanged almost daily fire with Israeli troops in support of Palestinian resistance group Hamas following Israel’s war on Gaza. *) Biden tests positive for Covid-19, halts campaign trail US President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 while on a campaign trip to Las Vegas and is experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said. White House said Biden would not be able to speak at scheduled events due to the diagnosis. The White House said it will provide regular updates on the president’s status as “he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.” *) FIFA opens probe into Argentina players’ racist chants FIFA said it was opening an investigation into racist chants by Argentina players after they won the Copa America. The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami. Some players, including Fernandez, sang a chant dating back to the 2022 World Cup final in which Argentina beat France, targeting France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe and included insults.