Canada is ‘evaluating’ its ties with Israel following Qatar strike, foreign minister says
(JTA) — Canada is “evaluating” its relationship with Israel following the country’s strikes on Hamas leadership in Qatar, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Wednesday.
“We are evaluating the relationship with Israel,” Anand told reporters when asked if Canada would follow the lead of the European Commission, which announced plans Wednesday to seek sanctions against Israel.
“Of course, the attack yesterday on Qatar was one that was unacceptable. It was a violation of Qatari airspace. There were deaths on the ground at a time when Qatar was trying to facilitate peace,” Anand continued. “There are many moving pieces in the Middle East right now. And at the rock bottom, Canada’s position is that we need to work for peace in the Middle East and we need to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
When asked to clarify her comments, Anand replied that the government “will continue to evaluate our next steps.”
Anand’s statement marks the latest sign of discontent among the Canadian government with Israel’s conduct.
In July, Canada joined with a growing list of countries, including Australia, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom, in announcing plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly this month.
Spain’s prime minister draws criticism after saying lack of nuclear weapons limits role in stopping Gaza war
(JTA) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez lamented his country’s lack of “nuclear weapons” while announcing sanctions against Israel over the war in Gaza.
“Spain, as you know, doesn’t have nuclear bombs, nor aircraft carriers, nor large oil reserves,” said Sánchez in a speech posted to social media earlier this week. “We alone can’t stop the Israeli offensive, but that doesn’t mean we won’t stop trying because there are causes worth fighting for even if it’s not in our sole power to win them.”
The comments have raised eyebrows among some pro-Israel voices who said Sánchez had revealed an ambition of attacking Israel. “These disgusting and inflammatory comments have violently ripped off the mask of Prime Minister Sánchez, who claims to be acting on behalf of humanitarian intentions, when his secret desire appears to be militarily attacking Israel, even with the use of weapons of mass destruction,” Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, said in a statement.
Sánchez’s comment came as he unveiled a slew of Spanish sanctions against Israel, including an arms embargo, a ban on ships carrying fuel for Israel’s armed forces from passing through Spanish ports, an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and a bar on entry to Spain of individuals participating in what he said was a “genocide” against Palestinians.
Herzog receives suspicious package in London
(JNS) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a suspicious package during his visit to London on Thursday.
British and Israeli security personnel handled the suspicious object, the head of state’s office said. No additional information was given.
Since the war with Iran in June, and particularly in recent weeks, Israeli security officials have assessed that Tehran, together with Hamas, may seek to target official Israeli assets abroad, Ynet reported on Thursday.
In response, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) has deployed what it described as “unique technological capabilities” to enhance protection around Israeli diplomatic missions, delegations and institutions, Ynet said.
The security measures, some of which are being used abroad for the first time, include overt and covert reinforcements carried out in cooperation with local security forces, according to the report.
Herzog and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday. Their meeting was only announced on the second day of Herzog’s visit, conducted at the invitation of the Jewish community.
Both men said that it was a tense exchange, with Herzog opposing the U.K. government’s stance on Israel and Starmer slamming the Jewish state over the war against Hamas and Tuesday’s strike on terrorists in Qatar.
Algeria legitimizing Hamas at UN council, Danon says
(JNS) — Algeria is legitimizing Hamas by calling for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sept. 11, after Israel’s strike in Doha, according to the Israeli mission to the global body in New York.
Algeria represents the Arab states at the council.
“The Algerian ambassador chooses to cooperate with Hamas and provide them with legitimacy from within the Security Council,” stated Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations. “Israel will continue to act decisively against the leaders of terror wherever they are hiding and is committed to returning the hostages and maintaining security for our citizens.”
The session, originally set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, was postponed following a request from the Prime Minister of Qatar to participate in the meeting.
“Israel’s action was not intended to target the State of Qatar,” Danon stated. “The goal was, and will remain, clear: to strike Hamas terrorists and those responsible for the massacres of Oct. 7.”
The ambassador added that “there will be no immunity for terrorists — not in Gaza, Lebanon or Qatar.”
Israeli-Russian Princeton student Elizabeth Tsurkov freed from captivity in Iraq
(JTA) — An Israeli-Russian Princeton University graduate student who was kidnapped in Iraq in 2023 while conducting research there has been freed and will return to Israel Wednesday, according to U.S. President Donald Trump and her family.
Elizabeth Tsurkov was taken hostage in Baghdad on March 21, 2023, while doing research for her doctorate about sectarianism in the region.
In July 2023, the Israeli government announced that she was being held by Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iraqi Shia militia that is backed by Iran. Separate from the Hezbollah that is based in Lebanon, it was designated by the United States as a terrorist organization in 2009.
Tsurkov’s sister Emma, a U.S. citizen and director of quantitiative research for the Anti-Defamation League, cheered her release and credited Adam Boehler, Trump’s hostage envoy who has also negotiated the release of hostages in Gaza, Russia and elsewhere since beginning his work earlier this year.
“We are thrilled for Elizabeth’s family and especially her sister Emma Tsurkov, our ADL colleague, who fought tirelessly for her release and thank the Administration for all they did to secure her release,” wrote the ADL in a Facebook post. “What a relief to know Elizabeth is free at last.”
