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The international community is racing to address the violence in Israel and Gaza.
How?
Both in public and behind the scenes. Yesterday, the US joined the UK, France, Germany, and Italy to release a joint statementin support of Israel. Meanwhile, the EU backtracked on pausing about $730 million in aid to Palestinians and said it will review its funding to ensure EU money is not used in attacks. Qatar — which has backed Hamas and has ties to the US — is reportedly trying to negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap. Then there’s Saudi Arabia and Iran.
What about them?
Some believe Hamas timed the attacks to derail US-led negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had apparently signaled that it would recognize Israel, which could pave the way for other Arab states to do the same.This may have set off alarm bells in Iran.
Why Iran?
Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war. Israel has been trying to curb Iran’s power and disrupt its nuclear program, including through targeted attacks. Iran has been accused of funding militant groups across the Middle East (like Hamas and Hezbollah) that have attacked Israelis. And with Israel and Saudi Arabia inching closer to a deal, Iran may have felt vulnerable. Hamas’s attack could be the latest example, with some suggesting Iran helped them fund and plan it. Iran has denied involvement. All of this has put the US in a tough spot.
What do you mean?
Republicans are blaming President Biden for releasing $6 billion to Iran last month in exchange for the release of five Americans. The Biden admin says the funds are still untouched. Meanwhile, it’s going to be difficult for Congress to act like sending military aid or pass a resolution while the country is without a House speaker.
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This weekend’s attacks are kicking off a wave of geopolitical tensions that stretch from the Middle East to the US and everywhere in between.
The death toll in Israel and Gaza is mounting. Here’s what that looks like in…
Israel: After infiltrating 22 towns, Hamas has taken at least 150 Israelis hostage — including children, families, and the elderly. The militant group is now threatening to kill one hostage each time Israel sends a missile into Gaza and targets civilians “without warning.” The death toll has reached over 900 people, including 11 Americans with thousands injured — the deadliest attack since the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Israelis are calling it their 9/11.
Gaza: Residents are bracing for a potential ground invasion. Israel has cut off food, water, gas, and electricity to the 25-mile-long Palestinian territory along Israel’s southwest border. The strip, home to more than 2 million people, under a 16-year blockade, with nowhere to go. Now, the death toll has reached over 600 people, with thousands injured. The violence comes after 2022 was already one of the deadliest years on record forPalestinians.
Civilians across Gaza and Israel are suffering from violence. All signs point to that violence escalating without any end date in sight.
And Also...This
Who President Biden spent the long weekend with…
Special counsel Robert Hur. Yesterday, the White House said that President Biden had spent Sunday and Monday in a “voluntary” interview with Hur as part of his investigation into the president’s handling of classified documents. In January, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed the independent special counsel to investigate over two dozen documents discovered across Biden’s home and office, dating back to Biden’s time as a senator and vice president. The interview could indicate the investigation is wrapping up. The White House didn’t give any details on what he was asked.
Which state is deciding on key bills…
California. Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) vetoed a bill that would’ve made CA the first state to ban discrimination based on caste. He called the bill “unnecessary” because “discrimination based on caste is already prohibited” under other categories. If the bill had become law, it would’ve made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of caste. The Hindu American Foundation reportedly called it a “divisive bill” that “implicitly singles out” South Asians. Another advocacy group called Newsom’s veto “heartbreaking.”
…Oh and speaking of the Golden State, over the weekend, California became the first state to ban four chemicals found in well-known candies like Peeps and Entenmann’s Little Bites. The chemicals are linked to cancer. Just in time for Halloween.
Where people are mourning…
Afghanistan. Yesterday, rescuers worked to search for survivors after a deadly earthquake hit the northwestern city of Herat. The Taliban said Saturday’s 6.3 magnitude quake killed at least 2,400 people and left hundreds injured and thousands displaced. The death toll is expected to rise and many survivors are awaiting food and medical aid. The earthquake comes as Afghanistan has struggled with a drop in international aid after the Taliban took control of the country.
What girl math actually looks like…
The Nobel Prize in economics. Yesterday, Claudia Goldin won the prize for her research on the gender pay gap. Her 1990 book looks at the roots of the gender pay gap across 200 years of history and is being described as the first “comprehensive account” of women’s employment and pay.
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