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US Envoy to Israel: Palestinian State Not Reward for Terrorism
Former US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next US ambassador to Israel on Capitol Hill, Washington, US, Oct. 18, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Leah Millis
JNS.org — American Ambassador to Israel Jacob Lew gave an intricate interview at the Institute for National Security Studies online conference on Thursday, discussing a broad spectrum of topics, including hostage negotiations, the US arms shipment delay, Israel-US ties, Saudi Arabia, and regional normalization efforts.
Lew emphasized the need for flexibility in talks with Hamas, firmly rejected the notion that a two-state solution would reward terrorism, and provided insights into the ongoing hostage deal talks and the complexities of achieving regional normalization.
When asked whether it was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who needed to show more flexibility to secure a deal, Lew diplomatically responded, “In any negotiation, everyone needs to be flexible.”
Explaining how the two-state solution would not be a “trophy” for Palestinian terrorism, Lew explained that while Hamas ostensibly advocates for two states, its true stance is fundamentally opposed to the existence of a Jewish state. As such, “a long-term vision of how two people can live together and for there to be a democratic Jewish state of Israel” would be a “defeat for Iran and Hamas,” and therefore “not a reward for October 7, but punishment.”
Looking to the future after a Gaza deal, he added, “From there, within the remaining time constraints, we try to achieve normalization.” Nevertheless, he said it would not be an easy process as “Saudi Arabia made it clear it was not prepared to go through normalization on the exact same terms as the Abraham Accords.”
Regarding potential direct negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli-American dual citizen hostages, Lew assured that the administration was still pursuing “Plan A,” which includes Israel in the process. “We are devoting most of our energy, from the president through the entire foreign policy team, myself included, 24/7 efforts to make it happen,” the ambassador emphasized.
Despite the recent murder of six hostages in captivity, Lew claimed that “progress continued to be made” and that “conversations at very senior levels between Israel and the mediators continued.”
The Philadelphi Corridor
Addressing the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt, Lew said, “Phase 1 never called for the complete withdrawal of IDF from Gaza. There’s no mention of the Philadelphi Corridor in the document. It wasn’t even an issue when the framework was drafted.”
On the topic of the US weapons shipment delays to Israel, Lew said, “There was one shipment that was put on hold because we have different views on the appropriate use of one weapons system. There was never an embargo. The day that shipment was held, aircraft delivered munition to Israel.”
He added, “Friends can have different views about the use of a 2,000-pound bomb. It was blown way out of proportion.”
Lew praised Israel for adjusting its plans for Rafah after the US expressed concerns about civilian casualties. “IDF rethought its battle plan and went about the plan in Rafah in a very different way. That demonstrates the strength of the relationship.”
When asked about the relationship between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden, Lew emphasized the importance of trust and open communication.
“It is always the case that when leaders know each other, understand each other and trust each other, it makes easy things and difficult things possible. Things that undermine trust create friction. There has to be an ongoing and tight relationship between the people, government and leaders of Israel and the US.
“Relationships with trust require constant nurturing. If your closest friends don’t ask the hardest questions, then they’re not really your closest friends,” the ambassador said.
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Washington Warns UK, France Against Recognizing Palestinian Statehood
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves Downing Street, following the results of the election, in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville
i24 News – The United States has warned the UK and France not to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at a UN conference scheduled for June 17 in New York, the Middle East Eye reported Tuesday.
France and Saudi Arabia will co-host this conference on the two-state solution, with Paris reportedly preparing to unilaterally recognize Palestine. France is also pressuring London to follow this path, according to sources from the British Foreign Office.
French media reports indicate that French authorities believe they have the agreement of the British government. Meanwhile, Arab states are encouraging this move, measuring the success of the conference by the recognitions obtained.
This initiative deeply divides Western allies. If France and the UK were to carry out this recognition, they would become the first G7 nations to take this step, causing a “political earthquake” according to observers, given their historical ties with Israel. The Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer threatened last week to annex parts of the West Bank if this recognition took place, according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary David Lammy publicly opposes unilateral recognition, stating that London would only recognize a Palestinian state when we know that it is going to happen and that it is in view.
However, pressure is mounting within the Labour Party. MP Uma Kumaran, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the government was elected on a platform that promised to recognize Palestine as a step towards a just and lasting peace. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, believes that there is no legitimate reason for the United States to interfere in a sovereign decision of recognition, while highlighting the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump on this issue.
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Police, Shin Bet Thwart Suspected Iranian Attempt Perpetrate Terror Attack
A small number of Jewish worshipers pray during the priestly blessing, a traditional prayer which usually attracts thousands of worshipers at the Western Wall on the holiday of Passover during 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 12, 2020. Photo: Reuters / Ronen Zvulun.
i24 News – The Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police thwarted another Iranian attempt to recruit Israelis, according to a statement on Tuesday, arresting a resident of East Jerusalem for allegedly carrying out missions for the Islamic Republic.
Iranian agents recruited the suspect, who in turn recruited members of his family. He is a resident of the Isawiya neighborhood in his 30s, and is accused of maintaining contact with a hostile foreign entity to harm the state by carrying out a terrorist attack against Jews.
The suspect had already begun perpetrating acts of sabotage and espionage, including collecting intelligence about areas in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and Mahane Yehuda Market. He also hung signs, burned Israeli army uniforms, and more in exchange for payment totaling thousands of shekels.
He was also charged with planning a terror attack in central Israel, including setting fire to a forest, and was told to transfer weapons to terrorist elements in the West Bank.
The suspect’s sought the help of family members, including his mother. A search at his home revealed sums of cash, a spray can used in some of his activities, airsoft guns, suspected illegal drugs, and more.
His indictment is expected to be filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.
The statement said that the case is yet another example of Iranian efforts to recruit Israelis. “We will continue to coordinate efforts to thwart terrorism and terrorist elements, including those operating outside Israel, while attempting to mobilize local elements in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” the Shin Bet and Police said.
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Pro-Russian, Anti-Israeli Hackers Pose Biggest Cybercrime Threats in Germany
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt holds a chart showing the development of antisemitic crime, during a press conference on Figures for Politically Motivated Crime in the Country, in Berlin, Germany, May 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Cybercrime in Germany rose to a record level last year, driven by hacker attacks from pro-Russian and anti-Israeli groups, the BKA Federal Crime Office reported on Tuesday as the government said it would boost countermeasures to combat it.
“Cybercrime is an increasing threat to our security,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. “It is getting more aggressive but our counter-strategies are also becoming more professional,” he said.
Some 131,391 cases of cybercrime took place in Germany last year and a further 201,877 cases were committed from abroad or an unknown location, a BKA report said.
The actors behind the hacker attacks on German targets were primarily either pro-Russian or anti-Israeli, said the BKA, adding targets were mostly public and federal institutions.
Ransomware, when criminals copy and encrypt data, is one of the main threats, said the BKA, with 950 companies and institutes reporting cases in 2024.
German digital association Bitkom said damage caused by cyberattacks here totaled 178.6 billion euros ($203.87 billion) last year, some 30.4 billion euros more than in the previous year.
Dobrindt said the government planned to extend the legal capabilities authorities could use to combat cybercrime and set higher security standards for companies.
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