RSS
Israel’s Ambassador Tells UN Security Council: ‘Wake Up,’ Stop Turning ‘Blind Eye’ to Iran’s Support for Terrorism
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addressing the UN Security Council on Sept. 19, 2024. Photo: Screenshot
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon lambasted Iran for being a puppet master “pulling the strings” of terrorist groups across the Middle East, describing them as “Iran’s attack dogs” while addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday.
Danon stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran, which he described as “the most oppressive regime in the world,” wants “dominance, not diplomacy.” The country’s “grand ambition” is the “creation of a Shiite supremacist empire that stretches across the entire Middle East and beyond,” he insisted.
“This council and the world must wake up to the reality of the threat Iran poses,” Danon added. “The dark force driving the violence we see today is not a collection of independent groups. It is Iran pulling the strings. The Iran proxies — Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] — are all Iran’s attack dogs unleashed to spread death and destruction across the region.”
Danon also described the different terror cells as the “claws of a beast” that is Iran.
The ambassador then shifted his attention to the Palestinian Authority, accusing it of “standing by, utterly weak and impotent,” by turning a blind eye to Iran’s terrorist actions or “actively collaborating with these terror networks.” He once the PA’s leadership, including President Mahmoud Abbas, for refusing to condemn Hamas since the terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel.
“With leaders such as them, is it any wonder that terrorism continues to worsen in Judea and Samaria?” he asked, before noting how Iran is funding, arming, and recruiting terrorists in the West Bank to target Israelis.
“Iran has transformed our region into a railway of terror” and is operating a “murderous Orient Express” that is “right under the world’s nose,” Danon said. He talked at length about the “dark web of terror Iran and its proxies continue to weave in Judea and Samaria, and said these reasons are why Israel must take “preventative steps” to protect its borders and civilians.
“Let me ask you all: What would your security forces do if they had intelligence about terrorists planning a massive attack on your civilian populations?” he asked the Security Council. “Think about your capital cities. Would there be any doubt about what to do? Well, we have no such doubts and neither do any of you … but when Israel takes reasonable steps regarding intelligence to neutralize a threat, preventing terror attacks against our civilians, we are condemned.”
“This council remains paralyzed by indecision,” he added. “We are not dealing with isolated acts of terror. We are dealing with an orchestrated campaign of distraction directed by the ayatollahs in Iran. And while this body debates restraint and diplomacy, Iran’s terror network grows stronger. The time for half-measures, blind eyes, and empty statements are over. What is required now is not talk about the symptoms, but action against the disease itself, which is the Iranian regime.”
He concluded his remarks by calling for Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to be designated as terrorist organizations worldwide, and urged the UN to apply more sanctions against the Iranian regime until its “capacity to support terror is completely diminished.”
“We expect this council to stop them at the root,” Danon said of Iran, before reiterating that Israel will take all measures necessary to protect itself.
“Israel will defend itself with all the force necessary to protect our people,” he said. “We will dismantle every terrorist network, uproot every Iranian proxy and strike down those who seek to harm us. The international community for must stand with us, for the very future of the Middle East. The stakes could not be higher [and the] time for inaction has passed.”
Also on Thursday, Danon sent a letter to UN Security Council President Samuel Zbogar that pressured the 15-member Security Council to condemn a ballistic missile attack from the Houthis in Yemen that hit central Israel on Sunday. The Israeli ambassador sent an identical letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly passed with an overwhelming majority a non-binding Palestinian resolution that demands Israel end its “occupation” of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem within 12 months.
The resolution, which calls for the end of Israel’s “unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” was passed by a 124-14 margin with 43 abstentions. It backs an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July, which ruled that Israel is illegally occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip against international law.
The General Assembly resolution also called on states to “take steps towards ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions and related equipment to Israel … where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” It further urged Israel to withdraw all military forces and Israeli Jewish settlements from those territories. Those who voted against the resolution on Wednesday included the United States, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Nauru, Paraguay, and Papau New Guinea.
The resolution made no mention of Israel’s security concerns and terrorist threats from its neighboring countries, the state of Israel or the Jewish people’s historical ties to the land, or the deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attacks orchestrated by Hamas that took place across southern Israel.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that by omitting all these facts, the resolution “tells a one-sided, fictional story.” The MFA condemned the resolution in a released statement on Wednesday, describing the General Assembly as a “political theater” that has adopted “a distorted decision disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace.”
“This is what being disconnected looks like; this is what cynical international politics looks like,” the MFA added.
“The General Assembly decision bolsters and strengthens the Hamas terrorist organization and the Iranian terrorist state that stands behind it,” the ministry continued. “The resolution sends a message that terrorism pays off and yields international resolutions. The decision only encourages Hamas’ rejectionism with regards to the deal for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire and further distances the possibility of reaching such a deal.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry went on to argue that the resolution “undermines the foundation of any attempt to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict,” arguing that the PA, which initiated the measure, “is not interested in peace, but in defaming Israel.”
The Jewish state “will respond accordingly,” the statement warned.
Danon called the resolution “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.”
“Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre by condemning Hamas and calling for the release of all 101 of the remaining hostages, the General Assembly continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers,” he said.
“We will continue to defend Israel in the international arena and fight against the diplomatic terrorism of the Palestinians,” he added.
The UN General Assembly resolution politically isolating Israel was passed days before world leaders will assemble for the annual UN gathering. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are both due to address the 193-member General Assembly on Sept. 26.
The post Israel’s Ambassador Tells UN Security Council: ‘Wake Up,’ Stop Turning ‘Blind Eye’ to Iran’s Support for Terrorism first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
NYPD to Increase Police Presence Ahead of Jewish High Holidays, 9/11 Anniversary, UN General Assembly
Pro-Palestinian protesters are detained by NYPD after taking part in a demonstration at Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, US, May 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dana Edwards
The New York City Police Department will increase its presence at “critical” locations around the city ahead of the upcoming Jewish high holidays, 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the United Nations General Assembly, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced on Tuesday.
Tisch said at a news conference that reports of threats “typically increase” during this time surrounding the 9/11 anniversary, the UN General Assembly, and major Jewish holidays. She noted that authorities are monitoring threats against New York City’s “critical infrastructure,” including bridges and tunnels connecting Queens and Manhattan.
“As always, we take all threats seriously and we are working with our federal partners through our Joint Terrorism Task Force while we investigate,” Tisch said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are surging resources and you can expect to see an increase in police presence at critical infrastructure locations.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams added in a post on X: “As we do every year around this time, we’re closely monitoring for any potential threats to NYC infrastructure. The NYPD, in coordination with federal partners, is taking all threats seriously and has enhanced security at key locations. You can be confident that New York City remains safe and well protected.”
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly opens on Sept. 9 and will end on the 28th. The holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year begins on the evening of Sept. 22, followed by Yom Kippur and Sukkot, other major Jewish holidays, which are both in early October.
RSS
Washington Expresses Concern Over Spanish Measures Against Shipments to Israel
Containers are seen in the Port of Vigo, Spain, March 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Nacho Doce
A US State Department spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday over Spain’s measures limiting access to Spanish ports and airspace to ships and planes carrying weapons for Israel.
“It is deeply concerning that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit US operations and to turn its back on Israel on the same day six individuals were killed in Jerusalem. These measures embolden terrorists,” the spokesperson said in an email sent to Reuters on Wednesday.
The US operates two military bases in southern Spain, in Moron, and on the southern coast Atlantic coast in Rota.
The office of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spain’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On top of its ban on ships and aircraft delivering weapons or military-grade jet fuel to Israel, Madrid said it would not allow anyone who has participated directly in “genocide” in Gaza to enter Spain.
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares later said the ban would extend to Israel‘s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Israel has strongly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and is fighting a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over accusations of genocide.
In reaction to Sanchez’s announcement on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the Spanish leader of “antisemitism” and attempting to divert attention from domestic corruption scandals.
He also announced a ban on Sanchez’s deputy, Yolanda Diaz, and Youth Minister Sira Rego entering Israel. Both belong to hard-left party Sumar, the junior partner in Sanchez’s coalition government.
As the diplomatic row escalated, Spain summoned its ambassador in Israel back for consultations late on Monday.
RSS
Scarlett Johansson Reveals She Cast Real Holocaust Survivors for Directorial Debut ‘Eleanor the Great’
Director Scarlett Johansson poses during a photocall for the film “Eleanor the Great” in competition for the category Un Certain Regard at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 21, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
Scarlett Johansson cast real Holocaust survivors in her directorial debut “Eleanor the Great” with help from the USC Shoah Foundation and a fellow Jewish actress, the filmmaker told People magazine at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday.
Written by Tory Kamen, “Eleanor the Great” stars Academy Award nominee June Squibb as the title character. Squibb plays 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who moves to New York following the devastating loss of her best friend and develops a friendship with a journalism student after telling a lie that takes over her life. The film premiered at TIFF on Monday following its world premiere in May at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a five-minute standing ovation. “Eleanor the Great” also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Erin Kellyman, Israeli actress and real-life Holocaust survivor Rita Zohar, and other survivors of World War II.
“It wasn’t really ever a question of whether we would cast real [Holocaust] survivors. It was more of how can we identify people that would want to participate, could participate,” Johansson, 40, told People magazine at TIFF. “So, we got really lucky. Every time we would find someone who could participate, it was like, ‘Yes, we got another survivor.’”
Johansson noted that actress Jessica Hecht, who is Jewish and stars in the film as Squibb’s daughter, as well as the Shoah Foundation were both very helpful in finding Holocaust survivors to participate in the film. Founded by Jewish visionary filmmaker Steven Spielberg 1994, the goal of the Shoah Foundation is to record, preserve, and share the testimonies of Holocaust survivors.
Johansson said the Holocaust survivors she interacted with during the filming of “Eleanor the Great” were very eager to “share their stories.” She jokingly added that they were also “pretty excited about catering.”
“I have to say that the whole group was so patient,” the star of “Jurassic World Rebirth” told People. “I don’t think anybody in the group had really done a film like that before … They really were just engaged and listening.”
Johansson also told the magazine she felt a personal connection to the script for “Eleanor the Great” because of the Jewish identity that was weaved into the storyline. Johansson’s maternal family is Jewish, with roots in Eastern Europe. She discovered in 2017 that she had relatives who died in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust.
“Eleanor the Great” will be released in theaters Sept. 26. Watch the trailer below.