“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” Martin said as the couple ducked out of view.
Toasting the grain in a dry pan before cooking it pilaf-style creates an appealing nutty taste and a delicate crunch.
Israel Hails EU Decision Against Sanctions as a Diplomatic Win Amid Gaza Conflict
By: Fern Sidman
Israel welcomed a key diplomatic development this week after the European Union opted not to impose punitive measures against the Jewish state in connection with its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. According to a report that appeared on Wednesday in The Algemeiner, Israeli officials described the EU’s decision as “an important diplomatic victory,” particularly in light of mounting pressure from several European member states advocating for sanctions.
The announcement followed a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where discussions centered on potential measures targeting Israel for alleged violations of human rights during its operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Speaking after the session, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that, for now, the bloc would refrain from sanctioning Israel, though she stressed the decision remained conditional on Israel’s future actions.
In a public post cited by The Algemeiner, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the outcome a result of a “complex, grueling, and multi-front diplomatic battle.” Saar condemned the initial push for sanctions, describing it as “outrageous” that any effort would be made to penalize “a democratic country defending itself against efforts to destroy it.” He also expressed gratitude to European allies who stood by Israel throughout the deliberations.
During the post-meeting press conference, Kallas acknowledged that Israel had shown “positive signs” regarding its commitments to improve humanitarian access in Gaza—a pledge agreed upon last week between Jerusalem and the European Union. As reported by The Algemeiner, Kallas emphasized that “more concrete steps” are still expected, outlining that the EU will closely monitor Israel’s adherence to the agreed measures.
The agreement in question seeks to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, facilitate the repair of critical infrastructure, open additional border crossings, and ensure the safety of aid workers in the conflict zone. The EU’s next assessment of Israel’s compliance will be presented at a forthcoming foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for two weeks from now.
“We will keep these options on the table and stand ready to act,” Kallas declared, underscoring the conditional nature of the bloc’s decision.
During the Brussels session, EU officials debated a list of ten possible measures against Israel, according to the report at The Algemeiner. These included proposals such as suspending certain trade agreements and implementing an arms embargo. However, the proposals failed to gain enough support among member states, many of whom continue to back Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas, which is recognized internationally as a terrorist organization.
In an interview with Euronews, the Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, sharply criticized the EU’s decision not to take action against Israel. Shahin called the decision “shocking and disappointing,” asserting that alleged violations by Israel have been visible to the entire world, referencing civilian casualties and accusations of humanitarian abuses in Gaza.
The push for punitive action followed a recent EU-commissioned report that accused Israel of committing various international offenses, including “indiscriminate attacks,” “starvation,” “torture,” and “apartheid,” during its campaign against Hamas. The Algemeiner report noted that the report further claimed there were “indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations” under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a treaty that governs the political and economic ties between the EU and Israel.
While the report acknowledged Hamas’s role as a violent actor, it explicitly stated that its scope did not cover the terror group’s actions, including the October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel that left 1,200 dead and more than 250 kidnapped. Israeli officials, condemned the report as both factually flawed and morally biased, emphasizing that Hamas systematically embeds its military assets within civilian infrastructure, making Israeli defensive operations exceedingly complex.
The call for accountability from some European capitals gained momentum following Belgium’s initiative to review Israel’s compliance with the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a move led by Kallas and initially prompted by the Netherlands. The Algemeiner report indicated that last month Ireland became the first EU member state to advance legislation banning trade with Israeli communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem—an action Irish officials said was a response to the situation in Gaza.
Ireland’s legislative move followed a 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which declared Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria and East Jerusalem illegal. As noted in The Algemeiner report, the ICJ opinion called on third-party countries to avoid any trade or investment that might support “the illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Despite these mounting pressures, Israel has maintained critical support within the European Union, allowing it to block the imposition of sanctions. As The Algemeiner report underscored, Israeli officials view the EU’s recent decision as not only a diplomatic success but also a reaffirmation of their position that the conflict with Hamas necessitates sustained military engagement rather than punitive isolation.
With the next EU assessment pending, The Algemeiner reported that Israeli officials remain vigilant, aware that their diplomatic and military strategies in Gaza will continue to be scrutinized by European partners. The evolving dynamics underscore the delicate balance Israel must navigate as it pursues its security objectives while engaging with key international stakeholders concerned with humanit
The post Israel Hails EU Decision Against Sanctions as a Diplomatic Win Amid Gaza Conflict appeared first on The Jewish Voice.
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Slender Man was created as part of an online contest to fabricate a supernatural character.
