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Rina Bassist

Rina Bassist

Al Monitor

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Israel warns citizens traveling to Switzerland of Eurovision protests

With the Eurovision contest set for next week, Israelis have been warned to be discreet in the streets of Basel, Switzerland.

previous day 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'

French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in hopes of gaining regional influence.

wednesday 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help

Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help

Several communities have already been evacuated over the fires blazing in the environs of Jerusalem and along Highway 1.

30.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Syrian-American Jews visit Damascus synagogue

Syrian-American Jews visit Damascus synagogue

A group of Syrian-American Jews prayed in a synagogue in Damascus on Tuesday, an AFP photographer reported, the latest such visit following the fall...

29.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know

Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know

The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt.

29.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal

Trump willing to meet Iran's Khamenei but 'will be leading' war pack if no deal

In an interview with Time Magazine, President Donald Trump says he believes a deal with Iran can be reached via negotiations while expressing...

25.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next...

15.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

15.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Iran rejects Trump call for direct nuclear talks

Iran's top diplomat has dismissed direct negotiations with the United States as pointless, his office said Sunday, after US President Donald Trump...

06.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu set to meet Trump amid differences over Iran, tariffs and Turkey: What to know

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump invited the Israeli prime minister to Washington on short notice, to discuss his recent tariff decision,...

06.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli FM says indirect US-Iran talks likely, hails 'common objective' with France

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said France shares the same concerns as Israel on the Iranian nuclear plan and predicted that Washington would...

03.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Meet Eli Sharvit, Trump critic and Netanyahu's outsider nominee to lead Shin Bet

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated former Israeli naval commander Eli Sharvit to become Shin Bet chief despite his...

31.03.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Political football as Iran reach World Cup while Australia, Saudis stay alive

Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on...

26.03.2025 8

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Trump downplays firestorm over leaked Yemen air strike chat

US President Donald Trump downplayed a growing scandal Tuesday after a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat about air strikes on Yemen,...

26.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel’s Dermer meets Witkoff, discusses Iran and Gaza during US visit

The Iranian nuclear program and the now-defunct Gaza ceasefire are expected to take center stage during Dermer's visit. He is expected to meet with...

26.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US, Israel looking to resettle Gaza's Palestinians in Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan: Report

Israeli and American officials have been in contact with Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland for the possible resettling of Gazans there, the Associated...

14.03.2025 9

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Turkey blocks Israel from NATO crisis response drill amid Gaza row: What to know

The diplomatic conflict between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war has spilled over into NATO.

10.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Islamic Jihad says Israeli tanks part of 'plans to annex West Bank by force'

Palestinian militants said on Monday that an unusual deployment of Israeli tanks in the occupied West Bank, part of a major offensive that has...

25.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel FM holds rare EU meeting as divisions on PA’s role in Gaza persist

Israel and the European Union are keen on relaunching dialogue, but divergences are almost irreconcilable, especially concerning the possible...

25.02.2025 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu taps confidant to lead Gaza negotiations, replacing Mossad chief: What we know

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar from the negotiating team, replacing them with...

19.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

At least $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, UN estimates

More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the "humanitarian catastrophe" that has gripped the war-ravaged territory, including...

11.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

US foreign aid halt to have major hit on poorest countries: report

A suspension of US foreign aid and possible dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will have a major impact on some of the...

11.02.2025 6

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel says Gaza war to resume if hostages aren't released Saturday

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was backing the ultimatum of President Donald Trump for the release of hostages by Saturday afternoon, but...

11.02.2025 7

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why Israel's far-right is embracing Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far-right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

06.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why Israel's far-right is praising Trump’s Gaza displacement plan

Israel's far-right is elated by President Donald Trump's calls to drive Gazans away from the Strip and resettle them in other Arab states.

06.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli defense minister: Troops could stay in Syria buffer zone 'indefinitely'

The Israeli military is gearing up to stay on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone on the Israel-Syria border at least throughout...

29.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France issues new arrest warrant for Syria's Assad: source

Two French investigating magistrates have issued an arrest warrant against ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for suspected complicity in war...

22.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Four wounded in Tel Aviv stabbing attack by tourist: What we know

Police says that the person who attacked four people with a knife in Tel Aviv is a Moroccan national who entered Israel with a US residency permit.

22.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Syrians return to homes devastated by war

When Syrian grandfather Omar Kafozi returned to his house near Damascus after Bashar al-Assad's ouster, he saw unfathomable destruction.Now, cushions ...

21.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli military chief of staff Halevi resigns over Oct. 7 failures

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has sent a letter announcing his resignation as of March 6 over the failure to prevent the Oct. 7 2023, Hamas attack.

21.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Relief over hostage release briefly overshadows Israel's political divide

As Israel celebrated the homecoming of Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher Sunday, the far right continues to oppose the mediated deal...

20.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Why did Netanyahu agree to Gaza deal, and what are next steps?

The last hurdle before Israel makes the hostage deal official is the Supreme Court.

18.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel, Hamas trade accusations of blocking Gaza deal: What we know

Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of blocking the deal announced on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages due to...

16.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Here are main Netanyahu and Hamas compromises in proposed Gaza deal

Details are beginning to surface about a potential deal between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

14.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

France’s Sarkozy stands trial on alleged Libya funding: What we know

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy denies allegations that he received 50 million euros to fund his 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader...

06.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel launches new airstrikes in Yemen, hits Sanaa airport for first time

Israel conducted massive airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including on Sanaa's international airport and the seaport of Hodeidah.

26.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel strikes Yemen ports, power stations in retaliation against Houthis

The Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes early Thursday morning on the western coast of Yemen and deeper in the country, targeting...

19.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

After 12 years, France reopens Syria embassy, EU to follow: What to know

For the first time since France severed ties with the Assad regime, its diplomats returned to Damascus and raised the tricolor flag over the old...

17.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel says hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas closer than ever: What we know

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel is "the closest we have been to a hostage deal since the previous deal" in November 2023, as...

16.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli military chief Halevi hints he’ll resign after Oct. 7 probe

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has hinted that after the investigation into Hamas' attack on southern Israel, he intends to resign over the army's failures...

29.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli security cabinet to discuss ceasefire as US says deal 'close'

Israel's security cabinet was set to discuss a proposed ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon, a senior official...

26.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu gets partial delay for testimony; cease-fire decision expected in hours

As the Jerusalem District Court decided to delay Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial by one week only, reports say a deal with Lebanon is...

26.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif

Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest...

21.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, former defense chief Gallant

Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest...

21.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know

The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the...

18.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Three years after fleeing, Afghanistan's last Jew arrives in Israel

Having fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, heading to Istanbul via Pakistan, Afghanistan's last Jew has now arrived in Israel.

13.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli settlers, ultra-Orthodox celebrate Donald Trump’s victory

Believing that newly elected Donald Trump will support their political agenda, leaders of the Israeli settler movement prayed and thanked god for...

06.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israeli settlers, ultra-Orthodox celebrate Trump’s victory

Believing that newly elected Donald Trump will support their political agenda, leaders of the Israeli settler movement prayed and thanked god for...

06.11.2024 5

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Israel's Netanyahu fires defense chief Gallant

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that he fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz to...

05.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist

Netanyahu aid arrested over leaked documents linked to stalled hostage deal: What we know

At least five people have been detained in connection to sensitive intelligence documents leaked from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

04.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Rina Bassist