First, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass. Then, links to CNN’s video of President Biden’s address on Thursday evening and to the White House transcript. Next, links to National Public Radio reports on Friday’s All Things Considered program. Other information from these sources is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Today’s UKRAINE entry is HERE.) — MCM
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‘I am a Zionist’: How Joe Biden’s lifelong bond with Israel shapes war policy, by Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason, Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle | Reuters WASHINGTON — When Joe Biden met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet during his visit to Israel, the U.S. president assured them: “I don’t believe you have to be a Jew to be a Zionist, and I am a Zionist.” Biden has used similar words in the past to profess his affinity for Israel. But the moment, which has not been previously reported, illustrates . . . READ MORE . . .
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First emergency aid trucks roll into Gaza after overnight Israeli air strikes, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose | Reuters GAZA / JERUSALEM — Trucks carrying aid crossed into southern Gaza today, the first convoy of humanitarian supplies since Israel began a devastating siege 12 days ago and after further heavy Israeli bombardment overnight that killed dozens of Palestinians. U.S. President Joe Biden had said this week that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Gaza death toll rises to 4,387: Hamas health ministry. From AFP. At least 4,137 people have been killed and another 13,162 wounded in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the Palestinian enclave, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said Friday, including 16 who died at the compound of Greek Orthodox church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City late . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S., EU Show united front on Israel, Ukraine. From AFP. President Joe Biden and European Union leaders delivered a message of unity Friday, on the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine wars, despite worries that political paralysis in Washington could hamper US aid for its allies. “These conflicts show . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia initiates UNSC meeting on Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Russia’s UN mission. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia plans to request another meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said this week. “As practice has shown, no one but us dares to do it,” he said. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed. . . READ MORE . . .
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Biden on why funding Israel and Ukraine matters to Americans. From CNN. President Joe Biden makes a direct appeal to the American people to continue funding Ukraine and Israel amid their war efforts in an Oval Office address. Click HERE for video.
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President Biden on the United States’ response to Hamas’s terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine. From the White House. “THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, my fellow Americans. We’re facing . . . READ MORE . . .
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Hamas has released two American hostages. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR Hamas released two U.S. citizens — but 10 more Americans and nearly 200 others are still held by Hamas in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.
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The White House is asking for almost $106 billion, by Deepa Shivaram | NPR President Biden told Americans on Thursday night that it was in the national interest of Americans to back democracies that found themselves under attack. On Friday, his budget office put a price tag on that : almost $106 billion for Israel, Ukraine, countering China in the Indo-Pacific, and operations on the southern U.S. border. The fate . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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Biden admin says getting Americans out of Gaza is a key focus, but timeline is unclear. Reported by Michael Levitt, Patrick Jarenwattananon and Asma Khalid | NPR John Kirby, spokesman with the White House National Security Council, talks about what the U.S. can do now, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to unravel. Click HERE to listen and read.
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During wartime, is there space to deliver a message of unity in Israel? Reported by Ari Shapiro, Connor Donevan, Courtney Dorning and Elena Burnett | NPR In the mixed community of Israel’s Lod, some groups are trying to deliver calls for peace and unity. But that is a message not everyone wants to hear at a time of war. Click HERE to listen and read.
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What a rabbi hopes to offer the wounded and grieving in Israel. Reported by Ari Shapiro, Elena Burnett, Megan Lim and Courtney Dorning | NPR Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie in Israel had a visceral reaction to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, but says he stands with his Palestinian friends who want freedom. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Egypt’s role as war continues in the Gaza Strip. Reported by