Political situation in Israel
Israeli ultra-Orthodox can no longer get away with it
Israel may no longer exempt ultra-Orthodox men from military service, according to a ruling by the country's highest court. Military service is compulsory for almost all men and women in Israel, and exempting ultra-Orthodox who engage in religious studies goes against the principle that everyone is equal before the law, the court ruled unanimously.
"In the midst of a war, the burden of inequality becomes clearer than ever and demands a solution," they write.
The decision is a heavy blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, which includes two ultra-Orthodox parties.
******************
The reactions
US to Israel: Stop escalating tensions with Lebanon
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for Israeli de-escalation when he met Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, several media reports. This is after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a television interview this weekend about shifting Israel's military focus from Gaza to Lebanon and Hezbollah.
The ministers are said to have also discussed a deal with Hamas that could "ensure the release of all hostages and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people," according to a statement from the US State Department. Netanyahu has been heavily criticized by relatives of the hostages after he spoke in the same TV interview about possible deals to get parts of the hostages out.
********************
The future of the EU
Now Ukraine formally begins the road to the EU: "Historical"
Today, Ukraine and Moldova formally begin negotiations to join the EU.
- Historic and an incredibly important step, for them of course, but also for the EU, says Sweden's EU Minister Jessika Roswall (M) to TT on her way into the EU Council of Ministers premises, where it all begins.
Now a process awaits with 35 different chapters, all of which must be closed before membership is a fact, a process that is expected to take many years.
- It will take time, absolutely, but it is also an important proof that both countries have made great progress: Moldova despite a lack of resources, both financially and in terms of officials, and Ukraine in the middle of a war, says Roswall.
*******************
The North Korea crisis
North Korean balloon war escalates: 350 in one day
South Korea has recorded 350 North Korean debris balloons in the air in the past 24 hours alone, CNN reports. 100 of them reportedly landed on the South Korean side and at least one was reportedly seen in the air over the capital Seoul.
The extent indicates a strong escalation from the North Korean side: In the past, a total of a thousand balloons have crossed the border in one month.
In response, South Korea is threatening to resume its propaganda broadcasts from loudspeakers on the border, which have been paused in recent yea
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar