Israel fumes, Hamas cheers: Norway, Ireland, Spain recognizing Palestine * Blinken: Israel may reject Saudi deal * Does Khan have a case? * Butterflies in steep decline

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Presented by [Tel Aviv University-Lowy International School]( [Norway, Ireland, Spain move to recognize Palestinian state, drawing Israeli fury]( By Lazar Berman Jerusalem recalls ambassadors from Oslo and Dublin as foreign minister says announcement is prize for terrorism; Abbas and Hamas celebrate move [Move by Norway, Ireland, Spain to recognize Palestinian state gets mixed global response]( By Agencies and ToI Staff [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing May 22: Day 229 – Trio of countries to recognize Palestine. Why now?]( By ToI Staff Live updates [LIVE - Biden: Palestinian statehood should be realized through direct talks, not unilateral recognition]( By Jacob Magid and ToI Staff Footage to be released of abduction of soldiers Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy * Norway, Ireland, Spain to recognize Palestinian state from May 28 [IDF advances in Rafah, locates primed rocket launchers on Gaza-Egypt border]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies More than half of Philadelphi Corridor now under Israeli control; airstrike on UNRWA school in central part of Strip takes out Hamas operatives, weapons depot [US indicates initial satisfaction with changes to Israeli military plans for Rafah]( By Jacob Magid [Top security official resigned after pillorying management of Gaza war — reports]( By ToI Staff from our sponsor [Discover Your Way Back Home: Welcome to Tel Aviv University]( Wherever you are on the spectrum of Jewish life, Tel Aviv University (TAU) is an inclusive and nurturing environment where you can thrive academically, socially and spiritually. Op-ed: Day 229 of the war David Horovitz [A fateful road not taken: Netanyahu seems set to spurn Saudi normalization]( A deal would bolster coalition against Iran, could create viable alternative to Hamas in Gaza * Plus: Khan’s rush to injustice, Egypt’s failed mediation, and Ben Gvir’s brutality [Blinken acknowledges Israel may reject Saudi deal if pathway to Palestinian state required]( By Jacob Magid, Reuters and ToI Staff US envoy Lew and Herzog suggest possibility of Israel-Saudi ties be seriously considered; in testimony to Congress, secretary of state attacked from both sides over Israel policy Top Ops Jonathan Branfman [The Drake-Kendrick Lamar rap war is also about Jewish identity]( The public feud shines a light on how American society envisions rap authenticity, race, class, masculinity and Jewishness Avidan Freedman [At the protest with a kippa]( From disbelief to anger, my headwear got a rise outside the Knesset, but there are far less appropriate places to wear a yarmulke Seth Farber [Nepotism at work: The committee to appoint rabbinical judges]( How can Israelis trust the courts they need for divorce and other legal matters, when they have become a job factory for the committee’s relatives? Asaf Kagan [Israel needs a national influencing directorate]( October 7 laid bare the dire need for a central organization to handle information warfare and perception campaigns Inside story Jeremy Sharon [Does ICC Prosecutor Khan have a case against Netanyahu and Gallant? Experts doubt it]( Proving intentionality behind potential ICC charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes would pose a significant obstacle, say international law experts [AG, state attorney: ‘No foundation’ to ICC prosecutor’s bid to arrest Israeli leaders]( By Jeremy Sharon [ICC prosecutor says no evidence Israeli courts genuinely probing alleged crimes in Gaza]( By ToI Staff, Jacob Magid and Lazar Berman Karim Khan’s office says dialogue will continue with Israel as case moves forward, despite canceled visit to the region; White House to work with Congress on bipartisan response [Netanyahu: It’s the ICC prosecutor, not me, who should be concerned for his status]( By ToI Staff, Reuters and Sam Sokol [Day after backing ICC, France says there’s no comparison between Israel and Hamas]( By ToI Staff [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( [Karhi reverses decision to seize AP equipment that broadcasts live feed of Gaza]( By Agencies and ToI Staff Live feed resumes hours after communications minister says confiscated camera, equipment being returned; AP welcomes reversal but concerned about government impeding press freedom [Israel seizes AP equipment broadcasting live feed from Gaza, citing use by Al Jazeera]( By Agencies and ToI Staff [Brief block of AP live feed shows how ambiguity in law can restrict war coverage]( By David Bauder [World Biodiversity Day report shows butterflies, birds, reptiles in serious decline]( By Sue Surkes Israel’s habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation of natural resources and rising temperatures blamed in 2023 State of Nature review [CRM]( [Chants of ‘Death to Israel’ as masses throng Raisi funeral procession in Tehran]( By AFP Khamenei leads prayers over coffins of president and seven others killed in helicopter crash; funeral attended by top Hamas, Hezbollah officials [Iran attack on Israel looms large as US seeks Gulf backing for missile shield]( By Reuters Interview [Jewish influencer who fled Iran sees shades of the fall of the shah on US campuses]( By Jordana Horn I Am A Voter co-founder and pro-democracy activist Mandana Dayani has turned her focus to America’s surging antisemitism – an issue she sees as inalienable from her core mission [Meta Oversight Board to decide whether users can post ‘all Israelis are criminals’]( By Asaf Elia-Shalev [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( [Ben Gvir visits Temple Mount, says recognizing Palestinian state is reward for Hamas]( By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff In 1st visit to flashpoint Jerusalem holy site since October 7, national security minister slams Norway, Spain, Ireland, insists on ‘root canal’ operation to remove Hamas in Rafah [Driver of car hit by Ben Gvir’s vehicle says accident has ruined his life]( By ToI Staff [Dilemmas abound as school system works to help students process Oct. 7 and horrors of war]( By Gavriel Fiske The Israel-Hamas conflict has taken up nearly the entire school year, which finishes at the end of next month, but some educators see an opportunity to ‘reset’ the education system [Day 229 – Trio of countries to recognize Palestine. Why now?]( [listen to the podcast]( [As more troops survive injuries, some credit battlefield transfusions of whole blood]( By Renee Ghert-Zand IDF only military in the world currently performing procedure pioneered by US army; while no proof yet to declare it a panacea, fight against Hezbollah may prove its worth [AI boom may leave Israel behind due to shortage of funds and talent, report warns]( By Sharon Wrobel Research by RISE Israel and Google shows that local AI tech startups attract less investment than in US and Europe, and face a lack of employees with advanced academic degrees More Headlines [Gallant given report on ‘practical, applicable’ ways to draft Haredi men into IDF]( By Emanuel Fabian [Ombudsman: Health Ministry didn’t check 82% of reports on COVID vaccine side effects]( By ToI Staff [Trump campaign deletes ‘unified Reich’ video; Biden: ‘It’s the language of Hitler’]( By Agencies [Houthi rebels claim to have downed American drone in southern Yemen province]( By AP and ToI Staff [Authorities close Mount Meron ahead of Lag B’Omer over Hezbollah rocket threat]( By Canaan Lidor, Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [French police arrest protesters who allegedly assaulted security at Jewish event]( By Canaan Lidor [Netanyahu trial / In court, Likud’s Levin denies he met Netanyahu to discuss alleged bribery deal]( By ToI Staff [After activist attacks on Gaza aid trucks, some Israelis step in to guard convoys]( By Deborah Danan [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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