Poland may seek to fill the new position of a European commissioner for defense if it is created, according to European Parliament vice-president Ewa Kopacz. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to create the post if she wins a second term. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the position.
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Ireland, along with Greece and Switzerland, did not appear during the parade at the start of the Family Rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Bambie Thug, representing Ireland, was absent from the stage, citing an urgent situation requiring attention from the organisers. The European Broadcasting Union is currently discussing necessary actions in response to the absence. France’s act Slimane stopped his performance midway to send a peace message, chanting “United by music yes, but for love, for peace.” The Eurovision contest has been thrust into political conflict with protests calling for Israel’s exclusion and demands for changes to Israel’s entry lyrics.
Malmo is preparing for the Eurovision grand final, amidst security threats and protests over Israel’s participation. Bookmakers predict Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Israel’s Eden Golan as top contenders to win. The event has drawn thousands of visitors to the city, with protests from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups. Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022, while the 26 contestants in the final include representatives from various countries. The event is seen as a way to unite people and have a good time together.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to submit a critical report to Congress on Israel’s conduct in Gaza, which does not conclude that it has violated the terms for its use of U.S. weapons. The report also reviews the use of weapons by Israel and six other countries in different armed conflicts. President Joe Biden’s national security memorandum required the State Department to report to Congress by May 8 on whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law in Gaza, but the deadline was missed. The State Department is working hard to complete the report.
Israeli tanks captured the main road dividing the eastern and western halves of Rafah, encircling the entire eastern side of the city in the southern Gaza Strip. Residents reported intense fighting between Israeli forces and militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israel ordered civilians out of the eastern half of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands to seek shelter outside the city. Israel believes there are thousands of Hamas fighters in Rafah and cannot win the war without assaulting the city. The Israeli military located tunnel shafts in eastern Rafah and fought at close quarters with Hamas fighters. Ceasefire talks broke up with no agreement to halt the fighting. Over 34,000 Gazans have been killed in the seven months of war.
King Herod of Judea ordered the killing of all male children under the age of two to ensure the death of newborn Jesus Christ, as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The number of infants killed is disputed, with some suggesting there were only around twenty in Bethlehem. The Church commemorates the memory of these victims on December 29th. In contrast, approximately sixteen thousand children in Gaza have been murdered, with the modern world standing in solidarity with the actions. Jesus would likely be appalled at the genocide and innocent murders justified in the name of fighting against Hamas.
The United States suspended a shipment of heavy, bunker-busting bombs to Israel amid concerns about their impact in dense urban settings like Rafah. Germany increased defense export approvals for Israel after an attack by Hamas, but has since approved fewer exports due to international criticism. Italy halted new export approvals to Israel since the start of the Gaza war, with the last orders delivered in November. Britain grants export licenses for defense equipment to Israel, while Canada stopped licensing arms exports to Israel to ensure compliance with humanitarian law. The Netherlands halted shipments of parts for F-35 jets to Israel due to concerns about violations of humanitarian law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that a planned military exercise involving the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in southern Russia and Belarus is not unusual and is part of regular training. This exercise was announced in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned that this is the third such training exercise between the two countries. Russia and the United States hold the majority of the world’s nuclear warheads, with Russia having around 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads. There is uncertainty about the exact nature of the weapons supplied to Belarus and how they are stored. The Pentagon noted that there has been no change in Russia’s strategic nuclear forces despite the rhetoric surrounding the exercises.
Israeli forces are massing on the outskirts of Rafah in Gaza, causing fear among Palestinians of another “Nakba” like the one in 1948. Many people in Rafah have been displaced multiple times as Israel continues to bombard Gaza. Mohammad Emad and his family have moved four times since October. The uncertainty and closed borders make finding refuge difficult. Israel disputes the claim that Palestinians were forced out in 1948. The ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties and destruction, with the United Nations warning of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel continues incursions into Rafah.
Ankara has introduced a three-month reprieve for companies with existing export deals to Israel, but the trade ban with Israel will remain until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid flow to the region are secured. The claims of Turkey easing the trade ban with Israel are said to be “absolutely fictional” by the Turkish Trade Minister.