分类： politics

In a move that has raised eyebrows across diplomatic and intelligence circles, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reportedly hosted Jonathan Pollard, a former US Navy intelligence analyst convicted of espionage for Israel, at the American embassy in Jerusalem this July. The meeting, which was kept off Huckabee’s official schedule, has drawn criticism, particularly from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), whose station chief in Israel expressed alarm over the encounter. Pollard, now 71, was accompanied by David Milstein, Huckabee’s top advisor at the embassy. Pollard’s espionage activities, which spanned 1984 to 1985, involved the transfer of hundreds of classified documents and over 1,000 intelligence cables to Israel’s Mossad. His actions, which jeopardized the lives of US soldiers globally, led to a life sentence in 1987. Pollard, who is Jewish, had long expressed a desire to emigrate to Israel, a sentiment that reportedly fueled his espionage. Released on parole in 2015, Pollard moved to Israel in 2020 after the Justice Department lifted his travel restrictions. He was granted Israeli citizenship while in prison and received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival. Huckabee, a staunch evangelical Christian Zionist, has been a vocal supporter of Israel, even advocating for the annexation of the occupied West Bank—a stance at odds with US President Donald Trump’s policies. The purpose of Pollard’s visit remains unclear, though he reportedly thanked Huckabee for supporting his release a decade ago. The meeting has reignited debates over US-Israel relations, particularly in light of Pollard’s subsequent criticism of Trump, whom he labeled a ‘madman’ for his dealings with Saudi Arabia. This incident underscores the complex and often contentious dynamics of US foreign policy in the Middle East.

A UAE national, Ali Abdullah Fateh Ali Al-Khaja, who spent over a decade in prison due to his political affiliations, has died in custody, according to the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Centre. The centre reported that Khaja, a long-term detainee, passed away in his cell at Al-Razeen Prison on Wednesday, leaving behind a family that had awaited his release for more than 13 years. Born in 1966, Khaja faced persistent ‘security harassment’ in the UAE for his social activities and association with Al-Islah, an Islamist political group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in the country. The UAE’s ruling Al Nahyan family perceives the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat and has aggressively suppressed its supporters for decades. Khaja was arrested in August 2012 at his home and subjected to enforced disappearance until his court appearance. During his detention, he endured solitary confinement, intimidation, and other forms of torture. In 2013, he was charged alongside 56 others with affiliation to a ‘secret illegal organization’ and sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of probation. Despite being scheduled for release in August 2022, Emirati authorities detained him further and initiated another trial in 2024. Khaja was part of the ‘UAE 94,’ a group of 94 activists prosecuted in 2013 for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government during the Arab Spring. The trial, widely criticized by human rights groups as unfair, targeted lawyers, professors, activists, and students advocating for democratic reforms. Many detainees, including Khaja, were affiliated with Al-Islah, a non-violent political reform party. However, the UAE extended sentences for several high-profile dissidents under its 2014 anti-terror law, continuing its crackdown on political dissent.

President Donald Trump has announced a meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, scheduled for Friday at the Oval Office. This comes after months of tension, during which Trump threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and Muslim, won the election. Mamdani, born in Uganda, secured a decisive victory on November 4, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo with over 50% of the vote. Despite Cuomo’s national profile and political dynasty, Trump backed him, citing shared billionaire donors. Trump, a Queens native, built his real estate empire and celebrity status in New York City.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has appointed Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society (HJS), as its chief advisor on global affairs. This move has ignited significant controversy, given HJS’s reputation as a polarizing think tank. Critics, including its own founders, have labeled HJS as a ‘monstrous animal’ and a ‘racist organisation,’ particularly for its anti-Muslim stance and neoconservative policies. Mendoza, a former Conservative councillor, recently defected to Reform, a party known for its anti-immigrant rhetoric and rising popularity in national polls. His appointment signals a potential shift in Reform’s foreign policy, which may align with HJS’s hardline approach to Islamist extremism and strong pro-Israel stance. HJS has long advocated for banning Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and has funded Tory MPs to attend pro-Israel conferences. Mendoza’s past statements, including opposition to allowing Palestinian students’ dependents into the UK and criticism of the government’s handling of radical Islam, further underscore his controversial views. This appointment comes amid broader scrutiny of Reform UK, with Farage himself facing allegations of racist behavior during his youth. The party has also been accused of ’embracing racism’ following the hiring of Matthew Goodwin, who has made contentious remarks about immigrant integration. Reform UK’s alignment with figures like Mendoza and Goodwin raises questions about its ideological trajectory and its appeal to a broader electorate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and military chief of staff Eyal Zamir, visited an Israeli military outpost in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights on Wednesday. The visit, which took place in a buffer zone unilaterally seized by Israel in December, was marked by heightened security measures, including blurring the faces of soldiers in media coverage to shield them from potential legal repercussions over alleged war crimes. Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of the region, stating, ‘We attach immense importance to our capability here, both defensive and offensive, safeguarding our Druze allies, and especially safeguarding Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights.’ He added that the mission could escalate at any moment, expressing confidence in the troops’ readiness. The visit drew sharp criticism from Syria, which condemned it as a blatant violation of its sovereignty and international law. Syria’s foreign ministry labeled the actions of Israeli officials as ‘null, void, and legally invalid,’ accusing Israel of perpetuating aggression and breaching UN Security Council resolutions. Syrian ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, urged the Security Council to enforce the 1974 disengagement agreement and halt Israeli violations. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed concern over the visit, reiterating the importance of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Israeli ambassador Danny Danon called on Syria to demonstrate a commitment to peace and justice, while Olabi countered by highlighting Israel’s repeated strikes on Syrian territory. The visit underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, with both nations locked in a complex geopolitical struggle.