(2025-10-24). Erdogan wraps up Gulf tour with major trade, defense, and energy pacts. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded a three-day diplomatic tour of the Gulf, finalizing a series of strategic agreements aimed at strengthening Turkey's political, economic, and security ties across the region. The trip, which included stops in Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, underscored Ankara's growing role in Gulf diplomacy and its efforts to deepen partnerships amid shifting regional dynamics.Erdogan's final stop in Oman saw high-level talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at Al Alam Palace, focusing on bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and support for a two-state solution in Gaza. Both…
(2025-10-24). 'Keep riding camels:' Israeli minister's racist jibe at Saudi normalization terms sparks outrage. tehrantimes.com Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed Saudi Arabia's presumed demand for Palestinian statehood as a precondition for normalization on Thursday, sneering at a Tzomet Institute conference that the kingdom should "keep riding camels in the Saudi desert" while Israel "innovates."
(2025-10-24). Israeli finance minister's insult to Saudi Arabia sparks outrage. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sparked diplomatic uproar on Thursday, after making derogatory remarks about Saudi Arabia, just as U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Israel to advance peace efforts, and the Knesset narrowly advanced two controversial West Bank annexation bills.Speaking at a Yesha Council seminar, Smotrich dismissed the idea of linking normalization with Saudi Arabia to the creation of a Palestinian state, declaring, "If Saudi Arabia tells us 'normalization in exchange for a Palestinian state,' friends, no thank you. Keep riding camels in the desert in Saudi Arabia…
(2025-10-24). Palestinian teen killed in Israeli raid on West Bank as settlers rampage. aljazeera.com Israeli forces kill youth in Nablus in the occupied territory, as settlers destroy property near Ramallah.
(2025-10-24). Vance: "A Stupid Political Stunt:" Israeli Knesset Approves Reading of Bills to Annex the Occupied West Bank. juancole.com ( IMEMC and Middle East Monitor) — On Wednesday the Israeli Knesset approved the preliminary reading of one bill to annex the West Bank and impose Israeli sovereignty over it, and another to impose sovereignty over the Ma'ale Adumim settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem. Both drafts still must pass three additional readings to become law. …
(2025-10-24). of White House reportedly frustrated with Israel over Gaza strikes, West Bank annexation vote. haaretz.com Politico reports that Vice President Vance delivered a 'firm message' to Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to Israel…