News
Netanyahu Considers Response to Iran while Being Cautious of Biden’s Position
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is facing a crucial decision regarding how to respond to Iran’s recent attack. The attack, which targeted Damascus and was allegedly carried out by Iranian forces, has put Israel in a delicate position as it weighs the potential consequences of any retaliatory action.
Yaakov Amidror, a former major general and national security adviser in Israel, believes that Israel has the legitimacy to attack Iran in response to the recent events. He also suggests that Israel could choose to focus on finishing the campaign against Hamas in Gaza and preparing to confront Hezbollah in Lebanon.
However, the international community, including President Biden, has been urging Netanyahu to exercise restraint. The alliance between Israel, Western countries, and moderate Arab states is seen as a crucial deterrent against Iran, and escalating tensions could jeopardize this alliance.
Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a united front against the Iranian threat. He envisions building a regional coalition to counter Iran and impose costs on the country for its actions.
Israel’s options range from openly striking Iran to refraining from any retaliation. Some experts suggest that Israel could use the situation to rally international support for sanctions against Iran or to solidify the anti-Iranian alliance.
In the past, during the Gulf War of 1991, Israel opted for restraint in response to missile attacks from Iraq in order to preserve its alliance with the United States and Arab states. Israel could also consider non-military options, such as cyberattacks or covert operations, to undermine Iranian interests without direct confrontation.
News
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.