News and Analysis 7/25/21

“Why is the Israeli baseball team predominantly made up of American Jews? And why are there no Arabs representing Israel – yet again?”:

• Israel Goes to the Olympics with High Hopes, American Ringers and No Arabs (Haaretz)

The scandal of the use of the Israeli spyware program Pegasus to spy on journalists, activists, and business leaders is being investigated by “an international alliance of 17 news outlets and human rights organizations” …

• Global Phone Hacks Expose Darker Side of Israel’s ‘Startup Nation’ Image (CNN)

… as countries such as France and Pakistan become unlikely allies over alleged targeting of President Macron and PM Imran Khan …

• French Media Report President Macron’s Cellphone Was a Spyware Target (NPR)
• Pegasus Spyware Case: Pakistan PM Imran Khan Among 14 Heads of States on Potential Target List (Zee News)

… and a government agency in India has reportedly attempted to hack over 25 Hurriyat leaders – including members of Mehbooba Mufti’s family” and is confirmed to be “a client of the Israeli company NSO group”:

• Forensic Evidence Shows India Tried to Hack Phones of Kashmiri Leaders (Daily Times)

“Iran – not Hamas or Hezbollah” is the Israeli defense establishment’s best route to getting the highest spending increase:

• Israeli Army’s Scaremongering on Iran Is Back. Here’s Why (Haaretz)

A regional U.S. commander said at a Sunday news conference that the U.S. military has stepped up its airstrikes against the Taliban and “that it will continue to do so” in the weeks ahead”:

• U.S Offers Further Air Support to Afghan Troops amid Taliban Offensive (KFGO)

Following reports of Palestinian youth throwing Molotov cocktails at armored vehicles, “Israeli forces set up a trap for the three youths, arresting two while the third was injured” by open fire from Israeli soldiers:

• Israeli Forces Injure Palestinian Youth in West Bank (Middle East Monitor)

Gaza’s fishing zone will be reduced from 12 to six nautical miles, the Israeli army says, deeming the incendiary balloons launched at Israel “a violation of Israeli sovereignty”:

• Israel Halves Gaza Fishing Zone over Incendiary Balloon Fires (Al-Jazeera)

Abdullah Khan