** Biden calls Bennett to congratulate him on forming government**

US President Joe Biden has called Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to congratulate him on forming an Israeli government.

The phone call comes around two hours after the government is sworn in.

Bennett thanks Biden for his support for Israel and its security.

“Prime Minister Bennett noted his appreciation for the president, and for his support for Israel during the recent operation in Gaza (Guardian of the Walls), and noted that he considers him a great friend of the State of Israel,” a statement from Bennett’s office says.

“In their conversation, the leaders emphasized the importance of the alliance between Israel and the United States, as well as their commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries, and maintaining the security of the State of Israel.”

The White House readout, however, also mentions Iran and the US intention to advance peace with the Palestinians.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks to US President Joe Biden on June 13, 2021. (Courtesy / Ariel Zandberg)

“President Biden highlighted his decades of steadfast support for the US-Israel relationship and his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. He expressed his firm intent to deepen cooperation between the United States and Israel on the many challenges and opportunities facing the region. The leaders agreed that they and their teams would consult closely on all matters related to regional security, including Iran,” it says.

“The president also conveyed that his administration intends to work closely with the Israeli government on efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.”

Biden congratulates PM Bennett, says looking forward to working with him

US President Joe Biden congratulates Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and says he is looking forward to working with him.

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Bennett to strengthen all aspects of the close and enduring relationship between our two nations,” says Biden.

“Israel has no better friend than the United States. The bond that unites our people is evidence of our shared values and decades of close cooperation, and as we continue to strengthen our partnership, the United States remains unwavering in its support for Israel’s security. My administration is fully committed to working with the new Israeli government to advance security, stability, and peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and people throughout the broader region.”

Bennett thanks Biden, says looking forward to strengthening Israel-US ties

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanks US President Joe Biden for his congratulations.

“Thank you Mr. President! I look forward to working with you to strengthen the ties between our two nations,” he tweets.

Austria’s Kurz congratulates Bennett, Lapid on new government

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz congratulates Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid on the new government.

** Defense minister Gantz speaks with US counterpart, after government formed**

By JUDAH ARI GROSS

Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaks to his American counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, after being sworn in again following the formation of a new Israeli government.

“I greatly look forward to continuing the paramount work alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin to protect the steadfast alliance between Israel and the US, the stability of the Middle East, and the safety of our peoples,” Gantz says after the call.

UK congratulates new Israeli leaders, hopes for ‘peace in the region’

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab congratulates Bennett and Lapid on the new government.

In a tweet, he says he looks forward to continued British-Israeli “cooperation on security, trade and climate change, and working together to secure peace in the region.”

World Jewish Congress confident Bennett government will boost Diaspora ties

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder congratulates Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his alternate, Yair Lapid.

“I congratulate the leaders of Israel’s political parties who have come together to form a government of national unity that includes all sides of the Israeli political spectrum, from right to left, religious to secular. I am delighted that these efforts have now come to fruition and that this new government has been established,” he says in a statement.

“I know incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and incoming Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and am confident that their partnership, together with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Avigdor Liberman, Gideon Sa’ar, Merav Michaeli, Nitzan Horowitz, Mansour Abbas, and their colleagues from their respective parties, will provide Israel with stability and the same spirit of unity the people of Israel demonstrated during the recent Israel-Hamas military conflict. The State of Israel must be a beacon of unity for the entire Jewish people, and I am confident that its new government will also help bring Diaspora Jewry together.”

** Germany’s Merkel congratulates PM Bennett**

By AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulates incoming Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett after an alliance of parties ousted Benjamin Netanyahu and formed a new government.

“Germany and Israel are connected by a unique friendship that we want to strengthen further. With this in mind, I look forward to working closely with you,” Merkel says in a message addressed to Bennett and shared by her spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer on Twitter.

New government holds festive first cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addresses his first cabinet meeting, with Alternate PM Yair Lapid at his side, June 13, 2021. (Channel 12 screenshot)

The new Israeli government holds a festive first cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presides over the meeting, which is open to the press. He opens his remarks with the “Shehechiyanu” prayer of thanksgiving.

“We are at the start of new days,” he says, calling the establishment of a new government “a wonder.”

Bennett vows that the government will work to “mend the rift in the nation” after two years of political deadlock.

He says the new cabinet meetings will start on time on Sunday mornings, in an apparent criticism of Netanyahu, who was notoriously late for meetings. And he urges his ministers to show “restraint” over the numerous ideological differences between the disparate parties in the coalition to ensure its stability.

Lapid, sitting alongside Bennett, says “friendship and trust” were the foundation of the government and only “friendship and trust” will keep it in power.

Sitting on the sidelines is Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit (2R) at the first cabinet meeting of the new government on June 13, 2021. (Tal Schneider/Times of Israel)

·

Labor MK, suffering from spinal ailment, voted for government while she was lying down

Labor MK Emilie Moatti came directly from the hospital to the Knesset to vote for the incoming government.

She is suffering from a spinal ailment — a rare infection after a routine medical check she underwent last week — and was unable to stand. Channel 12 publicizes a photo of the lawmaker.

Newly elected Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy chose not to deliver his planned speech so that the government vote could be held right away, sparing Moatti any delay. She was taken back out of the chamber as soon as she had cast her vote. With the coalition winning the Knesset’s approval by the narrowest possible simple majority, 60-59, every vote was crucial.

Labor MK Emilie Moatti (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

PA, Hamas say new government won’t change dealings with Israel

By AARON BOXERMAN

Palestinian factions in the West Bank and Gaza say they see little difference between the exiting government of Benjamin Netanyahu and the new “change government” led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Hamas, a terror group that rules the Gaza Strip, says Netanyahu’s departure will not end their attempts to destroy the Jewish state.

“No matter the form of the Israeli government, it will not change the nature of our dealings with [Israel]. It is a settlement occupation entity that must be resisted and from which our rights must be wrested by any and all forms of resistance, foremost of which is armed struggle,” says Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhum.

In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority Foreign Ministry says in a statement that they expect to see few changes in Israeli policy towards the Palestinians under Bennett’s fragile eight-party coalition.

“This time, a government without Netanyahu was formed in Israel. However, it is inaccurate to call it a ‘government of change,’ unless one means to say that Netanyahu is no longer there. As for [the new government’s] policies, we estimate that will see no difference, or perhaps even worse ones, ” the Foreign Ministry says.

Netanyahu sets Monday meeting with Bennett on transition of power

Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a meeting with the new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday to hand over the reins of the premiership, his office says.

The meeting will take place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

Milestones set by new government: 1st kippah-wearing PM, 1st to include Arabs

The new government is breaking some new ground in Israel’s history, as its premier Naftali Bennett becomes the first kippa-wearing Orthodox prime minister and the Ra’am party becomes the first Arab Israeli faction to join a governing coalition.

Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid, Yamina’s Naftali Bennett and Ra’am’s Mansour Abbas agree to form a coalition, to be joined by five other parties onJune 2, 2021. (Courtesy of Ra’am)

A record-breaking nine women hold ministerial portfolios in the new government, including some of the most influential ones: transportation minister Merav Michaeli (Labor), interior minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina), education minister Yifat Shasha-Biton (New Hope), economy minister Orna Barbivai (Yesh Atid), energy minister Karine Elharrar (Yesh Atid), social equality minister Merav Cohen (Yesh Atid), immigrant absorption minister Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White), environmental protection minister Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), science minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen (Blue and White).

在以色列第36屆政府預計將在下午8:00宣誓在週日晚上

預期的部長名單如下：

總理：納夫塔利·貝內特（亞米娜）

候補總理/外交事務：Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid)

副總理/國防部：本尼·甘茨（藍白）

副總理/法官：Gideon Sa'ar（新希望）

財務: Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu)

教育: Yifat Shasha-Biton (新希望)

內飾：Ayelet Shaked（亞米娜）

健康: Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz)

交通: Merav Michaeli (勞工)

環境保護: Tamar Zandberg (Meretz)

公共安全: Omer Bar-Lev (勞工)

通訊: Yoaz Hendel (新希望)

經濟艙: Orna Barbivay (Yesh Atid)

勞動; 社會服務和社會事務：Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid)

能源: Karin Elharrar (Yesh Atid)

僑民事務: Nachman Shai (勞工)

情報部門：Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid)

旅遊: Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid)

宗教事務: Matan Kahana (Yamina)

文體：辣椒魚（藍白）

Aliyah and Integration : Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White)

農業與內蓋夫和加利利發展：Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu)

建設部部長級聯絡人：Ze'ev Elkin（新希望）

區域合作: Essawi Frej (Meretz)

科技: Orit Farkash Hacohen (Blue and White)

社會公平：梅拉夫·科恩（Yesh Atid）

財政部部長：哈米德·阿馬爾（Yisrael Beytenu）

以色列議會發言人：米基·利維（Yesh Atid）

財務委員會主席：亞歷克斯·庫什尼爾（Yisrael Beytenu）

外交和國防委員會主席：Ram Ben Barak (Yesh Atid)

法律和憲法委員會主席：拉比吉拉德卡里夫（工黨）

阿利亞和僑民事務委員會主席：Yair Golan (Meretz)

The 36th government of Israel is expected to be sworn in on Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m.

The expected list of ministers is as follows:

Prime Minister: Naftali Bennett (Yamina)

Alternate Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs: Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid)

Deputy Prime Minister/Defense: Benny Gantz (Blue and White)

Deputy Prime Minister/Justice: Gideon Sa'ar (New Hope)

Finance: Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu)

Education: Yifat Shasha-Biton (New Hope)

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Interior: Ayelet Shaked (Yamina)

Health: Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz)

Transportation: Merav Michaeli (Labor)

Environmental Protection: Tamar Zandberg (Meretz)

Public Security: Omer Bar-Lev (Labor)

Communications: Yoaz Hendel (New Hope)

Economy: Orna Barbivay (Yesh Atid)

Labor; Social Services and Social Affairs: Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid)

Energy: Karin Elharrar (Yesh Atid)

Diaspora Affairs: Nachman Shai (Labor)

Intelligence Services: Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid)

Tourism: Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid)

Religious Affairs: Matan Kahana (Yamina)

Culture and Sports: Chili Tropper (Blue and White)

Aliyah and Integration: Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White)

Agriculture and Negev and Galilee Development: Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu)

Construction, Ministerial Liaison to the Knesset: Ze’ev Elkin (New Hope)

Regional Cooperation: Essawi Frej (Meretz)

Science and Technology: Orit Farkash Hacohen (Blue and White)

Social Equity: Meirav Cohen (Yesh Atid)

Minister in the Finance Ministry: Hamed Amar (Yisrael Beytenu)

Knesset Speaker: Mickey Levy (Yesh Atid)

Finance Committee chairman: Alex Kushnir (Yisrael Beytenu)

Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman: Ram Ben Barak (Yesh Atid)

Law and Constitution Committee chairman: Rabbi Gilad Kariv (Labor)

Aliyah and Diaspora Affairs Committee chairman: Yair Golan (Meretz)

** Thousands cheer end of Netanyahu era at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square**

Thousands of people are celebrating the new government in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.

The municipality building lights up in the colors of Israel’s flag for the occasion.

Separately, outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, hundreds hold a pro-Netanyahu rally.

·

Bennett sworn in as prime minister

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stands at the Knesset plenum and vows to “maintain allegiance to the State of Israel and its laws, to faithfully fulfill my role as prime minister/a member of the government and to uphold Knesset resolutions.”

He is followed by Yair Lapid, the alternate prime minister and foreign minister.

The rest of the cabinet members will follow individually, in alphabetical order.

Cheers erupt in plenum as new government approved

Cheers erupt in the Knesset chamber as Naftali Bennett becomes prime minister and a new government is sworn in, nearly three months after the last election.

A defeated Netanyahu is surrounded by his former coalition partners, who shake his hand.

Bennett-Lapid government wins Knesset majority; Netanyahu is out after 12 years

Party leaders in the emerging coalition: This combination of pictures created on June 2, 2021 shows (Top (L to R) Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, (bottom L to R) Meretz leader Nitzan Horowitz, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas, and Labour leader Merav Michaeli. (Photos by AFP)

The Knesset swears in the 36th government, appointing the right-wing Naftali Bennett the next prime minister and removing Benjamin Netanyahu from power after 12 consecutive years.

Outgoing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands in the Knesset with newly elected Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, June 13, 2021 (Channel 12 screenshot)

The so-called “change government” is approved with 60 of the Knesset’s 120 lawmakers in favor and 59 opposed. It does not require the backing of 61 lawmakers to be sworn in, rather a simply majority.

Ra’am MK Saeed al-Harumi abstains.

The final tally in the Knesset vote — 60 votes for the Bennett-Lapid government, 59 against, June 13, 2021 (Channel 12 screenshot).

Outgoing Knesset speaker Levin embraces successor

Outgoing Knesset speaker Yariv Levin of Likud warmly embraces his successor, Yesh Atid’s Mickey Levy, earning strong applause in the plenum.

Levin wishes him luck in the position.

New Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy (Yesh Atid) and his predecessor Yariv Levin (Likud) embrace as Levy takes over the job in the Knesset, June 13, 2021. (Noam Moscowitz / Knesset spokesperson)

Levy forgoes his speech and will move along with the confidence vote in the new Knesset, since one of the lawmakers came directly from the hospital to vote.

Yesh Atid’s Mickey Levy appointed new Knesset speaker

Yesh Atid MK Mickey Levy is appointed the new Knesset speaker, replacing Likud’s Yariv Levin, after winning 67 of the parliament’s 120 votes.

His rival, Shas lawmaker Yaakov Margi, picks up 52 votes.

Yesh Atid MK MIckey Levy (Courtesy)

Levy will now preside over the confidence vote in the new Bennett-Lapid government, which will begin shortly.

Vote for Knesset speaker about to begin

The Knesset is set to begin its vote to swear in a new parliament speaker. Yesh Atid’s Mickey Levy is the new government’s candidate.

Shas nominates its lawmaker Yaakov Margi.

普京：俄羅斯將接受有條件地將網絡犯罪分子移交給美國

白宮曾表示，拜登將在兩個世界大國的會晤中提到源自俄羅斯的勒索軟件攻擊。

通過路透

2021 年 6 月 13 日 13:45

2011 年 3 月 10 日，俄羅斯總理弗拉基米爾·普京（右）在莫斯科會晤時與時任美國副總統喬·拜登握手。

（照片來源：路透社/ALEXANDER NATRUSKIN/文件照片）

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弗拉基米爾·普京總統曾表示，如果華盛頓對莫斯科採取同樣的措施，並且兩國就此達成協議，俄羅斯將準備將網絡犯罪分子交給美國。

在 6 月 16 日與美國總統喬拜登在日內瓦舉行的峰會之前，普京在周日的國家電視台播出的採訪摘錄中發表了上述評論。權力之間的關係因一系列問題而嚴重緊張。

這位俄羅斯領導人表示，他希望日內瓦會議有助於建立雙邊對話和恢復個人接觸，並補充說，兩人的重要問題包括戰略穩定、利比亞和敘利亞以及環境。

普京還稱讚拜登在美國和俄羅斯今年同意延長新的START核武器控制條約時表現出的“專業精神”。

白宮表示，拜登將在會議上提出來自俄羅斯的勒索軟件攻擊。在一次網絡攻擊中斷了肉類加工商 JBS USA 的北美和澳大利亞業務後，這個問題成為人們關注的焦點。

一位熟悉此事的美國消息人士上週表示，這起襲擊背後是一個與俄羅斯有關聯的黑客組織。

當被問及俄羅斯是否準備尋找和起訴網絡罪犯時，普京表示，俄羅斯在這方面的行為將取決於莫斯科和華盛頓達成的正式協議。

他說，雙方都必須承擔同樣的義務。

“如果我們同意引渡罪犯，那麼俄羅斯當然會那樣做，我們會那樣做，但前提是另一方，在這種情況下是美國，同意同樣的做法並將有關罪犯引渡到俄羅斯聯邦，“ 他說。

“網絡安全問題是目前最重要的問題之一，因為關閉各種系統會導致非常嚴重的後果，”他說。

G7 會議是否表明“美國（和民主）回來了？”

對一些人來說，這只是空談，現實是中國、伊朗、俄羅斯、土耳其和其他威權主義者正在羞辱拜登、歐洲和美國的盟友和夥伴。

作者：SETH J. FRANZMAN

2021 年 6 月 12 日 19:35

2021 年 6 月 10 日，在英國康沃爾郡卡比斯灣舉行的 G7 峰會之前，美國總統喬·拜登在與英國首相鮑里斯·約翰遜的會談中笑了。（路透社）

（圖片來源：路透社）

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迄今為止， 七國集團會議表明七位領導人在美麗的康沃爾海濱討論全球挑戰之間罕見的團結。

多年來，世界領先的民主經濟體已經習慣了他們陣營中威權主義和混亂的興起。去年，美國對與歐洲盟國合作制定抗擊疫情的聯合戰略幾乎沒有興趣。現在美國再次傾聽，美國總統喬拜登說西方民主國家可以在全球挑戰面前發揮領導作用。

對一些人來說，這只是空談，現實是中國、伊朗、俄羅斯、土耳其和其他威權主義者正在羞辱拜登、歐洲和美國的盟友和夥伴。

但 BBC 表示，“七位領導人將承諾動用所有資源，努力確保像 Covid-19 這樣的大流行病造成的破壞不再重演。” 應該在事件發生的卡比斯灣發布聲明。“目標是將開發疫苗所需的時間縮短到 100 天以下，”報告說。

新婚的英國首相鮑里斯·約翰遜將接待其他領導人。他們將與女王見面，並且他們一直在做肩膀碰撞來互相問候而不是握手。

除了美國、英國、意大利、日本、德國、法國和加拿大之外，還有兩位歐盟領導人出席了會議。日本是唯一一個加入的亞洲國家。

歐盟委員會主席烏爾蘇拉·馮德萊恩（Ursula von der Leyen）是兩人之一。4 月，她在與土耳其獨裁總統的會晤中被拒絕擔任主席，這臭名昭著。在 G7 會議上，她將與她的歐盟同事查爾斯·米歇爾 (Charles Michel) 一起受到更多尊重。

經過 18 個月的大流行，領導人說他們想了解發生了什麼以及如何發生。在美國，人們越來越關注這種流行病始於“實驗室洩漏”的可能性。

拜登曾表示，這一事件表明“外交 又回來了”。這對他來說是一次重要的國外之行，應該包括週三在日內瓦與俄羅斯總統弗拉基米爾普京會面。

拜登還可能會見土耳其的雷傑普·塔伊普·埃爾多安，他經常威脅美國及其盟友和合作夥伴，並正在收購俄羅斯的 S-400 防空武器系統。所有人的目光都集中在拜登身上，看看他是如何處理這些會議的。

報導稱，七國集團說明了面對面外交的重要性，在大流行期間基本上沒有。

然而，會議提出了許多問題。G7 主要是一個由強大經濟體組成的西方民主俱樂部，但它們的目標統一性存在問題。德國對俄羅斯、土耳其和其他獨裁者似乎很軟弱。離開歐盟的英國經常將貿易置於人權和原則之上。在美國離開阿富汗的同時，法國正在尋求縮減其在薩赫勒地區打擊伊斯蘭極端分子的角色。

目前尚不清楚這些國家能否更好地協調應對從烏克蘭到敘利亞和薩赫勒的各種危機。

總的來說，過去十年見證了主要民主國家代表人權或受到恐怖組織威脅的國家的干預迅速削弱。威權主義者似乎正在獲勝，封鎖社交媒體並破壞選舉。

這對中東產生了影響，因為在多年的混亂之後，強大的國家體系已經重新出現。這需要更多地支持利比亞、也門和敘利亞的和平進程，以及以色列和巴勒斯坦人之間的和平進程。

但不同的政策意味著不同的群體不知道會發生什麼。俄羅斯希望在也門和利比亞發揮作用，鞏固其在敘利亞的作用。中國在最近的加沙沖突中譴責了美國。這意味著雖然 G7 可能有一個不錯的海邊拍照機會，但它可能必須在之後進行更多實際工作並逆流而上。

Does the G7 meeting show that 'America (and democracy) is back?'

For some this is just talk and the reality is that China, Iran, Russia, Turkey and other authoritarians are humiliating Biden, Europe and US allies and partners.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

JUNE 12, 2021 19:35

US President Joe Biden laughs while speaking with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during their meeting, ahead of the G7 summit, at Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Britain June 10, 2021. (REUTERS)

(photo credit: REUTERS)

The G7 meeting has so far illustrated rare unity among the seven leaders discussing global challenges in the pretty Cornwall seaside.

For many years the world’s leading democratic economies have gotten used to the rise of authoritarianism and chaos in their camp. Last year the US showed little interest in working with European allies to figure out a joint strategy against the pandemic. Now the US is listening again and US President Joe Biden is saying that western democracies can lead in the face of global challenges.

For some this is just talk and the reality is that China, Iran, Russia, Turkey and other authoritarians are humiliating Biden, Europe and US allies and partners.

But the BBC says the “seven leaders are to commit to using all their resources in an effort to ensure the devastation caused by a pandemic like Covid-19 is never repeated.” A declaration is supposed to be issued at Carbis Bay where the events are taking place. “The aim is to slash the time needed to develop vaccines to under 100 days,” reports say.

Newly married UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the other leaders. They will meet the queen and they have been doing shoulder-bumps to greet each other rather than handshakes.

Two EU leaders are present as well, alongside the US, UK, Italy, Japan, Germany, France and Canada. Japan is the only Asian country that is a member.

Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission president, is one of the two. She was infamously denied a chair at a meeting with Turkey’s authoritarian president in April. At the G7 she will be treated with more respect, alongside her EU colleague Charles Michel.

After 18 months of pandemic the leaders say they want to learn what happened and how. In the US there is growing interest in the possibility that the pandemic began as a “lab leak.”

Biden has said that the event shows that “diplomacy is back.” This is an important foreign trip for him and is supposed to include a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva on Wednesday.

Biden may also meet Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has often threatened the US, its allies and partners, and is acquiring Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft weapon system. All eyes will be on Biden to see how he handles these meetings.

Reports say the G7 illustrates the importance of in-person diplomacy, largely absent during the pandemic.

However, the meetings raise many questions. The G7 is largely a western democracy club of powerful economies, but there are questions about their unity of purpose. Germany has appeared soft on Russia and Turkey and other authoritarians. The UK, having left the EU, often puts trade above human rights and principles. France is seeking to draw down its role fighting Islamist extremists in the Sahel while the US is leaving Afghanistan.

It is unclear whether these countries can better coordinate in responding to various crises from Ukraine to Syria and the Sahel.

In general the last decade has witnessed a rapid erosion of intervention by leading democracies on behalf of human rights or of countries threatened by terror groups. The authoritarians appear to be winning, blocking social media and undermining elections.

This has implications for the Middle East, because a strong state system has re-emerged after years of chaos. That requires more support for peace processes in Libya, Yemen and Syria, as well as between Israel and the Palestinians.

But disparate policies mean that different groups don’t know what to expect. Russia wants to play a role in Yemen and Libya, building on its role in Syria. China condemned the US during the recent Gaza conflict. That means that while the G7 may have a nice seaside photo op, it may have to follow through with more actual work afterwards and swim against the tide.

法國的馬克龍說，美國和拜登一起回來了

馬克龍的言論與英國首相鮑里斯約翰遜的言論相呼應，後者周四稱讚拜登是“一股清新的空氣”。

通過路透

2021 年 6 月 12 日 19:34

美國總統喬拜登和法國總統埃馬紐埃爾馬克龍於 2021 年 6 月 12 日在英國康沃爾郡卡比斯灣舉行的 G7 峰會期間出席雙邊會議。

（照片來源：KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS）

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法國的埃馬紐埃爾·馬克龍週六表示，美國在喬·拜登總統的領導下重新成為自由世界的合作領袖，這表明許多美國主要盟友對唐納德·特朗普總統任期結束的動盪感到寬慰。

馬克龍的言論與英國首相鮑里斯約翰遜的言論相呼應，後者周四稱讚拜登是“一股清新的空氣”。

馬克龍和約翰遜都沒有明確指出拜登和特朗普之間的相似之處，儘管他們都讚揚了拜登明顯合作的語氣，官員們表示，在特朗普有時讓許多歐洲盟友感到震驚和困惑之後，人們鬆了一口氣。

拜登在被記者問及美國是否回來時轉向馬克龍，用他的雷朋飛行員太陽鏡向法國總統示意他應該回答這個問題。

“是的，絕對是，”馬克龍說。“有一位美國總統是俱樂部的一員並且非常願意合作，這真是太好了。”

“你所展示的是領導力是夥伴關係，”馬克龍告訴拜登，他們坐在戶外露台上，身後碧綠的大海一覽無餘。

拜登同意了。

“美國，我之前說過，我們回來了，”拜登說。“事情正在發展，我想，好吧，正如我們在美國所說的那樣，我們在同一頁上。”

拜登補充說，美國對北約軍事聯盟的凝聚力感到非常強烈，並表示支持歐盟——這是特朗普在 2017-2021 年總統任期內備受批評的目標。

拜登說：“我認為歐盟是一個非常強大和充滿活力的實體，這與西歐的能力有很大關係，不僅可以處理其經濟問題，還可以為北約提供支柱和支持。”

America is back with Biden, France's Macron says

Macron's remark echoes that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hailed Biden on Thursday as "a big breath of fresh air".

By REUTERS

JUNE 12, 2021 19:34

US President Joe Biden and France's President Emmanuel Macron attend a bilateral meeting during the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Britain, June 12, 2021.

(photo credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS)

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The United States is back as a cooperative leader of the free world under President Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday, illustrating the relief felt by many key US allies that the tumult of Donald Trump's presidency is over.

Macron's remark echoes that of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who hailed Biden on Thursday as "a big breath of fresh air".

Neither Macron nor Johnson drew an explicit parallel between Biden and Trump, though both praised Biden's distinctly cooperative tone and officials said there was relief after Trump at times shocked and bewildered many European allies.

Biden, asked by a reporter if America was back, turned to Macron and gestured with his Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses towards the French president that he should answer that question.

"Yes definitely," Macron said. "It’s great to have a US president who’s part of the club and very willing to cooperate."

"What you demonstrate is that leadership is partnership," Macron told Biden as they sat on an outdoor terrace with a sweeping view of the turquoise sea behind them.

Biden agreed.

"The United States, I've said before, we're back," Biden said. "Things are going, I think, well, and we’re, as we say back in the States, we’re on the same page."

Biden added that the United States felt very strongly about the cohesion of the NATO military alliance and expressed support for the European Union - the target of much criticism from Trump during his 2017-2021 presidency.

"I for one think that the European Union is an incredibly strong and vibrant entity, that has a lot to do with the ability of Western Europe not only to handle its economic issues but provide the backbone and support for NATO," Biden said.

隨著金融危機的加深，黎巴嫩貨幣跌至新低

市場交易商表示，黎巴嫩鎊兌美元匯率約為 15,150，在 2019 年底黎巴嫩經濟和金融危機爆發時下跌了約 90%。

通過路透

2021 年 6 月 13 日 14:01

黎巴嫩總統米歇爾·奧恩上個月在黎巴嫩巴布達總統府舉行的新聞發布會上發表講話。

（照片來源：DALATI NOHRA / 路透社）

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由於該國的金融危機和政治僵局揮之不去，黎巴嫩的貨幣在周日跌破了一個里程碑，兌美元匯率創下新低。

市場交易商表示，黎巴嫩鎊兌美元匯率約為 15,150，在 2019 年底黎巴嫩經濟和金融危機爆發時下跌了約 90%。

黎巴嫩正處於威脅其穩定的深度經濟崩潰的陣痛之中。世界銀行稱其為現代歷史上最嚴重的蕭條之一。

上一次英鎊在 3 月份跌至 15,000 英鎊的低點時，抗議者走上黎巴嫩街頭超過一個星期，焚燒輪胎堵塞道路。

用於資助燃料、藥品和小麥等基本商品補貼計劃的外匯儲備正在耗盡，最近幾週短缺情況全面惡化。

一些醫院正在排除選擇性手術，只進行緊急手術以配給剩餘的醫療用品。大多數藥店本週舉行了為期兩天的罷工，因為藥物用完，汽車排長數小時的汽油讓駕車者感到沮喪，引發了爭吵。

金融崩潰是在脾氣暴躁的政客為內閣組建爭吵的背景下發生的。

自去年 10 月被任命以來，候任總理沙拉·哈里裡一直與總統米歇爾·艾恩 (Michel Aon) 在任命部長問題上發生爭執。在 8 月 4 日貝魯特港口爆炸後辭職後，前政府繼續擔任看守職務。

自去年以來一直被鎖定在美元賬戶之外的儲戶已獲准從 7 月開始獲得一些訪問權限，每位客戶將以接近市場價值的價格獲得 400 美元現金和等值的黎巴嫩鎊。

但國際貨幣基金組織週四批評黎巴嫩提出的美元存款提款提案和尚未獲得議會批准的資本管制法，稱這兩項措施只有作為更廣泛改革的一部分才有意義。

Lebanon currency drops to new low as financial meltdown deepens

Market dealers said the Lebanese pound was trading at around 15,150 to the dollar, losing around 90% of what it was worth in late 2019, when Lebanon's economic and financial crisis erupted.

By REUTERS

JUNE 13, 2021 14:01

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun speaks during a news conference at the presidential palace last month in Baabda, Lebanon.

(photo credit: DALATI NOHRA / REUTERS)

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Lebanon's currency crashed past a milestone on Sunday reaching a new low against the dollar, as the country's financial meltdown and political deadlock linger.

Market dealers said the Lebanese pound was trading at around 15,150 to the dollar, losing around 90% of what it was worth in late 2019, when Lebanon's economic and financial crisis erupted.

Lebanon is in the throes of a deep economic meltdown that is threatening its stability. The World Bank has called it one of the deepest depressions of modern history.

The last time the pound hit a low of 15,000 in March protesters took to the streets across Lebanon for over a week, blocking roads by burning tires.

Foreign reserves, used to fund a subsidy program for basic goods including fuel, medicine and wheat, are running out and shortages have been worsening across the board in recent weeks.

Some hospitals are ruling out elective procedures and only performing emergency surgeries to ration what is left of medical supplies. Most pharmacies staged a two day strike this week as medications run out and hours long car queues for gasoline have frustrated motorists causing squabbles.

The financial collapse is taking place against a backdrop of fractious politicians bickering over cabinet formation.

Prime Minister-designate Salad al-Hariri has been at loggerheads with President Michel Aon over naming ministers since his designation in October. The former government has continued in a caretaker capacity after having resigned in the aftermath of the Aug. 4 Beirut port blast.

Depositors, locked out of their dollar accounts since last year, have been promised some access starting July, with each customer getting $400 in cash and an equivalent in Lebanese pounds at a rate close to market value.

But the International Monetary Fund on Thursday criticized Lebanon's proposal for dollar deposit withdrawals and a capital control law yet to be approved by parliament saying both measures would only be meaningful as part of broader reforms.

哈馬斯恐怖襲擊的以色列受害者對卡塔爾銀行和慈善機構提起訴訟

Shurat HaDin 法律中心代表 24 個以色列恐怖受害者家屬發起了法律訴訟，共計 120 名以色列個人原告。

通過BENJAMIN WEINTHAL

2021 年 6 月 13 日 04:24

2018 年 12 月 7 日，在加沙地帶南部的汗尤尼斯，一名巴勒斯坦哈馬斯僱傭的公務員在收到卡塔爾支付的工資後展示美元鈔票。

（圖片來源：IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/REUTERS）

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位於特拉維夫的 Shurat HaDin 法律中心週四在耶路撒冷地方法院對卡塔爾銀行和慈善機構提起法律訴訟，指控他們在上個月與加沙地帶聖戰組織的戰爭中將資金轉移到哈馬斯的軍事部門。

Shurat HaDin 法律中心代表 24 個以色列恐怖受害者家屬發起了法律訴訟，共計 120 名以色列個人原告。

根據 Shurat HaDin 的一份聲明，“對慈善機構和卡塔爾銀行提起了 10 億新謝克爾的民事訴訟，據稱它向哈馬斯和伊斯蘭聖戰組織的軍事部門中的巴勒斯坦恐怖分子轉移了資金，包括在最近的聖戰衛士行動期間。城牆，伊斯蘭團體向以色列發射了數千枚火箭。法庭文件認為，卡塔爾銀行和慈善機構在資助和協助巴勒斯坦恐怖組織實施的眾多恐怖襲擊方面發揮了關鍵作用。”

歐盟和美國將哈馬斯列為外國恐怖組織。

Shurat HaDin 說，“作為原告的訴訟中包括已故 19 歲的 Uri Ansbacher 的家人，他在耶路撒冷森林被殘忍地殺害，來自 Kibbutz Nahal Oz 的已故四歲半的 Daniel Tregerman在[保護邊緣]行動中被殺的人。”

該訴訟還包括原告“Yochai Shreki，他在 2015 年的汽車爆炸案中喪生，以及已故拉比 Nehemiah Lavi、已故拉比 Shai Ohayon、已故 Reuven Shmerling 和其他恐怖主義受害者的家人。”

Shurat HaDin 表示，它“提交了這些流氓慈善協會和卡塔爾銀行的銀行轉賬證據，這些銀行近年來已將數百萬謝克爾從海灣地區轉移到哈馬斯控制的加沙地帶的恐怖組織。此外，對被捕的巴勒斯坦恐怖分子進行審訊的供詞，他們確認這是如何轉移資金以促進其犯罪活動的財務管道，這些都包含在法庭提交的文件中。”

Shurat HaDin 的主席 Nitzana Darshan-Leitner 表示，“荒謬令人深感不安，一方面，以色列政府正在與哈馬斯作戰，摧毀武器和破壞隧道，另一方面正在轉移數億美元的美元被用於購買新武器和修復加沙的恐怖主義基礎設施。政府認為它可以無限期地從像哈馬斯這樣的兇殘恐怖組織那裡購買沉默以換取賄賂，這是非常天真的。”

她補充說：“如果以色列國不能阻止卡塔爾資助巴勒斯坦恐怖主義，而且實際上瘋狂地允許它，那麼恐怖主義的受害者就會採取行動阻止它。最終，這些家庭將站在打擊恐怖主義融資的最前沿，他們將成功打擊卡塔爾銀行和流氓慈善機構，而以色列政府拒絕這樣做。”

上週，牛逼他耶路撒冷郵報報導，一群敘利亞人在倫敦提起法律行動，卡塔爾銀行和慈善機構國際恐怖指定實體努斯拉陣線的他們所謂的財政支持。

卡塔爾在 2014 年被德國發展部長 Gerd Mueller 指控為伊斯蘭國提供資金，卡塔爾將於 2022 年舉辦足球世界杯。

《耶路撒冷郵報》去年報導稱，美國派出一個小組調查卡塔爾政權，因為據報導該政權資助真主黨，真主黨是一個被美國和歐盟歸類為恐怖主義運動的組織。

Israeli victims of Hamas terror file suit against Qatari banks, charities

Shurat HaDin Law Center initiated the legal action on behalf of 24 Israeli families of terror victims, a total of 120 Israeli individual plaintiffs.

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL

JUNE 13, 2021 04:24

A Palestinian Hamas-hired civil servant displays U.S. Dollar banknotes after receiving her salary paid by Qatar, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 7, 2018.

(photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA/REUTERS)

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The Tel Aviv-based Shurat HaDin Law Center filed a legal action on Thursday in the Jerusalem District court against Qatari banks and charities for alleged transfer of funds to Hamas’ military wing during last month’s war against the Jihadi organization in the Gaza Strip.

Shurat HaDin Law Center initiated the legal action on behalf of 24 Israeli families of terror victims, a total of 120 Israeli individual plaintiffs.

According to a statement from Shurat HaDin, “the NIS 1 billion civil action was filed against charities and Qatari banks, that it is alleged transferred money to Palestinian terrorists in the military wing of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, including during the recent Operation Guardian of the Walls, which saw thousands of rockets launched by Islamic groups into Israel. The court papers contend that the Qatari banks and charities played a key competent in financing and facilitating numerous terrorists attacks perpetrated by the Palestinian terrorists groups.”

The European Union and United States have classified Hamas a foreign terrorist organization.

Shurat HaDin said included in the “lawsuit as plaintiffs are the families of the late 19-year-old Uri Ansbacher, who was brutally murdered in the Jerusalem Forest, the late four-and-half- year-old Daniel Tregerman from Kibbutz Nahal Oz who was killed in Operation [Protective Edge].”

The lawsuit also includes the plaintiffs “Yochai Shreki, who was killed in a 2015 car bombing as well as the families of the late Rabbi Nehemiah Lavi, the late Rabbi Shai Ohayon, the late Reuven Shmerling and other victims of terrorism.”

Shurat HaDin said it “submitted evidence of bank transfers from these rogue charitable associations and Qatari banks, which in recent years have delivered millions of shekels from the Gulf region to the terrorist organizations in the Hamas controlled Gaza Strip. In addition, confessions from the interrogation of captured Palestinian terrorists who confirm that this is financial pipeline of how the funds were transferred to facilitate their criminal activities are included in the court submissions.”

Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, the president of the Shurat HaDin, said that "The absurdity is darkly troubling, on the one hand, the Israeli government is fighting Hamas, destroying weapons and devastating tunnels, and on the other hand it is transferring hundreds of millions of dollars being used to purchase new weapons and rehabilitate the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. The government was grossly naïve to think that it could buy silence from a murderous terrorist organization like Hamas indefinitely in exchange for paying bribes.”

She added that “If the State of Israel cannot prevent Qatari funding of Palestinian terrorism, and actually insanely allows it, then the victims of terrorism will act to prevent it. In the end, these are the families who will be at the forefront of the fight against terrorist financing, and they will succeed in doing against Qatari banks and the rogue charities what the Israeli government refuses to do.”

Last week, The Jerusalem Postreported that a group of Syrians filed a legal action in London against Qatari banks and charities for their alleged financial support of the international designated terrorist entity al-Nusra Front.

Qatar, whose monarchy was accused by Germany’s Development Minister Gerd Mueller of financing the Islamic State in 2014, is slated to host the soccer World Cup in 2022.

The Jerusalem Post reported last year that the US sent a team to probe Qatar’s regime for its reported financing of Hezbollah, a group classified as a terrorist movement by the US and the European Union.

The Post sent press queries to Qatar's foreign ministry and its embassies in Berlin and Washington DC about the Israeli lawsuit.

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