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In this photo released by the Lebanese government, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale, speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon on April 15, 2021. (Dalati Nohra/Lebanese Official Government via AP)
A senior US official on Thursday offered Washington’s assistance in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to resolve their maritime border dispute.
“These negotiations have potential to unlock significant economic benefits for Lebanon,” said US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale in a statement to the press after meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun, at the presidential palace, in Baabda, east of Beirut.
Screen capture from video of Lebanon s Public Works Minister Michel Najjar. (YouTube)
Lebanon’s outgoing minister of public works said Monday that he has signed a decree that would increase the area claimed by his country in a maritime border dispute with Israel.
Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz responded by accusing Lebanon of “blowing up” negotiations between the two countries to resolve the issue.
Lebanese Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told reporters that he has signed an amendment of the decree that would formally extend Lebanon’s claims by 1,430 square kilometers (550 square miles).
In addition to angering Israel, the unilateral move was likely to also annoy the US, as neither of the allies are expected to recognize Beirut’s extension of the disputed area.
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I thought long and hard before I decided to run, yet again, on the 2021 Blue and White ticket for Knesset. I did it because I believe that Benny Gantz and his colleagues have done more for Israel than any political party in recent memory. As I see it, when you get past the cynicism that informs many voters’ preferences in the present election, Blue and White, is the only party that makes sense.
An example of the ravages of garbage dumping in Israel s national parks.
Disposable Items â not in my nature! Following changes in the culture of hiking and outdoor recreation among Israelis, Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel (Likud) is promoting an amendment to the rules of conduct and behavior in national parks that are currently outlined in the By-Laws for National Parks enacted in the 1960s.
An example of the ravages of garbage dumping in Israel’s national parks. /Â Shlomit Shavit / Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority
Acting on the recommendation of the Nature and Parks Authority, Minister Gamliel will in the coming days complete receiving the required approvals from the Ministries of the Interior, Defense and Transport, and will soon pass the proposed rules to the Knesset Interior and Environmental Protection Committee, to be approved during the current Knesset.
Electricity-generating solar panels. (Danny Shechtman)
Three lawmakers rushed Tuesday to burnish their environmental credentials hours before the Knesset was expected to disband.
The Knesset voted 49-47 overnight Monday-Tuesday against legislation that would have given the Likud and Blue and White parties extra time to reach agreement on a state budget. As a result of the failure to pass a budget, at midnight, the parliament will dissolve and new elections the fourth in two years will automatically be triggered.
Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel (Likud) announced interministerial agreement on the wording of an amendment to the Land Law to enable apartment blocks home to some 75 percent of Israelis to put solar panels on roofs under common ownership with greater ease.