Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, declares that Qatar should be considered an “enemy state” that funds Hamas, damages Israel’s image in the world and should be excluded from all negotiations.
According to Smotrich, who is one of the most hardline right-wing and Zionist voices in the Israeli government, it is a “grave mistake” that Qatar is still allowed to participate in the negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 last year.
“Qatar is an enemy state that supports Hamas and backs its positions in the negotiations, aiming to prevent us from destroying it. Qatar owns Al Jazeera and severely damages Israel’s image globally, harming our struggle for survival”, the minister writes on X.
According to Smotrich, the only way to get the remaining hostages back is for Hamas to surrender and for Israel to “continue with the military pressure that our heroic soldiers are currently exerting in the north of the Gaza Strip”.
המשך העירוב של קטאר במו”מ להשבת החטופים הוא טעות קשה. אני מצר מאוד על החלטת ראש הממשלה לאשר את נסיעתו של ראש המוסד למו”מ עם קטאר. קטאר היא מדינת אויב שתומכת בחמאס ומגבה את עמדותיו במו”מ ומטרתה היא למנוע מאיתנו להשמיד אותו. קטאר מחזיקה את אל-ג’זירה ופוגעת אנושות בתדמיתה של ישראל…
Qatar has been described by several analysts as one of Hamas’ biggest funders and several Hamas representatives have periodically traveled to Qatar to escape Israeli assassination attempts.
The Qatari government has not commented on Mr. Smotrich’s remarks, but the country’s leaders have previously condemned similar statements and rejected any accusations that they are trying to prevent the release of hostages.
Next Sunday, Mossad director David Barnea is expected to travel to Qatar to discuss the possibility of resuming negotiations on the captured Israelis. Qatar is believed to have played a central role in the exchange of hundreds of prisoners last November.
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Tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again drawn attention after commenting on statistics about global population development.
In a post on X, he stated that white people constitute a rapidly shrinking share of the world’s population, and that almost no one seems to react to this fact.
Musk shared a post from the account Radio Genoa which stated that “in 1900 the white population in the world was 36% and today it is 8%.”
“White people are a rapidly diminishing minority of global population”, Musk wrote in his comment on the post, which quickly gained wide circulation.
User Rabbit Hole pointed out that “most of Europe has fertility rates below replacement levels. Whites will likely represent a shrinking share of the human population” going forward, and also received Musk’s agreement.
“Yeah, it’s just a fact. And no one seems to care”, commented the world’s richest man bluntly.
White people are a rapidly diminishing minority of global population https://t.co/34ZWgTQ96q
Musk’s comments come at a time when birth rates in the Western world are at critical and historically low levels. In many European countries, birth rates are below 1.4 children per woman, far below the 2.1 children required to maintain population levels.
Furthermore, the figures include population groups from developing countries that traditionally have significantly more children, which means that birth rates among the native population are even lower than what the statistics show.
Despite low birth rates, however, the population in almost all European countries continues to grow, which is due to large-scale mass immigration from non-European countries – a large-scale population replacement, according to critics of current migration policy.
This has led to major demographic changes in many European cities where people with non-European backgrounds already constitute a majority today – or will soon do so.
Mixed reactions
Musk’s statements have received mixed reactions on social media where many users share his concern about the West’s demographic collapse and believe this is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.
Others, however, have accused Musk of hypocrisy and point out that he has previously advocated for increased labor immigration to the United States, particularly so-called high-skilled workers from countries like India, to benefit his own companies.
The fact that Charlie Kirk, who was just murdered, was immediately character assassinated after his death became too much even for the bosses at left-liberal MSNBC.
Political commentator Matthew Dowd has been fired from MSNBC after spreading wild conspiracy theories and arguing that murdered conservative figure Charlie Kirk bears responsibility for his own death.
— During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise, comments MSNBC chief Rebecca Kutler apologetically, but does not want to comment further on the matter.
The left-liberal Dowd joined the network in 2022 after a long career at ABC News. Following the shooting, Dowd went on the attack against the murdered 31-year-old, accusing him of spreading hate and being one of America’s most “divisive figures”. He also suggested that Kirk had only himself to blame for being murdered.
— He has been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions, claimed Dowd, continuing to place blame on the murder victim.
Political analyst Matthew Dowd on MSNBC wonders whether the Charlie Kirk shooting may have been “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.” pic.twitter.com/cW3IQzLEcD
— I think that’s the environment we’re in, that the people just – you can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have, and then saying these awful words, and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.
Dowd also advanced bizarre conspiracy theories that the killer may actually have been a Kirk supporter who killed the 31-year-old by mistake, despite no witness testimony or other evidence supporting that theory.
— We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration, he speculated further.
Matthew Dowd is today a Democrat, but also has a background as a Republican strategist. He has made himself known as one of cable TV’s most critical voices against Republican leadership and unsuccessfully attempted in 2021 to become the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in the state of Texas.
Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed yesterday during an appearance at Utah Valley University. The murder has shocked the United States, and President Donald Trump has condemned the act in several statements, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom”.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was participating in a public event during his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in front of an audience of approximately 3,000 people.
According to the police report, a single shot was fired from a rooftop of a building approximately 200 meters from the stage, and the bullet struck Kirk in the neck. Witnesses describe how the audience threw themselves to the floor or fled in panic, and Kirk was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
The investigation is being led by the FBI together with local authorities. Two people were initially brought in for questioning but were later released. Authorities confirm that a person of interest, dressed in black tactical equipment with helmet, mask, rifle and pilot goggles, has been described by witnesses. However, the killer’s identity and motive have not yet been established.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”, wrote the US president in a post on Truth Social and also published a filmed speech where he again emphasized his grief.
Photo: facsimile/Truth Social/Trump
— I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.
The president described Kirk as a “martyr for truth and freedom” and argued that the 31-year-old’s mission was to make people politically engaged, something he was better at than anyone else, according to Trump.
— Charlie was the best of America. I ask people to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.
Trump emphasized that the act was directed at the entire nation and that “the monster who attacked him” apparently had political motives.
— Violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.
— An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together, we will ensure that his voice, his message and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come. Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before – and it’s not even close.
Trump is one of many public figures who have commented on the murder. At the same time, large memorial ceremonies have been arranged around the country where participants have sung “God Bless America” and praised Kirk.
Incredible. Large vigils for Charlie Kirk have popped up all over the country.
Patriots are out signing God Bless America, honoring Charlie’s work to save our country.
“Patriots are out signing God Bless America, honoring Charlie’s work to save our country”, notes journalist Nick Sortor, and talk show host Tucker Carlson briefly urged his followers to “never forget this young man”.
You misspelled “murdered.”
Oh, and Charlie Kirk was a journalist. Before anything else, you should be outraged that a fellow champion of a free press has been assassinated. But, of course, you’re just a propaganda organ for the Democrat Party, so why would you actually care? pic.twitter.com/ZTI33cFhU9
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the shooting as a “political murder” and Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded as a teenager, announced in a statement that they are “devastated” by the act and promised to continue Kirk’s work.
In left-liberal media, the tone has at times been different, and several of these have tried to relativize or downplay what happened. Some have even gone so far as to baselessly try to advance the theory that Kirk was accidentally shot by one of his own supporters, despite no evidence supporting this.
Although the assassination occurred as recently as yesterday, it is already considered by many to be one of the most high-profile political murders in modern US history, where many regard Kirk as a leader and central voice for young conservative voters.
Qatar’s Prime Minister calls yesterday’s Israeli attack on Hamas’ political headquarters in Doha “state terrorism” and “treachery”. The attack occurred in the midst of ongoing negotiations with Israeli delegates present in the city.
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a press conference yesterday where he sharply condemned the Israeli attack that took place at 3:46 PM local time on Qatari soil.
— The Israeli attack that took place on yesterday on Qatari soil cannot be described as anything but state terrorism, said the Prime Minister, pointing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as responsible.
According to Al-Thani, the attack is part of Netanyahu’s systematic policy to destabilize the region.
Israel bombs Doha – How many countries Israel is going to attack in the name of so-called self defense! pic.twitter.com/YSgwqSmQa0
— It is a clear message to the entire region that there is a rogue actor engaging in ongoing political recklessness and violations of state sovereignty, he said and added that “Netanyahu himself has declared that he will reshape the Middle East. Is this message also a declaration that he intends to reshape the Gulf?”
In the attack, Lance Corporal Badr Saad Al Dosari from Qatar’s internal security forces was killed. The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the deceased’s family as well as to the families of other victims of the attack.
Qatar will, according to the Prime Minister, respond firmly to the attack and take all necessary measures. A legal team led by Attorney General Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has been formed to investigate legal action.
“Can only be described as treachery”
The Prime Minister pointed to the absurdity that Qatar, as a mediator in the conflict, was attacked by Israel while Israeli delegates were present in Doha for talks.
— We are speaking of a mediating state officially hosting negotiations, with official sponsorship and the presence of delegations, only to be struck by missiles from the very state whose delegation was also in Doha for talks, he said.
— By what ethical standard can this be acceptable? This can only be described as treachery, he continued.
According to Al-Thani, the negotiations had made progress in recent days at the request of the United States, which had presented a new proposal. Despite this, he believes that Israel has systematically sabotaged peace efforts.
— Does the world need a clearer message than this? Who is closing the door to peace? Does the international community need more evidence of who the bully in the region really is? the Prime Minister asked rhetorically.
Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has condemned the Israeli strike on Doha as “state terrorism”, warning that Qatar will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/2V7YX9O47H
When asked whether the Israeli delegation had warned about the attack, the Prime Minister replied that the attack was “100 percent a treacherous operation” that only became known when it occurred.
The United States informed Qatar about the incident ten minutes after the attack took place, according to Al-Thani. He also stated that the Israeli weapons used were not detected by Qatar’s radar defense, unlike previous Iranian missiles that had been successfully handled.
The Prime Minister concluded by assuring that Qatar, despite the attack, will continue to mediate for regional stability – including in talks with Israel. He also announced that the country will now review all security procedures to prevent future attacks.
