'Some of you gonna go home tonight and feel like you've been robbed‚ some of you may get robbed'

'Your amnesty deal is a slap in the face'

The post Mandalay Cat: Pictures‚ Care‚ Traits &; Info by Grant Piper appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Characteristics Kittens Temperament &; Intelligence Things to Know When Owning One 3 Little-Known Facts The term Mandalay refers to a city in Myanmar (formerly Burma) that was once the ancient royal capital. The Mandalay cat pays homage to its deep connection to the Burmese cat‚ to whom it is closely related. However‚ the Mandalay cat did not originate in Myanmar or Mandalay. Instead‚ it came out of Oceania. Today‚ the Mandalay cat is very rare and represents one of the most interesting officially recognized breeds in the world. You will be hard pressed to find a Mandalay cat in the Western Hemisphere‚ but if you do‚ you are lucky. Height: 9–13 inches Weight: 7–14 pounds Lifespan: 13–18 years Colors: Typically black or brown (always solid colored) Suitable for: Active singles‚ families with children‚ houses with large yards‚ farms/rural areas. People looking for a loving cat that always wants to be nearby Temperament: Vocal‚ attention-seeking‚ affectionate‚ and playful The Mandalay cat is a mixture of a Burmese cat and a domestic shorthair. The domestic shorthair must be a solid color in order to create a true Mandalay cat. Mandalay cats have great personalities and an exotic pedigree that make them intriguing to people. Mandalay cats are also prime family cats and get along well with humans and animals. All of these reasons make Mandalay cats sought after by cat lovers. Mandalay cats are fairly new and very rare‚ which only adds to their overall mystique. Mandalay Cat Characteristics Mandalay Kittens View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carissa Dyett (@bahati_mandalay_and_burmese) There are official Mandalay cat breeders that are able to provide you with a Mandalay kitten‚ but they largely reside in New Zealand. Mandalay cats are most commonly found in New Zealand‚ and they are quite rare outside of the remote island nation. Still‚ New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc. keeps a running record of all of the official Mandalay cat breeders in the country‚ and many of them have contact information. If you are curious‚ you can browse the list and reach out to a breeder if you choose. You can see that list here1. Outside of reaching out to an official breeder‚ you are very unlikely to run into a Mandalay kitten on your own. Temperament &; Intelligence of the Mandalay Cat Mandalay cats are very social‚ energetic‚ and affectionate. These cats like to have plenty of room to climb and roam and areas where they can look outside and see what is going on. Mandalay cats are very confident and often like to be in the heart of all of the action. These cats can be needy or demanding and will develop attention seeking behaviors. They are also very vocal and are not shy about voicing their pleasure or displeasure. If you give them the attention they seek‚ they will reward you with purring and a healthy dose of affection. These cats are easy to manage and require little in the way of special considerations. They are usually in a positive mood and are perfect for people who prefer affectionate cats to aloof cats. Image Credit: Sebastian Schuster‚ Shutterstock Are These Cats Good for Families? Yes. Mandalay cats are great for families. Their affectionate personality‚ confidence‚ and energy levels are all great for family life. These cats are rarely aggressive‚ rarely shy‚ and like to be near people when they are in the house. These cats have also been labeled as good with kids by New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc.‚ which is another point in favor of being an excellent family cat. In fact‚ these cats might do better with families than in small households due to their need for affection and attention from humans. Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? Yes. Mandalay cats are laid back and friendly. They get along great with other cats and should get along well with pets of other species and breeds. The only thing to consider is Mandalay cats can be competitive‚ meaning they will get jealous of other pets that spend time with you. They will also likely carve out a spot in the house that they consider to be their own. This might put them in conflict with other pets in certain situations and should be monitored‚ but overall‚ you should not have any issues. Things to Know When Owning a Mandalay Cat: Food &; Diet Requirements Mandalay cats do not have any special dietary requirements outside of the requirements common to domesticated cats. Mandalay cats are medium sized cats that will require one-half to two-thirds of a cup of food twice per day. These cats do best on a diet of well formulated dry food. It is recommended to tailor your cat’s diet to their lifestyle. For example‚ kittens should get kitten food. Seniors will benefit from senior food. If your cat has skin allergies‚ they might benefit from a food formula that targets food allergies. Outside of those basic considerations make sure that your cat has access to food and water every day and make sure that your cat is not overeating and becoming obese. Image Credit: Sebastian Schuster‚ Shutterstock Exercise Mandalay cats need a lot of room to roam around. If you do not have a lot of space‚ you should invest in some verticality such as cat trees and cat shelves to give your cats places where they can climb and jump. Mandalay cats do not need a ton of exercise outside of their normal routine‚ but they do need things to do inside that will stimulate their bodies and their minds. Mandalay cats love access to something like a porch‚ sunroom‚ or garage where they can explore‚ stretch their legs‚ and look around. Training Mandalay cats are not very trainable. While they are intelligent and affectionate‚ they don’t listen very well. Mandalay cats can learn basic things like how to use a litter box‚ know which areas they should spend the most time in‚ and they will learn your habits‚ patterns‚ and routines. However‚ they will not be learning complex tasks or commands. They won’t come when called and they might not come back if you let them outside. Grooming Mandalay cats do not need any special grooming considerations. The Mandalay cat has a short‚ silky coat that has a satin-like texture. Mandalay cats will groom themselves and keep themselves clean. You do not need to bathe them or really brush them unless something is wrong with your cat’s coat or skin. Your Mandalay cat might shed moderate amounts during autumn and spring as the coat switches from summer to winter and back again. Image Credit: Sebastian Schuster‚ Shutterstock Health and Conditions Overall‚ Mandalay cats are a fairly healthy breed. Since they are a mixed breed between two healthy breeds‚ they tend to avoid most genetic pitfalls that are common for other purebred cats. However‚ some genetic lines and colonies can be affected by congenital and genetic issues that can cause health issues. One major problem is diabetes‚ which can affect Mandalay cats from birth due to an insulin problem. Another issue that can appear in breeding lines is hypokalemic polymyopathy‚ which is persistent muscle weakness due to a potassium deficiency. A minor issue to look out for is pica‚ a condition where cats eat odd things‚ like wool. Another issue is flat chested kitten syndrome‚ which is a deformity of the rib cage and is most dangerous when cats are very young‚ but they quickly outgrow the issue as they gain weight. These issues are typically rare and only crop up in bad breeding lines. Minor Conditions Pica Flat chested kitten syndrome Serious Conditions Diabetes mellitus Hypokalemic polymyopathy Feline orofacial pain syndrome Male vs Female Male Mandalay cats are slightly larger than females. Male Mandalay cats will stand one to two inches taller and weigh a couple of pounds more than females. Males can also have more stout bodies and robust forms than females‚ who tend to be slenderer. In terms of personality and overall appearance‚ both the male and female Mandalay cats are very similar and can often be indistinguishable. 3 Little-Known Facts About the Mandalay Cat 1. Mandalay Cats Are Closely Related to the Burmese Cat Mandalay cats are offshoots of Burmese cats. Burmese cats are a domestic breed that originated in Burma and was bred and developed in the United States starting in the 1930s. The Mandalay cat was created by breeding Burmese cats into solid-colored domestic shorthaired cats. The result is an entirely new breed of cat that is closely related to the Burmese. In fact‚ many databases have major overlaps between the Burmese and the Mandalay cat when it comes to size‚ stature‚ and personality. Image Credit: Sebastian Schuster‚ Shutterstock 2. Mandalay Cats Originated in New Zealand The Mandalay cat is a New Zealand breed. It originated in the 1980s and is now recognized by New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc. as its own breed‚ separate from the Burmese cat. Mandalay cats are unique because they originate from New Zealand (while many cats originate from Europe or North America)‚ and they are relatively new. Due to their Kiwi origins‚ most Mandalay cats remain in New Zealand‚ and there are not many outside of that part of the world. 3. Mandalay Cats Are Always Solid in Color Unlike other cats‚ which can have a variety of colors and patterns due to their genetic makeup‚ Mandalay cats can only be one solid color. This makes it easy to distinguish them from other similar breeds‚ like the Burmese cat. If someone is advertising that they have a Mandalay cat and it has multiple colors or a coat pattern‚ then it is not a true Mandalay. Mandalays are all just one solid color‚ and usually‚ they are black. Final Thoughts The Mandalay cat is an exotic and rare breed that hails from New Zealand. It is a great family cat that will be perfect for anyone who wants an affectionate indoor cat that is playful‚ loving‚ and bright. Mandalay cats are generally healthy and have solid-colored coats. However‚ they can be needy and competitive‚ which can be off-putting for some people. These cats will make great family pets. They might not appeal to people who like independent cats or aloof cats. These cats need a lot of time and personal attention to keep them happy. Sources New Zealand Cat Fancy Inc. Cairistona international cat care omlet.us   Featured Image Credit: Sebastian Schuster‚ Shutterstock The post Mandalay Cat: Pictures‚ Care‚ Traits &; Info by Grant Piper appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The “History Repeats” achievement/trophy in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League requires you to “begin the Batman Experience‚” which isn’t particularly descriptive considering how much the Caped Crusader appears in the game. Here’s how to begin the Batman experience in Suicide Squad and revisit where it all started. Batman Experience location in Suicide Squad: KIll the Justice League Image: PC Invasion The Batman Experience is a museum located in the Bakerline District. You can only access this following your initial scuffle with Batman during Suicide Squad’s story‚ which unlocks after you “survive the Batman Experience” and earn the Hitting the Fan achievement. (Don’t worry; this confused me‚ too.) Image: PC Invasion The building containing The Batman Experience is plastered with Bat-themed decorations and is pretty difficult to miss on the ground level. Enter the Batman Experience through the large door on ...

A cat wandered to a house‚ and before homeowners could get her help‚ they found five kittens on their porch. Macarena and her kittensCoastalBendCatRescueRight before Thanksgiving‚ a gray cat showed up outside a house looking for help. The homeowners noticed she was heavily pregnant and made a makeshift shelter with a box and blankets to keep her warm and comfortable.They were about to head out on vacation but couldn't leave the cat without finding her a safe haven. A few hours after they emailed Coastal Bend Cat Rescue for help‚ they discovered five tiny additions nestling against the cat on their porch."Before we could even answer the email‚ the finder emailed again that she had come home from errands to a much skinnier mama and five tiny babies‚" Coastal Bend Cat Rescue shared with Love Meow. CoastalBendCatRescue"We went over immediately to pick up the mom (Macarena) and her newborns. Mama Macarena was so happy to be safe and out of the cold."Macarena was petite like a kitten herself. She dove into mommy duties and worked tirelessly around the clock to keep her demanding five fed and clean. CoastalBendCatRescueShe quickly warmed up to her foster mom and became so affectionate that she would drop everything for attention and pets."She took great care of the babies but always left them immediately to get scratches and cuddles when her foster mom came in the room." CoastalBendCatRescueOver the following weeks‚ Macarena watched as her kittens‚ Cotton Eye Joe‚ Hokey Pokey‚ Hustle‚ Cha Cha Slide‚ and Conga‚ blossomed into boisterous bundles of joy.They whirled and weaved around the place with unbridled energy‚ kept their mom on her toes‚ and swarmed their foster mom for lap snuggles. CoastalBendCatRescue"The babies were adorable chunky wiggle worms from the start and grew to be happy‚ playful‚ confident kittens."When the litter of five was weaned and became more independent‚ Macarena loosened her reins and devoted more time to herself and being with her people. CoastalBendCatRescueThe rambunctious five romped around the room and bounced off furniture and each other‚ leaving dust bunnies in their wake and causing a playful ruckus."It was always a party in the foster room." CoastalBendCatRescue"Cotton Eye Joe is always ready for adventure and chaos. Hokey Pokey likes to think things through and proceed at a slow and steady pace. Conga would be happy living a life where she can eat and lounge with some occasional scritches."Cha Cha Slide has the cutest freckles on her nose and a perky personality to match. And Hustle is a whirling dervish of tortitude‚ always in motion." CoastalBendCatRescueWhen the kittens were ready to spread their wings and embark on their next adventure‚ Macarena was spayed and began counting down the days until she became the center of attention of a loving family.She adores nothing more than to be with her people 24/7 and shower them with purrs and snuggles. CoastalBendCatRescueWith the help of many volunteers from Coastal Bend Cat Rescue and The Cattery Cat Shelter‚ the feline family of six is off to their forever homes where they'll be cherished and spoiled endlessly. CoastalBendCatRescue"They danced their way into our hearts and were so fun to have in foster care. We are so thankful that we had the resources to get this sweet family inside and warm." CoastalBendCatRescueShare this story with your friends. More on Coastal Bend Cat Rescue on Instagram and Facebook‚ and the Cattery Cat Shelter @thecatterycc.Related story: Cat Just Skin and Bones Walks Up to People Asking for Help‚ in a Month She Makes Incredible Transformation

As (unfavorable) reaction to the just-dropped Senate-White House border bill continues to roll in‚ it is important to note the extent to which the drive-by media are doing the White House’s legwork by pushing this bill.  Watch as host Kristen Welker absolutely berates Speaker Mike Johnson into accepting the Senate bill on NBC’s Meet the Press: KRISTEN WELKER: You have been calling for legislative change to actually deal with this problem. You are now the Speaker of the House. Do you not have a responsibility to your voters‚ to the people who put you in office‚ to address what you have called a crisis and catastrophe? Isn't something better than nothing?  SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: Kristen‚ we did that. We did that. Nine months ago. And since we passed our measure in the House to solve this problem- and the reason we had to do it is because we saw that President Biden was not fulfilling his obligation under the law. That’s why it is such a failure of leadership‚ but we did our part. And by the way‚ since then‚ in the nine months since that bill sat on Chuck Schumer's desk collecting dust‚ 1.8 million illegals have been allowed into this country- welcomed into the country. Sent around the nation into every community- communities near everyone listening and watching this morning. And that is a catastrophe. WELKER: But you… JOHNSON: …and the American people know it and that's part of the reason that Joe Biden has the lowest approval rating of any president facing re-election.  WELKER: Even former President Trump‚ though‚ called for legislative change on this issue. You have one of the slimmest majorities in the House in history. Don't you have to compromise to get something done? What you passed in the House can't pass in the Senate‚ Mr. Speaker. You know that.  JOHNSON: We are willing to work- we are willing to work with the Senate. I am not disclosing that‚ and I've been very consistent for the hundred days that I've had the gavel. We are willing to work‚ but they have to be serious about it. If you only do a few of those components‚ you are not going to solve the problem and Kristen‚ that is not a Republican talking point. That's what the sheriffs at the border‚ the Border Patrol agents‚ the Deputy Chief of U.S. Border Patrol‚ a 33-year veteran of the agency told us‚ he said that it's as though we're administering an open fire hydrant. He said‚ “I don't need more buckets”‚ like the president’s proposed. I need to stop the flow and we know how to do that‚ but Joe Biden is unwilling to do it.  WELKER: Let me ask you about your decision‚ and by the way‚ Joe Biden said he would shut down the border. He’s calling for more funding‚ he’s calling for you to pass this legislation. Throughout this process‚ Speaker Johnson’s demeanor in the face of routinely getting blasted by hostile media has been as steady as that of the cat in the salad meme. That pretty much sums up this exchange as Welker hammers Johnson time and time again over the Senate bill‚ and over Washington’s favorite c-word: “compromise”. In order for the Acela Media’s shilling of the Senate bill to be successful‚ they must first depict the House as do-nothings on immigration. Johnson denies Welker that ground by addressing that H.R. 2‚ the House-passed immigration bill‚ has been “collecting dust” in the Senate. Thus Welker’s hand is forced on “compromise”. H.R. 2 can’t pass in the Senate‚ she says‚ so the House must capitulate.  The rest of the interview was devoted to arguing the merits of the vote to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas‚ over his role in flinging the border wide open. But‚ as with the border legislation‚ the purpose of the interview was not so much to have a discussion on the issue as it was to argue on behalf of the BIden administration. Remember this interview as Republicans begin to register their opposition to the border bill‚ for it is a tonesetter. Passage of the bill qualifies as a “doing something” which might goose Biden’s terrible numbers on immigration ahead of the election. With the Senate bill now public watch for the Acela Media’s calls to “do something” intensify‚ and to direct that scrutiny straight to the House‚ which were actually the first to “do something” on immigration.

Journalist Christiane Amanpour’s eponymous international affairs show (airing on PBS and CNN International) is obsessed with getting Israel to back down from its war on the terrorist group Hamas and make potentially dangerous concessions to Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Thursday’s Amanpour &; Co.‚ devoted almost entirely to anti-Israel points‚ featured not one but two guests in a row who together with the host pushed and prodded the Israeli government to accept a two-state solution‚ even while Gaza continues to be ruled by terrorists. (A third guest‚ president of the Jesse Jackson-founded PUSH Coalition‚ made the left-wing argument for a ceasefire that would benefit Hamas.) Amanpour hosted Ami Ayalon‚ former head of Shin Bet‚ Israel's internal security service turned far-left darling‚ “pushing for negotiations for a two-state solution” -- the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. But Israel has border-drawing concerns‚ “right of return” concerns regarding so-called Palestinian "refugees‚" and concerns that militant Palestinian groups like Hamas who intend to destroy Israel must be monitored for the sake of Israel’s national security. None of those concerns made the cut with Amanpour. Ayalon ….without a framework of two states‚ Hamas will not be destroyed. Hamas will flourish again. And of course‚ they're all -- the major goal of bringing back all the hostages. But we have to understand this war is on two fronts. One is the battlefield‚ but the other is a war of ideas. And Hamas will be defeated only on the second front‚ the war of ideas. The major defeat for Hamas is a future of two-states. And unless we shall discuss the future of two-states‚ there is no way to defeat Hamas and to create a better political horizon for Palestinians and for Israelis. Amanpour: But your prime minister‚ even yesterday‚ was out in the field saying‚ no. We will not agree to a two-state solution‚ even though the United States‚ his main ally‚ is saying this must be‚ and all the Arab states who he wants to normalize with say this must be. So‚ who's going to win this battle on the exit strategy and the day after? Her next guest was a member of the British parliament‚ Alicia Kearns‚ a Conservative Party politician with a pro-Palestinian outlook. Each pushed the hazardous‚ pro-Palestinian two-state solution. Amanpour: And as Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to resist the idea of a Palestinian State‚ Israel's allies keep applying the pressure. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron has even said they'll consider recognizing a Palestinian state‚ a move he believes would help make a two-state solution "an irreversible process to end this war." …. Kearns: So‚ we do need Israeli buy in‚ but at the same time‚ no state has the right to determine the sovereignty of another. And that unfortunate position we're in. And we cannot allow irredentism to play a role‚ but we also can't allow Israel to say that the Palestinians have no right to their own homeland. If we believe in a two-state solution‚ it follows that we therefore recognize and will recognize Palestinian statehood‚ but that second piece has been missing from the puzzle…. Amanpour gushed: "It's really interesting because it seems to be almost coming to a head in the last couple of weeks. The Americans are talking about it. Now Cameron has advanced it. You've had the Europeans‚ and even Israelis who are not in the government. You just heard former Shin Bet chief‚ Ami Ayalon….And the only thing that is going to make Israel and Palestinians safe‚ secure‚ and eliminate anything like October 7th again‚ is a political resolution and a two-state solution. So‚ that's also gaining quite a lot of traction in certain quarters in Israel." Kearns‚ a conservative MP‚ bashed the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu as “ultra-orthodox‚ far-right.” At the end they discussed the atrocious scandal within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)‚ many members of whom participated in the October 7 massacre. Kearns hemmed and hawed about UNRWA’s presence in the region‚ then tried to compartmentalize the killers from the good the group does. A transcript is available‚ click “Expand.” PBS Amanpour &; Co. 2/1/24 1:32:51 a.m. (ET) CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Meantime‚ heavy fighting continues in Gaza's Khan Younis area. Forcing nearly 200‚000 Palestinians to flee‚ according to the U.N. My next guest knows the security and diplomatic maze there very well. Ami Ayalon was head of Shin Bet‚ Israel's internal security service‚ and he's been pushing for negotiations for a two-state solution. And in a rare interview‚ he joined me from Haifa. Ami Ayalon‚ welcome back to our program. AMI AYALON‚ FORMER CHIEF OF ISRAEL'S CHIN BET: Thank you very much. AMANPOUR: So‚ from your perspective‚ as a long-time military and intelligence‚ you know‚ chiefs and operatives and experience‚ is Israel winning this war? AYALON: Well‚ it's very‚ very difficult to give you a short and clear answer because since we do not discuss the day after‚ meaning we do not discuss the essence of victory. So‚ if I cannot define victory‚ I'm not sure that anybody can tell you that we are winning something that we don't know exactly where we are heading. So‚ we have great achievements on the ground‚ in the battlefield. But there is a huge gap between winning the battle and winning the war. So‚ unless we shall decide exactly on the day after‚ or what is the meaning of victory in this war against Hamas‚ I cannot give you a clear answer. AMANPOUR: OK. Well‚ that's important to hear from you‚ because‚ you know‚ none of us have that answer‚ and it hasn't been stated by your government. So‚ what I want to then ask you is‚ the mission‚ according to your government‚ is to defeat Hamas on the battlefield and to rescue the hostages‚ the remaining hostages. My question is‚ can that be something that happens at the same time? Can a military operation rescue the hostages and defeat Hamas at the same time? AYALON: Of course‚ there are two views. One is the only way to persuade Hamas to give back the hostages is to create a military pressure. And the other is that they will choose‚ in this case‚ what we call a Samson Option. And we shall lose all of them. AMANPOUR: OK. So‚ let me put it another way then. Let's just talk about this ceasefire negotiations. As far as we can gather and -- or pause hostage deal. I don't know. You know‚ there are many different ways to describe it. As far as we can gather‚ the idea would be to get all your hostages‚ the remaining hostages‚ out in return for some formulation of releasing a lot of Palestinian prisoners‚ plus some kind of pause. They've What is your opinion on a pause? What would that do on the ground? AYALON: I don't have any view about it‚ unless I know where are we going on the day after‚ if the package is exactly what you said. And on the day after‚ we shall create a framework of future of two-states. I will vote for it. But if‚ you know‚ the future or the later day after will be‚ you know‚ ceasefire for one month‚ three-month‚ whatever‚ I know exactly that without a framework of two-states‚ Hamas will not be destroyed. Hamas will flourish again. And of course‚ they're all -- the major goal of bringing back all the hostages. But we have to understand this war is on two fronts. One is the battlefield‚ but the other is a war of ideas. And Hamas will be defeated only on the second front‚ the war of ideas. The major defeat for Hamas is a future of two-states. And unless we shall discuss the future of two-states‚ there is no way to defeat Hamas and to create a better political horizon for Palestinians and for Israelis. AMANPOUR: But your prime minister‚ even yesterday‚ was out in the field saying‚ no‚ no‚ no. We will not‚ you know‚ agree to a two-state solution‚ even though the United States‚ his main ally‚ is saying this must be‚ and all the Arab states who he wants to normalize with say this must be. So‚ who's going to win this battle on the exit strategy and the day after? AYALON: It's a great question. Of course‚ I believe and I hope that we -- when I say we‚ is the people‚ is the majority of the people of Israel. Netanyahu today do not represent more than 20 percent of the Israelis. But you know‚ in democracy‚ we shall have to go to elections. So‚ today -- and we know it‚ because we have polls‚ and this is the most that we can do -- 70 or 70 percent of the Israelis would take the package that you offer if all the hostages will be brought back and we shall have a ceasefire or whatever you call it‚ and we shall have to‚ you know‚ release Palestinian hostages‚ but again‚ they will accept a future reality of two- states. My prime minister do not represent the Israeli people. And unfortunately‚ you know‚ he's leading us‚ and we should have to wait until reserves will come back. And we shall take to the streets and we shall explain in many‚ many actions and words what we‚ the Israeli people‚ do really want. And hopefully‚ we should have elections in a few months. And we should find the right the right way to a better future. AMANPOUR: Can I ask you what you think -- because you've written about this and you've talked about it. What is the biggest misconception that your government has‚ and maybe a lot of Israelis have‚ about Palestinians? You've talked about misconceptions. AYALON: Right. There are two levels of -- first of all‚ on the political level‚ the misconception was led by Netanyahu during the last 14‚ 15 years when he was in power. And we call it managing the conflict or shrinking the conflict‚ whatever you call it. The idea was that we have to rule and separate‚ meaning we have to make sure that Hamas will stay in power in Gaza. And in order for -- to do it‚ he increased or he empowered the power of Hamas letting Qatar to send money and‚ you know‚ doing everything in order for Hamas to stay in power. And on the same way‚ to decrease the power of Abu Mazen‚ because Abu Mazen do not believe in violence. So‚ Palestinians -- the perception of Hamas‚ in the eyes of Palestinians‚ although most of them do not accept the theology or the religious ideology of Hamas‚ they see Hamas as the only organization who fight for their freedom. So‚ most Palestinians‚ you know‚ left Abu Mazen. Today‚ Abu Mazen will not get more than 15 percent of support among Palestinians. And this was a misconception because the idea that we can control the level of violence by Hamas is something that we do not understand. We -- you know‚ it's not understanding the idea of Hamas. Hamas is an organization‚ it's not only a military organization. Hamas leading an idea of a greater Palestine from the Jordan to the sea during the '90s‚ they did not get support from more than 15 percent of the Palestinians because‚ finally‚ Palestinians want a better future and they   accept the reality of two states. So‚ this was empowering Hamas‚ decreasing the power of Palestinian Authority on the political level. On the intelligence level‚ again‚ the idea that Hamas is deterred was a huge mistake‚ because I used to say‚ we measure hardware and they measure software. Meaning‚ we saw‚ after May 21‚ that when they suffered a major defeat on the military ground‚ because they lost many combatants and terror activists and military infrastructure‚ but they doesn't care. What they do care is the support of the Palestinian people. And we saw that after this military defeat‚ the support of the Palestinian people was doubled. So‚ the idea that Hamas is deterred and they will not attack‚ you know‚ brought us to believe that‚ OK‚ if they will not attack‚ we moved all our troops to the West Bank and to the north. And this what brought to the horrible events of the 7th of October. AMANPOUR: Mr. Ayalon‚ it's really interesting to hear you sort of analyze this. So‚ I want to ask you‚ do you believe -- you've talked about Hamas as an idea? Do you believe that in the day after that you envision‚ the two- states‚ you know‚ elections‚ all of that‚ both in Israel and on the Palestinian side‚ that Hamas -- the idea -- the political Hamas will have any role in a future solution‚ or do you see them -- go ahead. Tell me. AYALON: No‚ of course. I mean‚ I cannot destroy ideas. And for me‚ I have to talk to everybody who accept the idea of two states. If Hamas want to play a political role‚ first of all‚ he will have to agree to the -- all the -- you know‚ to the decisions of the PLO‚ because the PLO is a representative of the Palestinian people‚ and he will not be accepted to the Palestinian people unless he accepts the resolutions‚ U.N. resolutions‚ Security Council resolutions‚ and the idea of two states‚ which Palestinians -- majority of Palestinians and majority of Israelis can live with. So‚ once he accept this concept‚ you know‚ we -- I have to remind myself and to you we have about 15 percent of fundamentalist‚ radical Jewish supremacy‚ racism‚ whatever you call them‚ they believe exactly as Hamas believe that this land -- we -- it belongs to God‚ and we are not allowed to give it to anybody. And it is the same for Hamas. You know‚ they speak in the -- in a language of Islam and we speak in the language of Judaism‚ but there's a two minority. You know‚ the tragedy of the region that during the last 20 for -- 20‚ 30 years the two minorities led us to kill each other‚ you know‚ Jewish terrorist assassinated our prime minister. And Palestinian Hamas terrorist‚ you know‚ killed our civilians. But finally‚ there are two minorities‚ less than 20 percent of both sides. And we‚ the majority of the two sides‚ with the role‚ the major role of the International Community. And today‚ especially today‚ when‚ you know‚ President Biden is perceived as a ultimate leader because he filled a vacuum of leadership in Israel‚ And I believe that he is -- at least in the eyes of the Israelis‚ the political power to lead us to the right way. And the right way is the reality of two states. AMANPOUR: That is so interesting you say that because every time he can‚ Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects anything that President Biden is saying in this regard. But one final question‚ you are a former naval‚ you know‚ leader as well‚ and I wonder what you think and how you think the whole I mean‚ there's a whole shebang in that area‚ whether it's Houthis firing‚ whether it's the U.S. and the U. K. trying to stop them firing‚ whether it's just‚ you know‚ the Iranians and their proxies and Hezbollah‚ where do you see this heading? Are you afraid that it's really going to explode into a much wider war? AYALON: If I'm worried‚ I'm worried. I'm not afraid. You know‚ fear is not a strategy. So‚ yes. But I'm worried. We have to be very careful. You know‚ finally‚ it is not a conflict between Palestinians and Israelis anymore‚ it is a regional conflict and in some aspects with global impact. We have to create an opposite coalition led by Europe‚ America‚ a coalition of stability‚ meaning U.N.‚ Europe‚ America‚ and in the region led by Saudi Arabia‚ Egypt‚ Jordan‚ Emirates‚ Morocco‚ and Israel to confront the axis of instability. And I think that what we see in Bab al-Mandab is part of it‚ but the whole picture‚ again‚ we have to be part -- we Israelis‚ we have to be a legitimate member in this coalition of stability‚ and we cannot do it unless we choose the reality of two states. AMANPOUR: I really hear you. And I think that you clearly want to get that message out. You've done almost no interviews since -- in fact‚ I think this is your second interview only since October 7th‚ and you want to make clear that there needs to be an exit strategy with a political solution. Can I ask you a slightly more local question? There is a big crisis right now with the U.N. agency that has been designated to look after Palestinian refugees UNRWA. As you know‚ the U.S. and others have suspended funding‚ the Israelis have shared intelligence that suggests -- you know‚ I don't know how many‚ but many are -- have been involved in October 7th. So‚ that is a horrible thing. But my question to you is‚ what is the option to UNRWA? Is Israel going to provide the aid? Does UNRWA need to be disbanded? What is the future of trying to‚ you know‚ cater to the needs of the Palestinians in Gaza? AYALON: Well‚ I totally -- first of all‚ I totally agree with you know‚ we have to stop. What UNRWA is doing now during the last‚ I don't know‚ several years‚ we just saw it now. I believe that Israel do not have any interest and I don't think that we have the -- you know‚ the legitimacy to do it‚ in the eyes of the Palestinians or -- and it will not be supported by the Israelis. I think that the U.N. with the support of the donors to UNRWA‚ we'll have to find another framework‚ organization‚ and I know that there are several other international organizations who should do it. I don't know enough about UNRWA itself and whether UNRWA itself can‚ you know‚ repair this horrible‚ you know‚ intervention in what happened during the 7th of October. So‚ I really believe that we should not oppose. It is very‚ very important for us‚ the people who suffer in Gaza will get their support. The last thing that we can say -- that we want to see is a humanitarian disaster. And unfortunately‚ if we should not do something about it‚ this is exactly what we should see. AMANPOUR: Ami Ayalon‚ thank you so much for joining us. AYALON: Thank you. AMANPOUR: And as Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to resist the idea of a Palestinian State‚ Israel's allies keep applying the pressure. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron has even said they'll consider recognizing a Palestinian State. A move he believes would help make a two-state solution "an irreversible process to end this war." The U.K. is also playing a key role defending the Red Sea against the Houthis. Cameron is currently on his fourth visit to the Middle East‚ consolidating Britain's role as a key U.S. ally in this crisis. Alicia Kearns is chair of the U.K.'s Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament and recently returned from a visit to Washington. And she's joining me now live in the studio. Welcome to the program. ALICIA KEARNS‚ CHAIR‚ U.K. PARLIAMENT FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND BRITISH CONSERVATIVE MP: Thank you so much.   AMANPOUR: Let me first ask you about what the foreign secretary say‚ former prime minister. So‚ he is known around the globe‚ and he doesn't say things off the cuff‚ and he said it to a private reception of Arab diplomats. Can you tell us‚ were you surprised that your government in the form of the foreign minister went this far? It's the first time that the British have ever said that. KEARNS: So‚ I hadn't expected it and I don't think many people could say they had. For me‚ we've seen a real change in tone‚ attitude‚ and behavior from the British government since David Cameron came back as foreign secretary. And he would have known full well the weight of those words that he said‚ only last night‚ the night before. The question is‚ does he mean it? Are we genuinely moving to that posture and that position? Or is he using it to save the Israelis? We still have tools in our toolbox. We will move to this place that you don't want us to. But fundamentally‚ I think it's the right move. And I think in the same way as anyone who would deny Israel's statehood should be condemned‚ anyone who should deny Palestinians the right to their statehood should also be condemned. And there's a lack of balance‚ I think‚ too often on that. AMANPOUR: Let me read this specifically. This is what he's written in the mail on Sunday. We must give people of the West Bank and Gaza the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian State and a new feature -- future. And it needs to be irreversible. This is not entirely in our gift. But Britain and our partners can help by confirming our commitment to a sovereign‚ viable Palestinian State‚ and our vision for its composition. And‚ crucially‚ we must state our clear intention to grant it recognition‚ including at the United Nations. So‚ as I've been saying‚ you know‚ the Israeli prime minister publicly has been‚ you know‚ saying‚ no‚ we don't want that. But just‚ for people who don't understand the subtlety of what Cameron has said‚ because generally‚ the West accepts a two-state solution. What's the missing piece that he's filling in now? KEARNS: The missing piece is giving Palestinian statehood. So‚ recognizing Palestinian statehood‚ which is something the U.K. hasn't done and a number of our allies haven't. So‚ what he is saying is -- AMANPOUR: The United States haven't. KEARNS: The United States absolutely haven't. So‚ what he's saying is full recognition‚ not just by the U.K.‚ but also‚ he's saying the U.K. will lead an effort at the U.N. to see them recognized. And that must mean that he's had a conversation with the United States behind the scenes‚ because we would need them to come alongside. So‚ I think it's quite a big announcement. It's a big policy shift. And that will have a very strong impact on all the international relations that are going on‚ but it's the sort of big shift I want the U.K. to be leading on. We are good at hardcore diplomacy. We are the right people to be delivering that message. AMANPOUR: And then just to point out what you say‚ it's the first time. And the PLO representative here‚ in other words‚ the group that actually recognizes Israel‚ the Palestinian Authority. He says‚ this is a very significant moment in relation to what Cameron said. This is the first time a U.K. foreign secretary does say that the recognition of the state of Palestine is not linked to a final agreement with Israel‚ i. e.‚ finally removing Israel's veto over Palestinian statehood. Is that a correct interpretation? I mean‚ you've  got to have Israeli buy in‚ don't you? KEARNS: So‚ we do need Israeli buy in‚ but at the same time‚ no state has the right to determine the sovereignty of another. And that unfortunate position we're in. And we cannot allow irredentism to play a role‚ but we also can't allow Israel to say that the Palestinians have no right to their own homeland. If we believe in a two-state solution‚ it follows that we therefore recognize and will recognize Palestinian Statehood‚ but that second piece  has been missing from the puzzle. So‚ this is an enormous shift. Husam is absolutely right to say that. And now‚ let's hope that we see other partners around the world move in the same way. AMANPOUR: It's really interesting because it seems to be almost coming to a head in the last couple of weeks. The Americans are talking about it. Now‚ Cameron has advanced it. You've had the Europeans‚ and even Israelis who are not in the government. You just heard former Shin Bet chief‚ Ami Ayalon. I mean‚ he basically said that we can't even judge what's going to happen next because we have not had an exit plan delivered by the government. And the only thing that is going to make Israel and Palestinians safe‚ secure‚ and eliminate anything like October 7th again‚ is a political resolution and a two-state solution. So‚ that's also gaining quite a lot of traction in certain quarters in Israel. …. AMANPOUR: I just want to read you a quote that I keep coming back to. And for me‚ it's the heart of the issue. It essentially is the chief Palestinian negotiator and the chief Israeli negotiator around Oslo. And at one of the meetings‚ the Palestinians said‚ this is Abu Alaa (ph)‚ as you know‚ we have learned that our rejection of you‚ to his Israeli counterpart‚ will not bring us freedom. You can see that your control of us will not bring you security. We must live side by side in peace‚ equality‚ and cooperation. So that was‚ you know‚ back‚ you know‚ in the mid '90s. And it's still the truth. Correct? I mean -- do you see any other way to bring Israel‚ the security it needs‚ and the Palestinians‚ the freedom and the statehood they need? Because even yesterday‚ Prime Minister Netanyahu was out in the West Bank. I think he was saying‚ never going to agree to this deal. KEARNS: You are absolutely right. And it is heartbreaking that something can be so present today that was being said in the 1990s. You cannot bomb an ideology out of existence. How many times have we tried that over the last two decades? The only way that you reduce the radicalizing narrative -- and let's not forget the treatment of Palestinians has been the number one radicalizing narrative for every terrorist group pretty much in the world that come from an Islamic background. We have to have long-term security and peace. But it's not just about the diplomatic. How Israel prosecutes this war -- and I wish they'd called it a counterterrorist operation. How they prosecute it will also determine that stability‚ which is why we need to see such a shift. And the language we continue to see from the Israelis is not bringing us closer to a solution where there is stability for all. …. AMANPOUR: How much does it trouble you that the Israelis have a major problem with UNRWA‚ the U.N. organization that is designed to help with relief in Gaza for the Palestinians. That they have shared intelligence and the Brits have also suspended funding that a certain number of them‚ we don't know how many‚ they said 12 first‚ now they say maybe 10 percent of the 13‚000 members are Hamas and some of them‚ some 12 or so‚ actually contributed‚ operated‚ conducted really terrible things on October 7th. KEARNS: If UNRWA staff committed anything to those crimes against humanity‚ that is an enormous betrayal of trust‚ not least of the U.N.‚ but for their fellow Palestinians. How dare they put at risk an organization that is working to bring aid? The State Department said only today no organization is better placed or is delivering aid more effectively than UNRWA. UNRWA have now said they will run out of aid by the end of February if they do not get more support because they're being defunded. I actually raised this question myself with the head of UNRWA in November when I met with him in person in Parliament‚ and I challenged him on the security clearances and checks they were doing for their staff. He was confident that there were regular checks taking place‚ because this is a question that the British Parliament has been discussing for a while around textbooks and also just delivery of aid and participation with Hamas. They are operating in a very difficult environment‚ but that's why the U.N. needs to finish this investigation as quickly as possible‚ make sure it is independent‚ as we understand it will be‚ and then we need to make sure that aid is getting back into Gaza. Because otherwise -- AMANPOUR: And the charges are really serious. KEARNS: They're incredibly serious. AMANPOUR: Against that dozen. KEARNS: They are absolutely serious. And if those people are guilty‚ they need to be going through a criminal prosecution. But the problem is‚ that if UNRWA isn't there delivering aid‚ and the State Department said no one else can pick up that space in the way that they were‚ we risk being‚ I believe‚ in breach of our ICJ interim ruling‚ which said that Israel has to allow sufficient aid in‚ and there are repercussions for all of us with our responsibility to protect‚ but also there is an active crisis going on the ground. We cannot allow collective punishment‚ and we cannot allow people not to get the aid they need. So‚ we're in a very difficult position. We can have no truck for those who had anything to do with Hamas or defended them. But at the same time‚ we do need to get aid in‚ and the entire organization is not broken. I think it's important we don't allow certain narratives on those who want to push that to achieve.

After months of negotiations‚ U.S. Senators revealed the $118 billion Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act on Sunday‚ which would give $60 billion in aid to Ukraine while allocating $20 billion to securing the U.S. southern border. The 370-page bill offers $60 billion to support Ukraine in its war with Russia‚ $20 billion for U.S. border security‚ $14 billion in security assistance to Israel‚ and $10 billion in humanitarian assistance for civilians caught in conflict zones in Gaza‚ West Bank‚ and Ukraine. The breakdown of the bill includes:$60.06 billion to support Ukraine in its war against Russia$20.23 billion to secure the U.S. southern border$14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel$10 billion in humanitarian assistance for civilians in conflict zones around the world$4.83 billion to support key regional partners in the Indo-Pacific and deter Chinese government aggression$2.44 billion to support U.S. Central Command operations in the Red Sea$2.33 billion for Ukrainians and other refugees displaced$400 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help nonprofits and places of worship make security enhancementsABC News reported that the deal would "require the Department of Homeland Security to nearly shut down the border if migrant crossings increase above 5‚000 per day on any given week or if average daily encounters reach a 4‚000-a-day threshold in a one-week span."At a rate of 5‚000 illegal immigrants entering the country per day would mean that more than 1.8 million illegal aliens would be infiltrating the country in a year. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) admitted that the "border never closes." "A requirement the President to funnel asylum claims to the land ports of entry when more than 5‚000 people cross a day‚" Murphy wrote on the X social media platform. " The border never closes‚ but claims must be processed at the ports. This allows for a more a more orderly‚ humane asylum processing system."Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wa.)‚ Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee‚ stated of the bill: As Ukraine runs low on ammunition to fend off Putin’s brutal invasion‚ it is imperative we finally extend our support. We must also live up to our commitments to our allies around the globe and quickly get more aid to innocent civilians caught in conflict‚ including in Gaza‚ where the humanitarian crisis is especially dire. I never believed we should link policy demands to emergency aid for our allies‚ but Republicans insisted — so Democrats negotiated in good faith over many weeks and now there is a bipartisan deal on border policy legislation. Ukraine’s fate and so much more hangs in the balance — it’s time for Congress to act. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said: The border security bill will put a huge number of new enforcement tools in the hands of a future administration and push the current Administration to finally stop the illegal flow. The bill provides funding to build the wall‚ increase technology at the border‚ and add more detention beds‚ more agents‚ and more deportation flights. The border security bill ends the abuse of parole on our southwest border that has waived in over a million people. It dramatically changes our ambiguous asylum laws by conducting fast screenings at a higher standard of evidence‚ limited appeals‚ and fast deportation.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D) said‚ "The Senate’s bipartisan agreement is a monumental step towards strengthening America’s national security abroad and along our borders. This is one of the most necessary and important pieces of legislation Congress has put forward in years to ensure America’s future prosperity and security."Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised the bill for providing "direct and immediate solutions to the crisis at our southern border.""America’s sovereignty is being tested here at home‚ and our credibility is being tested by emboldened adversaries around the world‚" McConnel said on Sunday. "The challenges we face will not resolve themselves‚ nor will our adversaries wait for America to muster the resolve to meet them. The Senate must carefully consider the opportunity in front of us and prepare to act." President Joe Biden said he strongly supports the proposal and it is the "toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades."Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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