Today
Palestinians seek UN General Assembly backing for full membership
It would effectively act as a global survey of how much support the Palestinians have for their bid, which was vetoed in the UN Security Council last month by the US.
- Michelle Nichols
- Updated
- Middle East tensions
Israel takes control of Rafah border crossing
The Israeli 401st Brigade entered the Rafah crossing early on Tuesday local time, the Israeli military said, taking “operational control” of the vital pass.
- Updated
- Mohammad Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Victorian government to shrink for first time in 15 years
Victorian budget deficit rises, but surplus predictions brought forward; Biden warns Netanyahu to pursue ceasefire, not invasion. Follow updates here.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
What’s in the ceasefire deal Hamas backs, but Israel does not?
The deal supported by Hamas would have seen three hostages released each week instead of three every three days, according to Israeli media reports.
- Reuters
Yesterday
Social cohesion ‘fraying’, Albanese admits amid anti-Israel backlash
Anthony Albanese defended his efforts to keep the community together but would not be drawn on a looming UN vote on Palestinian statehood.
- Andrew Tillett
Israel urges Rafah evacuation ahead of assault
Israel has described Rafah as the last significant Hamas stronghold after seven months of war, and its leaders have repeatedly said they need to carry out a ground invasion.
- Updated
- Sam Mednick and Josef Federman
‘Dark day for media’: Israel shuts down Al Jazeera’s operations
The government accused the Qatari-funded satellite channel of being a “Hamas mouthpiece” and a threat to national security.
- Kareem Fahim and Adela Suliman
This Month
Albanese needs to get off the fence on antisemitism
Readers’ letters on the Israel-Gaza conflict, the government’s fight with Facebook, and a knotty royal problem.
Israel briefs US on plan to evacuate civilians ahead of Rafah operation
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a major military operation in Rafah would result in deaths and damage “beyond what’s acceptable”.
- Aamer Madhani
Albanese vows to tackle antisemitism after crisis talks with rabbis
Jewish Australians should feel safe in the classroom and in their neighbourhoods, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
- Andrew Tillett
Pro-Palestine ‘tent cities’ not going anywhere, students vow
Hundreds of students have camped out at universities demanding the institutions cut ties with weapon manufacturers and condemn Israel’s war in Gaza.
- Gus McCubbing and Julie Hare
Biden says ‘order must prevail’ as US college arrests top 2000
The US president has broken his silence, calling for order on college campuses where protests against Israel’s war are escalating and some have turned violent.
- Matthew Cranston
Dutton calls on unis to shut down pro-Palestinian protests
Peter Dutton says vice chancellors are tolerating racist protests on their campuses and should shut the activists down.
- Julie Hare
‘The time is now’: Blinken puts pressure on Hamas, Israel
The US Secretary of State has urged Hamas to accept a proposed truce in Gaza. And he also expects more from Israel’s leaders.
- Updated
- Matthew Lee, Samy Magdy and Sam Mednick
Trump urges crackdown on ‘raging lunatic’ student protesters
Republicans have seized on the university protests as a wedge issue in the election, as anger among Joe Biden’s Democrats grows over Israel’s war in Gaza.
- Michael Gold
Why Indian workers head to war zones, from Israel to Russia
The promise of well-paid jobs is too strong a lure to resist, despite the lack of protection from their home government and those they work under.
- Swetasree Ghosh Roy
Violent clashes at UCLA, police storm Columbia Uni
Police moved in to arrest pro-Palestinian protesters at the Ivy League university, which has been struggling to balance freedom of speech with antisemitism concerns.
- Updated
- Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'Brien
Left has abandoned free speech: Singer
The Australian philosopher says: “What used to be things that were generally accepted by people on the progressive side of politics have shifted – and freedom of speech is a basic example.”
- Nick Bonyhady
Global crises making it hard for ethical investors: Gareth Evans
The former foreign minister nominated Israel’s “disproportionate” response to the Hamas attacks and Narendra Modi’s leadership of India as challenges for investors.
- Phillip Coorey
April
Columbia suspends pro-Palestinian protesters after talks stall
The university said days of negotiations between student organisers and academic leaders had failed to persuade demonstrators to remove the protest camp.
- Julia Harte and Jonathan Allen
