The U.S. imposed sanctions on Friday against Ben-Zion (Benzi) Gopstein — an extremist settler who is the founder and the leader of "Lehava," an organization that has engaged in destabilizing violence affecting the occupied West Bank, the State Department said in a statement.
Why it matters: This third round of sanctions imposed by the U.S. targets an extremist settler who is part of the inner circle of an Israeli cabinet member and whose organization was involved in violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel conducted a strike in Iran early Friday morning local time, a senior U.S. official told Axios.
Why it matters: Israel, which has not confirmed it launched an attack, has vowed to retaliate against Iran for a missile and drone attack on Israel. The U.S. is concerned that continued counterattacks could trigger wider regional escalation.
The U.S. on Thursday voted no and vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution to accept Palestine as a full member of the UN.
Why it matters: The vote comes six months into the Hamas-Israel war and amid intense pressure on President Biden internationally and among his own party to do more to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
One-third of Latinos say they believe immigrants negatively impact their social status in the U.S., per a new study.
Why it matters: Latinos, who will represent nearly 15% of all eligible voters in the November presidentialelection, are increasingly supportive of the type of restrictive immigration policies that former President Trump is proposing and President Biden is considering.
