No re-Greta’s

Israel, Palestine, Morocco, India, Russia, China, Taiwan, and Argentina.

The children’s crusade, Witold Wojtkiewicz, 1905, tempera on canvas, National Museum, Warsaw.

Hello,

Here are the five things you need to know today:

• ISRAEL. PALESTINE. Europe looks on as Netanyahu seizes the initiative.

• MOROCCO. Protests escalate after a brief crackdown.

• INDIA. RUSSIA. Putin and Modi shrug off Western pressure.

• CHINA. TAIWAN. Warnings for Taipei between national days.

• ARGENTINA. A rescue package raises questions.

And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

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ISRAEL. PALESTINE. The comeback kid

Europe looks on as Netanyahu seizes the initiative.

At least 13 activist boats were intercepted off Gaza Wednesday, with crew members, including Greta Thunberg, accusing Israel of “war crimes”. Italy’s largest union declared a strike. The IDF gave Gaza City residents a final ultimatum to leave.

INTELLIGENCE. Israel’s interception was not unexpected. It’s the second time Thunberg has been prevented from reaching Gaza. Yet the reaction in Italy and Spain, whose navies initially provided an escort, speaks of impotence, not resolve. Israel faces increased isolation, but so long as Benjamin Netanyahu enjoys Donald Trump’s backing, he has little to fear from Europe. And while Trump’s 20-point peace plan remains alive, he’s unlikely to modify his war aims.

FOR BUSINESS. Israel’s assault on Gaza continues. The so-called “day after” plan has more questions than answers, including on any IDF withdrawal. Hamas is unlikely to surrender. Netanyahu is unlikely to stop fighting. His only concession has been to apologise to Qatar. Europe, as in Ukraine, has been reduced to a military bystander despite a loud diplomatic voice. Israel made the interception within its exclusive economic zone. It will suffer little blowback.

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MOROCCO. Rocking the casbah

Protests escalate after a brief crackdown.

At least two were killed late Wednesday in escalating clashes between Gen Z protesters and police. Authorities claimed 260 police had been injured versus just 23 civilians. Protests had spread to new cities via a Discord messaging server.

INTELLIGENCE. Discord, a social media platform primarily used by gamers, was