So, here is what you missed in the news this past week…
The President Tweeted What?!
President Trump has been known for announcing paramount news through tweets and this week has been no different. The President tweeted on Thursday, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability.” NBC News reports that the President’s unilateral decision has violated a long-standing UN resolution and international law, which states that sovereignty should be eventually resolved through negotiations. This major Middle Eastern policy change was met with exuberance by the Israeli leader. In an interview on Fox Business Network, the President denied having made this policy change because of upcoming Israeli elections even though by no doubt the move is in the interest of Israel. However, many are skeptical and displeased with the President’s actions. In response, Palestinian official, Saeb Erekat tweeted, “What shall tomorrow bring? Certain destabilization and bloodshed in our region.” The President of the Council on Foreign Relations disagreed with President Trump, stating that the move would prevent Arab governments from making peace with Israel.
Prime Minister At Risk of Coup
Brexit has been on the minds of hundreds of thousands, as protesters marched in central London calling for another EU referendum. Britain’s exit from the EU was to officially take place on March 29th, but as PM Theresa May’s deal is repeatedly rejected in Parliament, her position as Prime Minister is said to be well underway of being revoked. She was able to acquire an extension from European leaders, but it seems like Brexit isn’t going anywhere. According to Katie Wright, from BBC News, many of the protestors also believe that a second vote would be undemocratic. The referendum for Brexit had a vote of 52%, barely passing as majority. One protestor stated, “…I wanted to show my anger – that I’m against xenophobic, racist and nationalistic rhetoric that is being spewed everywhere in the news to justify Brexit.” Many other protestors voiced their distaste for the current deal on Brexit as undesirable and widely problematic.
New Zealand Takes a Stand
In the wake of tragedy, New Zealand has widely accepted the new gun ban. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern passed new legislative changes that ban all assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and military style-automatic rifles in response to the terror attack. The country has united against this act of inhumanity and some have even said that the legislation does not go far enough. USA Today reported that PM Ardern issued amnesty for weapons to be handed in by citizens with “tightly regulated” exemptions for some owners such as farmers and hunters.
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