The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they happen.
Russia jails US reporter Gershkovich for 16 years
US reporter Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced by a Russian court to 16 years in prison for “espionage,” a verdict slammed as “despicable,” “disgraceful” and a “sham” by Western governments and his employer.
Gershkovich was sentenced after just three court sessions in a secretive closed-door trial in the Urals City of Yekaterinburg, the city where he was arrested while on a reporting trip in March 2023.
After the sentencing, US President Joe Biden said Gershkovich was “targeted by the Russian government because he is a journalist and an American.”
“We are pushing hard for Evan’s release and will continue to do so,” he added in a written statement published by the White House.
The Wall Street Journal correspondent, who pleaded not guilty, became the first journalist in Russia to be charged with spying since the Cold War when he was detained in 2023.
Both Washington and Moscow say talks over a prisoner swap are ongoing.
Biden won’t give Netanyahu ‘satisfaction’ of quitting before PM’s speech to Congress — report
As US President Joe Biden considers stepping down from the race against Donald Trump, a consideration has been Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington and speech before Congress, The New York Times reports.
According to the paper, aides believe Biden won’t give Netanyahu “the satisfaction” of announcing he is removing himself from the running prior to his speech, due to their tense relationship over the war against Hamas in Gaza.
The paper says Biden has not yet made a decision to withdraw and describes him as frustrated and exasperated with the concerted campaign by top Democratic officials to pressure him into quitting. But it also says he increasingly realizes he may have no choice but to do so.
Rocket sirens activate in community near Gaza due to false alarm
Rocket sirens were activated in the community of Talmei Yosef, near the Gaza Strip, a short time ago.
The military says the sirens were the result of a false alarm. No rocket was launched and no damage occurred.