The Times of Israel is liveblogging Tuesday’s events as they happen.
Biden slams US Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, in first White House remarks since debate
WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden criticizes the US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity that was seen as a win for his rival, former president Donald Trump, in forceful remarks from the White House.
The US Supreme Court found that Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can be for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America,” Biden says, adding that no one is above the law. With the Supreme Court decision, he says, “That fundamentally changed.”
Biden is running for re-election against Trump and has been sharply critical of his rival’s actions related to the January 6, 2021, raid on the US Capitol by Trump’s supporters, who believed Trump’s false claims that he had won the 2020 election.
Biden, 81, is making his first set of remarks at the White House since his shaky debate against Trump last week led to calls for him to step aside as the Democratic Party’s standard-bearer for the election.
After he stumbled over his words on the Atlanta debate stage, his remarks and comportment will be scrutinized for signs that he is up to the job of running for re-election and of governing the country for four more years.
Lufthansa Group suspends nighttime flights to Beirut amid Israel-Hezbollah fighting
BERLIN — In response to the escalating conflict between Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Israeli military, the Lufthansa Group is temporarily suspending nighttime flights to and from Beirut, German news agency dpa reports.
The airline group, which also includes carriers Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Brussels Airlines, is suspending night flights to and from Beirut until July 31, it tells dpa. Daytime flights to and from Beirut will continue to be offered, it says.
Probe said opened against protest leader who called for ‘wiping out the memory of Netanyahu’
The State Prosecutor’s Office has given an okay to police to open an investigation against a prominent anti-government protest leader on suspicion of incitement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a Hebrew media report.
The probe against Ami Dror will reportedly focus on remarks he made several days ago, during a protest outside the premier’s residence in Caesarea.
Dror said there was a need “to wipe out the memory of Netanyahu,” a play on the Jewish command to wipe out the memory of the ancient biblical foe, Amalek.
Dror also referred to the prime minister as “Satan” in that protest.
A complaint on the matter was reportedly filed by Shai Rosengarten, deputy head of the right-wing organization Im Tirtzu.