Biden says he supports two-state solution, announces USD 100 mn humanitarian aid to Gaza, West Bank
Tel Aviv, (PTI): US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he supports a two-state solution so that Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely and securely in dignity and in peace as he announced USD 100 million for humanitarian aid in the war-torn Gaza and the West Bank.
Biden, who is in Tel Aviv on a solidarity visit to express support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas-led Palestinian factions, made the remarks after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said that "nations of conscience" like the US and Israel are not measured solely by the example of power. "We are measured by the power of our example, and that's why as hard as it is, we must keep pursuing peace," he said.
"We must keep pursuing a path so that Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely and securely in dignity and in peace," Biden said.
"For me, that means a two-state solution," the US President said.
Biden said the recent attacks have made him even more determined in his efforts to push for a two-state solution.
"We must keep working for Israel's greater integration with its neighbours. These attacks have only strengthened my commitment and determination and my will to get that done," Biden said.
The two-state - an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel - has long been proposed as the best solution for lasting peace in the volatile region. However, the biggest obstacle to the solution is the borders of the two states.
On Wednesday, the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation in a statement said it supports the embodiment of the independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the borders of June 4, 1967, with its capital, Al-Quds (East Jerusalem).
Later in a post on X, Biden announced $100 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank to support over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians. "And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need not Hamas or terrorist groups," he said.
"Let me make myself clear: The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. And Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people," he said in another post.
On October 7, Hamas-led factions launched an unprecedented multi-front attack - from land, sea and the air - on Israel, which has said that more than 1,400 people have been killed so far on its side.
Israel launched a series of attacks on Hamas-ruled Gaza and since the start of hostilities, as many as 3,478 Palestinians have been killed and 12,065 others injured.
Late last week, Israel issued an ultimatum that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza, approximately 1.1 million people, should relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours.
The situation is rapidly deteriorating with each passing hour as Gaza runs out of food, water, fuel and essential supplies.
After meeting with President Biden, Netanyahu agreed to allow the shipment of humanitarian assistance from Egypt to Gaza.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
