I am busy

Hi Global Recap readers,

Soon, President Biden will address the nation about what lies ahead for him. This should put to rest any rumors about his dire health, but I foresee X users heavily blasting his apparent frailty and ineptitude.

While I don’t expect anything dramatic from the President, you never know… Something drastic seems to always happen AFTER I hit publish.

⏰ Reminder: tune in at 8pm ET.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Starlink Activated in Gaza

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service is now operational in a Gaza hospital, thanks to the collaboration between Israel and the UAE.

Starlink in Gaza

Starlink’s activation in Gaza aims to support medical services in a region devastated by conflict.

• The service was activated in a hospital in Rafah, Gaza.

• This initiative was supported by Israel and the UAE.

• The high-speed internet will enable real-time medical consultations.

Musk’s Announcement

Elon Musk confirmed the activation of Starlink in Gaza via social media.

• Musk posted on X about the activation.

• He thanked the UAE and Israel for their support.

• The UAE’s foreign minister expressed gratitude for Musk’s assistance.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Harris Skips Netanyahu Address

Vice President Kamala Harris is making headlines by skipping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday.

This move is a stark contrast from President Biden’s stance.

Harris’s Absence

Harris’s decision to skip Netanyahu’s address is seen as a significant political statement.

• Traditionally, the Vice President would preside over such sessions, sitting next to the House Speaker behind the podium.

• Harris was in Indiana instead, sticking to her preexisting plans.

• This move highlights her harsher stance against Israel compared to President Biden and signals to the world that the US is more divided than ever on this issue - a sign of vulnerability.

Political Reactions

The reactions to Harris’s absence are mixed and politically charged.

• Republicans, like Sen. John Cornyn, called it “petty and disrespectful.”

• Progressive Democrats see it as a positive step towards a more balanced Middle East policy.

Controversial Speech

Netanyahu’s speech was met with protests and boycotts from several lawmakers.

• Over 30 members of Congress skipped the speech.

• Protests outside the Capitol turned violent, leading to police intervention.

• Netanyahu criticized the protesters, calling them “Iran’s useful idiots,” who “should be ashamed of themselves” for standing with rapists and murderers.

• He reminded Congress of the humanitarian atrocities Hamas inflicted on Israeli citizens on October 7 and pledged “total victory” against Hamas, ensuring that all hostages are returned.

• Netanyahu also clarified that Israel facilitated the delivery of over half a million tons of food to Gaza, and if Gazans aren’t receiving it, it’s because Hamas is stealing it. TV channel run by Fatah, a Palestinian party, even admitted that Hamas kills aid workers and steals food to manufacture a crisis.

• Notable moment: Netanyahu pointed out that protesters holding signs that read “gays for Gaza” is akin to holding signs that say “chickens for KFC.”

Musk’s Attendance

Elon Musk made a surprise appearance, sitting with Netanyahu’s wife, Israeli soldiers, and a former Hamas hostage.

• Noa Argamani, a former hostage, was rescued just three weeks before her mother passed away from brain cancer.

Schedule

Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris on Thursday. But not only that, he will meet with former President Trump on Friday.

📊 Poll

I will go first: Regardless of political affiliation, as the Vice President, you represent the entire nation, not just your party or ideology. Many Americans support Israel, while others oppose it.

• Congress members that skipped are not the Vice President.

• Regardless of who the speaker is, once they are scheduled and confirmed to speak before Congress, their time and effort should be respected.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Jewish Activists Protest in Congress

Jewish activists were arrested during a protest against US military support for Israel inside a congressional building.

Arrests and Protest

Jewish activists were arrested for protesting against US military support for Israel inside a congressional building.

• The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace.

• Activists wore red T-shirts with slogans like “not in our name” and “Jews say stop arming Israel.”

• Banners read “ceasefire now” and “let Gaza live.”

• Over 250 protesters were arrested, with 400 people participating.

Netanyahu’s Visit

The protest coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
”Gift of Trash” Lands At…

North Korea dropping balloons of trash and feces isn’t news. But this time, it landed somewhere sensitive.

Presidential Compound

• That’s right. On July 24, trash from a North Korean balloon landed on the South Korean presidential compound in Seoul.

• Although, the debris contained no dangerous materials, and no injuries were reported.

• Experts suggest South Korea should intercept these balloons at the border to prevent potential future threats.

• Who knows? One day, what we assume is just another balloon filled with trash might actually contain biohazardous materials.

Context

• North Korea has launched over 2,000 balloons since late May, dropping wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts, and manure.

• These actions are in response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets to North Korea.

• The tit-for-tat campaigns have heightened tensions, with both sides threatening stronger measures.

South Korea’s Response

You would think the response would be forceful, right? But not really.

• South Korea has increased its anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts along the border.

• The broadcasts include K-pop songs and news on South Korean economic development. Free entertainment?

🇫🇷 FRANCE
Olympic Security Concerns

With the 2024 Summer Olympics fast approaching, French security services are on high alert, bracing for an array of emerging threats.

Arrest

• On Tuesday, a 40-year-old Russian-born man was arrested for allegedly planning to “destabilize” the Olympics.

• The suspect is accused of colluding with foreign powers to “stir up hostility in France.”

• Evidence found at his home suggested plans to disrupt the Games.

Lawmaker

It’s not just a Russian-born agitator causing trouble. A French lawmaker from La France Insoumise (LFI) has made a blatantly hostile statement against Israeli athletes.

• During a pro-Palestine rally on Saturday, MPThomas Portes declared:

• This sparked outrage among various groups and individuals.

  • Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who accused Portes of antisemitism and reassured the safety of the Israeli delegation.

  • Socialist MP Jerome Guedj emphasized that all athletes are welcome for their sportsmanship, not their nationality.

Security Measures

• French authorities have conducted around a million background checks on athletes, volunteers, and personnel.

• Over 4,300 people were barred from the Games, with less than a hundred suspected of being foreign agents.

• Russian athletes can compete only as neutrals and must undergo vetting to ensure they don’t support the invasion of Ukraine.

• A force of 30,000 police and gendarmes, reinforced by 20,000 soldiers, is being deployed.

• Between 17,000 and 22,000 private security agents will be present at Olympic sites and fan zones.

Cybersecurity and Disinformation

France is also wary of potential cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns targeting the Olympics.

Opening Ceremony

• The Games will kick off on Friday with a boat show along the Seine, the first-ever opening ceremony outside a stadium.