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| Biden tells Netanyahu he ‘expects significant de-escalation today on path to ceasefire’ – live | Biden tells Netanyahu he ‘expects significant de-escalation today on path to ceasefire’ – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| US president speaks to Israeli PM and has ‘detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza’ – follow all the day’s politics news | US president speaks to Israeli PM and has ‘detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza’ – follow all the day’s politics news |
| Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer denounced House Republicans voting against the bipartisan bill to form a commission to study the Capitol insurrection. | |
| “Shame on the Republicans for choosing the ‘big lie’ over the truth -- not all Republicans, but the majority who seem to be doing it,” Schumer said on the Senate floor moments ago. | |
| “Shame on them for defending the mob over our Capitol police officers and shame on the House Republican leadership for punishing Republicans who tell the truth, instead of those who poisoned faith in our democracy.” | |
| That final comment appeared to be a reference to both Republican congressman John Katko, who helped craft the commission bill, and congresswoman Liz Cheney, who was recently ousted as House GOP conference chair because of her criticism of Donald Trump. | |
| Schumer reiterated his pledge that the Senate will hold a vote on the commission bill, despite Republican opposition. | |
| “The only way to stop these lies is to respond with the truth, with facts, with an honest objective investigation,” Schumer said. | |
| A 107-year-old woman, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa race massacre, has received a standing ovation for her testimony to a congressional committee. | |
| Viola Fletcher told the House of Representatives’ judiciary subcommittee that she was visiting Washington for the first time in her life. Wearing an aquamarine jacket, glasses and headphones, she read steadily from a prepared statement. | |
| “I am here seeking justice,” Fletcher said. “I am here asking my country to acknowledge what happened in Tulsa in 1921.” | |
| The hearing takes place ahead of the centenary of the atrocity in which mobs of white residents attacked, ransacked and burned down the thriving African American community of Greenwood, known as “Black Wall Street”, causing an estimated 300 deaths. | |
| Fletcher recalled: “The night of the massacre, I was woken up by my family. My parents and five siblings were there. I was told we had to leave. And that was it. | |
| “I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our house. I still see Black men being shot, and Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire. I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams. I live through the massacre every day.” | |
| “Our country may forget this history. I cannot. I will not. The other survivors do not. And our descendants do not. When my family was forced to leave Tulsa, I lost my chance at an education. I never finished school past the fourth grade. I have never made much money. | |
| “My country, state, and city took a lot from me. Despite this, I spent time supporting the war effort in the shipyards of California. But for most of my life, I was a domestic worker serving white families. I never made much money. To this day, I can barely afford my everyday needs.” | |
| Fletcher and two other survivors are lead plaintiffs in a reparations lawsuit filed last year against city and state authorities. Wednesday’s hearing is considering the case for compensating the massacre survivors and their descendants. | |
| More than 200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinian, have been killed in the past week as Israeli forces and Hamas exchanged attacks in Gaza. | More than 200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinian, have been killed in the past week as Israeli forces and Hamas exchanged attacks in Gaza. |
| “Even if the airstrikes and the rockets stop, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis has entered a new stage,” the Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent, Oliver Holmes, says. | “Even if the airstrikes and the rockets stop, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis has entered a new stage,” the Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent, Oliver Holmes, says. |
| Oliver explains how we got to this point in a video explainer from the Guardian: | Oliver explains how we got to this point in a video explainer from the Guardian: |
| Joe Biden’s phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu came as the Israeli prime minister pushed back against demands for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza. | Joe Biden’s phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu came as the Israeli prime minister pushed back against demands for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza. |
| “We don’t stand with a timer,” Netanyahu said at a briefing with foreign ambassadors this morning, per Walla News correspondent Barak Ravid. | “We don’t stand with a timer,” Netanyahu said at a briefing with foreign ambassadors this morning, per Walla News correspondent Barak Ravid. |
| He added, “We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time, so it is not possible to set a time frame on the operation.” | He added, “We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time, so it is not possible to set a time frame on the operation.” |
| Deputy White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a short press gaggle aboard Air Force One moments ago. | Deputy White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a short press gaggle aboard Air Force One moments ago. |
| Jean-Pierre reiterated the readout from Joe Biden’s call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, during which the US president expressed his expectation for an immediate de-escalation and pathway to ceasefire in Gaza. | Jean-Pierre reiterated the readout from Joe Biden’s call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, during which the US president expressed his expectation for an immediate de-escalation and pathway to ceasefire in Gaza. |
| Asked if Netanyahu agreed with Biden’s comments, Jean-Pierre did not answer directly. | Asked if Netanyahu agreed with Biden’s comments, Jean-Pierre did not answer directly. |
| Biden will soon deliver the keynote address at the US Coast Guard Academy’s 140th Commencement Exercises, so stay tuned. | Biden will soon deliver the keynote address at the US Coast Guard Academy’s 140th Commencement Exercises, so stay tuned. |
| The Guardian’s Martin Chulov and Julian Borger and agencies report: | The Guardian’s Martin Chulov and Julian Borger and agencies report: |
| Egypt has urged a brokered end to the fighting between Israel and militants in Gaza, and France has called for a UN security council resolution on the violence, as international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies. | Egypt has urged a brokered end to the fighting between Israel and militants in Gaza, and France has called for a UN security council resolution on the violence, as international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies. |
| Signs are emerging that a ceasefire may be within sight, with the Egyptian effort gaining momentum among factions in Gaza, and the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reported by Israeli media to have told officials in the south of the country that the fighting could end “within several days”. | Signs are emerging that a ceasefire may be within sight, with the Egyptian effort gaining momentum among factions in Gaza, and the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reported by Israeli media to have told officials in the south of the country that the fighting could end “within several days”. |
| Jordan, too, has lobbied intensively for a cessation of violence and has joined a French push at the UN to present a draft resolution that safeguards urgent humanitarian relief. The US would have to use its veto power to block the resolution, something the Biden administration would be reluctant to do. | Jordan, too, has lobbied intensively for a cessation of violence and has joined a French push at the UN to present a draft resolution that safeguards urgent humanitarian relief. The US would have to use its veto power to block the resolution, something the Biden administration would be reluctant to do. |
| Israeli jets on Wednesday continued to pound what officials say is an extensive tunnel network under central Gaza used by Hamas to move fighters and weapons. The al-Rimal neighbourhood was also targeted and residents reported that several homes had been been destroyed. | Israeli jets on Wednesday continued to pound what officials say is an extensive tunnel network under central Gaza used by Hamas to move fighters and weapons. The al-Rimal neighbourhood was also targeted and residents reported that several homes had been been destroyed. |
| Israel claimed it had twice tried to kill Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, but the elusive leader – who had previously escaped many other assassination attempts – had escaped. | Israel claimed it had twice tried to kill Hamas military commander, Mohammed Deif, but the elusive leader – who had previously escaped many other assassination attempts – had escaped. |
| Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today as Israeli forces and Hamas continued to exchange attacks in Gaza. | Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today as Israeli forces and Hamas continued to exchange attacks in Gaza. |
| “The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” the White House said in a readout of the call. | “The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” the White House said in a readout of the call. |
| “The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.” | “The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.” |
| Biden’s comments are noteworthy given that the US president merely indicated his support for a ceasefire in his conversation with Netanyahu on Monday. | Biden’s comments are noteworthy given that the US president merely indicated his support for a ceasefire in his conversation with Netanyahu on Monday. |
| After that Monday conversation, progressives criticized Biden for not demanding an immediate end to the violence, which has already killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian. | After that Monday conversation, progressives criticized Biden for not demanding an immediate end to the violence, which has already killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian. |
| Although most House Republicans are expected to vote against the January 6 commission bill, as many as 50 members of the GOP caucus may support the legislation, according to Punchbowl News. | Although most House Republicans are expected to vote against the January 6 commission bill, as many as 50 members of the GOP caucus may support the legislation, according to Punchbowl News. |
| It should also be noted that there are 31 sponsors of a separate Republican bill to form a January 6 commission, and that legislation looks very similar to the compromise proposal crafted by Democrat Bennie Thompson and Republican John Katko. | It should also be noted that there are 31 sponsors of a separate Republican bill to form a January 6 commission, and that legislation looks very similar to the compromise proposal crafted by Democrat Bennie Thompson and Republican John Katko. |
| Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to put the January 6 commission bill on the Senate floor for a vote, despite Republican opposition. | Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to put the January 6 commission bill on the Senate floor for a vote, despite Republican opposition. |
| “I will put the January 6 Commission legislation on the floor of the Senate for a vote, period,” the Democratic leader said. “Republicans can let their constituents know, are they on the side of truth or do they want to cover up for the insurrectionists and for Donald Trump?” | “I will put the January 6 Commission legislation on the floor of the Senate for a vote, period,” the Democratic leader said. “Republicans can let their constituents know, are they on the side of truth or do they want to cover up for the insurrectionists and for Donald Trump?” |
| Schumer also argued that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy’s opposition to the bill, even after Republican congressman John Katko helped craft the final version of the legislation, demonstrated the difficulties of working with Republicans. | Schumer also argued that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy’s opposition to the bill, even after Republican congressman John Katko helped craft the final version of the legislation, demonstrated the difficulties of working with Republicans. |
| “If the Republican leaders are just going to throw their lead negotiators under the bus, why do they even participate in negotiations at all?” Schumer asked. | “If the Republican leaders are just going to throw their lead negotiators under the bus, why do they even participate in negotiations at all?” Schumer asked. |
| The Guardian’s Martin Pengelly, Coral Murphy Marcos and agencies report: | The Guardian’s Martin Pengelly, Coral Murphy Marcos and agencies report: |
| House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has long said the 6 January commission should also investigate leftwing groups that protested against police violence after the murder of George Floyd. | House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has long said the 6 January commission should also investigate leftwing groups that protested against police violence after the murder of George Floyd. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi flatly rejected that approach, seeking to focus the panel on 6 January and form it along the lines of the bipartisan and independent 9/11 commission, which investigated the terror attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi flatly rejected that approach, seeking to focus the panel on 6 January and form it along the lines of the bipartisan and independent 9/11 commission, which investigated the terror attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. |
| The commission would be split evenly between Democratic and Republican appointees, none of them serving government officials, with agreement needed for subpoenas to be issued. | The commission would be split evenly between Democratic and Republican appointees, none of them serving government officials, with agreement needed for subpoenas to be issued. |
| McCarthy said he supported that federal effort to hold attackers accountable but claimed the proposed commission could interfere with such work. | McCarthy said he supported that federal effort to hold attackers accountable but claimed the proposed commission could interfere with such work. |
| Pelosi subsequently told reporters that she was disappointed but not surprised by the “cowardice” shown by some Republicans who she said did “not to want to find the truth”. | Pelosi subsequently told reporters that she was disappointed but not surprised by the “cowardice” shown by some Republicans who she said did “not to want to find the truth”. |
| Greetings from Washington, live blog readers. | Greetings from Washington, live blog readers. |
| Later today, the House is expected to pass a bill that would establish a September 11-style commission to study the Capitol insurrection. | Later today, the House is expected to pass a bill that would establish a September 11-style commission to study the Capitol insurrection. |
| The legislation will likely pass without much Republican support, given that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy announced yesterday he will vote against the bill. | The legislation will likely pass without much Republican support, given that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy announced yesterday he will vote against the bill. |
| McCarthy’s announcement came three days after Republican congressman John Katko and Democrat Bennie Thompson, the ranking member and chairman of the House homeland security commission, said they had reached a deal on the bill. | McCarthy’s announcement came three days after Republican congressman John Katko and Democrat Bennie Thompson, the ranking member and chairman of the House homeland security commission, said they had reached a deal on the bill. |
| Even though Katko was able to secure many of the Republican requests for the commission, McCarthy still claimed the final bill was insufficient to garner his support. | Even though Katko was able to secure many of the Republican requests for the commission, McCarthy still claimed the final bill was insufficient to garner his support. |
| The Republican leader’s stance underscores how eager many members of the party are to move on from the January 6 attack, which was carried out by a group of Donald Trump’s supporters and resulted in five deaths. | The Republican leader’s stance underscores how eager many members of the party are to move on from the January 6 attack, which was carried out by a group of Donald Trump’s supporters and resulted in five deaths. |
| That dynamic could make it difficult to get the bill through the evenly divided Senate, where it will need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. | That dynamic could make it difficult to get the bill through the evenly divided Senate, where it will need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. |
| The blog will have more details on the vote coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more details on the vote coming up, so stay tuned. |