New Face in the Syrian Conflict
Syria has reported an attack by Israeli warplanes launched from Lebanon early in the morning on February 7th. The attack targeted the Syrian military near Damascus. Most of the missiles were destroyed by the Syrian air defense system. Israel is yet to respond to the accusations. This could be the addition of another military power into the quagmire of conflict in Syria. Israel opposes Assad for his ties to the Shiite militia known as Hezbollah and Iran. Israel has reported attacking Hezbollah and the Syrian army around 100 times since the war began six years ago and has warned if Iran expands its role in the conflict, they will push back.
The Next Immigration Struggle: Africans in Israel
The global trend of immigration debates has spread to the Middle East. On February 7th, a crowd of protesters with their faces painted white gathered outside the Rwandan embassy in Herzliya, Israel. They are asylum-seekers who have been told by April 1st they will be returned to Africa, most likely Rwanda or Uganda. The protesters say deportation would place them in danger and urging Rwandan President Paul Kagame not to cooperate with Israel’s plan. The white face paint was explained by one of the banners held by protesters that read: “Would you deport me if I was white?” Most of the migrants come from Eritrea and Sudan. Many Israelis also oppose the decision, as Israel was created to be a refugee state, they feel it is their duty to protect asylum seekers. The government has denied any obligation to accept migrants. Women, children and families, however, will be exempt from the order.
And the Winner Is…
SpaceX’s Starman, who has begun a journey to the Asteroid Belt after the successful Falcon Heavy launch yesterday.
Quotable Citizen:
-Justin Trudeau on his “peoplekind” comment
Citizen's Daily Brief 