Morning Briefing: March 14, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday with, including Israeli Premier Netanyahu accusing General Security Service (Shin Bet) chief of “mafia-style” blackmail, nearly 100 protesters being arrested at Trump Tower in New York over Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s detention​, and the Palestinian group Hamas saying that new proposals are being presented aimed at bypassing Gaza agreement.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli premier accuses Shin Bet chief of ‘mafia-style’ blackmail

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of orchestrating a “campaign of blackmail” against him after a former head of the internal security service threatened in an interview Thursday to reveal “everything he knows” about Netanyahu if he acts unlawfully.

“If I come to the conclusion that the prime minister has decided to act against the law, there will be no choice—I will say everything I know and have withheld until now,” Nadav Argaman told Channel 12 News.

“Never, in the entire history of Israel and in the entire history of democracies, has the former head of the secret organization carried out live blackmail threats against a sitting prime minister. This crime joins a whole campaign of blackmail with threats through media briefings in recent days, conducted by the current head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar,” Netanyahu said on X.

He claimed the threats were intended to stop him from making the decisions needed to “rebuild the Shin Bet after its devastating failure on Oct. 7.”

Shin Bet responded to Netanyahu’s blackmail accusations, calling them a “serious accusation against the head of a state organization in the State of Israel.”

They added that Bar focuses entirely on security issues, efforts to bring back the hostages and protecting democracy, adding: “Any other statement on the matter is devoid of any basis.”

• Nearly 100 protesters arrested at Trump Tower in New York over Mahmoud Khalil’s detention​

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested Thursday following a sit-in at Trump Tower in New York City, where demonstrators demanded the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, according to reports.

At least 98 people were arrested in the lobby of the building, with protesters facing trespassing and resisting arrest charges, ABC News reported, citing the New York Police Department.

The protest, organized by the group Jewish Voice for Peace, drew hundreds of activists who packed the lobby, chanting “Free Mahmoud, Free them all!”, “We want justice, you say how? Bring Mahmoud home now!” and “Fight Nazis, not students!”

Many wore red shirts emblazoned with the slogans “Not in our name” and “Stop arming Israel.”

Khalil, a green card holder and a recent Columbia University graduate who helped organize campus protests last year, was arrested Saturday at his university-owned residence in New York in what his lawyers said is a politically motivated deportation attempt by the Trump administration.

• Hamas says new proposals are being presented aimed at bypassing Gaza agreement

The Palestinian group Hamas said Thursday that reports indicate that new proposals are being presented aimed at circumventing the ceasefire deal in Gaza.

“There are reports of new proposals that aim to bypass the Gaza agreement. Meetings with mediators in Doha are ongoing,” Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, said on Telegram.

Qassem reiterated Hamas’ commitment to implementing the second phase of the agreement, which includes ensuring a non-return to war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the initiation of withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor.

He also pointed out that Israel has not implemented the humanitarian protocol outlined in the agreement.

“We do not want to return to war. However, if the occupation resumes its aggression, we have no choice but to defend our people,” he added.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has put forward an updated proposal to extend the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip by 50 days, The Jerusalem Post reported.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hundreds of activists with a Jewish peace group staged a sit-in at US President Donald Trump’s signature headquarters in New York demanding the immediate release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.
• The United Nations in Libya warned against misinformation campaigns fueling tensions and inciting hate speech against refugees and migrants.
• An American Airlines plane caught fire on the ground at Denver International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. A total of 172 passengers and six crew members were deplaned and relocated to the terminal, according to the airport.
• At least nine people in total have been killed by Tropical Cyclone Jude in Mozambique and Malawi, officials said.
• Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced that snap elections will be held on May 18.
• Sudan announced that it is banning all imports from Kenya due to its hosting of meetings of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and their allies.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “preparing to reject” the ceasefire proposed by the US during talks with Kyiv earlier this week in Saudi Arabia.
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed disappointment over Trump’s tariff move against Canada, saying “he let us down.”
• Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to a military charge of obstructing justice, according to media reports.
• US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote to advance a House-passed government funding bill to avert a government shutdown.
• France called on Russia to demonstrate its commitment to peace in Ukraine following recent talks in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at charting a course toward ending the Moscow-Kyiv war.
• Türkiye is ready to assist Ukraine with its reconstruction and expand economic and trade cooperation, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said.
• The Azerbaijani foreign minister announced that a consensus has been reached on all articles of the peace agreement with Armenia.
• Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his country sees that Türkiye is advocating for stability in the South Caucasus.
• France and Germany welcomed the conclusion of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• A trio of top Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the National Intelligence Organization, met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a working visit to neighboring Syria.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Canada files WTO complaint against US steel, aluminum tariffs

The World Trade Organization (WTO) said Thursday that Canada has submitted a complaint over US President Trump’s tariff measures.

“Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding the imposition by the United States of import duties on certain steel and aluminum products from Canada,” said a WTO press release.

The organization said Canada claimed that the measures, which terminate Canada’s exemption from additional duties on certain steel and aluminum products and increase duties on aluminum articles, and which took effect on 12 March, are inconsistent with US obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994.

SPORTS

• Rangers edge Fenerbahce on penalties to reach Europa League quarterfinals

Rangers booked their spot in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals after a penalty win over Fenerbahce on Thursday, despite losing 2-0 in the second leg at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.

Fenerbahce, trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Istanbul, fought back with a determined display.

With neither side able to find a decisive goal in extra time, the match went to penalties.

The Scottish giants advanced 3-2 on penalties after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Barry Ferguson’s Rangers will now face Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals. If they progress further, they could return to Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, which will host this year’s Europa League final.

Thursday’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second-leg results:

Lazio 1-1 Viktoria Plzen (Lazio advance 3-2 on aggregate)

Olympiacos 2-1 Bodo/Glimt (Bodo/Glimt advance 4-2 on aggregate)

Frankfurt 4-1 Ajax (Frankfurt advance 6-2 on aggregate)

Athletic Club 3-1 Roma (Athletic Club advance 4-3 on aggregate)

Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (Tottenham advance 3-2 on aggregate)

Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad (Man United advance 5-2 on aggregate)

Lyon 4-0 FCSB (Lyon advance 7-1 on aggregate)

Rangers 0-2 Fenerbahce (Rangers advance on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate score)

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