Eurotopics.net

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his fourth address to the US Congress on Wednesday. He defended Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and promised to defeat Hamas. Israel is doing all it can to protect civilians but Hamas puts them in harm's way, he said. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi sharply criticised the speech. Europe's commentators are also dissatisfied.

Following the resignation of Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas, who is to become the EU's new foreign policy chief, the new cabinet under Kallas' successor Kristen Michal convened for the first time in Tallinn this week. One of the first decisions taken was to increase the income and sales tax. The national media are less than enthusiastic.

US Vice President Harris has come across as resolute in her first appearances since Biden's withdrawal from the presidential campaign. A majority of Democratic delegates are apparently set to back her bid to become the Democratic presidential candidate at the party's National Convention in August. Europe's press follows this turn of events with hope and scepticism.

Europe's most popular holiday destinations are increasingly plagued by hypertourism: between January and April 2024 the number of international flights to Greece increased by 12.3 percent, while the Balearic Islands saw a 9.1 percent increase in tourists in 2023 compared to the previous year. Mass protests have been staged in Tenerife and Mallorca this year over high rents, and Venice is now charging an entry fee. What can be done?