The way forward for Palestine: A call for international protection
In the wake of the landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that Israel is plausibly engaged in a genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, all states that are party to the Genocide Convention now have a legal obligation to take material steps to put an end to Israel’s genocidal acts in the besieged Strip. In this context, the decision by many Western nations to withdraw funding to UNRWA, the UN’s main humanitarian agency for Palestinian refugees, over unsubstantiated “terror” allegations made by Israel, is not only perplexing – the very opposite of what the court legally obliged them to do – but also highly abhorrent as starving Palestinians face a deepening famine and deadly disease outbreaks in besieged Gaza. The real aim of Israel’s lobbying efforts to undermine UNRWA is the liquidation of the Palestinian identity and the right of return of the Palestinian people that the UN agency has come to embody. If the Western states, and especially the United States, continue to bow down to Israel’s genocidal demands they will only add further weight to the accusations that they are complicit in its genocide in Gaza. What is at stake today is not only the future of millions of Palestinians and the very viability of the Israeli state, but the stability of an entire region, and the future of the rules-based world order. Unabated, Israel’s assault on Gaza, with the unconditional backing of the West, risks a regional conflagration further inflaming conflicts from Yemen to Iraq and Syria, and paving the way for an unprecedented surge in terrorism across the globe. Today, there is mounting anger towards Western powers not only in the Arab world, but across the Global South, for their perceived complicity in Israel’s massacres of Palestinian civilians. Terrorist organisations like ISIL and al-Qaeda could not have asked for a better environment to regroup and mount new attacks on the West, as the global majority now views the West solidly as an enabler of the ongoing genocide of an occupied and oppressed Indigenous people. There is every reason to expect such terror groups, or brand new ones like them, to take advantage of this moment and launch attacks against Western populations and their allies and supporters across the globe. The future of the entire rules-based world order – and international law itself – is also very much at risk. The stark contrast between the West’s response to the war on Ukraine and the war on Gaza, has convinced many that international law applies to the West’s enemies, like Russia, alone. With the West demonstrating clearly that it considers itself and its allies, in this case, Israel, as being beyond the constraints of the law, there has been an immense loss of trust in international institutions like the United Nations. Indeed, the UN not only found itself completely powerless to stop Israel’s blatant violations of international law and attacks on Palestinian civilians, but could not even hold it to account for its outbursts against its secretary-general and targeting of UN staff in Gaza. Given the global majority’s strong opposition to the continuation of Israel’s war on Gaza, and the expressed position in favour of a two-state solution of the vast majority of the UN member states, including the permanent five at the Security Council, there is only one way to give another life to the rules-based world order, bring stability to the Middle East, and prevent the dawn of a new era of terror across the globe: ending the occupation of Palestine. This is also the only feasible way forward for Israel. After Hamas’s October 7 attack, as is evident in the erratic actions of its far-right government and the desperate acts of extreme violence it unleashed on the Palestinians, Israel has lost all confidence in its deterrence capabilities in the region. Israelis are feeling more vulnerable and exposed today than ever before. Many of its citizens have lost trust in the ability of the state of Israel to ensure their security, and are questioning the state’s viability in the region. Only the end of the illegal occupation, supported by a settlement in which the Arab states assure Israel that it is indeed a part of the region, and can exist among them in peace and prosper, would allow Israel to regain a sense of security and permanence. Clearly, the longest ongoing occupation in recent history must end – and quickly. However, given the current gridlock and the total devastation of Gaza, the first step towards ending occupation should be to bring the Palestinian people – who have now been identified by ICJ as a unique “group” – under international protection. This interim arrangement must be put in place under the auspices of the UN – whose involvement would restore the legitimacy of the rules-based order, for a period of three to five years, until a fully functional and independent Palestinian state can be realised. During this period of international protection, an independent tsar, appointed by the UN with the approval of the global community, must lead the process and be responsible for day-to-day governance, with guidance and support from a special council made out of individuals representing all Palestinian factions, including Hamas. There would likely be serious objections to the inclusion of an official Hamas representative into this set-up, but it should be possible to include in the council a non-member who is acceptable to the group, and can represent its interests. The inclusion of Hamas in any peace process is crucial as no sustainable settlement can be achieved without acknowledging the concerns and expectations of the group that has led Palestinian armed struggle against occupation for many years. Given the West’s undeniable pro-Israel bias, the countries that have shown care and consideration for the rights and wellbeing of the Palestinians, and respect for international law, throughout this latest conflict, such as South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil, should be part of the international protection coalition. This coalition should also ensure the security and
Why is Israel competing in European sport and Eurovision despite Gaza war?
European organisations have no plan to ban Israel, unlike swift action that was taken against Russia. European organisations have no plans to ban Israel from events such as the UEFA football championships and Eurovision song contest, despite its war on Gaza. Meanwhile, swift action was taken against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. So, why does Israel compete in Europe? And why are European organisations defending its continued participation? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Andrew Feinstein – Writer and campaigner who served as an MP under former South African President Nelson Mandela Omar Barghouti – Co-founder of the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement and founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel Chris Rose – Director of Amos Trust, a creative human rights organisation that has a long history of campaigning for Palestinian rights Adblock test (Why?)
Chile bids final farewell to former President Pinera in state funeral
Sebastian Pinera died on Tuesday in a helicopter crash in southern Chile. A state funeral for Chile’s former President Sebastian Pinera who died after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into a lake, is taking place in the capital Santiago. “Today, we share the shock of the tragic departure of a man, a father, husband, grandfather and public figure that was a leader in our transition to democracy,” President Gabriel Boric said during the ceremony at the country’s former Congress on Friday. Pinera, 74, died on Tuesday and state funeral services began on Wednesday in the capital with a private viewing before opening up to the public. On Friday, a military band in red conical hats played as Pinera’s coffin, draped in the Chilean flag, was escorted to a cathedral in Santiago by guards on horseback for his funeral mass. He will later be buried in a private family ceremony attended by his widow, four children and grandchildren. A conservative billionaire first elected from 2010 to 2014, Pinera oversaw times of strong economic growth, but also continued protests. Boric himself was a student protest leader during Pinera’s first term, demanding education reforms. “These days some have remembered we were political adversaries. It’s true,” left-wing Boric said, adding that the two were able to reach compromise and even spoke the day before his death to discuss the recent deadly wildfires that killed 131 people in central Chile. ‘Unify in memory’ Reporting from Santiago, Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman said large crowds of people had gathered since the early hours of Friday morning to pay their last respects to the former president. “This has been a very emotional funeral. Not only because the former president left office two years ago but also because of the way he perished in such a dramatic and unexpected way. So people are showing their respect not only for the former president but also for the man he was,” she said. Pinera also oversaw the rescue of 33 miners who were trapped underneath the Atacama desert. The event became a global media sensation and was the subject of a 2014 movie, The 33. Newman said that some of the 33 Chilean miners who were rescued in the audacious gamble that Pinera took, were also present at the funeral. One of the miners, Juan Carlos Aguilar, remembered the excitement after hearing the former president when they first made contact. “Imagine you’re hearing the president say, ‘We will search for you as if you were our children.’ I will never forget that,” Aguilar told the Reuters news agency. During Pinera’s second term from 2018-2022, large-scale, often violent protests against inequality erupted in 2019 and ended with promises to draft a new constitution. Pinera also oversaw the country’s pandemic response. “He [Pinera] was severely criticised in part because of his business dealings and due to human rights violations that took place during his term in 2019 … But today, members of the church are asking all Chileans to work together and unify in memory of the former president,” Newman said. Adblock test (Why?)
UNICEF says 700,000 children in Sudan face life-threatening malnutrition
As the war continues, the UN agency warns tens of thousands of children will ‘likely die’ without more aid. At least 700,000 children in Sudan are likely to suffer from the worst form of malnutrition this year, and tens of thousands could die, the United Nations children’s agency has warned. A 10-month war in Sudan between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country’s infrastructure, prompted warnings of famine and displaced millions of people inside and outside the country. “The consequences of the past 300 days means that more than 700,000 children are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition this year,” James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF, told a press conference in Geneva on Friday. “UNICEF won’t be able to treat more than 300,000 of those without improved access and without additional support. In that case, tens of thousands would likely die.” Elder defined the most dangerous form of malnutrition as severe acute malnutrition, which makes a child more likely to die from diseases such as cholera and malaria. He said 3.5 million children were projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF provides “ready-to-use therapeutic food”, or RUTF, a life-saving food item that treats severe wasting in children under five years old, to Sudan. Elder said there had also been a “500 percent increase” in just one year in murders, sexual violence and recruitment of children to fight. “That equates to terrifying numbers of children killed, raped or recruited. And these numbers are the tip of the iceberg,” he said, reiterating the urgent need for a ceasefire, and for more aid. ‘Lethal combination’ Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, echoed Elder’s comments. The “lethal combination of malnutrition, mass displacement, and disease” is quickly growing, she warned in a statement. “We need safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access across conflict lines and across borders – and we need international support to help sustain the essential services and systems that children rely on for survival,” she said. UNICEF is appealing for $840m to help slightly more than 7.5 million children in Sudan this year, but Elder deplored the lack of funds collected in previous appeals. “Despite the magnitude of needs, last year, the funding UNICEF sought for nearly three-quarters of children in Sudan was not forthcoming,” Elder said. The UN on Wednesday urged countries not to forget the civilians caught up in the war in Sudan, appealing for $4.1bn to meet their humanitarian needs and support those who have fled to neighbouring countries. Half of Sudan’s population – approximately 25 million people – need humanitarian assistance and protection, while more than 1.5 million people have fled to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN. “The world needs to stop turning a blind eye,” he said. “Where is our collective humanity if we allow this situation to continue.” Adblock test (Why?)
Russian anti-war presidential candidate barred from Russia’s election
NewsFeed Boris Nadezhdin, Russia’s anti-war presidential hopeful, says the decision to bar him from the election next month is political and vowed to appeal. Election officials disqualified thousands of signatures he had collected to support his candidacy. Published On 9 Feb 20249 Feb 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Biden refers to Egypt’s Sisi as ‘president of Mexico’
NewsFeed US President Joe Biden accidentally referred to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the “president of Mexico”. Biden was speaking to journalists after a report into his handling of classified documents found the president’s memory was ‘severely limited’. Published On 9 Feb 20249 Feb 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
As early results come in, could Pakistan election spring a surprise?
Lahore, Pakistan: When I stepped out on a cool Thursday morning to cover Pakistan’s 12th general election, there was an air of inevitability about the whole exercise. Most respectable analysts had already expressed predictions that the ground was set for the return of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to power. Even if it was plain as daylight that the path had been paved by Pakistan’s military establishment that had once helped Sharif’s political rival Imran Khan rise to power at Sharif’s expense. Even if that same establishment had not once, but twice, been Sharif’s tormentor — first when he was removed as PM in a 1999 coup by Pervez Musharraf, and then when he was forced out of office in 2017 and subsequently sentenced in corruption cases. The tables appeared to have turned, with relations between Khan and the military souring, and the cases against Sharif being dropped. More than 24 hours after I started visiting polling stations and talking to voters, one thing has become clear to me: The outcome of this election is anything but clear. Whatever the eventual results, this election has been closer than analysts had predicted on poll eve. The early results bear that out. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been denied the use of its election symbol, the cricket bat. The charismatic Khan, former cricket captain and philanthropist, was sentenced on multiple counts days before the election. He has been in jail since last August. Still, as of 11:30am local time (06:30 GMT) on Friday, the PTI was running neck and neck with Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), even though candidates from Khan’s party were forced to contest as independents. Candidates affiliated with Khan’s PTI had won nine seats, while the PMLN had won 10, with the third major contender, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), had won six. After what I saw and heard on Thursday, I’m not entirely surprised. It all started with my phone. Despite all advance warnings by the government and a hunch I had, it was still a bit of a shock when I found out that mobile internet connectivity was switched off. Security concerns were the official reason, but clearly, those in power were concerned that the script they had planned needed tech interventions. My first stop was at Lahore’s upscale locality of Model Town, also the area where Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, himself a former prime minister, was expected to vote. A polling station in Lahore’s Model Town on Thursday, February 8, 2024 [Abid Hussain/Al Jazeera] With 15 minutes to go before the polling started at 8am (03:00 GMT), two small queues were forming, one each for female and male voters. Saadia, a 29-year-old doctor was the first in line on the female side. Wearing a face mask, she told me that despite suffering from a bout of flu, it was very important for her to come out and vote. “It is our national duty and a responsibility,” she said in a determined manner. “If we don’t do our bit, we won’t have a right to complain.” The group of women behind also seemed enthusiastic and eager to vote, but as one of them had just started to express her support for Khan and the PTI, a male member of her family intervened. “We don’t want to talk to any media. We don’t trust who you are,” he told me brusquely, and instructed the women of his family to avoid talking as well. This was the first inkling about the kind of day I was about to witness. As I traversed diverse constituencies and polling stations, nearly two dozen, a stark reality emerged: A muted roar replaced the usual election day fervour. The PTI faithful, though seemingly fewer, were vocal. Young families, men and women, even a frail 72-year-old in a wheelchair, rallied behind Khan. “If the PMLN will come, we know how they can ruin the economy and everything else. But Khan is clear-eyed. He has done wonders for us in the world, and increased our respect by his speeches,” a bespectacled 19-year-old Ahmed Malik told me. Another group of young men was playing cricket behind the iconic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, near a polling station. When I asked one of them, Zafar, if he had voted he nodded in negative. “We had a match in the morning, but once we finish, we will all go together,” he said, pointing towards the rest of his teammates. “We have to vote for skipper [in reference to Khan, who was captain of the Pakistan cricket team],” he added. Young men playing cricket behind the iconic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, on Thursday, February 8, 2024 [Abid Hussain/Al Jazeera] Their conviction painted a stark contrast to the PMLN’s quiet confidence, bordering on complacency. Two days before the polling, on the last day of campaigning, I did not meet a single PMLN party person canvassing for votes in Lahore’s older neighbourhoods. One of the party officials who did speak to me confided that the party had “completed” its campaign and was confident that people would come out to vote for it. This almost sounded like hubris. However, on February 8, the numbers shared by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officials at some polling stations, particularly in the middle-class and working-class neighbourhoods, showed a voter turnout which ranged between 20 and 30 percent. Officials belonging to the special branch for investigations deployed at the polling stations told Al Jazeera it appeared that the removal of the cricket bat symbol for the ballot papers and the crackdown on Khan might have convinced PTI supporters to not come out. When I asked about how that might reflect in the results, one of them said: “We will see when it comes that. Our responsibility was to ensure a smooth, free and fair election.” All said without a hint of irony. Across Lahore’s different localities, I noticed that PMLN supporters, while coming out to vote, appeared to lack the organised voting
UAE in talks to develop $22bn beach land in Egypt
Such a major agreement could boost the Egyptian economy, which is facing a dire foreign exchange crisis. The United Arab Emirates is in advanced talks to purchase and develop a large piece of land on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast in a deal that could bolster the troubled economy of the North African nation. An UAE consortium has been picked to work with Egyptian partners to develop the land in Ras el-Hekma, about 350km (217 miles) northwest of Cairo, an Egyptian official was quoted by CNBC Arabia on Wednesday as saying. Hossam Heiba, the chief executive officer of the state-run General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, told the broadcaster that the initial estimate for the total project was $22bn and that an agreement was expected soon. He did not provide further details, nor name any companies or entities. On Thursday, Egypt’s cabinet said the government was preparing to announce new projects that will “earn huge amounts of foreign currency” and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in an apparent reference to a multibillion-dollar development planned along the Mediterranean coast in an area of upscale luxury resorts. The emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of seven in the UAE and the country’s capital, is involved in the project, according to unnamed people familiar with the talks quoted by US outlet Bloomberg, which also reported that Egypt may retain ownership of about 20 percent of the vast territory spanning 180 million square metres. It said the minority stake would include a share for the Talaat Moustafa Group, a real estate developer, and some Egyptian state entities, adding that no final decision has been taken. The major deal could strengthen ties between Egypt and the UAE, a chief backer of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi that has previously offered economic support in the form of investments or other assistance. Egypt is dealing with its worst foreign exchange crisis in decades, having undergone several currency devaluations, and is expected to enact another one soon – its fourth since early 2022. A foreign currency boost could also positively impact Egypt’s talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a major loan, that may bring in other partners and secure some $10bn in financing. Egypt is due to repay heavy foreign debts this year and the IMF has been pushing it to sell state assets, make space for the private sector and allow its currency to trade flexibly. An IMF team was in Egypt last month to negotiate the revival and possible expansion of a $3bn loan agreement which faltered soon after it was signed in December 2022. Egypt, along with Qatar, is a key mediator in talks aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza, starting with another pause in hostilities and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for captives being held in the enclave. Adblock test (Why?)
Israeli bombs target Gaza’s overcrowded Rafah
The Israeli military has bombed targets in overcrowded Rafah, hours after United States officials warned Tel Aviv against expanding its ground offensive to the southern city, where more than half of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge. US President Joe Biden called Israel’s conduct in the war “over the top” in the harshest criticism yet from Washington of its close ally amid concerns about the soaring civilian death toll in the enclave. With the war now in its fifth month, Israeli ground forces are still focusing on the city of Khan Younis, just north of Rafah, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Rafah will be next, creating panic among hundreds of thousands of displaced people there. Netanyahu has ordered soldiers to prepare for a ground entry into Rafah, alarming Egypt, which has said any ground operation in the Rafah area or mass displacement across the border would undermine its 40-year-old peace treaty with Israel. The mostly sealed Gaza-Egypt border is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid. An estimated 1.2 million people have fled to Rafah, heeding Israeli evacuation orders ahead of the military’s continuously expanding bombardments and ground offensive. Evacuation orders now cover two-thirds of the besieged territory although an estimated 300,000 Palestinians remain in the northern half of Gaza, which civilians were ordered to leave early in the war. Even in areas Israel had declared “safe zones”, such as Rafah, it routinely launches air strikes against what it says are Hamas targets. It holds the Palestinian group responsible for civilian casualties in Gaza, saying it operates from civilian areas. Adblock test (Why?)
Russia and Ukraine exchange 100 prisoners each after UAE mediation
President Zelenskyy says a total of 3,135 Ukrainians were freed from Russian captivity and hopes exchanges continue. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 100 prisoners of war (POWs) each following mediation by the United Arab Emirates. In announcing the exchange as a “success”, the Gulf nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that it was its third mediation effort between Moscow and Kyiv since December as it called for dialogue and de-escalation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country “will make every effort to continue prisoner exchanges”, in a Friday post on X. Ukraine returns its people and will make every effort to continue prisoner exchanges. So that our people can come back home. I thank everyone who assists us in this and ensures this outcome. pic.twitter.com/2YakQePeM6 — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 9, 2024 Russia’s Ministry of Defence, in a post on Telegram, noted the UAE’s “humanitarian mediation”. So far, 3,135 Ukrainian POWs have been freed from Russian captivity, Zelenskyy said on social media on Thursday night. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the intelligence directorate at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, urged Ukrainians to disregard scepticism about the time involved in a complicated process. “As you can see, it has taken a bit of time, but the only thing that matters is the result. Look over there and you have the answer to your question,” Budanov said at the undisclosed site of the servicemen’s return. A Ukrainian prisoner of war speaks on a mobile phone after the exchange, February 8, 2024 [Handout/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters] In January, the two countries exchanged 195 POWs each, in the first prisoner swap since the crash of a Russian military transport plane that Moscow said was carrying 65 Ukrainian soldiers. The Il-76 transport plane was downed in Russia’s Belgorod region. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of downing the plane using a US Patriot missile. Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied that it downed the plane and has demanded proof of who was on board. Both sides have carried out periodic prisoner swaps via intermediaries since the war began nearly two years ago, despite the absence of any peace talks between them since the early months of the conflict. The biggest exchange was on January 3, when they traded a total of 478 captives following mediation by the UAE. Putin warned in an interview that defeating Russia in Ukraine was “impossible by definition”, but insisted he was not seeking to expand the war to neighbouring countries such as Poland and Latvia. He repeated his claim that invading Ukraine was necessary to stop the country from threatening Russia by joining NATO, denied that he had territorial ambitions across Europe, and insisted he would only send troops into neighbouring countries if attacked first. Adblock test (Why?)