Latest news with #Jordanians
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Children of Gaza are running out of time
Palestinians mourn during the funeral of people who were killed while trying to reach aid trucks entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, at Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City on Saturday, July 26 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) In the bombed-out streets of Gaza we are witnessing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe unfold in real time. If the international community does not act, then the slaughter and starvation taking place there right now should haunt it for rest of this century. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Every day, from the comfort of our living rooms, we watch news reports of people ravaged by hunger being crushed against barriers of bombed-out aid distribution centres as they desperately seek their first meal in days. And all the while they run the gauntlet for food and assistance under the gun barrels of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). All told, more than a thousand Palestinians have been killed seeking aid and assistance since May, all at the hands of the IDF. There are always excuses. 'Weapons malfunction', 'bad targeting information' but the killing of civilians is so commonplace in Gaza right now it feels calculated and deliberate. It is yet another policy direction from the Netanyahu government that is turning public opinion solidly against the actions of the Israeli state. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Israeli government has now proposed the construction of a 'Humanitarian city' on the ruins of Raffa at the Egyptian border, into which all Palestinians in the strip would be corralled. But Netanyahu's own predecessor, former prime minister Ehud Olmert, has described this as the construction of a 'concentration camp' and tantamount to 'ethnic cleansing'. This has to stop. Liberal Democrats in Britain were among the first to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the suspension of all weapons sales to Israel and for Netanyahu and other figures in the Israeli government and military to face sanctions. The situation has become so dire with widespread famine just days away we are also calling on the RAF to join the Jordanians in flying food and medical aid drops into Gaza as a matter of urgency. Lib Dems are also clear that, as the cabinet meets to discuss the matter this week, the UK Government should follow the leadership of Emmanuel Macron in France and formally recognise the state of Palestine. A path to peace is possible, but only through a two-state solution. That starts by legitimising the right of both states to exist – that is only possible through nationhood. None of this detracts from the outrage that we felt at the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. Nor does it diminish the concern that we still feel for the more than 50 hostages still held by the terrorists in the tunnels of Gaza. But peace and reconciliation will remain out of reach for as long as Palestinians in Gaza and Israelis alike are led by people who only have their own interests at heart. There will be no end to conflict in that benighted region for as long as the Gaza strip is controlled by a terrorist organisation that seeks the destruction of Israel, and for as long as Israel is controlled by a prime minister who is using the crisis to stave off his own legal jeopardy and electoral defeat. The children of Gaza are running out of time. We can turn away no longer. Alex Cole-Hamilton is Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and MSP for Edinburgh Western
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestinian official says Hamas leader's speech ‘offends' Egypt, Jordan
LONDON: Rawhi Fattuh, the chairman of the Palestinian National Council, criticized the speech by Hamas' top leader in exile, Khalil Al-Hayya, as reflecting the internal crisis and political confusion faced by the armed group. Fattuh said that Al-Hayya's claims during a televised speech on Sunday against Egypt and Jordan are an attempt to export the group's internal crisis to regional countries. 'The attacks on Egypt and Jordan demonstrate the political confusion that Hamas is experiencing,' he said, according to Wafa news agency. He added that the speech reflects a desperate attempt to shift blame away from Hamas' 'failed policies and uncalculated adventures' that have worsened the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Al-Hayya questioned Egypt's role in stopping the mass starvation caused by the Israeli regime in Gaza, stating: 'Are your brothers in Gaza dying of hunger while they are at your border, so close to you?' Al-Hayya also urged Jordanians to continue their 'popular uprising' to stop the Israeli atrocities in Gaza. This prompted a response from Amman stating that 'the Jordanian people act independently and are not influenced by external directives or Palestinian factions.' Fattuh said on Tuesday that Egypt and Jordan have been steadfast in their support for Palestinians in Gaza and against the Israeli displacement plans. 'It would have been more important under Hamas leadership to recognize this honorable role and appreciate the sacrifices, rather than to offend them with hostile statements that do not reflect the Palestinian national interest,' he said. He held Hamas responsible for leaving almost 2 million Palestinians in Gaza as victims of Israeli atrocities, the monopoly of merchants, and deteriorating living conditions. 'These statements benefit the (Israeli) occupation,' he said, asserting that Palestinians refuse to engage in 'imaginary battles' and stand with their Arab brethren. Neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad is part of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and both groups have long rejected calls to join what Palestinians consider their sole political representative since the 1960s. The armed group has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 following clashes with the Palestinian Authority forces, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 700 Palestinians, according to an official tally. Since then, it has engaged in several conflicts with Israel, the most recent being the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, which resulted in the deaths and abduction of several hundred people and prompted an ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has killed over 60,000 Palestinians.
Jordan News
19 hours ago
- Jordan News
6% Decline in Number of Jordanians Traveling Abroad for Tourism - Jordan News
Tourism experts have emphasized the importance of supporting domestic tourism amid a decline in the number of Jordanians traveling abroad for tourism. According to preliminary official data published by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and based on Central Bank figures, the number of Jordanians who traveled abroad during the first half of this year reached 806,970, marking a 5.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. اضافة اعلان Experts stressed the need to provide suitable tourism infrastructure to encourage locals to explore domestic destinations. They also recommended expanding the 'Our Jordan is Paradise' program ('Urdunna Jannah') to include more destinations with a variety of affordable hotel options, along with promotional offers tailored for local tourists. According to the data: In 2023, the number of Jordanians traveling abroad during the first half of the year totaled 856,776, with monthly breakdowns as follows: January: 136,538 February: 132,495 March: 116,756 April: 125,535 May: 118,152 June: 227,300 In 2024, the number totaled 806,970, with monthly figures as: January: 159,085 February: 129,749 March: 126,032 April: 113,692 May: 118,957 June: 159,455 Causes of Decline Experts agree that the reduction in low-cost flight options to and from Jordan amid regional tensions has contributed significantly to the drop in Jordanian travelers. Additionally, rising travel costs to popular destinations like Turkey have made foreign tourism less attractive. Industry Insights Mohammad Al-Qassem, a member of the Jordan Hotels Association and tourism expert, confirmed that reduced low-cost flight frequencies and geopolitical developments, along with rising travel costs, have led to a drop in outbound tourism. He noted that a 5.8% decrease may not be dramatic, but it's an indicator that domestic tourism needs more support. Al-Qassem stressed that travel is important for exposure to new cultures and experiences, and shouldn't be heavily restricted, but encouraged alongside local tourism growth. He also pointed out that economic challenges and declining income have made it difficult for many to afford travel. Al-Qassem emphasized the importance of developing infrastructure in northern Jordan, and offering low-cost hotels to attract tourists, especially during summer, as alternatives to warmer destinations like the Dead Sea and Aqaba. Northern sites such as Ajloun Castle, Umm Qais, and Jerash offer attractive options. He also proposed comprehensive tour programs that include interaction with local communities, traditional meals, and cultural experiences, which would also boost the local economy. Al-Qassem called for an expansion of the 'Urdunna Jannah' program, suggesting it should include more destinations and operate throughout the week, not just on weekends. He concluded that a successful tourism sector requires strong infrastructure, a complete tourism product, and public-private partnerships to manage and improve tourist sites without compromising heritage. Geopolitical Impact Nidal Malu Al-Ain, another tourism expert, said the decline in travel is mainly due to the halt of low-cost flights, which were heavily used for trips to Europe. He also cited economic constraints, income decline, and regional geopolitical instability as key factors. Al-Ain believes that many Jordanians are interested in domestic tourism and prefer spending their vacation days in Jordan—provided that affordable tourism facilities are available. He emphasized the need to establish a model of 'popular tourism' with comprehensive and budget-friendly services, especially for middle-income groups. He urged expansion of the 'Urdunna Jannah' program or launching a new initiative aimed at encouraging domestic travel through promotional packages. Al-Ain also suggested supporting existing tourism facilities by reducing operational costs (e.g., energy bills) and offering deferred financial obligations to tourism businesses. He proposed that hotels offer promotions like free nights with bookings. 'Urdunna Jannah' Program Mahmoud Al-Khasawneh, another tourism specialist, said that regional instability is a major reason for the drop in outbound tourism. He emphasized that domestic tourism must be improved to reduce the number of Jordanians traveling abroad. He noted that while the government-run 'Urdunna Jannah' program plays an important role, a private-sector-driven counterpart should also be developed to offer exclusive packages, especially for Jordanian expatriates returning during the summer. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the program recorded 79,017 participants between April and July 2025. The program was temporarily suspended in December 2024, and resumed in April 2025. Participation figures since resumption are: April: 5,193 participants May: 36,991 participants June: 13,681 participants July (to date): 23,152 participants Previously, the Jordan Society of Travel and Tourism Agents stated that Turkey (Antalya, Trabzon, Istanbul) and Egypt (particularly Sharm El Sheikh) remain the top destinations for Jordanians traveling abroad.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Jordan hits 96% of job creation target in 2024: JEF
Advt By , Agencies Jordan created 96,421 new job opportunities in 2024, achieving 96.4% of its annual employment target under the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), according to a new fact sheet released by the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF). The report, titled 'Job creation in the Kingdom in 2024: Concentration and beneficiary groups', highlights the labour market's growing capacity to absorb new entrants and reduce the total jobs created, 75.7% originated in the private sector, underscoring its dominant role in driving workforce growth. The public sector accounted for 23.6%. JEF credited the improvement to effective economic reforms and ongoing efforts to stimulate job generation amid regional creation was uneven across gender lines: 69.3% of the new roles went to men (66,804 jobs), while women secured 30.7% (29,617 jobs). National employment policies continued to favour Jordanians, who filled 90% of the new positions. Non-Jordanian Arabs held 6.2% of the jobs, while other nationalities accounted for 3.7%.The manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade sectors jointly led job generation with 15.4% each, followed by public administration and defence (14.6%), education (11.5%), and healthcare (10.2%).While 184,926 individuals aged 15 and above joined the workforce, 89,584 exited during the same period, indicating a net labour market gain. The report affirms Jordan's ongoing commitment to sustainable job growth aligned with national development priorities.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Olympic team to face Kazma and Fahaheel in upcoming friendlies
KUWAIT CITY, July 28: Al-Arabi's coach, Marco Alves, has the team training in humid environments to prepare for its AFC Challenge League playoff against Maziya Sports of the Maldives on August 12, which will be played on the Maldives' home turf. To help players adapt to the high humidity common in the Maldives, Alves also arranged additional indoor, air-conditioned training sessions during its Abu Dhabi camp. The team will face UAE clubs Hatta and Baniyas in friendlies on Thursday, August 6, respectively, with the camp concluding on August 8. Fahaheel has planned a training camp in Alexandria, Egypt, scheduled to start in mid-August. Led by Syrian coach Firas Al-Khatib, the team continues preparations and will play a friendly against Kuwait's Olympic team on August 7. Another friendly match is being arranged before it heads abroad. Most players have joined training, with foreign signings Homam Mahmoud (Syria) and Zakaria Benchaâ (Algeria) already on board, and Brazilians Brendon Lucas, Bruno Clisettau, and Vitor da Silva expected to join soon. Kazma will play its first friendly this Thursday against Kuwait's Olympic team before traveling to Turkey for a training camp in early August. Key players, including Jordanians Ali Azaizeh, Yousef Abu Al-Jazar, and Anas Al-Awdat, are training, with Algerian Idris Chaabi joining next week and Beninese forward Samson Akinyoola arriving in Turkey. Kuwait Club held morning and evening training sessions under Montenegrin coach Nebojša Jovović as it gets ready for the Zain Premier League season opener on September 12. The team will continue this routine for two weeks before heading to Prague, Czech Republic, for a 20-day training camp featuring four friendly matches. Al-Nasr has started training at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium's sub-pitch with new signings Mohsen Falah, Mohammed Al-Rashed, and Zaid Zakaria. The club also officially welcomed goalkeeper Naif Al-Azmi to the squad for the new season.
