Latest news with #OccupiedPalestinian
Qatar Tribune
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar condemns Israeli plan to seize control of Ibrahimi Mosque
The State of Qatar has condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation plan to transfer the authority of the administration and supervision of the Ibrahimi Mosque from the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Municipality of Hebron to the Jewish religious council in Kiryat Arba settlement, describing it a blatant violation of international laws and legitimate international resolutions and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed, in a statement on Friday, the State of Qatar's categorical rejection of attempts to alter the historical and legal status of the Ibrahimi Mosque and all holy sites in the Occupied Palestinian territories, and at the same time called on the international community to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities to protect religious sanctities in Palestine, and to compel Israeli occupation authorities to halt their criminal plans aimed at erasing the authentic identity of the Palestinian people.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Brics backs India line on terror & UNSC reforms, slams tariffs
NEW DELHI: The 11-member Brics comprising key emerging economies condemned in "the strongest terms" Pahalgam terrorist attack, seeking concerted action against UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, and unambiguously backed a comprehensive reform of UN Security Council (UNSC), in two significant takeaways for India from Rio Summit. Among other highlights was India joining Brics in condemning attacks on Iran since June 13 (without naming Israel), expressing grave concern about the situation in "Occupied Palestinian territory" with resumption of "continuous Israeli attacks" against Gaza, obstruction to humanitarian aid and use of starvation as a method of warfare - something which Israel has rejected. According to Rio Declaration, Brics nations expressed serious concerns about rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. While this was an obvious message to the Trump administration, the declaration stopped short of naming US because some members were not comfortable with it. The declaration also said imposition of unilateral coercive measures are contrary to international law and measures like unilateral economic sanctions have far-reaching negative implications. At India's behest, there was ample focus on terrorism in the declaration that urged zero tolerance for terrorism and rejected double standards in countering terrorism. India uses the same language to counter Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism and also China's shielding at UN of UN-banned terrorists based in Pakistan. "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in J&K on April 22, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens," said the declaration, while calling for an expeditious finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework. According to Indian govt officials, Rio summit also adopted "strongest-ever language" for UN reforms by calling for a comprehensive reform of Security Council with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase representation of developing countries. Recalling 2022 Beijing and 2023 Johannesburg declarations, China and Russia, as permanent members of UNSC, reiterated their support to the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in UN, including its Security Council. Interestingly, the Beijing declaration had only said in UN, and not 'including in UNSC'. The Rio Declaration also said a reformed UNSC will amplify voice of the Global South. While condemning the attacks on Iran - and expressing concern over "deliberate" attacks on "peaceful" nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards - the declaration was also littered with references to the Israel-Palestine issue, something which continues to test India's balancing exercise. In case of Iran, there was no mention of Israel like in an earlier statement by Brics last month, which too was endorsed by India, but on this occasion the declaration didn't just express concern but also condemned the military strikes. In case of Gaza, the declaration explicitly mentioned "continuous Israeli attacks" calling for adherence to international law and recalling that Gaza Strip is an inseparable part of the 'Occupied Palestinian Territory'.
The Journal
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
EU has its hands tied on Israel trade suspension unless leaders find common ground
Muiris O'Cearbhaill reports from Brussels THE SUSPENSION OF trade between European countries and Israel cannot happen unless conclusive and unanimous changes are made to EU foreign policy. On Monday, it was announced that a review had found that Israel breached human rights obligations included in its trade deal with the EU with its actions in Gaza and the West Bank in Palestine. Speaking to reporters in Brussels yesterday, Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath said that the commission cannot take stronger action unless leaders at the European Council reach a consensus, which he said is not possible in the current climate. Pressure has been mounting on European leaders to take more action against Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed almost 56,000 people – mostly civilians – since October 2023, and the European Commission has been accused of inaction. A third of Israel's imports come from the EU, valued at over €23bn annually, while Europe imports less than 1% of its goods from Israel. Suspending trade ties would require a unanimous decision, which is likely impossible as countries like Austria, Germany and Hungary, that tend to more supportive of Israel's government. McGrath, referencing the council of leaders' role in setting the EU's foreign policy agenda, said: 'Ultimately, any proposal by the commission is subject to agreement from the European Council. Advertisement 'At this point in time, based on discussions of the public positions of the member states, consensus is not there in relation to action being taken, arising from the provisions of the [trade deal].' Pressure has been mounting on the EU to take action on Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed over 56,000 civilians and led to a complete siege on the region for more than two months, and has been slammed for months over its perceived inaction. Foreign ministers on Monday were criticised when they could not reach a consensus over the trade review . McGrath said the commission cannot change EU foreign policy unless given directions for government leaders and ministers from member states. 'Article 24 of the Treaty of Europe is quite clear, the primary actor in relation to foreign policy is the European Council, and it acts on the basis of unanimity,' he said. 'It isn't open for the European Commission to set any new position on Israel and Gaza.' Trade with Israel will reappear on the European agenda at the next leaders' summit in Brussels in July. In the meantime, the EU has stated to engage with Israel's government to outline the review's findings. Foreign affairs minister Simon Harris welcomed the review's findings, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for concrete action to be taken following its publication. Ireland was among ten member states who requested that a review take place in the context of the EU's compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The non-binding advisory opinion found that 'Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and needs to be brought to an end as rapidly as possible'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Not an insignificant moment' as new Occupied Territories Bill goes to Cabinet
It is 'not an insignificant moment' that Ireland has become the 'first country in the European Union to publish legislation seeking to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian territories', Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. Mr Harris, who is also the Foreign Affairs Minister, brought the Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill 2025 to Cabinet on Tuesday. However, unlike Senator Frances Black's original Occupied Territories Bill, it does not outlaw services. Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that the Attorney General has been asked to bring forward further legal advice on services. He admitted that it is 'genuinely more complex than goods transferring, but we will get further legal advice on that'. Minister Harris, meanwhile, said it would be 'disingenuous' for people to say that the Government does not want to include a ban on services in the legislation, arguing that the 'Government wants to get this right'. He said: 'This is not an insignificant moment. We are becoming the first country in the European Union to publish legislation seeking to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian territories. We shouldn't just jump over that fact. 'People across the country, regardless of political persuasion, are sick to the pit of their stomach at the genocide that is taking place in Gaza. 'It is not as if we do a huge amount of trade of goods with the Occupied Territories, but it is the right thing to do. 'It is the right thing to do because we hope in doing it that it might encourage Europe to continue to move forward together on this. 'While our domestic legislation today is important, it's what the people of this country want, it's what we committed to do, actually, what is more important is having impact. 'If this is about having an impact and getting genocide to stop, it has to be about building coalition at a European level to maximise the leverage and pressure on Israel.' The inclusion of services will be further debated when the Bill goes to the Foreign Affairs Committee as early as next week. It is understood that Mr Harris and Senator Black could be the first witnesses at the committee if they are available. On X, Senator Black stated that she will still seek for services to be included in the Bill when pre-legislative scrutiny is done. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
France says it obtains Palestinian reform pledge ahead of conference
France said on Tuesday it had obtained new commitments from the Palestinian Authority to reform, ahead of a conference next week at which Paris could become the most prominent Western power to back recognition of an independent Palestinian state. President Emmanuel Macron has received a letter from Mahmoud Abbas in which the Palestinian president condemns the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel, calls on all hostages to be released and pledges further reforms, the Elysee said. Abbas, 89, has headed the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority since the death of veteran leader Yasser Arafat in 2004. The PA exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank but lost control of Gaza to its rivals Hamas since 2007. It has previously condemned Hamas for the attack that provoked the Gaza war and has called for the militant group to be disarmed in a future settlement. The letter to Macron, who is working on organising an international conference with Saudi Arabia to discuss recognition of Palestine, contains 'unprecedented' pledges, Macron's office said, without elaborating. 'Hamas will no longer rule Gaza and must hand over its weapons and military capabilities to the Palestinian Security Forces, which will oversee their removal outside the Occupied Palestinian territory, with Arab and international support,' the French leader's office quoted Abbas as having written in the letter. Commenting on the letter, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that 'Abbas has no legitimacy to speak about the resistance's arms.' He said the French government should be aware that the letter it received on the future of Gaza 'only represents the opinion of the person who signed it,' in reference to Abbas. 'Any plan that targets resistance groups or works on overriding it won't succeed,' he said. Israel has said it will not accept any role for the PA in Gaza after the war and has denounced countries that consider recognising Palestinian independence, which it says would reward Hamas for its attacks. French officials have said Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the U.N. conference which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting from June 17-20.
