Latest news with #Palest
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Future Palestinian state a place for women and respect for law, claims foreign minister
If a Palestinian state emerges, it will be a pluralistic state, with a place for women, and adherence to international law, including the security of Israel, the Palestinian foreign minister has claimed in an exclusive interview with Euronews. "It would be a pluralistic society. There will be a place for women. I'm a woman, and I'm Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am Christian, and from Armenian origins," said Varsen Aghabekian-Shaheen. She said it would be a place where there is respect for "international law" and respect for "any agreement signed by Palestine with its neighbours". Meanwhile she criticised EU inaction over Israel's war in Gaza and violence in the West Bank as "shocking and disappointing". The "whole world is watching children brutally murdered while awaiting medical care in tents, and people being killed while queuing for basic food supplies", said Aghabekian-Shahin. "We see children brutally murdered while in tents while awaiting medical care from another tent," the foreign minister claimed. The war in Gaza started in response to the Hamas terror attack on October 7th. Aghabekian-Shahin believes there is still hope for a contiguous, Palestinian state, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) in control of both Gaza and the West Bank. Corruption within the Palestinian Authority acknowledged The PA's first female foreign minister said years of corruption within the PA, and also the Palestinian Liberation Authority (PLA) - the national coalition which is the legally recognised representative of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza - is in the process of being rooted out. And there is also the question of credibility and influence. While some Palestinians continue to support Hamas, demonstrations against Hamas continue apace, and confidence in the performance of the Palestinian Authority is declining, according to the Palestinian Policy and Survey research centre. "It's not an excuse, but corruption is everywhere. And remember, we are under occupation, and occupation corrupts," said Aghabekian-Shahin. "Funding from outside corrupts, not being able to direct your organisations the way you want corrupts," she said. "That is not an excuse. But today we have a reform and development agenda by this government in Palestine. And we're working on all aspects to curtail corruption, to decrease nepotism, to ensure that our organisations are governed by rules and regulations applicable to all," she said, adding: "This takes time." The realisation of a Palestinian state is as remote a possibility as ever given the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as sustained violence against, and expulsion of Palestinians in the West Bank. In addition, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has indicated his country no longer supports the internationally agreed-upon two-state solution, and believes Israel is entitled to formally occupy the lands in the West Bank due to its historical, biblical links. Huckabee said any potential Palestinian state could be forged out of an existing Muslim country rather than the lands designated by several UN resolutions for a future Palestinian state – namely, the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Neighboring Arab countries have however indicated they would not take in millions of Palestinians and continue to advocate for a two-state solution. Jordan, Lebanon and to a lesser extent, Egypt and Syria, are already home to large populations of Palestinians refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars with Israel. "We keep the hope alive because we are two-staters and we believe that that two-state solution is the only viable solution," she told Euronews. Minister Aghabekian-Shahin believes a Palestinian state will materialise, and Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia will be crucial in pushing for it. She said Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries will pause plans to normalise relations with Israel unless the Jewish State negotiates a state for Palestinians. Saudi Arabia was close to formally normalising relations with Israel days before Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th. "When President Trump said about his intention to create the Riviera, there was very quick response from all Arab states, individually and collectively, on the no displacement issue of Palestinians,' she said. Last February, in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump said he would 'take over' and 'own' Gaza, and turn it into 'the Riviera of the Middle East'. Saudi Arabia and France are co-chairing an international conference on a two-state solution in New York on the 28 and 29 of July at ministerial level.
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Palestinian minister says future state will be place for women and law
If a Palestinian state emerges, it will be a pluralistic state, with a place for women, and adherence to international law, including the security of Israel, the Palestinian foreign minister has claimed in an exclusive interview with Euronews. "It would be a pluralistic society. There will be a place for women. I'm a woman, and I'm Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am Christian, and from Armenian origins," said Varsen Aghabekian-Shaheen. She said it would be a place where there is respect for "international law" and respect for "any agreement signed by Palestine with its neighbours". Meanwhile she criticised EU inaction over Israel's war in Gaza and violence in the West Bank as "shocking and disappointing". The "whole world is watching children brutally murdered while awaiting medical care in tents, and people being killed while queuing for basic food supplies", said Aghabekian-Shahin. "We see children brutally murdered while in tents while awaiting medical care from another tent," the foreign minister claimed. The war in Gaza started in response to the Hamas terror attack on October 7th. Aghabekian-Shahin believes there is still hope for a contiguous, Palestinian state, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) in control of both Gaza and the West Bank. Corruption within the Palestinian Authority acknowledged The PA's first female foreign minister said years of corruption within the PA, and also the Palestinian Liberation Authority (PLA) - the national coalition which is the legally recognised representative of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza - is in the process of being rooted out. And there is also the question of credibility and influence. While some Palestinians continue to support Hamas, demonstrations against Hamas continue apace, and confidence in the performance of the Palestinian Authority is declining, according to the Palestinian Policy and Survey research centre. "It's not an excuse, but corruption is everywhere. And remember, we are under occupation, and occupation corrupts," said Aghabekian-Shahin. "Funding from outside corrupts, not being able to direct your organisations the way you want corrupts," she said. "That is not an excuse. But today we have a reform and development agenda by this government in Palestine. And we're working on all aspects to curtail corruption, to decrease nepotism, to ensure that our organisations are governed by rules and regulations applicable to all," she said, adding: "This takes time." The realisation of a Palestinian state is as remote a possibility as ever given the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as sustained violence against, and expulsion of Palestinians in the West Bank. In addition, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has indicated his country no longer supports the internationally agreed-upon two-state solution, and believes Israel is entitled to formally occupy the lands in the West Bank due to its historical, biblical links. Huckabee said any potential Palestinian state could be forged out of an existing Muslim country rather than the lands designated by several UN resolutions for a future Palestinian state – namely, the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Neighboring Arab countries have however indicated they would not take in millions of Palestinians and continue to advocate for a two-state solution. Jordan, Lebanon and to a lesser extent, Egypt and Syria, are already home to large populations of Palestinians refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars with Israel. "We keep the hope alive because we are two-staters and we believe that that two-state solution is the only viable solution," she told Euronews. Minister Aghabekian -hahin believes a Palestinian state will materialise, and Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia will be crucial in pushing for it. She said Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries will pause plans to normalise relations with Israel unless the Jewish State negotiates a state for Palestinians. Saudi Arabia was close to formally normalising relations with Israel days before Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th. "When President Trump said about his intention to create the Riviera, there was very quick response from all Arab states, individually and collectively, on the no displacement issue of Palestinians,' she said. Last February, in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump said he would 'take over' and 'own' Gaza, and turn it into 'the Riviera of the Middle East'. Saudi Arabia and France are co-chairing an international conference on a two-state solution in New York on the 28 and 29 of July at ministerial level.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Israel says 5 soldiers killed in attack in Gaza; 18 Palestinians dead in Israeli strikes
Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in Gaza, the Israeli military said Tuesday, while health officials in the Palestinian territory said 18 people were killed in Israeli strikes. Palestinians inspect the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, in Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, July 8, 2025. (REUTERS) The bloodshed came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire plan to pause the Gaza fighting. While there was no announcement of a breakthrough, there were signs of progress toward a deal. The killings of the soldiers could add to the pressure on Netanyahu to strike a deal in Israel, where polls have shown widespread support for ending the war. Soldiers attacked with explosive devices An Israeli security official said explosive devices were detonated against the soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, which was an early target of the war and an area where Israel has repeatedly fought regrouping militants. Militants also opened fire on the forces who were evacuating the wounded soldiers, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the incident with the media. The military said 14 soldiers were wounded in the attack, two of them seriously. It brings the toll of soldiers killed to 888 since the war against Hamas began in 2023. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, said on Telegram that its fighters' operation in Beit Hanoun was an 'additional blow' against what he described as a 'weak' army in an area he said the Israeli military thought was safe. He added that 'the most foolish decision Netanyahu could make would be to keep his forces inside the Gaza Strip." The soldiers were killed roughly two weeks after Israel reported one of its deadliest days in months in Gaza, when seven soldiers were killed after a Palestinian attacker attached a bomb to their armored vehicle. In a statement, Netanyahu sent his condolences for the deaths, saying the soldiers fell 'in a campaign to defeat Hamas and to free all of our hostages.' Israeli strikes in southern and central Gaza Health officials at the Nasser Hospital, where victims of the Israeli strikes were taken, said one of the strikes targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing four people. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed four people, including a mother, father, and their two children, officials said. In central Gaza, Israeli strikes hit a group of people, killing 10 people and injuring 72 others, according to a statement by Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes, but it blames Hamas for any harm to civilians, saying the militant group operates out of populated areas. The fighting has pushed the health care system in Gaza close to collapse. On Tuesday, the Palestine Red Crescent said the Al-Zaytoun Medical Clinic in Gaza City ceased operations after shelling in the surrounding area. It said the closure would force thousands of civilians to walk long distances to get medical care or obtain vaccinations for children. Hopes for a ceasefire agreement soon Trump has made clear that, following last month's 12-day war between Israel and Iran, he would like to see the 21-month Gaza conflict end soon. Netanyahu's visit to Washington may give new urgency to the ceasefire proposal. White House officials are urging both sides to quickly seal an agreement that would bring about a 60-day pause in the fighting, send aid flooding into Gaza and free at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory, 20 of whom are believed to be living. A senior Israeli official said that 80-90% of the details had been ironed out and that a final agreement could be days away. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media. A sticking point has been whether the ceasefire will end the war altogether. Hamas has said it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile — something it refuses to do. The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Most have been released in earlier ceasefires. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which is under Gaza's Hamas government, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The UN and other international organizations see its figures as the most reliable statistics on war casualties.
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Independent Ireland leader brands TD Paul Murphy's attempted Gaza trip a publicity stunt
Last week, Mr Murphy and members of an activist group had their passports taken and were held after attempting to walk to Rafah as part of a protest march highlighting the blockage of aid into Gaza. He was then detained for a second time in Cairo on Monday when he went to a police station to retrieve his mobile phone, which was being held by authorities. The Cork TD questioned what was the objective of the trip and said he would have advised Mr Murphy against travelling if he was a member of Independent Ireland. Mr Collins said it is 'Dáil time' and TDs are supposed to be working. He also questioned why Mr Murphy put himself in danger. 'As party leader, if one of my TDs came to me and said they wanted to go travelling. First of all, I'd say, it's Dáil time and it's work time, you're supposed to tend to your duties,' said Mr Collins at Leinster House. 'If it's a holiday during August or something, that's their own business. But certainly, why put yourself in danger? Why put other people in danger, because you are in a position of responsibility and you have to advise people of the dangers you're putting people in. I felt there was a danger and there was a danger for others. 'I think it was more done on the basis of publicity than maybe delivery. And delivery is for the people that is inside here, where democracy is held, where people are held to order, where we can speak our minds and he's well able to speak his mind [in the Dáil]. "It's his decision but it's a decision I'd question myself if it was within my party.' Cork TD Richard O'Donoghue said he hopes Mr Murphy is well and safe. 'You can protest, you can do all the same things of what he wanted to achieve, here. But to go over there and to put your life and other lives at risk, says to me you didn't think about the people you were leaving here behind you,' said Mr O'Donoghue. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, Labour TD Duncan Smith said he would not criticise anybody who is trying to highlight the genocide in Gaza. 'I'm not going to be criticising any politician or citizen of this country or others who are doing what they believe they can to highlight what's going on in Gaza.' Mr Murphy has confirmed no Irish citizens are now under detention in Egypt. 'No other Irish citizens are still detained, thankfully. Again, there are many Irish citizens who are not leaving today, will still be there for a period of time and I'm kind of conscious about their safety and not putting them in in any jeopardy,' Mr Murphy told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. Mr Murphy said his second detention was a 'slow bureaucratic process' and things were taking a long time to resolve. 'But then, I asked to leave and was told that I couldn't leave and the whole time they had my passport. It became clear that I was being detained, as unfortunately hundreds of others have been detained in Egypt, many people deported.' He said his experience in Egypt 'pales into insignificance compared to what's happening in Gaza'. 'Just yesterday, 38 Palestinians were killed while queuing for aid. There's now over 300 Palestinians have been killed in those circumstances in the last three weeks,' he said. 'And the purpose of our global march to Gaza, which involved over 4,000 people coming here to Egypt from over 60 countries, was really to highlight the forced starvation that is happening and to call for a lifting of the blockade and allowing aid to flow.' Mr Murphy said he was held for around nine hours when he was detained for a second time and due to the slow nature of the process, it was unclear at first whether he was detained or not. It then became clear to him that he had been detained again because when he asked to leave the police station, he was told he was not allowed to. 'From our perspective, I mean we came here, the 4,000 people to try to march to Rafah in order to highlight what is happening in Gaza. 'Obviously, we're disappointed that we didn't get to Rafah, but we have had probably the largest international people-powered coalition for Palestine in a very, very long time. 'I think we did raise awareness about what is happening. And so, in the context of the severe Egyptian repression that is taking place, I'm conscious that look, there's still people in detention. There's still many, many people who won't be flying home.' While there will not be another attempt to enter Rafah, Mr Murphy said activists will now turn their attention to events like a planned meeting between European foreign ministers and the Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar in Brussels next week. 'For us, the main pressure we need to have is on Israel, to stop what it's doing in Gaza and on our own Government to stop their complicity. 'Obviously, many western governments and many of the people over there are coming from countries where the governments are actively arming and funding Israel.'
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Independent Ireland leader slams TD Paul Murphy for trying to travel to Gaza ‘for publicity'
Last week, Mr Murphy and members of an activist group had their passports taken and were held after attempting to walk to Rafah as part of a protest march highlighting the blockage of aid into Gaza. He was then detained for a second time in Cairo on Monday when he went to a police station to retrieve his mobile phone, which was being held by authorities. The Cork TD questioned what was the objective of the trip and said he would have advised Mr Murphy against travelling if he was a member of Independent Ireland. Mr Collins said it is 'Dáil time' and TDs are supposed to be working. He also questioned why Mr Murphy put himself in danger. 'As party leader, if one of my TDs came to me and said they wanted to go travelling. First of all, I'd say, it's Dáil time and it's work time, you're supposed to tend to your duties,' said Mr Collins at Leinster House. 'If it's a holiday during August or something, that's their own business. But certainly, why put yourself in danger? Why put other people in danger, because you are in a position of responsibility and you have to advise people of the dangers you're putting people in. I felt there was a danger and there was a danger for others. 'I think it was more done on the basis of publicity than maybe delivery. And delivery is for the people that is inside here, where democracy is held, where people are held to order, where we can speak our minds and he's well able to speak his mind [in the Dáil]. "It's his decision but it's a decision I'd question myself if it was within my party.' Cork TD Richard O'Donoghue said he hopes Mr Murphy is well and safe. 'You can protest, you can do all the same things of what he wanted to achieve, here. But to go over there and to put your life and other lives at risk, says to me you didn't think about the people you were leaving here behind you,' said Mr O'Donoghue. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, Labour TD Duncan Smith said he would not criticise anybody who is trying to highlight the genocide in Gaza. 'I'm not going to be criticising any politician or citizen of this country or others who are doing what they believe they can to highlight what's going on in Gaza.' Mr Murphy has confirmed no Irish citizens are now under detention in Egypt. 'No other Irish citizens are still detained, thankfully. Again, there are many Irish citizens who are not leaving today, will still be there for a period of time and I'm kind of conscious about their safety and not putting them in in any jeopardy,' Mr Murphy told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. Mr Murphy said his second detention was a 'slow bureaucratic process' and things were taking a long time to resolve. 'But then, I asked to leave and was told that I couldn't leave and the whole time they had my passport. It became clear that I was being detained, as unfortunately hundreds of others have been detained in Egypt, many people deported.' He said his experience in Egypt 'pales into insignificance compared to what's happening in Gaza'. 'Just yesterday, 38 Palestinians were killed while queuing for aid. There's now over 300 Palestinians have been killed in those circumstances in the last three weeks,' he said. 'And the purpose of our global march to Gaza, which involved over 4,000 people coming here to Egypt from over 60 countries, was really to highlight the forced starvation that is happening and to call for a lifting of the blockade and allowing aid to flow.' Mr Murphy said he was held for around nine hours when he was detained for a second time and due to the slow nature of the process, it was unclear at first whether he was detained or not. It then became clear to him that he had been detained again because when he asked to leave the police station, he was told he was not allowed to. 'From our perspective, I mean we came here, the 4,000 people to try to march to Rafah in order to highlight what is happening in Gaza. 'Obviously, we're disappointed that we didn't get to Rafah, but we have had probably the largest international people-powered coalition for Palestine in a very, very long time. 'I think we did raise awareness about what is happening. And so, in the context of the severe Egyptian repression that is taking place, I'm conscious that look, there's still people in detention. There's still many, many people who won't be flying home.' While there will not be another attempt to enter Rafah, Mr Murphy said activists will now turn their attention to events like a planned meeting between European foreign ministers and the Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar in Brussels next week. 'For us, the main pressure we need to have is on Israel, to stop what it's doing in Gaza and on our own Government to stop their complicity. 'Obviously, many western governments and many of the people over there are coming from countries where the governments are actively arming and funding Israel.'
