Latest news with #Saar
L'Orient-Le Jour
3 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israel blocks visa for top UN official after Gaza comments
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday said he had ordered the withdrawal of a senior U.N. humanitarian official's residency permit, accusing him of spreading lies about the war in Gaza. "I have instructed not to extend the residency permit of the head of the OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) office in Israel, Jonathan Whittall," Saar wrote on X. Whittall, a South African who lives in Jerusalem and frequently visits the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly condemned the humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people living in the Palestinian territory. In April, he said that Gazans were "slowly dying" due to the effects of Israel's war against Hamas militants. Saar's decision, which he said came after "biased and hostile conduct against Israel which distorted reality" and broke U.N. neutrality rules, is the latest taken against senior U.N. officials. Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has made it harder to get visas for those working for OCHA, the U.N. human rights office OHCHR and the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: Construction work begins on Saar sewage network
Bahrain - Construction work has begun on a sewage network project in Block 527, in the northern part of Saar area, an official has confirmed. This is part of the Work Ministry's plan to continue developing infrastructure and enhancing the level of services in line with the Government Programme 2023-2026, said ministry sanitation planning and projects department director Fatima Ahmed. She explained, in a statement yesterday, that the project will contribute to providing sewage services to 230 properties as the ministry seeks to increase the number of beneficiaries from this service and provide a healthy and safe environment for residents. The project includes the placing of 3,162-metre-long main sewage lines, 3,754-metre-long sub-sewage lines, in addition to the construction of 135 main inspection rooms, 344 sub-inspection rooms and a lifting station. Roads will also be paved within the scope of the project, added Ms Ahmed. She pointed out that the sewage projects aim to achieve sustainable development and improve the sanitation sector, and provide the best services to all regions of the kingdom. The ministry is working to keep pace with the urban and investment expansion that Bahrain is witnessing in various governorates, by connecting various properties such as houses and buildings and linking them to the sewage network, to ensure the provision of a healthy and safe environment, added Ms Ahmed. The ministry has urged all residents and visitors to the area to co-operate and adhere to the guidelines during the implementation period of the project, in order to ensure the safety of everyone. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israel blocks visa for top UN official after Gaza comments
JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday said he had ordered the withdrawal of a senior UN humanitarian official's residency permit, accusing him of spreading lies about the war in Gaza. "I have instructed not to extend the residency permit of the head of the OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) office in Israel, Jonathan Whittall," Saar wrote on X. Whittall, a South African who lives in Jerusalem and frequently visits the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly condemned the humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people living in the Palestinian territory. In April, he said that Gazans were "slowly dying" due to the effects of Israel's war against Hamas. Saar's decision, which he said came after "biased and hostile conduct against Israel which distorted reality" and broke UN neutrality rules, is the latest taken against senior UN officials. Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has made it harder to get visas for those working for OCHA, the UN human rights office OHCHR and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA. - AFP
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel blocks visa for top UN official after Gaza comments
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Israel's foreign minister has ordered the residency permit of OCHA head Jonathan Whittall to be withdrawn. JERUSALEM - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on July 20 said he had ordered the withdrawal of a senior UN humanitarian official's residency permit, accusing him of spreading lies about the war in Gaza. 'I have instructed not to extend the residency permit of the head of the OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) office in Israel, Jonathan Whittall,' Mr Saar wrote on X. Mr Whittall, a South African who lives in Jerusalem and frequently visits the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly condemned the humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people living in the Palestinian territory. In April, he said that Gazans were 'slowly dying' due to the effects of Israel's war against Hamas militants. Mr Saar's decision, which he said came after 'biased and hostile conduct against Israel which distorted reality' and broke UN neutrality rules, is the latest taken against senior UN officials. Since the war began in October 2023, Israel has made it harder to get visas for those working for OCHA, the UN human rights office OHCHR and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA. AFP
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel warns minorities face danger in Syria under Sharaa
JERUSALEM: Israel has dismissed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's pledge to protect minorities, stating it remains 'very dangerous' for minority groups in the country. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued the warning following deadly clashes in Sweida province that left over 700 dead. 'Bottom line: In al-Shara's Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority -- Kurd, Druze, Alawite or Christian,' Saar posted on X. 'This has been proven time and again over the past six months.' The violence, involving Druze and Sunni Bedouin factions, has drawn in Syria's Islamist-led government, Israel, and armed tribes from other regions. Israel conducted airstrikes in Sweida and Damascus this week, targeting Syrian defence ministry forces accused of abuses against Druze civilians. Saar urged the international community to 'ensure the security and rights of the minorities in Syria' and link Syria's global reintegration to minority protections. A US-brokered ceasefire has since led to Syrian forces deploying in Druze areas to prevent further Israeli intervention. Analysts suggest Israel's actions aim to weaken Syria's military, which has been vulnerable since Sharaa's Sunni Islamists ousted Iran-backed Bashar al-Assad in December. Israel, home to a significant Druze population, claims its strikes were defensive. - AFP
