Tag: #palestine

  • Ireland to recognise Palestinian statehood ‘this month’: minister

    Ireland to recognise Palestinian statehood ‘this month’: minister

    Ireland is certain to recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of May, the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday, without specifying a date.

    “We will be recognising the state of Palestine before the end of the month,” Micheal Martin, who is also Ireland’s deputy prime minister, told the Newstalk radio station.

    In March the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovakia and Malta said in a joint statement that they stand ready to recognise Palestinian statehood.

    Ireland has long said it has no objection in principle to officially recognising the Palestinian state if it could help the peace process in the Middle East.

    But Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has given the issue new impetus.

    Last week EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Spain, Ireland and Slovenia planned to symbolically recognise a Palestinian state on May 21, with others potentially following suit.

    But Ireland’s Martin shied Wednesday from pinpointing a date.

    “The specific date is still fluid because we’re still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state,” said Martin.

    “It will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date but it certainly will be before the end of this month.

    “I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this.”

    Last month during a visit to Dublin by Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the countries would coordinate the move together.

    “When we move forward, we would like to do so with as many others as possible to lend weight to the decision and to send the strongest message,” said Harris.

    Israeli genocide in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people in the besieged strip, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.

  • Israeli settlers storm Al Aqsa mosque, raise Zionist flag

    Israeli settlers storm Al Aqsa mosque, raise Zionist flag

    Dozens of Israelis reportedly stormed the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, and raised the Zionist flag.

    Footage verified by Al Jazeera and released by Anadolu English shows a man holding the flag as an Israeli police officer speaks with him calmly and does not forcibly escort him from the compound.

    The incident follows rallying calls made by Beyadenu, an organisation that says it aims “to strengthen the Jewish People’s connection” to the holy site, for the Israeli flag to be raised at the mosque on May 14, reported Al Jazeera.

    Palestinians regard the day as the Nakba – or the “catastrophe” – which led to the creation of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

    The storming of the compound is a regular occurrence even though entering any part of it is forbidden for Jews due to the sacred nature of the site.

    Simultaneously, videos have surfaced of Israeli forces brutally manhandling a young boy trying to enter the mosque at the Damascus gate of Jerusalem.
    In previous years, Israeli forces have also attacked Palestinian worshippers inside the mosque.

    Israeli children threw aid for Gaza in garbage

    Videos and pictures of extremist groups from Israel vandalising aid trucks for Gaza have emerged online where children could be seen throwing aid packages in the garbage.

    Meanwhile, more than 450,000 Palestinians have now fled southern Rafah city with another 100,000 evacuating the north as Israel’s military steps up ground incursions.

    Israeli jets bombed the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing scores of people including children. In the north, Israeli tanks, bulldozers, and armoured vehicles.

  • University students walk out on Jerry Seinfeld speech in protest on Palestine

    University students walk out on Jerry Seinfeld speech in protest on Palestine

    Many students of the esteemed Duke University left their graduation ceremony on Sunday, some of them shouting “Free Palestine” when guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, started giving a speech.

    Seinfeld is a known Zionist who has shown support for Israel during the Gaza genocide and according to media reports, sent money to the violent counter-agitators who attacked pro-Palestine student protestors at UCLA. A video on social media shows students in graduation robes and hats leaving the ceremony. Some were holding Palestinian flags. The ceremony was held in the university’s football stadium in North Carolina. Reuters confirmed the date and place of the video.

    One person wore a keffiyeh, a scarf often used to show support for Palestinians. Some others cheered “Jerry! Jerry!” when Seinfeld got an honorary degree. Seinfeld gave his speech without big interruptions.

    Many of you are probably thinking, ‘I can’t believe they asked him to come.’ But it’s too late,” he said, promising to “defend” the idea of privilege. “I believe you should use your privilege. I grew up as a Jewish kid from New York. That’s a privilege if you want to be a comedian,” he added.
    “We know that people feel strongly in our community, and just like we’ve done all year, we support everyone’s right at Duke to share their opinions peacefully. But we also want graduates and their families to enjoy their special day,” said Duke spokesperson Frank Tramble in a statement.

    Seinfeld has been to Israel and openly supported it since October 7, when Israel started the genocide in Gaza. This action led to more than 35,000 deaths including 15,000 children, as reported by health officials.
    The White House mentioned on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is okay with peaceful protests during college graduation ceremonies where he and other officials will speak. The walkout at Duke University’s graduation is the latest example of protests happening on US campuses. Students are asking universities to stop investing in companies that profit from war and to give amnesty to students and staff who have faced consequences for protesting.

    At Emerson College in Boston, there were interruptions during the president’s speech at their graduation ceremony on Sunday. Some students walked across the stage holding signs supporting Palestinians. One woman even unfurled a Palestinian flag.
    Because of these protests, some universities like Columbia in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, have canceled their graduation ceremonies this month. Others have changed the location or format of their ceremonies.

  • UN Security Council seeks inquiry into mass graves in Gaza

    UN Security Council seeks inquiry into mass graves in Gaza

    The UN Security Council on Friday called for an immediate and independent investigation into mass graves allegedly containing hundreds of bodies near hospitals in Gaza.

    In a statement, members of the council expressed their “deep concern over reports of the discovery of mass graves, in and around the Nasser and Al-Shifa medical facilities in Gaza, where several hundred bodies, including women, children and older persons, were buried.”

    The members stressed the need for “accountability” for any violations of international law and called on investigators to be given “unimpeded access to all locations of mass graves in Gaza to conduct immediate, independent, thorough, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigations.”

    Hospitals in the Gaza Strip have been repeatedly targeted since the beginning of the Israeli military operation in the Palestinian territory, following the October 7 attack.

    Israel has accused Hamas of using medical facilities as command centers and to hold hostages abducted during the initial attack.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said in April that Al-Shifa, in Gaza City, had been reduced to an “empty shell,” with many bodies found in the area.

    The Israeli army has said around 200 Palestinians were killed during its military operations there.

    Bodies have reportedly been found buried in two graves in the hospital’s courtyard.

    The UN rights office in late April had itself called for an independent investigation into reports of mass graves at Al-Shifa and at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis.

    Gaza officials said at the time that health workers at the Nasser complex had uncovered hundreds of bodies of Palestinians they alleged had been killed and buried by Israeli forces.

    Israel’s army has dismissed the claims as “baseless and unfounded.”

    The statement Friday from the Security Council did not say who would conduct the investigations.

    But it “reaffirmed the importance of allowing families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, consistent with international humanitarian law.”

    Israeli genocide against Palestinians has killed at least 34,943 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Friday.

  • Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    The 50th Met Gala took place this week — also known as the “Superbowl of Fashion”. Every year, celebrity outfits make headlines. But this year, it was different.

    The event coincided with Israel’s genocide taking place in Gaza — particularly the invasion of Rafah. Public, as well as residential areas have been targeted, 110,000 Palestinians have fled, while aid has been halted into the city.

    People, including staunch celebrity fans, are now calling for not only unfollowing but also blocking singers, actors, and other members of the entertainment industry on social media.

    We the People.Resist has compiled a list of celebrities who participated in The Met Gala and need to be “digitally guillotined” which they referred to as “Digitine”.

    People are calling out the celebrities for choosing to remain silent on the on-going genocide and ignorantly attending a mega event which often acts as a distraction from real-life issues demanding attention.

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

    Celebs ignoring Gaza genocide have karma coming their way with #blockout2024

  • Here’s why Selena Gomez said sorry to Palestine supporter

    Here’s why Selena Gomez said sorry to Palestine supporter

    Selena Gomez got into trouble after posting an innocuous picture on Instagram.In the picture, there was a Starbucks coffee cup in the background. People got really mad at her because she not only bought coffee from Starbucks but also showed it off on her platform. This upset people because there’s a global boycott against brands connected to or supporting Israel, and Starbucks is one of them.

    But some fans got upset, as Starbucks had been boycotted by supporters of the Palestinian cause and labour unions alike. One person criticized her for not knowing about the campaign against Israel called Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

    People who support the BDS campaign are asking others to stop supporting Starbucks as Israel continues genocide in Gaza. One fan commented, “She really deserves all the hate she can’t be that stupid,” saying that Selena Gomez can’t really be unaware that Starbucks is connected to Israel’s controversial apartheid of Palestinians.

    In reply, the singer directly addressed the criticism. She admitted she didn’t know about the issue and said sorry if she upset anyone. She responded to the comment, saying, “I did not know. So apparently I am that stupid. I’m sorry.”
    The criticism shows how much the BDS movement is growing. They want companies and people stop supporting Israel because of the conflict with Palestine.

    After Israel started a military operation on October 7, which led to the deaths of many Palestinians, people criticized Gomez for not showing support. When she said that one post wouldn’t make a difference, she faced a lot of criticism. Then, her makeup brand’s Instagram page posted about the crisis in Gaza and said they wanted to help. They also shared the donations they made to organizations like the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies – Magen David Adom and Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
    However, one X user pointed out how Gomez was still “both siding” the situation, especially given that Magen David Adom is Israel’s National Emergency Pre-Hospital Medical and Blood Services Organization. “She’s donating to Magen David Adom who support the IDF and the killing of Palestinian kids,” said the user of the site formerly known as Twitter. “This is a ‘both sides’ post. Why are you donating to MDA which is literally supporting the IDF? Supporting both sides is not activism.”

  • UNESCO awards press prize to Palestinian journalists in Gaza

    UNESCO awards press prize to Palestinian journalists in Gaza

    UNESCO on Thursday awarded its world press freedom prize to all Palestinian journalists covering the Israeli genocide against the people in Gaza since October 8, 2023.

    “In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances,” said Mauricio Weibel, chair of the international jury of media professionals.

    “As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression.”

    Audrey Azoulay, director general at the UN organisation for education, science and culture, said the prize paid “tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances”.

    According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 97 members of the press have been killed since the war broke out in October, 92 of whom were Palestinians.

  • More war debris in Gaza than Ukraine: UN

    More war debris in Gaza than Ukraine: UN

    Geneva (AFP) – The Gaza Strip is filled with more war debris and rubble than Ukraine, the head of UN demining operations for the narrow Palestinian territory said Wednesday.

    And the danger for clearance work is restricted not just to unexploded ordnance but includes possible exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos.

    The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) estimated the amount of debris in Gaza at 37 million tonnes in mid-April, or 300 kilogrammes per square metre.

    “Gaza has more rubble than Ukraine, and to put that in perspective, the Ukrainian front line is 600 miles (nearly 1,000 kilometres) long, and Gaza is 25 miles (40 km) long,” said Mungo Birch, head of the UNMAS programme in the Palestinian territories.

    But the sheer volume of rubble is not the only problem, said UNMAS.

    “This rubble is likely heavily contaminated with UXO (unexploded ordnance), but its clearance will be further complicated by other hazards in the rubble,” Birch told journalists.

    “There’s estimated to be over 800,000 tonnes of asbestos, for instance, alone in the Gaza rubble.” The cancer-causing mineral used in construction requires special precautions when handling.

    Birch said he hoped UNMAS, which works to mitigate the threats posed by all types of explosive ordnance, would become the coordination body for mine action in Gaza.

    It has secured $5 million of funding but needs a further $40 million to continue its work in Gaza over the next 12 months.

    However, “the sector as a whole will need hundreds of millions of US dollars over multiple years in order to make Gaza safe again for the population”, Birch added.

    Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,568 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry.

  • Palestinian prisoner in Israel wins top fiction prize

    Palestinian prisoner in Israel wins top fiction prize

    Palestinian writer Basim Khandaqji, jailed 20 years ago in Israel, won a prestigious prize for Arabic fiction on Sunday for his novel “A Mask, the Colour of the Sky”.

    The award of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

    The prize was accepted on Khandaqji’s behalf by Rana Idriss, owner of Dar al-Adab, the book’s Lebanon-based publisher.

    Khandaqji was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus in 1983, and wrote short stories until his arrest in 2004 at the age of 21.

    He was convicted and jailed on charges relating to a bombing in Tel Aviv, and completed his university education from inside jail via the internet.

    The mask in the novel’s title refers to the blue identity card that Nur, an archaeologist living in a refugee camp in Ramallah, finds in the pocket of an old coat belonging to an Israeli.

    Khandaqji’s book was chosen from 133 works submitted to the competition.

    Nabil Suleiman, who chaired the jury, said the novel “dissects a complex, bitter reality of family fragmentation, displacement, genocide, and racism”.

    Since being jailed Khandaqji has written poetry collections including “Rituals of the First Time” and “The Breath of a Nocturnal Poem”.

    He has also written three earlier novels.

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    © Agence France-Presse

  • 37 million tonnes of debris in Gaza could take years to clear: UN

    37 million tonnes of debris in Gaza could take years to clear: UN

    There are some 37 million tonnes of debris to clear away in Gaza once the Israeli offensive is over, a senior official with the UN Mine Action Service said Friday (Apr 26).

    And unexploded ordnance buried in the rubble would complicate that work, said UNMAS’ Pehr Lodhammar, who has run mine programmes in countries such as Iraq.

    It was impossible to say how much of the ammunition fired in Gaza remained live, said Lodhammar.

    “We know that typically there is a failure rate of at least 10% of land service ammunition,” he told journalists in Geneva.

    “What we do know is that we estimated 37 million tonnes of debris, which is approximately 300 kilos of debris per square metre,” he added.

    Starting from a hypothetical number of 100 trucks, that would take 14 years to clear away, he said.

    Lodhammar was speaking as UNMAS launched its 2023 annual report Friday.

    The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas erupted when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7.

    The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

    Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas, and its ensuing military offensive in Gaza has killed at least 34,356 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.