Haryana To Recruit 10,000 Skilled Workers For Israel
New Age Islam News Bureau
16 December 2023
Applicants
aspiring to join the recruitment drive are required to possess expertise in
various construction-related skills.
-----
·
Haryana To
Recruit 10,000 Skilled Workers For Israel
·
US
Religious Freedom Watchdog ‘Implores’ Biden Administration To Designate IndiaAs
A “Country Of Particular Concern”
·
Saudi
Human Rights Commission: Saudi Arabia Witnessing Unprecedented Reforms In Human
Rights
·
Iran,
China, Saudi Arabia Urge Swift Action To Stop Israel’s War Machine In Gaza
·
UNSC
Renews Mandate of Team Monitoring Sanctions on Islamic Emirate
-----
India
·
Assam CM
Assures Bill To Ban Polygamy To Be Introduced By February, 'Love Jihad' Clause
Likely
·
Foundation
Stone For Ayodhya Mosque Likely To Be Laid Next Year: BJP LeaderHaji Arfat
Shaikh
·
Supreme
Court Refuses To Stay Survey At Mathura Shahi Eidgah Mosque Complex
·
Oman
Sultan accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, holds bilateral
talks with PM Modi
·
Canada:
Indian-origin truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu who killed 16 in 2018 crash
loses deportation appeal
-----
North America
·
In
Solidarity With Palestinians: LGBTQ Muslims Call for Permanent Ceasefire in
Front of Stonewall
·
Muslim
Civil Rights Group Condemns GOP Senators' Treatment Of Muslim Court Pick
·
CAIR
Condemns Attempted Assassination of Al Jazeera Journalist, Desecration of Gaza
Cemeteries, Deadly Strike on U.N. School
·
CAIR
Condemns Sens. Cruz, Cotton and Hawley for ‘Islamophobic and Un-American’
Questioning of Muslim American Judicial Nominee Adeel Mangi
·
US
Congress allocates $156 million for fighting Islamic State in Syria
·
Pentagon
has ordered a US aircraft carrier to remain in the Mediterranean near Israel
-----
Arab World
·
Islamic
Military Counter Terrorism Coalition Chiefs of Staff Visit Coalition
Headquarters
·
Arab,
Islamic Officials Discuss Gaza Ceasefire During Oslo Visit
·
KSrelief’s
humanitarian efforts continue
·
Saudi
Arabia, Iran commit to implementing Beijing Agreement
----
Mideast
·
Relative
Of Released Israeli Hostage Asks Netanyahu To Stop Attacks Against Gaza
·
Hungry,
thirsty and humiliated: Israel’s mass arrest campaign sows fear in northern
Gaza
·
Al Jazeera
cameraman killed in Israeli drone strike on UN refugee centre
·
Lebanon’s
Hezbollah fires missiles at Israeli military positions in retaliation for Gaza
onslaught
·
Israel’s
UN Envoy: Hamas Attacked Al-Aqsa Mosque, Iron Dome Came To Defence
·
Israeli
armed forces killed three hostages by mistake, says military spokesperson
·
Israel
reopens Gaza aid crossing as US pushes for restraint
·
UN
denounces terrorist attack on police headquarters in southeastern Iran
·
Raeisi
urges punishment of Rask terror attack perpetrators
----
South Asia
·
Major
Rally Held in Kabul in Support for Palestine
·
India:
Diplomatic presence of the ‘Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’ continues in the
country
·
Canada
provides $21 million aid for Afghan refugees
·
Khalilzad:
Tensions high between Kabul and Islamabad
·
President,
PM greet people on Victory Day
-----
Pakistan
·
APS Tragedy
Strengthened Determination Of Nation Against Terrorism: Caretaker PM
·
Court
summons IK in illegal Nikkah case on 18th
·
Kashmir
Never Was, Nor Will Be Part Of India: Caretaker PM
-----
Southeast Asia
·
Bersatu MP
Challenges Anwar To Amend Constitution So That Only A Malay-Muslim Can Be M'siaPM
·
Number of
flood evacuees rises in Terengganu, Kelantan, drops in Selangor
·
Rohingya
issue relevant to be discussed at ASEAN-Japan Summit: Jokowi
·
More than
1,700 people arrested in Interpol weapons raids in Asia
-----
Africa
·
ECOWAS
Court Orders Release Of Deposed Niger President
·
Islamic
leaders laud CDS, military reaction toTudun-Biri incident
·
Niger:
West African court orders Mohamed Bazoum's "immediate" release
·
Sudan:
fighting spreads to Wad Madani, spared from violence until now
·
Senegal: 4
soldiers killed in the explosion of an anti-tank mine in Casamance
·
War
against terrorism a must win, says DHQ
------
Europe
·
UK urges
all parties in Gaza conflict 'to avoid deliberate attacks on journalists'
·
Germany
calls for investigation into killing of journalists in Israel-Palestine
conflict
·
Western
nations urge Israel to halt settler violence in West Bank
·
Britain,
partners call on Israel to tackle settler violence
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/israel-hamas-recruit-workers/d/131324
-----
Haryana To Recruit 10,000 Skilled
Workers For Israel
Applicants
aspiring to join the recruitment drive are required to possess expertise in
various construction-related skills.
-----
Dec 16, 2023
CHANDIGARH: Amid criticism of the
Haryana government over joblessness, a state public sector company - Haryana
Kaushal Rojgar Nigam (HKRN) - on Friday put out an advertisement for recruiting
10,000 skilled workers for Israel, where there is a massive shortage of
manpower in the construction sector since the start of the war with Hamas. As
per the vacancies advertised by HKRN, the minimum educational qualification for
the job is class X pass. The candidate should be in the 25 to 54 age group with
a minimum experience of three years. As per the advertisement, the salary will
be 6100 NIS (Israeli currency), which is around Rs 1.34 lakh per month as one
NIS is equivalent to Rs 22.
The candidates should have experience in
industrialised building formwork, wood formwork, ceramic tiling of floors and
walls, plastering work and iron bending. Those applying for these jobs are also
required to have sound knowledge of reading construction plans.
HKRN officials were not available for
comments.
The cancellation of work permits of
around 90,000 Palestinians due to the ongoing war has caused an acute shortage
of workers there. There were media reports that the Israel Builders'
Association is negotiating with India for availability of construction workers.
Interestingly, the Haryana government's
move has come just a day after junior minister of external affairs V
Muraleedharan informed the RS that the Centre has not held any discussions with
Israel regarding a possible replacement of Palestinian workers with Indians. He
was replying to a query by Congress MP K C Venugopal.
Junior Union minister for labour and
employment, Rameshwar Teli, in Parliament on July 20, in response to a question
by Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, had admitted that unemployment in Haryana
has increased by 315% since 2014.
As per the data placed before the
Haryana state assembly in August, as many as 5,43,874 youths seeking jobs were
registered with the employment exchanges in different districts of Haryana till
July. Jind district topped the list with 52,089 applications, followed by
Kaithal (47,593), Hisar (46,453), Karnal (42,446) and Yamunanagar (34,642).
Only 4,548 youths were registered in Gurgaon, 4,696 in Faridabad and 7,565 in
Panchkula.
Haryana has also advertised for
recruitment of 50 bouncers for Dubai and 120 staff nurses for the UK.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/haryana-to-recruit-10000-skilled-workers-for-israel/articleshow/106032950.cms
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US Religious Freedom Watchdog ‘Implores’
Biden Administration To Designate India As A “Country Of Particular Concern”
US
Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Image courtesy: USCIRF
Twitter
-----
16 December, 2023
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S.
religious freedom watchdog on Friday again called on the Biden administration
to designate India as a “country of particular concern” under the U.S.
Religious Freedom Act, citing its alleged targeting of religious minorities
overseas.
The U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal government commission, said
“recent efforts by the Indian government to silence activists, journalists, and
lawyers abroad pose a serious threat to religious freedom.”
“USCIRF implores the U.S. Department of
State to designate India a Country of Particular Concern due to India’s
systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or
belief,” it said in a statement.
USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck
called the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh
activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a plot to kill another Sikh
activist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in the United States “deeply troubling.”
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said
this month that an Indian national had worked with an unnamed Indian government
employee on the plot to assassinate a New York City resident who advocated for
a sovereign Sikh state in northern India. India’s government has denied
involvement in the plot.
The issue is highly delicate for both
India and the Biden administration as they try to build closer ties in the face
of an ascendant China perceived as a threat for both democracies.
USCIRF said it had recommended each year
since 2020 that the State Department label India a country of particular
concern, a designation under the 1998 U.S. Religious Freedom Act. The act
allows a range of policy responses, including sanctions or waivers, but they
are not automatic.
USCIRF Commissioner David Curry said
India’s extension of domestic repression to target religious minorities from
India living abroad “is especially dangerous and cannot be ignored.”
The Hindu-majority country’s foreign
ministry dismissed the recommendation when it was first issued in 2020,
criticizing “biased and tendentious comments.”
Source: theprint.in
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https://theprint.in/india/us-religious-freedom-watchdog-implores-biden-administration-to-designate-india/1888373/
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Saudi Human Rights Commission: Saudi
Arabia Witnessing Unprecedented Reforms In Human Rights
Assistant
President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) Zuhair Al-Zouman
addressing a session at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
------
December 15, 2023
GENEVA — Assistant President of the
Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) Zuhair Al-Zouman highlighted the
unprecedented reforms and developments that the Kingdom has undergone in the
realm of human rights since the adoption of Vision 2030.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia, under
its wise leadership, has a proactive political will responsive to everything
that would preserve human rights. He made the remarks while addressing a panel
discussion titled “Human rights reforms and developments in Saudi Arabia,”
organized by the Permanent Mission of the Gulf Cooperation Council to the
United Nations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
Al-Zouman said that Saudi Arabia has
achieved pioneering steps in several areas, including the rights of the
elderly, people with disabilities, women, and children. He said that this was
done by issuing regulations based on the human rights-based approach, including
provisions that aimed to enhance and protect the rights of these groups.
He also pointed out that the Kingdom has
been working to develop its legislative system for human rights by reviewing,
issuing, and amending various legislations, including those previously
announced by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Al-Zouman stressed that human rights
should always be the goal and not a means to achieve other goals that are out
of context, and on this basis, efforts should be combined. “We should cooperate
together to confront attempts of politicization and selectivity in applying
human rights standards, calling for all rights to be given the same weight of
focus and attention, in line with the complementarity and indivisibility of
human rights,” he said.
The HRC deputy chief expressed hope that
the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would
contribute to putting an end to what is happening in Gaza, and pave the way for
ending the suffering of the Palestinian people by establishing their
independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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the full text of the original
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/638730/SAUDI-ARABIA/Al-Zouman-Saudi-Arabia-witnessing-unprecedented-reforms-in-human-rights
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Iran, China, Saudi Arabia Urge Swift
Action To Stop Israel’s War Machine In Gaza
Photo: Pars
Today
-----
15
December 2023
Iran, China and Saudi Arabia have
jointly demanded urgent action to end Israel’s atrocities in the besieged Gaza
Strip, and provide sustainable relief to the Palestinians.
China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Deng Li
hosted Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali BagheriKani of Iran
and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji in
Beijing on Friday for the first time within the framework of the joint
committee of the three countries.
In a statement, the trio expressed
opposition to the forced displacement of the Palestinians, and underscored that
any future arrangement about Palestine must embody the will of its people and
support their right to establish their state and self-determination.
The diplomats also voiced concern about
the current critical circumstances in Gaza.
The three officials agreed on the next
meeting to be held in Saudi Arabia in June.
Also in the meeting, the diplomats
discussed the progress in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, including
the reopening of the respective embassies in Riyadh and Tehran.
The Iranian and Saudi diplomats
expressed appreciation for China’s influential part in the rapprochement
between Tehran and Riyadh and reaffirmed their full commitment to implementing the
Beijing Agreement.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/15/716438/iran-china-saudi-arabia-beijing-gaza
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UNSC Renews Mandate of Team Monitoring
Sanctions on Islamic Emirate
Photo: TOLO
News
----
Fatema Adeeb
December 15, 2023
The UN Security Council said in a
statement it has extended for another year the mandate of the team monitoring
sanctions on the “Taliban and associated individuals and entities, which threaten
Afghanistan’s peace, security and stability.”
The 15-member body, the statement said,
“unanimously adopted resolution 2716 (2023) (to be issued as document
S/RES/2716(2023)), directing the Monitoring Team to support the Committee
established by resolution 1988 (2011), designating sanctions on individuals,
groups, undertakings and entities found to be part of and linked to the
Taliban.”
“Further to the text, the Monitoring
Team is to gather information on instances of non-compliance with measures that
include the freezing of funds and assets, prevention of travel and supply or
transfer of arms and related equipment, established by resolution 2255 (2015),”
UNSC said. “It is also to facilitate, upon request of Member States, assistance
with capacity-building, and provide recommendations to the Committee for
actions to respond to non-compliance.”
The new mandate will expire in December
2024.
According to the statement, the US
ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, whose delegation was the penholder
on Afghanistan sanctions issues, welcomed the mandate’s renewal, saying the
voting result is a “confirmation of the continuing importance of the 1988
sanctions regime” in supporting peace and security in Afghanistan.
The Team’s reporting remains crucial to
understanding both the impact of the sanctions and the events on the ground in
Afghanistan, she said, adding that “these insights enable Member States to
track whether the Taliban follows through on its commitments,” including on
counter-terrorism, human rights for women and girls and unhindered humanitarian
access.
GengShuang, Chinese envoy at the UNSC,
stressed the need to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a hub for
terrorist organizations.
The international community must
integrate the country into “the family of nations," he said, expressing
appreciation for the provision encouraging the Monitoring Team to visit
Afghanistan and communicate with all Afghan parties.
He also urged the council to make timely
adjustments to sanctions measures to avoid any negative impact on the Afghan
people.
The team’s reports are a useful support
for the Committee, said Anna M. Evstigneeva, envoy of the Russian Federation.
She said they are pleased that the text
of the adopted resolution notes the importance of the travel of the team to
Afghanistan, which remains a key condition for the mandate’s implementation.
But the Islamic Emirate condemned the
decision, saying that the imposition of sanctions does not benefit any side.
“It is better that the countries and
organizations understand that the imposition of sanctions is not the solution.
The failed experiences will not be beneficial,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, the
Islamic Emirate’s spokesman.
The Islamic Emirate’s leaders within the
past two years have repeatedly voiced criticism over sanctions imposed on them
by the international community.
Source: tolonews.com
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-186501
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India
Assam CM Assures Bill To Ban Polygamy To Be Introduced By February, 'Love Jihad' Clause Likely
Dec 15, 2023
A bill to ban polygamy will be
introduced in the next session of the Assam assembly to be held in February,
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said here on Friday. The bill has been
formulated after months of consultations with various individuals and
organisations.
Talking to reporters, Sarma said, ''The
bill to ban polygamy will be placed on the floor of the Assam assembly which
will commence from February 4.'' The chief minister had earlier said that some
points would be incorporated in the bill with the objective to stop ''Love
Jihad'' in the state.
Officials said that the state government
had received as many as 149 suggestions in response to a public notice seeking feedback
on the proposed law to ban the practice of marrying multiple times.
Out of these, 146 suggestions were in
favour of the bill, indicating strong public support, they said. Three
organisations have expressed their opposition to the bill.
The state government issued a notice on
August 21 inviting public opinion on banning polygamy.
The notice requested people to submit
their views by August 30 through email or by post. Besides, an expert committee
was also formed by the state government to examine the legislative competence
of the state legislature to enact such a law in Assam.
The committee submitted its report to
Sarma after consultations with several people and organisations, affirming that
the state legislature is competent to enact such a law.
Source: dnaindia.com
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https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-assam-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-assures-bill-to-ban-polygamy-to-be-introduced-by-february-love-jihad-clause-3071737
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Foundation Stone For Ayodhya Mosque
Likely To Be Laid Next Year: BJP LeaderHaji Arfat Shaikh
December 15, 2023
Mumbai: The foundation stone of the
Masjid Mohammad bin Abdullah in Ayodhya is likely to be laid next year, and
saints, Pirs and clerics will be invited for the ceremony, people associated
with the project said on Friday.
The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation
(IICF) has been tasked with the construction of this mosque.
Haji Arfat Shaikh, chairman of the
Ayodhya mosque development committee, said when the mosque is ready in the next
five to six years, top clerics of all countries will be invited, including
Imam-e-Haram, who leads the Namaz at the Mecca masjid.
Mr Shaikh, a BJP leader and former
ex-minority commission chairman of Maharashtra, said the mosque will be
"more beautiful" than the iconic Taj Mahal.
"We will invite saints and pirs
from across the country for laying the foundation stone which is likely to
happen early next year," Mr Shaikh said.
Named after the Prophet, Masjid Mohammad
Bin Abdullah will be built in place of the Babri Masjid but at a different spot
in Dhannipur, 25km from Ayodhya.
The plot was given by the Uttar Pradesh
government to the Muslims in accordance with the Supreme Court order in the
Ayodhya Ram temple dispute.
"We are hoping to lay the
foundation stone for the mosque next year and we will invite clerics from
across the country for the ceremony," Zufar Ahmad Faruqi, president and
chief trustee of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation, said.
"Once the mosque is ready, we will
invite dignitaries from across the world," Mr Faruqi, also the chairman of
Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, said.
Besides the mosque, the mosque
development committee has envisaged colleges dedicated to different subjects
like dentistry, law, architecture, and international relations.
Additionally, two hospitals will come
up, including one for cancer treatment, Shaikh said, adding that a vegetarian
community center will also be built to cater to people of all faiths.
Source: ndtv.com
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https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/foundation-stone-for-ayodhya-masjid-mohammad-bin-abdullah-mosque-likely-to-be-laid-next-year-bjp-leader-4680420
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Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Survey At
Mathura Shahi EidgahMosque Complex
Dec 16, 2023
Allahabad High Court on Thursday went
ahead and directed the appointment of an advocate-commissioner to oversee the
survey of the mosque.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to
stay the survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque abutting the Krishna Janmabhoomi
temple in Mathura, observing that neither is a petition challenging the order
of survey before it nor does it consider it necessary to pass a restraining
order at this stage.
“At this stage, we won’t stay anything.
If there is any adverse order, you can come back...Should we be staying a
matter without the impugned order being in front of us,” a bench of justices
Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti asked senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared
for the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board and the Eidgah management committee.
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Responding, Ahmadi emphasised that the
high court must be asked to stay its hands since a related matter has already
been listed by the Supreme Court on January 9. “Why should the high court go
ahead when the very issue of whether they can proceed with the matter is
pending before this court?” asked Ahmadi.
By an order on November 10, the Supreme
Court fixed January 9 for considering the objections of the Eidgah committee
and UP Sunni Waqf Board to the high court order deciding to hear nearly 18
suits relating to Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute by transferring
them to itself from various civil courts in Mathura.
However, the high court on Thursday went
ahead and directed the appointment of an advocate-commissioner to oversee the
survey of the mosque, which Hindu petitioners say holds signs proving that it
was a once a Hindu temple, opening a new chapter in the decades-old dispute
that is part of a raft of cases where Hindu petitioners are pushing for legal
change to gain rights over Islamic holy sites.
To be sure, there has been no stay order
by the apex court against the proceedings before the high court.
Ahmadi, challenging the Thursday high
court order, urged the Supreme bench to issue a restraining order to stop the
high court from going ahead with the procedural directions regarding the survey
on December 18 when the matter will be heard next.
But the top court was not in favour of
this. The bench only recorded in its order that the hearing in the Supreme
Court is fixed on January 9 and that in case the petitioners have any grievance
against a particular order, it was open for them to file an appropriate
petition.
“We are not staying anything. What we
have recorded is good enough. You bring this order to the notice of the high
court. That’s it. We won’t record anything more,” the bench told Ahmadi.
When Ahmadi replied that the high court
has not been paying heed to the committee’s request to defer the proceeding
since their petition was pending at the top court, the bench said that the
committee will have to file a separate petition if they were to challenge the
order of survey.
“At present, the issue here is only of
the jurisdiction. The merits of the matter are not before us...You file your
appeal and we will see,” it added.
During the proceedings, Ahmadi
repeatedly pointed out that the committee will find it extremely difficult to
secure an urgent hearing from the top court if it is aggrieved by the December
18 order of the high court since the Supreme Court break for winter vacation is
from December 18 to December 31.
“Mr Ahmadi, if any urgent order is
required, you know the procedure,” the bench retorted.
The Supreme Court is seized of the
challenge to a May 26 order of the Allahabad high court, transferring to itself
all suits filed by Hindu parties claiming right over the mosque land. The
mosque committee has argued that it did not have the financial wherewithal to
defend the suits in the Allahabad high court which is 600km away and would
prefer having it in Delhi which is only 150 km away.
The May 26 order by the high court had
come on a plea by Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman at Katra Keshav Dev Khewat
Mathura (deity) through the next friend, Ranjana Agnihotri, who is also an
advocate, and seven others. “Next friend” is a legal representative of someone
incapable of maintaining a suit directly. The petitioners requested that the
original trial be conducted by the high court as the matter involved is of
national importance.
The mosque, in its petition before the
top court, questioned the maintainability of the suits after prolonged delay.
It has further argued that the suit is barred by the Places of Worship (Special
Provisions) Act, 1991 which protects the “character” of all places of worship
existing as on August 15, 1947 (barring the Ram Janmabhoomi land at Ayodhya)
and prohibits filing of any lawsuits to alter the character of any place of
worship.
On July 21, the bench observed that it
would be in the interest of all stakeholders if the matter is decided “at the
earliest” because pendency in such “sensitive” cases create “disquiet”. Adding
that it would lay down norms for hearing the clutch of suits related to the
dispute, the court had directed the high court registrar to send details of all
such pending cases. On the day, the Justice Kaul-led bench had also remarked
that it would be more appropriate for a high court judge to apply his mind
considering the complex nature of the case.
Multiple suits regarding the Krishna
Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Mosque land dispute pending before various courts in
Mathura have a common demand to reclaim the 13.37-acre land on which the mosque
stands to be returned to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust. The mosque abuts
the temple and the suits have sought to annul a compromise entered between the
mosque committee and Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh in 1968.
On Thursday, the Allahabad high court
ordered a survey by an advocate-commissioner. The survey will be conducted on
the lines of a similar but controversial exercise at the Gyanvapi Masjid in
Varanasi last year, when Hindu petitioners claimed that a disputed structure
found in the mosque premises was a “shivling”, though Muslims said it was part
of a ritual ablution fountain. The modalities of the survey will be discussed
at the next hearing on December 18.
The decision comes at a time when a
similar legal fight is roiling Varanasi in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi
Masjid case. In both cases, Hindu groups argue that temples were demolished by
Islamic rulers to build mosques, and therefore, the land should be returned to
Hindus.
The Gyanvapi case has also been pending
before the Supreme Court since May 2022, which has so far refused to stay the
proceedings before the Varanasi district judge. In that case too, the civil
court first appointed an advocate commissioner and later in July this year, a
full scientific survey of the mosque premises by the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) was ordered to determine if the 17th century structure was built
upon a pre-existing temple. The Supreme Court, at different points in time,
refused to stay these orders when appealed against by the Gyanvapi mosque
committee.
A batch of petitions — some seeking to
scrap the 1991 Act and some others asking for tight enforcement of the same law
— are pending before the top court since March 2021. The court has asked for
the government’s stance in the case; last September, Chief Justice of India
Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, while hearing the Gyanvapi case, observed that the
religious character of a site also had to be led by evidence.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-refuses-to-stay-survey-at-eidgah-mosque-complex-101702663180195.html
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Oman Sultan accorded ceremonial
reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, holds bilateral talks with PM Modi
Dec 16, 2023
Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik arrived in
India on a three-day state visit on Friday.
The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik,
was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in
New Delhi on Saturday.
Tarik arrived in India on a three-day
state visit on Friday. He was received by Union minister of state for external
affairs V Muraleedharan. The Sultan arrived in India at the invitation of
President Droupadi Murmu.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and President Murmu received the Sultan at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The
sultan then inspected a Guard of Honour by the combined defence services.
Following this, Modi and the Sultan
arrived at Hyderabad House in Delhi to hold bilateral talks. The prime minister
will also host a luncheon in Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik's honour.
Earlier, the official spokesperson for
MEA, Arindam Bagchi, said the visit by the Sultan of Oman will further boost
the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
"His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin
Tarik of Oman arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi on his first State Visit
to India. Received by @MOS_MEA at the airport. The visit will further reinforce
the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India & Oman and
strengthen bilateral ties," Bagchi posted from his official handle on X.
The MEA noted that the maiden State
visit by the Sultan of Oman marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic
relations between New Delhi and Muscat.
India-Oman relations
India and Oman share a long-standing
friendship rooted in historical, cultural, and economic ties. Furthermore,
people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back 5,000 years.
The diplomatic relations between the two
countries were established in 1955 and were upgraded to a strategic partnership
in 2008.
According to the MEA, Oman is India's
closest defence partner in the Gulf region as well, with defence cooperation
emerging as a key pillar of the strategic partnership between the two
countries.
Oman is the only country in West Asia
with which all three services of the Indian Armed Forces conduct regular
bilateral exercises and service-level staff talks.
India also extended a special invitation
to the Sultanate of Oman to participate in the G20 Summit and meetings as a
guest country under India's G20 Presidency, according to ANI
Oman participated in over 150 working
group meetings, with nine of its ministers taking part in various G20
ministerial meetings.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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Canada: Indian-origin truck driver
Jaskirat Singh Sidhu who killed 16 in 2018 crash loses deportation appeal
Dec 16, 2023
NEW DELHI: Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the
Indian-origin truck driver responsible for the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus
crash in Canada, has failed in his attempt to avoid deportation to India, as
reported by CBC News.
Sidhu, who pleaded guilty to dangerous
driving charges, saw his bid to remain in Canada dismissed by a judge. The
devastating crash occurred on April 6, 2018, at the intersection of
Saskatchewan Highway 35 and Saskatchewan Highway 335, resulting in 16 fatalities
and 13 injuries.
Having received an eight-year prison
sentence, Sidhu had been employed for less than a month before the accident.
The newly married permanent resident drove through a stop sign near Tisdale,
Saskatchewan, colliding with the junior hockey team's bus on its way to a
playoff game.
Earlier this year, Sidhu was granted
parole, and the Canada Border Services Agency recommended his deportation.
Despite arguments from Sidhu's lawyer, Michael Greene, emphasizing his clean
criminal record and remorse, the Federal Court upheld the decision.
Chief Justice Paul Crampton acknowledged
the tragic consequences of the crash but deemed the border officials'
assessment fair. Crampton emphasized the "extraordinary degree of genuine,
heart-wrenching remorse" but stated that Sidhu now faces deportation to
India after years of building a life in Canada.
While Sidhu has the option to request to
stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, families affected by the crash
hold differing views on his deportation. Some, like Toby Boulet, desire Sidhu's
removal, expressing a lack of ill feelings but a strong wish not to encounter
him. Chris Joseph, who lost his son in the crash, supports the decision,
viewing it as the right message.
However, Scott Thomas, the father of one
victim, Evan Thomas, forgives Sidhu and has advocated for him to remain in
Canada. Thomas believes Sidhu will carry the consequences of his actions for
the rest of his life, regardless of his location.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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North America
In Solidarity With Palestinians: LGBTQ
Muslims Call for Permanent Ceasefire in Front of Stonewall
December 15, 2023
Zane McNeill , TRUTHOUT
“Queer Muslim New Yorkers are rising up
in solidarity with Palestinians, and through a queer Muslim-led interfaith
prayer, they will stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people who are
facing genocide, starvation, and ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Israeli
government backed by the United States,” organizers said in a statement.
LGBTQ activists raised colorful signs
reading “ceasefire now” and “free Palestine” as dozens of people gathered on
prayer mats outside of the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights in
the country. The action, endorsed by seven LGBTQ and Palestinian rights groups,
was a resounding call for a permanent ceasefire from faith communities.
“Queer communities face historical
discrimination, prejudice, violence, criminalization, lack of proper healthcare
and/or gender affirming care, and more — and here in the U.S. queer activists
have been rising up against increased LGBTQ+ attacks, yet their struggles are
being exploited in a dangerous narrative war to suggest that there would be no
place for queer people in Palestine,” organizers said.
Since October 7, Israel has waged a
genocidal bombing campaign against Palestinians in Gaza, killing more than
18,600 Palestinians and injuring more than 50,500. According to an Office of
the Director of National Intelligence assessment reported by CNN, 40 percent of
the bombs that Israel has used on Gaza are unguided bombs designed to maximize
civilian harm.
Over the past few months, millions of
people across the world have protested the genocide in Gaza and demanded a
permanent ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately
said that he is concerned that political pressure overseas may threaten the
U.S. arms shipments that Israel relies on. According to intelligence figures
provided to Congress and reported by The Washington Post, Israel has deployed
over 22,000 U.S.-produced bombs on Gaza since October 7.
“There are huge demonstrations in
western capitals,” Netanyahu said, according to the Financial Times. “We need
to apply counter-pressure … There have been disagreements with
the best of our friends.”
One of the tactics used by the Israeli
government to elicit support for Israel’s war on Gaza is pinkwashing. The
Israeli government has used pinkwashing as a strategy since 2009 to obfuscate
its apartheid and occupation of Palestine by drawing attention to Israel’s record
on LGBTQ rights.
“Pinkwashing is a form of propaganda
marshaled by supporters of the right-wing Israeli state to draw attention to
the state’s purported advanced LGBTQ rights record in order to detract
attention from its gross violations of Palestinian human rights,” Sa’edAtshan,
an associate professor of peace and conflict studies and anthropology at
Swarthmore College, recently wrote for Truthout. “Pinkwashers want us to ignore
Israel’s atrocities by giving the state an LGBTQ-friendly veneer.”
In recent instances of pinkwashing on
social media, Israeli soldiers hoisted a rainbow flag amid the ruins of Gaza
and shared an image of same-sex marriage proposal, despite the fact that
same-sex marriage is not legalized in Israel.
“We are here to continue to bring
attention to this genocide while building our collective resilience in order to
fight this occupation. We are here to say there is no pride in genocide. That
we demand an end to pinkwashing and using our trans/queer bodies, stories and
struggles to fuel Islamophobia and settler colonialism,” RafaKidvai, a queer
Pakistani parent from Brooklyn and one of the organizers of the Queer Muslim
Jummah, said in a statement.
Despite queer supporters of Israel
claiming that Palestine is devoid of LGBTQ people, queer Palestinians have
shared their stories on the platform Queering the Map.
“Pls know despite what the media says
there are gay Palestinians. We are here, we are queer free Palestine,” one
story by an LGBTQ Palestinian reads.
Source: truthout.org
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-----
Muslim Civil Rights Group Condemns GOP
Senators' Treatment Of Muslim Court Pick
Dec 15, 2023
Jennifer Bendery
The Council on American-Islamic
Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the country, on
Friday denounced three Republican senators for their treatment of President Joe
Biden’s historic judicial nominee Adeel Mangi during his recent confirmation
hearing.
GOP Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Tom Cotton
(Ark.) and Josh Hawley (Mo.) berated and interrupted Mangi in his Wednesday
hearing in the Senate judiciary committee, demanding that Mangi, who is Muslim,
share his personal views on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Oct. 7
terrorist attack in Israel and the Israeli-Hamas conflict in general.
Mangi, if confirmed, will be the
nation’s first ever Muslim American appeals court judge, and only the third
Muslim American federal judge. Biden nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the 3rd Circuit, based in Philadelphia.
“We strongly condemn Senators Tom
Cotton, Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley for subjecting Mr. Mangi to irrelevant,
hostile questions about Israel and Palestine,” Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s
national deputy director, said in a statement.
“Singling out a Muslim judicial nominee
and forcing him to answer ‘gotcha questions’ about the Middle East simply
because of faith or because of his tangential connections to Muslims who
comment on the Middle East is Islamophobic and un-American,” Mitchell said. “So
is raising the hateful trope that presumptively assumes that Muslims are
antisemitic.”
Mitchell called on all senators “to
reject this nonsense and start assessing Muslim American judicial nominees
based on their expertise and qualifications, like all other nominees.”
Questions about personal views are
inappropriate for any judicial nominee, as they are only supposed to talk about
their legal expertise. Even so, the line of questioning that Mangi faced was
particularly offensive, given that he is Muslim and repeatedly had to attest
that he wasn’t antisemitic or sympathetic to terrorists.
At best, the Republican senators’
questioning was terrible optics. At worst, it was plainly Islamophobic.
During his hearing, Cruz repeatedly
pressed Mangi, who is a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, to
say where he stands on the Israeli-Hamas conflict and if he sees any
justification for the Hamas militants’ terrorist attacks. Mangi repeatedly
denounced terrorism.
“I have no patience ― none ― for any
attempts to justify or defend those events,” Mangi said of the Oct. 7 attacks,
which killed some 1,200 Israelis.
Cruz also tried to tie Mangi to a
professor at Rutgers Law School who signed on to a 2021 pro-Palestinian letter
denouncing the “colonial conditions” that Palestinians live under. That
professor was associated with a center at Rutgers Law for which Mangi served on
a panel that met once a year to advise on academic research.
“Do you believe that Israel is an
occupying force in Palestine?” Cruz asked, referring to the letter that
professor had signed.
Mangi said he had no idea about the
letter, and reiterated that he served on an advisory board that met annually
and focused only on academic research at the law school.
But Cruz kept pressing him to say if he
agreed with pro-Palestinian sentiments, and Mangi responded each time by saying
he wasn’t in a position to weigh in on policy issues and that he only served on
an academic advisory panel.
Cruz’s questioning became so hostile
that Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the committee chair, banged his gavel several
times to tell Cruz to knock it off.
Cotton similarly tried to tie Mangi to a
speaker at one of the center’s events who claimed that Jewish people are
“colonial settlers” in Israel.
Mangi said, again, that his only
connection to Rutgers Law was the academic advisory panel that met once a year,
and that he didn’t know anything about that event or its speakers. He also
said, again, that the Israeli-Hamas conflict is a policy matter and
inappropriate for him to weigh in on.
That didn’t stop Hawley from using his
time, too, to press Mangi on his views on Israel. He asked Mangi if believes
that Israel is a colonial state. Mangi reiterated that he is not an expert on
the Middle East, and that policy questions about this weren’t relevant to why
he was there that day.
“I have no basis as a judicial nominee
to cast a view on the Middle East,” Mangi said.
Durbin apologized to Mangi for the way
he was treated, and noted that his nomination was endorsed by the National
Council of Jewish Women.
Republican senators have “reached a new
low,” Durbin said, “hurling unfounded accusations of antisemitism at an
historic Muslim American judicial nominee today.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), also on the
committee, said it was shameful to watch how Mangi was treated. Booker
recommended Mangi’s nomination to the White House.
“I do know that Muslim Americans who
have strong views of condemning antisemitism, condemning terrorism, are often
forced to answer questions like that over and over again,” Booker said. “That,
in itself, for so many Muslim Americans is insulting and unfortunate.”
Source: huffpost.com
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CAIR Condemns Attempted Assassination of
Al Jazeera Journalist, Desecration of Gaza Cemeteries, Deadly Strike on U.N.
School
Ismail Allison
December 15, 2023
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/15/2023) – The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil
rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the attempted assassination
of an Al Jazeera journalist by Israeli forces, the desecration of Gaza
cemeteries by Israeli troops in Gaza, and a deadly airstrike targeting a UN
school in Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive
Director Nihad Awad said:
“We condemn these latest war crimes,
including the targeting of independent journalists in Gaza, and we call on the
Biden administration to do the same. Because the Israeli government refuses to
allow western journalists safe and regular access to Gaza, local journalists
like Wael Al-Dahdouh are the only sources of independent reporting on the
impact of the Israeli government’s war crimes.
That’s why the Israeli military keeps
targeting journalists and their families. This must end. So must the broader
genocide, cultural erasure and ethnic cleansing of the Gaza.
LATEST ISRAELI WAR CRIMES:
Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Wael
al-Dahdouh, who lost much of his family in an Israeli airstrike in October, was
injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in the Gaza town of Khan Younis
today. Another journalist, SamerAbudaqa, was also injured in the strike. He
remained near the scene of the incident for about two hours, as paramedics were
unable to reach the site due to Israeli fire. The ambulance had to receive
prior approval from Israeli forces before reaching Abudaqa. His medical
condition is currently unknown.
Two Al Jazeera journalists wounded in
Israeli attack in southern Gaza
According to the New York Times, Israeli
forces have reportedly damaged or destroyed at least six cemeteries since their
ground assault on Gaza. In the Shajaiyeneighborhood of Gaza City, Israeli
forces razed part of the Tunisian cemetery to set up a military position.
Earlier this month, Israeli forces destroyed dozens of graves at a smaller
cemetery nearby. On the same day, in the Jabaliyaneighborhood of Gaza City,
satellite images showed tracks and possible military vehicles at Al-Faluja
cemetery. Later images showed damage to graves but no established military
positions.
An Israeli airstrike on a UN school in
Khan Yunis reportedly killed 33 people according to officials at the Nasser
Medical Complex.
He noted that a new US intelligence
assessment concluded that nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions that
Israel has used in Gaza have been unguided, also known as “dumb bombs.”
Unguided munitions are typically less precise and can pose a greater threat to
civilians.
Yesterday, CAIR condemned the Israeli
government’s celebration of IDF troops who took over and desecrated a mosque in
the West Bank as an “attack on Islam.”
OTHER RECENT ISRAELI WAR CRIMES:
Earlier this week, CAIR said the
far-right Israeli government’s controlled demolition of a U.N. school in Gaza
is “further evidence of the ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.”
Video posted online shows a man,
reportedly with special needs, being detained by Israeli soldiers and then shot
at point-blank range.
CAIR condemned an Israeli attack on
another hospital in Gaza and said the Biden administration is actively
participating in Israel’s “ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian
people.”
CAIR condemned another “war crime of the
day” – the slaughter of at least 50 civilians in airstrikes on two UN-run
schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza.
CAIR recently called on the Biden
administration to address reporting that the U.S. supplied the Israeli
government with white phosphorus used in attacks on civilian areas.
The Israeli government’s extremist
leaders have declared that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, justified
cutting off water, electricity and other basic necessities because Palestinians
are ‘human animals,’ embraced an ancient biblical verse about the mass
slaughter of an entire city from animals to infants, demanded a million residents
of northern Gaza leave their homes or face death, and announced that the aim of
the bombing in Gaza was destruction rather than accuracy.
CAIR said a new report by Heritage for
Peace detailing Israel’s ongoing destruction of Palestinian cultural sites
shows its desire to entirely “eliminate Palestinian existence.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR questioned
whether Western leaders even regard Palestinians as “human” after more than 700
women, children and men were massacred by Israel within just the last 24
hours.
CAIR condemned the “Israeli war crime of
the day” after more than 100 men, women and children were killed in the bombing
of residential buildings hosting displaced families in Gaza’s Jabalia refugee
camp.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil
rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American
Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las
libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y
empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
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CAIR Condemns Sens. Cruz, Cotton and
Hawley for ‘Islamophobic and Un-American’ Questioning of Muslim American
Judicial Nominee Adeel Mangi
Ismail Allison
December 15, 2023
(WASHINGTON, DC – 12/15/2023) The
Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights
and advocacy organization, today condemned Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and
Josh Hawley for their “Islamophobic and un-American” questioning of Muslim
American attorney Adeel Mangi, who has been nominated to serve on the Third
Circuit Court of Appeals.
During a Senate hearing on Mr. Mangi’s
nomination, Senators Cruz, Cotton and Hawley questioned Mangi about numerous
issues unrelated to him and judicial service, including the 9/11 attacks, the
Oct. 7th attack in Israel, policy issues related to the Israeli occupation of
Palestine, and false claims of antisemitism.
President Biden nominated Mangi to serve
on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals last month. If confirmed, he would be the
first Muslim American to ever serve on an appeals court. Mangi currently works
in private practice and is known for defending religious rights of American
Muslim communities banned from constructing mosques.
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy
Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We strongly condemn Senators Tom
Cotton, Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley for subjecting Mr. Mangi to irrelevant, hostile
questions about Israel and Palestine. Singling out a Muslim judicial nominee
and forcing him to answer ‘gotcha questions’ about the Middle East simply
because of faith or because of his tangential connections to Muslims who
comment on the Middle East is Islamophobic and un-American. So is raising the
hateful trope that presumptively assumes that Muslims are antisemitic. All U.S.
senators should reject this nonsense and start assessing Muslim American
judicial nominees based on their expertise and qualifications, like all other
nominees.”
Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and
Senator Corey Booker, who introduced Mangi, rebutted the line of
questioning.
Senator Booker said, “I do know that
Muslim Americans who have strong views of condemning anti-Semitism, condemning
terrorism are often forced to answer questions like that over and over again.
That in itself for so many Muslim Americans is insulting and unfortunate.”
Senator Durbin said, “Senate Judiciary
Republicans reached a new low, hurling unfounded accusations of antisemitism at
an historic Muslim-American judicial nominee today.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil
rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American
Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las
libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y
empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-sens-cruz-cotton-and-hawley-for-islamophobic-and-un-american-questioning-of-muslim-american-judicial-nominee-adeel-mangi/
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US Congress allocates $156 million for
fighting Islamic State in Syria
15/12/2023
The US Congress approved the budget for
the US Department of Defense for the year 2024, with a total amount of $842
billion, of which $156 million is allocated for fighting the Islamic State (IS)
group in Syria.
The budget includes $398 million for the
Syria and Iraq Train and Equip Fund to enhance the capabilities of the
Department of Defense partner forces in combating IS and providing a “safe and
humanitarian” detention for its fighters, according to the US Department of
Defense.
The funding for combating IS in Syria
has decreased by approximately $9 million compared to 2023.
The funding for Iraq in 2024 also
decreased from $322 million to $242 million compared to the current year,
according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency.
The defense budget is awaiting the
signature of US President Joe Biden for it to become law.
Washington remains committed to “Kurdish
groups”
In an interview with the former US
Ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, he stated that the administration of
President Joe Biden will not abandon the Kurdish People’s Protection Units
(YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whom they consider local
partners.
In the interview he conducted with the
Turkish Anadolu Agency on Thursday, December 14, Ford explained that the Biden
administration insists on keeping US forces in eastern Syria and that they need
a local partner there. He considered the People’s Protection Units as the
American local partner in Syria for the past ten years.
Regarding Turkey’s position, Ford
emphasized that the Biden administration is aware of Turkey’s concerns about
this partnership, but the White House will not change its position on this
matter. The US administration believes that these “Kurdish groups” that were
armed to fight IS will not contribute to the permanent elimination of the
organization, citing their conflicts with Arab tribes in DeirEzzor.
These statements were preceded by
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s confirmation last week that Turkey
will secure areas near its borders where “terrorists” are gathered,
particularly in the Tal Rifaat area in northern Syria.
Ford considered the recent rejection by
the US Senate of a bill to withdraw US forces from Syria as an indication of
political support for the US military presence in eastern Syria.
Source: enabbaladi.net
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Pentagon has ordered a US aircraft
carrier to remain in the Mediterranean near Israel
December 16, 2023
WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Lloyd
Austin has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and one other
warship to remain in the Mediterranean Sea for several more weeks to maintain a
two-carrier presence near Israel as its war with Hamas grinds on, US officials
said.
It would be the third time the Ford’s
deployment has been extended, underscoring the continued concerns about
volatility in the region during Israel’s war in Gaza. The US has two aircraft
carriers in the region, a rarity in recent years.
Multiple US officials confirmed the
longer deployments approved this week for the Ford and the USS Normandy cruiser
on condition of anonymity because they have not yet been made public. Other
ships in the Ford’s strike group had already had their deployments extended.
The Pentagon ramped up its military
presence in the region after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks to deter Iran from widening
the war into a regional conflict. In the months since, Iranian-backed militants
in Iraq and Syria have seized on the war to conduct regular attacks with
rockets, drones and missiles on US military installations there.
At the same time, US warships in the Red
Sea have intercepted incoming missiles fired toward Israel from areas of Yemen
controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. They’ve also shot down one-way
attack drones headed toward the ships and responded to calls for assistance
from commercial vessels that have come under persistent Houthi attacks near the
narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
As of Friday, there are 19 US warships
in the region, including seven in the eastern Mediterranean and 12 more
stretched down the Red Sea, across the Arabian Sea and up into the Arabian
Gulf.
Austin ordered the Ford and its strike
group to sail to the eastern Mediterranean on Oct. 8, a day after the attack by
Hamas that set off the war.
The decision to keep the Ford — the
Navy’s newest aircraft carrier — in the region comes as Israel’s defense
minister, Yoav Gallant, said Thursday it will take months to destroy Hamas,
predicting a drawn-out war.
US national security adviser Jake
Sullivan met with Israeli leaders to discuss a timetable for winding down major
combat in Gaza, but they repeated their determination to press the fight until
Hamas is crushed.
The Ford’s roughly 5,000 sailors have
been waiting for a Pentagon decision on whether they would get to go home for
the holidays. The ship left Norfolk, Virginia, in early May to deploy to US
European Command, and under its original schedule it would have been home by
early November.
The original plan was for the USS Dwight
D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group to replace the Ford in the region.
But Sabrina Singh, in a Pentagon briefing on Oct. 17, said Austin had decided
to extend the Ford’s deployment and have both the Eisenhower and Ford covering
the waters from southern Europe to the Middle East.
US military commanders have long touted
the effectiveness of American aircraft carriers as a deterrent, including
against attacks, hijackings and other aggressive behavior by Iran and its
ships, including strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis.
Officials said the plan is to keep the
Ford there for several more weeks.
The Eisenhower is in the Gulf of Oman
and has been patrolling in the Middle East along with the USS Philippine Sea, a
Navy cruiser. And three warships — the USS Carney, the USS Stethem and the USS
Mason, all Navy destroyers — have been moving through the Bab el-Mandeb daily
to help deter and respond to attacks from the Houthis.
Other ships that are part of the Ford’s
strike group include the destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney,
and USS Roosevelt.
While the US regularly maintained two
aircraft carriers in the Middle East during the height of the Iraq and
Afghanistan wars, in recent years it has tried to turn its attention and naval
presence to the Asia Pacific.
Source: arabnews.com
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-----
Arab World
Islamic Military Counter Terrorism
Coalition Chiefs of Staff Visit Coalition Headquarters
15 Dec, 2023
The chiefs of staff of countries of the
Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) and the supporting
countries, including Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
General Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, visited the headquarters of the coalition in
Riyadh, and they were received by IMCTC Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed
bin Saeed Al-Moghedi and representatives of member states in the coalition.
The chiefs of staff listened to a briefing
about the coalition's most important actions and strategic initiatives and its
mechanisms for coordinating and unifying the efforts of member states to serve
the Islamic world and the international community by eliminating terrorism.
They were also briefed on the coalition's latest reports, statistics,
monitoring, and follow-up operations, which are concerned with terrorist groups
and organizations around the world.
Source: alriyadhdaily.com
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Arab, Islamic officials discuss Gaza
ceasefire during Oslo visit
December 15, 2023
RIYADH: Arab and Islamic officials on
Friday held talks with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and foreign
ministers of Nordic and Benelux countries in Oslo, the Saudi foreign ministry
said.
The members of the Ministerial Committee
assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit under the chairmanship
of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan included foreign ministers
of Qatar, Jordan, Palestine, Turkiye and the secretary-general of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
They met their counterparts from Norway,
Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
During the talks, they discussed the
dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip, and the continuation of the Israeli
military escalation toward unarmed civilians, renewing their unified position
against Israel’s continued aggression against the Palestinian people in the
besieged enclave.
They called for an immediate and
complete ceasefire, and to ensure the protection of civilians, as stipulated in
international humanitarian law.
The members of the committee also called
for addressing all the flagrant violations practiced by the Israeli occupation
forces against the Palestinian people, which increase the humanitarian tragedy
and hinder the entry of urgent humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip,
They stressed the importance of holding
Israel accountable for the ongoing violations in the Gaza Strip and the
occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which violate international law
and international humanitarian law.
The members of the committee stressed
the importance of taking serious and urgent steps to ensure the securing of
relief corridors for the delivery of urgent humanitarian, food and medical aid
to the Gaza Strip, expressing their refusal to restrict the entry of humanitarian
aid quickly and safely.
The members of the committee reiterated
the need for creating serious political conditions that lead to the
establishment of a Palestinian state, expressing their rejection of
compartmentalizing the Palestinian issue and discussing the future of the Gaza
Strip separately from the overall Palestinian issue.
“We need a ceasefire now and we need
immediate, full, and unrestricted humanitarian access,” said Saudi Foreign
Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Citing last week’s UN General Assembly
vote calling for a halt to the fighting, the minister said: “Clearly, the
international community has spoken and I hope we can implement that desire.”
“There is a growing understanding that
we cannot talk about what next in the context of Gaza… we need to talk about what next in the
context of Palestine.”
Prince Faisal said a state for the
Palestinian people would bring about an end to the cycle of violence.
“We have known this for decades, and it
is time to bring that into action”
Prince Faisal bin Farhan then held talks
with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, during his visit to Oslo,
where they discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and Norway and ways to
enhance cooperation in various fields.
They also addressed the recent
developments in the Gaza Strip and the importance of taking urgent steps to
implement a ceasefire.
The ministers discussed the significance
of establishing a conducive political environment to achieve a comprehensive
and just peace. This includes guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the
Palestinian people and contributing to international security and peace.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief’s humanitarian efforts continue
December 16, 2023
RIYADH: The humanitarian efforts of
Saudi aid agency KSrelief continue to aid people around the world.
The agency distributed 5000 cartons of
dates to the displaced families in Sudan, and 500 cartons in Chad, the Saudi
Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In Somalia, KSrelief distributed 1,200
cartons of food packages, benefiting 7,200 individuals.
In Lebanon, the agency distributed
winter clothing vouchers benefiting 1700 Syrian and Palestinian refugees, as part
of the center’sKanaf 2023 project.
Ksrelief also continues to provide
medical services in countries of need, the Noor Saudi volunteer project to
combat blindness and the diseases that cause it in Djibouti concluded its
mission. The team examined 3500 individuals, distributed 400 eyeglasses, and
performed 300 cataract surgeries.
In Socotra, KSrelief carried out 10
urology surgeries with the participation of 8 volunteers from various medical
specialties. The team also examined 260 patients.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia, Iran commit to
implementing Beijing Agreement
December 15, 2023
JEDDAH: The first meeting of the
Saudi-Chinese-Iranian Tripartite Joint Committee concluded in Beijing on Friday
with the Saudi and Iranian delegations pledging their commitment to
implementing the Beijing Agreement.
Wang Yi — a member of the Political
Bureau of the Central Committee, director of the Chinese Communist Party
Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission Office, and minister of foreign
affairs — chaired a group meeting with the heads of the Saudi and Iranian
delegations, the deputy ministers of foreign affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji
and Ali BagheriKani, respectively.
The talks revolved around the improved
relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran following the Beijing agreement reached
between both countries under Chinese auspices in March, the reopening of the
embassies of both countries in Riyadh and Tehran, and the meetings and mutual
visits of both nations’ foreign ministers.
The Saudi and Iranian delegations
praised China for its important role in hosting the meeting and pledged their
commitment to implementing the terms of the Beijing Agreement.
The three parties discussed aspects of
tripartite cooperation in various fields, while raising concerns over the
ongoing situation in Gaza — which they said posed a threat to regional and
global peace and security — and calling for an immediate cessation of military
operations in the Strip.
They also expressed the need for a
sustainable system of civilian aid and slammed the forced displacement of
Palestinians. Any decision regarding Palestine’s future must reflect the will
of the Palestinian people, the trio added, and uphold the right for them to
establish their own state and determine their own destiny.
It was agreed that the next meeting of
the tripartite would be held in Saudi Arabia in June.
Saudi Arabia and Iran both thanked China
for hosting the meeting and for its role in mediating between Riyadh and
Tehran.
The three sides also expressed concern
over the situation in Gaza and said that any solution to the conflict must
adhere to the will of the Palestinian people.
Source: arabnews.com
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-----
Mideast
Relative of released Israeli hostage
asks Netanyahu to stop attacks against Gaza
Muhammed Semiz
16.12.2023
Hen Avigdori, whose daughter and husband
were released in a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, said Friday it
was not possible to save Israeli hostages and requested that the Israeli
premier stop attacks against Gaza, according to media reports.
The Maariv newspaper published a letter
sent to Netanyahu by Avigdori after the Israeli army announced it had
accidentally killed three hostages in Gaza.
Avigdori wrote that there was no time or
military means to rescue the hostages.
The Israeli army announced Friday it
"mistakenly" killed three Israeli hostages during fighting in Gaza.
Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari
described the incident as "tragic" and said the army "bears
responsibility,” according to the Times of Israel news website.
“This is an area where the (Israeli)
soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers," he said.
He identified two of the hostages who
were killed as Yotam Haim and SamerTalalka, but did not identify the third upon
request by his family.
Netanyahu mourned the three hostages
Friday and said it was "an unbearable tragedy."
"Together with the entire people of
Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the fall of three of our dear
sons who were taken hostage," he wrote on X.
"The entire State of Israel mourns
this evening," he said, adding that "necessary lessons" will be
learned.
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from
the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation
for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 18,800 Palestinians have since
been killed and 51,000 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s
health authorities.
The Israeli death toll in the Hamas
attack stands at 1,200, while more than 130 hostages are still held by the
Palestinian group in Gaza, according to official figures.
Source: aa.com.tr
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Hungry, thirsty and humiliated: Israel’s
mass arrest campaign sows fear in northern Gaza
December 15, 2023
DEIR AL-BALAH: The Israeli military has
rounded up hundreds of Palestinians across the northern Gaza Strip, separating
families and forcing men to strip to their underwear before trucking some to a
detention camp on the beach, where they spent hours, in some cases days,
subjected to hunger and cold, according to human rights activists, distraught
relatives and released detainees themselves.
Palestinians detained in the shattered
town of Beit Lahiya, the urban refugee camp of Jabaliya, and neighborhoods of
Gaza City said they were bound, blindfolded, and bundled into the backs of
trucks.
Some said they were taken to the camp at
an undisclosed location, nearly naked and with little water.
“We were treated like cattle. They even
wrote numbers on our hands,” said Ibrahim Lubbad, a 30-year-old computer
engineer arrested in Beit Lahiya on Dec. 7 with a dozen other family members
and held overnight.
“We could feel their hatred.”
The roundups have laid bare an emerging
tactic in Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza, experts say, as the military seeks
to solidify control in evacuated areas in the north and collect intelligence
about Hamas operations nearly 10 weeks after the group’s deadly Oct. 7 attack
on southern Israel.
In response to questions about alleged
mistreatment, the Israeli military said that detainees were “treated according
to protocol” and were given enough food and water.
The army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel
Hagari, claimed that the men are questioned and then told to dress and that in
cases where this did not happen, the military would ensure it does not occur
again.
Those believed to have ties to Hamas are
taken away for further interrogation, and dozens of Hamas members have been
arrested so far, he claimed.
Photos and videos showing Palestinian
men kneeling in the streets, heads bowed, and hands bound behind their backs
sparked outrage after spreading on social media.
To Palestinians, it is a stinging
indignity. Among those rounded up were boys as young as 12 and men as old as
70, and they included civilians who lived ordinary lives before the war,
according to interviews with 15 families of detainees.
“My only crime is not having enough
money to flee to the south,” said Abu Adnan Al-Kahlout, an unemployed
45-year-old with diabetes and high blood pressure in Beit Lahiya.
He was detained Dec. 8 and released
after several hours when soldiers saw he was too faint and nauseated to be
interrogated.
Israeli forces have detained at least
900 Palestinians in northern Gaza, estimated Ramy Abdu, founder of the
Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which has worked to document the
arrests.
Based on testimony it collected, the
group presumes Israel is holding most detainees from Gaza at the Zikim military
base just north of the enclave.
Palestinians cowered with their families
for days as Israel poured heavy machine-gun fire into Beit Lahiya and Jabaliya,
the firefights with Hamas militants stranding families in their homes
without electricity, running water, fuel
or communications, and internet service.
“There are corpses all over the place,
left out for three, four weeks because no one can reach them to bury them
before the dogs eat them,” said RajiSourani, a lawyer with the Palestinian
Center for Human Rights in Gaza.
He said he saw dozens of dead bodies as
he made his way from Gaza City to the southern border with Egypt last week.
Palestinians recounted soldiers going
door to door with dogs, using loudspeakers to call on families to come outside.
Women and children are often told to
walk away to find shelter.
Some released detainees described
enduring humiliating stretches of near-nudity as Israeli troops took the photos
that later went viral.
Some guessed they were driven several
kilometers before being dumped in cold sand.
Released detainees said they were
exposed to the chill of night and repeatedly questioned about Hamas activities
that most could not answer.
Soldiers kicked sand in their faces and
beat those who spoke out of turn.
Several Palestinians held for 24 hours
or less said they had no food and were forced to share three 1.5-liter bottles
with some 300 fellow detainees.
Darwish Al-Ghabrawi, a 58-year-old
principal at a UN school, fainted from dehydration.
Mahmoud Al-Madhoun, a 33-year-old
shopkeeper, said the only moment that gave him hope was when soldiers released
his son, realizing he was just 12.
Returning home brought its horrors.
Israeli soldiers dropped detainees off after midnight without their clothes,
phones, or IDs near what appeared to be Gaza’s northern border with Israel,
those released said, ordering them to walk through a landscape of destruction,
tanks stationed along the road and snipers perched on roofs.
“It was a death sentence,” said Hassan
Abu Shadkh, whose brothers, 43-year-old Ramadan and 18-year-old Bashar, and his
38-year-old cousin, Naseem Abu Shadkh, walked shoeless over jagged mounds of
debris until their feet bled.
Naseem, a farmer in Beit Lahiya, was
shot and killed by an Israeli sniper as they made their way to a UN school in
Beit Lahiya, Abu Shadkh said.
His brothers were forced to leave their
cousin’s body in the middle of the road.
Israeli officials say they have reason
to be suspicious of Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza, given that places
like Jabaliya and Shijaiyah, in eastern Gaza City, are well-known Hamas
bastions.
Human rights groups say mass arrests
should be investigated.
“Civilians must only be arrested for
necessary and imperative reasons for security. It’s a very high threshold,”
said Human Rights Watch’s regional director Omar Shakir.
Source: arabnews.com
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-------
Al Jazeera cameraman killed in Israeli
drone strike on UN refugee center
16 December 2023
An Israeli drone attack against a United
Nations refugee center in southern Gaza Strip has killed a cameraman working
for the Qatar-based television network Al Jazeera.
Samer Abu Daqqa, a photographer and
farther of four, was killed at the Farhana School, which is a United
Nations-flagged refugee center in the city of Khan Yunis, on Friday.
He had arrived there alongside the rest
of Al Jazeera's press crew to report on an earlier airstrike against the
center.
The drone strike also wounded the
network's chief correspondent in Gaza, Wael Dahdouh.
Speaking from a hospital bed, Dahdouh
said he had managed to walk to an ambulance, but Abu Daqqa lay bleeding at the
school and died hours later.
The press vest of journalist Wael
al-Dahdouh who was injured while covering an Israeli bombardment targeting a
UNRWA school in Khan Younis.
Cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa is reportedly
still lying on the ground and trapped inside Farhana School in Khan Yunis.
In a statement, the Gaza-based
Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas denounced the drone attack as "a
deliberate attempt to intimidate media personnel from documenting the Zionist
atrocities in the Gaza Strip."
Hamas decries back-to-back Israeli attacks
targeting a UN refugee center and the press crews, who arrived subsequently to
cover the first atrocity.
"This calls for widespread
international condemnation and decisive measures to protect both civilians and
journalists from the occupation Nazi army’s egregious acts," the movement
added.
It, however, noted, "We remain
confident that journalists will not be deterred from fulfilling their vital
roles in reporting on the occupation’s atrocities against our Palestinian
people." "Their unwavering commitment to their media and humane
responsibilities ensures that their voices and cameras in the field will
persist as witnesses to the ongoing genocide that afflicts humanity."
Israel is apparently undertaking a
campaign of targeted killing of the journalists were documenting the regime’s
war crimes.
According to the Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ), an independent and non-profit American NGO, at least 64
journalists and media workers have been killed since October 7, when the
occupying regime unleashed an unrelenting genocidal war against the Gaza Strip.
Close to 19,000 people, most of them
women and children, have been killed so far in the war that the regime launched
following an operation staged by the coastal sliver's resistance movements.
Source: presstv.ir
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------
Lebanon’s Hezbollah fires missiles at
Israeli military positions in retaliation for Gaza onslaught
15 December 2023
Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah
has staged seven more anti-Israel operations in retaliation for the Israeli
genocide of Gaza.
The positions targeted on Friday
included the Ramim barracks near the occupied Lebanese town of Hunin and also
the Al-Rahab site.
It also attacked Israeli forces entering
their bunker in the Mitat barracks, as well as another group of Israeli
soldiers, gathered in the Harj Al-Shatula site near the occupied Lebanese
village of Tarbikha.
According to the movement, the
operations were carried out "in support of the steadfast Palestinian
people in the Gaza Strip and solidarity with their courageous and honorable
resistance.”
The Israeli regime also bombarded several
towns in southern Lebanon, including the outskirts of Tirharfa.
The regime also dropped leaflets in
southern Lebanon warning residents not to help Hezbollah.
“Early Friday morning, a drone dropped
leaflets over the village that landed between the houses,” a resident of
Kfarshuba told AFP on the condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.
Another resident said leaflets were
dropped twice after the wind blew many from the initial batch away.
Since October 8, the day after the
Israel onslaught against Gaza started, the frontier between Lebanon and the
Israeli-occupied territories has seen deadly exchanges of fire, mainly between
the Israeli army and the Hezbollah movement.
On Friday, Hezbollah said it had
launched 509 attacks against Israel since October 8, with the operations
involving drone assaults, guided missile launches, and artillery shelling.
Since the exchanges began, over a
hundred people have been killed on the Lebanese side, including more than a
dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally.
Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy
secretary-general, says the Lebanese resistance movement will continue
retaliatory strikes against Israel until the regime ends its war on Gaza.
On Friday, Hezbollah said two more of
its members had been killed during anti-Israel operations.
Reports say Israel has repeatedly used
US-supplied internationally-banned white phosphorus munitions in its attacks on
Lebanon.
The movement has vowed to keep up its
retaliatory operations as long as the regime sustains its warfare against the
besieged Palestinian territory.
The fighting has forced the evacuation
of tens of thousands from the northern part of the Israeli-occupied
territories, which have been pummeled by rocket fire and shelling carried out
by Hezbollah and allied Palestinian groups.
Source: presstv.ir
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------
Israel’s UN Envoy: Hamas Attacked
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Iron Dome Came To Defence
Danielle Greyman-Kennard
DECEMBER 16, 2023
Ambassador Gilad Erdan told the United
Nations General Assembly that Israel had protected the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy
site for Muslims in Jerusalem, from Hamas.
Sharing his speech on X on Saturday
evening, Erdan wrote, “Israel is defending Al-Aqsa Mosque from Hamas missiles‼️
"Just as ISIS destroyed mosques,
Hamas-ISIS is willing to blow up Al-Aqsa. For Hamas, murdering Israelis is more
important than Islamic holy sites. This is what I said today in the UN General
Assembly as I showed the Iron Dome interception of a Hamas missile fired
towards the Temple Mount. These are the terrorists that the UN has chosen to
protect. Unbelievable‼️”
Israel is defending Al-Aqsa Mosque from
Hamas missiles‼️Just as ISIS destroyed mosques, Hamas-ISIS is willing to blow up
Al-Aqsa. For Hamas, murdering Israelis is more important than Islamic holy
sites. This is what I said today in the UN General Assembly as I showed the
Iron… pic.twitter.com/QNuZ44i7UN
— Ambassador Gilad Erdanגלעד
ארדן (@giladerdan1) December 15, 2023
The comments were made after Hamas had
indiscriminately launched rockets towards civilian populations in Jerusalem and
other parts of Israel.
The impassioned speech began with Erdan
stating “Today, Hamas proved that murdering Israelis is even more important
than preserving the Islamic holy sites they claim to protect.”
Erdan went on to play a video of sirens
blaring in Jerusalem. He stated that the rockets had been fired towards the
Temple Mount, a holy site for Abrahamic religions located under the Al-Aqsa
Mosque.
“Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted the
missile,” Erdan informed the UN, “it defended Al-Aqsa Mosque from Hamas….Israel
is defending Al-Aqsa Mosque from Hamas.”
He went on to address the Arab League
and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He asked the groups, “This is who
you have chosen to defend? A group of genocidal terrorists that prefer jihad at
any cost over holy sites?
“Just as ISIS destroyed mosques,
Hamas-ISIS is willing to blow up Al-Aqsa.
“So many of you are willing to defend
them, unbelievable.”
Hamas’s crimes against Arabs
While Hamas has claimed to be an Islamic
organization, their October 7 attack also involved the killing and kidnapping
of Arabs, Palestinians and Bedouins.
Bedouin siblings Belal and AIshaZaidna
were taken hostage by Hamas and released two weeks ago. The location of their
father and sibling remains unknown.
Amir Tanabura, a Palestinian man from
Gaza who was living in Israel, had also been killed by Hamas terrorists on
October 7. The 20-year-old Arabic speaker had been buying cigarettes when
terrorists shot him.
Source: jpost.com
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------
Israeli armed forces killed three
hostages by mistake, says military spokesperson
16.12.23
The Israeli military mistakenly killed
three hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas during an incident which is
"under review", a military spokesperson said on Friday.
The military said the hostages were
killed during combat with militants in Gaza and expressed its condolences to
the families while saying there would be "full transparency" in the
investigation into the incident.
A statement from the military said that
during an intense battle in Gaza it "identified three Israeli hostages as
a threat". "As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were
killed."
The military named two of the dead
hostages as Yotam Haim who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar, and SamerTalalka,
who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Am. Both were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, it
said.
The Hostages and Missing Persons
Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages, expressed its
condolences.
It said, "Yotam was a gifted
musician and dedicated metal music fan who idolized the band Megadeth" and
"Samer was an avid motorcyclist who loved to ride around the countryside
and spend time with friends." The forum did not give names
In recent days Israel has engaged in
intense battles with Hamas militants, who often wear casual civilian clothing,
and on Wednesday announced its worst combat losses with 10 soldiers killed in
24 hours.
Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns
killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 hostages on Oct. 7. Israel then launched
a counter-attack, during which Gaza health authorities say close to 19,000
people have been confirmed killed, with thousands more feared buried under
rubble.
During a week-long truce in late
November, Hamas released more than 100 women, children and foreigners it was
holding in Gaza in exchange for the release of 240 women and teenagers. They
had been arrested for such offences as attempted stabbings, stone throwing at
Israeli soldiers or having contacts with hostile organisations, and many were
held under administrative detention, meaning Israel held them without trial.
"Together with the entire people of
Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the death of three of our dear
sons who were kidnapped," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
in a statement. "My heart goes out to the grieving families in their
difficult time."
Thousands of people protested outside
Israel's central military base in Tel Aviv with signs saying "we demand a
deal now!" and "not going to sleep - protesting all night,"
Israel's Channel 12 news reported.
More than 100 hostages still remain in
Gaza. Some have been declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities.
Earlier on Friday, the Israeli military
said it had recovered the bodies of three Israelis - a civilian and two
soldiers - who had been held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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------
Israel reopens Gaza aid crossing as US
pushes for restraint
December 16, 2023
GAZA STRIP: Israel reopened an aid
crossing into Gaza on Friday as staunch ally the United States urged more
restraint in its all-out offensive against Hamas.
Under pressure to do more to spare
civilians, Israel approved a “temporary measure” allowing aid to be delivered
directly to Gaza through its Kerem Shalom border crossing, the prime minister’s
office said.
Israel had faced weeks of pressure from
aid agencies and Western allies to reopen Kerem Shalom as Egypt’s Rafah
crossing struggled to cope with the scale of need inside Gaza, where 1.9
million of the 2.4 million population have been displaced, according to UN
figures.
The war began after Hamas launched an
unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 that Israeli officials say killed
around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
Vowing to destroy Hamas and bring home
an estimated 250 hostages abducted by militants to Gaza, Israel launched a
massive offensive that has left much of the besieged territory in ruins.
The Hamas government says the war has
killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children.
Fierce fighting continued on Friday,
with Hamas claiming they had blown up a house containing Israeli soldiers in
the southern city of Khan Yunis.
US National Security Adviser Jake
Sullivan, who was wrapping up a trip to Israel and the West Bank, called the
decision a “significant step.”
“President (Joe) Biden raised this issue
in recent phone calls with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu, and it was an
important topic of discussion during my visit to Israel over the past two
days,” he said.
The United States hopes “this new
opening will ease congestion and help facilitate the delivery of life-saving
assistance,” Sullivan added.
A World Health Organization
representative said the announcement was “very good news.”
Aid distribution had largely stopped in
most of Gaza, except on a limited basis in the Rafah area, according to the UN.
In Khan Yunis, satellite news channel Al
Jazeera reported that one of its journalists had been killed and another
wounded by “shrapnel from an Israeli missile attack.”
More than 60 journalists and media staff
have died since the Israel-Hamas war began, according to the Committee to
Protect Journalists.
The US, which provides billions of
dollars in military aid to Israel, has strongly backed its response to Hamas’s
attacks, but has voiced increasing concern over civilian casualties and the
long-term plan for Gaza.
“We do not believe that it makes sense
for Israel, or is right for Israel, to... reoccupy Gaza over the long term,”
Sullivan said after meeting Israeli leaders.
In Washington, Biden reiterated calls
for greater care for Gazan civilians.
“I want them to be focused on how to
save civilian lives — not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful,” said
Biden.
Sullivan also traveled to the West Bank
to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who said Gaza must remain an
“integral part” of the Palestinian state.
Abbas’s Palestinian Authority has partial
administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but is deeply
unpopular with Palestinians and has been further weakened by the war.
However, Washington still hopes that in
a revived form it can resume control of Gaza as part of a renewed push for a
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Multiple Western governments issued a
joint statement demanding that Israel “take concrete steps to halt
unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers” in the West Bank.
Attacks by extremist settlers since
early October have killed eight Palestinians and wounded 83, they said.
Israel’s police force said it had
suspended several officer after they severely assaulted a journalist for
Turkish news agency Anadolu as he was trying to take photos of Palestinians
praying in annexed east Jerusalem.
Further south in Rafah near the Egyptian
border, crowds of Palestinians used flashlights to search the rubble of
buildings for survivors following Israeli strikes.
“This is a residential neighborhood,
women and children live here, as you can see,” said resident Abu Omar. “Three
missiles on a residential neighborhood that has nothing to do with any militant
activities.”
Source: arabnews.com
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------
UN denounces terrorist attack on police
headquarters in southeastern Iran
16 December 2023
The United Nations has denounced in the
strongest terms a vicious terrorist assault on Rask County's police headquarters
in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Balouchestan, emphasizing
that all perpetrators must be brought to justice.
“The United Nations strongly condemns
the attack today on a police headquarters in Sistan and Balouchestan province,
the Islamic Republic of Iran, for which the group “Jaish al-Adl” had claimed
responsibility, reportedly resulting in at least 11 casualties,” Stephane
Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said in a statement on
Friday.
He stressed the need to bring to justice
the perpetrators of the attack.
Dujarric added that “the UN expresses
deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the government of
the Islamic Republic of Iran. It wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”
The Iranian president has ordered swift
efforts to identify the perpetrators of the early Friday terrorist attack on a
police station in Iran’s southeast.
AlirezaMarhamati, deputy governor of
Sistan and Baluchestan Province in security and political affairs, said several
terrorists staged the attack at around 2:00 a.m. local time on Friday (2230 GMT
Thursday) against the headquarters of Rask Police.
He said that 11 police forces, including
officers and conscripts, were killed in the attack.
Some of the injured are in critical
condition, Marhamati added.
The Pakistan-based so-called
Jaish-ul-Adl terror group claimed responsibility for the assault.
Majid Mirahmadi, deputy interior
minister for security and police affairs, said the terrorists attacked the
police post from several directions and later ambushed reinforcements deployed
to the location.
He said two of the terrorists were
killed and one of them was injured and arrested in hours-long clashes, while
the rest escaped.
Six police forces were injured during
the exchange of fire, he said.
Earlier, Iran's ambassador and permanent
representative to the United Nations, Amir SaeidIravani, had called on UN
Secretary General Antonio Guterres and also rotating President of the Security
Council José de la Gasca to condemn the terrorist attack in Sistan and
Baluchestan Province.
A terrorist attack on a police post in
southeastern Iran has left at least 11 police forces dead.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly
condemns such abhorrent and atrocious acts of terrorism, reiterating its
unwavering commitment to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice
and held accountable."
“The Islamic Republic of Iran urgently
calls on the Secretary-General and Security Council to condemn the attack
unequivocally and in the strongest terms possible," Iravani wrote in two
identical letters.
"This appeal aligns with the
Secretary-General's consistent and clear stance, as well as the established
practice of the Security Council, which has consistently recognized and
reaffirmed, through resolutions, terrorism as a grave threat to international
peace and security.”
The Iranian UN ambassador also
underscored that his country “remains steadfast in its commitment to fight
against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
Source: presstv.ir
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/16/716451/UN-denounces-terrorist-attack-on-police-headquarters-in-southeastern-Iran
-----
Raeisi urges punishment of Rask terror
attack perpetrators
Dec 16, 2023
TEHRAN, Dec. 16 (MNA) – The Iranian
president has ordered swift efforts to identify the perpetrators of the early
Friday terrorist attack on a police station in Iran’s southeast, which has left
at least 11 dead and several more injured.
Ebrahim Raeisi, in a statement, offered
his condolences to the Iranian nation and especially the families of “devoted”
police forces who fell victim to the attack in Rask County in Sistan and
Baluchistan Province, claimed by the Pakistan-based so-called Jaish ul-Adl
terror group.
“The powerful security and law
enforcement forces must identify the perpetrators and orderers of this heinous
crime as quickly as possible so that they can be punished for their disgraceful
act,” the statement said.
The president blamed the “stooges of the
world arrogance” for what he called a “cowardly and indiscriminate” terror
attack.
The deadly attack has drawn
condemnations from various Iranian officials, and also from Pakistan, where the
group is based.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad
BagherGhalibaf called for a swift response to the attack.
He said that Iran’s adversaries have
many times tried to break the will of the Iranian nation through such futile
acts, but they should know such acts will be responded to with "harsh punishment."
A day of mourning has been announced in
Sistan and Baluchestan Province to honor the victims.
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi promised
the attackers would be brought to justice.
“Terrorists and their supporters must
know that undoubtedly they will be caught at the hands of the self-sacrificing
law enforcement and other intelligence-security forces and will be severely
punished,” he said.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser
Kan’ani also condemned the act of terror and vowed the ministry will join hands
with other government organs to punish the attackers.
The ambassador of Pakistan to Iran also
condemned the attack.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and
stand in full solidarity with the Iranian government and people of Iran,” he
wrote on X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter.
The attack, which occurred around
midnight, was one of the deadliest in years for the region sitting close to
Iran's border with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Similar attacks have occurred
previously, including on July 23 when four policemen were killed while on
patrol.
That came two weeks after two policemen
and four assailants were killed in a shootout in the province, claimed by Jaish
ul-Adl.
Source: mehrnews.com
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the full text of the original
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/209622/Raeisi-urges-punishment-of-Rask-terror-attack-perpetrators
-----
South Asia
Major Rally Held in Kabul in Support for
Palestine
NaweedSamadi
December 15, 2023
A major gathering was held in capital
Kabul on Friday in support of the people of Palestine and to condemn the
Israeli attack on Gaza.
The participants of the rally called for
an “immediate” halt to Israel’s attack on Gaza and criticized the “silence of
the Islamic countries” regarding the issue of Palestine.
“The cruelty which is going on in
[Palestine] on the defenseless people is unacceptable and we condemn this
action in the strongest terms,” said Mohammad Mohsin, a participant.
“All of the Muslims have a role in one body,”
said Mohammad Yousuf, a participant.
The participants read a resolution in
which they stressed supporting the Palestinians, providing humanitarian
assistance to them and practical action by the Islamic countries to alleviate
the situation in Gaza.
“The people of Afghanistan are
condemning the blockage of water, food, power and health facilities for the
people of Palestine by Israel,” said Mohammad Edris, a participant.
The rally was attended by the children
as well.
“They have ignited a fire in Gaza. They
have hurt the people in Gaza. Where are human rights, we should lend a hand
together to rescue Gaza,” said Mohammad Shayan, a protester.
“Whatever is going on in Gaza, is a
crime. There is no water and the bombardments are continuing on the common
people in Palestine. We consider this an international crime,” said Sabrullah,
a protestor.
It has been over 67 days since the war
in Gaza. According to the reports, over 18,000
Palestinians have been killed and more
than 50,000 others wounded since the war began.
Source: tolonews.com
Please click the following URL to read
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-186500
------
India: Diplomatic presence of the
‘Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’ continues in the country
Fidel Rahmati
December 16, 2023
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
in response to speculations about the cessation of the Afghan embassy’s
operations in Delhi, stated that the diplomatic presence of the “Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan,” including the embassy’s activities and the services
of Afghan consulates, continues in the country.
Indian media reported on Friday,
December 15th, citing S. Jaishankar, the country’s Foreign Minister, that
several Afghan diplomats in India have taken responsibility and continued the
diplomatic activities of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
He further stated: “Over the past two
years, a number of Afghan diplomats have left India because they chose to
reside in third countries. However, the remaining Afghan diplomats in India
have taken on responsibilities and continued the diplomatic activities of the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Mr. Jaishankar did not explain whether
the diplomats who have taken over the responsibilities of the Afghan embassy
and consulates in India have any connection with the Taliban.
Earlier, Farid Mamundzay, the former
Afghan ambassador to India, announced that the Afghan embassy had ceased
operations due to a “lack of support from the host government.
However, the Indian media outlets
reported that following internal conflicts among Afghan diplomats in India,
about 20 Afghan diplomats sought asylum in Western countries. According to this
media outlet, Mr. Mamundzay has been in London since June.
Meanwhile, Zakia Wardak, the Afghan
Consul General in Mumbai, took over the leadership of the Afghan embassy in
Delhi, which is said to be operating in favour of the Taliban group.
Nevertheless, the Indian Foreign
Minister stated that his country’s stance regarding the “Taliban administration
in Afghanistan” aligns with the international community’s position.
The international community does not
recognize the Taliban administration officially.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/india-diplomatic-presence-of-the-islamic-republic-of-afghanistan-continues-in-the-country/
-----
Canada provides $21 million aid for
Afghan refugees
Fidel Rahmati
December 16, 2023
The Canadian Immigration Ministry has
announced that it will provide $21 million in financial aid to support vulnerable
Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Central Asian countries.
Mark Miller, the Canadian Immigration
Minister, stated at the “Global Refugee Forum” in Geneva on Saturday that this
aid would be made available to the International Organization for Migration.
This announcement highlights Canada’s collaborative efforts with international
organizations to aid refugees.
Miller emphasized that the funds are
allocated to meet the needs of Afghan refugees in host countries. This move is
a part of Canada’s broader strategy to support displaced individuals where they
currently reside.
“The Government of Canada has committed
to providing CAN$21 million in grant funding over three years (from 2022–2023
to 2024–2025) to support the IOM’s Comprehensive Action Plan. This funding
advances Canada’s commitment to support displaced Afghans. Activities funded to
date focus on helping government and local organizations respond to the
protection, health and integration needs of Afghan refugees in their
communities in five countries neighbouring Afghanistan: Kazakhstan, Pakistan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” the document said.
According to Miller, the Canadian
government intends to settle more than 136,000 refugees over the next three
years. This ambitious plan underlines Canada’s role as a leading nation in
refugee resettlement.
Additionally, Miller stressed that
Canada’s commitment to accept 40,000 vulnerable Afghans has been exceeded. This
exceeds previous goals, demonstrating Canada’s dedication to offering refuge to
those in dire need.
The Canadian Immigration Ministry’s
newsletter states that the country is committed to protecting and resettling
vulnerable groups, including women in unsafe conditions, religious and ethnic
minorities, Rohingya refugees, human rights defenders, and members of the
LGBTQ+ community. This commitment underscores Canada’s comprehensive approach
to refugee protection.
The document also reports that thousands
of Afghan refugees from countries like Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan
have already been relocated to Canada.
These efforts by the Canadian government
reflect a strong commitment to humanitarian principles and international
cooperation in addressing the global refugee crisis. Canada continues to be a
key player in providing support and resettlement opportunities for those
fleeing conflict and persecution.
Source: khaama.com
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the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/canada-provides-21-million-aid-for-afghan-refugees/
-----
Khalilzad: Tensions high between Kabul
and Islamabad
Fidel Rahmati
December 15, 2023
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S.
representative for Afghanistan peace, says that relations between Kabul and
Islamabad are critical.
On Friday, Khalilzad mentioned in a post
on his social media platform X that while Pakistan accuses the Taliban of
supporting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), the Taliban administration, rejecting
these claims, accuses Islamabad of supporting ISIS Khorasan.
Khalilzad added that Pakistan also denies
the claims of the Taliban administration.
The former U.S. representative for
Afghan peace also said that Pakistan has expelled thousands of Afghan migrants
under ‘coercive diplomacy’ from its territory.
It is worth mentioning that Islamabad
has repeatedly claimed that terrorists have launched attacks in various parts
of Pakistan using Afghan soil and has called on the Taliban to combat the
perpetrators of these attacks.
In the latest instance, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the interim government of Pakistan has demanded Kabul to
extradite the perpetrators of the recent attack in Dera Ismail Khan in this
country.
Mumtaz Zahra Baluch, spokesperson for
the Ministry, stated that ‘Afghanistan must take serious action against the
perpetrators of this heinous attack and hand them over to Pakistan, along with
the leadership of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan.
The spokesperson for the Pakistani
Foreign Ministry added that Islamabad expects Afghanistan to ‘prevent the use
of Afghan soil by terrorist organizations against Pakistan.’
This comes while the Taliban has always
emphasized that Afghan soil will not be used against any country, including
Pakistan.
Source: khaama.com
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the full text of the original
https://www.khaama.com/khalilzad-tensions-high-between-kabul-and-islamabad/
-----
President, PM greet people on Victory
Day
Dec 16, 2023 '
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted people of the country on the occasion of
the 53rd Victory Day.
They also paid tributes to Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyrs and the greatest sons of
the soil -- the freedom fighters -- whose supreme sacrifices gifted us an
independent, sovereign Bangladesh.
The president in a message said,
"Today is 16 December. Our great Victory Day. On this day in 1971, we
achieved our long-cherished victory after a long struggle and a nine-month
bloody war. It gave us a sovereign country, independent nationhood, a sacred
constitution, our own map and a red-green flag. On this jovial day, I extend my
sincere felicitations and warm greetings to my fellow countrymen living at home
and abroad."
The head of the state recalled with
profound respect the greatest Bangalee of all time Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman alongside paying deep homage to the valiant
freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice in the War of Liberation for the
cause of country's independence.
He remembered with gratitude the four
national leaders, the heroic freedom fighters, two lakh oppressed women, the
organisers and supporters of the Liberation War, foreign friends, war-wounded
individuals and members of the martyrs' families including people of all walks
of life who directly and indirectly contributed to the victory.
The nation recalls their contributions
with utmost respect, he added.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina said, "I extend my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the
countrymen on the occasion of the month of victory. I recall with deep
gratitude the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
"Today is the 16th of December, our
great Victory Day. This is one of the most glorious days in the national life
of Bangalees. Bangladesh has completed 52 years since her victory. Responding
to the clarion call of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Bangalee nation achieved ultimate
victory on this day in 1971 after 23 years of intense political struggle and 9
months of blood-shedding War of Liberation," she said in the message.
The premier paid her tributes to four
national leaders, three million martyrs, two hundred thousand dishonoured women
of the War of Liberation, and the greatest sons of the soil - the Freedom
Fighters - whose supreme sacrifices gifted us an independent, sovereign
Bangladesh.
She recalled with gratitude those
foreign states and friends who had extended their support during the Liberation
War.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/president-pm-greet-people-victory-day-3495471
----
Pakistan
APS tragedy strengthened determination
of nation against terrorism: Caretaker PM
December 16, 2023
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq
Kakar has said the tragic incident of Army Public School Peshawar has
strengthened the determination of our nation against terrorism.
In his message on the 9th anniversary of
the APS tragedy, Anwwar-ul-Haq Kakar said nine years ago, the enemy
unsuccessfully tried to undermine the morale of this nation in the war against
terrorism. It was a tragedy that moistened the eyes of the whole world.
The Prime Minister said the sympathies
of the entire nation are with the parents whose children made a great sacrifice
in this tragedy.
Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said Principal Army
Public School Shaheed Tahira Qazi and other teachers stood in front of these
beasts as a rock wall to protect their students, and sacrificed their lives.
The Prime Minister said cowardarly
terrorists can never defeat this nation where fearless people like Shaheed
Tahira Qazi and Shaheed Aitzaz Hasan do not even care about their lives to save
others.
The Prime Minister said the nation has
won the war on terror and foiled all the tactics of the enemy to spread
mischief and chaos in the country.
He the entire nation is proud of its
great martyrs and their families.
Anwwar-ul-Haq Kakar said the nation is
surely saddened by the memory of the Army Public School tragedy, but it is
stronger than ever and united against this menace.
He said the Pakistani nation stands by
its security forces until all the miscreants are brought to justice.
The Prime Minister said the nation pays
tribute to all the personnel of the security forces, including the police,
rangers and Pak Army, who hunted down the terrorists from their hideouts and
brought them to their end after this tragedy.
The Prime Minister said his clear
message to the terrorists and the enemy of Pakistan's peace is that the
Pakistani nation is united.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/16-12-2023/aps-tragedy-strengthened-determination-of-nation-against-terrorism-caretaker-pm
-----
Court summons IK in illegal Nikkah case
on 18th
2023-12-16
ISLAMABAD: A local court has summoned
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in
an alleged illegal Nikkah case against him and his wife Bushra Bibi on December
18.
The civil judge, Qudratullah, in its
written orders of Nikkah case, directed Adiala Jail superintendent to produce
Khan on December 18 before the court.
According to the court’s order Khan’s
wife was not well due to which she could not appear before the court during the
previous hearing. The court has approved her exemption application, however,
the said respondent will be required to appear in person on the next date of
hearing and she will submit a personal bond for regular attendance before the
court of Rs 50,000.
The order further says that an attempt
was made to connect respondent Imran Khan through Skype, however, he could not
be connected due to some technical fault, therefore, the superintendent Adiala
Jail is directed to produce him before the court on December 18.
Source: brecorder.com
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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40278911/court-summons-ik-in-illegal-nikkah-case-on-18th
------
Kashmir never was, nor will be part of
India: Caretaker PM
December 15, 2023
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq
Kakar has said Kashmir has never been and will never be part of India.
Addressing a news conference in
Muzaffarabad on Friday, he said the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute
lies only in plebiscite in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
He said no Indian court or assembly can decide the future of the Kashmiris.
The Prime Minister said India's illegal
and unilateral actions in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have only further
given stimulation to the Kashmiri freedom struggle. He said the Indian stance
on Kashmir has not been accepted by the world community.
Paying tributes to the sacrifices of
Kashmiri people, the Prime Minister said India cannot suppress the big cause of
Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said we consider the
residents of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as the potential
citizens of Pakistan. He said we will
not allow the trampling of their rights.
Alluding to his detailed consultative
meeting with the Kashmiri leadership in Muzaffarabad, the Prime Minister said
it has been decided that another round of talks will be held in Islamabad. He said there will be regular contacts with
the Kashmiri leadership in order to present the stance of oppressed Kashmiri
people more effectively at the world level. He said Pakistan will advocate for
the rights of Kashmiri people at the forefront.
Responding to a question, Anwaar-ul-Haq
assured to fully support Azad Kashmir government in completion of ongoing
projects and initiation of new ones. For this purpose, he said a cabinet
committee has also been constituted.
Source: radio.gov.pk
Please click the following URL to read
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https://www.radio.gov.pk/15-12-2023/kashmir-has-never-been-will-never-be-part-of-india-caretaker-pm
-----
Southeast Asia
Bersatu MP challenges Anwar to amend
Constitution so that only a Malay-Muslim can be M'sia PM
December 16, 2023
Sulaiman Daud
A Bersatu Member of Parliament called on
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to amend the Federal Constitution to reserve the
post of prime minister of Malaysia specifically for Malay-Muslims only.
However, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad
Kamal's proposal was roundly criticised by Malaysian politicians from East
Malaysia, and later rejected by Anwar.
Fayhsal, who is Bersatu's youth chief
and a prominent member of the opposition PerikatanNasional coalition, shared
his thoughts on Facebook on Dec. 14.
DAP's Lim Kit Siang discussed the possibility
of a non-Malay PM
He referred to a previous incident where
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang spoke to a group of students, and said that he hoped
it would not be long before Malaysia has a non-Malay prime minister.
Lim drew a comparison to America, where
it took over 200 years before a half-black man, Barack Obama, was elected
president.
For this comment, Lim was asked to give
a statement to the police, although he denied being provocative.
Challenged Anwar to amend the
Constitution
Fayhsal then alleged that Lim's remarks
had spread uneasiness among the Malay community in Malaysia.
He challenged Anwar to use his
two-thirds majority in parliament to amend the Constitution so that "only
a Malay-Muslim can be the prime minister of Malaysia".
Currently, Article 43(2)(a) of the
Federal Constitution says that the only requirement for someone to become prime
minister is that person must be an MP who, in the Agong’s judgment, is likely
to command the majority support of parliament.
The Bersatu man, who once deleted his
Twitter account, may have been referring to recent defections from Bersatu to
Anwar's team.
While these MPs have not officially
resigned from their party (which means there is no need for by-elections),
their support of Anwar would mean that the government bloc holds 151 out of 222
parliamentary seats, or a two-thirds majority necessary to amend the
Constitution.
Backlash from East Malaysian politicians
However, Fayhsal's comments met with
blowback from East Malaysian politicians.
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah of PBB,
currently serving as Sarawak's state tourism minister, told FMT: "It’s
unfortunate to see we still have within our midst leaders who play the racial
and religious (card)." He added:
"Malaysia is a multiracial and
multi-religious country. If we want to progress and be respected within the
country and beyond, we need to do away with all this racist outlook.
We expect Malaysians, especially the
leaders, to adopt a more open and mature outlook. We desire leaders who think
as Malaysians.
We seek leaders who refrain from
discriminating against minorities, those who believe in merit-based acceptance
to lead Malaysia, rather than being chosen based on race."
Another Sarawak politician, MP Larry Sng
of PBM, questioned if Wan Ahmad's proposal would ban natives from Sarawak and
Sabah from one day leading Malaysia.
According to the Malay Mail, Article 160
of the Constitution defines a Malay as a person who professes the religion of
Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, and conforms to Malay customs.
This definition does not cover Orang
Asli or natives of Sabah and Sarawak.
Anwar says no need to amend Constitution
Anwar commented on the issue, saying
there was no need to amend the Constitution.
According to BeritaHarian, Anwar said
that the prime ministers of the past and the current leaders of the political
coalitions who could become prime minister, including the opposition, were and
are all Malay.
Anwar said on Dec. 15: "We have to
protect the rights of all the people, all our citizens."
Source: mothership.sg
Please click the following URL to read
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https://mothership.sg/2023/12/wan-ahmad-fayhsal-amend-constitution-malay-prime-minister/
------
Number of flood evacuees rises in
Terengganu, Kelantan, drops in Selangor
16-12- 2023
KUALA LUMPUR: The second wave of floods
has forced more people out of their homes overnight in Terengganu and Kelantan
while the number of evacuees in Selangor dropped further this morning as the
situation continued to improve.
In TERENGGANU, the number of flood
evacuees rose to 1,182 from 299 families as at 8 am today from 330 from 109
families last night.
The Terengganu State Disaster Management
Committee (JPBNT) secretariat said Kemaman and Dungun districts were the latest
to be struck by floods after Hulu Terengganu and Setiu since Thursday.
In Hulu Terengganu, 433 people from 135
families were being housed at eight relief centers, namely
ProjekPenyusunanSemulaKampung (PPSK) KampungMenerong; KampungKemat;
KampungPengkalanAjal; KampungPayaBesar; Kampung Durian Kassim; KampungBatu 23;
Kampung Bukit Kolam and BalairayaPasir Tinggi.
In Dungun, nine relief centres, namely
SekolahKebangsaan (SK) TebingTembah; Dewan SivikPaka;
BalairayaKampungPelandang; SK Kg Nyior; SK BalaiBesar; SK TokKah; Dewan Majlis
SukanNegeri; SK Pusatdan Dewan SerbagunaSeberangPintasan were housing 551
evacuees from 120 families.
Kemaman has 193 evacuees from 43
families at three relief centres, namely SK KampungBaruKerteh, Dewan Orang
RamaiKampungLabohan and SK Kemasik, while in Setiu, five evacuees from one
family are at the KampungBesut relief centre.
The publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my portal
reported that the levels of Sungai Telemong in Kuala Ping, Hulu Terengganu;
Sungai Nerus at KampungLangkap and Sungai Chalok at Chalok Bridge, Setiu were
at the danger points.
Four more stations, namely Sungai Setiu
at KampungBesut and Permaisuri Bridge, Setiu; Sungai Marang at
PengkalanBerangan Bridge, Marang and Sungai Tumpat at KampungBaruKemasik,
Kemaman, were at warning points.
In KELANTAN, the number of flood
evacuees rose to 1,350 from 368 families as at 8 am, compared to 1,033 from 289
families last night.
According to the Social Welfare
Department flood information portal, the evacuees from Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah,
Pasir Mas and Machang were being accommodated at 21 relief centres.
In Tanah Merah, the evacuees are staying
at SK Kelewek, Balai Raya Padang Kijang, SK AlorPasir, SK Kulim,
SekolahMenengahUgama (A) Kajang, SekolahMenengahKebangsaan (SMK) Bukit Bunga,
Madrasah WakSemanKampung Air Batu and SK GualJedok.
In Kuala Krai, the evacuees are at SMK
Kuala Krai, Veterinary Office, SK BanggolGuchil, SK Chenulang, Madrasah
KampungSepuluh, Masjid ChucuhPuteri A, PusatKomunitiChuchuhPuteri A and
Madrasah ChuchuhPuteri A.
Evacuees are staying at SK Gual Tinggi,
SK Kampung Rahmat, SMK BarohPial and SMK (A) Lati in Pasir Mas and SK
PulaiChondong in Machang.
In SELANGOR, the number of flood
evacuees decreased to 78 from 26 families as at 9 am, compared to 105 from 34
families last night with all of them taking shelter at SK Jaya Setia and
ParitMahang community hall in Kuala Selangor.
The level of Sungai Klang in SelatMuara,
Klang is at the danger point as at 8 am. –Bernama
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read
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https://thesun.my/local_news/number-of-flood-evacuees-rises-in-terengganu-kelantan-drops-in-selangor-HP11874254
-------
Rohingya issue relevant to be discussed
at ASEAN-Japan Summit: Jokowi
16-12- 2023
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo
(Jokowi) emphasized that the Rohingya issue is very relevant to be discussed at
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan Summit in Tokyo on
Sunday (December 17).
"I think it is very relevant to
discuss this, as it is not only an ASEAN problem but also a problem of the
refugees' destination countries," Jokowi stated in a press conference
shortly before his departure to Japan from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base
here on Saturday.
According to the president, Indonesia,
which has so far accepted more than 1,200 Rohingyas since November 2023, based
on the UNHCR data, is not the only country to be facing the issue of Rohingya
refugees.
"Malaysia also has the same
problem, with a higher number (of refugees)," he stated while referring to
the more than 107 thousand Rohingya refugees seeking asylum in Malaysia,
according to the UNHCR data.
Although Indonesia is not obligated to
accept Rohingya refugees, as it is not a country that is party to the United
Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, it decided to temporarily assist them based on
humanitarian grounds.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi
has urged world countries to help resolve the root of the Rohingya problem
immediately, so as to not cause further impacts on fellow ASEAN countries.
She explained that the ongoing conflict
in Myanmar between the military junta and civilians has forced the Rohingyas to
leave the country, and many of them entered Indonesia.
"Therefore, I invite the
international community to work together to stop the conflict and restore
democracy in Myanmar, so that Rohingya refugees can return to their homes,
namely in Myanmar," she stated at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) at the UN
Office in Geneva on Wednesday (December 13).
Source: antaranews.com
Please click the following URL to read
the full text of the original
https://en.antaranews.com/news/301200/rohingya-issue-relevant-to-be-discussed-at-asean-japan-summit-jokowi
-----
More than 1,700 people arrested in
Interpol weapons raids in Asia
16 Dec 2023
PARIS/KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama-dpa): More
than 1,700 people were arrested in 10 Asian countries in a broad operation
against illegal firearms smuggling, the international police organisation
Interpol said in Lyon on Friday, reported dpa news.
More than 700 weapons were confiscated
in the force's first combined operation in Asia, called Operation Trigger-Salvo
II, as well as hundreds of parts and more than 45,000 rounds of ammunition.
Conducted between November 13-24, the
operation aimed to disrupt the cross-border movement of firearms and determine
links between transnational organised criminal groups, firearms trafficking and
terrorists.
In Central, South, and East Asia, small
and light weapons have become the norm for such entities, Interpol said, as
they are cheap and easy to conceal, transport, and access.
This was evidenced in Pakistan, where
several hundred firearms, parts, and ammunition were recovered, mainly in the
provinces bordering Afghanistan.
This led to 614 arrests, new
investigations, and greater insights into the routes used by trucks from
Afghanistan to move firearms and ammunition into Pakistan, Interpol said. -
Bernama-dpa
Source: thestar.com.my
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------
Africa
ECOWAS court orders release of deposed
Niger president
December 16, 2023
The Court of Justice of the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Friday ordered the immediate
release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s president who has been held captive since
the coup that overthrew him on July 26, and that of his family.
The Court “orders the defendant (the
military authorities in Niamey, editor’s note) to release all the applicants
immediately and unconditionally”, said the judge, who deliberated in Abuja.
“The defendant has violated their right
not to be arbitrarily detained”, he declared.
The Court also asked that Mohamed Bazoum be
reinstated in his position.
“It is Mohamed Bazoum who represents the
State of Niger”, he “remains President of the Republic”, the judge assured.
“There are constitutional rights that have
been violated”, as well as “political rights”, he said.
Mohamed Bazoum has been sequestered in his
presidential residence with his wife Haziza and their son Salem, since he was
overthrown by a coup d’état on July 26.
In mid-September, the deposed president
appealed to the ECOWAS Court of Justice for his release and the restoration of
constitutional order in the country.
The application filed by his lawyers
cited the “arbitrary arrest” and “violation of the freedom of movement” of Mr.
Bazoum, his wife, and their son.
Bazoum has been held in detention since
a July 26 coup.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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------
Islamic leaders laud CDS, military
reaction toTudun-Biri incident
DECEMBER 15, 2023
ChuksOyema-Aziken
The leadership of the Supreme Council
for Sharia have commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Gwabin for
providing pivotal leadership style which is people Centric.
The team led Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar said
this during a courtesy visit to the CDS at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Umar maintained that leaders must not
leave in affluence when the majority leave in abject poverty.
He also said the CDS leadership style
has shown visible positive changes in the entire security architecture of the
country. He further appreciated the CDS for his tenacious commitment to
addressing the TudunBiri incidence. He commended the CDS for his empathy and
show of concern to the victims of the TudunBiri drone attack.
Receiving the visitors, the CDS assured
the council of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) undaunting commitment to
ensuring peace in the country. He added that the recent Tudun-Biri incident in
Kaduna was unfortunate and highly regrettable. General Musa pledged to
sincerely find the cause and promised a lasting solutions to avoid future
occurrence. In his words, “We will do everything possible to get to the bottom
and ensure it happens no more.”
The CDS also noted that there are few
security challenges in the country, particularly in the North West. He called
on leadership at all level to fight criminality by providing purposeful
leadership and development.
Source: authorityngr.com
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-----
Niger: West African court orders Mohamed
Bazoum's "immediate" release
DECEMBER 15, 2023
The Court of Justice of the Economic
Community of West African States (Ecowas) on Friday ordered the
"immediate" release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger's president who has been
held captive since the coup that overthrew him on July 26, and that of his
family.
The Court "orders the defendant
(the military authorities in Niamey, editor's note) to release all the
applicants immediately and unconditionally", said the judge, who
deliberated in Abuja.
"The defendant has violated their
right not to be arbitrarily detained", he declared.
The Court also asked that Mohamed Bazoum
be reinstated in his position.
"It is Mohamed Bazoum who
represents the State of Niger", he "remains President of the
Republic", the judge assured.
"There are constitutional rights
that have been violated", as well as "political rights", he
said.
Mohamed Bazoum has been sequestered in
his presidential residence with his wife Haziza and their son Salem, since he
was overthrown by a coup d'état on July 26.
In mid-September, the deposed president
appealed to the Ecowas Court of Justice for his release and the restoration of
constitutional order in the country.
The application filed by his lawyers
cited the "arbitrary arrest" and "violation of the freedom of
movement" of Mr. Bazoum, his wife, and their son.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/15/niger-west-african-court-orders-mohamed-bazoums-immediate-release/
------
Sudan: fighting spreads to Wad Madani,
spared from violence until now
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Fighting between the Sudanese army and
paramilitaries spread on Friday to the outskirts of Wad Madani, a town so far
spared from the violence where hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have taken
refuge, an AFP correspondent reported.
The Sudanese army prevented civilians
from entering the town, which was overflown on Friday by fighter jets and where
the sound of explosions could be heard, according to the same source.
Since the start of the war on April 15
between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Wad Madani,
capital of al-Jazira state, 180 kilometers south of Khartoum, has become a
refuge for half a million displaced persons fleeing the fighting in the
capital, according to UN figures.
But in recent months, fighters have
gradually been mobilized in the region, setting up checkpoints along the
villages between Khartoum and Wad Madani.
On Friday, an AFP correspondent reported
sounds of explosions coming from the northern outskirts of the town.
On social networks, Internet users who
had already been displaced from Khartoum shared photos of columns of black
smoke, expressing fears of having to flee the fighting again.
Stores and businesses were quickly
closed on Friday, while families took to the streets in search of transport to
get further south, once again seeking shelter, according to AFP's
correspondent.
In a statement on Friday, the RSF said
it was seeking to "assure the dear citizens" of Al-Jazeera and Wad
Madani that "the objective of our forces is to destroy the
strongholds" of the army.
Since the beginning of the war, the two
rival camps have accused each other of bombing residential areas and attacking
civilians.
On April 15, army chief General Abdel
Fattah al-Burhane and his second-in-command, General Mohamed HamdaneDaglo, head
of the dreaded RSF paramilitaries, turned their weapons on each other.
According to the UN, these eight months
of war have left 12,000 people dead, a figure that is surely greatly
underestimated given the extent to which entire areas of the country have been
cut off from the rest of the world.
Source: africanews.com
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------
Senegal: 4 soldiers killed in the
explosion of an anti-tank mine in Casamance
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Four Senegalese soldiers were killed in
Casamance when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in this region of southern
Senegal in the grip of an independence rebellion, according to the army.
The incident occurred on Thursday
"during a mission" in North Bignona, near the Gambian border, and
also left "three injured", indicated the Directorate of Public
Relations of the Armed Forces (Dirpa) in a press release on X (formerly
Twitter).
Asked by AFP, Dirpa did not provide
further details on the circumstances of the accident.
For several months, the army has been
carrying out security operations against rebels from the Movement of Democratic
Forces of Casamance (MFDC) who are demanding the independence of this border
region of Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
Casamance is the scene of one of the
oldest rebellions on the African continent since separatists took to the
underground with rudimentary weapons after the repression of an MFDC march in
December 1982.
After causing thousands of victims and
devastating the economy, the conflict persisted slowly. The last time the
Senegalese army communicated about the death of one of its soldiers was in
January 2023, but military operations have continued since.
In recent years, the Senegalese
authorities have undertaken to resettle the displaced after announcing the
destruction of several rebel bases, particularly on the border with
Guinea-Bissau.
Senegalese President MackySall, elected
in 2012 and then re-elected in 2019, has made peace in Casamance one of his
priorities.
Several peace agreements, which quickly
became obsolete, were signed between the Senegalese government and rebels.
One of the last announcements was
concluded in August 2022 in Bissau between the State and rebel leader César
AtouteBadiate, following mediation by the Guinea-Bissau head of state
UmaroSissocoEmbalo.
Source: africanews.com
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-----
War against terrorism a must win, says
DHQ
Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja
December 16, 2023
The Defence Headquarters has
described the ongoing operations against
terrorists and insecurity across the country as a war that the military has no choice but to win.
It also said that the military is
conducting the war against terrorists in accordance with the laws of armed
conflict and based on intelligence.
The Director Defence Media Operations,
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this in a statement yesterday.
Buba said ongoing operations are also
based on both military necessity and on distinguishing between civilians,
non-combatants, and terrorists.
“ The military will continue to take the
fight to the terrorists and their cohorts until they are destroyed or
surrendered,” he said.
Providing updates on troops’ operations across the
country in the past week, the Defence spokesperson said troops killed 38
terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.
He said: “ Recently, the military
conducted two major air strikes on the terrorists’ enclave. One of the strikes,
on 6 December 2023, neutralized several top terrorist commanders, namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb
expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist(Dogo Gide).
“ Other prominent terrorist leaders
neutralized include Haro and Dan Muhammadu, both of whom are specialists in
kidnapping and assault operations respectively.
“Additionally, on 11 December 2023, through a synchronized strike
between air and ground forces aimed at the same target, a renowned terrorist
leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University
Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji ALHERI popularly called Kachalla Ali KAWAJE
was neutralized in Munya LGA of Niger State along with many of his foot
soldiers.
According to the military high command, the
military was fast closing in on others and they would equally suffer the same
fate.
On troops’ operations in the Southeast,
Buba said on December 13, troops in conjunction with other security agencies
arrested a prominent commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Buba said: “The commander, one Mr
UchechukwuAkpa was arrested together with three other sub- commanders, namely
Udoka Anthony Ude, IkechukwuUlanta, and EzennayaUdeigewere.
“The trio were arrested after a raid on
their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church AmetaMgbowo in Awgu Local
Government Area of Enugu State. They gathered to plot a take over the
leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from the
apprehended former Commander known as “Chocho”. They also planned to attack
troop locations.
“ During the raid, Mr UchechukwuAkpa
sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. It could be recalled that Mr
UchechukwuAkpa was the Second in Command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ESN leader
currently in custody. Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was
conducted in December 142. Troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47
Magazine, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one Pump action
rifle.”
According to Buba, troops also arrested
66 oil thieves and recused 89 kidnap victims.
The Defence spokesperson said troops on
operations in the South South region recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude
oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined diesel and 20,600 litres of petrol.
Buba said that the troops also destroyed
15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13
reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, 3 pumping machines, 64 illegal
refining sites.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 67
assorted weapons and 1,194 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows:
20 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action guns, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 locally
fabricated double barrel guns, one barreta pistol, 4 locally made pistols, 13
rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm
ammo, one round of 5.56mm ammo, 15 live cartridges.
“Others are: one magazine loaded with 8
rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one LMG magazine, one CZ pistol magazine, 7
empty magazines, one locally made pistol magazine, one damaged magazine, one
dane gun butt, 5 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, 32 motorcycles, one laptop and the
sum of N1,123,800.00 amongst other items,” Buba said.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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------
Europe
UK urges all parties in Gaza conflict
'to avoid deliberate attacks on journalists'
AysuBicer
15.12.2023
Following an attack on Anadolu
photojournalist Mustafa Alkharouf by Israeli forces in East Jerusalem, the UK
on Friday urged "all parties to avoid deliberate attacks on journalists.”
Journalists carry out crucial work in
disseminating accurate and impartial information during a time of crisis, a
Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Anadolu.
“Journalists covering conflicts are
afforded protection under humanitarian law and we urge all parties to avoid
deliberate attacks against them and only detain them on justified grounds,” the
spokesperson added.
The Israeli army on Friday violently
attacked Anadolu photojournalist Mustafa Alkharouf, who had been on duty in the
occupied East Jerusalem before he was hospitalized.
The incident occurred as a group of
Palestinians gathered in the Wadi al-Jozneighborhood near the flashpoint
Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray, as restrictions imposed by the Israeli army on Friday
prayers at the mosque went into their 10th week.
Source: aa.com.tr
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------
Germany calls for investigation into
killing of journalists in Israel-Palestine conflict
AyhanSimsek
15.12.2023
Germany on Friday expressed concern over
increased attacks targeting journalists in the ongoing conflict between Israel
and Palestine.
“We of course very much regret it when
journalists become victims of this war, and we of course support in every way
possible the investigation of what happened there,” deputy government
spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann told a news conference in Berlin.
“This should be done comprehensively,
and I assume that the Israeli authorities will also do this,” she added.
Hoffmann made the remarks in response to
a question by Anadolu on the increased harassment of journalists by Israeli
security forces, and the killing of at least 87 journalists and media workers
since Oct. 7.
Speaking at the same news conference,
German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer urged authorities to
respect freedom of press and allow journalists to do their work.
“Freedom of the press is an
exceptionally important value that must be guaranteed, even under very
difficult circumstances. The investigation of such incidents, which we very
much regret, is also very important for us,” she said.
Al Jazeera correspondent Wael
Al-Dahdouah was wounded on Friday by shrapnel during an Israeli airstrike on
the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.
Also on Friday, Anadolu photojournalist
Mustafa Alkharouf was assaulted by Israeli forces while covering a Palestinian
gathering near Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli police, who set up barricades in
the area, first pulled out their weapons at Alkharouf, and then threw him on
the ground, beating and kicking him.
He suffered severe blows resulting in
injuries to his face and body and was transported by ambulance to the Makassed
Hospital in occupied East Jerusalem.
Source: aa.com.tr
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-----
Western nations urge Israel to halt
settler violence in West Bank
December 16, 2023
PARIS: Western nations and the European
Union on Friday urged Israel to “take concrete steps to halt unprecedented
violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank,” in a joint statement
published by France’s foreign ministry.
The call from Australia, Britain,
Canada, France, the European Union and several other European countries — but
notably excluding Germany and the United States — highlighted “an unprecedented
number of attacks perpetrated by extremist settlers” since early Oct that they
said had claimed eight Palestinian lives and wounded 83 people.
Reiterating that Israel’s settlement
policy “is illegal under international law,” the signatories of Friday’s
statement said that “as the occupying power, Israel must protect Palestinian
civilians in the West Bank” and “bring those responsible for this violence to
justice”.
Friday’s statement comes days after EU
chief Ursula von der Leyen backed imposing sanctions on “extremist” Israeli
settlers — although not all of the bloc’s 27 nations agree.
Call on Tel Aviv to ensure safety of
civilians
While some members such as Spain have
sharply criticised Israeli aggression against Gazans, others including Germany
stand firmly behind the state.
In the West Bank city of Jenin, the
troops killed a youth at a hospital during raids, Palestinian authorities said.
Soldiers operating inside the Khalil
Suleiman hospital compound just outside Jenin’s built-up refugee camp killed an
unarmed teenager there, according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders
(MSF). Soldiers shot the 17-year-old in the chest, the Palestinian health
ministry said.
During the raid Israel blocked
ambulances from entering the camp to transport seriously ill patients, Mahmoud
Al-Saadi, director of the Palestinian Red Crescent in the northern West Bank
city, said.
“The army did not allow us to enter,”
despite attempts to coordinate with the International Red Cross and the U.N.
Palestinian relief agency, he said, adding soldiers were also stationed outside
the hospital.
‘Leave the West Bank’
Alaa Al Sadi, who lives in the Jenin
camp, said soldiers who came to his home searching for guns smashed his
television before taking him blindfolded into detention at an army compound
outside the city for about 14 hours, along with hundreds of other people.
The soldiers found no guns but demolished
his family home and accused him of being a member of Hamas, telling him he
should leave the West Bank and move to Lebanon or Syria, Al Sadi, 44, said in
an interview. He denied any links to the Hamas.
The Israeli military did not respond to
a request for comment about Alaa Al Sadi’s account.
Turkiye strongly condemns “provocations”
by Israeli forces during raids on a refugee camp and the desecration of a
mosque there, Turkiye’s foreign ministry said, calling for those responsible to
be punished.
“We strongly condemn the provocations of
Israeli soldiers who stormed the Jenin Refugee Camp, and disrespected sanctity
of a place of worship by entering the mosque,” Spokesman OncuKeceli said on
social messaging platform X late on Thursday.
“In East Jerusalem and the West Bank,
where tensions are running extremely high due to settler terror and heavy
pressure and attacks by Israeli security forces against Palestinians, we expect
attacks on Muslim holy places to be ended immediately and those who perpetrate
these provocations to be punished in the most severe way,” he added.
The Palestinian government criticised
the operation inside Jenin as a “dangerous escalation” and in a statement said
the desecration of the mosque by some Israeli troops fanned religious tension.
Israel’s army said it would discipline the soldiers.
The majority of the people taken into
detention earlier in the raid have since been released, the Palestinian
Prisoner’s Club, an advocacy group, said in a statement.
Source: dawn.com
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------
Britain, partners call on Israel to
tackle settler violence
December 15, 2023
LONDON: Britain, the EU, and more than a
dozen partner countries, including Australia and Canada, called on Israel to
take immediate and concrete steps to tackle settler violence in the occupied
West Bank.
“This rise in extremist settler violence
committed against Palestinians is unacceptable,” the countries said in a joint
statement published by the British government.
“Proactive steps must now be taken to
ensure the effective and immediate protection of Palestinian communities.”
On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary
David Cameron said those responsible for settler violence against Palestinians
would be banned from entering Britain, following a similar plan by the EU.
“Israel’s failure to protect
Palestinians and prosecute extremist settlers has led to an environment of near
complete impunity in which settler violence has reached unprecedented levels,”
said the joint statement — from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the EU,
Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, and Britain.
“This undermines security in the West
Bank and the region and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.”
The statement said that since the start
of October, settlers have committed more than 343 violent attacks, killing
eight Palestinian civilians, injuring more than 83, and forcing 1,026
Palestinians from their homes.
Turkiye separately condemned
“provocations” by Israeli forces during raids on a refugee camp in the occupied
West Bank city of Jenin and the desecration of a mosque there, the Turkish Foreign
Ministry said, calling for those responsible to be punished.
Israeli troops killed a youth at a
hospital and read out Jewish prayers at a mosque in Jenin during the raids that
Palestinian authorities said killed 12.
“We strongly condemn the provocations of
Israeli soldiers who stormed the Jenin Refugee Camp and disrespected the
sanctity of a place of worship by entering the mosque,” spokesman OncuKeceli
said on social messaging platform X.
“In East Jerusalem and the West Bank,
where tensions are running extremely high due to settler terror and heavy
pressure and attacks by Israeli security forces against Palestinians, we expect
attacks on Muslim holy places to be ended immediately and those who perpetrate
these provocations to be punished most severely,” he added.
The Palestinian government criticized
the operation inside Jenin as a “dangerous escalation” and, in a statement,
said the desecration of the mosque by some Israeli troops fanned religious
tension. Israel’s army said it would discipline the soldiers.
Turkiye, which supports a two-state
solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has harshly
criticized Israel for its attacks on Gaza and in the West Bank, saying the
Israeli settlers in the region were “terrorists.”
It has called for an immediate ceasefire
and slammed Western support for Israel.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2426556/world
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/israel-hamas-recruit-workers/d/131324