Middle East Press on: Israel, US, Netanyahu, Palestinian, Lebanon, Trump: New Age Islam's Selection, 20 November 2024
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
20 November 2024
An Open Letter To Israel’s New Ambassador To The US
Sa'ar, Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It: Save Israeli Diplomacy
Israel’s Own Deep-State Problem: Undermining Netanyahu And Preventing Victory
Brazil's President Lula Calls For Urgent Action On Gaza At G20 Summit
With Gaza War, Israel Has Normalized Genocide
Israeli Government In A Rush To Legislate Against Palestinians
Egypt’s Role In The Conflict Between Israel And Lebanon
Dismantling The Middle East’s Barriers To Gender Equality
Trump’s Return: A Bold Vision To Reshape The Middle East
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An Open Letter To Israel’s New Ambassador To The Us
By Tova Herzl
November 20, 2024
Congratulations on your selection as Israel’s ambassador to Washington. Unlike career diplomats (as I was) who dutifully represent the varying positions of changing governments, you are identified with a particular regime. Nevertheless, allow me to share my perspective on the work of an ambassador in general and on working in America in particular.
Any ambassador should represent his entire country, not only the government which sent him and the person helming it. Also, while the main focus is representing his country (Israel) where he is posted (US), he should also report to Israel honestly and thoroughly on what is happening in America.
For that, he – you - must leave one’s natural comfort zone. This means moving beyond those who support the current government of Israel, including deepening settlements in the territories, an endeavor that you promoted for years and is backed by your recently announced American counterpart to Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee.
You may ask, why bother to confront critics, to step on scorched earth, when there are many supporters, headed by president-elect Donald Trump, Republicans, and millions of Evangelicals? Because while comfortable and tempting, this approach could leave us empty-handed.
It is possible that Trump has changed, as indicated by his efforts to capture the Arab vote. Also, during his first term, he proposed a peace plan that included territorial compromise. His staunchest supporters agree that he is unpredictable; it is impossible to know what he will propose in his second term or how he will react if his proposals are rejected.
Although the Democrats did not succeed in the recent elections, close ties with them are a vital Israeli interest. A Democratic president may well be elected in 2028. Even before, midterm elections tend to favor the party not in the White House. Given that each dollar that leaves the US Treasury requires the separate approval of both the House and Senate, Israeli disregard for Democrats may cost us dearly.
Reflecting on Dermer
AS FOR EVANGELICALS, Ron Dermer, your predecessor and now a cabinet minister, famously stated that it is better to cultivate them than Jews because they are more numerous and they criticize Israel less. He was correct about the numbers. He was wrong that they automatically support Israel and its Right.
I recently came across a survey that showed between 2018 and 2021, support for Israel among young Evangelicals was halved, from two-thirds to one-third. During the same three-year period, their support for Palestinians rose five-fold, from 5% to one quarter. Relying on Evangelical support will mortgage Israel’s relations in America, especially with its Jews, in return for transient support.
Regarding our Jewish brethren – it is difficult to imagine their current anxiety and isolation. Most vote for Democrats. They were shocked and pained when many who share their liberal values turned their backs on Israel in its distress. Although they are not citizens of Israel and are not responsible for its actions, for more than a year now, they have encountered antisemitism.
If this were not enough, they find themselves between a hammer and a hard place. Whoever supports human rights based on what he views as his Jewish values cannot comprehend Israel’s moves toward annexation (not to be confused with a military presence), which will formalize the inequality of Palestinians. This happens even as we pride ourselves on being a democracy, while attempts continue to undermine its foundations, such as the independence of gatekeepers.
To do your job, you will have to respond to all that, while knowing that your interlocutors know that polls indicate that the majority of Israelis do not trust the government or the prime minister.
In addition to your many qualifications in business, academia, and more, you are an ordained Orthodox rabbi. Most American Jews are Reform or Conservative. Their siding with Israel cannot erase the humiliation they feel here. This is true even when there is no inherent religious problem; egalitarian prayer at a corner of the Western Wall was shelved due to ultra-Orthodox pressure.
While they continue to contribute and lobby Congress for aid to Israel, they are concerned about the implications of increased government support for this non-productive sector and fear its growing influence on the public arena. This will further alienate many American Jews from the Jewish homeland.
If you will be a sectorial ambassador, representing our Right to the Right there, all these issues will be irrelevant. Otherwise, it will not be easy to deal with them, and to listen openly, in order to make recommendations to Jerusalem on how to address growing gaps.
You may wish to ask yourself, before setting out, if and how you expect the overall relations to improve during your term in office, and how history will judge your role.
True, you come from Israel’s Right, yet you have a unique opportunity to rehabilitate the relationship between the two countries, sector by sector. Your success will be the success of us all. Good luck!
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-829885
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Sa'ar, Your Mission, Should You Choose To Accept It: Save Israeli Diplomacy
By Jpost Editorial
November 20, 2024
On November 11, a day after taking up his new position as foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar did something that showed he is acutely aware of the enormous challenges that he and Israel are facing in the international arena. He held a briefing in English at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Jerusalem for the foreign media, which was attended by dozens of journalists from major media outlets in the world. These are the main points of his briefing:
“The most important issue by far for the future of this region and the security of the State of Israel is to avoid Iran getting a nuclear weapon. I am sure that we will be able to work together with the US to stabilize the region and guarantee the future of the region. A nuclear weapon for Iran will be a danger not only to Israel. Iran attacks other neighbors – the Saudis, for example. Iran is directly connected to, financing, instructing and responsible for so many terror organizations, some of which became terror states in the region. That’s the number one issue from the point of view of the State of Israel."
"There is some progress in the attempts to reach a settlement with Lebanon. We are working with the Americans on the issue. We can be there when we know that Hezbollah is not on our border, that it is north of the Litani River, and that Hezbollah will not be able to rearm itself with new weapon systems through Syria, from the sea, from the airport, in any way. Our main challenge will be to enforce what is agreed upon."
"We will insist on all issues related to Israel’s national security. We want to bring our citizens home safely. I hope that the change in the balance of power in Lebanon will bring Lebanon into a new era, but that is not our role. Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people, not to Iran. We will make sure that Hezbollah does not pose a threat to Israel. The international community can guarantee the future of Lebanon as a free country, as a sovereign country, not as an extension of Iran, and I am sure that the majority of the Lebanese people do not want to be an Iranian extension."
Sa’ar is a savvy politician who clearly knows how to talk to diplomats and journalists. It helps that he’s married to Geula Even-Sa’ar, a top radio and TV presenter who retired in 2018 to allow her husband to make his political comeback. After first entering the Knesset and later the government on the Likud list in 2003, he has now returned as the head of his own political party, New Hope. And as Israel’s war on multiple fronts rages on, Sa’ar is currently in a powerful position in which he can literally offer new hope by leading a rehabilitation and perhaps even a revolution in the sphere of Israel’s dismal public relations. Among other things, Sa’ar should:
Engage in effective shuttle diplomacy with major international powers, focusing on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, UK, France, China, and Russia – to convey Israel’s moral, military, and diplomatic positions vigorously and unequivocally. He has access to foreign ministers from around the world. He should use this access as much as he can.
Establish a professional hasbara (public relations) unit that would take charge of eloquently articulating Israel’s stance on a range of issues to international mainstream media as well as social media. (He might even invite local and international stars to advise him, from Eylon Levy and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, to Douglas Murray and Ben Shapiro).
Form alliances with powerful pro-Israel political, religious and cultural organizations and personalities around the globe, especially in the Middle East, to expand the Abraham Accords and the peace treaties that already exist with Arab states, and set up a channel of communication with moderate Palestinian figures who support peace and coexistence.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-829891
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Israel’s Own Deep-State Problem: Undermining Netanyahu And Preventing Victory
By Avi Abelow
November 20, 2024
There was an explosion outside of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday night.
A few weeks ago, the son of a major Israeli newspaper owner was arrested for possession of explosives. He admitted to the authorities then that he planned to use them to fire at Netanyahu’s house. At the time, the judge released him, saying, “It must be understood that he had them in order to protest.” The same explosives were the ones that were just shot at Netanyahu’s house.
Every day, we see more headlines about violence against Netanyahu, allegations against Netanyahu, and crazy actions or inactions by the justice system – against Netanyahu. In this case, an Israeli judge’s decision directly endangered the prime minister. Yet, we have major media personalities dismissing this event and instead criticizing the justice minister for highlighting this dangerous corruption as more evidence of the need for judicial reform.
Sadly, there are powers in Israel that have been working for years to topple Netanyahu and weaken the Israeli Right even when it has been the clear preference of the people. The minority that has been manipulating the public this way is terrified by the amount of change they disagree with that can be accomplished with Trump and Netanyahu in power simultaneously: change that the people in Israel and the United States have mandated.
Israel, like America under Trump, contends with a “deep state” – an unelected faction within government, military, intelligence, and media that operates independently, obstructing elected officials and advancing its own agenda. Just as the US has a small minority interested in stopping the development of a strong and proud America, Israel has a similar minority with a similar agenda to stop it from being a strong and proud Jewish Israel. This deep state poses a serious threat to Israel’s unity, democracy, and ability to confront existential enemies.
The judicial system
One glaring example of the deep state is Israel’s activist, anti-Netanyahu judiciary. Recently, Sheffi Paz, a 72-year-old activist against illegal migration, was imprisoned for 45 days for graffiti, while anti-government protesters who acted violently during judicial reform demonstrations faced no comparable consequences. This hypocrisy reveals a justice system manipulated to serve the deep state’s interests, enforcing one set of rules for right-wing activists and another for their left-wing counterparts.
At the same time, the attorney-general has demanded that Netanyahu attend court proceedings three times a week, diverting his focus from managing the existential conflict. These legal battles, based on crumbling cases, are designed to delegitimize and weaken his leadership at the most critical time.
Divisive tactics: The ultra-Orthodox draftThe deep state also manipulates societal issues, such as the ultra-Orthodox draft, to sow division and weaken government coalitions. This is a legitimate societal issue, one that needs real and thoughtful solutions. Instead, it’s being cynically weaponized to divide the ultra-Orthodox and National Religious political factions, with the clear aim of toppling the government.
Challenges in the military
The influence of the deep state extends into the IDF. Senior commanders in the Achim Laneshek (Brothers in Arms) organization openly called for mass refusal to serve, even during wartime, yet faced no repercussions. Meanwhile, Chezi Nechama, a senior reserve officer with extensive combat experience, was dismissed for offering constructive criticism on how to win the war. This double standard undermines military effectiveness and morale.
Additionally, recent arrests of IDF officers accused of sharing documents with the Prime Minister’s Office highlight a troubling pattern. These documents were Hamas material, not classified leaks. Yet, officers are being subjected to harsh solitary confinement while significant leaks of sensitive information to Israel’s media – endangering soldiers and security – were ignored! This selective enforcement appears designed to destabilize Netanyahu’s leadership rather than safeguard national security.
“It hurts us very much that the lives of young people are being destroyed with libelous claims aimed to harm the right-wing government,” the PMO said in a statement, “In a democratic country, people are not arrested and kept for 20 days in a basement without legal consultations because of a leak – just to extract from them false statements against the prime minister.
“After a year of the deluge of criminal leaks from the cabinet discussions and the prisoners-and-missing-persons discussions – which provided valuable intelligence to our enemies,” the statement said, “the only two investigations that were opened were directed against the Prime Minister’s Office and not against the other leakers, none of whom were investigated, and who caused tremendous damage to the abductees and Israel’s security.”
The media’s role
The media and the establishment blew up the latest document transfer “scandal” as “the most damaging leak in history,” when in reality, no investigation has even begun on the very real leaks by senior officials to the media. These daily leaks risked our soldiers and gave our enemies critical insights – all to destabilize Netanyahu’s leadership.
Israel’s establishment media exacerbates the problem, consistently amplifying voices that urge Israel to capitulate. Former officials like Yisrael Ziv and Ehud Barak and opposition figures such as Benny Gantz frequently appear on news programs advocating for a halt to military operations. At every crucial stage, these “pundits” have opposed decisive action – urging Israel not to enter Gaza, not to conquer Rafah, not to secure the Philadelphi Corridor, and to avoid confronting Hezbollah.
The message they broadcast on the nightly news to the nation is always the same: we’re losing soldiers, we’re losing the war, the government is at fault for the captives dying, and we should surrender to a ceasefire without securing many of the critical war objectives.
Their messaging – aligned with demands from the Biden-Harris administration – demoralizes the public and pressures the government toward premature ceasefires, undermining Israel’s strategic goals.
Public resistance
Despite these challenges, public trust in establishment media has waned. Many Israelis now prefer the patriotic Channel 14, reflecting a growing rejection of deep state narratives.
The path forward
Israel’s deep state comprises a very small minority within senior security, justice, and media circles, but their impact is profound. Israelis must recognize this threat and remain united. The physical battles in Gaza and Southern Lebanon are being won, but internal unity is equally vital.
With Trump’s upcoming administration, the potential for a strong Trump-Netanyahu partnership could reshape the region and the world positively. However, the deep state will intensify its efforts to topple Netanyahu’s government. This is not a struggle we can afford to lose. Israel’s future depends on overcoming both external enemies and internal subversion. United, we will prevail.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-829914
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Brazil's President Lula Calls For Urgent Action On Gaza At G20 Summit
By Eman Abusidu
November 19, 2024
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the 19th G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, and took the opportunity to highlight the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The ongoing Israeli genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza has killed at least 44,000 people, mainly women and children, and wounded 104,000 others. An estimated 11,000 people are missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes and other civilian infrastructure destroyed by Israel. Millions have been displaced, most of them on multiple occasions, and the population faces starvation due to Israel blocking humanitarian aid.
Lula reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, underscored the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis, and called for increased international aid to Gaza. He also advocated for a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.
“Affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution, where Palestinians coexist peacefully within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” said the Brazilian president. “We stand united in support of a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza.”
He further emphasised that any ceasefire must align with UN resolutions, including those sponsored by the US, and must uphold obligations under international humanitarian law.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit is being hosted by Brazil and has brought together leaders from all nineteen member-states, along with representatives from the African Union and the European Union. Attendees included prominent world leaders such as Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi.
The summit’s final joint declaration addressed several pressing global issues, including the Gaza genocide, the war in Ukraine, climate change and global governance reforms. Notably, it called for reforms in the UN Security Council, reflecting a growing consensus among member states on the need for more equitable representation in international decision-making.
Earlier, President Lula addressed the genocide in the Gaza Strip during his speech at the Urban 20 summit on Sunday, on the sidelines of the G20 focused on urban development and city financing. The Brazilian leader highlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s bombs on Gaza.
“The Gaza Strip, one of humanity’s oldest urban settlements [4000 BC], has had two-thirds of its territory destroyed by indiscriminate bombing,” said Lula. “Eighty per cent of its health facilities no longer exist. Under its rubble lie over 40,000 lives lost.”
Lula has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel’s actions, supporting South Africa’s genocide case against the apartheid state at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Israel has designated the Brazilian leader persona non grata.
One of those whom Lula has met on the sidelines of the summit is Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The two leaders discussed the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories. Both expressed deep concern over Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories, emphasising the need for international action on the humanitarian and political crisis in the region.
Thousands have flocked to the Copacabana area of Rio’s city centre, despite heavy rain, to protest against the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. More than 300 Brazilian popular and trade union organisations have taken part in a massive march, with participants urging Lula to “cut ties with Israel over genocide.”
Although strict security measures were imposed by the Brazilian government, the organisers insisted on holding the march to send a powerful message about the importance of the Palestinian cause on the international stage. They aimed to pressure the assembled leaders to denounce the occupation state and called for the inclusion of references to the genocide against the Palestinian people in the summit’s final declaration, as well as to confront the imperialist interests of the United States and Israel.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241119-brazils-president-lula-calls-for-urgent-action-on-gaza-at-g20-summit/
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With Gaza War, Israel Has Normalized Genocide
Osama Al-Sharif
November 19, 2024
To say that the world has failed the Palestinians for decades is an understated fact. To admit that it has turned its back on the people of Gaza is tantamount to complicity in an ongoing massacre, the crime of the century, which is yet to end. Now in its 14th month, Israel’s war on Gaza is an unrelenting nightmare that has all the characteristics of genocide, yet few officials or bodies have come out to label it as such.
Israel has denied that its war on Gaza is genocide. It has rejected accusations that it is using starvation as collective punishment, that it is deliberately targeting civilians and resorting to the indiscriminate bombing of hospitals, schools and UN buildings, and that it is using banned weapons like white phosphorus.
But after more than 44,000 fatalities and countless injured and missing persons, several UN officials and human rights organizations have come out to accuse Israel of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and collective punishment against more than 2 million people, almost all of whom are now displaced.
The list of accusations is long. Israel has kidnapped doctors and nurses and some have died in Israeli detention centers in suspicious circumstances. There is mounting evidence that Israel uses torture, including rape, against men, women and children. Israel has killed more than 180 journalists and hundreds of doctors, academics and humanitarian workers.
Still, Israel’s horrific onslaught continues unabated in an audacious challenge to the Geneva Conventions, the Genocide Convention, other areas of international humanitarian law, the laws of war, UN Security Council resolutions and the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling from January on Israel’s obligations toward the civilian population in Gaza. The list goes on and on.
According to the Genocide Convention, genocide is a crime that can take place in times of war as well as in times of peace. The definition contained in Article II of the convention describes genocide as a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part.
Israel’s indifference to its obligations under the law is directly linked to the shameless support it receives from the US, which continues to supply Israel with lethal weapons while failing to hold it accountable to even its most basic responsibilities as an occupying power. There is no doubt that the US and other countries that continue to send weapons and munitions to Israel are directly complicit in the crimes being committed in Gaza.
A report published by a UN special committee last week said that Israel’s war conduct in Gaza “is consistent with the characteristics of genocide,” including mass civilian casualties and using starvation as a weapon. The report added: “Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population.”
Outspoken UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory Francesca Albanese has directly accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Last month, she presented a report titled “Genocide as colonial erasure,” which concluded that Israel’s genocide is founded on “ideological hatred” and “dehumanization,” and “enabled through the various organs of the state.” She recommended that Israel be unseated from the UN over its conduct. Naturally, she is accused by Israel and the US of antisemitism.
Human Rights Watch last week accused the Israeli authorities of causing the forced displacement of Palestinian people in Gaza to an extent that constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel’s response was that the organization was using rhetoric that is “completely false and detached from reality.”
In March, 12 of Israel’s most prominent human rights organizations signed an open letter accusing the country of failing to comply with the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling that it should facilitate access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Organizations like the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF and the World Health Organization have repeatedly highlighted the dire humanitarian situation. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for investigations into potential war crimes.
Even Pope Francis is reportedly calling for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released on Sunday from an upcoming book ahead of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year in 2025.
When Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, asked the court in May to issue warrants to arrest Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination, Israel and the US moved quickly to hinder the court’s compliance. Khan and the court’s judges were openly threatened by US lawmakers.
More than six months after Khan requested those warrants to be issued, the judges remain silent. Meanwhile, Khan, who also warned against the intimidation of court officials, now faces a probe into alleged sexual misconduct.
Soon after he was selected as the next majority leader of the US Senate, John Thune last week issued an outrageous and threatening statement: “If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis.”
It is now a fact that Israel’s impunity for its crimes in Gaza and America’s complete and unconditional support of its genocide have become a litmus test of the validity of the rules-based order, the UN and all international conventions and laws.
Israel and the US are against any investigation into the Gaza war, now or ever. One wonders how Israel will manage the devastated Strip once the war ends. Will it allow independent journalists and human rights observers into Gaza? For how long does it believe it can deny access to both?
It is inconceivable that the world can return to business as usual once the war ends. The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court will become symbols of a colossal miscarriage of justice. The UN, which Netanyahu has dubbed a “swamp of antisemitic bile,” will become irrelevant.
The persistent lack of accountability for Israeli violations, including attacks on civilians, destruction of infrastructure and the imposition of collective punishment, has created a climate of impunity. This emboldens Israel to carry out further violations as it undermines the rule of law.
What is perhaps the most horrifying reality is that Israel has managed to normalize the most heinous act by any state: genocide.
If Israel is allowed to get away with war crimes and genocide in Gaza, the rules-based order will become meaningless and void. What replaces it will be chaos and mayhem. Gaza is now the biggest challenge to the post-Second World War US-led order.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579929
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Israeli Government In A Rush To Legislate Against Palestinians
Yossi Mekelberg
November 19, 2024
Let’s put it bluntly: the Israeli government is on a mission to destroy any chance of a peace agreement with the Palestinians based on a two-state solution. It is not concealing this or apologetic about it.
One of the instruments it uses for this purpose is the enactment of legislation hostile to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinians in general. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has embarked on this mission with both a great appetite and a sense of urgency, suggesting that its members believe this is their great, and perhaps only, opportunity to fulfill their dream of a “Greater Israel,” which requires the annexation of the West Bank, while they are also recklessly advancing the cause of annexing at least part of the Gaza Strip, if not all of it.
With its solid majority in the Knesset, the government appears to be in a hurry to pass legislation that dramatically alters the legal relations between Israel and the Occupied Territories. Much of it is directed at weakening the Palestinian Authority, in addition to harassing and intimidating Palestinians and making them feel insecure and subject to total Israeli control. One of the leading culprits in this hostile legislation is Simcha Rothman, who is little-known abroad but in Israel is infamous for being one of the major driving forces behind the attacks on the country’s judiciary that began with the formation of the current administration two years ago.
Rothman, a member of the extreme-right Religious Zionism party, also chairs the Knesset’s influential Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, where he orchestrates his antidemocratic and anti-Palestinian legislation. For instance, he has tabled a bill setting out to deny the PA the right to petition to Israel’s Supreme Court, a bill that the Knesset plenum recently passed with a big majority in a preliminary reading.
This legislation followed an unprecedented move by the PA of filing a petition to Israel's High Court of Justice, requesting it to overturn two laws that allow victims of Palestinian terrorism and their families to seek financial damages from the PA. First, the Knesset legislated to allow the families of the victims to sue the PA, subjecting the governing body of the Palestinians to Israeli law, but then deprived it of the basic right that anyone else has to appeal.
Mind you, Palestinian victims of Jewish terrorism, for instance in the West Bank, do not have similar legal standing to sue the Israeli government and, in any case, one might ask: can the PA or any Palestinian expect justice from an Israeli court? It is actually the cooperation between the security forces of Israel and the PA that has saved many Israeli lives since the 1990s.
Rothman and others in the government are continuing to abuse their power, as previously demonstrated by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s decision to withhold the tax revenues that Israel collects for the PA, which are its financial oxygen and anchored in treaties with Israel, in a move that is no more than a ploy to bring about the collapse of the PA.
And if you ask yourself why, it is because, in their zeal and myopia, they want to provoke a power vacuum in the belief that the resulting chaos would work to their advantage. For the settler movement, the destruction of the PA would mean the end of one of the last remaining vestiges of the Oslo Accords, which in turn would open the path for Israel to annex the West Bank. The most extreme among them are already fantasizing about ethnic cleansing there, similar to what is allegedly already taking place in Gaza.
But this is not the full story. Earlier this month, the Knesset passed another law, one that allows the government to deport family members of those convicted of terrorism offenses. This includes Israeli citizens, although no one could imagine it being applied to anyone but the Palestinian citizens of Israel.
The law allows for the deportation of family members of those who had advance knowledge of a terrorist act and either failed to report the matter to the police or “expressed support or identification” with such an act. It is hard to imagine how on earth the legislature of a country claiming to be a democracy could enact such an Orwellian piece of legislation whereby first-degree relatives — in other words the parents, siblings or children — of those committing an unlawful act could be expelled by the interior minister for up to 20 years, without any due process of culpability, which many legal experts claim is plainly unconstitutional. This truly draconian legislation imposes severe punishments on people, without trial and without the authorities having the burden of proof.
Another piece of legislation suggested by a Likud member would enable the Israel Prison Service to deny visiting rights to high-security prisoners affiliated to “terrorist organizations that hold Israeli captives.” Without belittling the seriousness of the acts that some of these prisoners committed that earned them a prison sentence in the first place, the extreme ideology of organizations they are affiliated to or the inhuman treatment of their hostages, prisoners have the right of visitation enshrined in international law. And this right is also a measure that keeps prisons relatively calm.
However, for Israel’s right-wing legislators, it is not about international law, human rights, morality or even expediency, but a contest among themselves to prove to their electoral base who is the most punitive toward the Palestinians.
This barrage of anti-Palestinian legislation suggests one of two things. First, that the government is confident, maybe overconfident, that neither opposition at home nor pressure from abroad can halt its rush to make the PA irrelevant and a peace process impossible. Or, second, that it is a coalition that cannot believe its luck at being in power in the first place, yet it knows that its prime minister is extremely weak and so, although he will cave in to any of their demands in his desperation to stay in power, he might nevertheless not survive for much longer. Hence their rush to enact as many laws, budgets, settlement expansions and further policies that discriminate against Palestinians and harm the PA to make their policies as irreversible as possible before they are consigned to the dustbin of history, where they belong.
These far-right elements are well aware that a government led by someone who is scheduled to very soon give evidence in his corruption trial and is responsible for the failure to foil Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, let alone enjoying little public support, could disappear from politics at any moment. In the meantime, the challenge is to ensure that this Israeli government does not leave scorched earth behind it.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579925
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Egypt’s Role In The Conflict Between Israel And Lebanon
Dr. Abdellatif El-Menawy
November 19, 2024
The announcement by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty regarding his daily communications with international and regional parties in an effort to halt the Israeli aggression on Lebanon came as no surprise to observers. Egypt’s efforts to leverage its relationships within Lebanon and across the region align with its historical approach to dealing with the country. These efforts also reflect Egypt’s current political will to address regional crises, with the aim of preventing further escalation that could harm all parties involved. This risk has loomed over the region since the Oct. 7 attack last year, followed by Israel’s brutal, multifaceted aggression.
As Abdelatty stated on his arrival in Beirut, the “sole objective is to stop Israel’s brutal aggression on Lebanon as quickly as possible.” He also emphasized that Egypt is maintaining “daily communications with all international and regional parties, including the United States, France, the European Union and Arab nations, to put an end to this aggression.”
During his visit, the minister clarified Egypt’s stance on the war Israel is waging against Lebanon, holding meetings with all political factions. However, the question remains: Can Egypt and the broader Arab world’s efforts in supporting Lebanon withstand Western pressures?
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically after the events of Oct. 7, 2023, heightening tensions and fears of a broader conflict. As a prominent regional power with a long history of mediation and peacemaking, Egypt is once again in the spotlight as a potential key player in seeking a resolution. However, the complexities of this conflict — rooted in entrenched rivalries and geopolitical interests — present significant challenges.
Egypt’s history as a mediator in Middle Eastern disputes spans decades. In the Arab-Israeli conflict, Egypt played a pivotal role through the Camp David Accords of 1978, which established peace between Egypt and Israel and made it the first Arab state to recognize Israel.
In Lebanon, Egypt’s involvement dates back to the 20th century, particularly during the Arab Cold War in the 1950s and 1960s, when Gamal Abdel Nasser supported Arab nationalist movements. During Lebanon’s civil war of 1975 to 1990, Egypt maintained a neutral stance, working through the Arab League to support peace initiatives.
In recent decades, Egypt has continued to play a stabilizing role during political crises, such as the aftermath of Rafik Hariri’s assassination in 2005. Its strategic interest in Lebanon is tied to the broader goals of regional stability, curbing the presence of armed factions and countering rival powers.
Egypt’s relationships with Israel and the Arab states position it as a bridge during times of conflict. For instance, during Israel’s wars on Gaza, Egypt has mediated ceasefires between Israel and Palestinian factions. These experiences provide Egypt with valuable insights into managing asymmetric conflicts involving groups like Hezbollah.
The recent Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the subsequent expansion of the conflict to other parts of Lebanon have heightened the risk of a broader regional escalation, which Egypt is eager to prevent. Alongside other Arab capitals, Cairo could use its diplomatic channels to promote a ceasefire, whether through behind-the-scenes negotiations or multilateral platforms like the Arab League or the UN.
Cairo’s primary objective is to prevent the conflict from escalating into wider violence that could destabilize neighboring countries such as Syria and Jordan. To achieve this, it may engage various Lebanese and regional players, including indirect contact with Hezbollah via intermediaries like France or Qatar, to encourage restraint.
Egypt’s relatively neutral position gives it a unique opportunity to mediate.
Additionally, it can contribute to stabilizing Lebanon’s civilian population, which bears the brunt of the conflict. These efforts include providing humanitarian aid, supporting reconstruction and politically backing Lebanese institutions to prevent further state collapse.
Achieving a resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict requires cooperation among regional and international stakeholders. While Egypt’s role is significant, it relies on broader coordination. Regional collaboration is one of the most effective tools for influencing the situation in Lebanon. Cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states is particularly vital, as their economic and political influence in Lebanon complements Egypt’s diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s involvement is equally crucial. Egypt’s pragmatic approach toward Tehran, combined with its relations with Arab nations, offers an opportunity to act as a mediator.
The US, as a key ally of Egypt, can support Egyptian mediation efforts by pressuring Israel to accept ceasefire conditions. Cairo’s strong military ties with the US provide it with additional leverage in negotiations.
Although the EU and France have less influence, Paris’ historical ties to Lebanon and its active role in seeking solutions align with Egypt’s interests. Enhanced cooperation between Cairo and Paris could bolster mediation efforts.
While Egypt cannot resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah single-handedly, it can play a constructive role within a multilateral framework. To succeed, Cairo must continue with the steps it has already begun, such as calling for an immediate ceasefire through the Arab League and the UN, strengthening relations with key regional players — particularly Saudi Arabia — and supporting the Lebanese government and military to reduce Hezbollah’s dominance over the state.
Egypt’s role in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is shaped by its long history, regional relationships and pragmatic approach to diplomacy. Despite the challenges, Egypt’s ability to engage multiple stakeholders and its commitment to regional stability position it as a potential player in de-escalation efforts. To succeed, Egypt must coordinate with regional and international actors, balancing conflicting interests to pave the way for a sustainable resolution.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579917
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Dismantling The Middle East’s Barriers To Gender Equality
Ehtesham Shahid
November 19, 2024
A June report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development claimed: “Women’s status in the Middle East and North Africa has steadily improved over the past 30 years.” It attributed the shift to “increased participation in the public sphere and a growing body of laws, policies and initiatives to foster gender equality.” Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hampering progress on gender equality and shifting focus away from the challenge, as initiatives combating gender inequality in the region expand, they often reveal the need for even greater efforts.
Some studies use COVID-19 as a frame of reference and claim that the pandemic exacerbated existing gender inequalities worldwide. They found this phenomenon more evident in the MENA region, where women remain underrepresented in formal employment, with labor force participation rates showing the lowest levels globally.
However, some studies also highlight green shoots in the desert, raising expectations of a slow but steady transformation. For instance, the World Economic Forum’s “Gender Gap 2024” report claimed that, with a gender parity score of just 61.7 percent, the MENA region ranks last globally. However, a slow but encouraging upward trajectory means it has also improved its gender gap score by 3.9 percentage points since 2006.
The report also states that MENA countries rank seventh overall in terms of women’s economic participation and opportunity, scoring 43.1 percent. Even though the region’s labor force participation remains low, women’s representation in professional roles has shown a promising upward trajectory, suggesting a gradual shift toward more inclusive workplaces.
Educational attainment is perhaps the brightest spot in the region’s gender parity landscape, boasting an impressive score of 97.2 percent. This reflects the significant strides made in literacy and enrollment rates for both genders, marking a considerable educational equity achievement.
With balanced sex ratios at birth, the region’s health and survival metrics remain at 96.4 percent, according to the World Economic Forum. However, disparities persist in healthy life expectancy, highlighting ongoing challenges in women’s healthcare access.
MENA ranks last in political empowerment — a meager 11.7 percent in 2024, even though there has been an 8.4 percentage-point increase in political parity since 2006. More and more women are stepping into regional ministerial and parliamentary roles. This transformation signals a potential shift in its political dynamics. In other words, while MENA’s journey toward gender equality is fraught with challenges, the incremental advancements across various sectors offer hope.
A recent PwC survey highlighted a crucial aspect of gender inequality in the region: the differing perception of skill demands among male and female employees. While most aspirants of both genders strongly want to expand their skill sets, contrasts emerge in their view of the relevance of specific skills. As employees prepare for the changing job landscape over the next five years, the study concluded that men and women exhibit different attitudes toward the importance of digital, analytical and green skills. Somehow, women perceive these skills as less critical to their current career trajectories, which raises concerns about their future employability in an increasingly competitive job market.
A gender gap also exists in the perceived opportunities to acquire essential skills, reflecting a broader issue. As the individuals’ education-to-workforce transition happens, their skills are shaped and valued differently depending on gender. Such disparities can hinder career advancement and restrict access to high-demand roles. Reskilling initiatives can potentially address this challenge by creating a more inclusive approach to skill development. Organizations can enhance individual career prospects and build a more equitable and balanced workforce by recognizing and nurturing men’s and women’s diverse talents.
In the broader Arab region, economic and political instability also present significant challenges. The International Labour Organization’s “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024” claims that the Arab states — excluding the Gulf Cooperation Council — have the world’s lowest female participation rate at 11.7 percent. Male participation stands at 66.2 percent. With the GCC included, the region’s overall female participation rate increases to 25.5 percent, making it the second-lowest globally. This rate is higher than North Africa’s 20.1 percent but lower than South Asia’s 29.7 percent.
Decisive action is essential to address the region’s deeply rooted gender inequalities and numerous affirmative efforts have been made to address the situation. Like anywhere else, the journey begins with removing the barriers that hinder the progress of half the population. While challenges remain stiff, collaborative efforts and a strong commitment to change can ensure progress.
The “2024 Arab Barometer Gender Report” highlights another troubling trend: a slump in support for women’s rights, particularly concerning workplace equality, political leadership and household decision-making.
Establishing supportive environments for women juggling work and family responsibilities requires awareness campaigns and structural reforms. Recent reforms in Saudi Arabia demonstrate how state-driven initiatives can influence gender roles. The Saudi government has shown that societal attitudes can evolve by actively promoting female workforce participation and with the proper measures and support systems in place.
Even though significant progress has been made, MENA’s prevailing circumstances call for comprehensive strategies to combat entrenched gender norms and promote women’s rights across the region.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579915
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Trump’s Return: A Bold Vision To Reshape The Middle East
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed
November 19, 2024
One of the biggest mistakes in dealing with President-elect Donald Trump is underestimating his capabilities. The fact that he lacks academic jargon, analyst-style phrasing or the polished demeanor of traditional politicians does not diminish his knowledge or awareness of the issues at hand.
Trump faced ridicule from his opponents, both domestically during the electoral process and from foreign commentators seeking to tarnish his reputation. Trump is not a Yale graduate like Bill Clinton or someone with 50 years of political experience like Joe Biden. Yet, his actions during his four years as president were arguably more successful in addressing key events. For instance, when he threatened to cancel or improve the comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran, he was told it was an international deal he could not withdraw from. But he withdrew the US from it entirely, altering the course of the region’s history and saving it from the dangers of that flawed agreement.
Trump may not be as intellectually renowned as Henry Kissinger or as humble as Jimmy Carter, but his background in business, investment and real estate gives him an edge in a capitalist country like the US, which values hard work, competition and success.
Trump demonstrated his leadership abilities, most notably in winning the presidency not once but twice. His success is attributed to his personal efforts rather than public relations firms or the Republican Party’s backing, unlike many previous US presidents who relied on party support. His electoral victory is a unique testament to his popularity and influence, highlighting his ability to lead a major power like the US and make bold decisions that others might shy away from.
The president-elect will face multiple domestic battles, as he has promised his voters changes in immigration, the economy and education. His upcoming four-year term is expected to be filled with controversy and significant shifts.
What about the Middle East? Let us recall what he did when he first took office in 2017. Breaking protocol, Trump chose Riyadh, not London, as his first international destination, a departure from the tradition of visiting Britain first. At the time, Saudi Arabia faced harsh criticism from US politicians, with former President Barack Obama relegating the relationship with the Kingdom to the past.
Trump, who entered office amid allegations of racism against Arabs and Muslims, surprised everyone by accepting Saudi Arabia’s invitation and making it his first stop. His trip sent a clear message to his adversaries in Washington and countries in the region. Over his four years, Trump maintained the relationship as he envisioned and even his successor, Biden, initially backtracked on his promises and eventually followed Trump’s approach.
When the president-elect claims he can solve critical crises like those in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, among others, we should take him seriously. Trump’s Republican Party will control both houses of Congress and he has already initiated communications before officially assuming office on Jan. 20.
The final point worth noting is not how Trump sees the world, but how the world sees Trump. Internationally, he is perceived as having a strong personality, being quick to act and as a leader who follows through on his words. This image forces America’s adversaries to think twice before engaging in major confrontations with him. Most would likely prefer to negotiate agreements and political deals, knowing he possesses the willpower and tools, such as congressional support, to back his decisions.
It seems clear that Trump intends to reshape the Middle East and we will witness this through agreements and sanctions rather than wars. Indeed, as he often points out, he governed for four years without engaging in a single war, but he was relentless in enforcing sanctions. For this reason, the region must prepare and adapt to the upcoming changes.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2579910
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/middle-east-press/israel-us-netanyahu-palestinian-lebanon-trump/d/133761
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