RAMALLAH: Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of various cities on Thursday to protest on the 100th anniversary of Britain’s Balfour Declaration, which helped lead to Israel’s creation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas used the occasion to denounce the declaration, writing in a newspaper opinion piece that “the creation of a homeland for one people resulted in the dispossession and continuing persecution of another.”
Several Palestinian leaders have called on Britain to apologize for the 67-word declaration that said it viewed “with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
Around 4,000 people gathered in the West Bank city of Nablus, where effigies supposed to represent British Prime Minister Theresa May and former British leader Arthur Balfour were set ablaze.
A few thousand more gathered in Gaza and hundreds in Ramallah. Smaller rallies were held in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, where protesters burned a British flag.
Several dozen Palestinians also protested outside the British consulate in Jerusalem.
In Nablus, marchers chanted “Oh the English colonizers, we want an apology from you.”
In Ramallah, signs called Balfour “the promise of he who doesn’t own to those who don’t deserve” — a common expression in Arabic for the Balfour Declaration.
Some protesters held black flags calling for Palestinian refugees to be allowed the right to return, as they marched from Ramallah’s Arafat Square to a nearby British cultural office.
“Balfour promised to establish the Israeli entity and its result is everything the Palestinian people still suffer from today, such as displacement, destruction and pain,” said Abu Haitham Amro, 70, who was carrying a Palestinian flag.
In Gaza, more than 3,000 people took part in a march from a square in Gaza City to the local UN headquarters.
The Balfour Declaration is celebrated among Israelis, who see it as a major step toward the founding of their state in 1948 at a time when Jews were facing persecution elsewhere.
But the war surrounding Israel’s creation also led to some 750,000 Palestinians either fleeing or being expelled from their homes — what they call the “Nakba,” or catastrophe.
Senior Palestinian official Mahmoud Al-Alul said in Ramallah the British government should apologize.
“It is unprecedented for criminals to celebrate their crime. That the British prime minister insists on celebrating this means they persist in the oppression of the Palestinian people.”
In 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the Six-Day War. It has since annexed east Jerusalem and the occupation of the West Bank continues.
Hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are greatly diminishing.
“The Palestinians say that the Balfour Declaration was a tragedy. It wasn’t a tragedy,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday before departing for London, where he is marking the anniversary.
“What’s been tragic is their refusal to accept this 100 years later. I hope they change their mind, because if they do they can move forward finally to making peace between our two peoples.”
Abbas wrote in Britain’s Guardian newspaper: “We have endorsed the two-state solution for the past 30 years, a solution that becomes increasingly impossible with every passing day.
“As long as the state of Israel continues to be celebrated and rewarded, rather than held accountable to universal standards for its continued violations of international law, it will have no incentive to end the occupation,” he added, referring in particular to Israeli settlement building.
Thousands of Palestinians protest on Balfour Declaration centenary
Thousands of Palestinians protest on Balfour Declaration centenary
Arab News Research and Studies Unit launches latest deep dive on Jerusalem
- Focus on Israel’s land appropriations with settler organizations, marginalization of Christians and Muslims
- Arab News provides details of aim to ‘Judaize’ Palestinian East Jerusalem
LONDON: For the past 20 years Israel’s government has collaborated with the country’s leading settler movement in a plot to appropriate land in East Jerusalem, with the aim of reestablishing the Biblical “City of David,” at the cost of Muslims and Christians alike, and sabotaging any hope of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The wealthy City of David Foundation, also known as Elad, has also been given virtual carte blanche by various government departments to develop biblically themed national parks surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City.
It has also embarked on a series of controversial archaeological projects designed to provide evidence that East Jerusalem is the site of the City of David, as mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.
“What we are seeing is the establishment of a very specific, exclusionary, absolutist biblical narrative in and around the Old City, and the etching of that narrative physically into the landscape through archaeology, parks, and so on,” said Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli lawyer and founder of Terrestrial Jerusalem. This is an Israeli NGO that works to track developments in Jerusalem that could impact either the political process or permanent-status options.
The aim was “the marginalization of Palestinian East Jerusalem, politically, geographically and economically, and the marginalization of the Christian presence in Jerusalem.”
Normally, the Christian presence in Jerusalem is never more apparent than during Holy Week, which began on Sunday — Palm Sunday in the Christian calendar — and culminates on Easter Sunday, March 31. Today is Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Christ, which they believe took place at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City’s Christian quarter.
VIEW THE DEEP DIVE
Battleground: Jerusalem The biblical battle for the Holy City
But presiding over the celebrations at the church on Palm Sunday , Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his dismay that many parishioners and pilgrims had been unable to participate this year because of the war in Gaza, “which is so terrible and seems never-ending ... and everything going on around us this year.”
The details of what Terrestrial Jerusalem describes as “the strategic encirclement of Jerusalem’s Old City” are revealed today in a special Deep Dive by the Arab News Research and Studies Unit.
The plot has been a long time in the planning. Speaking in June 1998 after Jewish settlers seized four homes in Silwan, Elad spokesman Yigal Kaufman said: “Our aim is to Judaize East Jerusalem. The City of David is the most ancient core of Jerusalem, and we want it to become a Jewish neighborhood.”
Last week Israel dealt a fresh blow to hopes of Palestinian statehood when it announced it was seizing 800 hectares of occupied Palestinian land in the Jordan Valley, a move condemned as illegal by numerous states and institutions from the European Union to the Arab League’s parliament.
The announcement, by Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, was made last Friday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv for talks on Gaza with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jordanian, Irish foreign ministers discuss Gaza war in phone call
- The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- Safadi thanked Martin for his country's position on ceasefire and need for aid
AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received a phone call from the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin on Thursday, Jordan News Agency reported.
The two ministers discussed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the prompt delivery of sufficient, sustainable aid to the enclave.
They also stressed the significance of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2728, adopted on Tuesday, which called for a ceasefire during Ramadan.
Israel bombed at least four homes in Rafah on Wednesday, raising new fears of a long-threatened ground assault.
Safadi highlighted the necessity of upholding international law and humanitarian principles.
Talks also touched upon ongoing efforts to halt Israel’s offensive and address the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Both ministers reiterated their commitment to continued collaboration and joint efforts to facilitate aid into Gaza.
Safadi emphasized the importance of Ireland and other European nations officially recognizing the Palestinian state. He thanked Martin for his country's position on a ceasefire and need for aid, as well as its backing of the two-state solution.
Israel has laid siege to Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, cutting off food, fuel, water, and power supplies.
Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary action to ensure basic food supplies arrived without delay to the Palestinian population.
On Wednesday, Martin announced the Irish government would intervene in the case brought by South Africa, arguing that the restriction of essential goods in Gaza may constitute genocidal intent.
Shoukry reiterates Egypt’s objection to Rafah ground offensive in phone call with British FM
- Shoukry emphasized to Cameron that Egypt rejects any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah
- He warned of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability
CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip in a phone call.
Shoukry received Cameron’s call within the framework of consultation and coordination about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the necessary action to end the humanitarian crisis there.
The two sides exchanged assessments on the dire humanitarian and security conditions in the Gaza Strip and the regional and international action needed to achieve a ceasefire, swap detainees and deliver humanitarian aid in full to the Strip.
They stressed the necessity of ensuring the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and building on it to reach a full and sustainable ceasefire.
The discussion addressed means of coordination between international and regional parties to halt the war in the Gaza Strip.
Shoukry affirmed that Egypt was continuing its efforts at all levels to facilitate reaching an agreement to enforce the truce in Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire in the Strip for the preservation of the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry assured his British counterpart of Egypt’s rejection of any ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah, warning of its grave humanitarian repercussions and its potential security impacts on the region’s stability.
He also stressed the necessity of putting an end to Israeli policies and practices attempting to create an uninhabitable situation in the Gaza Strip, including indiscriminate targeting, starvation and collective punishment against Palestinian civilians.
Shoukry reiterated the rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians outside their territories and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
Shoukry and Cameron agreed to continue consultations during the coming period on the path toward curbing the crisis in the Gaza Strip and containing its repercussions.
Italian PM visits personnel engaged in UNIFIL mission in Lebanon
- Najib Mikati, Giorgia Meloni discuss efforts to reduce tensions in region as death toll from Israeli strikes rises
- Sirens sounded twice at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south
BEIRUT: Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially UN Resolution 1701, approved in 2006 to resolve the war between Israel and Hezbollah that same year.
He also emphasized the need for Israel to implement these resolutions fully and to cease its attacks on Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Mikati made the remarks as he received visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Beirut.
On Thursday, Meloni inspected the Italian contingent at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, in the Chamaa village, and thanked the troops for their services.
The Italian contingent is one of southern Lebanon’s biggest UNIFIL military units.
Meloni’s visit lasted 24 hours, during which tensions flared significantly in southern Lebanon due to the latest military developments.
Sirens sounded twice at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura while the Italian prime minister was in the south.
Chamaa Mayor Abdel Kader Safieddine said the visit was limited to “an internal military meeting with the head of the Italian unit and the major general of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade.”
He told Arab News: “No traditional reception arrangements were carried out due to the ongoing situation.”
Meloni’s talks with Mikati took place on Wednesday night.
According to a statement issued by his office, Mikati “reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the full implementation of all international resolutions relating to the region and Lebanon, in particular UN Resolution 1701.”
Mikati recalled that Israel must also commit to the full implementation of UN resolutions and cease its land, sea, and air attacks against Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Both parties “expressed their satisfaction with UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, hoping it would turn into a lasting ceasefire.”
Meloni’s arrival in Beirut on Wednesday night coincided with a bloody Israeli escalation.
The White House called on Israel and Lebanon to place a high priority on restoring calm as the death toll from Wednesday’s Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon climbed to 16, including several militants and members of paramedic groups.
“Restoring calm along that border remains a top priority for President Biden and for the administration and it has to be of utmost importance, we believe, as well for both Lebanon and Israel,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in Washington.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich arrived in Beirut and met with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, accompanied by Ambassador Lisa Jones.
Goldrich emphasized “the need to support diplomatic initiatives to restore stability in the south and the region.”
Separately, Bou Habib assured the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka that “Lebanon will continue to push for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, as it is the optimal way to achieve the desired stability.”
The resolution calls for, among other things, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
The Israeli army committed two massacres in Naqoura and Tayr Harfa, following the Al-Habbaryeh massacre committed on the morning of the same day.
Hezbollah and the Amal Movement mourned the dead in statements issued on Thursday.
Several wounded people, including a woman, were transported to hospitals in the city of Tyre for treatment, where courtyards were filled with locals and blood donors.
Hezbollah responded to the Israeli attacks on Thursday morning by targeting “the settlements of Goren and Shlomi with missile and artillery fire.”
The group said it targeted the newly established headquarters of the Liman Battalion with artillery shells.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corp. quoted an Israeli official as saying that “the Israeli army will enter Lebanon after the completion of the Rafah operation.”
Israeli Northern Command Chief Uri Gordin announced on Wednesday that “Israeli forces are ready to act on the Lebanese border.”
British minister discusses Gaza with Arab League chief, Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo
- League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, thanks Lord Tariq Ahmad for UK’s support in vote on UN Security Council ceasefire resolution this week
- Ahmad and Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of aid reach the people of Gaza
LONDON: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit held talks in Cairo on Thursday with the British minister of state for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Tariq Ahmad, about the conflict in Gaza.
Aboul Gheit thanked the UK for its “supportive vote” this week in favor of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, his spokesperson Gamal Roshdy said.
The secretary-general also called for the urgent implementation of the resolution on the ground to halt the Israeli military campaign, and underscored the “critical necessity of immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza” to alleviate the dire crisis and famine affecting the people there.
“Aboul Gheit highlighted the significance of unified diplomatic endeavors, post military cessation, to capitalize on the UN Security Council’s resolution, aiming at achieving stability and outlining a political pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Roshdy added.
Ahmad was in agreement about the important need to enact the UN resolution and deliver aid to Gaza using land routes, Roshdy said.
The British minister, who was making his third official visit to Egypt since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, also met the Egyptian foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss ways in which their countries can work together to ensure greater amounts of lifesaving aid reach Palestinians in Gaza.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Ahmad wrote: “Pleased to meet my good friend, Foreign Minister Shoukry, during Ramadan in Cairo. We discussed the need for full implementation of (the UN Security Council resolution) to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza, get hostages out, and provide an irreversible pathway to” a two-state solution.”
He added: “Egypt is a vital partner, and boosting UK-Egypt ties will enable our nations to work towards a shared goal — bringing greater stability to the region. As my visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, I am also looking forward to celebrating Egypt’s unique culture.”