KARACHI, Pakistan: From Berlin to London and Limassol to Karachi, tens of thousands of people took to the streets Sunday to mark the 100th day of Israel’s war with Hamas. Opposing demonstrations either demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas or called for a cease-fire in Gaza.
In the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, protesters waved Palestinian flags or wore the keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, to express their solidarity with Palestinians in a rally organized by the country’s largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami.
The party’s Karachi chief, Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, called on the US to stop backing Israel and compensate Palestinians for their losses. He also criticized Muslim leaders and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for not doing enough to help stop the war.
“Resolutions will not solve this problem,” Rehman said, adding that all “conscientious people” should support South Africa’s action to launch legal action against Israel for allegedly committing genocide in Gaza.
Karachi resident Ishrat Zahid took Muslim leaders to task for “peacefully sleeping in their homes (but) not even thinking about protesting.”
“This is why we have gathered here, to tell our Palestinian brothers and sisters that we are with them,” he said.
In the heart of the British capital, thousands of people chanted “Bring them home now” in a demonstration to demand the freedom of 132 remaining hostages taken by Hamas militants in the Oct. 7 attacks that also killed some 1,200 Israelis and touched off the war.
Gaza health authorities say the death toll in the enclave has already eclipsed 23,000 people, roughly 1 percent of the Palestinian territory’s population. Thousands more remain missing or badly wounded, while 80 percent of the population has been displaced.
Protesters in London held posters with photos and the words “100 days in hell” to express their solidarity with Israel.
Ayelet Svatitzky, the sister of a hostage still in captivity, warned “there is no more time” for those captured, and called for their release ahead of the 100th day since Hamas launched its attack on Israel.
“My biggest fear is, I don’t know how long it’s going to last, I don’t know how long he can hold on and I don’t know what his condition is,’’ she said of her brother Nadav Popplewell, 51, one of two UK nationals who remain hostage.
Popplewell was captured alongside his 79-year-old mother, Channah Peri. Though Peri was released during a November cease-fire, Svatitzky’s elder brother, Roi Popplewell, was found dead near his home just after the attacks.
The demonstration comes just a day after thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated in London, Dublin and Edinburgh, calling for a permanent cease-fire in the conflict — part of a global day of action involving 30 countries.
In a reflection of ongoing tensions, members of the crowd Sunday had to wait in line to get their bags searched before entering the square. Barricades were erected on the square’s perimeter, lined by police officers and security guards.
A similar demonstration was held in Berlin, where pianist Igor Levit played a yellow piano as part of an initiative to keep the memory of the Israeli hostages alive.
Played in public places from Tel Aviv to Tokyo, the yellow grand piano aimed to bring to mind 22-year-old hostage Alon Ohel, a pianist who was abducted by Hamas militants during the Oct. 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival.
Alon’s mother Idit Ohel who was on hand for the demonstration said the piano is symbolic of “something bigger.”
“Music is something that is beyond Religion. Beyond gender. And it’s something that we can understand,” she said.
In the French capital, several hundred protesters converged in the city center holding placards with the faces of Israeli hostages, singing for their release around a large banner strewn on the ground reading, “Bring them home now!”
About 100 motorcyclists waved Israeli flags and sported stickers of Israeli hostages on their bikes as they cruised around Paris in a ride to express support for Israel. The motorcycle ride followed an earlier, pro-Israeli bicycle procession around the city with cyclists waving Israeli flags and chanting “Free the hostages.”
On Cyprus’ southern coastline outside the town of Limassol, several hundred protesters waved Palestinian flags and held placards outside the entrance of a British air force base calling for a “Free Palestine” and an end to the “siege of Gaza.”
Protesters handed authorities at RAF Akrotiri a petition demanding an end to the use of the air base as a launchpad for airstrikes in the region and the alleged transfer of arms to Israel from there.
British aircraft had taken off from RAF Akrotiri — one of two military bases that Britain maintains in Cyprus — to strike Houthi targets in Yemen in recent days.
A British Ministry of Defense spokesperson said that no UK aircraft have delivered any lethal cargo to Israel and that the UK government is “focused on getting significantly more aid to Gaza” after delivering about 96 tons of British and Cypriot aid from Cyprus to Egypt for the people in the Palestinian enclave.
In neighboring Turkiye, about 2,000 marchers waved Palestinian and Turkish flags in Istanbul while paying homage to nine Turkish soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq last week.
Similar demonstrations organized by Turkiye’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation were held in other Turkish cities. Foundation representative Osman Delibas linked the war in Gaza and hostilities in Iraq. Turkiye holds Kurdish militants in Iraq responsible for the death of its soldiers.
“Those who supported terrorist organizations and unleashed them on us are the same ones who committed genocide in Gaza,” state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Delibas as saying.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis told the faithful in St. Peter’s Square that modern warfare is “a crime against humanity” because it “sows death among civilians and destroys cities and infrastructure.” In his weekly appearance at the Vatican window overlooking the Square, the pope lamented that “arms continue to kill and destroy” when at the start of the year “we exchanged wishes for peace,” urging people not to forget those who “suffer the cruelty of war” around the world especially in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel.
In Lisbon, Portugal, ballet dancer Irina Almeida joined several thousand marchers to demand a cease-fire in Gaza as they made their way from the US to the Israeli embassies, chanting “Yes to peace” and “No to war.”
“It’s not about 100 days, it’s 75 years,” said Almeida. “This is the 21st century and this should have never happened in the history of humankind, let alone at a time when we say we are so developed.”
From Berlin to Karachi, thousands demonstrate in support of either Israel or the Palestinians
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From Berlin to Karachi, thousands demonstrate in support of either Israel or the Palestinians
- Opposing demonstrations either demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas or called for a cease-fire in Gaza
US Republicans confront Biden over pausing arms to Israel
- The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would prevent Biden from freezing any congressionally approved military aid to Israel
WASHINGTON: The Republican-led US House of Representatives voted Thursday to force President Joe Biden to end his hold on high-payload bombs approved for Israel but blocked over concerns about their use in Gaza.
The largely symbolic move — it has no chance of becoming law — is a response to Biden suspending the shipments over fears of mass Palestinian casualties as Israeli forces press their assault on the densely populated city of Rafah.
The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would prevent Biden from freezing any congressionally approved military aid to Israel, including 3,500 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs that he has put on hold.
Republicans say Biden has no right to interfere with Israel’s military campaign, but House Democratic leadership described the bill as “another partisan stunt” infringing on the president’s ability to conduct foreign policy.
Nevertheless, 16 Democrats crossed the aisle to join Republicans in passing the bill by 224 votes to 187, while a further 13 did not vote, in a rare rebuke of Biden from a small but significant section of his own side.
The legislation will be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate and Biden has pledged to veto it in any case.
The war in Gaza broke out after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
Israel’s military retaliation has killed at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
The White House has voiced frustration with Israel over the rising civilian death toll and particularly in its ground assault on Rafah, where more than one million people are sheltering.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC on Sunday that Israel “is on the trajectory potentially to inherit an insurgency with many armed Hamas left, or, if it leaves, a vacuum filled by chaos, filled by anarchy, and probably refilled by Hamas again.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Biden of “carrying water” for Hamas at the same time as doing nothing to stop the “dangerous nuclear buildup” in Iran, which attacked Israel last month.
“The president took no decisive action when Iran was planning to attack Israel, and now that Israel is fighting for its very survival, he is withholding weapons and threatening to veto legislation that would give the Israelis what they need to adequately defend themselves,” he said in a statement.
“The president and his administration need to reverse course immediately to stand with Israel and against the terrorism and atrocities of Iran and its proxies.”
The White House announced a $1 billion-plus package of arms for Israel this week that includes tank and mortar ammunition, offering cover for pro-Israel Democrats to reject the bill.
Trump lawyers vie to discredit key witness Cohen at trial
NEW YORK: Donald Trump’s lawyer took cracks at key witness Michael Cohen during wide-ranging cross-examination Thursday, questioning his memory and poking at his credibility during the first criminal trial of a former US president.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records as he reimbursed Cohen for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, when her story of a sexual encounter with Trump could have doomed his campaign.
The defense team has sought to instill doubt by casting Cohen as a disgruntled ex-employee who habitually lies and is out for blood at the trial, which is being heard just six months before election day when Trump hopes to retake the White House.
Under the close watch of Trump, defense attorney Todd Blanche kicked off his second round of questioning off by emphasizing Cohen’s history of lying, especially under oath.
In addition to listing Cohen’s myriad deceptions — which he has admitted to in the past including during direct questioning — the defense also played clips of the witness’s podcast episodes that frequently discussed the former president.
“You better believe I want this man to go down,” he said in one 2020 episode.
Cohen has said repeatedly he takes “responsibility” for his actions and has faced the consequences. Prior to the trial, including in his books, he had done little to hide his contempt for his former boss.
Trump meanwhile has complained his election campaign for another White House term is being stymied by the weeks-long court proceedings, which he has to attend every day.
Branding the case as politicized, he’s taken to bringing an entourage of leading Republicans to New York trial, with his latest crew of allies including congresspeople Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.
The defense did not finish questioning Cohen and will continue Monday. There is no hearing on Friday due to the graduation of Trump’s youngest son, Barron.
Blanche appeared to be trying to crystallize his tactics Thursday after a meandering start this week, when yawns betrayed some jurors’ fatigue.
He has striven to ruffle Cohen, who has a reputation for a temper that could hurt him on the stand.
But Trump’s fixer-turned-foe has stayed largely composed and on topic.
As Blanche tried to catch Cohen in a lie regarding a call to Trump’s bodyguard, Blanche worked to crank the drama, the pitch of his voice rising.
“That was a lie,” Blanche said. “Admit it.”
“No sir,” Cohen replied. “I can’t.”
Prosecutors have indicated Cohen, 57, is their last witness in the case.
His story has generally lined up with both Daniels, and David Pecker, the tabloid boss who said he worked with Trump and Cohen to suppress negative coverage during his 2016 White House run.
Trump, who appeared alert Thursday after spending some time over recent days with his eyes closed, denies he ever had sex with Daniels.
After the prosecution rests, the defense can present a case, but Trump’s lawyers have remained vague on whether their client will testify.
The businessman famously considers himself his own best champion — but legal analysts believe he could be a liability on the stand.
The defense has indicated they wish to call one expert witness to explain campaign finance statutes.
But the prosecution has voiced opposition, saying that only the judge should explain how the law applies.
When the jury begins deliberating, the oft-salacious testimony will likely linger front-of-mind, but they’ll also have stacks of documents to pore over.
The charges hinge on financial records, and whether falsifying them was done with the intent to sway the 2016 presidential vote.
Prosecutors this week walked Cohen and the jury through the issue of 11 checks — most signed by Trump — in return for invoices Cohen said were falsified to cover up the reimbursement, with Trump’s knowledge.
They have said their redirect of Cohen will last approximately an hour when the defense finishes with him, which is expected by Monday midday.
Unless Trump opts to testify, closing arguments could come as soon as Tuesday.
Biden makes new outreach to Black voters as support slips
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden is trying to shore up his support among vital Black voters with a days-long series of events starting Thursday, including a visit to the former university of civil rights icon Martin Luther King.
Democrat Biden relied on African-American voters to help him beat Donald Trump in 2020, but some polls show they are increasingly deserting him ahead of November’s rematch with the Republican.
On Thursday Biden, 81, marked the 70th anniversary of a famous US Supreme Court ruling that overturned racial segregation in schools by meeting with key figures in the case in the Oval Office.
They included Adrienne Jennings Bennett, one of the plaintiffs in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case that proved a milestone for the US civil rights movement, and Cheryl Brown Henderson, a daughter of plaintiff Oliver Brown.
Biden “recognized that back in the 40s and 50s ... the folks that you see here were taking a risk when they signed up to be part of this case,” Henderson said after the meeting.
On Friday Biden visits the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington to give remarks to celebrate the anniversary of the Brown decision.
Later on Friday Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — the first Black, South Asian and female “veep” in US history — will meet leaders from nine historically Black sororities and fraternities.
Biden is honoring “the legacy of those who paved the way for progress and hard-fought rights for Black Americans,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“He will also highlight his vision for how we must continue to build on these freedoms,” added Jean-Pierre, who is the first Black person to serve in the role.
Then on Sunday Biden will address students at the historically Black Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, whose most famous former student is civil rights leader King.
Biden has a bust of King in the Oval Office in a sign of his support for racial equality, which he frequently contrasts with what he says is racially insensitive and anti-immigrant language by his rival Trump.
His visit to Morehouse is politically sensitive, however, as US campuses and graduation ceremonies have recently been disrupted by widespread protests against Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
A senior White House official recently met students and faculty members at Morehouse to discuss objections to Biden delivering the commencement address, NBC News reported.
Biden’s outreach to Black voters comes days after a New York Times/Siena poll showed that in addition to trailing Trump in several key battleground states, he is also losing ground with African Americans.
Trump is winning more than 20 percent of Black voters in the poll — which would be the highest level of Black support for a Republican presidential candidate since the Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964, The New York Times said.
Several other polls have also shown Biden’s support lagging among Black voters.
But a participant in Thursday’s White House gathering, Derrick Johnson, president of the country’s major civil rights organization NAACP, disputed the narrative that there has been “an erosion” of support among Black voters, and said polls have been wrong in several recent elections.
“I hope that the American public recognizes in order for us to remain a leading democracy we must participate at the highest level,” he said.
In 2020, Black voters were overwhelmingly loyal to the Democratic Party, with 92 percent voting for Biden and only eight percent for Trump, according to the Pew Research Center.
Canada sanctions four Israelis over ‘extremist’ settler violence in West Bank
- The sanctions target individuals accused of engaging in violent acts against Palestinian civilians
OTTAWA: Canada on Thursday imposed sanctions on four Israeli individuals accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, joining allies including the United States and Britain in attempting to deter growing settler violence.
The sanctions, Canada’s first against what the foreign ministry described as “extremist Israeli settlers,” target individuals accused of engaging directly or indirectly in violence and violent acts against Palestinian civilians and their property.
Mic cuts out as graduating student tells Columbia to act over Gaza
- Saham David Ahmed Ali demanded the college call for a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave, reveal its business dealings with companies linked to Israel
- Microphone cut out mid-speech, leading to fellow graduates booing and chanting ‘let her speak’
- Columbia has witnessed serious protests in recent weeks, with hundreds of students arrested
LONDON: A microphone briefly cut out this week during a speech given at a graduation ceremony at Columbia University in the US, during which the speaker criticized the university’s stance on Gaza.
On Tuesday, student Saham David Ahmed Ali was giving a speech to graduates at the Mailman School of Public Health, in which she called for action against Israel and criticized the “silence on Columbia University’s campus.”
The microphone began to cut out during her speech, leading to students booing and chanting “let her speak” as Ali paused. She was later able to continue. It is unclear if the issue was caused by a technical fault or if the microphone was muted deliberately.
Ali said the university needed to reveal its dealings with companies “profiting off of Palestinian genocide” and that it should immediately divest from them.
She also demanded Columbia call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where Palestinian civilians currently face famine, according to the UN, as Israel continues its military campaign that has left over 35,000 people dead, many thousands more wounded, and hundreds of thousands displaced following the attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7.
Columbia has witnessed significant protests across its campus since April 17 after the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, testified before the US Congress about alleged incidents of antisemitism against Jewish students on its grounds.
Protestors have subsequently occupied parts of the campus including the university’s Hamilton Hall. The New York Police Department has arrested hundreds of people over the protests, which have also sparked similar movements at other major US colleges, as well as counter-demonstrations by students with Israeli and US flags.
Columbia has also taken the unusual step of canceling its commencement ceremony this year in the wake of the protests, only holding school-specific graduation ceremonies.
