Members of UN Security Council call for surge in assistance to Gaza

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza in New York City, US, November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 18 November 2024
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Members of UN Security Council call for surge in assistance to Gaza

  • British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there needs to be a “huge, huge rise in aid” to Gaza
  • “Israel must also urgently take additional steps to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza,” US Ambassador to the UN said

UNITED NATIONS: Members of the United Nations Security Council called on Monday for a surge in assistance to reach people in need in Israeli-basieged Gaza, warning that the situation in the Palestinian enclave was getting worse.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there needs to be a “huge, huge rise in aid” to Gaza, where most of the population of 2.3 million people has been displaced and health officials in the coastal enclave say that more than 43,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s 13-month-old offensive against Hamas.
“The situation is devastating, and frankly, beyond comprehension, and it’s getting worse, not better,” Lammy said. “Winter’s here. Famine is imminent, and 400 days into this war, it is totally unacceptable that it’s harder than ever to get aid into Gaza.”
The war erupted after Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel in October last year, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council that Washington was closely watching Israel’s actions to improve the situation for Palestinians and engaging with the Israeli government every day.
“Israel must also urgently take additional steps to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza,” she said.
President Joe Biden’s administration concluded this month that Israel was not currently impeding assistance to Gaza and therefore not violating US law, even as Washington acknowledged the humanitarian situation remained dire in the Palestinian enclave.
The assessment came after the US in an Oct. 13 letter gave Israel a list of steps to take within 30 days to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza, warning that failure to do so might have possible consequences on US military aid to Israel.
Thomas-Greenfield said Israel was working to implement 12 of the 15 steps.
“We need to see all steps fully implemented and sustained, and we need to see concrete improvement in the humanitarian situation on the ground,” she said, including Israel allowing commercial trucks to move into Gaza alongside humanitarian assistance, addressing persistent lawlessness and implementing pauses in fighting in large areas of Gaza to allow assistance to reach those in need.
Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, said Israel had facilitated the entrance of hundreds of aid trucks a week but there had been a failure of aid agencies to collect that aid and Hamas had looted trucks. Hamas has denied the accusation.
“Not only must the UN step up its aid distribution obligations, but the focus must also shift to Hamas’ constant hijacking of humanitarian aid to feed the machine of terror and misery,” Danon said.
Two UN aid agencies told Reuters on Monday that nearly 100 trucks carrying food for Palestinians were violently looted on Nov. 16 after entering Gaza in one of the worst losses of aid during the war.
Tor Wennesland, the UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said humanitarian agencies face a challenging and dangerous operational environment in Gaza and access restrictions that hinder their work.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza, as winter begins, is catastrophic, particularly developments in the north of Gaza with a large-scale and near-total displacement of the population and widespread destruction and clearing of land, amidst what looks like a disturbing disregard for international humanitarian law,” Wennesland said.
“The current conditions are among the worst we’ve seen during the entire war and are not set to improve.”


Argentine court issues warrants for Myanmar officials accused of Rohingya ‘genocide’

Updated 5 min 38 sec ago
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Argentine court issues warrants for Myanmar officials accused of Rohingya ‘genocide’

  • The court ruling was in response to a complaint filed by a Rohingya advocacy group under the principle of “universal jurisdiction”
  • Myanmar’s military junta leader is also under investigation by the ICC, while the ICJ is examining a complaint of “genocide” against Myanmar

BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine court has issued arrest warrants for the head of Myanmar’s military junta and former officials including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi over alleged “genocide and crimes against humanity” targeting the Rohingya minority group.
The court ruling, seen by AFP on Friday, was issued in response to a complaint filed in Argentina by a Rohingya advocacy group.
It was filed under the principle of “universal jurisdiction” by which countries can prosecute crimes regardless of where they occurred if, like genocide or war crimes, they are considered sufficiently serious.
Warrants were issued for military and civilian officials including current junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, ex-president Htin Kyaw, and former elected civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as “state counselor” from 2016 to 2021, when she was ousted in a coup.
In that time, she has been accused by detractors of doing little to stop the abuse of Rohingya.
Hlaing is also under investigation by the International Criminal Court, while the International Court of Justice — the UN’s highest tribunal — is examining a complaint of “genocide” against Myanmar.
The Rohingyas, mainly Muslims, are originally from Buddhist-majority Myanmar where, according to Amnesty International, they have been subjected to a regime akin to apartheid.
Beginning in 2017, many have been forced to flee persecution and violence to richer and predominantly Muslim Malaysia, or to refugee camps in Bangladesh, where about a million of them live.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup that sparked renewed clashes with ethnic rebels and saw the formation of dozens of “People’s Defense Forces” now battling the junta.
In her ruling issued Thursday, Judge Maria Servini said the allegations listed in the complaint “constitute crimes that violate human rights recognized in various international criminal law instruments, subscribed to by most countries in the world.”
They included “internationally known crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity, committed by the political and military authorities in power in that country,” she added.

Universal jurisdiction
Argentine courts have in the past opened investigations into crimes in other countries under the principle of “universal jurisdiction,” including for acts committed by the Francisco Franco regime in Spain.
And last December, a judge ordered the arrest of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega for “systematic violation of human rights.”
None of the cases have yet resulted in action against a foreign national.
Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK, nevertheless welcomed the latest ruling as a “historic step toward justice for Rohingya and everyone in Burma suffering under the Burmese military.”
It was “also a victory for international justice at a time of growing violations of international law worldwide,” he said in a statement.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, the Rohingya’ plaintiffs’ lawyer in Argentina, told AFP the next step will be for the ruling to be forwarded to prosecutors, who will take the steps necessary for the notification of Interpol, which issues international warrants.
 


Trump says he would take hard stance on Gaza on Saturday

Updated 44 min 49 sec ago
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Trump says he would take hard stance on Gaza on Saturday

  • “Beyond the emotional burden and difficult experiences he faced in captivity, he had to bear this horrible loss on the first day that he left from there,” his brother told Israeli Army Radio

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would take a hard stance on Saturday on Gaza, the Palestinian enclave for which he has proposed a US takeover and where a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants is in place.
 

 


West Bank booksellers say arrests reflect intensifying Israeli crackdown on Palestinian culture

Updated 15 February 2025
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West Bank booksellers say arrests reflect intensifying Israeli crackdown on Palestinian culture

  • Mahmoud Muna and his nephew Ahmed were arrested on Sunday after Israeli police raided the family-owned bookshops on accusation of selling books that supported terrorism
  • “Case is not isolated event, but part of series of attack against Palestinian cultural institutions,” Mahmoud said

LONDON: Two booksellers from the West Bank, recently arrested by Israeli police, say their detention is part of an escalating effort by Israeli authorities to suppress Palestinian culture.

In an interview with The Guardian, Mahmoud Muna and his nephew Ahmed, whose family has owned the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem for more than 40 years, described the raid on their store as part of a broader campaign to stifle Palestinian identity and free expression.

“We should not look at this as an isolated event,” Mahmoud said. “There have been a series of attacks on cultural institutions in Jerusalem and beyond. I think there is an awareness in the Israeli establishment that cultural institutions are playing a role in galvanising and protecting Palestinian cultural identity.”

The raid occurred last Sunday when plainclothes officers entered two branches of the bookshop on Salah Eddin Street — one specializing in Arabic books, the other in English and foreign-language publications. Mahmoud and Ahmed were arrested and detained for two days.

Israeli police accused the men of “selling books containing incitement and support for terrorism,” claiming officers found materials with “nationalist Palestinian themes,” including a children’s coloring book that contained the Israeli-contested sentence “From the river to the sea.”

The two men said that police confiscated about 300 books for examination, but all were eventually returned except for eight, including the coloring book, which they said had been sent for review and was not on sale.

After appearing in Jerusalem Magistrates Court on Monday, the charges against them were downgraded to a public order offense, but they were ordered to spend another 24 hours in detention, followed by five days of house arrest.

Their arrest sparked international condemnation, with journalists and diplomats closely following the case. In Israel, the incident also drew criticism, with journalist Noa Simone calling the raid a “fascist act” that “evokes frightening historical associations with which every Jew is very familiar.”

Recalling their time in detention, the booksellers described the conditions as “simply unfit for a human to live in.” They said they were held in overcrowded, windowless cells without heating, forced to sleep on mats on a concrete floor in near-freezing temperatures — treatment they likened to psychological torture.

While their experience was harsh, they acknowledged that their situation could have been far worse without international attention and support.

“If we were not working in a bookstore with an international outreach with good international connections, what would have happened?” Mahmoud asked. “Probably the case would have been manipulated against us.”

He also warned of the broader implications of their arrest. “The question is how far are they going to go? If they’re attacking Palestinian bookstores now, they will be attacking Israeli bookstores next.”


Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh

Updated 15 February 2025
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Al-Hilal slip up again following draw with Al-Riyadh

  • More ground lost in Saudi Pro League chase

RIYADH: Al-Hilal drew 1-1 with Al-Riyadh on Friday to slump to a second successive draw and lose ground on Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

Just six days after drawing 2-2 with Damac, the champions could not find a way to victory and they could fall four points behind Al-Ittihad if the Tigers win on Saturday.

It could have been worse as Al-Hilal could have been more than one goal down at the break.

Mohamed Konate hit the back of the net after 24 minutes. Sekou Lega swung over a beautiful cross from the left and Konate rose high in the area to head past Yassine Bounou. The effort, however, was ruled out for offside.

Konate did net in first-half added time, though, to give the visitors the lead. He ran onto a long ball, chested the ball down on the edge of the penalty area, and then lifted his shot into the back of the net with the classiest of finishes.

Al-Hilal’s players trudged off at the break with manager Jorge Jesus looking less than impressed.

The second half proved better for the hosts but Al-Riyadh had the ball in the net again just before the hour. This time it was Lega who finished smartly in the area but, once more, VAR intervened and it was no goal.

Just moments later, Al-Hilal were level with the sweetest of strikes. Marcos Leonardo’s defense-splitting pass found Salem Al-Dawsari arriving from the left and the winger took one touch inside the area and then slipped the ball past the goalkeeper with ease.

There was more pressure from the home team but they could not quite find the all-important winning goal.

Chances were missed but the home team seemed to have been given a route to victory when Abdulelah Al-Khaibari was ruled to have handled in the box. Referee Ivan Barton pointed to the spot but his decision was reversed following a VAR review.

That was that and Al-Hilal’s mini-slump continued.


How Saudi Arabia is leveraging regenerative tourism to blend luxury with sustainability

Updated 15 February 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is leveraging regenerative tourism to blend luxury with sustainability

  • Unsustainable tourism is degrading ecosystems, harming biodiversity, and leading to cultural exploitation
  • Red Sea Global’s luxury destinations limit visitors to 1 million per year to ease pressure on the environment

RIYADH: At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s environmental strategy is regenerative tourism, which aims to protect natural habitats through science-led approaches and sustainable practices.

Unlike sustainable tourism, which aims to minimize harm, regenerative tourism strives to improve destinations through conservation, community engagement and science-led initiatives.

This includes implementing eco-friendly infrastructure, protecting biodiversity, and involving local communities in conservation efforts to ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Raed Albasseet, group chief environment and sustainability officer at Red Sea Global, says the real estate company practices “regenerative tourism” with a commitment to operate on renewable energy alone.

“This commitment is not just a tagline; it’s woven into the very infrastructure of our destinations ... integrating sustainability into every phase of design and construction,” he told Arab News.

“Visitors can already experience this firsthand at The Red Sea, where eco-conscious designs are effortlessly integrated into every aspect of their stay.”

The Red Sea, a luxury regenerative tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, features world-class resorts. By 2030, it will include 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms and more than 1,000 residences, while capping visitors at 1 million annually to help protect local ecosystems.

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As part of this plan, Red Sea Global has developed the Desert Rock Resort, a newly opened retreat that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Designed to reduce energy use and maximize natural light, its elevated rooms feature large openings that mimic cave mouths, allowing ample daylight to filter in.

Before construction began at the Desert Rock Resort, Red Sea Global partnered with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to conduct a comprehensive marine spatial planning simulation.

“This was the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Saudi Arabia, and it provided crucial data to inform our master plan and minimize our impact on the delicate marine ecosystem,” Albasseet said, adding: “As a result, we limited development to only 22 of the more than 90 islands at The Red Sea destination.”  

The Desert Rock Resort, developed by Red Sea Global, is a retreat that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. 

The Desert Rock Resort even repurposed excavated materials, meaning no additional materials were brought in for the main infrastructure.

“We used the mountains’ natural stone for interior and exterior walls and concrete was mixed using local sources of sand and stone,” said Albasseet. “To further reduce on-site disruption and waste, we emphasize pre-fabrication and off-site manufacturing.”

Moreover, Red Sea Global’s hotels and resorts are powered by solar energy, allowing guests to enjoy an eco-friendly destination with a zero carbon footprint.

Albasseet said the backbone of the company’s renewable energy strategy was Red Sea’s vast solar farms, which include hundreds of thousands of photovoltaic panels — more than 750,000 are currently in place.

“These farms generate clean electricity, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing our carbon footprint,” he said.

“To ensure a consistent and reliable power supply, even when the sun isn’t shining, we’ve also built one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities at The Red Sea. This … allows us to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it to power our resorts at night.”

DID YOU KNOW?

• Diriyah, a historic landmark in Riyadh, is being developed sustainably under Vision 2030, earning platinum-level LEED precertification.

• The Farasan Islands, a biodiverse Red Sea archipelago, are being developed for conservation and ecotourism.

• Soudah Development is transforming Saudi Arabia’s southern region into a luxury destination with a focus on ecosystem restoration.

This reliance on solar power extends beyond Red Sea Global’s resorts and hotels.

“It also powers Red Sea International Airport, putting it on track to become the region’s first airport powered entirely by renewable energy,” Albasseet said. “Even our 5G network, a crucial component of modern connectivity, runs on solar energy, making it the world’s first sunlight-powered network.”

A wider view of the Desert Rock resort, a luxury destibation set in a hidden valley and nestled between the mountains near Umluj governorate in Tabuk region. (Red Sea Global photo) 

Shebara and Desert Rock, which opened to guests last year, have integrated advanced water systems and water-saving strategies through smart irrigation systems that optimize water use.

“A key element of our water conservation efforts is the implementation of closed-loop systems. Notably, at Desert Rock we have advanced water retention and distribution systems that capture rainwater,” Albasseet said.

“This captured rainwater is being used to sustain the surrounding wadi, revitalizing the local ecosystem and minimizing reliance on external water sources.

“The resort’s design also incorporates water-efficient fixtures and landscaping, further reducing water usage in day-to-day operations. This integration of natural water systems into the resort’s design demonstrates our commitment to working with, rather than against, the natural environment.”

Soudah, a luxurious mountain destination 3,015 meters above sea level in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, is more than just a mountain retreat. It  offers a range of immersive natural experiences and the opportunity to celebrate the cultural abundance of the region. (Soudah Development photo)

The consequences of unsustainable tourism are far-reaching, ranging from the degradation of delicate ecosystems and biodiversity loss to the exploitation of local communities and cultural commodification. “The current trajectory is simply not viable,” Albasseet said.

“Encouraging sustainable tourism practices is no longer a choice but a necessity for the future of our planet and the travel industry itself … The industry’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, estimated at 8 percent globally, underscores the urgent need for transformative change.

“This is not simply about minimizing negative impacts; it’s about actively restoring and regenerating the destinations we cherish.”

Furthermore, he added: “These practices undermine the very foundation of the tourism industry, jeopardizing the natural and cultural assets that attract visitors in the first place.

“The increasing awareness of these issues among travelers, coupled with global commitments like the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, further reinforces the need for the industry to embrace sustainability.”