All articles tagged with #palestinian cause
Georges Abdallah, a Lebanese pro-Palestinian activist convicted of involvement in murders linked to Israeli and US targets, was released from French prison after 41 years, amid controversy involving US and French government pressures and support from left-wing activists.
Greta Thunberg and a group of activists are sailing towards Gaza to challenge the Israeli blockade, claiming a humanitarian mission, amid tensions and reports of radical ideologies among some onboard. Thunberg emphasizes her motivation to advocate for justice and criticizes systemic exploitation, while denying antisemitism, though she has not condemned recent violence against Israelis.
An Arab delegation, including Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Bahraini ministers, was barred by Israel from visiting the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, leading to condemnation from the ministers who called it a violation of international obligations and law. The visit aimed to highlight the Palestinian cause, but Israel described it as provocative, amid ongoing international efforts for a two-state solution.
More than 100 student demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University after the police cleared an encampment set up to protest the Israel-Hamas war. Despite the crackdown, student activists remained defiant, with scores of students taking over a campus lawn, enjoying donated pizza and snacks, and even holding an impromptu dance party. The university's decision to bring in law enforcement has sparked questions about whether more stringent tactics will quell protests or fuel them, as college administrators grapple with the ongoing student activism over the Palestinian cause.
Belgian Prime Minister De Croo, along with Spanish and Irish counterparts, is advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza and urging Israel to open up more access points for aid to reach civilians in the area. As Belgium holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, De Croo is expected to press EU leaders to focus on the situation in Gaza during a gathering in Brussels. Despite criticism, he remains committed to championing the Palestinian cause and delivering aid, while also seeking to renew a contract for the delivery of Qatari gas during his upcoming visits to Doha and Cairo.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen, aligned with Iran but pursuing their own interests, have been conducting missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea, connecting their actions to the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Rooted in Zaydi Islam, their leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi seeks to challenge world powers and opposes foreign influence in Yemen. While they genuinely support the Palestinian cause, their attacks also serve their broader ideological purpose of aligning with Iran against the U.S. and Israel, boosting their popularity in Yemen amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Three baristas at Farley's East in Oakland, California, who were fired after blocking a Jewish customer from using a restroom, claim that the coffee shop's owners were aware of antisemitic graffiti in the bathroom for months. The baristas, who expressed support for the Palestinian cause, denied denying the woman entry because she is Jewish. They blamed their firing on the owners' refusal to protect them from harassment. The owners, Amy and Chris Hillyard, condemned the employees' behavior and fired them. Three additional staffers have resigned in response.
Hamas expressed its desire for a "permanent" war with Israel in an interview with The New York Times, stating that the recent attack on Israel was aimed at reviving the Palestinian cause. The terror group claimed that violence was necessary as they believed the Palestinian issue was slipping away. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 civilians and the kidnapping of hundreds of hostages. Hamas hopes that the entire Arab world will join them in their war against Israel. The New York Times report highlighted the internal debate within Hamas about its identity and purpose, with the attack solidifying its commitment to military confrontation.
Hamas officials have stated that they have no regrets over the October 7 attack on Israel, despite the thousands of Palestinian casualties. They believe the attack was necessary to "overthrow" the status quo and draw attention to the Palestinian cause. Hamas leaders express a desire for a bigger war and hope for the conflict to expand, with the goal of ending Israel's attempts to resolve the Palestinian issue and building alliances against the Palestinian people.
Hamas leaders have admitted that their recent attack on Israel was intended to spark a "permanent" war on all fronts, rather than to govern Gaza. They defended the extreme violence and bloodshed as necessary for advancing their fight against Israel and bringing attention to the Palestinian cause. The goal of Hamas is not to improve the situation in Gaza but to completely overthrow it. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and numerous hostages being held by Hamas.
The Tunisian parliament is debating a bill that would criminalize any normalization of ties with Israel, defining it as "high treason." The proposed legislation would impose prison sentences, fines, and bans on interactions between Tunisians and Israelis. The bill has gained widespread support in parliament and among the public, reflecting President Kais Saied's strong advocacy for the Palestinian cause. Tunisia has a small Jewish community, and recent incidents of violence targeting Jewish sites have occurred amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
President Biden is facing backlash from a growing faction within his own party, comprised of young voters and people of color, over his unwavering support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians. This left-leaning coalition views the Palestinian cause as an extension of the racial and social justice movements that dominated American politics in 2020. Liberal Democrats are demanding that Biden break with decades-long American policy and call for a cease-fire, leading to protests, open letters, staff revolts, and walkouts. While the political power of these Israel skeptics remains untested, their discontent could potentially impact Biden's re-election bid if he fails to address their concerns.
At a peace summit in Cairo, Egypt and Jordan expressed their anger towards Israel over its actions in Gaza, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi rejecting any talk of driving Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula and warning against the "liquidation of the Palestinian cause." Jordan's King Abdullah II called Israel's siege and bombardment of Gaza a "war crime." The speeches reflect growing anger in the region, even among those with close ties to Israel, as the war enters its third week with casualties mounting and no end in sight. Egypt is particularly concerned about a massive influx of Palestinians crossing into its territory, while Israel's vague remarks and orders for evacuation have alarmed its neighbors.
China's decision to go easy on Hamas and not condemn their recent attack on Israel is part of a larger strategy to gain favor in the Middle East and with countries sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, such as those in Africa and Latin America. By positioning itself as a mediator and showing support for the Palestinians, China aims to strengthen its global clout and establish alternative partnerships to the United States. However, this approach risks alienating Israel, which could have economic consequences for China. Despite criticism, China's overall stance remains more neutral compared to the US and some European nations, aligning with its policy of non-interference. China's long-term goal is to expand its influence beyond the Middle East and attract nations that have already benefited from Chinese infrastructure investments. This opportunistic approach is part of China's broader push for superpower status and its efforts to undermine the US-led international order.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, visited Saudi Arabia for the first time since the two countries restored diplomatic ties in March. During the visit, Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the importance of unity and dialogue, while reaffirming Iran's support for the Palestinian cause. He also criticized the "Zionist regime" and its efforts to create division in the Muslim world. The foreign ministers discussed economic and security cooperation, but no new agreements were announced. The visit is seen as a positive step towards improving relations between the two regional rivals, although it remains uncertain how they will address their deep-rooted issues and points of friction.