US envoy for Syria arrives in Damascus for historic visit
DAMASCUS: The US envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, arrived at the ambassador's residence in the Syrian capital on Thursday, in the first official visit since the US embassy there closed in 2012, a year after Syria's conflict broke out.Barrack, accompanied by the Syrian foreign minister, was appointed to the Syria role on May 23. He is also the US ambassador to Turkiye.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
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Pressure Mounts on Netanyahu as Opposition Moves to Dissolve Parliament
A member of Israel's right-wing coalition threatened to quit the cabinet on Wednesday and support an opposition motion to dissolve parliament tabled for next week, piling pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Latest opinion polls suggest that Netanyahu's coalition would lose power if an election was held today, with many voters unhappy over the continued war in Gaza prompted by the attack by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023. United Torah Judaism, one of two ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition, said it would withdraw from the government unless it secured last-minute concessions formalizing an exemption for ultra-Orthodox men from military service. The opposition party Yesh Atid, led by former prime minister Yair Lapid, put forward a parliamentary vote for next week to topple the government, even as the Israeli army continues battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It would require the support of 61 out of the 120 members of the parliament to succeed. "This Knesset (parliament) is finished. It has nowhere to go," Lapid said. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has remained silent on the looming crisis. A spokesperson for United Torah Judaism leader Yitzhak Goldknopf told Reuters the party would vote in favor of dissolving parliament unless exemption legislation was passed. With a week until the vote, Netanyahu and his allies still have time to negotiate over an issue that has dogged the coalition for months. A source close to the government said, on condition of anonymity, that negotiations within the coalition were continuing. Netanyahu's coalition of secular right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties holds an 8-seat majority in parliament. United Torah Judaism has 7 seats while its ally, Shas, the other ultra-Orthodox party, has 11. BETTING ON A BLUFF The coalition is sharply divided over whether young ultra-Orthodox men who are studying in religious seminaries should be exempt from mandatory military service. Failing to pass an exemption risks a walkout by ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, while approving it could trigger a protest exit by secular parties. Coalition member Ohad Tal of Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party criticized Goldknopf for threatening to trigger elections and called on the ultra-Orthodox lawmaker to resign. He urged others to negotiate a new arrangement but that a blanket exemption from military service could no longer stand. Former Knesset member Ofer Shelah said Netanyahu was likely betting the ultra-Orthodox lawmakers were bluffing, given the polls suggested they faced defeat in any early election. In March, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers threatened to bring down the government over the same issue, but time passed without any action. Resentment over the informal exemption given to religious seminary students is growing and lawmakers from the ruling coalition and opposition ranks say it is no longer tenable. Netanyahu won election in 2022 and does not have to return to the polls until 2026. Historically, few Israeli governments serve a full term. He has faced widespread criticism for failing to prevent the surprise October 2023 Hamas attack that killed roughly 1,200 people, and is facing growing calls from protesters and families of hostages still held in Gaza to end the war to secure their release. But some in his coalition say the war must continue until Hamas is eradicated. Political analysts say that the ultra-Orthodox lawmakers could simply quit the government to protest their failure to secure concessions, without toppling the ruling coalition.
Asharq Al-Awsat
23 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj's Arafat Day with Major Upgrades
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has completed extensive preparations at Namirah Mosque in Arafat, ensuring it is fully ready to welcome Hajj pilgrims on the day of Arafat, which falls on Thursday. The mosque has been furnished with 125,000 square meters of luxurious carpets. Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims. The backyard now features 19 canopies that reduce heat stress by an average of 10 degrees Celsius, complemented by sun-reflecting floor paint. The surrounding courtyards are also prepared and cooled with 117 fog fans, lowering temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius. A major ventilation and air conditioning upgrade includes a new control system that monitors carbon dioxide levels and operates air purification units, allowing for 100% air renewal every 30 minutes. This system also controls water pumps, boosting operational efficiency and providing a healthier environment for pilgrims. For hydration, 70 water chillers have been installed, each capable of serving 2,000 pilgrims per hour, totaling a capacity of 140,000 pilgrims per hour. An advanced audio system and security surveillance cameras have also been integrated to boost safety and security. Furthermore, the mosque's 72 gates and entrances have been strategically organized to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims. These extensive tasks were carried out by dedicated supervisory and service teams committed to providing the best services to pilgrims.
Asharq Al-Awsat
23 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
What Might Happen in Israel's Parliamentary Dissolution Vote?
Opposition party Yesh Atid has submitted a vote to dissolve the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, for June 11, amid rising tensions in the ruling right-wing coalition. Here are some key facts about the Knesset, the procedure for a dissolution vote, which would lead to an election, and possible scenarios. KNESSET COMPOSITION Total seats: 120 Simple majority needed to pass the vote: 61 Current government majority: 8 seats LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE The Yesh Atid motion faces four votes with an absolute majority of the Knesset required in the final stretch to become law, thereby bringing a premature end to the legislature and triggering an election, which must be held within five months of the motion passing. In practice, if the initial vote passes, the subsequent stages could occur all the same day or take months. OPPOSITION STRATEGY A bill to dissolve parliament will only be brought to a vote if Yesh Atid is confident of securing a majority. If not, it can withdraw the motion anytime before June 11, preventing a vote. ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS Ultra-Orthodox coalition parties could decide to leave the government to protest at its failure to put forward a law granting exemption from military service to ultra-Orthodox men. At the same time, they might refuse to vote for dissolution of parliament, allowing a minority government to continue. COALITION NUMBERS The coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a majority of around 68 seats in parliament, though its size has fluctuated due to internal political shifts. The two coalition ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, hold 18 seats collectively. If they united with the opposition, they would have enough votes to dissolve parliament and trigger early elections a year ahead of schedule.
