Syrian minister holds rare meeting with Israeli officials in Paris
Foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani met Israeli officials on Tuesday to discuss de-escalating tensions and restoring a 1974 ceasefire agreement, the SANA news agency said
Tensions have soared between the two neighbouring countries following the overthrow of Syrian president Bashar Assad in December, with Israel sending ground forces into southern Syria and bombing military assets across the country.
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Irish Independent
39 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Israel approves settlement project that could divide the West Bank
Settlement development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades, but was frozen due to U.S. pressure during previous administrations. The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to peace. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a former settler leader, cast the approval as a rebuke to Western countries that announced their plans to recognize a Palestinian state in recent weeks. 'The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,' he said on Wednesday. 'Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel and has vowed to maintain open-ended control over the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem, and the war-ravaged Gaza Strip — territories Israel seized in the 1967 war that the Palestinians want for their state. Israel's expansion of settlements is part of an increasingly dire reality for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as the world's attention focuses on the war in Gaza. There have been marked increases in attacks by settlers on Palestinians, evictions from Palestinian towns, Israeli military operations, and checkpoints that choke freedom of movement, as well as several Palestinian attacks on Israelis. More than 700,000 Israelis settlers now live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The location of E1 is significant because it is one of the last geographical links between the major West Bank cities of Ramallah, in the north, and Bethlehem, in the south. The two cities are 22 kilometers (14 miles) apart, but Palestinians traveling between them must take a wide detour and pass through multiple Israeli checkpoints, spending hours on the journey. The hope was that, in an eventual Palestinian state, the region would serve as a direct link between the cities. 'The settlement in E1 has no purpose other than to sabotage a political solution,' said Peace Now, an organization that tracks settlement expansion in the West Bank. "While the consensus among our friends in the world is to strive for peace and a two-state solution, a government that long ago lost the people's trust is undermining the national interest, and we are all paying the price.' If the process moves quickly, infrastructure work in E1 could begin in the next few months and construction of homes could start in around a year. The plan includes around 3,500 apartments that would abut the existing settlement of Maale Adumim. Smotrich also hailed the approval, during the same meeting, of 350 homes for the settlement of Ashael near Hebron. Israel's government is dominated by religious and ultranationalist politicians, like Smotrich, with close ties to the settlement movement. The finance minister has been granted Cabinet-level authority over settlement policies and vowed to double the settler population in the West Bank.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Israel approves settlement project that could divide West Bank
Israel has given final approval for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two, and that Palestinians and rights groups say could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state. Settlement development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades – but was frozen due to US pressure during previous administrations. On Wednesday, the project received final approval from the Planning and Building Committee after the last petitions against it were rejected on August 6. If the process moves quickly, infrastructure work could begin in the next few months and construction of homes could start in around a year. View of an area near Maale Adumim in the Israeli-occupied West Bank (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The plan includes around 3,500 apartments to expand the settlement of Maale Adumim, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said during a press conference at the site last Thursday. Mr Smotrich cast the approval as a riposte to western countries that announced their plans to recognise a Palestinian state in recent weeks. 'This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognise and no-one to recognise,' Mr Smotrich told reporters. 'Anyone in the world who tries today to recognise a Palestinian state will receive an answer from us on the ground.' The location of E1 is significant because it is one of the last geographical links between Ramallah, in the northern West Bank, and Bethlehem in the southern West Bank. The two cities are 14 miles apart by air, but Palestinians travelling between them must take a wide detour and pass through multiple Israeli checkpoints, adding hours to the journey. The hope for final status negotiations for a Palestinian state was to have the region eventually serve as a direct link between the cities. Peace Now, an organisation that tracks settlement expansion in the West Bank, called the E1 project 'deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution' which is 'guaranteeing many more years of bloodshed'. Israel's plans to expand settlements are part of an increasingly difficult reality for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as the world's attention focuses on the war in Gaza. There have been marked increases in attacks by settlers on Palestinians, evictions from Palestinian towns, and checkpoints that choke freedom of movement, as well as several Palestinian attacks on Israelis. More than 700,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967 and sought by the Palestinians for a future state. The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlement construction in these areas to be illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel's government is dominated by religious and ultra-nationalist politicians with close ties to the settlement movement. Mr Smotrich, previously a firebrand settler leader and now finance minister, has been granted Cabinet-level authority over settlement policies and vowed to double the settler population in the West Bank. Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and claims it as part of its capital, which is not internationally recognised. It says the West Bank is disputed territory whose fate should be determined through negotiations. Israel withdrew from 21 settlements Gaza in 2005.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mo Chara supported by fans as he returns to court over alleged terror offence
Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, is today appearing in court after allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. In November last year, at a gig in London, he was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terror group Hezbollah. The group have continuously denied the allegations that Óg Ó hAnnaidh is facing. Demonstrations to support the musician have been arranged outside of Westminster Magistrates, as well as in Dublin, Ireland. London's Metropolitan Police have since imposed conditions, limiting where demonstrations can take place outside of the court, stating that they need to "prevent serious disruption." The rap trio have branded the move "a calculated political decision designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome." They added: "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media." They said in a statement: "We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful." In court last month, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said that Óg Ó hAnnaidh was "well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity, as is anybody else." He added: "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah … while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah." Responding, Brenda Campbell, Óg Ó hAnnaidh said that the charge was too late as it came more than six months after the alleged crime took place. Campbell added: "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case." Óg Ó hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge. We will be bringing you live updates throughout the case. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads . 09:27 Daniel Bird With less than an hour to go until Óg Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear, supporters outside of Westminster Magistrates Court have started chanting. "Free Mo Chara," could be heard, while people were waving Irish flags. Fans of Kneecap have started chanting outside the court (Image: PA) 09:18 Daniel Bird Chris Hazzard, the MP for South Down in Northern Ireland, has taken to social media to share his support for Óg Ó hAnnaidh. In a statement, he said: "This morning Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is back in Westminster Magistrates' Court. As the rogue Israeli regime continues their genocide in Palestine, supported by complicit western governments, it is a rapper from West Belfast — not the war criminals — who are being dragged before the courts. "This is the same British justice system that stays silent on the British government's complicity in Israel's brutal and relentless assault on the defenceless people of Gaza. Kneecap are on the right side of history. Their courage in calling out Israel's genocide in Palestine, despite the full weight of the western establishment against them, deserves recognition and support. "Free Mo Chara – Free Palestine." South Down MP Chris Hazzard has voiced his thoughts (Image: PA) 08:51 KEY EVENT The Met has confirmed that a Public Order Act is in place today. In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the force said: "We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow. "Protest in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area." The Met have put a Public Order Act in place ahead of the hearing (Image: @metpoliceuk/X) 08:33 Daniel Bird Fans of the band have already started arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court to show their support, with placards and some waving Palestinian flags. Fans of Kneecap have started arriving at court to show their support (Image: PA) One sign said: "Kneecap rap for what is right." While another read: "Hands off Mo Chara." Fans have been vocal over their support (Image: AP) 08:30 Daniel Bird Kneecap fans have been asked to support Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, as well as outside Connolly Books in Temple Bar, Dublin. 08:29 KEY EVENT Taking to Instagram on Tuesday following a statement from the Met, who have imposed a Public Order Act, the band said: "We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. "In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as somehow troublesome. It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara's court appearance. "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. "Free Palestine."
