
11,280 Israeli Violations Against Palestinians in First Half of 2025 - Jordan News
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Roya News
2 hours ago
- Roya News
Hezbollah disarmament dominates Lebanese Parliament amidst 'Israeli' strikes
The Lebanese Parliament convened a general session today, Tuesday, July 15, to discuss the government's policies, with the contentious issue of Hezbollah's weaponry dominating proceedings. The session saw renewed and sharp calls for the state to exclusively control all arms in Lebanon. This parliamentary debate, the first of its kind in a long time, according to Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions. During the session, 'Israeli' aircraft conducted low-altitude overflights, including over Beirut, later on, intense 'Israeli' airstrikes targeted the eastern and western Lebanese mountain ranges. These strikes reportedly resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including Syrian and Lebanese nationals, and 7 injuries. Calls for state monopoly on arms During the morning session, the Lebanese Forces party prominently called on the government to establish a clear timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament. MP Georges Adwan stated, "This is the government's last chance and there's a need to move quickly. The government must hold the decisions on war and peace." This position was supported by MP Pierre Bou Assi, who added, "Everything must begin with strengthening sovereignty. 'Israel' will not withdraw from southern Lebanon before Hezbollah's weapons are withdrawn." Other lawmakers, including independent MP Michel Moawad, also pressed the government on its plan and timetable for resolving the arms issue. MP Yassine Yassine emphasized that the "arms monopoly is not a slogan but a constitutional and political rule without which the state and the presidency will not be able to recover." Despite the Lebanese constitution stipulating the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the state, implementing this principle remains a major point of political division. Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab acknowledged the session would likely feature "contradictory statements from all sides, as well as calls for a monopoly on arms and for reconstruction." He also questioned the government's commitment to the Taif Agreement's national accord document, which calls for liberating Lebanese territories from Israeli Occupation. US roadmap, e scalating tensions The parliamentary discussions coincided with Lebanon's review of Washington's response to proposals from US envoy Thomas Barrack. Barrack's "roadmap" for peace in the region includes a demand for a timeline for Hezbollah's disarmament and other armed factions, with a clear implementation mechanism to be set by the Lebanese government. Sources indicate that the US has given Lebanon until the end of the current year to resolve the Hezbollah weapons issue. Hezbollah's stance remains firm, with its chief Naim Qassem stating that the group would not disarm until 'Israel' ends its aggression and withdraws from southern Lebanon. He previously asserted that Hezbollah's weapons would not be on the negotiating table unless 'Israel' "withdraws from the occupied territories, stops its aggression, releases the prisoners, and reconstruction begins." MPs in the session also urged the government to take a firm stance against the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire. 'Israeli' Defence Minister Israel Katz, on Tuesday, stated that 'Israeli' military strikes underway in Lebanon send a "clear message" to Hezbollah, accusing the group of plotting to rebuild its forces. Crossroads for Lebanon The parliamentary session underscores the sensitive political crossroads facing Lebanon. The domestic push for disarming militias, particularly Hezbollah, intertwines with ongoing calls for a complete 'Israeli' withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.


Roya News
2 hours ago
- Roya News
German court overturns speech ban on British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta
A German court ruled today, Tuesday, that the ban preventing British-Palestinian surgeon Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta from speaking in Germany was unlawful. The Administrative Court of Berlin found that authorities had no legal grounds to impose the prohibition. Dr. Abu Sitta, who gained international prominence for his work in Gaza hospitals following the escalation of the genocide in October 2023, had been denied entry to Germany in April 2024 when he attempted to attend the Palestine Congress in Berlin. Authorities had alleged that he sympathized with Hamas and posed a risk of committing a criminal offense or endangering Germany's democratic order. However, the Berlin Administrative Court's decision stated there was no reasonable expectation that Dr. Abu Sitta's statements would constitute a criminal offense or threaten public safety. The court found no statements by Abu Sitta since October 7, 2023, that were of a criminal nature or indicated support for terrorist organizations. The ruling also highlighted Dr. Abu Sitta's status as a historical eyewitness whose testimony has been heard by the International Criminal Court, emphasizing that this should have been considered by German authorities alongside his right to freedom of expression.


Roya News
4 hours ago
- Roya News
Unearthed 2014 article shows Zohran Mamdani's early advocacy for Palestinian rights
A resurfaced college article has shed light on Zohran Mamdani's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, years before he became a leading figure in New York politics. Mamdani, now 33 and the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, co-authored the piece as an undergraduate at Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Published on January 10, 2014, in Bowdoin's student paper, The Bowdoin Orient, Mamdani's article strongly endorsed the American Studies Association's (ASA) decision to join the academic boycott of 'Israeli' institutions, a move aimed at pressuring 'Israel' to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. 'The American Studies Association, a group of scholars on American culture and history, recently decided to honor the call of Palestinian civil society to boycott Israeli institutions,' Mamdani wrote. 'This academic and cultural boycott aims to bring under scrutiny the actions of the Israeli government and to put pressure on Israeli institutions to end the oppressive occupation and racist policies within both Israel and occupied Palestine.' The piece criticized 'Israeli' universities for what Mamdani described as active and passive complicity in 'Israel's' military occupation. He accused them of prioritizing soldiers in admissions, discriminating against Palestinian students, developing remote-controlled bulldozers for home demolitions, and conducting research for the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), with some institutions operating from illegal settlements built on occupied land. Mamdani rejected claims that the boycott stifled free speech, arguing instead that it had sparked wider debate about 'Israeli' human rights abuses. He specifically challenged then-Bowdoin College President Barry Mills, who opposed the boycott, accusing him of ignoring Palestinian suffering: 'Mills regrettably makes no mention of Palestinians or Palestine… When Mills speaks of the 'free exchange of knowledge, ideas, and research,' he does so while privileging partnerships with Israeli institutions over basic freedoms for Palestinians, including the rights to food, water, shelter and education.' The mayoral nominee praised Bowdoin professors who supported the ASA resolution and urged students and faculty to sign a pro-boycott petition.