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Daily Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Asserts Balance
TDT | Manama Bahrain reaffirmed its unwavering support for global peace and legal order yesterday, as its parliamentary delegation addressed a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. The session, held under the theme 'Upholding the UN Charter and International Law to Ensure Global Peace and Security,' was hosted by H.E. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, and convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Representing Bahrain were H.E. MP Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and H.E. Dr. Bassam Ismail Al Binmohammed, member of the Shura Council's Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee. Balanced Diplomacy The Bahraini delegation underscored the Kingdom's principled foreign policy, rooted in respect for the UN Charter, pursuit of political solutions, and promotion of multilateral diplomacy. They reiterated Bahrain's belief in international law as the true guarantor of collective security and stability. This approach, they noted, reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, particularly in supporting peace, mutual respect, and regional cooperation. UN Council Role The delegation highlighted that Bahrain's election to the UN Security Council for the 2026– 2027 term is a direct result of its growing international standing and balanced engagement. They described it as a rare opportunity to amplify voices of moderation and reinforce global legal norms from within the world's top decision-making forum. The parliamentarians further stressed that the legislative authority, through its active parliamentary diplomacy, fully supports Bahrain's foreign policy and global peace efforts, including the incorporation of international legal principles into national legislation. Parliamentary Presence Bahrain's presence at such forums, they added, reflects its commitment to constructive global engagement and the strengthening of human values. The delegation welcomed initiatives that broaden parliamentary participation in international peacebuilding and reaffirmed Bahrain's support for legal multilateralism. The Geneva forum runs through July 31.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Albanese accuses Israel of ‘clearly' breaching international law but resists push to recognise Palestinian state
Australia has no plans to imminently recognise a Palestinian state, Anthony Albanese says, cautioning further steps must be met for a two-state solution despite growing pressure inside the Labor party for the government to follow through on its long-held commitment. The prime minister has also accused Israel of a breach of international law in blocking aid into Gaza, saying 'you can't hold innocent people responsible' for the actions of Hamas, and warning that Benjamin Netanyahu's government is 'losing support' internationally. 'Quite clearly it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered which was a decision that Israel made in March,' Albanese told the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. 'Israel as a democratic state has a responsibility to ensure that innocent lives are not lost, and what we have seen is too many Israeli and Palestinians lives lost, and every life matters.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email Israel on Sunday, Australian time, said it would start airdrops with humanitarian aid in Gaza, Reuters reported, as well as establishing humanitarian corridors for UN convoys, though it did not say when or where. At least 57 people were killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours, many killed while seeking aid, as well as by Israeli airstrikes, amid a worsening starvation crisis. Albanese said the airdrops would be 'a start'. Referencing widely published photos of an emaciated infant boy suffering from starvation in Gaza, as well as other starving children, the prime minister said innocent people must be protected. 'A one-year-old boy is not a Hamas fighter. The civilian casualties and death in Gaza is completely unacceptable. It's completely indefensible,' he said. 'My government has been very consistent in calling for a ceasefire. We have been consistent in calling out the terrorists in Hamas and saying that the hostages should be released. But we have rules of engagement and they are there for a reason. They are to stop innocent lives being lost and that is what we have seen.' Albanese said it was 'quite clearly' a breach of international law to block aid deliveries. Asked by Insiders host David Speers to clarify whether he was specifically accusing Israel of breaching international law, Albanese responded 'I'm not a lawyer, those things will play out their course'. 'But I tell you what it's a breach of: it's a breach of decent humanity and of morality and everyone can see that,' he said. 'I'm a supporter of Israel and Israel's right to defend itself, but that boy isn't challenging Israel's right to existence, and nor are the many who continue to suffer from the unavailability of food and water. The fact that people have lost their lives queueing to get food and water distributed not by the UN, but distributed by the joint Israeli-American operation, is a tragedy.' The Israeli embassy in Canberra was contacted for comment. Albanese said the concerns he'd relayed to Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, reflected that 'sometimes friends have to say to their other friends when they are losing support'. The prime minister issued his own statement condemning Israel for 'the killing of civilians, including children' seeking aid, but stopped short of saying Australia would recognise a Palestinian state, as French president, Emmanuel Macron, had committed. On Sky News on Sunday, the shadow foreign affairs minister, Michaelia Cash, repeated previous claims that the Australian government should have more strongly condemned Hamas. 'The next sentence should have been, 'and we call on the terrorists Hamas, who commenced this war, and who are ensuring the suffering of the civilians in Gaza, to end this war tomorrow',' she said. Albanese's statement on Friday said: 'Australia condemns the terror and brutality of Hamas and we reiterate our call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages.' Former foreign minister Bob Carr, Labor MP Ed Husic and the Labor Friends of Palestine campaign group on Friday reiterated their calls for the government to move now in recognising a Palestinian state – a reform that has long been Labor policy. But Albanese said such a move was not imminent. He raised concerns about ensuring Hamas was blocked from any involvement in a Palestinian state, how it would operate in a way that did not threaten Israel's existence, and how the Palestinian Authority would be involved. Albanese also said it was 'critical' the United States play a role, including in security arrangements about settlements in the West Bank and the rebuilding of Gaza. 'We won't do any decision as a gesture. We will do it as a way forward if the circumstances are met,' he said. 'We'll make a decision based upon the time. Is the time right now? Are we about to imminently do that? No, we are not.'
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Albanese accuses Israel of ‘clearly' breaching international law but resists push to recognise Palestinian state
Australia has no plans to imminently recognise a Palestinian state, Anthony Albanese says, cautioning further steps must be met for a two-state solution despite growing pressure inside the Labor party for the government to follow through on its long-held commitment. The prime minister has also accused Israel of a breach of international law in blocking aid into Gaza, saying 'you can't hold innocent people responsible' for the actions of Hamas, and warning that Benjamin Netanyahu's government is 'losing support' internationally. 'Quite clearly it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered which was a decision that Israel made in March,' Albanese told the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. 'Israel as a democratic state has a responsibility to ensure that innocent lives are not lost, and what we have seen is too many Israeli and Palestinians lives lost, and every life matters.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email Israel on Sunday, Australian time, said it would start airdrops with humanitarian aid in Gaza, Reuters reported, as well as establishing humanitarian corridors for UN convoys, though it did not say when or where. At least 57 people were killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours, many killed while seeking aid, as well as by Israeli airstrikes, amid a worsening starvation crisis. Albanese said the airdrops would be 'a start'. Referencing widely published photos of an emaciated infant boy suffering from starvation in Gaza, as well as other starving children, the prime minister said innocent people must be protected. 'A one-year-old boy is not a Hamas fighter. The civilian casualties and death in Gaza is completely unacceptable. It's completely indefensible,' he said. 'My government has been very consistent in calling for a ceasefire. We have been consistent in calling out the terrorists in Hamas and saying that the hostages should be released. But we have rules of engagement and they are there for a reason. They are to stop innocent lives being lost and that is what we have seen.' Albanese said it was 'quite clearly' a breach of international law to block aid deliveries. Asked by Insiders host David Speers to clarify whether he was specifically accusing Israel of breaching international law, Albanese responded 'I'm not a lawyer, those things will play out their course'. 'But I tell you what it's a breach of: it's a breach of decent humanity and of morality and everyone can see that,' he said. 'I'm a supporter of Israel and Israel's right to defend itself, but that boy isn't challenging Israel's right to existence, and nor are the many who continue to suffer from the unavailability of food and water. The fact that people have lost their lives queueing to get food and water distributed not by the UN, but distributed by the joint Israeli-American operation, is a tragedy.' The Israeli embassy in Canberra was contacted for comment. Albanese said the concerns he'd relayed to Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, reflected that 'sometimes friends have to say to their other friends when they are losing support'. The prime minister issued his own statement condemning Israel for 'the killing of civilians, including children' seeking aid, but stopped short of saying Australia would recognise a Palestinian state, as French president, Emmanuel Macron, had committed. On Sky News on Sunday, the shadow foreign affairs minister, Michaelia Cash, repeated previous claims that the Australian government should have more strongly condemned Hamas. 'The next sentence should have been, 'and we call on the terrorists Hamas, who commenced this war, and who are ensuring the suffering of the civilians in Gaza, to end this war tomorrow',' she said. Albanese's statement on Friday said: 'Australia condemns the terror and brutality of Hamas and we reiterate our call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages.' Former foreign minister Bob Carr, Labor MP Ed Husic and the Labor Friends of Palestine campaign group on Friday reiterated their calls for the government to move now in recognising a Palestinian state – a reform that has long been Labor policy. But Albanese said such a move was not imminent. He raised concerns about ensuring Hamas was blocked from any involvement in a Palestinian state, how it would operate in a way that did not threaten Israel's existence, and how the Palestinian Authority would be involved. Albanese also said it was 'critical' the United States play a role, including in security arrangements about settlements in the West Bank and the rebuilding of Gaza. 'We won't do any decision as a gesture. We will do it as a way forward if the circumstances are met,' he said. 'We'll make a decision based upon the time. Is the time right now? Are we about to imminently do that? No, we are not.'
Jordan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Jordan, along with 10 Arab, Islamic states denounce Israeli Knesset vote on West Bank sovereignty
AMMAN — Eleven countries, including Jordan, along with regional and international organisations, issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the Israeli Knesset's approval of a declaration to impose so-called 'Israeli sovereignty' over the occupied West Bank, the Foreign Ministry announced. The statement, issued by Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the League of Arab States, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, described the move as a blatant and unacceptable violation of international law and a flagrant breach of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and 2334 (2016), all of which affirm the invalidity of all measures and decisions that seek to legitimize the occupation, including settlement activities in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. The signatories reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stressing that this unilateral Israeli move has no legal effect and cannot alter the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, foremost among it East Jerusalem, which remains an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They also emphasized that such Israeli actions would only fuel the growing tension in the region, which has been exacerbated by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip. The statement also called on the international community, including the Security Council and all relevant actors, to shoulder their legal and moral responsibilities, and to act to halt Israel's illegal policies aimed at imposing a fait accompli by force, undermining the prospects for a just and lasting peace, and the prospects of the two-state solution. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, and to the realization of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Arab and Islamic nations condemn Israeli Knesset's approval of motion on West Bank annexation
Arab and Islamic countries, including the UAE, have condemned in the strongest terms the Israeli Knesset's approval of a motion calling for the imposition of so-called 'Israeli sovereignty' over the occupied West Bank. The non-binding vote in Israel's parliament, the Knesset, was backed by members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, as well as some opposition lawmakers. The move is "a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international law and a flagrant violation of relevant Security Council resolutions," the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation said in a joint statement. Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, they said, adding that "this unilateral Israeli action has no legal effect and cannot alter the legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly East Jerusalem, which remains an integral part of that territory." They also emphasised that such Israeli measures "will only fuel the growing tension in the region, exacerbated by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe."
