Latest news with #OsloAccords
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Palestinians Hold Mixed Views as France Prepares to Recognize State
Palestinians expressed mixed opinions Friday after French President Emmanuel Macron said he would recognize a Palestinian state, with enthusiasm mitigated by the world's failure to stem suffering in Gaza. 'We hope it will be implemented, and we hope that most or all countries around the world will follow France's lead in recognizing the Palestinian people's right to an independent state,' said Nabil Abdel Razek, a resident of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian Authority. Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PA was intended to be a building bloc toward the establishment of a state. At a newsagent in the central square of the West Bank city, several front-page headlines mentioned President Emmanuel Macron's late Thursday evening announcement. 'All of these decisions not only affirm the rights of the Palestinian people, but also contribute to changing the violent reality in the region and lead to greater stability,' said Ahmed Ghoneim, a political activist, as he headed off to a demonstration in solidarity with Gaza. Ghoneim said he also hopes France's move will inspire other European countries, given that at least 142 of the 193 UN member states recognize a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally. But analysts are more cautious. 'The question for Palestinians is what will France do NOW about Israel starving them in Gaza,' Nour Odeh, a political commentator, wrote on X. Others also agreed the main issue for Palestinians is Gaza. 'What France should have recognized is the genocide and taken measures to end it and end the occupation,' said Ines Abdel Razek, co-director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD). In an interview with AFP, she said France should cut relations with Israel and impose a trade embargo. 'An example of a brave gesture is the Colombian president asking his army to block boats transporting energy and arms to Israel,' she said. While saying France's promise is just 'symbolic,' Samer Sinijlawi, another political activist, noted Macron's call for elections in the Palestinian territories and said this 'brings us hope.'
Nahar Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Palestinians hold mixed views as France prepares to recognize state
by Naharnet Newsdesk 26 July 2025, 14:04 Palestinians expressed mixed opinions Friday after French President Emmanuel Macron said he'd recognize a Palestinian state, with enthusiasm mitigated by the world's failure to stem suffering in Gaza. "We hope it will be implemented, and we hope that most or all countries around the world will follow France's lead in recognizing the Palestinian people's right to an independent state," said Nabil Abdel Razek, a resident of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian Authority. Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PA was intended to be a building bloc towards the establishment of a state. At a newsagent in the central square of the West Bank city, several front page headlines mentioned President Emmanuel Macron's late Thursday evening announcement. "All of these decisions not only affirm the rights of the Palestinian people, but also contribute to changing the violent reality in the region and lead to greater stability," said Ahmed Ghoneim, a political militant, as he headed off to a demonstration in solidarity with Gaza. Ghoneim said he also hopes France's move will inspire other European countries, given that at least 142 of the 193 U.N. member states recognize a Palestinian state, according to an AFP tally. But analysts are more cautious. "The question for Palestinians is what will France do NOW about Israel starving them in Gaza," Nour Odeh, a political commentator, wrote on X. Others also agreed the main issue for Palestinians is Gaza. "What France should have recognized is the genocide and taken measures to end it and end the occupation," said Ines Abdel Razek, co-director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD). In an interview with AFP, she said France should cut relations with Israel and impose a trade embargo. "An example of a brave gesture is the Colombian president asking his army to block boats transporting energy and arms to Israel, she said. While saying France's promise is just "symbolic", Samer Sinijlawi, another political militant, noted Macron's call for elections in the Palestinian territories and said this "brings us hope".
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mixed Palestinian reactions to France's plan to recognise state
RAMALLAH: Palestinians voiced mixed reactions after French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state, with optimism tempered by ongoing suffering in Gaza. Nabil Abdel Razek, a Ramallah resident, expressed cautious hope, saying, 'We hope it will be implemented, and we hope that most or all countries around the world will follow France's lead in recognising the Palestinian people's right to an independent state.' The Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah, was established under the 1993 Oslo Accords as a step toward statehood. Newspapers in the West Bank city highlighted Macron's announcement, with political activist Ahmed Ghoneim stating, 'All of these decisions not only affirm the rights of the Palestinian people, but also contribute to changing the violent reality in the region and lead to greater stability.' Ghoneim also hoped France's move would encourage other European nations to follow suit, as 142 UN members already recognise Palestine. However, analysts remain skeptical. Political commentator Nour Odeh questioned, 'The question for Palestinians is what will France do NOW about Israel starving them in Gaza.' Ines Abdel Razek of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy argued that France should instead address the crisis directly, saying, 'What France should have recognised is the genocide and taken measures to end it and end the occupation.' She urged France to sever ties with Israel and impose trade restrictions. Despite the symbolic nature of France's gesture, activist Samer Sinijlawi found optimism in Macron's call for Palestinian elections, calling it a 'brings us hope' moment. - AFP
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to Editor: cycleways, Gaza, mining
Today's letters to the editor include criticism of Cr Jim O'Malley over reactions to a cycle way, the war in Gaza, and discussion around Santana mining. Councillor O'Malley and his lost anatomy Poor Councillor Jim O'Malley. He's facing a life ahead of him without an important part of his anatomy, his backside, having "worked his arse off" on the Albany St cycleway committee, only to have people, God forbid, disagree with him. Spectacularly tone deaf to the pleas of the business community's complaints of more disruption, the loss of 68 valuable parking spaces on campus, and the cycling community stating they don't need or want it, Jim seems mainly offended by the suggestion that his conclusions might just be wrong. He is so aggrieved he's threatening to give up politics. Yeah, right. It may be time for the councillor to realise that committees alone don't make a bad idea good, and that the everyday operation of the city may be more important than costly and damaging leisure and vanity projects for a tiny minority. Ian Pillans Dunedin Stand up Wars may be far away, but their repercussions will affect us now and into the future. New Zealand's mild remonstrances on the Gaza genocide do not reflect our strong stances in the past, where we stood up against South African apartheid, nuclear armed ships and the white supremacy of the mosque attacks. We are allowing Israel to destroy a people and a culture. It is conceivable that a Trump-like character might arise in Australia in the future, who fancies a bit of choice agriculture land across the Ditch. Who will protect us — not the US, whose leader covets Greenland among other places? There are alternatives. The Hague Group is standing up for international law with real action. BRICS is an alternative non-aligned trading group that is trying to bypass the extractive US dominated WTO and IMF. These countries are not perfect, but why are we following the US which continually dabbles in regime change and endless failed wars around the world? Peace and diplomacy are rhetorical flourishes at the moment. Building trust is a hard road which requires listening to the perspectives of others, especially when they are in danger of annihilation, and not pattern-matching our own misconceptions. Ann Mackay Oamaru [Abridged — length. Editor.] Take the offer Cole Martin lists many reasons why there's no peace in the Holy Land (14.7.25) but omits the most obvious. Solely blaming a supposed "system of domination," he ignores critical historical context, ongoing Palestinian violence, and Palestinian leadership's refusal to recognise Israel. The West Bank was occupied by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. Israel gained control of it in a defensive war. Large portions of it are governed by the Palestinian Authority (PA), created through the 1990s bilateral Oslo Accords with the goal of establishing a Palestinian state. Those hopes were dashed when Palestinian leaders rejected generous Israeli peace offers that would have given them control over most of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Instead, they launched the Second Intifada, a wave of terrorism that left thousands dead and hardened attitudes on both sides. The violence and restrictions Martin laments largely stem from these actions. Palestinians were offered more opportunities for sovereignty than other Middle Eastern minorities. Yet, they squandered each one, attempting to destroy Israel rather than pursuing statehood. Real change can only come when Palestinians choose to stop the violence, recognise Israel, and build the state they were repeatedly offered. A. Levy Dunedin [Abridged — length. Editor.] Historic tale of ironclad ship battle questioned Tuesday's Today in History (8.7.25) describes in 1862 the use of the novel gun turret on USS Monitor being used "to good effect in a decisive battle with CSS Virginia". Wrong on both counts — the ships fought at close range for three hours, inflicting minimal damage on each other, then returned to their bases. Ineffective and indecisive, black-powder muzzle-loaders firing solid shot achieved little in this historic engagement, the first between ironclad vessels. Richard Lea Clough St Leonards [Today In History is based on old ODT files and is updated annually. We welcome reader feedback on omissions and possible inclusions.] Debt and Covid response RE R John Wilson's letter (15.7.25), what would he have done different so as not get into debt? Remembering every other country spent their way out of Covid. Henry Schakelaar Dunedin Saving our species but losing land Wonderful to read of the "Tireless work to save our native central species" (Central Otago News 3.7.25). Sad then to also read of the proposed Santana Minerals Open cast gold mine with its blasting, digging, trucking and carting away of hillsides to leave "open pits a kilometre wide and hundreds of metres deep" across a swathe of our outstanding natural landscapes (Opinion ODT 9.6.25). Sad as we'll lose the stunning landscape many thousands of tourists fly in to admire or millions of people view on TV. Expecting a second series of the murder mystery drama A Remarkable Place to Die to be shot here from November till the end of April, will be so incongruous with the noisy polluting open-cast gold mining and the arsenic and cyanide that'll leak from the unlined toxic sludge dam it leaves. Or maybe they can incorporate this and the waste of native habitat for native birds and lizards in the series for the German, American, Australia and New Zealand audiences? Lynne Stewart Earnscleugh Overseas plunder RE Gavin Dann's letter (18.7.25), His points re jobs, boost to local economy etc, are valid, to a degree. However, if one is to google Tui Mine Tailings Dam, there is a prime example of the perils of an overseas company mining in New Zealand. Since the days of flax and kauri, we have allowed Australian interests to plunder our resources with little return and no regard for the consequences. By all means, allow mining but not at the expense of our environment, and pay well for the privilege. Jerry Lynch Mosgiel
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Travel restrictions highlight Palestinians' conditional freedom
Restrictions on travel for Palestinians, inside their own country and on leaving and returning to their homes, have been a constant problem, with various degrees of excruciating trouble, humiliation and frustration. While Gazans, including those with medical emergencies, are not generally allowed to travel or return, the West Bank has seen an uptick in checkpoints, making travel between, say, Ramallah and Jenin or Hebron and Nablus a nightmare that sometimes ends with people being stuck for hours. As well as such internal restrictions, Palestinians, especially those with families, also face nightmares when they must travel outside of Palestine and then return. Many Palestinians working in the Gulf or other countries often use the summer break to return home and spend time with friends and family, as well as take some downtime in their homeland. The only airport in Palestine is in Gaza. US President Bill Clinton landed there in December 2018, but Israel has since bombed the airport and ended the free passage between the West Bank and Gaza it agreed to in the Oslo Accords. For the 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, the King Hussein Bridge to Jordan is the only way to leave and return. Jerusalem's Palestinians are allowed to use the Lod (Ben Gurion) airport, but many choose to travel via Jordan. Although travel on this only artery is supposed to be regulated by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian government, Tel Aviv has veto power, largely by deciding (i.e., restricting) its working hours. Whereas most border crossings worldwide are open 24/7, Israel applies much more restrictive hours, often insisting on closing it on Saturdays and keeping access limited despite the extreme heat in the Jordan Valley and the huge number of Palestinians using this sole crossing point. Whereas most border crossings worldwide are open 24/7, Israel applies much more restrictive hours Daoud Kuttab Former US President Joe Biden pushed Israel hard to open the bridge 24/7 and, after a three-month trial in October 2022, Israel agreed to the round-the-clock opening. But this lasted less than a year. After the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks occurred, Israel returned to the much more limited opening hours. Its justification was that some staff had been called up for duty in Gaza. So, there is a limited number of staff, even though the Israelis collect a hefty 200 shekels ($59) fee per person, including children, for everyone leaving the bridge. While many people had delayed traveling due to the war, this summer the number of people trying to cross the bridge has been much higher. Yet Israel has refused to extend the opening hours to accommodate the increase in travelers. According to official sources, Israeli authorities are currently allowing only 2,500 passengers per day across the bridge — half the number that generally cross during the summer months and a fraction of the 13,000 to 18,000 that have been handled daily during Hajj and Umrah seasons in the past. Even though some people are willing to pay the high price of VIP transport ($121 per adult for a 3km ride), the numbers are restricted to 200 per day. Desperate to manage the chaos, the authorities rolled out a digital reservation system. But the system quickly collapsed under its own poor design. Without requiring passport numbers at the time of purchase, the ticketing app became a goldmine for scalpers, who bought up passes under fake names and resold them at inflated prices. One traveler, unaware of the new system and desperate to get home, paid 50 Jordanian dinars ($70) for a ticket with a face value of 7 dinars. The story went viral, prompting both Palestinian and Jordanian authorities to belatedly crack down on the black market. The government of Jordan has since dealt with this problem by insisting on passport numbers being attached to the tickets; however, the overcrowding has not eased. For Palestinians, their freedom of movement is continually denied in the most routine and dehumanizing ways Daoud Kuttab The core issues remain unresolved: the hours are too short, the processing too slow and the demand far outstrips the artificial caps imposed by Israel. Suggestions of adding more Israeli staff and expanding the operating hours have fallen on deaf ears. Freedom of movement is a basic human right, enshrined in international law. And yet, for Palestinians, that right is continually denied in the most routine and dehumanizing ways. The bridge has become a chokepoint as a result of Israel's occupation, meaning families miss weddings, students lose scholarships, patients forgo medical treatment and workers risk losing jobs — all because of arbitrary, politically motivated delays. The current restrictions are not due to capacity, infrastructure or security. They are a political decision — an extension of a policy of control, meant to remind Palestinians that their freedom is conditional, fragile and subject to revocation at any moment. Jordanian officials privately complain that the closures are meant to punish Amman for its outspoken opposition to the Gaza war and its pro-Palestinian stance. With no Jordanian ambassador in Tel Aviv and Israel's ambassador still absent from Amman, the diplomatic channels needed to resolve the crisis remain paralyzed. King Hussein Bridge is more than just a road. It is a lifeline. Every day that access to it remains limited, it stands as a monument to how the world treats Palestinian lives — as expendable, as negotiable, as optional.
