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The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Moment Trump aide is confronted with photos of Gaza's starving children
An aide to Donald Trump was confronted with photos of starving children in Gaza during a meeting with Tunisia's President Kais Saied. Mr Saied told US envoy Massad Boulos, who is also the father-in-law of the US President's daughter Tiffany Trump, that 'it is time for humanity to wake up and put an end to these crimes against the Palestinian people'. 'I believe you know these images well,' Mr Saied was seen telling the envoy in footage released by the Tunisian presidency. He described one of the photos as showing 'a child crying, eating sand in occupied Palestine'. Mr Boulos stood silently, occasionally nodding, as Mr Saied called events in Gaza 'a crime against all of humanity' and 'absolutely unacceptable'. Lebanese-born Mr Boulos is a senior adviser to Mr Trump on Arab, Middle East and African affairs. His son, Michael Boulos, married Tiffany Trump in 2022. The US is Israel's main political and military backer and has vetoed UN resolutions calling for an end to the war in Gaza. However, Mr Trump has shown signs of thinning patience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the toll of the 21-month war mounts. Some of Israel's usual allies, including Britain and France, issued stark criticism this week of what they called the 'drip feeding of aid', as starvation takes hold in Gaza. The head of its largest hospital said on Tuesday that 21 children had died from malnutrition and starvation in the previous three days. More than 100 aid organisations warned on Wednesday that 'mass starvation' was spreading across Gaza and that their own colleagues were suffering acutely from the shortages. Israel says some humanitarian supplies are being allowed into Gaza and accuses Hamas of stealing aid.
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Tunisia leader shows Trump adviser images of starving Gaza children
Saied told US envoy Massad Boulos, who is also the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany, that "it is time for all of humanity to wake up and put an end to these crimes against the Palestinian people". "I believe you know these images well," Saied was seen telling the envoy as he showed a photograph of what he described as "a child crying, eating sand in occupied Palestine". Saied showed Boulos several more images, saying that Palestinians in Gaza were subjected to crimes against humanity. Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, where more than two million people have endured 21 months of devastating conflict. "It is absolutely unacceptable," Saied was heard saying as Boulos stood silently, occasionally nodding. "It is a crime against all of humanity." More than 100 aid organisations warned on Wednesday that "mass starvation" was spreading across the Gaza Strip and that their own colleagues were suffering acutely from the shortages. The head of Gaza's largest hospital said on Tuesday that 21 children had died from malnutrition and starvation in the Palestinian territory in the previous three days. Israel says humanitarian aid is being allowed into Gaza and accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering, including by stealing food handouts to sell at inflated prices or shooting at those awaiting aid. Following his visit to Tunisia, Boulos flew on to the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday, Tunisian media reported.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel continues to flout world court ruling on its occupation
One year ago on Saturday, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion. The world's highest interstate court determined on July 19, 2024, that Israel's occupation of the West Bank including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip was 'unlawful' and must be brought to an end. The key paragraph was crystal clear. It stated: 'The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful.' It also ruled that Israel's discriminatory legislation and measures are also in breach of international law. They constituted a breach of Article 3 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. This was an authoritative determination on the state of the law on a specific issue. It was fortified by a UN General Assembly resolution last September endorsing the advisory opinion and demanding that the Israeli occupation ends by September 2025. There is more chance of Benjamin Netanyahu knocking on the doors of the International Criminal Court and saying, 'here I am, arrest me, I am guilty as charged,' than there is of that happening. Israel has to dismantle its settlements and evacuate settlers. It has to do so immediately. And its military presence also needs to be withdrawn. The court determined that Israel owes full reparation for all the damage done by its illegal acts since 1967. Working out the exact compensation due will be some process, but the end figure will have many digits. The court determined that Israel owes full reparation for all the damage done by its illegal acts since 1967 Chris Doyle Showing the sort of contempt that might be expected from a government perpetrating genocide in Gaza, Israel has simply doubled down on its occupation. Settlements are expanding faster than ever, with approval for the doomsday settlement of E1 east of Jerusalem going forward apace. Settler violence is off the charts, with more than 740 settler attacks in the first half of 2025, according to the UN. Demolitions are a daily event. Israel has forcibly displaced more than 40,000 Palestinians in the West Bank alone, as well as nearly the entire population of Gaza. Rather than end the occupation, the Israeli government is pushing relentlessly toward annexation. Occupation in and of itself is not illegal. It may even be necessary. But it is meant to be temporary and is governed by international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. At the time the court's opinion was issued, Israel's occupation had lasted a jaw-dropping 57 years and involved the insertion of 750,000 settlers into occupied territory. But the court also went further. It determined that Israel had violated the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid. It was the ultimate legal determination as to Israel's crimes and unlawful conduct across the whole of the Occupied Territories. There is no higher judicial body to make such a determination. Major powers are under an obligation to prevent and to punish genocide when other states are perpetrating such acts Chris Doyle But who refers to the occupation as unlawful? The US, of course, refuses, as it barely even acknowledges the occupation, a head-in-the-sand legal position. The UK government promised Parliament it would issue a formal response to this — a pledge repeated multiple times. But it seems that 365 days is insufficient time for the government to develop the courage to publish its response, as sources have told this author that a draft has been ready for months. Remarkably, the UK government has stated at the UN that it does not disagree with the central findings of the advisory opinion. The awkwardness of the double negative sums up the awkwardness of the position. Ministers cannot even outline what they consider to be the central findings. Has the media changed how it describes the Occupied Territories? Certainly not the BBC or CNN. This was barely mentioned. It is as if it is still treated as a disputed issue, as opposed to a settled matter of legal certainty. The lack of respect for the International Court of Justice is also exhibited in the abject refusal of Israel to adhere to the provisional measures the court ordered on three occasions under the Genocide Convention between January and May 2024. Major powers have not insisted Israel do so either, even though they are under an obligation to prevent and to punish genocide when other states are perpetrating such acts. Israel should have taken all measures to prevent genocidal acts and ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid, including food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, and medical supplies. Instead, Israel has, as a matter of declared policy, blocked this. Many governments pay lip service to upholding international law when it comes to Israel. It is time for those who do care to expose this hypocrisy for what it is.
Leaders
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Meet Noof Alotaishan: Saudi Trailblazer Steps into Historic UNGA Role
Noof Alotaishan has achieved a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's diplomatic representation by becoming the first Saudi female diplomat to be seconded to the Office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly. New Diplomatic Breakthrough Alotaishan, an alumna of Keele University in the United Kingdom, has made a real difference in the Saudi diplomatic landscape and shed light on the evolving role of Saudi women in international representation. Her groundbreaking appointment has received widespread acclaim on social media by pioneering regional and international figures. In a message shared on social media, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, congratulated Alotaishan on her 'amazing' accomplishment. The princess also noted that Alotaishan's presence in this role represents a diplomatic breakthrough for Saudi women unleashing new horizons for their representation in diplomatic spheres all over the world. Noof Alotaishan is the first Saudi woman diplomat to work in the office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session. Amazing! @ksamissionun 🇸🇦✨@UN — Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) October 10, 2024 'When I was told that I was the first Saudi female diplomat to be seconded to the President's Office, it felt quite surreal. The Saudi Ambassador to the United States congratulated me and told me they wanted to celebrate the news, and it was a very proud moment when she posted a photo of me on her social media channels, which all of my family saw,' she said. Ray of Hope for Saudi Women Noof Alotaishan Currently, Alotaishan is representing Saudi Arabia at the 79th session of the General Assembly, taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York. She expressed hope that her position will serve as a source of inspiration for Saudi women seeking to secure careers in diplomacy and international affairs. 'Hopefully my experience can help other women in Saudi Arabia believe in themselves and think 'I can do it, too'. There is an idea that is a male dominated world, and females won't be supported but I have been supported by my Ambassador H.E. Abdulaziz Alwasil as well as my male colleagues, so it is a mentality more than facts,' Alotaishan added. Professional Career Path In her current position, Alotaishan serves as an advisor to the Political, Peace, and Security Affairs team at the United Nations, with a particular focus on the Middle East issues, including Gaza and Palestine. Interestingly, she has recently achieved a notable career milestone when her contributions were reflected in remarks delivered by H.E. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, during his address on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 'It makes me happy when I can give an opinion based on my experience, knowledge and background and you see it making a difference. For example, sometimes I'll look at something as a person from the Middle East and I'll be able to adjust the wording to be more relevant to the community, and you see people listen and change it,' she said. Prior to joining the UN team, Alotaishan served for more than two years as a diplomat at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, she enriched her career portfolio through a year‑long lectureship in public law at Al‑Asala Colleges along with earlier work as a legal researcher. Enriching Academic Journey Noof Alotaishan Alotaishan obtained a Bachelor's degree in Law from Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Khobar. In 2019, she got a Master's degree in International Law and Politics from Keele University. Reflecting on her time at Keele, she said: 'When I came to Keele in 2018 it was my first time living alone, which was quite a big experience for me. I was lucky that I had and still have a supportive family especially my dad, he was supportive of me studying abroad, knowing it will play a huge role in my growth and future career.' Alotaishan described Keele university as 'perfect' and labeled its courses as 'highly rated'. 'I always tell people now that Keele is one of the best options in the UK because it has a beautiful campus, but it can also be quiet, so you can focus on your education,' she added. Noof Alotaishan's academic journey Moreover, she has earned numerous licenses and certifications and completed various courses, particularly in business, international relations, and political economy from The London School of Economics and Political Science. Saudi Arabia's Transformation toward Inclusive Diplomacy Noof Alotaishan's secondment comes amid a revolutionized transformation within Saudi Arabia's diplomatic scene, which has witnessed a notable surge in the appointment of women to senior foreign service positions in recent years. This advanced approach mirrors the Kingdom's dedication to empowering women and fostering their representation across key sectors in line with the Saud Vision 2030. To support Saudi women representation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made bold strides to appoint female ambassadors, consuls, as well as envoys to prominent international posts. All these efforts and initiatives represent a decisive move toward inclusive diplomacy in Saudi Arabia. Related Topics: Abeer Bint Shrgi Al-Anazi: Trailblazer for Saudi Women in Clean Energy, Academic Excellence Saudi Women Participation in Workforce Hits 36.2% INTERVIEW: Vision 2030 Has Unleashed Saudi Women's Potential: Princess Noura Al Saud Short link : Post Views: 8
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Resistance operations expose Israeli failure in Gaza: Hamas
Hamas asserted that the continued precise operations by its armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, alongside the PIJ's al-Quds Brigades, prove "Israel's" failure to break the will of the Palestinian people or defeat their Resistance. In a statement published on Wednesday, the group said these operations demonstrate the Resistance's strength, its control over the battlefield, and its ability to exact a heavy price from "Israel", adding that the Israeli government bears full responsibility for failing to reach an agreement due to the obstacles it keeps putting and dragging out the negotiations to serve Netanyahu's personal gains. Hamas also criticized the statements made by the head of the occupation government regarding "absolute victory", dismissing them as part of an effort to promote illusions and unrealistic claims about achieving the war's objectives, particularly what it called the delusion of retrieving the captives through military force. Regarding the negotiation process, Hamas reaffirmed its "continued positive engagement with mediators' efforts" and any serious proposals that could lead to a comprehensive agreement," while simultaneously emphasizing that "any deal must guarantee a cessation of aggression and war against our people, a permanent ceasefire, and a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip." Hamas has accused Benjamin Netanyahu's government of undermining international mediation efforts, even as Gaza remains under siege and relentless bombardment since the war began on October 7, 2023, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians and causing widespread destruction. Meanwhile, Palestinian Resistance factions continue their military operations from within the enclave, while ceasefire negotiations have so far failed to produce a decisive breakthrough. The Israeli occupation forces announced on June 25 that seven of their personnel, consisting of one officer and six soldiers, had been killed during a lethal ambush executed by the Palestinian Resistance in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. An initial Israeli military investigation revealed that the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when Resistance fighters triggered a pre-planted explosive device along a route frequently used by invading Israeli forces, targeting a Puma-type Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) that was transporting a combat engineering unit. The explosion set the APC ablaze while the soldiers remained trapped inside, leading to the deaths of all seven personnel in the resulting fire, with the intensity of the incident reportedly complicating the identification process for several hours due to the state of the remains.
