Latest news with #SaulTakahashi
The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
Can Israel be trusted to distribute aid in Gaza?
Chaotic scenes unfolded in Gaza this week as large crowds gathered at aid hubs set up by a US and Israeli-backed organisation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. After three months of an Israeli-imposed blockade on the enclave, hungry, desperate Palestinians stood behind fences, waiting to receive their share. Reports and videos quickly emerged showing people overrunning a hub in Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza. At least four people died on the first day and dozens were injured, mostly by Israeli gunfire. The Israeli army said it fired warning shots in the area outside the compound. Within two days, the foundation had temporarily paused its operations. The organisation has been heavily criticised by the UN and other humanitarian agencies for what they say is a weaponisation of aid that breaches their principles of neutrality and impartiality. Israel says the new mechanism will stop the looting of supplies by Hamas, but critics fear it will be used discriminately to deny aid to certain people. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the efficacy and ethics of aid distribution by a party to the conflict and asks, what happens if this is the only option for Palestinians in Gaza? She speaks to UNRWA's external relations and communications director Tamara Alrifai, international human rights lawyer Saul Takahashi and Knesset member Ofer Cassif.
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Europe's 'harsh words' for Israel 'a positive thing'
Saul Takahashi, a human rights lawyer, talks about the EU's shift in rhetoric towards Israel over its genocidal war on Gaza, and whether those words will be followed by actions.
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Why is Israel now facing pressure from some of its Western allies?
The Madrid Group has convened in Spain's capital for a fifth time, in a meeting attended by major European and Arab nations. Pressure on Israel this year has been ramped up, with Spain calling for an arms embargo on Israel and the imposition of sanctions on individuals who obstruct a two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The United Kingdom has paused trade talks and sanctioned a number of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Canada and France have also threatened punitive measures. And the European Union – Israel's biggest trade partner – is reviewing its landmark Association Agreement covering trade and political dialogue. But after 20 months of Israel's destruction of Gaza, why is this happening now? And without changes on the ground for Palestinians, are these actions anything more than diplomatically symbolic? Presenter: Tom McRae Guests: Lynn Boylan – Member of European Parliament, and chair of the delegation of relations with Palestine Mouin Rabbani – Non-resident fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies Saul Takahashi – Former deputy head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in occupied Palestine
The National
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
What's at risk under Israel's planned Gaza offensive?
Israel's security cabinet has approved an expanded military offensive in Gaza that would push the entire population into a small pocket in the south of the strip. Shortly after the decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a bold message: the troops will be there to stay. Sources have told The National the plan will pave the way for Israel to seize the Gaza Strip and take control of aid in zones run by private security firms. The goal, Israel says, is to pressure the majority of Gazans to be pushed out of the enclave entirely. Governments around the world, including some western allies of Israel, have opposed the plan, saying it would breach humanitarian law. UN agencies and aid groups have also strongly rejected the scheme, saying they will refuse to comply. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza fear they will be forced to flee their homes again, or worse. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher explores what makes this offensive especially alarming, even in the context of a brutal 19-month war. She looks at the impact it could have on humanitarian aid systems and why it may breach international law. She speaks to Ahmed Bayram, communications adviser for NRC Middle East, and international lawyer Saul Takahashi.
