Latest news with #USCommissiononInternationalReligiousFreedom
Middle East Eye
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Gaza humanitarian aid sites close for Eid as Palestinians go hungry
The US-backed so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced on Friday that it has closed all its aid distribution centres across the besieged enclave as Palestinians go hungry on one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar. The group suspended operations after a series of fatal shootings by Israeli forces near the sites, forcing an immediate halt to aid deliveries. The controversial US-backed initiative to distribute aid in Gaza named an evangelical leader and former adviser to US President Donald Trump as its new chief earlier this week. Johnnie Moore, a former member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, who has dismissed reports of mass killings at the GHF aid sites as 'fictional massacres', was appointed after the initiative's former head, Jake Wood, resigned. The appointment comes as major partners abandon the project amidst the mass killings of Palestinians seeking aid. Wood cited concerns over the GHF's ability to adhere to the 'humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence'. The GHF's first week of operations descended into chaos, with over 75 Palestinian aid seekers killed by Israeli forces at its distribution points in less than six days. Displaced Palestinians walk along a road to receive humanitarian aid packages from a US-backed foundation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 5, 2025 (AFP)
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel-backed Gaza delivery group names US evangelical leader as chair
An evangelical leader and adviser to Donald Trump on interfaith issues has been appointed the new head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as the controversial US- and Israeli-backed initiative attempts to recover from top-level resignations during a tumultuous rollout last week. Johnnie Moore, a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and founder of the boutique advisory firm Kairos Company, was appointed the new head of the GHF after Jake Wood, a former marine, resigned, saying that he could not guarantee the GHF's independence from Israeli interests. Moore has been a vocal defender of the GHF who has bristled at public criticism of the rollout, telling the UN chief, António Guterres, on X that reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza was 'a lie … spread by terrorists'. Related: US distances itself from Gaza food delivery group amid questions over leadership and funding Major partners continue to abandon the GHF, which was launched with vocal support from US government officials. Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US consulting firm, said it had cancelled its contract with the GHF on Tuesday amid growing media scrutiny into the group's work and sources of funding. In a post on its social media, the GHF announced that its distribution points would be closed on Wednesday for 'update, organization and efficiency improvement work'. The group did not give more information on the improvements it intended to make. Operations would resume on Thursday, the group claimed. In a statement, Moore lauded the GHF's reported delivery of more than 7m meals in the last week, numbers that haven't been independently verified, and also took aim at media reports about murky finances and chaotic rollouts of the aid distribution centres in Gaza. Local health officials said that at least one person was killed and more than 50 people injured on 27 May when Israeli troops opened fire on the second day of operations at a GHF distribution centre. 'GHF believes that serving the people of Gaza with dignity and compassion must be the top priority,' Moore said in a statement. 'We welcome others to join us and urge extreme caution against sharing unverified information from sources that have repeatedly issue demonstrably false reports. 'False reporting of violence at our sites has a chilling effect on the local population and we can think of no greater disservice to a community in dire need,' he said. A biography on the Kairos website calls Moore a 'noted evangelical friend of the State of Israel' and says that he has played an important role in US outreach to Middle Eastern governments, including in the conclusion of the Abraham accords to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states. John Acree, the acting director of the GHF, said that Moore has a 'proven record of principled leadership and hands-on humanitarian work'. But Moore's paucity of experience working with major charitable organisations will make it difficult for him to refute criticisms about the GHF's lack of independence and experience dealing with a major humanitarian crisis. BCG, which was reported to be handling key logistics planning, abandoned the project late last week and a representative told CNN that 'unapproved follow-on work relating to Gaza lacked buy-in from multilateral stakeholders and was stopped on May 30'. 'BCG has not and will not be paid for any of this work,' the organisation said. BCG also told reporters that they had placed the employee responsible for overseeing the project on administrative leave pending an internal review. The Washington Post, which first reported on BCG cutting ties with the GHF, said that the consulting group was instrumental in planning GHF's operations. Three people closely connected to both the GHF and BCG told the Washington Post that it would be difficult for the foundation to continue to function without the consultants who helped create it. 'In addition to helping develop the initiative in close coordination with Israel, BCG set the prices for paying and equipping the array of contractors who built four distribution hubs in southern Gaza to deliver the aid,' the newspaper reported.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Gaza aid points close as Israel warns against travel to distribution centres
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has announced that it is going to halt the limited food distribution operations permitted by Israeli authorities at centres in the Gaza Strip for one day. It said it planned to resume operations on Thursday after working on security measures. It comes as Israel's military on Tuesday warned residents of Gaza against travel in areas leading to the distribution centres, after at least 27 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they waited for food at the points set up by the US-backed GHF. An Israeli military spokesperson said roads leading to the distribution centres were considered 'combat zones'. Israeli authorities have been imposing the use of GHF to distribute food rather than any of the agencies that traditionally operate in Gaza. On Tuesday, 21 trucks of food were distributed. During the ceasefire earlier this year, 600 trucks a day were required to meet the needs of the Palestinian population. Israel has been blockading aid and food from entering the territory for weeks. It comes as Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and adviser to Donald Trump on interfaith issues, was on Tuesday appointed the new head of the GHF The controversial US- and Israeli-backed initiative has been attempting to recover from top-level resignations during a tumultuous rollout last week. Mr Moore, a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and founder of the boutique advisory firm Kairos Company, was appointed the new head of the GHF after Jake Wood, a former marine, resigned, saying that he could not guarantee the GHF's independence from Israeli interests. Mr Moore has been a vocal defender of the GHF, who has bristled at public criticism of the rollout, telling the UN chief, António Guterres, on X that reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza was 'a lie … spread by terrorists'. Major partners continue to abandon the GHF, which was launched with vocal support from US government officials. Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US consulting firm, said it had cancelled its contract with the GHF on Tuesday amid growing media scrutiny into the group's work and sources of funding. The Guardian Read More Searches for Madeleine McCann to continue in Portugal
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Yunus vows to uphold minority rights in B'desh during constitutional reform
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday said any constitutional amendments would uphold religious freedom and minority rights, asserting that minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population. The head of the interim government made the comments during a meeting with US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Stephen Schneck here, according to a post on his official social media handle. "We are striving hard to build religious harmony in the country," Yunus said. On being asked about the activities of the reform commissions and the proposed constitutional changes after last year's uprising that ousted former premier Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime, Yunus said that "any constitutional amendments would uphold religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh". "The consensus-building commission is holding dialogue with political parties over the proposed amendments. Minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population," he said. Yunus noted the role of religion in the country and reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining religious harmony. "We are committed to safeguarding the religious freedom of every citizen of the country," he said. Responding to allegations of minority violence, Yunus said the interim government remains committed to transparency, inviting global journalists to visit and see the situation firsthand. Bangladesh saw a spate of attacks on minorities including on the Hindu community following Hasina's ouster in August last year.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Yunus vows to protect minority rights in constitutional reforms in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus assured on Monday that any constitutional changes would protect religious freedom and minority rights, emphasising that minorities would continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim to a post on his official social media, he made the statement during a meeting with US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Stephen are striving hard to build religious harmony in the country," Yunus said. "We are committed to safeguarding the religious freedom of every citizen." Bangladesh witnessed a spate of attacks on minorities, including the Hindu community, following Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August last asked about the reform commissions and proposed constitutional changes following last year's uprising that led to the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League government, Prime Minister Yunus said, "Any constitutional amendments will uphold religious freedom and protect the rights of minorities in Bangladesh.""The consensus-building commission is in dialogue with political parties on the proposed amendments," he added, according to PTI."Minorities will continue to enjoy the same rights as the majority Muslim population."Yunus also acknowledged the role of religion in the country and reaffirmed the government's commitment to religious are dedicated to safeguarding the religious freedom of every citizen," he to allegations of minority violence, Yunus said the interim government remains committed to transparency and has invited global journalists to visit and witness the situation inputs from PTITune InMust Watch
