English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese
Related, Global News & Editorials
For May 28/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/eliasnews19/english.may28.20.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that
they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn
and I would heal them
John 12/37-43: “Although he had performed so many signs in their
presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfil the word spoken by the
prophet Isaiah: ‘Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of
the Lord been revealed?’ And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also
said, ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might
not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn and I would
heal them.’ Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him.
Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the
Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the
synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on May 27-28/2020
Questions, Facts & Doubts About Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanon/Charbel
Barakat & Elias Bejjani/May 27/2020
21 More Coronavirus Cases Confirmed in Lebanon
15 Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Test Positive for COVID-19
Lebanese Could Be Fined LL50,000 for Not Wearing Face Masks
BDL Subsidizes Dollar for Food Importers, Manufacturers and Industrialists
Lebanon, IMF Discuss Capital Control in 7th Meeting
Lebanese Southern Town Accuses UNIFIL Troops of Provoking Its Residents
Aoun follows up on measures taken to combat Covid-19, general mobilization
Berri meets Japanese ambassador, UN’s Kubis, "Strong Republic” bloc delegation
Judge Aoun lifts judicial seizure off ASOPOS fuel vessel
Ministry of Finance: Seventh meeting with IMF in presence of Salameh continues
Capital Control Law discussions
Diab chairs inter-ministerial meeting for the repatriation of Lebanese
Fahmy: Lebanese have unfortunately lost faith in institutions, judiciary
included
Ghajar denies reporting to Judge Aoun Bassatne's pledge to provide alternative
fuel vessel
Lebanon repatriates 50 stranded Nigerian nationals free of charge
US Ambassador pays Rahi protocol visit
COVID-19 Strikes Syrian Communities in Lebanon’s Bekaa
Lebanon: International Donors Refuse to Help Hezbollah-run Institutions
Al-Mustaqbal Rejects Calls for ‘Federalism, Toppling Taef Accord’
Hizbullah Releases Video Showcasing Its 'Radhwan' Unit: 'From The North,
Disaster Will Be Poured Out On All Who Live In [Israel]'
Lebanese MP Ziad Aswad: We Cannot Hold On To Our Guns While Our People Are
Hungry; Hizbullah Cannot Survive Without National Solidarity
Lebanese PM visits UN peacekeepers amid dispute over mandate
Former Premiers Condemn 'Anti-Taef Accord' Remarks
Coronavirus lockdown adds to Lebanon’s culture sector crisis
In Lebanon, a growing rift between Hezbollah and their long-time Christian ally
Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns of 'great war' on all fronts with Israel
Lebanese Political Activist Dr. Naji Hayek: Lebanon Must Become A Federation,
Develop A Technology-Based Economy; Syrian Refugees Detrimental To Lebanon
Why the Worry About Beirut?
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah rejects US pressure to beef up role of UN peacekeepers
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on May 27-28/2020
Liberman Accuses Netanyahu of Inciting Civil War
Turkey Deploys MIM-23 Hawk Missiles in Syria’s Idlib
Iraq Military Spokesman to Asharq Al-Awsat: ISIS No Longer Poses a Threat
Israeli Officials: Annexation Plan Facing Challenges
Activists in Syria's Afrin Urge Kurdish Forces to Unite their Ranks
Israel Prevents Palestinians' Access to Ibrahimi Mosque
Babacan: We Don’t Fear Erdogan’s Threats
Iran's Newly Elected Parliament Convenes Despite Pandemic
US concerned about a repeat of the Syrian scenario in Libya
Trump Threatens to 'Close Down' Social Media after Tweets Tagged
Police Killing of Handcuffed African American Sparks Outrage
Catholic Church promulgates new decrees for Causes of Saints
Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published on
May 27-28/2020
It’s Business, Not Personal/Nada Ahmed/Carnegie MEC/May 27/2020
Coronavirus … Coexistence Is the Solution/Salman Al-Dossary/Asharq Al Awsat/May
27/2020
What Does China Really Want?/Hal Brands/Bloomberg/May 27/2020
Russia’s Biggest Challenge in Syria/Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy/Asharq Al Awsat/May
27/2020
Phyllis Chesler on the Fight against Honor Killings/Gary C. Gambill/Middle East
forum/May 27/2020
Palestinians: The Home Demolitions No One Talks About/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone
Institute/May 27/ 2020
Iran: US Chance for a Knockout Punch/Peter Huessy/Gatestone Institute/May 27/
2020
Why America Has Misdiagnosed Russia’s Role in Syria/Robert G. Rabil/The National
Interest/May 27/2020
Saudi Writerو Khalid Turki Aal Turki : Israel Is A Peace-Loving Country; Iran
And Turkey Are Enemies Of The Arabs/MEMRI/May 27/2020
Why we need to globalize global health/Simon Bland/Alarabiya/May 27/2020
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News &
Editorials published
on May 27-28/2020
Questions, Facts & Doubts About Israel’s withdrawal from
south Lebanon
By: Charbel Barakat & Elias Bejjani/May 27/2020
شربل بركات والياس بجاني: أسئلة وحقائق وشكوك حول الإنسحاب الإسرائيلي من جنوب
لبنان سنة الفين
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/86620/86620/
A Quotation from Mordechai Nisan’s Book “Politics & War In Lebanon” in regards
to a secret agreement between Hezbollah and Israel in year 2000 based on a
Derspiegal Report.
“A report From the Derspiegel newspaper carried a story about a secret agreement
between Israel and Hezbollah that had been reached shortly before the
withdrawal, concluded behind the back of the South Lebanese Army (SLA). The deal
assured that Hezbollah would with Israel’s consent freely enter the zone when
the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) withdrew, and this understanding allowed Israel
to secure the well-being of its fleeing soldiers. The SAL would decompose and
disintegrate and offer no opposition. In Late May (year 2000) this became the
scenario for the unfolding events. Not one Israel soldier was even scratched
during the ostensibly sudden pullout and perhaps we now understand and why. As
for Hezbollah it demonstrated its ability not just to fight Israel to the end,
but also to subjugate it to a humiliating agreement. Israel made an agreement
with the enemy that it hide form its friend. Within Lebanon the liberation of
the south was a source of pride and a vindication of the Shiites militia’s
resistance against the Zionist enemy. Hezbollah had defeated Israel and was on
the path to conquer Lebanon”.
There is no question that the withdrawal of a foreign army from any country
should be hailed with a sense of relief and joy; even if it was an ally its
withdrawal indicates that the country is self-governing and is capable of
defending itself independently.
Meanwhile, the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon on May 23/2000 was not
hailed by our people, because practically it was the beginning of a new tragedy
that was added to the many Lebanese tragedies. Why was there this bitter feeling
and why is it still painful after 20 years?
The other question is why our people who are patriotic and adore their land have
decided at that time to leave their beloved country and go into exile in
neighbouring Israel? Did they actually follow the withdrawing Israeli army?
The intention of this editorial is not to delve into many analyses, but to
summarize the actual reasons that made our people hastily cross the border and
seek refuge in Israel:
1-At that time Lebanon was still under the oppressive Syrian occupation and its
mere decision making process was fully controlled by Syria, the occupier.
2- Hezbollah, an armed militia, which is totally affiliated to the Iranian
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was in control of Lebanon’s Shiite
communities culturally, ideologically, militarily and economically, especially
in numerous parts of the south.
3- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stationed in south
Lebanon failed in their duty of reassuring the citizens of their safety, did not
show any interest in the outcome of the Israeli withdrawal and did not negotiate
with the southern citizens in the absence of the Lebanese authorities or even
ask for their opinion or protect them.
While Israel was logistically preparing for the withdrawal, Hezbollah waged a
merciless and savage media campaign against the southern Lebanese citizens.
The campaign was aired publicly on all local and international TV channels and
radio stations.
The most frightening threats were uttered personally by Hezbollah’s Secretary
General, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, who savagely said, “We will enter their
bedrooms, pierce their stomachs, slaughter them and slice their throats.”
But Nasrallah’s threats did not frighten the South Lebanon Army (SLA), on the
contrary this rhetoric was ridiculed on May 18/2000, six days before the Israeli
withdrawal, when the Hezbollah militia tried to overcome and control one of the
SLA military posts at the “Hamra Bridge”. The attack failed badly and Hezbollah
suffered huge losses.
Facing this disastrous milieu and all the other uncertainties, southern citizens
were left with two bitter options:
To militarily defend their land, engage with Hezbollah and repeat the status
that prevailed before 1978;
Or to succumb to Hezbollah, surrender their weapons and live under its
authority.
Encountering this dilemma, they decided to avoid more Lebanese bloodshed and to
leave Lebanon, the country that they cherished, without a fight and take refuge
in Israel.
As a result of the Israeli withdrawal, there has been an enormous global
escalation of terrorism not only in the Middle East, but in many other
countries.
Progress of peace efforts suffered a remarkable setback and worldwide violence
prevailed leading to the 9/11 attacks and to subsequent acts of terrorism
throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
The Free World countries responded by waging a massive global military
anti-terrorism campaign that primarily focused on both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Subsequently, the international community tried to amend the fatal mistakes that
were committed in Lebanon and issued UN Security Council Resolution 1559 that
addressed three important issues:
1-Syrian occupation: It called for the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian army
from Lebanon.
2-Weapons of terrorism: It called for the disarming of all militias, and in
particular, of Hezbollah.
3- Safeguarding Lebanon’s democratic system: It called for free parliamentary
elections without Syrian interference.
UN Resolution 1559 provided the Lebanese people with the incentives to take
action.
Accordingly, in year 2005 the Cedar Revolution emerged and the Lebanese people
by the hundreds of thousands peacefully took to the streets forcing the
withdrawal of the Syrian army.
Unfortunately, this revolution did not finish the job, which gave Hezbollah the
route to brazenly escape and instigate a war with Israel in 2006.
Sadly, due to the Lebanese authorities’ and politicians’ hesitation, poor
judgment and lack of courage, they did not fully utilize the available
circumstances to finish off the Hezbollah phenomenon.
Instead Hezbollah besieged the government’s headquarters, alleged a divine
victory on Israel in the 2006 war, and on May 07 and 11/2008, invaded the
western section of the capital Beirut and attempted to conquer the Shouf
Mountain, enforcing a new national balance equation in a bid to abort the Cedar
Revolution and circumvent and cripple UN Resolution 1559.
http://www.clhrf.com/un%20documents/1559.english1.htm
The Iranian endeavours for not allowing the disarmament of Hezbollah unveiled
the actual elements of its plot:
1-A well set plan to expand Iran’s hegemony on the whole Middle East was
viciously executed and topped with Hezbollah and many other Iranian proxies
entering Syria to support the Assad dictatorship regime
2-The establishment of a military base In Eretria and Yemen.
3-The mobilization of the Shiite Houthis tribes on the Saudi -Yemeni border…that
created an on going internal war.
4-Supporting and instigation of instability in neighbouring Iraq…and almost
occupying it at the present time.
5-The formation of numerous sleeping militant cells among the Shiite Arabian
Gulf countries’ communities.
6-Keeping Egypt unfocused on the actual Iranian scheme through instigation of
strife between Egypt and other African countries that share the Nile River…in
ddition to supporting, arming and financing the Brotherhood terroists in the
Sinai Peninsula.
7- Playing with and tickling Muslims’ emotions and instigating religious
fanaticism to fight Israel through Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
At the same time, Iran has been working day and night to become a nuclear power
and possess a nuclear weapon that is intended to be used for intimidating the
Middle East countries, control their resources and wealth and have a monopoly on
the region’s fate and decisions.
Hezbollah is pivotal for all of the above Iranian schemes and a primary source
of manpower. Its militant members who number in the tens of thousands speak the
Arabic language, are ideologically and religiously well prepared, and more than
ready to carry out missions in any country as instructed by their Iranian
masters..
There is no doubt that the current situation in the whole Middle East in
general, and in Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon in particular,
is much worse from the day the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon was
implemented 20 years ago.
The Iranian danger to both Israel and Lebanon is escalating.
Lebanon that now is totally occupied by Hezbollah did not enjoy any kind of
stability despite the UN Resolutions, the bitter events’ experience, the great
sacrifices and the presence of new players (powers) on its arena…
Sadly, Lebanon is now living a repeat of same ghastly milieu that prevailed in
1982: tension, instability, chaos, and forced absence of any input on what goes
on its land.
The war-peace decision making process is again in the hands of Hezbollah and its
Iranian masters, while weapons of all kinds are smuggled to Hezbollah and to
other Lebanese – Palestinian armed terrorist groups via Syria without any kind
of control or impunity.
Based on all of the above, we suggest and call for the following:
1- Lebanese sovereign leaders and politicians to be prudent, patient, thoughtful
and not to fall prey to the axis of evil’s schemes, terrorism, fanaticism,
violence, intimidation, and whims of sabotage. Their patriotic duties and
obligations as responsible Lebanese leaders are to help in making Lebanon a
country of peace, prosperity, freedom and stability in the region and not to be
an arena and battlefield for Iran and its armed proxies. They must be aware that
for the past 44 years, our Lebanese people have endured much more than they can
tolerate, and as the saying goes: “He who does not learn from the past cannot
make the future.”
2- The Free Lebanese citizens to hold dearly to their solid faith in a free,
sovereign and independent Lebanon that should not under any circumstances be an
aggressor, but a peace maker and an advocate for human rights and democracy. We
encourage the masses to actively help in preserving the historic Lebanese role
in hailing the right of all countries and people in the region to live freely
without any kind of oppression. Lebanon’s mission and message are to protect the
weak and the oppressed and not to hail the conceited and arrogant.
3- Neighbouring Syrian Baathist Regime to overcome its ongoing
expansionism-hostility schemes and accept once and forever the reality that
Lebanon is an independent and sovereign country and not a Syrian territory or
satellite. Accordingly, the joint borders must be patrolled and all kinds of
infiltration and smuggling permanently stopped.
4- Israel to re-evaluate the achievements and setbacks of its hasty withdrawal
decision.
5-The Free World and Arab countries to completely support a free and democratic
Lebanon and take a courageous stance in this regard before it is too late. A
regime in Lebanon fully under the direct control of Iran or through its armed
terrorist proxy (Hezbollah) is a dire threat to peace and stability to not only
the Middle East but to the whole world.
6- Our people, the southern Lebanese citizens, who have been living a forced
exile in Israel since May 2000 to remain as tall as Lebanon’s Holy Cedars. They
should know that the free Lebanese people hail their heroism, courage, peaceful
inclinations, acceptance of others, tolerance, patriotism, sacrifices, love of
their homeland and deeply rooted faith. We know that they have proudly,
honourably and courageously defended their beloved land and rights and never
attacked others. We assure them that a free and independent Lebanon won’t have
long lasting stability until their honoured and dignified unconditional return
is achieved.
21 More Coronavirus Cases Confirmed in Lebanon
Naharnet/May 27/2020
Lebanon on Wednesday recorded 21 new coronavirus cases, which raises the
country's total to 1,161, the Health Ministry said. Sixteen of those infected
are residents and five are repatriated Lebanese expats, the Ministry added in
its daily statement. It said six of the local cases were recorded in Majdal
Anjar, five in Beirut (Barbir, Basta and Khandaq al-Ghamiq), three in the Baabda
district, two in Choueifat's al-Amrousiyeh, one in Sin el-Fil, one in Akkar's
Jdeidet al-Qaytaa, one in Bekaa's al-Fakiha and one in Maghdoushe east of Sidon.
No new deaths were witnessed over the past 24 hours as the number of recoveries
reached 692. The towns of Majdal Anjar and Mazboud were recently isolated after
they saw a major spike in virus cases. Lebanese authorities have indicated that,
if necessary, they will isolate infection clusters instead of imposing a new
nationwide lockdown.
15 Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Test Positive for COVID-19
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 27/2020
At least 15 Syrian refugees living in the same building in east Lebanon have
tested positive for COVID-19, the United Nations said Wednesday, ahead of plans
to screen thousands of refugees. "There are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among
Syrian refugees in Majdal Anjar," a town in the Bekaa Valley, said Lisa Abou
Khaled of UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency. Lebanon has officially recorded
1,161 novel coronavirus cases, including 26 deaths. Before the outbreak in
Majdal Anjar, only one other Syrian refugee in Lebanon had tested positive for
COVID-19, UNHCR says.
Among Lebanon's Palestinian refugee population, at least six cases have been
detected in a camp in the Bekaa Valley. Although the coronavirus outbreak among
Lebanon's refugee population remains limited, aid groups are concerned that
overcrowded settlements could make refugees especially vulnerable to the virus.
The new COVID-19 cases in Majdal Anjar are now in self-isolation, receiving food
and disinfection kits from UNHCR, Abou Khaled said. The spokesperson said UNHCR
and Lebanon's health ministry have "initiated a testing campaign in informal
settlements and collective shelters, focusing on areas with high concentration
of refugees.""Thousands of refugees will be included in the testing campaign...
over the next weeks," she added. UNHCR covers the cost of screening, medical
treatment and hospitalization for refugees infected with the coronavirus.
Lebanon, a small country of 4.5 million people, says it hosts 1.5 million
Syrians, including nearly a million refugees registered with the United Nations.
Lebanese Could Be Fined LL50,000 for Not Wearing Face Masks
Naharnet/May 27/2020
New directives have been put in place over the outbreak of coronavirus as
Lebanon prepared to ease lockdown measures in light of its crisis-hit economy,
but authorities have imposed fines on individuals who fail to wear face masks in
public to counter the virus spread.
Lebanon recorded 21 cases on Tuesday, 13 in the town of Majdal Anjar, 6 among
Lebanese expats, and 2 among Lebanese residents raising the total of infections
to 1140. The country has witnessed a sudden spike in cases last week, amid a big
influx of Lebanese expats being repatriated as part of a government plan over
coronavirus. Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi on Tuesday said his ministry
“issues directives in parallel with the Health Minister who is in direct contact
with the World Health Organization,” and that “there are no plans to lockdown
the country taking into consideration the worsening economy.”
“We need to gradually coexist with reality, and the best option is to balance
between the economy and health that will depend in the next stage on personal
protection,” Fahmi had said. He noted that starting Friday May 29, fines have
been introduced, as declared by the Internal Security Forces, for failure to
wear face masks in public. “We provided many facilities to the citizens and
those who do not have the money to buy face masks can use any fabrics to cover
the nose for personal protection and their surroundings. Fines reaching 50
thousand Lebanese pounds will be issued to anyone walking in public without a
face mask,” Fahmi had said. “The health and interior ministries will work
together to distribute one million face masks. The purpose is to encourage and
generalize a culture of compliance with face masks,” he said.
BDL Subsidizes Dollar for Food Importers, Manufacturers and
Industrialists
Naharnet/May 27/2020
Banque du Liban, Lebanon's central bank, on Wednesday issued two memos
subsidizing the dollar exchange rate for the importers and manufacturers of
essential foodstuffs as well as industrialists.
The first memo says BDL would provide commercial banks with the necessary
foreign currencies in order to cater to the needs of the importers and
manufacturers of essential foodstuffs. The second memo says commercial banks can
ask the central bank to provide 90% of the foreign currencies needed by
industrial institutions to import raw material. According to the memo, the
aforementioned institutions will have to transfer to Lebanon an amount of
foreign currencies resulting from their export revenues. The amount should be
equivalent to at least the amount of foreign currencies that was used to fund
their raw material imports.Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis since the
1975-1990 civil war, now compounded by more than two months of a coronavirus
lockdown. The local currency has lost more than half its value on the black
market in recent months, from the official rate of 1,507 to more than 4,000
pounds to the dollar. Poverty has soared to 45 percent of the population, and
inflation is over 50 percent, according to official estimates. Prime Minister
Hassan Diab had announced Thursday that he had been "given a promise from the
governor of the central bank that the central bank will intervene in the
market... to protect the Lebanese pound and to curb the high dollar exchange
rate."The central bank last month ordered exchange offices to cap the rate at
3,200 to the dollar, but the pound has continued to tumble. Lebanon has charged
a top central bank official with manipulating the exchange rate, and has
detained dozens of money changers in recent weeks as part of a larger crackdown
on currency manipulators. Shortly after Diab's speech, the central bank governor
said "necessary measures to protect the Lebanese pound" would come into effect
on May 27. The central bank "will secure dollars for the import of basic food
products," in coordination with the economy ministry as part the measures,
Salameh said in a statement. The devaluation of the Lebanese pound has led to
major hikes in the price of food, much of which is imported. A liquidity crisis
since the fall has seen banks gradually restrict, then stop dollar withdrawals
and transfers abroad, further complicating food imports. Diab promised action to
alleviate the effects of inflation on the economy. "The import of basic food
commodities will be subsidized according to fixed schedules," he said. "There
will be a daily follow-up to reduce food prices and Lebanese people will soon be
witnessing a decrease in relevant commodity prices," he added.
Lebanon, IMF Discuss Capital Control in 7th Meeting
Naharnet/May 27/2020
Lebanese negotiators held their seventh virtual meeting Wednesday with
representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the Finance Ministry said.
Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni led the talks on the Lebanese side and Central Bank
Governor Riad Salameh and a central bank team took part in the discussions. The
talks tackled the issue of capital control and will be continued on Thursday,
the Ministry added. Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil had recently
announced that Speaker Nabih Berri had ended his opposition to the imposition of
a capital control law. Wazni has recently announced that Lebanon is ready to
terminate a 23-year-old dollar peg and float the pound, but only after it
secures billions in aid. He also said banking sector restructuring would entail
halving the number of banks. Lebanon, which was hit last fall by unprecedented
protests, asked the IMF for financial assistance on May 1 after laying out a
much-awaited financial rescue plan. That plan aims to drum up billions of
dollars in aid, reduce the deficit, restructure a colossal debt burden and slim
down an oversized banking sector. Wazni noted Lebanon was aiming to obtain
around $9 billion from the IMF, on top of another $11 billion in grants and
loans already pledged by international donors in 2018. He said it was in
Lebanon's interest to reach an agreement with the IMF quickly. Lebanon is one of
the most indebted countries in the world, with a debt burden equivalent to 170
percent of its gross domestic product. It defaulted on a eurobond repayment for
the first time ever in March. Wazni said a "first call" with creditors was made
two weeks ago, without providing any further details.
Lebanese Southern Town Accuses UNIFIL Troops of Provoking
Its Residents
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Tension rose during the past few days between United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL) and southern residents following events described by observers
as “normal” and “repeated as often.”Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the
Lebanese Army is keen on keeping calm and preventing any escalation in the area.
On Tuesday, residents of Mays al-Jabal said they are bothered by a UNIFIL
observation point in al-Mufaylaha. A statement issued by the residents said they
are disturbed by the sound of electricity generators, the loud music and the
barking of predatory strayed dogs that attack houses and children and ravages
crops. The residents warned of taking escalatory measures if UNIFIL does not
settle the situation. On Monday, a dispute took place between UNIFIL troops and
residents of Blida after a military vehicle of the Finish peacekeeping force hit
two cars and a motorcycle while passing in the town.
The Blida municipality demanded UNIFIL to conduct an investigation into the
accident and punish the perpetrators. It announced a decision to freeze all
activities and meetings with UNIFIL troops until the inquiry is completed.
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti commented on the dispute, saying: “We are
examining the accident. UNIFIL’s Force Commander opened an inquiry in
coordination with the Lebanese Army.” The sources said the Lebanese Army is
continuously following up on the situation in the south and is keen on
protecting the good relation between UNIFIL and southern residents. Last
February, a dispute occurred between the French UN peacekeeping forces and
residents of Braasheet in the district of Bint Jbeil, south of Lebanon.
The incident took place after the French UNIFIL troops entered and took pictures
at the town of Braasheet without being accompanied by the Lebanese Army, which
triggered a reaction by the Bint Jbeil residents.
Aoun follows up on measures taken to combat Covid-19,
general mobilization
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Baabda Presidential Palace witnessed on Wednesday a series of meetings which
tackled the general situation, the ongoing preparations for tomorrow’s
Parliament session, and the draft laws and proposals to be put forward.
President Michel Aoun continued his follow-up on measures taken to combat Corona
pandemic, especially in regions where infections were detected in the last three
days, and the measures taken by the Health Ministry, and concerned
organizations, to care for the infected and ensure their health and social care.
The President also followed the course of measures and procedures taken, within
the framework of public mobilization, and the extent of citizens’ adherence to
these measures. President Aoun met MP, Cesar Abi Khalil, today at Baabda Palace,
and discussed with him general conditions and needs of villages of Aley
district, as well as the electricity situation in the region. The President then
received MP, Mario Aoun, and discussed with him current political developments.
The needs of Chouf region in general, and Damour town in particular, were also
tackled, where MP Aoun affirmed that the President attaches great attention to
the development of the Jabal region, especially the vital projects which secure
the necessary development. Afterwards, President Aoun met MP, Simon Abi Ramia,
and deliberated with him the needs of Jbeil region, as well as general affairs.—
Presidency Press Office
Berri meets Japanese ambassador, UN’s Kubis, "Strong
Republic” bloc delegation
NNA /Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
House Speaker, Nabih Berri, met this Wednesday at his Ain el-Tineh residence
with Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon, Takeshi Okubo, with whom he discussed the
general situation in Lebanon and the broad region, as well as the bilateral
relations between the two countries.
Speaker Berri also met with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jan Kubis, with
talks reportedly touching on the latest developments. This afternoon, Berri
received a delegation from the "Strong Republic" bloc, which included MPs Ziad
Hawat and Antoine Habchi.
On emerging, MP Hawat said that they briefed the Speaker on what had happened in
Lassa, underlining Jbeil district’s keenness on national coexistence. MP Hawat
stressed the importance of the application of law in this regard, underlining
that the issue is agro developmental rather than confessional or sectarian. On
the other hand, Berri received a congratulatory cable from Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on the occasion of the Eid El Fitr. Berri received similar
congratulatory cables from the Syrian Speaker of the People’s Council, Hammouda
Al-Sabbagh, and Chairman of the Jordanian Senate, Faisal Akef Al-Fayez.
Judge Aoun lifts judicial seizure off ASOPOS fuel vessel
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
State Prosecutor in Mount Lebanon, Judge Ghada Aoun, lifted the judicial seizure
imposed on the fuel vessel ASOPOS, after receiving a letter from Energy Minister
Raymond Ghajar confirming Bb Energy owners' (Bassatne) commitment to securing an
alternative vessel, so as avoid dumping Lebanon in the dark as fuel tanks lack
enough provision.
Ministry of Finance: Seventh meeting with IMF in presence
of Salameh continues Capital Control Law discussions
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
The Media Office of the Ministry of Finance indicated in a statement on
Wednesday that "The Lebanese negotiating delegation, chaired by Finance Minister
Ghazi Wazni, held its seventh meeting with the International Monetary Fund, in
the presence of BDL Governor, Riad Salameh, on top of a team from the Central
Bank.”The seventh meeting with the IMF continued discussions over the Capital
Control Law, with discussions to be resumed tomorrow, statement indicated.
Diab chairs inter-ministerial meeting for the repatriation
of Lebanese
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Prime Minister, Dr. Hassan Diab, chaired the inter-ministerial meeting for the
repatriation of Lebanese this afternoon at the Grand Serail, in the presence of
Ministers of Defense Zeina Akar, Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Nassif Hitti,
Interior and Municipalities Mohamed Fahmi, Public Works and Transport Michel
Najjar, Social Affairs and Tourism Ramzi Moucharrafieh, Public Health Hamad
Hassan, and Information Manal Abdel Samad, as well as Secretary General of the
Presidency of the Council of Ministers Mahmoud Makkieh, Secretary General of the
Higher Defense Council Major-General Mahmoud Al-Asmar, PM’s Advisor for Health
Affairs Petra Khoury, Political Affairs Chief at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ghadi Khoury, MEA Chairman Mohammad Al-Hout, and Minister Hassan’s Advisor
Mahmoud Zalzali. Attendees discussed the preparations for the upcoming phase of
repatriation, which will be scheduled at a later stage. -- PM Press Office
Fahmy: Lebanese have unfortunately lost faith in
institutions, judiciary included
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Mohamed Fahmy, tweeted this Wednesday:
"'Innocent until proven guilty' is a basic rule in legislation and laws. The
issue is that the Lebanese have, unfortunately, lost faith in all institutions,
powers and devices, including the judiciary, which ought to be the first to
initiate work on restoring this lost trust."
Ghajar denies reporting to Judge Aoun Bassatne's pledge to
provide alternative fuel vessel
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Minister of Energy and Water, Raymond Ghajar, tweeted this Wednesday: "I
categorically deny the report that is being circulated, claiming that I wrote a
letter to Judge Ghada Aoun confirming the Bassatne pledge to secure an
alternative vessel for ASOPOS, especially since there is no contract linking the
Ministry of Energy with the Bassatne Company tasked to supply the production
plants with fuel."
Lebanon repatriates 50 stranded Nigerian nationals free of
charge
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
On Sunday, May 24, 2020, the Government of Lebanon, and the Government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, have safely repatriated 69 Nigerian citizens that
were stranded in Lebanon, a press release by the Lebanese Embassy in Abuja,
Nigeria said on Wednesday.
“This operation would not have been possible without the generous financial
sponsorship of the national Lebanese airlines (MEA), the Lebanese Community in
Nigeria, and the Lebanese Embassy in Abuja, who jointly helped fund and organize
the repatriation, and the 14-day quarantine expenses, of 50 out of the 69
repatriated Nigerian citizens who were stranded in Lebanon,” the embassy’s
statement added. This relief operation resulted from the extensive cooperation
among the Embassy of Lebanon in Abuja and both the Lebanese and Nigerian
Ministries of Foreign Affairs, with the assistance of other governmental
authorities, namely the Lebanese General Security and the Nigerian NCDC.
Moreover, the statement lauded the efforts of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, who “’personally oversaw this operation and
cleared all the obstacles that could have jeopardized the success of this relief
mission.”“The commitment of both the Lebanese and the Nigerian governments to
seeing these Nigerian citizens safely repatriated to their home country is
further evidence that the partnership of between two countries is based on the
principles of mutual trust and respect for human lives,” the statement added.
The embassy, along with the Lebanese community in Nigeria, also acknowledged the
support of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, and other Governmental
agencies for their “exceptional efforts in the success of this joint relief
mission.”It is note that the contributions of the Lebanese community in Nigeria
are in support of the palliative measures taken by the Nigerian Government to
help alleviate the hardships of the of the vulnerable Nigerian societies
affected by the novel Coronavirus pandemic.
US Ambassador pays Rahi protocol visit
NNA/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Maronite Patriarch, Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, on Wednesday welcomed in Bkerke US
Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, who paid him a protocol visit upon assuming
her new diplomatic mission in Lebanon. “I want to express my appreciation to His
Beatitude for his beautiful reception; it was a meeting in which we had the
opportunity to exchange views on common issues and concerns,” the US diplomat
said on emerging. “His Beatitude has also informed me about Lebanon’s problems
and dire economic situation, as well as about the massive sufferings of the
Lebanese people,” Shea added, relaying Rahi’s keenness on having Lebanon restore
its global status. “It was a fruitful meeting, and I look forward to developing
and continuing this relationship between our two countries," the US diplomat
added about her visit to Rahi.
COVID-19 Strikes Syrian Communities in Lebanon’s Bekaa
Beirut - Paula Astih/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Coronavirus cases in Lebanon continued to rise, with 21 new infections recorded
on Tuesday, 15 of which were among residents and six among expatriates, with the
total number of cases reaching 1,140. The virus struck a community of displaced
Syrians in the eastern Qaa region, where 13 people tested positive on Tuesday,
bringing the total number of cases among them to 16. Lisa Abou Khaled,
spokeswoman for the UNHCR in Lebanon, explained that since the outbreak of
COVID-19 in Lebanon, the commission has been following up on the conditions of
the displaced Syrians with the Lebanese authorities, making field visits and
raising awareness among crowded communities and distributing sanitary products.
In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abou Khaled said that within days, the
commission will launch, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, an
initiative to conduct tests for thousands of displaced Syrians across Lebanon.
In remarks on Tuesday, Minister of Health Hamad Hassan described the situation
as “good”, adding that the country “was heading systematically to the resumption
of normal life.” He said he hoped the citizens would abide by the preventive
measures to avoid a second wave. “There were some outbreaks in some areas, but
the results of the containment will appear in coming days,” he noted. While
Hassan said the government was adopting the strategy of “soft herd immunity,”
former Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani warned that any such approach must be
implemented within an integrated plan that includes more testing and stricter
controls. “Announcing victory over the epidemic is a premature move, especially
since more stringent measures had to be taken in dealing with the repatriated
citizens, some of whom contributed to the spread of the virus in their villages
and towns,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. For his part, Dr. Gebran Qarnaouni, a
specialist in disaster management and medicine, spoke of three factors that
would push Lebanon towards herd immunity. “First, the number of deaths that
remain limited due to our genetic constitution that is different from
Europeans,” he said, adding that the second factor was the low commitment to
home isolation, while the third was the economic situation, which can no longer
tolerate further closure and strict measures. “We are now aware that we will
live with the virus until 2022, and therefore, we must open all facilities
provided that the elderly and the sick will take the necessary precautions and
we must all continue to wear masks in public places,” Qarnaouni underlined.
Lebanon: International Donors Refuse to Help Hezbollah-run Institutions
Asharq Al Awsat/May 27/2020
Lebanon’s Minister of Health Hamad Hassan and Iman Shantiki, WHO representative
in Lebanon, attend a news conference, after the country's first case of the
novel coronavirus was confirmed, in Beirut on Feb. 21, 2020.
Diplomats in New York revealed that efforts are underway at the United Nations
and across capitals to prevent Lebanon from sliding into a “catastrophic
situation” due to the deteriorating economic and financial conditions, noting
that donors are “not ready” to provide aid to government institutions run by
Hezbollah. International officials noted that UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres, had set Lebanon as a model for countries facing major risks that could
be exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The United Nations is working with
the Lebanese government, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on
reforms, and is trying to help alleviate what is happening on the ground,” the
officials quoted Guterres as saying. In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, a western
diplomat said: “We are very worried about what is happening in Lebanon
economically and financially,” referring to the successive warnings launched by
the United Nations Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Jan Kubis, who “expresses
growing concern about the deteriorating economic situation and the resulting
consequences.”
Observers believe that the demonstrations the country witnessed weeks ago are “a
clear indication of hunger and not related to sectarian issues or the need for a
government of a different type.”
Recent developments have prompted the United Nations to “mobilize as much
support as possible”, including raising $350 million to deal with the Corona
epidemic.
However, observers expressed “concern that some donors are not ready to provide
any aid to the Lebanese Ministry of Health as long as it is headed by a minister
affiliated with (Hezbollah).”The government must show a clear will to implement
reforms, otherwise the country could slide into a catastrophic situation, the
observers warned.
Al-Mustaqbal Rejects Calls for ‘Federalism, Toppling Taef
Accord’
Naharnet/May 27/2020
Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc rejected the recent calls for federalism and the
attempts to "overthrow" the Taef Accord.
The bloc, which convened at the Center House on Tuesday in a meeting chaired by
former PM Saad Hariri, issued a statement afterwards. MP Mohammed Hajjar read
the statement which said: First: The bloc stressed the necessity of getting out
of the state of frustration and confusion in approaching economic and financial
solutions, and moving to a new stage of dialogue with the International Monetary
Fund, which expects one position from the Lebanese government and a clear
practical program that is not subject to political discretion and the personal
agendas of some of the ruling parties and political forces.
The bloc warned that the dialogue with the International Monetary Fund must not
be stalled under the pretext of preventing domination over the sovereign
economic decision and other arguments that are not in the interest of the
Lebanese economy. The bloc considered that the government’s confusion is one of
the negative signs that do not suit the urgent need for courageous and
responsible initiatives that contribute to curbing the financial and
socio-economic deterioration, and reducing the outrageous price hike affecting
all Lebanese without exception.
The inventory of achievements that the government submitted 100 days after its
formation has been the subject of criticism by most analysts and observers,
including the parties that provide political coverage to the government and its
plans. The government still considers the wishes as being accomplishments. It
also acts as if the headlines of economic advancement that were mentioned in the
reform paper and the ministerial statement of the previous government, including
the program of the CEDRE Conference for investment in infrastructure, the
national anti-corruption strategy and other reform steps, were the brainchild of
this government and its achievements.
Second: The bloc noticed an escalation of the political debate around slogans
and proposals that have become remnants from the past, and there is no point of
evoking them at this delicate stage in the country's history.
What is being said in some partisan and sectarian circles about federalism and
other issues, brings the country back to the atmosphere that formed, for many
years, a fertile ground for civil discord, the collapse of the state and the
division of its institutions. The bloc emphasizes its firm rejection of these
proposals and warns against the dangers of any call to overthrow the Taef
Agreement and the Lebanese formula that established the independence state and
preserved coexistence among the Lebanese.
The national formula that emerged from the pillars of independence, just like
the formula of national entente, are two bright signs in the history of Lebanon,
that we should not deny under any circumstances, or consider them a historical
mistake that can be erased.
Third: The bloc is not surprised by what was mentioned by former President
General Emile Lahoud, and the accusations he made against Prime Minister Rafic
Hariri, because he suffers from chronic hatred against the martyr Prime Minister
and lives in a world of illusions and allegations.
The bloc hopes that General Lahoud would recover from this, and regrets that his
fabricated account coincides with the anniversary of liberation and the
withdrawal of the Israeli enemy forces from the Lebanese territory, which will
remain a symbol of the unity of the Lebanese in facing the occupation and its
plans.
Fourth: The bloc calls on everybody to respect the preventive measures taken in
the face of the corona pandemic and wishes recovery to all, especially in the
regions that recently witnessed a rise in the number of cases in Majdel Anjar,
Central Bekaa, Iqlim Kharroub, Akkar and other regions.
Fifth: The bloc denounced the decision issued by Beirut Implementation
Department regarding the imposition of a precautionary seizure of the property
of MP Hadi Habeish. It considered the decision a political one unprecedented in
the justice palace.
In this context, the bloc wished that the cases committee at the Ministry of
Justice, which interfered in this affair in violation of the law, would
reconsider its decision and restore the right of the state from those who robbed
it and are still stealing its money and squandering it, who assaulted its army
and security forces and killed their officers, instead of entering in a personal
dispute between a deputy and a lawyer on the one hand and a judge on the other
one, which is not the first one in justice palaces and will not be the last.
Sixth: The bloc discussed the parliament’s agenda and the draft laws put forward
for Thursday’s session, especially the amnesty law submitted by the bloc’s
president, Bahia Hariri. The bloc hoped this law would be approved because it
would close a period turn a page of conflicts in which the Lebanese were
involved that led to actions that violated the law. There was some injustice
towards some people, in addition to the fact that overcrowded prisons have
turned into places that do not respect the most basic human rights.
The bloc also discussed the “Capital Control” draft law. It reiterates that
addressing this issue should be based on preserving the depositors' funds and
protecting them. The bloc believes that the proposed draft law needs more
discussion and a more detailed study in the parliamentary committees.
Seventh: The bloc congratulates the Lebanese in general and the Muslims in
particular on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr and hopes that the corona pandemic
would end and that we find solutions to the crises in Lebanon that exhausted the
Lebanese.
Hizbullah Releases Video Showcasing Its 'Radhwan' Unit:
'From The North, Disaster Will Be Poured Out On All Who Live In [Israel]'
MEMRI/May 27/2020
Source: The Internet
On May 25, 2020, Tasnim News Agency (Iran) aired a Hizbullah training video
showcasing the elite marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat capabilities of its "Radhwan"
unit. The video showed well-equipped fighters performing shooting drills, such
as shooting at one another’s bulletproof vests and shooting targets and balloons
that are very close to each other’s heads. A narrator is heard saying: "Kill the
polytheists wherever you find them." The video ends with a verse from the Book
of Jeremiah: "From the north, disaster will be poured out on all who live in
[Israel]." The video is accompanied by subtitles in Hebrew and English.
Narrator: "Then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and
besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush."
Lebanese MP Ziad Aswad: We Cannot Hold On To Our Guns While
Our People Are Hungry; Hizbullah Cannot Survive Without National Solidarity
MEMRI/May 27/2020
Source: OTV (Lebanon)
Lebanese MP Ziad Aswad of the Free Patriotic movement said in a May 18, 2020
interview on OTV (Lebanon) that Lebanon cannot hold on to its guns since its
people are hungry. He said that without national support, Hizbullah and the
resistance movement cannot survive. He also criticized the corruption in the
Lebanese government. Ziad Aswad: “You cannot hold on to your guns, when your
people are hungry. You must choose. If you want to hold on to your guns, the
people need to be satisfied. They need to have work and food, and nobody can be
toying with them."
Interviewer: "What you are saying is a big deal. You are saying that we are
under siege and hungry, and we also hold on to our guns, but we should give up
our guns so that we can stop being hungry?"
Aswad: "This is the opinion of the Americans. This is their decision."
Interviewer: "Right, this is their decision, so this is how it is going to
be..."
Aswad: "Most probably. Or else, they will leave us to our own devices. Even
though we are smart and know what's going on strategically, and even though we
know that we have two enemies as well as domestic crises, we have failed to
resolve our domestic issues. We have allowed the corruption to go on, we have
allowed the state to collapse, and we have divided our nation along sectarian
lines. We have killed the national solidarity among us, and we have followed
various strategic lines – some have joined the Saudi axis, others are opposing
Israel...
"[Hizbullah] cannot survive on its own. Without national solidarity, they will
not survive even if they barricade themselves 100 stories underground in Dahieh
suburb. Without national solidarity and unified support for the resistance and
unless the supporters of the resistance come to realize that resistance and
corruption cannot go hand in hand, and that we must find a solution...They will
see how the support of many people around them begins to crumble. This is the
main threat facing them – that their base will turn against them. Now people
will say that I am against [the resistance]..."
Lebanese PM visits UN peacekeepers amid dispute over
mandate
Associated Press/May 27/2020
The visit by Prime Minister Hassan Diab comes amid the backdrop of a war of
words between Israeli and Lebanese officials,
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s prime minister visited United Nations peacekeepers in the
country’s south near the border with Israel on Wednesday, describing the
presence of the force in the volatile area as a necessity.
The visit by Prime Minister Hassan Diab comes amid the backdrop of a war of
words between Israeli and Lebanese officials, including the powerful Hezbollah
group, over the mandate of the U.N. force, known as UNIFIL. The force has been
deployed in southern Lebanon since an Israeli invasion in 1978.
Israel is calling for major changes in the way the mission in southern Lebanon
operates on the ground, demanding that it have access to all sites and freedom
of movement and that it report back to the Security Council if it is being
blocked.
The head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, Hassan Nasrallah, said late Tuesday that
Lebanon will not accept a change of mandate for UNIFIL to allow it to raid and
search areas, calling it a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Nasrallah
said the U.S. is pressuring Lebanon to accept such a change. They want to reduce
UNIFIL numbers? Go ahead. Increase them? Go ahead,” Nasrallah said, adding if
they also want to leave it will be no problem. “But we consider expanding its
mandate an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty.”
Diab said the presence of the troops was “necessary and urgent” in light of the
ongoing “violations by Israel of Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea and air.”
The quibble over the UNIFIL mandate comes up every year before the mandate is
renewed in the summer.
The peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon was originally created to oversee
the withdrawal of Israeli troops after the 1978 invasion. The mission was
expanded after a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah militants so that
peacekeepers could deploy along the Lebanon-Israel border to help Lebanese
troops extend their authority into their country’s south for the first time in
decades. Israel has repeatedly accused Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants of
impeding the peacekeepers from carrying out their mandate.
On Tuesday, residents of the southern village of Blida protested against UNIFIL
troops, accusing the Finnish battalion conducting patrols of damaging cars in
the village. UNIFIL said it was investigating the incident.
UNIFIL includes more than 9,400 ground troops and over 850 naval personnel in a
Maritime Task Force.
Former Premiers Condemn 'Anti-Taef Accord' Remarks
Naharnet/May 27/2020
Former premiers Saad Hariri, Najib Miqati, Fouad Saniora and Tammam Salam on
Wednesday deplored what they called “the remarks against the Taef Accord,” in an
apparent response to the recent statement of Shiite mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan,
the son of Higher Islamic Shiite Council chief Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan. “The
National Pact and the Document of National Accord are an honest, rational and
enlightened reflection of the deep-rooted relation between Christians and
Muslims, which is based on the nobleness of the unifying idea of coexistence,”
the ex-PMs said in statement. “In this regard, the ex-PMs condemn the remarks
that have targeted the Taef Accord, which has become the constitution of the
Second Republic and which oversees Lebanon's formula and existence,” they added.
“These dangerous remarks at this historic moment, whether in terms of abolishing
(the Lebanese) entity or going to federalism, represent a threat to Lebanese
national security,” the ex-PMs cautioned. They also called for “exerting efforts
to strengthen the authority, credibility and full sovereignty of the Lebanese
state over its entire territory and institutions instead of weakening it or
disavowing its major national experience.”
Qabalan had on Sunday announced that Lebanon's 1943 National Pact has “expired.”“The
country has fallen because its constitution is corrupt, its governance mechanism
is corrupt, its sectarianism is corrupt, its political project is corrupt and
its various settlements are corrupt,” Qabalan added.
“I openly say: no to Taef, no to the farm of sects, no to the state of shares...
Yes to the state of law and yes to the state as a just and strong institution,”
he said.
Coronavirus lockdown adds to Lebanon’s culture sector
crisis
Maghie Ghali/Al Arabiya English/May 27/2020
It’s been a tougher year than usual for Lebanon’s arts and culture institutions.
Still struggling through the effects of the October 17 protests and a severe
economic crisis, now compounded by the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, the sector
is rapidly reaching its breaking point.
As regional grant-making organizations that have been aiding MENA culture for
just under 20 years, Culture Resource (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy) and the Arab Fund
for Arts and Culture (AFAC) are well aware of the many challenges institutions
are facing today, and what has led them there.
With some spaces already permanently shuttered, AFAC and Culture Resource
jointly began investigating the issue, which led to their recently launched
Solidarity Fund. “What became more apparent during the pandemic and economic
crisis is how precarious the sector is, due to the type of funding that has been
there for years,” AFAC director Rima Mismar told Al Arabiya English. “The
environment where these cultural institutions exist lacks infrastructure, public
support, cultural policy, and all this is magnified right now.
“Structures that already have spaces, running costs, families and a huge network
of people that work and collaborate with them would wipe out a massive network
if they shut down,” she added. “This year is going to be a year of transition
for many organizations and they need to reflect, discuss and think about their
work in light of what’s happening, but none have the luxury to take this
time.”During the months of Lebanon’s 2019 protests, many cultural events were
canceled. Banks drastically limited access to funds over a shortage in dollars
and the Lebanese lira has been subject to rapid depreciation.
What funds institutions might have had are now worth 40 percent less. When
coronavirus hit in mid-March, the sector was forced to further cancel
activities, further limiting potential revenue.
“A lot of arts institutions in Lebanon rely on funding and grants on a
per-project or per-event basis – not many can get funding if they’re not running
projects,” Culture Resource director Helena Nassif told Al Arabiya English.
Little public funding for arts exists in Lebanon, and the large gap is mostly
covered by local organizations, individuals, foreign NGOs or sponsorships from
banks for specific projects, Nassif explained.
“While institutions were already asking questions about how to sustain
themselves and continue, the pandemic has put a block between them and their
audiences,” she added, referring to profit-reliant venues. “Consumers of culture
are also less now, because people don’t have the spare income to spend on
anything not completely essential.”
Unemployment is on the rise in the country, and the government has estimated
that 75 percent of Lebanese are in need of aid.
The population with money to spend on cultural events is shrinking, and some
institutions have lost their funding as a result. Other grants are specifically
looking to fund projects that relate to the pandemic, limiting the type of work
artists can create and putting a timeframe on its production, a box many are
unable to squeeze in to. “These people are important to the cultural scene, and
we don’t want all the independent cultural minds in Lebanon to leave the country
or to scatter within the space of a year, due exceptional circumstances,” Nassif
said. “We don’t know what the world will look like in a year’s time so it could
be a long process until we come out of COVID-19, with spaces opening and
shutting constantly.”
In light of these issues, the Solidarity Fund would offer up to $80,000 per
organization, benefiting 16 arts and culture structures from diverse practices,
to help them adjust while they navigate their new realities.
“Our fund is equivalent to what governments are doing across the world –
supporting a whole sector should be the responsibility of a government but in
Lebanon this kind of support is basically non-existent, sporadic and has no
strategy,” Mismar said. “The support of most spaces over the past years has been
done by individuals, NGOs and private aid – during this financial crisis, this
alone cannot drive the whole sector, and neither will our grant, but it is an
intervention at a crucial turning point.”
Lebanon is not alone in some of the problems the MENA arts sector is facing,
with many countries lacking proper public funding for culture at the best of
times.
Culture Resource has also set up a regional pandemic response fund, a special
branch of their existing Be With Art grant, for 40 individual artists who are
currently unable to pull in an income at the moment.
“We were receiving messages from artists who have lost all their income from
freelance work, some are sick or in difficult situations, which have threatened
their livelihood and left them in a precarious position,” Nassif said. “Because
of this, we created a special program called Support Through the Pandemic, which
will support individuals facing trouble during this time.”
In Lebanon, a growing rift between Hezbollah and their
long-time Christian ally
Mona Alami/Al Arabiya English/Ma 27/2020
In Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah and their Christian allies have heavily swayed
internal politics for years, but now, there appears to be a growing rift within
the Christian bloc, threatening the cohesion of in the once-solid alliance.
For years, the pairing allowed Hezbollah to dominate the Lebanese political
system and influence major decisions related to the country’s foreign and
defense policies.
But the past two weeks have been marked by fiery statements from several
Christian party leaders aimed each other and at their long-time ally Hezbollah.
For veteran journalist Paul Khalifeh, misunderstandings between Hezbollah’s
Christian allies are twofold: “They represent a pushback by traditional leaders
against reforms brought by the [Hassan] Diab government – such as in the case of
Member of Parliament Sleiman Frangieh – and emphasize feuds within Christian
blocs.”
Frangieh, who heads the Christian Marada movement, launched scathing attacks
against the FPM, and specifically its leader Gebran Bassil, following the arrest
of his friend Sarkis Hleiss on corruption charges at the Ministry of Energy and
Water.
At the demand of the government, public prosecutor Ghada Aoun – a close ally of
President Aoun and his son in law former Foreign Minister Bassil – ordered the
arrest of several employees at the energy ministry as news of a defective fuel
scandal broke.
Frangieh accused Bassil and the FPM of corruption as it has headed the energy
ministry for more than 10 years.
The Marada refused to comment to Al Arabiya English.
The deepening Marada-FPM divide has its roots in the 2018 parliamentary
elections.
“The relation between the Marada and the FPM degraded significantly after the
parliamentary elections, as the two parties competed instead of collaborating in
several regions,” said Khalifeh.
Recently, MP General Chamel Roukoz who ran on an FPM ticket in the 2018
parliamentary elections denounced the party’s contribution to the country’s
mismanagement and rampant corruption.
In a veiled criticism of the FPM, Roukoz said the fight against corruption, a
popular FPM slogan, had become empty words. In another spat directed at Bassil,
Roukoz criticized the populist and divisive use of defense of “Christians’
rights,” largely promoted by Bassil.
Roukoz is a respected military leader and, like Bassil, is a son in law of
President Aoun.
In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Roukoz said that all political factions
that have been ruling over the country for the last decade – including the FPM –
are responsible for the country’s collapse.
Roukoz has significantly distanced himself from the FPM since the October 2019
anti-corruption protests that shook Lebanon to the core. Another close ally of
the FPM, MP Nemat Frem, a respected business figure, also dissociated from the
movement by joining the October protests.
“The catastrophic situation in which Lebanon finds itself is the result of the
(2008) ‘unity government,’ which consecrated the principle of clientelism and
‘mohassassa’ (allocation of certain post to specific parties), by diffusing
political responsibility across the system and gave free reign to corruption,”
explained Roukoz.
The 2008 Doha agreement that ended an 18-month political crisis confirmed the
principle of consensual government and gave a veto right to the minority, which
at the time was led by Hezbollah and the FPM.
Hezbollah consolidates power
In recent years, Hezbollah has consolidated its grip on the Lebanese political
system. Its alliance with the Christian Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) ultimately
allowed the movement’s founder Michel Aoun to become Lebanon’s president in
2016.
In the 2018 parliamentary elections, another alliance – that of the Marada with
support of the Shia Amal movement – allowed Hezbollah to win a comfortable
majority.
Fast forward a year. Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s resignation in the wake
of popular uprising, paved the way for Hassan Diab’s government to form with
Hezbollah’s blessing. The Diab government is said to be a “one-color” government
lacking opposition.
While Hezbollah back the Diab government, the new ruling elite is slowly eroding
the political understanding between the various factions making up the March 8
coalition, explained Nabil Boumounsef, assistant editor at the Annahar
newspaper.
“The cohesion within [the] March 8 coalition (dominated by Hezbollah), allowed
the party to strengthen its power within the Lebanese political system,” said
Beyond cracks between Christian allies, the FPM has also directly targeted its
ally Hezbollah. On May 22, FPM deputy Ziad Assouad, stated that “we could not
continue to carry weapons when people are hungry,” in a direct reference to the
armed militia and political party.
The widening rift is slowly destroying the March 8 coalition dominated by
Hezbollah, predicted Boumounsef.
Outside experts believe that when President Aoun, who is 85, is no longer at the
head of the state, his absence will further fragment the movement.
The challenging economic situation in Lebanon and the need for reform is also
putting pressure on the alliance.
Outside domestic political squabbles, “Iran’s regional containment and growing
sanctions will further weaken the Hezbollah led March 8 coalition position in
the future,” said Boumounsef.
A possible fragmentation of the coalition will have significant impact on
Hezbollah, he said. The party needs a strong alliance with another major party
from a different community base to deflect accusations of hegemony, banned by
Lebanon’s sectarian system. As Hezbollah’s allies jump ship, those accusations
could become increasingly difficult to prove wrong.
Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns of 'great war' on all fronts
with Israel
Tzvi Joffre/Jerusalem Post/May 27/2020
Nasrallah warned that any Israeli air strike on Lebanon would 'not pass without
a response,' adding that the terror group has 'military capabilities that did
not exist before 2006.'
Marking 20 years since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah
Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel of "the great war that will
open all fronts at once," saying that it would be "the end of Israel." The
Hezbollah leader stressed, however, that there are "no indications that Israel
intends to launch a war against Lebanon."The statements were made during an
interview with the Al-Nour Radio Station on Tuesday night, which was broadcast
by the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV Channel. Nasrallah warned that any
Israeli air strike on Lebanon would "not pass without a response," adding that
the terror group has "military capabilities that did not exist before 2006" and
would respond if any Hezbollah terrorist was killed anywhere.
In reference to an airstrike on a Hezbollah vehicle along the Lebanon-Syria
border a few weeks ago, Nasrallah stressed that Israel did not make a mistake in
the strike and was not trying to kill the terrorists in the vehicle, because
they knew that Hezbollah would respond if the terrorists were killed.
In possible reference to a series of airstrikes in recent years on Iranian and
Hezbollah targets in Syria which were blamed on Israel, Nasrallah stated that
while the Syrian leadership believes that it is not in the country's interest to
be drawn into a war with Israel, the "patience and endurance of the Syrian
leadership with Israeli aggression has limits."
Nasrallah also referred to a drone attack in the suburbs of Beirut last year
that was blamed on Israel, saying that such an operation has not been repeated
since and warning that Israeli aircraft in Lebanese airspace would be shot down.
Sightings of Israeli aircraft are reported in Lebanese airspace by local media
on a weekly, if not daily, basis. A couple of quadcopters have been shot down
near the border, but larger aircraft have reportedly flown in the airspace
undamaged, with claims that air strikes on Syria have been carried out by
Israeli aircraft from Lebanese airspace.
Both Hezbollah and Israel have the ability to initiate a conflict, said
Nasrallah, but the balance of power created by the terrorist groups in the Gaza
Strip and Lebanon takes into account a number of calculations, preventing a
conflict at present.
"The Israeli enemy did not target us at the beginning, and it was providing
support to the Syrian armed groups, not all the opposition,” he said, deeming
that "Israel’s venturing into a battle between the wars in Syria was a victory
for the axis of the resistance, and this is what made the Israeli resort to air
strikes."
Nasrallah rejected calls for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons, asking those
calling for such a measure to look at the "state of deterrence, a deterrence
that is the protector of Lebanon," and asking anyone with a better method to
state it. he claimed that the "level of support for the choice of resistance
among the Palestinian people is higher than ever."
In Lebanon, however, Nasrallah admitted that "there was never national unity
around the resistance in order to say that it once had a wide audience that it
had lost. Even in 2000, the internal situation was not better than today." The
secretary-general added that some Lebanese people believe Hezbollah is connected
with Syria and Iran and isn't a Lebanese group at all. Nasrallah insisted that
Hezbollah is not trying to get the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to
leave the country, but questioned why Israel does not have any UNIFIL forces on
its side of the Blue Line.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab; Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Zeina
Akar; and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Joseph Aoun are expected
to visit UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura amid heightened tensions along the
border with Israel, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. An
investigation into the shooting of a Syrian national by IDF troops after he
infiltrated into Israeli territory near Mount Dov last week was completed by a
joint Lebanese and UNIFIL investigation team. According to Lebanon’s National
News Agency, the probe of the shooting will be submitted during the upcoming
tripartite meeting chaired by UNIFIL. Nasrallah also discussed domestic issues,
stressing that corruption must be addressed by the judiciary and warning that
sectarian divides in the country must also be addressed.
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.
Lebanese Political Activist Dr. Naji Hayek: Lebanon Must Become A Federation,
Develop A Technology-Based Economy; Syrian Refugees Detrimental To Lebanon
MEMRI/May 27/2020
Lebanese Political activist Dr. Naji Hayek of the Free Patriotic Movement said
in a May 18, 2020 interview on OTV [Lebanon] that Lebanon should become a
federation like the U.S. or Canada. He said that a federal system is most
suitable to the Lebanese people and that the majority of Lebanese people,
especially the Christians, feel this way. He also stated that Lebanon should
maintain good relations with the U.S. and European countries. He said that
Lebanon’s economy should be based on technology, like Israel, and that it should
not wage wars on behalf of foreign causes. Furthermore, Dr. Hayek said that
Syrian and other refugees in Lebanon cause the country great financial losses,
and that the "hidden Syrian civil occupation of Lebanon" is one of the reasons
the country has collapsed. For further information about Dr. Hayek see MEMRI TV
clip #7294.
Click here to view this clip on MEMRI TV
http://memri.convio.net/site/R?i=FaYI_QQrVdLdD1J3VjlhzA
Dr. Naji Hayek: "We live in a federal country and this is something we must
understand. Some of the Lebanese people started a [civil] war in 1975 because
they thought that political Maronism plundered part of [Lebanon]... The
Christians must come to an agreement, demand their rights in full, and agree on
a system of government that is not the aforementioned 'consensus democracy.'
Consensus democracy has proven to be a failure. In my opinion, federalism is the
only system of government that will please all sectors of the Lebanese people.
Federalism is demanded by the majority of the Lebanese people, and by a vast
majority of the Christians.
"In my opinion, a federal system would limit fiction between people - friction
that creates problems. Let's establish provinces and districts - 'Little
Lebanon' and 'Middle Lebanon,' it doesn't matter what we call them - like
counties in America. Accordingly, everyone will take responsibility for their
actions. It is unacceptable that when a generator supplies electricity to an
entire building, one person uses 80% of the electricity and another person uses
only 10%.
"The Lebanese people don't need to be ashamed to talk about this. Our
[Christian] political parties - the Free Patriotic Movement, the Phalanges, the
Lebanese Forces the National Liberal Party - they shouldn't be ashamed to say
this. They shouldn't call this a 'system of expanded decentralization.' Why not?
Call it a federation. America is a federation, Canada is a federation. This will
not harm national unity, this will not harm the army, this will not harm the
designation of enemy countries or friendly countries. It will not harm anything
at all. Even our finances and our way of life... In Jezzine, you will be able to
sell wine, while in Sidon, you will not be able to sell wine. This is how it
should be.
"We should have excellent ties with the U.S. and European countries. If you tell
me that we don't need to bow down to them - the Americans help Israel more than
they help us and Israel is a hostile country. But ultimately you need to know
your size. America gives the Lebanese Army $500 million and it gives Israel $10
billion. Okay, it gives Israel more. But why must we stifle [the army]? Who else
can give it $500 million a year?
"Our society must be an open society, with a strong economy. Lebanon's society
is full of bright minds. Lebanon should be filled with platforms for technology,
electronics, and the Internet. We should have advanced agriculture and so on.
What is the difference between us and damned Israel, which is 100 km from here.
There the Tel Aviv stock exchange has 1,000 energy companies? Why don't we have
any? Are they smarter than we are? Of course not, we are a hundred times smarter
than them. We must understand that this country belongs to all its people. When
you work, you are not only working for yourself. They threw [former PM] Ehud
Olmert into prison, also that president [Moshe Katsav] went to prison. We must
understand that Lebanon can only rise through its economy. It cannot be based on
a militarize society. It is unacceptable that every 20-30 years a cause is
created and the Lebanese pick up sticks and guns and storm [Israel] ahead of
[the Palestinians] themselves. No! In the 1950s, we fought ahead of Abdel
Nasser, then we fought ahead of Arafat. This is what brought us to where we are.
"Every year, we lose several billion dollars because of who-knows-how-many
millions of Syrians on our land. They are eroding our economy directly and
indirectly. They eat our subsidized bread. This is true. This causes us losses.
If you say that I shouldn't call them to task for eating - this means that I
will be left starving. When an airplane loses oxygen, do you know what they tell
you? First, place the oxygen over your own face, not over those sitting next to
you, even if it is your son. If you cannot breathe, those next to you will not
be able to breathe either. If you suffocate, the person next to you will
suffocate too. The oxygen that we need... Lebanon has collapsed for several
reasons, one of which is the concealed Syrian civil occupation of Lebanon."
Why the Worry About Beirut?
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/May 27/2020
Once what was known as the "reconstruction project” was launched, the Société
Libanaise pour le Développement et la Reconstruction de Beyrouth (Solidere)
adopted the slogan of “Beirut, the Ancient City of the Future”. Today, the city
faces a crisis that is pushing it, very regrettably, towards becoming a city of
the past. For instance, all of the world’s cities are in crisis today:
Exorbitant prices are chasing out residents as they work and study from home,
which will facilitate doing away with offices after the pandemic. After
over-crowding, the retrenchment of public services, and the excessive
centralization in capitals, the latest virus came to strike some of the
hallmarks of city-life: Restaurants, cafes, hotels, theaters, museums, cinemas
and children's playgrounds. Thus, it is likely that returning to the countryside
will become more prevalent and that those who hate cities will equivocate this
to returning to God.
In Beirut, these crises are a thousandfold worse, because these hallmarks are
not supplementary to the city. They are the city: this is how it was made by the
sea, trade and services. It is enough to merely envisage Beirut without a
university, bank, hospital, hotel, restaurant, newspaper, and publishing house,
and without the Arab and foreign visitors ...
Today, the angel of death is laying its eyes on these hallmarks, one after the
other.
Coronavirus, bankruptcy, and the fracturing legitimacy of the regime, and before
all of them, Hezbollah's rifles that expel money and people, came together to
accomplish the mission. The Israeli invasion of 1982 was a major juncture in
this long, complex march. However, the juncture that would have the most
influence in the longer term was how the invasion was fought. The city was
desecrated in the 1980s, and its armed suburb, because it was armed, became more
important than the city itself. Since then, the rifle has been prevailing over
universities, banks, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and newspapers, and with
them, the Arab and foreign visitors.
This does not mean that the Lebanese political and economic structure was sound,
but it had foundations that could be built upon: a parliament and elections, a
decent industrial sector (food and textiles, shoes, publishing and printing
...), universities and newspapers etc. ... and most importantly: a strong
relationship with the outside world.
Beirut's history only says this. In the 1840s, it had a population of eight
thousand. However, the increased importance of coastal areas, because of the
developments in trade, added to the city’s weight. European manufactured goods
began, due to the industrial revolution, to invade the Ottoman Empire’s markets,
and the Ibrahim Pasha's Syria campaign (1832-40) began connecting the region
with the world.
By 1848, the population had increased to 15,000. On this path of ascension, even
wars could yield benefits. The sectarian wars of the mountain pushed many
Christians to move to Beirut. In 1888, during the Mutasarrifiyya period, Beirut
was made the capital of a Wilayet (province of the Ottoman Empire) that included
the entire Syrian coast, including Palestine. By the end of the century, the
population had risen to 120,000. In those days, European and American, Catholic
and Protestant, missionary missions were flourishing. Among the fruits of this
process were the American University (1866) and the Jesuit University (1881).
The printing press that multiplied because of the universities and schools
revolutionized publishing and its industry. A written press emerged.
Intellectuals emerged as well, and they brought calls for renaissance and
cultural revival along with them.
The authorities of the French Mandate created Greater Lebanon and made Beirut
its capital in 1920. The Lebanese Republic was proclaimed in 1926. Accelerating
economic growth expanded and Beirut multiplied its prosperity, but, at the same
time, political and sectarian tension were also growing: The 1948 Nakba and the
subsequent rise of Nasserism, and the ever-present quibbles between sects over
the distribution of the shares of power. These time bombs detonated their small
explosion in 1958 and then their largest explosion in 1975, taking advantage of
the presence of armed Palestinian groups and the arms that were taken up to
confront it. The invasion of Israel in 1982 ended one era and ushered in
another.
But between 1952 and 1975, and except the short interruption in 1958, political
stability and openness to both the West and the Arabs turned Beirut into what it
would become: a regional, educational, and cultural center, attractive to
capital... the flexibility of the banking system and the free zone in the port
were complemented by good educational institutions that produced the cadre
needed to manage the capitalist economy. Its relatively extensive liberties
turned the city into a single lung in the region's tight chest. The freedom
enjoyed by Lebanon's media did not suit neighboring military regimes: Nassib al-Matni
was assassinated in 1958, Kamel Mroue in 1966. Michel Abu Jawdeh was kidnapped
and taken to Syria in 1973. This kind of behavior became custom later on with
the Pax Syriana: Salim Lawzi, Samir Kassir, Gebran Tueni...
The religious sects and their alliances with foreign powers were eating away at
this structure... Nevertheless, the War of 75 did not bring the economy to a
total halt. Lebanese agricultural and manufactured goods continued to meet
national and Arab market demand, and the media and publishing remained. Even the
tourism industry could make us of opportunities granted by the periods of calm
between battles and wars.
Hariri’s reconstruction rebuilt some of what the militants had destroyed, but it
built it at a heavy cost, leaving the country with huge debts, and it expanded
the gaps between classes, regions, and the size of the different economic
sectors. However, the most damaging factor was the regional peace project’s
failure to take off. The same regional factor that hampered the peace project
that began with Oslo Accords in 1993 would go on to claim the life of the man
behind reconstruction and a few of his companions after a decade later.
Many details must be referred to better illustrate the image and deal with its
complexities, which, however, cannot be addressed in this haste. Other factors
must be addressed to avoid simplification, but the most important and most
prominent factor for the collapse is nonetheless the alliance between the
effects of sectarianism and the radical orientations that have a hatred of the
West and the outside world. This alliance, which still rules over us, planted
the largest of the daggers in Beirut’s chest, and it could make it a city of the
past once again.
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah rejects US pressure to beef up role
of UN peacekeepers
Israel and US demanding that United Nations forces be allowed to
carry out searches to stop Lebanese terror group stockpiling weapons and
fortifying along border
AFP and TOI STAFF//May 27/2020
BEIRUT — The head of the Lebanese Shiite terror group Hezbollah on Tuesday
rejected a US request to empower a UN peacekeeping force patrolling the border
with Israel.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah spoke ahead of a UN Security Council vote this
summer to renew the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“The Americans, as the result of Israeli demands, are raising the issue of
changing the nature of UNIFIL’s mission,” Nasrallah said in a radio interview to
mark 20 years since Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon.
“Lebanon has refused to change UNIFIL’s mission, but Israel wants… it to have
the right to raid and search private properties, and the Americans are
pressuring Lebanon on this matter,” Nasrallah said.
UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War between Israel and
Hezbollah calls for all armed groups, besides the Lebanese military, to be
removed from southern Lebanon, in the area south of the country’s Litani River.
Israel has repeatedly claimed that the Hezbollah, occasionally aided by the
Lebanese Armed Forces, maintains an active presence in southern Lebanon of both
fighters and weaponry despite this prohibition. UNIFIL, which is tasked with
ensuring Resolution 1701’s implementation, has indicated that the constraints of
its mandate prevent it from being able to fully investigate Israel’s claims,
namely because of the peacekeepers’ inability to enter private property.
In August last year, the UN Security Council voted to renew UNIFIL’s mandate for
a year.
But the resolution included a requirement — on the insistence of the United
States, diplomats said — for the UN secretary general to perform an evaluation
on the UNIFIL mission and its staff before June 1, 2020.
“We are not against UNIFIL staying,” Nasrallah said.
But “the time of deeming Lebanon to be weak is over, and Israel cannot impose
conditions on Lebanon, even behind an American mask.”
In early May, the US ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, claimed UNIFIL was being
“prevented from fulfilling its mandate” and Hezbollah had “been able to arm
itself and expand operations, putting the Lebanese people at risk.”
The Security Council “must either pursue serious change to empower UNIFIL or
realign its staffing and resources with tasks it can actually accomplish,” she
wrote on Twitter.
Nasrallah spoke after a dispute broke out late Monday in the southern village of
Blida between Finnish peacekeepers and residents, after a UNIFIL military
vehicle hit two cars and motorbike, the National News Agency reported.
Young men cut off the road in protest, and the Finnish peacekeepers had to be
escorted out by the Lebanese army, it said.
On Tuesday, surrounding villages in a joint statement accused the patrol of
“entering and searching people’s vineyards and private properties”, describing
such actions as unacceptable.
Lebanon and Israel are still technically at war.
Set up in 1978, UNIFIL was beefed up after the month-long war in 2006 and tasked
with guaranteeing a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from a demilitarized zone
on the border.
UNIFIL can have up to 10,000 troops on the ground, monitoring the truce and
helping Lebanese troops secure the borders.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
May 27-28/2020
Liberman Accuses Netanyahu of Inciting Civil War
Ramallah/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
ISraeli Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman accused Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu of attempting to incite a “civil war”. “What is jarring is that
instead of focusing on his trials, Netanyahu is stirring up tensions between the
parts of the people,” Liberman told Kan radio in an interview. He was one of
many others who criticized the PM for a speech he delivered.Netanyahu staged a
press briefing ahead of the hearing outside the courtroom, where he slammed the
three corruption cases against him as "slanderous and delusional."“His trial
didn’t start with a presentation of the evidence, it started with wild
incitement against the rule of law, against the court. He knows it will end in
violence but he doesn’t care,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said. Former Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday likened Netanyahu to a “godfather” who heads a
criminal organization made up of Likud ministers.
“I saw it [Netanyahu’s speech ahead of the hearing] and I had a feeling it was a
scene from Francis Ford Coppola's 'Godfather' movie,” said Olmert in an
interview. “The head of a crime organization surrounded by people who execute
orders.”In 2009, Olmert stepped down after the police recommended charging him
with corruption. He was later on sent to trial and condemned for receiving
bribery.
Turkey Deploys MIM-23 Hawk Missiles in Syria’s Idlib
Ankara - Saeed Abdulrazek/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
The Turkish army deployed US-made medium-range surface-to-air MIM-23 Hawk
missiles in Syria’s Idlib Idlib, satellite images showed. Shared on social
media, the images reveal the location of the air defense system in Al-Mastoumah
camp, which is located five kilometers south of Idlib city.
The camp is strategically located along the Idlib-Latakia M4 Highway.This is not
the first time Ankara deploys such a defense system in Syria. In early 2018,
Turkey sent the system to Dar Izza in the western Aleppo countryside. The
deployment of the MIM-23 HAWK system means that the Turkish army will no longer
need to rely on fighter jets and drones to down Syrian regime fighter jets.
Sources at the Syrian armed opposition justified the deployment of the defense
system as being part of Turkish measures to protect its borders against any
regime attacks. The HAWK system was developed in the 1960s but has been improved
over the years. It has the ability to destroy aircraft flying at an altitude of
up to 20 kilometers and has a range of 40 kilometers. Local sources in Idlib
noticed an unprecedented movement of Turkish military forces in Idlib,
particularly following Saturday’s visit by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
to the border with Syria, where the army is pushing military reinforcements to
Idlib. A column of dozens of Turkish vehicles was seen crossing into Syrian
territory, via the Kafr Lusin crossing.
Iraq Military Spokesman to Asharq Al-Awsat: ISIS No Longer
Poses a Threat
London – Kameel al-Tawil/Ramallah/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27
May, 2020
Since the start of 2020, ISIS has been mounting activities that suggest the
group has reorganized its ranks after the defeats it sustained in the past few
years on both sides of the Syrian-Iraqi borders. The Iraqi army, however, is
showing no signs of concern over the growing activities of the terrorist group.
Military spokesman Yehya Rasool said ISIS no longer poses a threat to Iraq and
that its cells are nearly completely destroyed and unable to threaten Iraqi
towns and civilians. The lack of public display of concern does not mean that
Iraqi authorities aren’t taking the threats posed by ISIS seriously. In the last
few weeks, dozens of security campaigns were carried out against ISIS hideouts
across the country. Rasool, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, clarified that
these raids are preemptive and are based on intelligence reports. This indicates
that Iraqi security apparatuses own a substantial corpus of intelligence on ISIS
cells, extracted from interrogating hundreds of the group’s operatives and
leaders who were arrested during the course of the past years. Other than Iraqi
raids, the Arab- Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces have been mounting anti-ISIS
campaigns with the aid of the US-led international coalition in Syria. “Iraqi
security forces, after defeating ISIS, intensified their intelligence effort and
began preemptive operations and arrested many terrorist leaders and elements, as
well as those who finance these terrorist gangs, especially in areas that were
under the control of ISIS,” Rasool told Asharq Al-Awsat. He added that one of
the "most prominent terrorists arrested" is the “mufti of ISIS,” who was
detained on January 16. “Mufti of ISIS,” Shifa al-Nima, loomed large over ISIS
as a religious figure who issued fatwas against several clerics who refused to
swear allegiance to the group. Al-Nima, whose actual name is Abu Abdul Bari,
encouraged ISIS members to attack security forces and destroy historic sites
during their reign over large swathes of Iraq and Syria.
Israeli Officials: Annexation Plan Facing Challenges
Ramallah - Kifah Zaboun/Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Israel’s measures to legislate the process of imposing Israeli sovereignty over
the Jordan Valley and settlements in the West Bank will begin in early July, but
requires few weeks to be approved, according to an Israeli official. The head of
the Governmental Coalition in Israel, Mickey Zohar, revealed that the government
will approve the draft law, and then it will be submitted to the Knesset for
voting and approval. Zohar announced that the concerned authorities are
currently working on drawing up the maps that will help in reaching an
understanding with the US administration about the areas that Israel will impose
its sovereignty over. The official opposes the demand for establishing a
Palestinian state in exchange for the annexation, expressing his conviction that
Israel will not give up the annexation in any case. Earlier, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel will not miss a “historic opportunity” to
extend its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. The Israeli security services
at this stage oppose the annexation and the occupation army believes that
applying Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank will not be possible on
the ground, given the short period of time in the face of a possible
deterioration of the security situation. The Hebrew Walla website quoted
security officials as saying that the army estimates the field response to the
annexation may be unexpected, and depends on the Palestinians acceptance of the
step. The report indicated that Netanyahu might only give a statement on July 1,
but delay the annexation process for few months, giving the security
establishment time to prepare for an escalation by Palestinians. Coordinator for
Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj.-Gen. Kamil Abu-Rukun
warned that if the government implements its plan to unilaterally annex portions
of the West Bank and Jordan Valley, there will be a wave of violence. Abu-Rukun
told Defense Minister Benny Gantz that annexation could lead to a “shattering of
security coordination and a wave of violence.”
Palestinians could cancel all aspects of security coordination, and the
Authority security officers might turn their weapons on Israel, he warned.
Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom monitored the paths of “applying sovereignty” and
internal and external challenges that might face Israel. The newspaper said that
Netanyahu faces multiple paths, including securing a majority in either the
Knesset or government in favor of the move. According to the daily, Netanyahu
has taken all the necessary steps to implement the annexation process, but he
has not decided on the path yet, which will be crucial for the approval.
It indicated that the areas in which sovereignty will be applied have been
precisely defined through a joint US-Israeli committee, but many ministers and
members of the Knesset have still not been informed about details of the plan.
The newspaper pointed out that the Israeli decision regarding the application of
sovereignty involves some domestic and foreign challenges, especially that
Netanyahu has not yet submitted the final map. Hayom says that some of Likud
hardline ministers, such as Zeev Elkin or Tzipi Hotovely, may oppose or abstain
from voting, while Prime Minister-designate Benny Gantz has not yet decided
whether to allow members of his party to vote freely on the issue. Another
challenge facing Netanyahu can be described as the political and security risks
that will affect the ministers’ stance, especially given the great opposition of
the international community. Meanwhile, the Fatah movement called on the
Palestinians to be vigilant and cautious in these difficult and crucial times,
stressing the need for solidarity and unity.
Activists in Syria's Afrin Urge Kurdish Forces to Unite
their Ranks
Qamishili - Kamal Sheikho/Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Kurdish forces in Syria must overcome their differences and unite their ranks to
end Turkey’s “occupation” of Afrin, urged a number of figures from the northern
Syrian town. Around 94 activists, authors, journalists and academics launched a
campaign calling upon Kurdish parties to take a firm stand regarding the fate of
the city and its people who are facing “systematic genocide”. The activists
called for centralizing the issue of Afrin, describing it as “a direct and
historical responsibility of the Kurds represented by parties, forces and
various figures,” who are required to unite and agree on organizing their
forces.
The signatories also called upon the international sponsoring parties to help
end the Turkish occupation of the Afrin region and all cities and towns under
its control in north and northwestern Syria. The Kurdish figures concluded by
urging the international forces to ensure a dignified return of the displaced
and forcibly displaced citizens, disclose the fate of thousands of missing
persons, release all detainees, hold perpetrators responsible for their crimes
and compensate the families of the victims. Academic and economic researcher
Celeng Omer, one of the organizers of the campaign, said all Kurdish forces and
parties who represent the people are demanded to take a serious stance against
Turkey and its loyal armed militias. In March 2018, Turkey and its loyal armed
Syrian factions took control of the Kurdish city of Afrin and its countryside,
which had been under the protection of Kurdish fighters since the beginning of
the Syrian crisis. International organizations and human rights groups have
since warned against the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in
the city. Kurdish reports and sources indicated that over half of Afrin’s
population has been displaced and left the city.
Israel Prevents Palestinians' Access to Ibrahimi Mosque
Hebron - Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Israeli forces prevented on Tuesday Muslim worshipers from accessing Ibrahimi
Mosque in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. The Palestinian news agency
WAFA said Israeli forces closed all military checkpoints and electronic gates
leading to the mosque and prevented residents from crossing to reach it for
prayers. Forces reportedly prevented worshipers outside the mosque from praying
and allowed the entry of only 50 people. The Mosque's director, Hefthi Abu
Sneineh, condemned these measures, which he stressed are an infringement on
Islamic holy sanctities sponsored by international covenants that guarantee the
right to religious freedom. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh
declared an end to the two-months long lockdown on the Palestinian territories
that was declared early in March with the discovery of the first coronavirus
cases in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, allowing a return to normal life
including the opening of mosques and churches. Israeli police had attacked
worshipers early this week while performing Eid prayers outside the Aqsa Mosque
compound. Several elderly Muslims were wounded at the revered site in occupied
East Jerusalem. WAFA reported that Israeli forces used batons and rifle butts
during the attack. Also, Israeli police banned Tuesday Aqsa Mosque guard Hamza
Nimr from entering Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem for six months. Israeli authorities
summoned Nimr for interrogation and handed him an order banning him from
entering the mosque after he opposed the entry of an Israeli police officer into
Dome of the Rock, the golden dome mosque within al-Haram al-Sharif compound that
also includes the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Babacan: We Don’t Fear Erdogan’s Threats
Ankara - Saeed Abdul Razzak/Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May,
2020
Head of Turkey’s opposition Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Ali Babacan said
his party has alternative plans in case President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his
government try to hinder his participation in the upcoming elections. “Turkish
people will do what is necessary after Erdogan destroyed democracy in the
country,” Babacan stressed. In a television interview on Tuesday, he said
Erdogan has destroyed the democracy and eradicated the independence of the
judiciary and Turkey's reputation abroad. “No matter what games they play and
regardless of changing the rules of the game, as long we receive people’s
support we do not recognize any obstacle.”His comments were made in response to
news circulated on the attempts by Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP)
and his ally Devlet Behceli’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to amend
elections and political parties’ laws. According to the circulated rumors, both
leaders aim by this move at preventing the DEVA and the Future Party, which was
established by former Premier Ahmed Davutodglu, from entering the parliament.
This came after Turkey's main opposition, the Republican People's Party (CHP),
announced its readiness to transfer a number of its MPs to the two new parties
so that they could run for the elections. Behceli has earlier suggested amending
the laws on elections and political parties and adding articles that prevent the
transfer of MPs between parties throughout the parliamentary period or for at
least one year. This has prompted observers to believe that the country will
soon head to early elections. A founding member of the AKP, which has ruled
Turkey since 2002, Babacan served as economy and then foreign minister before
becoming deputy prime minister for economic affairs, a role he held from 2009 to
2015. He said the authority knows it is losing control thus it is violating the
rules and tampering with the laws, stressing that “the Turkish people will do
the necessary during the first elections the country holds.”Erdogan has
committed grave mistakes at all levels and ruined everything after controlling
all the state’s institutions Babacan stressed.
Iran's Newly Elected Parliament Convenes Despite Pandemic
Asharq Al-Awsat/Wednesday, 27 May, 2020
Iran convened its newly elected parliament on Wednesday, dominated by
conservative lawmakers and under strict social distancing regulations, as the
country struggles to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has hit the nation
hard. Iran is grappling with one of the deadliest outbreaks in the region, with
more than 7,500 fatalities out of over 139,500 confirmed cases. Turkey has the
region's largest outbreak, with 156,800 confirmed cases and more than 4,300
deaths. Iranian state TV said all 268 lawmakers who were in attendance on
Wednesday have tested negative for the virus. The lawmakers were sworn in after
many of them arrived for the opening ceremony wearing face masks and observing
social distancing regulations. Temperatures were taken before they entered the
parliament building. They also chose a temporary speaker, based on age
seniority, and were to listen to a message from the supreme leader Ali Khamenei
and a speech by President Hassan Rouhani. A permanent parliament speaker will be
chosen next week, for a one-year term, reported The Associated Press. Because of
the pandemic, a traditional visit by the newly elected lawmakers to the shrine
of the founder of republic, Khomeini, was postponed. After keeping shrines,
which are typically frequented by scores of visitors, open in the beginning of
the outbreak, Iran later imposed lockdown measures, barring visitors from going
inside the shrines. Iran's newly elected house is dominated by 220 conservative
lawmakers, including more than 50 who are close allies of former hardline
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There are 38 independent lawmakers and 18
pro-reform and moderates, down from 136 in the previous parliament. In the
February election, 278 parliament seats of the total of 290 seats were decided.
Two elected lawmakers later died, including one from COVID-19, the illness
caused by the novel coronavirus. Eight newly elected lawmakers were absent from
Wednesday's session; no explanation was given. The remaining 14 seats are to be
decided in a by-election in 2021. More than 160 of the current lawmakers have
had no previous parliamentary experience. There are 16 women lawmakers, one less
than in the previous house. Iran's parliament does not have the power to dictate
major policies, but it does debate the annual budget and the possible
impeachment of ministers. Power in Iran ultimately rests with Khamenei, who has
final say on all key matters.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever
and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults
and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness,
including pneumonia and death.
US concerned about a repeat of the Syrian scenario in Libya
The Arab Weekly/May 27/2020
TRIPOLI –Recent American statements reflect serious Western concern about a
repeat in Libya of previous conflict scenarios in Ukraine and Syria, and about
Russia’s determination not to miss the strategic opportunity to be present on
the southern shores of Europe.
“It is clear that Russia is trying to tip the scales in its favour in Libya,
just like I saw them doing in Syria,” AFRICOM quoted US Army General Stephen
Townsend as saying.
For his part, US Air Force General Jeff Harrigian, commander of US Air Forces in
Europe-Air Forces Africa, said that if Russia seizes a base on Libya’s coast,
the next logical step for it “is to deploy permanent long-range anti-access area
denial (A2AD) capabilities” in order to block access to Africa.
“If that day comes, it will create very real security concerns on Europe’s
southern flank,” added Harrigian, pointing out that Russia’s destabilising
actions in Libya will also exacerbate regional instability that has driven the
migration crisis affecting Europe.
Some have seen the American focus on Europe’s security and their bringing up the
topic of illegal migration as messages urging NATO to intervene.
Although the Libyan civil war seems to be a war between rival factions over
control of the country’s vast resources, there has been an international
dimension to the conflict ever since NATO intervened to help topple the rule of
the late Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Next to Turkey and Egypt, Gulf and European countries have intervened at various
levels since the outbreak of the internal conflict and its taking its current
shape in 2014, against the backdrop of an unfair distribution of wealth among
components of the Libyan people, with the Misrata alliance and the Islamists
laying their hands on the country’s entire wealth.
Turkey’s recent intervention, however, and their distribution of huge military
and technical capabilities have raised the stakes in Libya and increased
regional and international concerns.
The development is quickly transforming the current conflict from a proxy war to
a direct confrontation between major global players.
Recent developments on the ground seem to reflect a trend since last January of
a Russian-Turkish agreement to share influence in Libya. As per the deal, the
western and southern regions would go to the Turks, while Barqa and the central
region (Sirte and oil ports) would be Russia’s share.
The Libyan National Army (LNA) has withdrawn from important locations in western
Libya, especially the Al-Watiya base, and is losing control over the coastal
strip cities. Meanwhile, media outlets reported statements by the mayor of the
city of Bani Walid, Salem Nweir, who is close to the Islamists, stating that
fighters from the Russian Wagner Group have also withdrawn from battle fronts in
southern Tripoli to the Jafra area by way of the city’s airport.
The LNA has denied the existence of fighters from the Wagner Group among its
ranks, but political circles do not exclude the possibility of a limited
presence of Russian experts who contribute to battle strategy, whether south of
Tripoli or in Tarhuna. It seems that these experts were indeed transferred to
the central regions of Libya to reinforce Russia’s presence there. This could
explain the declaration by the Tripoli government that it had stopped targeting
“military vehicles withdrawing from Tarhuna-Bani Walid-Nasma areas to the south,
while continuing the air monitoring and targeting of any convoy heading north.”
A greater source of concern for the Americans is the arrival of Russian fighter
planes that have recently enabled the LNA to regain some control of Libyan
airspace. Commenting on the new arrivals, AFRICOM said that “neither the forces
of eastern Libya nor the mercenaries will be able to arm and operate these
fighters without support from Russia.”These developments raise Washington’s
fears that the steps mark the beginning of a permanent Russian presence in the
central region of Libya that is of particular interest to the Americans. In
2016, AFRICOM took part in air strikes during the war waged by pro-government
militias against ISIS in Sirte. Libyan political analyst Muhammad al-Jarrah said
that the Americans are trying to prevent Turkey and Russia from acquiring
control of the Libyan file because of the risk it poses to their national
security.
Libya and its neighbours. “The West understands that if the current American
diplomatic efforts fail, and this is to be expected, then we will move on to a
military escalation, and then to a truce led by Russia and Turkey, in which
Algeria will be on the side of the Turks and Egypt on the side of the Russians,
in a political process similar to the Astana process in Syria,” Jarrah added.
Since the battle for control of Tripoli began, the United States has led efforts
to stop the fighting and return to the political process, but its silence on
Turkey’s recent overt interference and the influx of Syrian extremists and
mercenaries reflects its tacit support.
Trump Threatens to 'Close Down' Social Media after Tweets
Tagged
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 27/2020
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to close down social media
platforms after Twitter labelled two of his tweets "unsubstantiated" and accused
him of making false claims. "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms
totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them
down, before we can ever allow this to happen," Trump tweeted. Twitter targeted
two tweets the president posted on Tuesday in which he contended without
evidence that mail-in voting would lead to fraud and a "Rigged Election."Under
the tweets, Twitter posted a link which read "Get the facts about mail-in
ballots" -- a first for the social network which has long resisted calls to
censure the U.S. president over truth-defying posts. Trump pushed back again on
Wednesday saying "we can't let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our
Country. It would be a free for all on cheating, forgery and the theft of
Ballots. "Whoever cheated the most would win. Likewise, Social Media. Clean up
your act, NOW!!!!"The president also accused social media platforms of
interfering in the last election, saying "we saw what they attempted to do, and
failed, in 2016."
"We can't let a more sophisticated version of that happen again." Trump has long
used Twitter to publish controversial conspiracy theories and at times false
information and even insults. Before being elected in 2016, he built his
political brand by supporting the "birther" lie that Barack Obama, America's
first black president, was not born in the United States and therefore was not
eligible to be president. And he has recently ignited another storm with an
attempted character assassination of MSNBC TV host Joe Scarborough by spreading
the baseless rumor he murdered an aide.
Police Killing of Handcuffed African American Sparks
Outrage
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/May 27/2020
The family of an African American man killed by Minneapolis police while
handcuffed in custody demanded Wednesday that the officers be charged with
murder. After a night of angry protests over the death of George Floyd, with law
enforcement firing tear gas and rubber bullets in the northern U.S. city, his
sister Bridgett Floyd demanded the arrest of the four white police officers
involved in his death. "I would like those officers to be charged with murder,
because that's exactly what they did," she said on NBC television.
"They murdered my brother.... They should be in jail for murder."
'I can't breathe' -
Outrage at the latest example of police brutality against African Americans
spread across the country, after a shocking bystander video showed a police
officer kneeling on Floyd's neck Monday for at least five minutes while he was
pinned to the ground after being detained on a minor charge. "Your knee in my
neck. I can't breathe.... Mama. Mama," Floyd pleaded. He grew silent and
motionless, unable to move even as the officers taunted him to "get up and get
in the car."He was taken to hospital where he was later declared dead. Another
video, from a nearby restaurant's security camera, surfaced Wednesday showing no
indications that Floyd, 46, resisted when police detained him for allegedly
trying to use a counterfeit $20 banknote for a purchase in a convenience store.
Thousands took to the Minneapolis streets in anger as the city's mayor Jacob
Frey summarily fired the four police officers and the African American police
chief turned the explosive case over to the FBI. "What I saw was wrong at every
level," Frey said of the video. "For five minutes, we watched as a white officer
pressed his knee into the neck of a black man," Frey added. "Being black in
America should not be a death sentence."
- Tipping point? -
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who was retained by Floyd's family, said the
case showed the U.S. justice system treats blacks differently from whites. Crump
also represents the families of two other African Americans recently killed in
cases that allegedly involve police mistakes and attempted coverups.
"How many more of these senseless excessive-force killings from the people who
are supposed to protect us can we take in America?" he said on NBC. Crump
pointed out that the arrest involved a minor, non-violent crime, and there was
no sign, as police initially claimed, that Floyd resisted arrest.
"There is no reason to apply this excessive fatal force," Crump said. "That has
to be the tipping point. Everybody deserves justice.... We can't have two
justice systems, one for blacks and one for whites." Floyd's death recalled the
2014 police choking death of New Yorker Eric Garner, who was detained for
illegally selling cigarettes. Garner's death helped spark the nationwide Black
Lives Matter movement, which highlighted police killings of unarmed African
American men, often for alleged non-violent offenses. President Donald Trump
remained silent on the case Wednesday. But his election rival, Democratic
Presidential candidate Joe Biden, said the FBI need to thoroughly investigate
the case. "It's a tragic reminder that this was not an isolated incident, but
part of an engrained systemic cycle of injustice that still exists in this
country," Biden said in remarks streamed on video. "We have to ensure that the
Floyd family receive the justice they are entitled to."Bernice King, daughter of
the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, tweeted a composite image showing a
screenshot of the officer kneeling on Floyd's neck next to a photo of NFL
quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the U.S. national anthem in protest
over police brutality and social injustice. "If you're unbothered or mildly
bothered by the 1st knee, but outraged by the 2nd, then, in my father's words,
you're 'more devoted to order than to justice,'" King tweeted. Floyd's death
followed those of two other African-Americans in which police wrongdoing was
alleged. On March 13 in Louisville, Kentucky, three white policemen forced their
way into the home of a black woman, Breonna Taylor, and shot her in a drug
investigation. In Brunswick, Georgia, police and prosecutors allegedly covered
up the killing of a young black jogger by the son of a retired investigator for
local law enforcement. The police allegedly withheld for two months a video
showing Ahmaud Arbery, 25, being followed by several white men in cars and then
shot with a shotgun in broad daylight.
Catholic Church promulgates new decrees for Causes of
Saints
NNA/Vatican News/May 27/2020
With the approval of Pope Francis, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
publishes decrees advancing the causes of various holy men and women, including
Venerable Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus; Blessed
Charles de Foucauld, a French hermit who was martyred in North Africa; and
Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, a French laywoman who founded the Society of
the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary Association.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis on Wednesday advanced the causes for canonization of twelve holy
men and women, authorizing the publication of decrees recognizing various
miracles, as well as the martyrdom of an Italian missionary in El Salvador and a
group of Cistercian monks in Italy.
The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints recognized miracles attributed to
the intercession of Venerable Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of
Columbus; and to Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot, foundress of the Society for
the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary Association. The way is now
cleared for the two to be beatified.
Miracles were also attributed to three Blesseds: Charles de Foucauld, Cesare de
Bus, and Maria Domenica Mantovani. The official acceptance of the miracles means
that all three can now be canonized.
The Congregation also determined that Franciscan priest Cosma Spessotto was
killed in odium fidei, that is, out of hatred of the faith. Father Cosma was a
missionary in El Salvador who was martyred in 1980.
Finally, the Congregation recognized the martyrdom of six Cistercian monks who
were killed as they tried to safeguard the Eucharist when their abbey was
attacked by French soldiers during the Napoleonic wars.
The decrees on martyrdom will allow the causes of Father Cosma and the
Cistercian monks to proceed.
Below, please find the text of the notification of publication of decrees from
Congregation for the Causes of Saints, followed by brief biographical notices
prepared by Vatican News.
DECREES OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS
On May 26, 2020, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Eminence
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
During the audience, the Supreme Pontiff authorized the same Congregation to
promulgate the Decrees regarding:
- the miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blessed Cesare de Bus, priest,
Founder of the Congregation of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine (Doctrinari);
born on February 3, 1544 in Cavaillon (France) and died in Avignon (France) on
April 15, 1607;
- the miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blessed Charles de Foucauld
(known as Charles of Jesus), diocesan priest; born in Strasbourg (France) on 15
September 1858 and died in Tamanrasset (Algeria) on 1 December 1916;
- the miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blessed Maria Domenica
Mantovani, Co-founder and first Superior General of the Institute of the Little
Sisters of the Holy Family; born on November 12, 1862 in Castelletto di Brenzone
(Italy) and died there on February 2, 1934;
- the miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God
Michael McGivney, Diocesan Priest, Founder of the Order of the Knights of
Columbus; born on August 12, 1852 in Waterbury (United States of America) and
died in Thomaston (United States of America) on August 14, 1890;
- the miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God
Pauline Maria Jaricot, Founder of the Works of the "Society for the Propagation
of the Faith" and the "Living Rosary"; born on July 22, 1799 in Lyon (France)
and died there on January 9, 1862;
- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Simeon Cardon and 5 companions, professed
religious of the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari; killed in Casamari, in
hatred of the Faith, between 13 and 16 May 1799;
- the martyrdom of the Servant of God Cosma Spessotto (in the world: Sante), a
professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor; born in Mansué (Italy) and killed
in San Juan Nonualco (El Salvador), in hatred of the Faith, on June 14, 1980.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
Blessed Cesare de Bus was distinguished by works of charity and zeal in
preaching and catechizing. He founded the “Secular Priests of Christian
Doctrine” devoted to preaching Christian doctrine. He also founded an order of
women, the Daughters of Christian Doctrine, which died out in 17th century.
Blessed Charles de Foucauld was an officer in the French army. He became a
Trappist monk, but left the order to live as a hermit. He was ordained to the
priesthood in France, then settled in the Algerian Sahara. He evangelized the
Bergers, learning their language and culture. De Foucauld was assassinated at
his hermitage in 1916.
Blessed Maria Domenica Mantovani was the co-founder, with her spiritual director
Fr Giuseppe Nascimbeni, of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, dedicated to
educating children and young women, and assisting the sick and elderly of the
community. She became the first superior of the order, taking the name “Maria
Giuseppina of the Immaculata”.
Venerable Michael McGivney was the founder of the Knights of Columbus, now the
world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization. After studies in Canada and the
United States, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop James Gibbons in
Baltimore. He founded the Knights of Columbus as a mutual aid society, geared
especially to working men and their families. He was known for his tireless work
among his parishioners. He died at the early age of 38 from pneumonia. Following
Wednesday's announcement, the Knights of Columbus released a statement, where
you can read more about the life of Ven Michael McGivney and the work of the
Knights.
Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot was devoted to assisting the work of
missionaries, encouraging all Catholics to involve themselves in the work of
spreading the Gospel. She founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith,
dedicated to helping missionary efforts worldwide; and the Living Rosary
Association, whose associates are committed to saying a decade of the Rosary
each day. In 1835 she was healed of a serious illness after visiting the shrine
of Saint Philomena in Italy.
The Servant of God Simeon Cardon was the prior of the Cistercian abbey in
Casamari, Italy. During the Napoleonic wars, French soldiers sacked the abbey,
breaking into the Church and scattering consecrated Hosts on the floor. When the
Servant of God, with five fellow monks, attempted to retrieve the Hosts, they
were shot by the soldiers and killed.
The Servant of God Cosma Spessotto joined the Franciscans in 1940, and was
ordained eight years later. Filled with zeal for missionary work, he went to El
Salvador in 1950, at the time one of the poorest nations in the Americas. He
preached peace amidst the violence in the country. He was killed in 1980 as he
knelt in prayer in his church. He is remembered for his love of the poor and his
witness to fraternity. -- Vatican News
The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published on May 27-28/2020
It’s Business, Not Personal
Nada Ahmed/Carnegie MEC/May 27/2020
In Syria, Russia and the United Arab Emirates are collaborating and competing at
the same time.
Last year, at the sixty-first session of the Damascus International Fair, the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) reconnected with Syria after both states had
suspended diplomatic relations in 2012. A pavilion was allocated to Emirati
businesses, which were accompanied at the fair by the chairman of the Sharjah
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and vice president of the Federation of
Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the UAE, Abdullah Sultan al-‘Owais.
The UAE’s engagement with Syria began behind the scenes and was framed as an
economic partnership. The Damascus fair presented an opportunity for businesses
to play the role of intermediaries. Because of the destruction in Syria, the
country is in need of partners willing to implement reconstruction projects
worth billions of dollars.
However, relations soon took on a new turn. In late March of this year, the
crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, spoke by telephone to
President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the challenges that Syria is facing to curb
the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The call ended with Mohammed bin Zayed’s
assertion that “Syria would not remain alone in these critical circumstances.”
The relations between the Syrian regime and the UAE have had implications for
ties between Russia and Syria, as well as for Russia’s exchanges with Turkey in
Syria. At first, Russia appeared to welcome the UAE as a new regional partner.
In February, the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei
Naryshkin, met with Emirati officials to discuss challenges and opportunities in
the field of counterterrorism. Yet Moscow was not happy with the UAE’s efforts
later to undermine a Russian-Turkish agreement over Idlib, concluded in March.
However, everything suggests that Moscow will opt for a pragmatic attitude
toward the UAE. Both countries, for instance, are supporting the forces of
Khalifa Haftar in Libya, against the Government of National Accord supported by
Turkey. In 2017, the UAE also partnered with Russia’s defense giant, Rostec, to
develop fifth-generation light combat fighter aircraft. Moreover, Russia and the
UAE have been working on strengthening their economic relations in the past six
years, with non-oil trade between the two states reaching $15 billion.
Therefore, the Russian approach may well be one of seeking to benefit from the
UAE’s assistance to the Assad regime, while also ensuring that improved UAE-Syrian
relations will in no way erode Russia’s leverage in Syria.
Russian media seemed to reflect this dual approach. Russian news agencies
published reports predicting a possible UAE-Syrian alliance and claimed that the
Emiratis would pursue new policies in the region and take an independent path
from their Saudi ally. Russian analysts have discussed the UAE’s impact on
Russia’s regional partnerships. Some have even suggested that Russia would be
better off pursuing an Arab track and welcome the UAE as a new partner in place
of Turkey, given that Russia and Turkey have disagreed over Turkish military
operations in Idlib.
The dynamics in Idlib have provided a context for the UAE’s rising influence
over developments in Syria. Last March, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement
to cease military operations in Idlib after the displacement of nearly 1 million
people from the area. However, as soon as hostilities subsided the Syrian regime
began to bomb areas of Idlib. Turkey’s response did not take long and Turkish
forces established a military post at the Nabi Ayoub hill in mid-May.
The Syrian regime’s operations effectively undermined Russia’s promises to halt
the fighting in Idlib as part of its agreement with Turkey. They also
embarrassed Russian President Vladimir Putin. To make matters worse, several
Russian outlets circulated news that Assad had resumed bombing Idlib with the
UAE’s encouragement. These outlets cited a report by Middle East Eye, which is
widely seen as reflecting a Qatari point of view, claiming that Mohammed bin
Zayed had persuaded Assad of the need to recover the lands under Turkish
control. The report claimed that the UAE had offered financial inducements to
Assad so that he would pursue military operations in northern Syria. Because
Qatar is strongly opposed to the Syrian regime and the UAE, such reports have to
be taken with caution, as have Russian reports citing them. However, it does
indeed appear that the Assad regime sought to escalate tensions in Idlib in
order to undermine the Russian-Turkish agreement.
Some have interpreted Assad’s rapprochement with the UAE as an attempt to break
out of his regional isolation and find a new ally that could bankroll an effort
to bring all of Syria under his control. This comes at a time when Russia, the
regime’s longstanding partner, has become more flexible in its discussion of the
Syrian situation and seems ready to contemplate a political settlement with
opposition forces to end the war. This is different that Assad’s vision.
To dissuade the Syrian president from following through with his plans for Idlib,
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu flew to Damascus on March 23 and conveyed
a message to Assad that Moscow would not accept any breach of its agreement with
Turkey. But the Syrian regime’s behavior indicates that it does not mind pushing
the boundaries as far as they can go.
Some have interpreted Assad’s actions as acts of rebellion against Moscow. In
fact, in mid-April Russian news agencies published articles claiming that the
Syrian president would not be able to win the 2021 presidential election due to
public resentment of the regime’s corruption and mismanagement of the economy.
In one article, several candidates were proposed as potential replacements for
Assad, including Prime Minister ‘Imad Khamis, Brigadier General Suheil
al-Hassan, and Ahmad al-Jarba, a Syrian opposition leader who has contacts with
many parties in Syria and, most importantly, enjoys good relations with Russia.
The fact that Moscow reportedly warned Assad against undermining the Idlib deal
with Turkey suggests that Putin is keen to maintain good relations with Ankara.
However, if there are advantages in developing ties with the UAE that provide
Russia with valuable cards in the region, there appears to be no compelling
reason for Putin to enter into a confrontation with the Emiratis over the Idlib
agreement. For instance, Putin can take advantage of UAE funding to Assad’s
forces to limit Turkish encroachments in northern Syria, given that Russia
itself is facing an economic shock following the decline in oil prices and the
financial losses resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
By playing the UAE and Turkey off against each other, Russia may accumulate
power while remaining on good terms with both. In this way Putin can maneuver
his country into a position in which it continues to play a central role in
Syria, gaining from all sides.
However, such an approach involves an essential factor. Putin must ensure that
any relationship that Assad builds with the UAE, like Syria’s ties with Iran,
does not marginalize Russia. In the hardnosed game of power, no one is an enemy
unless, or until, he seeks to reduce your power. As one Russian observer put it,
Moscow will always try “not to incur a strategic defeat while chasing tactical
gains.”
Coronavirus … Coexistence Is the Solution
Salman Al-Dossary/Asharq Al Awsat/May 27/2020
Coexistence has always been a solution to many social issues, and today it is
the most appropriate way to deal with the pandemic of the century: Coronavirus.
Governments have no other option but to confront the virus, rather than
completely closing their borders and risking the continued paralysis of life for
months.
Most countries have chosen to coexist with the virus, after a consensus was
reached between prominent scientists and many governments that COVID-19 cannot
be totally eradicated, despite quarantine measures that caused the disruption of
the global economy. It is likely to become a seasonal virus that the world will
have to live with intelligently.
One would ask why the world had resorted to a total lockdown, while today we
find ourselves faced with another scenario, that of living with the virus, which
will inevitably become part of our life.
The truth is that countries did not have many options when the pandemic broke
out and caught us by surprise, so the greatest fear was the collapse of health
systems and their inability to keep pace with the massive number of infections.
At that time, there was only one scenario to confront the virus: the complete
lockdown. With time, governments have slowly been able to strengthen their
health systems and greatly expand medical testing so that the infected are
isolated from the rest of society, which means the speedy investigation and
urgent treatment of detected cases.
Health systems acquired the ability to monitor new epicenters, deal with them
quickly and accommodate the expected cases when easing the restrictions, in
addition to identifying the vulnerable groups and intensifying awareness among
them to encourage them adhere to social distancing measures.
As many countries are choosing to coexist with coronavirus, it will be scary if
some people underestimate the rules of that coexistence.
After the governments approved these rules and imposed them during the lockdown
period, it is now the people’s responsibility to commit to them and set their
controls. And if they think that the epidemic has gone forever, the catastrophe
will inevitably return. The second wave will be much harsher and countries will
have to return to total closure again to contain this disastrous surge whenever
it occurs.
With the gradual return of life, there is no doubt that the effects of
coronavirus on both public health and the economy will surpass all expectations.
There won’t be a swift recovery.
Nonetheless, peoples and governments have no choice but to do their utmost to
limit the spread of the virus and prepare for the expected future challenges
that will not end with this gradual return.
The more the epidemic spreads, the harder it will be to get rid of its economic
and health consequences.
Governments no longer have the luxury to choose between public health and
economic paralysis as before. The only possible equation is to boost the level
of response, increase the capabilities of the health system to the maximum
extent and coexist safely with the epidemic in order to preserve human lives and
raise community awareness and commitment, while at the same time reducing
potential economic damage as much as possible.
What Does China Really Want?
Hal Brands/Bloomberg/May 27/2020
Can we pay the Chinese Communist Party the compliment of acknowledging that it
means what it says and knows what it wants? That may be the key to understanding
Beijing’s strategic ambitions in the coming decades.
A long-standing trope in the US debate on that subject is that China itself
doesn’t know what it seeks to achieve, that its leaders haven’t yet worked out
how far Beijing’s influence should reach. Yet there is a growing body of
evidence, assembled and interpreted by talented China experts, that the Chinese
government is indeed aiming for global power and perhaps global primacy over the
next generation — that it seeks to upend the American-led international system
and create at least a competing, quasi-world order of its own.
It doesn’t take unparalleled powers of deduction to reach this conclusion. Top
Chinese officials and members of the country’s foreign policy community are
becoming increasingly explicit in saying so themselves.
President Xi Jinping more than hinted at this goal in his landmark address to
the 19th Party Congress in October 2017. That speech represents one of the most
authoritative statements of the party’s policy and aims; it reflects Xi’s
understanding of what China has accomplished under Communist rule and how it
must advance in the future.
Xi declared that China “has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong,” and
that it was now “blazing a new trail for other developing countries” and
offering “Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach to solving the problems facing
mankind.” By 2049, Xi promised, China would “become a global leader in terms of
composite national strength and international influence” and would build a
“stable international order” in which China’s “national rejuvenation” could be
fully achieved.
This was the statement of a leader who sees his country not just participating
in global affairs but setting the terms, and it testifies to two core themes in
China’s foreign policy discourse.
The first is a deeply skeptical view of the existing international system.
Chinese leaders recognize that the global trade regime has been indispensable to
the country’s economic and military rise. Yet when they look at the key features
of the world Washington and its allies have made, they see mostly threats.
In their view, American alliances do not preserve peace and stability; they
stunt China’s potential and prevent Asian nations from giving Beijing its due.
Seen through that lens, promoting democracy and human rights is neither moral
nor benign, but propaganda supporting a dangerous doctrine that threatens to
delegitimize the Communist government and energize its domestic enemies. US-led
international institutions appear as tools for imposing America’s will on weaker
states. The Communist Party recognizes that the liberal international order has
brought benefits, writes Nadege Rolland, a senior fellow at the National Bureau
of Asian Research, but “the party abhors and dreads” the principles on which it
is based.
The second theme is that the international order must change — not a little, but
a lot — for China to become fully prosperous and secure. Chinese leaders have,
understandably, been somewhat opaque in describing the world they want, but the
outlines are becoming easier to discern.
If one studies the statements of Xi and other top officials, China expert Liza
Tobin concludes, what emerges is a vision in which “a global network of
partnerships centered on China would replace the US system of treaty alliances”
and the world would view Chinese authoritarianism as preferable to Western
democracy.
Based on a similar analysis, Rolland agrees that China has “a yearning for
partial hegemony,” a loose dominance over large swaths of the global south. When
it comes to global governance, still other examinations show, Beijing wants a
system in which international institutions buttress rather than batter
repressive regimes. Meanwhile, Chinese strategists and academics are talking
openly about building a “new China-centric global economic order.”
There is little indication, in any of this, that Beijing’s strategic horizon is
limited to the Western Pacific or even Asia. Xi’s invocation of a “community
with a shared future for humanity” indicates a global tableau for Chinese
influence. One hardly has to read between the lines to understand that this
agenda will require fundamentally resetting the current geopolitical balance. As
Xi remarked several years ago, China must work resolutely toward “a future where
we will win the initiative and have the dominant position.”
Of course, there’s not need to take literally everything national leaders say,
or even everything that makes it into official speeches. In Beijing’s case,
however, Chinese leaders are actually saying less than what the country is
doing.
Russia’s Biggest Challenge in Syria
Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy/Asharq Al Awsat/May 27/2020
The situation in Syria seems to have recently captured some international
attention, but not with news promising that the tragedy is approaching its end
and rekindling the Syrian people’s hope of realizing their aspirations to live
in peace, dignity, security and harmony.
Our attention is, instead, diverted to the sensational issues such as: the feud
between President Assad and his cousin, Rami Makhlouf, the hostile exchange in
the media between Moscow and Damascus, the alleged plan involving Washington,
Ankara and Moscow to remove Assad, etc..
While some consider such news of fleeting consequence, others interpret them as
an indication that the Assad era is approaching its end. Those who hold the
latter view base themselves on the premise that any political change in Syria
has to pass through Moscow.
Regardless of the credibility of either of the two positions, Moscow maintains -
at least at the official level - that it does not interfere in Syrian domestic
affairs.
There is no doubt that the Russian military intervention, which took place upon
the invitation of Damascus, ensured the survival of the Assad regime. Moscow,
however, has made it clear, in more ways than one, that it intervened to save
Syria from terrorism, not to prevent the collapse of a system of governance or
save any particular individuals. Nonetheless, for some saving the country was
synonymous with saving the regime.
My understanding of the Russian position is that as long as the fight against
terrorism continues, Syria was in need of a supreme commander of the armed
forces. This was essential to maintain the cohesiveness of an already
over-stretched Syrian army. A breakdown in the chain of command would lead to
the total disintegration of the army, and as a consequence, the state. The
commander in chief is the president of the republic, Bashar Assad.
Although terrorism is receding in most parts in Syria, it continues to have a
territorial base in Idlib. Therefore, it is understandable that combatting
terrorism, at this stage, is focused on Idlib. Meanwhile, it appears that the
fight against ISIS in the Syrian desert will be postponed.
This is the case despite the establishment of a de-escalation zone by the Astana
process, as well as the bilateral agreement between Russia and Turkey on Idlib.
Al-Nusra Front continues to be not only active and but dominant in Idlib. The
challenge has always been how to separate the armed groups from al- Nusra. The
US failed in the past and now Turkey has yet to deliver.
The Russian military intervention had the overwhelming support of the Russian
public because it was perceived as taking the battle against terrorism outside
Russian territory. In this regard, it is important to note that at the height of
the fighting in Syria, Russian and former Soviet fighters were estimated to be
anywhere between 10,000 to 20,000. They were also among the most effective
having gained combat experience in Chechnya, Central Asia and the Balkans
Now that Russia has secured its long-term presence in Syria, and saved the
Syrian state from collapse, thereby enhancing Moscow’s international stature,
President Putin needs to declare that he has removed the threat of terrorism
emanating from Syria. Only then can he announce that he has accomplished the
goals of the military intervention. No doubt this would help in reversing the
drop in Putin’s popularity, which could be partly attributed to the receding
public support for Russian policy in Syria.
To achieve this objective, there is a need to the reopen the strategic highway
M4 linking Aleppo to Latakia, as stipulated in the Russian-Turkish agreement in
March. This would entail the removal of the Central Asian fighters from the
strategic town of Jisr al-Shoghour and its surrounding heights. It is from there
that terrorists are able to threaten the Russian airbase in Hmeimin.
After initial difficulties, it now appears that the joint Russian-Turkish
patrols on the M4 highway have made progress. On May 20, a patrol reached the
town of Ariha, some 35 km from Jisr al-Shoughour. Once the joint patrols can
secure the highway and the buffer area around it, the terrorist threat to
Hmeimim will be greatly reduced and commercial traffic can resume between Aleppo
and the port of Latakia on the Mediterranean coast. The latter is of vital
importance to any future economic revival in Syria.
Once the Russians are satisfied that the terrorists no longer pose a threat to
Hmeimin and, that the they are confined to a relatively small area straddling
the border between Idlib and Turkey, Russia can then put the onus of eliminating
what remains of those terrorists, particularly those of concern to Moscow,
squarely on Turkey’s shoulders.
Once M4 is secured, it would not be surprising for Moscow to declare that its
military objectives in Syria have been met. The expectation is that Russia will
then need to concentrate its energies on accelerating the political process.
Russia understands that to achieve success in Syria, it needs to transform its
military achievements into political gains. And for that it needs to achieve a
political settlement through the full implementation of Security Council
resolution 2254 - which it takes pride as being the result of its collaboration
with the United States - starting with constitutional reform followed by free
and fair elections in which all Syrians would participate.
It would then be expected that Moscow would press Damascus to be more
forthcoming with regard to the work of the Constitutional Committee in
particular, and the full implementation of resolution 2254 in general. The
announcement on May 25 that the Russian ambassador in Damascus has been
appointed also as Presidential Envoy for the development of Russian-Syrian
relations can be an indication that Moscow has indeed started to take concrete
steps in this regard. As presidential envoy, the ambassador will be able to
transmit the Russian leaders’ messages directly and more frequently to Assad.
Needless to say, Moscow would expect a cooperative Syrian leadership.
Attention will then be focused on how Assad conducts himself with respect to the
full implementation of resolution 2254 as well as how Moscow will react to his
actions. This may turn out to be a defining moment not only for the future of
Syria, but also for Russia’s international credibility.
Insofar as Russia’s position in supporting the Syrian government regain its
entire territory, this will be a goal for Moscow to achieve in future by
mediating between Damascus and Ankara with the view to reach a package based on
the 1998 Adana agreement which would include: the future Syrian-Turkish
relationship, including the stability of the Syrian-Turkish border and a
solution of the Kurdish issue in Syria. If Russia succeeds in such an endeavor
it will further enhance its standing in the Middle East.
Needless to say, Russia’s ability to implement its policies in Syria depend
largely on how it manages its relations not only with Turkey and the United
States, but also Iran.
Phyllis Chesler on the Fight against Honor Killings
Gary C. Gambill/Middle East forum/May 27/2020
Phyllis Chesler, a Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow at the Middle East Forum, emerita
professor of psychology and women's studies, and the author of eighteen books,
spoke to participants in a May 18 Middle East Forum webinar (video) about the
barbaric practice of honor killing and how to combat it.
Honor killing is the "cold blooded murder of girls and women by their families
of origin." In a "shame and honor tribal culture, ... a girl's virginity and
reproductive capacity, her fertility, are owned by her family, literally. Not by
the girl herself. She represents their honor," Chesler explained. "If a girl is
seen as damaged goods, her family will then be responsible ... no one will marry
their other children or deal with them economically. They'll be shunned." The
only way the family can "cleanse themselves of this shame [is] with blood – her
blood."
Phyllis Chesler
The list of offenses that can trigger an honor killing is long, including
engaging in sex outside of marriage, refusing an arranged marriage, marrying
outside of one's religious sect or cast, having infidel friends, and becoming
too Westernized. Since the aim is to recapture family honor, not punishment, it
matters little whether the accusations are true. In rare cases where honor
killers are prosecuted, according to Chesler, "they claim that they're only
acting in self-defense, that communal norms drove them to it."
Unlike domestic violence against women in Western countries, where the
perpetrators are almost exclusively men, usually acting alone and spontaneously,
"honor killings are carefully planned conspiracies." Typically there is a
"designated hands-on killer" acting in collaboration with other relatives,
including "mothers, sisters, and aunts." The involvement of female relatives is
common, according to Chesler, as
women have internalized the same patriarchal and tribal beliefs that men have
and, in addition, they're responsible for keeping their daughters in line. They
will pay a heavy price if their daughters dishonor the family. So very often ...
mothers will lure their daughters home saying, 'It's okay, he'll forgive you,
we'll work it out.' And then she dies.
Honor killing is "not based in any particular religion," said Chesler, noting
that in India, the country where honor killing is by far the most prevalent, it
is practiced by both Muslims and Hindus. However, Chesler's research has shown
that Hindus "only do this in India ... Those who immigrate to the West don't do
this." Honor killings in Europe and the United States are "mainly a
Muslim-on-Muslim phenomenon."
Chesler has been active in the fight against honor killings, frequently
submitting affidavits to help girls and women in flight from being honor killed
seek political asylum in the United States. Protecting victims within immigrant
communities involves "removing girls at risk from homes permanently, sheltering
them appropriately, entering them into federal witness protection programs
because their families will never stop pursuing them, [and] finding them
adoptive families and communal networks without which they cannot thrive."
Eradicating honor-based violence "require[s] mass education [and] consistent law
enforcement."
Eradicating honor-based violence "require[s] mass education, consistent law
enforcement and the vigorous assistance of the clergy," said Chesler. This means
prosecuting not just the direct perpetrators, who expect and accept that they
risk punishment, but also the wider circle of relatives who indirectly
facilitate it. "I think after you arrest the entire family that conspired,
collaborated, instigated and perpetrated an honor killing, after they've done
their time in jail, I think that the lesson should be the entire family will be
deported ... the hands-on perpetrators together with those who idly stood by."
At the same time, there needs to be "massive outreach educationally" to Muslim
immigrants that "spell[s] out, not [just] the punishment but the advantages" of
forswearing the threat of honor-based violence against their daughters:
Girls could get an education. They can add to the family income. They can live
not just on the public dole, but productively and they can still honor their
families. They can still honor their religions ... If we could get imams and
mullahs to help with this, that would be terrific.
Unfortunately, the Western media is reluctant to address the problem due to the
misguided belief that singling out the culture-specific practices of immigrants
is racist. "Honor-based violence ... must not be justified in the name of
cultural relativism, tolerance, anti-racism, diversity or political
correctness."
*Gary C. Gambill is general editor at the Middle East Forum. Follow him on
Twitter and Facebook.
Palestinians: The Home Demolitions No One Talks About
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/May 27/ 2020
While international human rights groups and the European Union have also been
condemning Israel, they are ignoring home demolitions carried out by Hamas in
the Gaza Strip. In February, Hamas notified 50 families... that their homes
would be destroyed on the pretext that they were built without a license. The
families were instructed to evacuate their homes within two weeks.... Last year,
Hamas demolished another house in Khan Yunis belonging to Bassam Duhan, also on
the pretext that it was built without a license. Duhan, a father of eight, set
up a tent in front of the demolished house. He complained that relatives of
senior Hamas officials had also built homes in the same area, but no one
destroyed their homes.
Last year, a youth group in the Gaza Strip called on the Arab League and other
Arab and Islamic parties to launch an investigation into Hamas's crimes against
Palestinians. Needless to say, the group has never received a reply from the
Arab League or any other organization in the Arab and Islamic countries. The
appeal came after Hamas militiamen used excessive force to prevent Palestinians
from protesting economic hardship and Hamas corruption.
In the absence of an international response, Hamas continues to demolish homes
in the Gaza Strip -- and other crimes against its own people -- with impunity,
leaving hundreds of families without shelter.
On May 15, Hamas bulldozers demolished a partially constructed house belonging
to the Sha'ath family in the city of Khan Yunis. Hamas claimed it was being
built without a proper permit. According to eyewitnesses, dozens of Hamas
militiamen armed with batons and electric stun-batons beat women and children
and hurled abuse at other members of the Sha'ath family during the demolition.
Pictured: Khan Yunis. (Image source: Dans/Wikimedia Commons)
Hamas, the Iranian-backed terrorist movement controlling the Gaza Strip, is
often one of the first Palestinian groups to condemn Israel for demolishing
homes of terrorists or Palestinian-owned houses built illegally in the West Bank
and Jerusalem.While international human rights groups and the European Union
have also been condemning Israel, they are ignoring home demolitions carried out
by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In the past 10 years, Hamas has demolished not only houses, but also a mosque --
a move that has received almost no attention from the international media and
human rights organizations or the EU.
On May 11, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem denounced as a "war crime" the
demolition by the Israeli military of the house belonging to Qassam Barghouti in
the village of Kubar, north of the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Barghouti was a member of a terrorist cell responsible for the murder of
17-year-old Israeli teenager Rina Shnerb in August 2019. She was killed by a
roadside bomb while hiking with her father, Rabbi Eitan Shnerb, and brother Dvir
near the settlement of Dolev. Her father and brother were wounded in the attack.
Barghouti's mother, Widad, announced that her greatest achievement was giving
birth to a hero. "I say to [my son], to all of them [the prisoners], that we are
proud of you," she said. "If we want to talk about our achievements as mothers,
then the most important achievement that we have made in our lives is that we
gave birth to heroes such as these."
Four days after the demolition of Barghouti's home, Hamas bulldozers demolished
a house under construction in the city of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza
Strip. Hamas has justified the demolition by arguing that the house was being
built without a proper permit.
According to eyewitnesses, dozens of Hamas militiamen armed with batons and
electric batons accompanied the bulldozers as they demolished the house
belonging to the Sha'ath family.
The witnesses accused the Hamas members of beating women and children and
hurling abuse at other members of the family during the demolition.
In a statement, the Sha'ath family condemned Hamas's assault on the home of one
of its sons. "Hundreds of Hamas members attacked the Shout neighborhood of Khan
Yunis," the statement said.
"The attack resulted in the injury of dozens of family members. We hold Hamas
responsible for this dangerous escalation. We won't stand idly by about what
happened. Hamas practices the most brutal methods of repression and persecution
against the people of the Gaza Strip who criticize its behavior."
In February, Hamas notified 50 families in the suburb of Al-Amal in Khan Yunis
that their homes would be destroyed on the pretext that they were built without
a license. The families were instructed to evacuate their homes within two
weeks. "Instead of building us new homes, Hamas is demolishing Palestinians'
houses," the residents said. "We have no place to go. We prefer to die under the
rubble of our houses together with our children."
This was the fourth demolition of its kind by Hamas since the beginning of the
year. Two weeks after the demolition of the Sha'ath home, Hamas demolished a
house belonging to an elderly widow from the al-Shinawwi family in the Gaza
Strip. Palestinians pointed out that the demolition took place during the
Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"May God punish you," the elderly woman, weeping, said in a video posted on
Facebook. "Hamas are sons of dogs; even the Jews don't do such things to us. I
still haven't paid my debts for the construction of the house."
In April, Hamas bulldozers demolished a house belonging to Sultan al-Astal, also
in Khan Yunis, on the pretext that it was built without a license.
Al-Astal told the Palestinian newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida that he and his
family have "lived on this land for 150 years, and I inherited it from my father
and grandfather." He added: "Despite the fear of the spread of the coronavirus
epidemic, Hamas members arrived at my home at dawn. They demolished my house and
beat my wife and daughter. They behaved as if they were liberating land occupied
by the Jews. Hamas is destroying the homes of innocent and oppressed people."
Khamis al-Astal, the contractor who built the house, said: "Hamas bulldozers
destroyed the house without any moral or religious consideration." In March,
Hamas demolished three houses in Khan Yunis on the pretext that they were built
on "state-owned" land.
Last year, Hamas demolished another house in Khan Yunis belonging to Bassam
Duhan, also on the pretext that it was built without a license. Duhan, a father
of eight, set up a tent in front of the demolished house. He complained that
relatives of senior Hamas officials had also built homes in the same area, but
no one destroyed their homes.
In 2017, Hamas bulldozers demolished several homes in the northern Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses said protesters set fire to one of the bulldozers.
In 2015, Hamas bulldozers demolished six houses in the Namsawi neighborhood of
Khan Yunis on the pretext that they were built on "state-owned" land.
During the same year, Hamas also demolished a mosque belonging to an Islamist
group opposed to the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. Three bulldozers
participated in the demolition of the mosque in the town of Der al-Balah.
Residents said that Hamas did not even give them time to remove copies of the
Koran from the Al-Mutahbin Mosque.
In 2010, Hamas destroyed 20 houses in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah in
the southern Gaza Strip. Residents said they were notified of the demolition
orders only 48 hours earlier, adding that they didn't have time to remove their
belongings before they were evicted by force.
Palestinians are evidently afraid to condemn Hamas for its continued
home-demolition policy. Last year, a youth group in the Gaza Strip called on the
Arab League and other Arab and Islamic parties to launch an investigation into
Hamas's crimes against Palestinians. Needless to say, the group has never
received a reply from the Arab League or any other organization in the Arab and
Islamic countries. The appeal came after Hamas militiamen used excessive force
to prevent Palestinians from protesting economic hardship and Hamas corruption.
For now, it seems that the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip have been betrayed not
only by their Arab and Muslim brothers, who care nothing about their plight, but
also by the international community, which appears to have a policy of ignoring
Hamas's repressive and brutal measures against its own people. In the absence of
an international response, Hamas continues to demolish homes in the Gaza Strip
-- and other crimes against its own people -- with impunity, leaving hundreds of
families without shelter.
*Khaled Abu Toameh, an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem, is a
Shillman Journalism Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2020 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Iran: US Chance for a Knockout Punch
Peter Huessy/Gatestone Institute/May 27/ 2020
There are five actions the Trump administration must take: (1) extending the UN
arms embargo on Iran; (2) snapping back economic sanctions on Iran (they were
originally loosened as part of the JCPOA); (3) shutting down the smuggling and
trafficking networks of Hezbollah in the Americas; (4) stopping the
Chinese-Iranian oil and gas pipeline developments through Pakistan; and (5)
interdicting if possible Iranian tankers filled with gasoline and headed for
Venezuela.
The embargo on Iran selling or importing high-technology military equipment,
especially ballistic missile technology, must also be one of the
administration's highest priorities. Particularly worrisome is that Russia and
China want to sell equipment to Iran that, when combined with Iran's indigenous
missile capability, would greatly accelerate Tehran's ICBM development program.
The US administration has let it be known that it could still sanction any
entity selling Iran advanced weapons, especially ballistic missile technology.
Iranian tankers laden with gasoline are now traveling to Venezuela. The US Navy
could easily capture those tankers still at sea. There is ample precedent. Both
the US and Great Britain have legally seized Iranian ships bringing missiles to
terrorists in Yemen. With a similar action, the US could both deny funds for
Iran's terrorist and nuclear activities and energy desperately needed by the
oppressive Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Iranian tankers laden with gasoline are now traveling to Venezuela. The US Navy
could easily capture those tankers still at sea. There is ample precedent. Both
the US and Great Britain have legally seized Iranian ships bringing missiles to
terrorists in Yemen. Pictured: The oil tanker Fortune, the first of five
Iranian-flagged tankers bringing Iranian gasoline to Venezuela, docked at the El
Palito refinery in Carabobo, on May 25, 2020. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
In 2015, the United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, Russia and China
signed an agreement that was named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or
the JCPOA. The agreement (which Iran serially violates) ostensibly curtailed
Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons -- for a short time -- in exchange for the
lifting of economic sanctions against Iran.
Nothing in the deal called for Iran to: (1) stop development and deployment of
ballistic missiles; (2) end the presence of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) terrorist militias in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan;
(3) stop its smuggling and trafficking activities in the western hemisphere, or
(4) curtail a growing oil-and-gas-related economic and cooperative military
partnership with China.
Since the West signed the agreement –which, incidentally, Iran never actually
signed -- Iran has never shown the slightest inclination to stop its nuclear
weapons activities. There has not been, therefore, a JCPOA quid pro quo for the
United States to embrace. As a result, the US has expanded its sanctions into a
(not quite) "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran -- already on the economic
ropes -- and now has an opportunity plant Iran face down on the geostrategic
canvas with a few well-placed economic right hooks (pun unintended).
To do that, there are five actions the Trump administration must take: (1)
extending the UN arms embargo on Iran; (2) snapping back economic sanctions on
Iran (they were originally loosened as part of the JCPOA); (3) shutting down the
smuggling and trafficking networks of Hezbollah in the Americas; (4) stopping
the Chinese-Iranian oil and gas pipeline developments through Pakistan; and (5)
interdicting if possible Iranian tankers filled with gasoline and headed for
Venezuela.The embargo on Iran selling or importing high-technology military
equipment, especially ballistic missile technology, must also be one of the
administration's highest priorities. Recently, an IRGC rocket successfully
launched a satellite, signaling that Iran is close to a real intercontinental
ballistic missile capability. Particularly worrisome is that Russia and China
want to sell equipment to Iran that, when combined with Iran's indigenous
missile capability, would greatly accelerate Tehran's ICBM development program.
The United Nations ban on Iran importing or exporting advanced military
equipment expires this October. A continuation of the ban will require the
adoption of a resolution extending the current arms embargo by the UN Security
Council. This necessity means that success for the American plan to extend the
embargo is unlikely: Russia and China are permanent members of the Security
Council and can veto any such resolution. A veto is likely, given that both have
made no secret of their intention to sell Iran tons of new advanced military
weaponry.
Nevertheless, close to 400 members of the House of Representatives have signed a
letter supporting the administration's work to extend the arms embargo, and 50
former senior US government officials have urged the administration to put the
embargo plan's pedal to the metal.
As a result, the US administration has let it be known that it could still
sanction any entity selling Iran advanced weapons, especially ballistic missile
technology.
Separate from the arms embargo is the possibility of the US unilaterally
snapping back those economic sanctions loosened by the Obama administration
against nations or entities that invest in or trade with Iran, outside of
humanitarian goods.
Some European countries, China, and Russia are actively seeking more trade with
and investment in Iran. China, for instance, is trying to build an extension of
a gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan and on to China's Xinjiang province
with funds from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. US sanctions against
this prime target would not only deny Iran an important source of revenue but
also deny China an important source of energy.
In addition, a recent opportunity has presented the United States a way visibly
to upend another Iranian plan to circumvent sanctions. Iranian tankers laden
with gasoline are now traveling to Venezuela. The US Navy could easily capture
those tankers still at sea. There is ample precedent. Both the US and Great
Britain have legally seized Iranian ships bringing missiles to terrorists in
Yemen. With a similar action, the US could both deny funds for Iran's terrorist
and nuclear activities and energy desperately needed by the oppressive Maduro
regime in Venezuela.
Closer to home, Hezbollah is the biggest smuggler of contraband cigarettes in
the Americas. It also traffics in women and children. Both activities should be
stopped, especially in view of the Obama administration's reluctance to
interdict Hezbollah's Latin American cigarette smuggling gangs.
Iran is economically desperate because of plummeting world oil prices, a huge
decline in its economic growth due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and U.S. economic
sanctions. Estimates are that Iran's GDP has declined more than 20%, with a loss
of at least $200 billion in government revenue that was to fund Iran's military
activities. Oil exports alone have dropped from 2.5 million to 200,000 barrels
per day. All these factors point to an opportunity to bring down the
totalitarian regime of Iran's clerics. Now is precisely the time to hit Iran
economically again -- with further "maximum pressure."
Iran's leaders are on the ropes; it is time to put them on the canvas.
*Peter Huessy is Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies at the Mitchell
Institute.
© 2020 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Why America Has Misdiagnosed Russia’s Role in Syria
Robert G. Rabil/The National Interest/May 27/2020
Washington’s reading of the political map of the Middle East is fraught with
erroneous assumptions similar to those that predicted the collapse of the Syrian
regime during the initial months of the Syrian rebellion.
Makhlouf had been a pillar of support for the Syrian regime, especially when the
regime’s overall situation during the initial phases of the civil war was
precarious. He established a charity, Jam’iyat al-Bustan and attached to it a
militia whose number grew to thirty thousand. In return, Assad granted him
important government contracts and concessions. Makhlouf was entrusted with
securing some of Syria’s important oil and gas fields, including the Hayan Gas
factory. Among other concessions, Makhlouf’s company Syriatel monopolized he
country’s communications. His wealth grew exponentially catapulting him to
become the ill-reputed richest man in Syria. But his rise as an untouchable and
an equal to Assad, coupled with his huge appetite for illicit profiteering, was
frowned upon by none other than the royal family and its underlings. Not only
did Makhlouf fail to secure Syria’s oil and gas fields but also he failed to pay
his fair dues in taxes to the regime. Whereas Assad felt both uneasy with
Makhlouf’s powerful image and cheated by Makhlouf’s pitiful remuneration,
Assad’s wife Asma and sister Bushra were furious with his family’s extravagant
lifestyle at a time many Syrians have been living below the poverty level and
for monopolizing Syria’s most rewarding contracts. Makhlouf’s children have
unreservedly splashed their fortune and propagandized their expensive cars and
jets.
As a result, Assad began clipping the wings of Makhlouf in 2019 before Russian
media published its critical reports on Assad. In fact, the coincidental timing
of the release of Makhlouf’s videos on the heels of the publication of Russian
reports is more about Makhlouf’s grievances with and fallout with Assad. The
idea that Makhlouf is, as Hodge posits, Russia’s man and his clan, unlike other
Alawi clans and militia, is rooting for Russia is a naïve understanding of the
Alawi clans and especially of Russia’s treatment of corrupt and mafia-like
entities.
Russia, indeed, had a working relationship with Makhlouf and has been unhappy
with Assad’s relationship with strong corrupt figures within his family and
entourage. Nevertheless, Makhlouf was neither Russia’s man nor Iran’s or
Hezbollah’s adversary. In fact, Makhlouf has tried to wear the mantle of Shi’a
Islam and forge a strategic relationship with Hezbollah. It’s an open secret
that Makhlouf has tried to alleviate the financial impact of American sanctions
on Hezbollah by bolstering the Islamist party’s illicit activities and
supporting senior members of the party.
What’s happening in Syria today is an attempt, pushed by none other than Putin
himself, to clamp down on all Mafia-like figures in Syria who operate outside
the purview of the state, thereby handicapping the Syrian economy. This has been
amply corroborated by Aleksander Aksenenok of Russia International Affairs
Council:
The economic challenges now faced by Syria are even more serious than during the
active phase of hostilities . . . it is becoming increasingly obvious that the
regime is reluctant or unable to develop a system of government that can
mitigate corruption and crime and go from a military economy to normal trade and
economic relations.
To be sure, Putin is more or less replicating his policy vis a vis the Russian
vory [Russian Mafia] in Syria in order to establish an economically viable
state. Therefore, he has been unhappy with Assad’s militia leaders and other
powerful corrupt businessmen and criminals who have run afoul of the state. They
have created a loose criminal organization virtually more moneyed than the state
and as influential as the state. Makhlouf was at the center of this Mafia
enterprise. Putin pressed Assad to both stop tolerating overt or implicit
challenges to the state and to allow these mafia members to operate only in so
far they accepted the state’s overall political and economic control and
enriched its coffers. Anyone who is intimate with Putin’s relationship with the
vory v Zakone [thieves-in-law] could safely argue that Putin is pressuring Assad
to mold Syria’s loose Mafia enterprise into a state-controlled organized crime,
corporately minded and affiliated with certain elements of the state. In this
respect, as Aiman Mansour, an astute Israeli scholar, observed Assad’s move
against Makhlouf was in step with his other moves against similar businessmen,
like the Jaber brothers and Muhammad al-Qatarji.
Putin knows neither he nor Assad can stamp out corruption in Syria. Putin
ascribes to the Russian proverb: “The wolf may lose his pelt, but never his
nature.” As such, his unhappiness with Assad is more about his thus far
inability to tame the Syrian vory!
Do You Know What Happened Today In History?
Considering all of this, Washington’s misreading of both Russian policy in the
Middle East in general and Syria in particular and Syria’s palace dynamics is a
recipe for other serious blunders. If these egocentric and haphazard views of
Russian policy in Syria become the drivers of American foreign policy, then one
should not be surprised if Russia (potentially supported by China) supplants
Iran as the leader of the anti-American “Resistance Axis” in the Middle East.
*Robert G. Rabil is a professor of political science at Florida Atlantic
University. The views expressed in the article are his own. He can be reached @robertgrabil.
Saudi Writerو Khalid Turki Aal Turki : Israel Is A Peace-Loving Country; Iran
And Turkey Are Enemies Of The Arabs
MEMRI/May 27/2020
In a pro-Israeli article in the liberal Arabic website Elaph.com, Saudi writer
and author Khalid Turki Aal Turki wrote that Israel is a peaceful country "by
any standard", which is scientifically advanced and extends assistance in the
field of health to others, including the Palestinians. In this, he argued, it
contrasts with Turkey and Iran, which who spread their extremist ideologies in
the Arab countries and support the militias within them, and are thus the true
enemies of the Arabs. He concluded by saying that logic and reality dictate that
the Arabs should forge peace with Israel for a joint fight against their common
enemies, whom he called the "the forces of evil and terror."
The following are translated excerpts from his article:[1]
"If we want to be honest with ourselves, before anything else, then let us
listen to the voice of logic, rather than to sentiments, which by their very
nature are affected by every shrill claim in the media, be it accurate or false.
Israel is a peace-loving country by any yardstick. From the day of its
establishment until today, we have never heard, read or seen Israel working to
spread any ideology or belief in other countries, or to support militias [within
them], as Iran and Turkey are doing. Ask anyone on the street in an Arab country
who is behind all the destruction and extremism in the Middle East, and he will
immediately tell you: Iran and Turkey.
"In this article I will not discuss the issue of yes or no to normalization, for
the newspapers and websites are full of it. Instead I will merely shed light on
Israel's achievements and immense service to science and humanity, and will then
let the Arab citizen judge.
"Israel dispatches doctors to treat the sick in impoverished African countries
and elsewhere without recompense. It also treats many Palestinians, even some
who tried to commit terror attacks to murder innocent Israelis! Israel still
strives for peace with all Arab countries; it is a state that respects human
rights and the sovereignty of [other] states; in the field of science, it excels
on a global level and occupies a leading position in scientific research;
Israeli universities are high on the list of the world's [best] universities;
Israel is considered an arms-producing country and assists other countries, such
as India, in their military industry; the Israeli Watergen company has managed
to create a device to produce water from air; Medicine and medical research are
proceeding full thrust in Israel. In fact, it has become the preferred location
for medical treatment for many, to the point that senior Palestinian officials
do not find a better place than Israel for receiving good medical treatment and
care.
"This is but a drop in the ocean. After all this, I believe that, by any logic
and in view of reality, the interest of the Arab homeland [indeed] lies with
Israel, just as Israel's interests lie with the Arab homeland – for
circumstances and geography have decreed that we all to join hands in order to
destroy the forces of evil and terror and delineate a path to peace that both we
and the future generations will enjoy."
Why we need to globalize global health
Simon Bland/Alarabiya/May 27/2020
Never in living memory has the world faced a more global challenge than
SARS-Cov2. In a connected world, the fight will not be won until the disease can
be controlled in every country.
To fight an invisible virus that we still don’t fully understand, diversity of
thought and perspective will be crucial and we will need to draw in expertise
from all corners of the world. Already we have seen an impressive level of
collaboration across the global health community: data and insights into key
features of the disease are being shared, and vaccines and treatments are being
developed and trialed by institutions in different countries.
We must continue to challenge the traditional framework of global health and
development. We have so much to learn from the front lines in lower-income
countries that have made significant steps in the fight against infectious
diseases in recent years.
The reality is that diseases are tackled, controlled, eliminated and eradicated
at the local level. This is demonstrated by the progress made in ridding the
world of polio and malaria, mitigating the impact of deadly and debilitating
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and fighting Ebola. The experiences,
insights and tools used in these programs are among the most crucial to fight
SARS-Cov2.
In some ways, many countries in the developing world may be better placed to
fight the virus than developed countries. Despite weak health systems, drastic
shortages of medical gear, large populations of impoverished people and crowded
megacities that make social distancing near impossible, many are used to
partnering with international organizations to fight disease and have tried and
tested immunization infrastructure in place which can be adapted for new
challenges. But the challenges are huge and social distancing and economic
stimuli will be almost impossible to implement in many of these countries.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), created in the wake
of the West Africa Ebola outbreak, is a great example of what can be achieved
when we recognize the need to nurture and institutionalize local expertise and
know-how. The center is playing a powerful coordination role across the
continent, helping to identify region-specific responses to SARS-Cov2 and
spotlighting the virus’s impact on a less-reported part of the world.
Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), like those used to fight polio, are another
example of valuable region-specific mechanisms for response and coordination,
testing, contact tracing and mobilizing community action in response to public
health threats. They allow people from different offices, sectors, and groups to
work directly and collaboratively, share information in real time, and create
joint plans of action.
As an advanced economy that sits between Africa and Asia and was not so very
long ago a developing country itself, the UAE has a unique perspective and role
to play. It is from this basis that the Abu Dhabi-based Global Institute for
Disease Elimination (GLIDE) was created. Announced in 2017 and formally launched
in November 2019, GLIDE looks to accelerate progress and advance global thinking
towards disease elimination.
This initiative was 30 years in the making, founded through cooperation between
the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, and
former US President Jimmy Carter, to help eradicate Guinea-worm disease (Dracunculiasis).
More recently, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed broadened the
UAE’s focus on disease eradication to include river blindness, polio and
malaria. GLIDE’s work builds on the UAE’s leadership role in the fight against
polio in Pakistan, and many of these tools are now being repurposed in the fight
against SARS-Cov2.
GLIDE is an institution that helps globalize global health, and one that
accelerates progress towards that last mile of disease elimination by developing
local, regional and endemic country capabilities and capacity. My hope is that,
by working closely with other global health players, GLIDE proves to be a
valuable institution that effectively works with and learns from the frontline.
The world has edged closer to the eradication of polio and Guinea-worm disease
and to the national elimination of several other diseases. What we have learned
is that the last mile of fighting a disease is harder, takes longer and costs
more to achieve than we thought. We are safer and more secure when we have
diversity of perspective and thought. This means drawing in more voices from all
corners of the world, to bring health to everyone, everywhere. We will all be
better for it.