Two workers were killed and four others were injured when a building "scaffolding" collapsed in a seven-storey construction workshop near the occupied city of Tel Aviv .

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, two workers were killed and four others were injured, two of whom were in serious condition.

The paramedics provided field treatment to the injured and transferred the wounded to the Israeli hospitals.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced that he will not meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, unless Turkey withdraws its forces from northern Syria, according to an interview published Thursday by a Russian media.

The statements were published the day after Al-Assad met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, seeking to repair relations between Erdogan and Al-Assad, which were severed since the outbreak of the war in Syria in 2011.

Al-Assad told the Russian RIA Novosti news agency that "(any meeting) is linked to reaching a stage in which Turkey is clearly and without any ambiguity ready for a complete exit from Syrian territory."

The Syrian president added that Turkey should "stop supporting terrorism," referring to the opposition fighting groups that control areas of northern Syria, some of which receive training and support from Turkey.

"This is the only case in which there can be a meeting between me and Erdogan," al-Assad continued.

He added, asking, "Besides, what is the value of the meeting and why did we not hold it, if it will not achieve final results regarding the war in Syria?"

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, "In order to hold such a meeting (between Assad and Erdogan), several preparatory meetings must first be held, and this process is under way."

Diplomats from Iran, Russia, Turkey and Syria are scheduled to meet in Moscow this week as a prelude to a meeting of foreign ministers of these countries, according to Turkish media.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar al-Assad established friendly relations in the first decade of the twenty-first century, after years of disagreements between their two countries.

However, the war in Syria, which left about 500,000 dead and millions displaced, strained relations again between Damascus and Ankara, which supported factions opposed to Assad.

Erdogan has repeatedly expressed his willingness to meet Assad.

At the end of December, the Turkish and Syrian defense ministers met in Moscow in the presence of their Russian counterpart for the first time since 2011.

The "Hamas" movement called on the national authority to reverse its decision to participate in the Sharm el-Sheikh security meeting with the occupation, which is considered disrespectful to the blood and sacrifices of the martyrs.

Hazem Qassem , spokesman for the "Hamas" movement, said in a statement issued by the movement, today, Thursday, "We deplore the Islamic Resistance Movement" Hamas ". This is considered a disdain for the blood of our Palestinian people, which was violated by the occupation army and its fascist settlers, and an Israeli attempt to strike at the ongoing and escalating revolutionary situation in the West Bank.”

The statement added that this meeting only serves the agenda of the occupation in consolidating its power and control over the Palestinian land, calling for stopping security coordination with the occupation, not betting on the mirage of American promises, and siding with the national consensus and the will of the Palestinian people to resist until the fascist occupation is defeated from our entire soil. National, and the establishment of our Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Protests and demonstrations were renewed in separate parts of Israel, against the plan to weaken the judiciary , amid violent quarrels that erupted during the protests in Tel Aviv.

And Israeli media reported that the occupation police used pepper gas and tear gas to separate the demonstrators and their opponents, and minor injuries and suffocation were reported.

According to the website of "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper, the fights broke out in separate areas in Tel Aviv, which witnessed demonstrations in front of the embassies of Germany, the United States, Britain and France, in protest at the reception of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich .

Hundreds of demonstrators in Tel Aviv closed the "Ayalon" road network, which caused a suffocating traffic crisis, while the police tried to suppress them and prevent them from walking and demonstrating on the street, which they worked to open after it was closed for more than an hour by the demonstrators.

Several marches and protests were organized in several areas across Israel, where dozens of demonstrations and vigils were organized at the main roads and axes that were closed and traffic was obstructed.

The organizers of the protests began to escalate their protest steps, after the Netanyahu government rejected the settlement proposal presented by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and the government's insistence on continuing legislation to undermine the Supreme Court and weaken the judiciary.

Workers in the high-tech sector joined the protests by participating in demonstrations at about 15 crossroads. Students on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem organized a demonstration, and other demonstrations at Tel Aviv and Bar-Ilan universities.

Demonstrations were organized in different areas in Tel Aviv and in front of the US embassy in occupied Jerusalem, in the city of Ramat Gan and towns in the Sharon region, Raanana, and Bnei Brak, where a vehicle was documented traveling recklessly towards the participants in the protests.

Israeli navy veterans closed the crossing road leading to the port of Haifa, using five yachts and a small boat, while students and parents demonstrated in the city of Raanana, while university students demonstrated in front of Tel Aviv University, in conjunction with a demonstration of students and teachers in Haifa.

Protest organizers are planning another demonstration, which will start at seven o'clock in the evening, from the center of Tel Aviv towards several streets, during which the demonstrators will carry torches.

And the Israeli President Herzog presented, on Wednesday evening, a proposed blueprint to end the crisis of the plan to weaken the judiciary, which the coalition that forms the government headed by Netanyahu continues to legislate, without a majority for the coalition in the Committee for the Appointment of Judges, while the coalition opposed the plan and considered it “one-sided”, while the opposition agreed to it. .

يواصل الأسير الشيخ خضر عدنان (44 عامًا) من بلدة عرابة جنوب جنين، إضرابه عن الطعام لليوم (40) على التوالي، رفضًا لاعتقاله، وسط ظروف صحية صعبة في (عيادة سجن الرملة)، بعد نقله من زنازين (الجلمة) مؤخرًا بعد تدهور وضعه الصحيّ.

ويعد الأسير عدنان من أبرز الأسرى الذين واجهوا الاحتلال بأمعائه الخاوية على مدار سنوات، حيث نفّذ خمس إضرابات سابقة، وهذا الإضراب السادس الذي يخوضه، علمًا أن أربعة من إضراباته كانت ضد اعتقاله الإداريّ.

The Moroccan opposition and Islamist Justice and Development Party denied on Wednesday that it has an "internal partisan agenda" regarding Israel, following criticisms directed at it by the Royal Court, stressing that its views come within the "framework of freedom of opinion and expression."

On Monday, the Royal Court denounced the party's "irresponsible" behavior after the latter accused the Moroccan Foreign Ministry of siding with Israel.

A statement issued by the royal court said, "The General Secretariat of the Justice and Development Party recently issued a statement that includes some irresponsible abuses and serious fallacies, with regard to relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel, and linking them to the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories."

And the party's statement issued on Wednesday night said, "The General Secretariat confirms that the party's practices, positions, and reports are restricted by what the constitution authorizes for any political party, in terms of the parties establishing and practicing their activities freely within the scope of respecting the constitution and the law, and within the framework of freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed in all its forms by the constitution."

The party's general secretariat said, after an extraordinary meeting, that "the party's positions are consistent and frequent in supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people and rejecting normalization" between Morocco and Israel, stressing that "the party finds no qualms in accepting the observations and warnings issued by His Majesty."

The party "categorically denied" that its criticism was linked to "any internal or electoral party agenda, nor any fallacies, political outbids, or any blackmail."

The statement added that the party "will remain aligned, as it has always been, behind His Majesty the King to defend territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and the supreme interests of our country in light of the inclusive constitutional constants."

The statement added that the party's criticism of the foreign minister "who appears to be defending the Zionist entity in some African and European meetings" comes "as a member of the government, subject, like the rest of his colleagues in the government, to criticism and monitoring on the basis of the government program."

Morocco normalized its diplomatic relations with Israel in December 2020 within the framework of what is known as the "Abraham Accords" between the Hebrew state and Arab countries under the auspices of Washington.

But Morocco regularly reaffirms its commitment to the Palestinian cause, and the Moroccan monarch heads the Jerusalem Committee charged with preserving the city's legal status and its religious and cultural character.

Rabat supports the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Today, Thursday, a citizen was injured and bruised, as a result of settlers' attacks on the citizens, and the settlers destroyed agricultural crops in Masafer Yatta , south of Hebron.

According to press sources, a group of settlers from "Ma'on and Khafat Ma'on" attacked the citizens in the village of Tuba and the poor in Masafer Yatta, which resulted in the injury of a citizen with moderate injuries and bruises.

In the context, settlers destroyed the agricultural crops of the people in the "Qawawis" area, and grazed their livestock on wheat and barley crops, which caused the destruction of a large part of those crops, which belong to a number of families, including Abu Aram and Al-Hamamda.

The President of Al-Quds University , Prof. Imad Abu Kishek , a delegation from the American Harvard University, represented by its president, Professor Lawrence Bacco, on the university's main campus, in a unique first visit by the prestigious Harvard president to a Palestinian university, in the presence of a number of vice presidents and assistants.

The visiting delegation included Harvard Vice President for Public Affairs Dr. Paul Andrew, Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development Dr. Brian Lee, Director of Community Engagement Adele Fleet Paco, International Relations Officer Dr. Mark Schwartz, and Co-Vice President and Executive Director of the Harvard Alumni Association Sarah Carmon.

In turn, the President of Al-Quds University, Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishk accompanied the delegation on his unique and important visit, which is the first of its kind in the country's universities, speaking about the history of the university's faculties, programs and global partnerships in unique academic programs that keep pace with technology, digitization and market requirements around the world, which has produced an advanced and recognized academic, professional and research level for its students. And its academics in various scientific and human disciplines.

The two parties discussed the need to enhance joint cooperation at the level of academic programs, student and academic exchange, and projects of common interest, in order to develop a partnership plan capable of raising the research and entrepreneurial level of students and graduates.

This was accompanied by Prof. Abu Kishk visited the delegation on an introductory tour of the university's faculties, facilities, and research and professional centers, with the aim of informing them of their workflow that represents their vision at various levels, and introducing them closely to their students.

This unique visit by the prestigious Harvard President is the first to Al-Quds University and Palestinian universities in general, which confirms its achievement of a prestigious position among international universities, when it advances to the first Palestinian positions in leading international rankings.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Chairman of the Committee for Renting Housing for Palestinian Pilgrims , Hussam Abu Al-Rub , said that the committee formed by the Council of Ministers has completed the process of renting housing for pilgrims in the northern governorates of Medina, according to the specifications and standards set by the competent committee.

Abu Al-Rub explained in a press statement, today, Thursday, that the committee went to Saudi Arabia a few days ago, and included members of the specialized technical committee in the ministry, in addition to representatives from the ministries of finance, tourism and antiquities, and the Financial and Administrative Control Bureau.

He added that 4- and 5-star hotels were rented in the northern central area of the Prophet's Mosque, and all hotel services were provided with an open buffet breakfast for 4 days.

Abu Al-Rub stressed that the directives of the Palestinian leadership and the instructions of the Minister of Endowments, Sheikh Hatem Al-Bakri, recommended the need to choose nearby hotels that provide comfort for pilgrims.

He pointed out that the Housing Rental Committee worked hard for the benefit of the pilgrim, taking into account the preservation of the distinguished level achieved by the State of Palestine in the services of pilgrims at all levels, especially the capacity and readiness of hotels to receive pilgrims according to specific entry and exit dates.

Abu Al-Rub said that the committee will go to Makkah Al-Mukarramah in order to complete the procedures for renting accommodation for pilgrims in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the headquarters of the Palestinian Hajj delegation.

Source: The official news agency "Wafa"

عاد التفاؤل الخميس إلى الأسواق الأوروبية حيث بدا أن المستثمرين استعادوا الثقة بعد جهود البنك المركزي السويسري والإعلانات الصادرة عن بنك كريدي سويس، لكن الأزمة انتقلت إلى أسواق آسيا.

وفي الساعة 8,35 ت غ سجل انتعاش بنسبة 1,43% في بورصة باريس و1,26% في بورصة فرانكفورت و1,27% في بورصة لندن و1,21 في ميلانو، بعدما تراجعت بأكثر من 3% الأربعاء.

لكن الأسواق الآسيوية تأثرت بشكل متأخر بالاضطرابات الأخير المرتبطة ببنك كريدي سويس، إذ انخفضت بورصة طوكيو بنسبة 0,8% وهونغ كونغ بنسبة 1,9%.

ومع ذلك، قد تكون الجلسة في أوروبا متقلبة حتى صدور بيان في وقت مبكر من بعد الظهر من البنك المركزي الأوروبي الذي يُنتظر أن يحسم قراره بشأن رفع سعر الفائدة بمقدار نصف نقطة لكبح التضخم، ولا يُستبعد أن ينتهج مقاربة أكثر ليونة للتخفيف عن البنوك.

منذ انهيار مصارف اميركية الأسبوع الماضي، عمّ التوتر الأسواق المالية. وبعد عودة الثقة الثلاثاء في متانة النظام المصرفي، تزعزع استقرار البورصات الأربعاء جراء تسجيل سهم كريدي سويس أكبر انخفاض في تاريخه بلغ حوالي -25% عند الإغلاق.

The Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh , appeared Thursday for the first time before European investigators, as part of investigations centered on his wealth and suspicions of money laundering, according to a judicial source told AFP.

Salameh attended around 10:30 am (8:30 GMT) to the Palace of Justice in Beirut, shortly after the arrival of the European delegation headed by French Judge Aud Bourizi, amid tight security measures inside and around the Palace of Justice, according to an AFP correspondent.

The hearing began in the presence of his lawyers, including a French lawyer.

And a judicial source had reported earlier that the European delegation had a list of 100 questions that it intended to direct to Salameh through the first investigating judge in Beirut, Charbel Abu Samra. It is likely that the hearings for Salameh "as a witness" will last three days "without any action being taken against him."

Investigators from France, Germany and Luxembourg are looking into money laundering and embezzlement cases in Lebanon linked to Salameh. In January in Beirut, they heard witnesses, including bank managers and current and former employees of the Banque du Liban.

The European investigations focus on the relationship between the Banque du Liban and the “Fore Associates” company, which is registered in the Virgin Islands and has an office in Beirut, and its economic beneficiary is Raja Salameh, brother of the Governor of the Banque du Liban. It is believed that the company played the role of intermediary to purchase treasury bonds and Eurobonds from the Central Bank of Lebanon by receiving a subscription commission, which was transferred to Raja Salameh's accounts abroad.

A year ago, the European Judicial Cooperation Unit "Eurojust" announced that France, Germany and Luxembourg had frozen 120 million euros of Lebanese assets following an investigation targeting Salameh and four of his close associates, including his brother, on charges of money laundering and "embezzlement of public funds in Lebanon worth more than $330 million." and 5 million euros, respectively, between 2002 and 2021.

Salameh was absent from a session that was scheduled for Wednesday, on the pretext that he had not received an answer about a memorandum he submitted, in which he considered that “the presence of international judges in Lebanon and the investigation of financial files with him contradicts national sovereignty.” However, the Lebanese judiciary rejected the content of the memorandum and set a date for his interrogation, Thursday.

The wealth of Salameh, one of the longest-serving central bank governors in the world who has served as the architect of Lebanon's financial policies since taking office in 1993, has been the focus of a local investigation in Lebanon since April 2021.

And after the prosecution in February against Salameh, his brother, and his assistant, Marianne Howayek, the Lebanese state, represented by the head of the Cases Authority in the Ministry of Justice, Judge Helena Iskandar, filed a personal claim against them for “crimes of bribery, forgery, use of counterfeiters, money laundering, illegal enrichment, and tax evasion.”

The judge requested that several measures be taken against the defendants, including “arresting them, seizing their real estate properties, and freezing their bank accounts,” in addition to “freezing the accounts of their spouses and minor children with Lebanese and foreign banks,” and preventing them from disposing of their real estate.

Salama denies the accusations against him, considering that his prosecution comes in the context of a political process to "tarnish" his image. And he confirms that he accumulated his wealth from his previous work for two decades in the global financial institution "Merrill Lynch" and from investments in several fields, apart from his work at the head of the governorship of the Banque du Liban.

Today, Thursday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE , directed the provision of three million dollars to support the reconstruction of the town of Hawara , south of Nablus, and those affected by the recent events caused by settlers in the town.

The initiative will be implemented by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, in cooperation with the Emirati-Palestinian Friendship Club, as part of the UAE's humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian people.

The Department of Municipalities and Transport held a meeting to discuss the mechanism for implementing the initiative and providing support, in the presence of His Excellency Muhammad Ali Al-Shurafa, Head of the Department, and the Palestinian delegation, which included both His Excellency Moein Dmaidi, Mayor of Hawara Municipality, Jalal Odeh and Muhammad Abdul Hamid, members of the Municipal Council, and Ammar Al-Kurd, President of the Emirati-Palestinian Friendship Club, as well as The meeting discussed enhancing prospects for joint cooperation in the field of municipal work between the two sides.

Al-Shurafa welcomed the Palestinian delegation, stressing the interest of the UAE leadership in supporting the Palestinian people and contributing to the redevelopment of the affected area in Hawara.

The United Nations Interim Force in South Lebanon ( UNIFIL ) announced Thursday that its units "did not notice" anyone crossing the southern border into Israel, the day after the latter announced that it had killed a "terrorist" suspected of infiltrating from Lebanon.

And the Israeli occupation army announced, on Wednesday, that it had killed a person, Monday, in northern Israel, who was carrying an explosive belt, in the town of Yara, when an explosive device exploded near the Megiddo intersection, wounding an Israeli settler.

The preliminary investigation showed, according to the Israeli army, that "the terrorist apparently infiltrated from Lebanese territory into Israel earlier this week," adding, "An extensive investigation is underway about the operation, and within its framework, the extent of Hezbollah's involvement in it is being examined." According to the military.

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said, according to a statement published by the official National Information Agency, "UNIFIL has seen media reports stating that a person infiltrated into Israel from Lebanon," pointing out that "UNIFIL has not noticed any crossing of the Blue Line in recent days."

He quoted the head of the UNIFIL mission and its Commander-in-Chief, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, urging "the parties to exercise restraint, maintain stability, and use UNIFIL's coordination and liaison mechanisms to avoid misunderstandings and reduce tensions."

The UNIFIL force has been present in Lebanon since 1978, and it includes about ten thousand soldiers and is deployed in southern Lebanon to separate Israel and Lebanon after several conflicts.

The international force hosts at its headquarters in Naqoura periodic meetings that include representatives of the Lebanese and Israeli sides, dealing with the situation along the blue line drawn up by the United Nations to serve as the border between the two countries.

There was no official comment from Hezbollah yet on the Israeli army's announcement, which did not reveal the suspect's identity. The army is interrogating a driver whom the suspect asked to pick him up, before he was intercepted on the road.

Lebanon and Israel are officially at war. Lebanon witnessed a bloody war in the summer of 2006, which began with the abduction of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah members. During the war, 1,200 people were killed in Lebanon, most of them civilians, and 160 Israelis, most of them soldiers.

After the war, the Lebanese army was deployed along the border, and there was no longer any overt armed presence of Hezbollah on it.
It is scheduled to discuss the UN Security Council Thursday Resolution 1701, which was adopted in the year 2006 and calls for a "permanent cease-fire" between Israel and Lebanon.

Israeli media indicated that Israel would denounce the meeting as a "new violation" of Resolution 1071, which stresses the importance of extending the control of the Lebanese government over all Lebanese territory and that there should be no weapons without the approval of the Lebanese government and no authority other than the authority of the Lebanese government.

Zipline, a company that specializes in delivering packages by drones, demonstrated on Wednesday a new type of drone that allows its services to be provided in cities more dense than those in which it can operate so far, and thus enables it to expand to a larger number of markets in the long term.

She explained that the new "B2" drone is equipped with propellers that allow it to stop in the air.

Once it reaches its destination, it releases another device called "Droid", which is a small drone equipped with propellers, containing the package that is supposed to be delivered, and can land and take off vertically.

The American company hopes that its innovation will enable it to carry out “very silent and precise deliveries, even in strong winds,” as the director of the engineering department, Josef Mardal, told AFP.

As for the current model, "B1", which will continue to be used, it has only one fixed wing, which therefore requires dropping the package from the air by means of a parachute.

The current aircraft requires a landing area equal to two parking spaces, while the B2 requires only the surface of a picnic table.

The new march also has a faster speed, but it can deliver within a radius of 16 kilometers instead of 90.

Zipline plans to perform more than 10,000 test flights this year before launching its new drones commercially.

And the company indicated in a statement that it has so far carried out 500,000 commercial deliveries by “B1” all over the world, from the United States to Japan, passing through Rwanda, as its drones allow the delivery of medicines to hard-to-reach rural areas.

“Demand for deliveries has increased over the past decade,” said company co-founder and CEO Keller Renaudo Clifton, but the company still uses “human-driven one-ton gas trucks to deliver packages that generally weigh less than 2.2 kilograms.”

"It is slow and very harmful to the planet," he added in the statement.

Zipline expected that its deliveries would reach one million by the end of this year, and that their annual number in 2025 would exceed the number of flights of most airlines.

Today, Thursday, the Israeli occupation forces stormed land belonging to the families of the two prisoners, Osama and Malik Mahmoud Sabri, in the center of Qalqilya , and detonated a body in the ground using a robot, and the sound of the explosion was heard from a far place.

Al-Quds.com correspondent in Qalqilya reported that the occupation brought the two captives, Sabri, to the site of the explosion, claiming that there was a body inside the ground.

It is noteworthy that the two prisoners, Malik and Osama Sabri, were previously detained in the occupation prisons for two and three years.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday that it is "very important" to secure "quickly" ammunition to Ukraine in order to counter the Russian invasion.

"We will decide with our European partners new measures to ensure better and uninterrupted supplies" of munitions to Ukraine at the EU summit next week, Schulz said in a speech to parliamentarians in the Bundestag.

He added that Germany was "ready to open up its supply projects to other member states" of the European Union.

He reaffirmed that the first economic power in Europe "will continue its political, financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine as long as it is necessary."

For weeks, Kiev has been asking for more ammunition to defend itself against the Russian invasion, at a time when battles are intensifying in Bakhmut (east).

The Ukrainian army constantly warns of a shortage of 155 mm shells for the guns it uses.

European Commissioner for Industry Thierry Breton recently announced that Europe will move to increase production of munitions destined for Ukraine, including "15 factories in 11 EU countries".

He told Radio Monte Carlo on Monday, "We have to move very quickly, as the tragic war in Ukraine that (Russian President) Vladimir Putin started, is about to turn into a face-to-face trench warfare, and there is of course a race to send the largest amount of ammunition from both sides," noting that the Ukrainians " They depend" on Europe to supply them with ammunition.

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Chairman of the Supreme Ifta Council , Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, called on food merchants to avoid monopoly and exploitation, raise prices, and be content with easy profit, during the blessed month of Ramadan .

And the Mufti stressed, during his presidency of a meeting of the provincial mufti, today, Thursday, to preserve the sanctity of the month of Ramadan, calling on the owners of restaurants and cafes to close them during the day in Ramadan.

He called on citizens to control and organize alimony according to what is available and what is available, to avoid extravagance and waste, to be keen to inspect the needy and needy families, to help the poor, to pay zakat money to those who deserve it, to increase prayer and supplication, to draw closer to God Almighty by doing good deeds, distributing alms, and upholding ties of kinship.

He stressed the necessity of traveling to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque for its reconstruction, especially during the month of Ramadan, in order to obtain the great reward that God has prepared for its construction and the worshipers in it, especially in light of the sinful incursions into it, and the continuous threats to attack and desecrate it.

The Mufti noted that the time approved in Palestine for Fajr, Maghrib and other times is the daily time of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is approved by the Palestinian Dar Al-Ifta and the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

The meeting discussed ways to develop and advance the work of Dar Al-Iftaa, due to its service to our true religion and our dear homeland, and to review the reports and plans that have been developed for that.

Source: The official news agency "Wafa"

أعلن وزير الجيش الإسرائيلي يؤاف غالانت، اليوم الخميس، أن عملية مجدو معقدة وشاركت فيها أطراف عديدة، مؤكداً أنه تم تفادي هجوم أكبر وسنصل إلى من أرسل المنفذ.

وقال خلال جلسة تقييم أمني وجولة له على الحدود مع لبنان، إن التحقيقات لا تزال مستمرة.

وكانت قوات الاحتلال، أعلنت أمس الأربعاء، قتل منفذ عملية وضع عبوة قرب مفترق مجدو في الداخل المحتل، وأدت لإصابة مستوطن.

وبعد أيام من التعتيم الإعلامي، صدر بيان مشترك للجيش الإسرائيلي والشاباك والشرطة الإسرائيلية، أعلن فيه أن قوات الاحتلال حيدت منفذ العملية قرب مفترق مجيدو، وكشفت أنه قدم من لبنان.

The Jerusalemite prisoner, Ahmed Manasra , complained about the difficult conditions of his detention, which he suffers from in isolation in the Ashkelon detention center.

The Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs stated that the prisoner, Manasra, addressed the judge of the Occupation Court in Beersheba during a session to extend his isolation three days ago, saying that he had been suffering from severe stomach pain for 45 days, and he was also prevented from receiving any money from his family for the “cantina.” In addition, he is given bad food, contaminated with insects, and rodents live in his cell.

She indicated that the judge of the occupation court responded to him by extending his solitary confinement for an additional 6 months, despite his serious psychological condition, as 36 psychiatric experts had previously asked the president of the occupying state to request his release due to his deteriorating health and psychological condition inside the occupation detention centers.

On the fourteenth of last April, the Occupation Prisons Administration transferred the prisoner Ahmed Manasra from the "Eshel" prison in Beersheba to the isolation section in Ashkelon detention center.

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the uninhabited Kermadec Islands at 1:56 pm local time Thursday, about 1,000 km northeast of New Zealand 's North Island, with a depth of 10 km.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, based in Hawaii, issued a tsunami warning for coasts located 300 km from the epicenter in the southern ocean, saying that "there is a possibility of tsunami waves up to 0.3 meters to one meter above the tide level for some coasts of the Kermadec Islands." .

There is no risk of a tsunami for New Zealand after the powerful quake, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

Famous Russian dissident Alexei Navalny dedicated his "contribution" to the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature won by a film about him, to those who oppose dictatorship and war.

"This is not my movie, I did not win an Oscar, and I am not in a position to dedicate this award to anyone," Navalny said in a message he sent from his prison and published by his team on Twitter on Wednesday.

"But I dedicate all my contribution to this film to the honest and courageous people all over the world who find day after day the strength to confront the monster of dictatorship and its constant companion, war," he added.

Navalny has been in prison for more than two years, following his arrest upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he was treated after he was subjected to a serious poisoning operation in Siberia, which he accuses the Kremlin opposition and the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating.

He was sentenced in March last year to nine years in prison on "fraud" charges that Navalny considers fabricated.

From his cell, Navalny declared his opposition to Russia's military assault on Ukraine, calling on Russians to protest.

Recently, he called on Moscow to respect the 1991 borders that place Crimea within Ukrainian territory, while he was often accused in the past of supporting Russia's annexation of this region in 2014.

The Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Sunday was awarded to "Navalny". This investigative documentary, directed by Canadian Daniel Rohr, depicts the stages of Navalny's political rise, the assassination attempt that he survived and then his imprisonment at a later stage.
Commenting on awarding the film this award, the Kremlin accused Hollywood of "politicizing" cinema.

Palestinian businessmen discussed, with their counterparts in the Republic of Lithuania , in the presence of Minister of National Economy Khaled Osseily, opportunities to establish investment relations in both countries.

During the meeting, which was held in Vilnius, with the participation of the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Finland and the Baltic States, Tayseer Ajouri, and the Director General of International Relations at the Ministry of Economy, Suha Awadallah, the two sides reviewed investment fields in various productive sectors, the privileges and incentives offered by the government to the investor, and the legal environment regulating the economy. Especially after the adoption of the Companies Law, which encourages investment.

The two sides expressed their firm desire to establish investment relations that contribute to stimulating trade exchange between the two countries. This meeting is an important step in exploring investment opportunities and exchanging data and information in the field of investment.

The President of the Vilnius Chamber of Commerce and Industry referred to the tasks of the Chamber and the efforts being made to develop the bilateral relationship, by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in addition to its role in issuing certificates of origin for the sectors that fall within the jurisdiction of the Chamber, including: food, the construction sector, and plastics. .

The Chairman of the Chamber said: "We seek to target the Palestinian market through companies that have relations with Palestine, and to expand business and more partnerships and networking," pointing out that the Chamber is working on an investment environment that encourages the business community. In turn, the Minister of Economy said, "The meetings of Palestinian businessmen with Their counterparts in Lithuania are a strong opportunity for networking, with the primary goal of developing the Palestinian-Lithuanian relationship.

During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bethlehem Governorate and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Vilnius Province, with the aim of enhancing prospects for trade exchange and bilateral relations between the two parties, encouraging and facilitating cooperation in the fields of trade and services, and exchanging information on economic issues commercially and industrially.

On the other hand, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Lithuanian deposit system for recycling, which is the most advanced in the world, and was briefed on Lithuania's experience in this field, and discussed the possibility of establishing joint cooperation for the benefit of Palestine.

The two parties agreed that a delegation of experts from Lithuania will visit Palestine soon for cooperation in this field. The economic relationship between the two countries and the activation of trade exchange.

The prisoner Zakariya Al-Zubaidi (the Dragon) has been held in isolation for nearly a year and a half. He faces hours and days with a solid steel will. He is used to life between bullets, stones, imprisonment and pursuit. He has lived death many times, when he survived four assassination attempts by the Israeli occupation forces.

Zakariya (47 years) from the Jenin camp, comes from a family that fights by nature, his father died when he was a boy, and his mother, Samira Al-Zubaidi, was martyred in 2002 during the major storming of the Jenin camp, after which his brother Taha was martyred, and on May 15, 2022, his brother Daoud died of injuries He was injured in the camp, and his body is still being held in the refrigerators of the occupation until now, and his family's home was demolished three times.

The occupation forces arrested Zakaria in 2019, after which he and 5 of his comrades (Ayham Kammaji, Munadel Nfeiat, Muhammad and Mahmoud Al-Ardah, and Yaqoub Qadri) were able to snatch their freedom on September 11, 2021, when they dug a tunnel under the fortified Gilboa prison, and escaped from it. And the breath of freedom, thus dealing a qualitative blow that proves the failure of the security occupation system, which it has always praised.

After many attempts, the occupation managed to rearrest the six prisoners, and sentenced them, in addition to their previous sentences, to actual imprisonment for a period of 5 years and a fine of 5 thousand shekels, with a suspension of execution from 8 months to 3 years. In addition to the deliberate abuse against them, through the policy of solitary confinement, and their medical neglect, they were also subjected to several physical attacks and great psychological pressure by the jailers, and this racist series continues to this day.

Returning to Al-Zubaidi’s life before his last arrest, Zakaria was known as the most prominent leader of the Al-Aqsa martyrs in the second intifada in Jenin, and he participated in many operations against the Israeli occupation, and he was accused of being responsible for a bombing in “Tel Aviv”, which killed an Israeli settler and injured 30 others in 2018. 2004, and in this context, a former Shin Bet officer described him as a "street cat", saying: "We have always tried to catch him, but he escaped from our hands, and now he has been re-arrested for once again engaging in terrorist activities."

Al-Zubaidi was elected as a member of the Revolutionary Council in 2016, and later joined the MA program in Contemporary Arab Studies at Birzeit University, but the occupation arrested him in 2019, before discussing his graduation thesis that talked about the experience of the Palestinian persecutor by the Israeli occupation forces between the years 1968-2018, and it came under the title "The Hunter and the Dragon".

Zakaria was able to complete the rest of the chapters of his dissertation inside prison after many complications, and passed the remaining course for him successfully, and he agreed to discuss his dissertation in absentia, without writing the conclusion of the letter. The dragon is open, and Zakaria still has many chapters to write and narrate on the ground, and we are still waiting to hear more heroism and pride, and waiting for the freedom of the dragon that must shine.

The Business and Professional Women Network, in cooperation with the Ministry of Women's Affairs, launched, for the first time, the "Palestinian Women's Summit" initiative on the campus of the Arab American University in Ramallah. Around the world, while the Minister of Women's Affairs, Dr. Amal Hamad, revealed that President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree by law regarding the division of individual rights, as well as the Cabinet's endorsement of the Distinguished Woman Award.

The Chair of the Board of Directors of the Business and Professional Women Network, Dr. Dalal Erekat told Al-Quds.com, on the sidelines of the launch of the Women's Summit, "The network was launched last year, and sought to create a Palestinian women's summit, to be held annually, on a national and comprehensive level."

Erekat added, "Despite the struggles of women and their superiority, the data shows that women have not reached the decision-making positions that are appropriate for them in various sectors, so we hope to create a platform and base for empowered women who have proven their worth in their specializations, and in order to find pressure and advocacy to amend policies and legislation to suit them." The status of women, and to prove that Palestinian women are capable, and in order to represent Palestine at the international level.

With regard to the " Palestinian Women's Summit ," Erekat said: "We hope to come up with a policy paper to be presented to the government through the Ministry of Women's Affairs, and we hope to achieve progress in the field of women's rights and legislation that specializes women and the family, and it is necessary to evaluate ourselves with regard to women and their empowerment." ".

During the summit launch conference, Dr. Dalal Erekat: "The summit is not a fleeting activity, and we hope that it will become a national initiative that will be held annually, to bring about a practical change in the reality of women in Palestine," noting that the summit will be held after Ramallah in the Gaza Strip.
According to Erekat, the Business and Professional Women Network was launched last year, after Palestine was registered with the International Federation of Women, noting that it aimed to advocate for women and establish a network that brings together women and represents Palestine locally and internationally with the aim of developing policies and legislation, and for the network to be an incubator for Palestinian women.

For her part, the Minister of Women's Affairs, Dr. Amal Hamad, said in an interview with "Al-Quds", on the sidelines of the launch of the summit, "The summit brought together the Palestinian elites to talk about the reality of women, and the ministry will work to integrate the recommendations of the summit within the framework of the national plan for the State of Palestine," stressing The need to define the priorities of Palestine and for the donor countries and our partners to understand the priorities of Palestine in line with reality.

During the summit launch conference, Hamad confirmed that President Mahmoud Abbas, on the occasion of International Women's Day, issued, on the ninth of this month, a decree-law regarding the division of individual rights to raise the percentage of women who obtain their legitimate individual rights, so that we have a special inheritance law.

And Hamad continued, the Council of Ministers also endorsed the Distinguished Woman Award and approved the criteria for the award and its moral and financial value according to the various fields, and it will be announced this month, and the award winners will be distributed on the “National Women’s Day”, on October 26, in order to promote Distinguished, pioneering and creative women in all fields.

Hamad stressed that the issuance of new Palestinian laws is very important, as a system of legislation related to family protection has been developed with a purely Palestinian character, in order to pass laws that preserve and protect the dignity of Palestinian women.

Hamad noted that the percentage of women in decision-making positions is low and did not rise to the required level, stressing the need to support women towards reaching decision-making positions, unifying all the efforts of partners in state institutions and civil society institutions to empower women, especially economically, and removing obstacles that prevent their empowerment.

During the summit, two sessions were held to discuss the issue of empowered women in the fields of technology, data, business, media and political decision-making, with the participation of entrepreneurs Mona Dmaidi, Ola Awad, Guevara Al-Budiri, Manal Razik, Hunaida Ghanem, Lubna Katbeh, while the second session discussed the role of donors, international bodies, projects and efforts. The International Women's Empowerment Conference, with the participation of the European Union representative Sven Kun von Burgsdorff, the representative of the United Nations Women's Commission, Maris Gimond, the Italian Consul General Giuseppe Fedeli, and the representative of Norway, Torin Vest.

The Director General of Measurement, Evaluation and Examinations at the Ministry of Education, Muhammad Awwad, confirmed that there are positive indications of the regularity of the educational process in public schools, beginning next week.

Awwad said in a radio interview that there are unremitting efforts being made by civil society institutions, national forces and factions, and the political level, and we hope that they will be crowned with success in ending this crisis, which has reached its 40th day.

He pointed out that a meeting will be held next Sunday to discuss the subject required for the general secondary exams, in a way that achieves justice and equal opportunities for all students in all governorates.

Awwad added, "The general secondary exams are very important for university admission, and there is a fixed schedule that cannot be bypassed regarding the academic year. Local universities may be pressured if the exams are postponed, but what guarantees Arab and international universities?"

Awwad dispelled fears of the threat of not continuing the school year, stressing that there is still ample time to ensure the end of the school year as required and hoped for.

Thursday, Israel is witnessing a new day of mobilization in protest against the judicial reform project, the day after Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented a settlement project that was immediately opposed by the government.

The draft law on judicial reform sparked thousands of protests and demonstrations for more than two months, as its opponents believe that it aims to undermine the judicial authority in favor of the political authority, warning that it constitutes a threat to the democratic system.

Herzog's project maintains the government's argument that the Supreme Court can overturn basic laws, but proposes amendments to controversial points in the reform.

In contrast to the draft currently before parliament, the draft settlement proposes that the court could, under certain circumstances, challenge amendments to laws that are considered the constitution in Israel.

Opponents of the reform project consider that it gives politicians more power at the expense of the judiciary, and that it aims to protect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing trial on charges of corruption.

Parliament approved earlier this month, in its first reading, another draft law that greatly reduces the possibility of considering the prime minister incapable of performing his job.

On the other hand, Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin consider amending the judicial system as an essential step to restore balance to the branches of power. Netanyahu and his allies consider unelected Supreme Court justices to be politicized and wield more power than elected representatives.

Herzog, who considers his role to be an honorary one, has been working for weeks on a proposal aimed at bringing together the government and the majority on a general law on the matter.

Thursday's protests are scheduled to take place the day after a mobilization day in which thousands demonstrated.

"Anyone who thinks civil war is impossible has no idea how close we are to it but I will not allow that to happen," Herzog said, adding that he is convinced that "the majority of Israelis want an arrangement."

He added that the settlement he proposed "must form the basis for negotiation and to replace the current project."

Before traveling to Berlin, Netanyahu said Wednesday, "What the president proposes has not been accepted by the representatives of the ruling coalition. Some of the main points in his program only lead to an extension of the status quo and do not provide the required balance between the authorities."

Opposition leader former Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Twitter welcomed Herzog's proposal, affirming his intention to "make all (necessary) efforts to avoid economic, security and social erosion that seriously harms national unity."

On Monday, a former justice minister, university president and law professor submitted a settlement proposal to the Law Commission. The head of this committee, Simcha Rothman, considered that this proposal could form "a basis for negotiations."

اقتحام غلاة المتطرفين اليهود للحرم القدسي الشريف والقيام بشعائر تلمودية في رحابه ، صار يوميا تقريبا ولا يجدون من يردعهم او يحاسبهم على هذه الاجراءات المنافية لكل القوانين والمفاهيم الحقوقية والدينية، ولهذا فإنهم يتمادون بهذه الانتهاكات ولا يلتفتون لاي شيء سوى مفاهيمهم الدينية واطماعهم المستقبلية.

ومن المعروف انهم يحفرون الانفاق بشكل واسع وبأماكن مختلفة حول الحرم القدسي وفي رحابه ومحيطه، واحيانا في اسفله. ولقد اشارت عدة منظمات من هذه التي تقوم بالاقتحامات انها ستواصل ذلك بدون توقف او اي اعتبار لأي شيء سوى ما يخططون له.

وللأسف الشديد ، فإن العالم عموما والعرب والمسلمين بصورة خاصة ، يكتفون في احسن الحالات بالتنديد او الادانة الكلامية وهو الامر الذي لم يعد احد من هؤلاء المتطرفين واسرائيل عموما، يستمع او يأبه او يهتم به.

لقد قلنا مرارا وقال غيرنا احيانا، ان هناك ما يثير القلق والمخاوف من هذه الحفريات الخطيرة التي تتواصل وعلى العرب والمسلمين بالدرجة الاولى التحرك الفعلي لمواجهة هذه التحديات والعمل على تجنب نتائجها البالغة الخطورة.

يجب تجنب تدمير العملية التعليمية وهذه مسؤولية الحكومة والمعلمين!!

اصدرت المحكمة الادارية يوم الاثنين الماضي قرارا مستعجلا بوقف الاضراب الذي يخوضه المعلمون في المدارس الحكومية، ورأت مؤسسات المجتمع المدني ان هذا القرار يمثل خطورة على الحقوق والحريات بما فيها الحق بالاضراب ولا سيما ان المحكمة عقدت جلسة سرية ولم تبلغ المدعى عليهم ، اي المعلمين ، ولم تستمع اليهم لكي يفسروا ما يقومون به ويدافعوا عن مواقفهم ومطالبهم، ودعت هذه المؤسسات الى حل الخلاف بالحوار وليس بالقرارات الاحادية التي تتخذها الحكومة، لأن ذلك من شأنه ان يعمق الازمة، ولا بد من اعادة الخصومات التي طُبقت على المعلمين ووقف اية ملاحقات امنية للنشطاء منهم، واعادة الحياة التعليمية البالغة الاهمية ، الى طبيعتها ووقف تدهور الوضع التعليمي للعدد الضخم من ابنائنا وبناتنا، وهذه مسؤولية مشتركة للحكومة والمعلمين في وقت واحد ولا بد من تعاون الطرفين وتجنب الاضرابات المدمرة عموما للعملية التعليمية ومستقبل الطلبة والطالبات.

Written by: Dr. Iyad Al-Barghouti

It is not wise to rely on a single step, or as it is until now, merely announcing that step, and by it we mean the announcement of the Saudi-Iranian agreement related to the return of diplomatic relations between the two countries, to write about its impact on the strategic changes in the region. But the importance of this step, which is taking place between two main parties in the region, who seemed to be in a state of intractable hostility, made it worth the adventure (writing), not only for us and our peoples to know what is going on, but for us and our peoples to contribute to making what is happening real. And in the right direction that we want, which is the direction of positive contribution to the global changes taking place now, represented by the rejection of imperialist domination in all its forms, and work to make the East - our East - a master, free and unified, as the majority of its people wish.

How serious is the Saudi move?
What is reassuring is that this Saudi step for "normalization" with Iran is not an isolated and isolated step, and there are previous harbingers of it that must be read and taken into consideration, without exaggerating its impact, such as the Saudi position on the war in Ukraine, where it took a closer position. To non-alignment, from it to the traditional alignment with America, so it donated to Ukraine nearly half a billion dollars, and at the same time it did not comply with the American sanctions against Russia, nor did it reduce the price of oil, or put pressure on OPEC to do so.

Recently, Saudi Arabia has also arranged its relationship with Turkey and Qatar, and is no longer concerned with the continuation of the war in Yemen, and has changed, even partially, its approaches to the relationship with other countries in the region, or even with the influential countries in the world.

What is clear to us, and without going far - at least until now - to talk about Saudi Arabia's complete withdrawal from the American umbrella, is that Saudi Arabia, which has linked its interests, and even its entire existence, to America since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1933, has begun to see that this positioning is no longer wise. And that its interest requires keeping other doors open, in addition to the American gate, of course.

Saudi Arabia has provided invaluable "services" to America, from an early age. For the sake of America and the imperialist project, Saudi Arabia fought against the project of the Arab nation represented in Nasserite nationalism, materially and intellectually. And for her sake, she put the Wahhabi Islamic project that she led, alongside America and against the Soviet Union and the socialist world, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and she contributed to the uniqueness of America in sovereignty over the world. And above all, and more important than all of the above, is the Saudi role in the matter of linking the price of oil to the US dollar, as Saudi Arabia was the first to have the “credit” for making the dollar the most important currency in the world, and making it the main force in the hands of the United States to dominate others.

All these "services" provided by Saudi Arabia, and many others, were not met with American "gratitude". In my opinion, the “coincidence” that brought a president like Trump to the presidency of the United States revealed to Saudi Arabia that the “love” for America is from the Saudi side only, and that what is supposed to be the American ally does not appreciate all that Saudi Arabia has provided, and that this ally is meticulous in blackmailing it, politically when It was pressured to enter into the project of the century, which requires normalization with Israel, so Saudi Arabia gave the green light to Bahrain, the UAE and others to do so. As well as financial blackmail when Trump “got” nearly half a trillion dollars from the Saudi king.

Saudi Arabia felt not only all this blackmail, but also the recklessness and humiliation that accompanied it. Trump tells the Saudi king, "You have to pay the money, because you have nothing else... and you will not remain in power for two weeks without us." Netanyahu promises the Israelis full normalization with Saudi Arabia as a foregone conclusion, meaning that Saudi Arabia cannot refuse this.

It is well known that the sovereignty of states is also associated with the dignity of their systems. Of course, this matter is uneven and relative from one country to another, and from one regime to another, especially in our region. I believe that the Saudi regime represented by a new generation of leadership, accompanied by some social and intellectual changes among the Saudi people, has more sensitivity to the concepts of sovereignty and dignity, than the previous ruling generations, and therefore it was necessary for it to think of something of "rebellion".

This coincided with the introduction of the new Saudi regime itself as the leader of the "Arab" project in its new version. Saudi Arabia now sees itself as the leader of the Arab world, as it does not lack the financial capabilities for that, and it also has an ambitious young prince who sees himself as a regional leader, if not more than that.

Whoever presents himself as the leader of a regional project of this magnitude cannot be satisfied with himself being a "follower" with all the clarity that America wants, nor can he accept himself adopting a "sectarian" project that not only puts him in the face of many within his nation. Even in the face of not a simple part of his people. That is what made the Saudi prince invest in the historical opportunity offered by the war in Ukraine, if he really did so, as well as his curtailing the deep-rooted Wahhabi religious institution, which gave Saudi Arabia a “shape” that is no longer acceptable in our time.

From step to approach
The peoples of the region have the right to remain in a state of awaiting how this new Saudi step will develop, as matters are still in their first line. It would be a great disappointment if that first line was her last line. And that the step is nothing more than an attempt to get Saudi Arabia out of the problems it has been stuck with, especially in Yemen, as well as in Saudi Arabia's new approach to normalizing its relations with its neighbors.

There are, of course, conditions for the seriousness of this step, including the need for a different approach towards intra-regional issues, resolving differences through dialogue and not turning it into wars, and by going to Al-Aqsa and recalling history, ideology and everything. This requires Saudi Arabia to enter into a serious dialogue, not only with Iran, but also and first with the representatives of the peoples of the region in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Lebanon, in order to solve the problems of those countries and contribute positively to rebuilding them, consolidating their national unity, and ensuring their stability.

In order for the step to be serious as well, the circle of those concerned should be expanded, meaning that it should not be limited to the level of the ruling regimes, but should be extended to include the elites, intellectuals and peoples, not only in Saudi Arabia and Iran, but also in all the countries of the region. This gives it momentum and immunity to the fluctuations that may take place.

However, the most important evidence of the credibility of the Saudi step towards Iran is the removal of all doubts about its position on normalization with Israel, and its vision of the Palestinian cause, the issue that is the criterion for everything that is happening in our region - at least -. The issue is that without the radical stance towards it and with it, no party, regardless of its sources of power, can become a leader in the region, but rather it cannot claim the right to this leadership.

Within this, it will be important for Saudi Arabia to take a serious stance against normalization with Israel, as the claim of American pressure on it for this is no longer sufficient to explain it, and it is no longer convincing to anyone, especially to the Arab peoples, and first of all to the Saudi people themselves.

It seems that Saudi Arabia has intelligently and positively noticed the changes taking place in the world. The world order dominated by America, which many believed was the "end of history", is changing. The United States is no longer the undisputed master of the world. Its hegemonic grip no longer holds all the details of the world, states and peoples, with the same force it had during the last three decades, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It seems that the multipolar world order, in which China and Russia, as well as Iran play a major role, is taking shape more quickly than many expected. Therefore, Saudi Arabia must move forward in investing this historic opportunity for the benefit of its people and the peoples of the region, and to contribute to creating a more stable and just world... Also, elites, especially intellectuals in the Arab world and the East in general, must work to consolidate awareness of the values of solidarity and unity between its people, because in that guarantee is the basis for the success of its liberation project.

About Lebanese News
* Palestinian academic residing in Ramallah

Written by: Alaa El Deek

Our world is living in difficult political, civil, economic and social conditions, and tangible challenges that threaten global peace and security are afflicting us, all as a result of the formation of a unipolar system after the end of the Cold War, which seeks to strengthen military, economic, cultural and media influence with the aim of controlling the entire international system. Since the formation of this unilateral regime that praises freedoms and the defense of human rights with the aim of benefiting from them as resounding slogans to pass its colonial project, it has committed many massacres and wars against humanity and entire peoples, killing and displacing millions of people in various parts of the earth within simple years, in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, and others, in order to create a turbulent and unstable world, and thus impose its imperial hegemony effortlessly.

On the other hand, the emergence of the People's Republic of China came in conjunction with the aspirations of peoples to get rid of colonialism and occupation of any kind and source. China does not have a colonial or imperial culture. Chinese politics is linked to ethics, and China is biased towards the oppressed, the oppressed and the oppressed, and China seeks to create a pluralistic world order that is more moral and just. And humanity, away from the unilateral system that was formed after the Cold War. The current Chinese policy is based on respecting the other and respecting his culture, not a military and imperial culture to control others, and this is what makes people reassured and continues to strengthen their relations with China.

And based on the development of Chinese foreign policy towards others, especially in the Middle East and North Africa region, where this policy was characterized by reform and openness, cooperation, understanding and coordination of efforts, achieving security, peace and sustainable development, and reaching a new pluralistic world based on mutual respect and respect for the sovereignty and rights of states and non-interference in the affairs of Others, regardless of the strength, size and wealth of each, with the aim of achieving mutual benefit and a common destiny for all without exception. Accordingly, China put forward many initiatives, ideas and proposals, with the aim of strengthening and crystallizing Chinese foreign policy towards others, so that Chinese politics and diplomacy have become “initiatives” to achieve global security and development.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the "Belt and Road" initiative with the aim of strengthening and strengthening ties between China and the three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa, through the maritime belt and the overland Silk Road two thousand years ago, extending from the Sultanate of Oman to the Arabian Peninsula, Petra and Jerusalem, etc. This is followed by reaching Europe, and then passing through Egypt to reach the African continent, through a network of roads, ports, airports, infrastructure projects, and investment projects in all fields, especially in the fields of energy and technology. The aim of this initiative and the Chinese economic and investment perspective is to achieve stability, understanding and cooperation between all parties in order to achieve security and sustainable development for the benefit of all.
China wants to achieve understanding and cooperation between all parties in the Middle East in order to achieve stability and prosperity. It believes that contradictions and conflicts do not serve anyone. China wants a stable and prosperous Middle East that serves everyone, not just the Chinese. Everyone, China offers initiatives and solutions to achieve this goal. Contrary to American foreign policy, for example, which wants a torn, weak and flabby Middle East, in order to serve its interest and the interest of its allies, foremost of which is Israel, with the aim of tightening hegemony and control in the region politically, economically and militarily, without consideration and concern for the interests and rights of others, and the best evidence for this is the indifference to wars and conflicts in The region, supporting the allies by sending equipment and armies to impose a fait accompli policy, as well as ignoring the Palestinian political rights and the rights of the Arab peoples that are guaranteed by humanitarian and international norms and conventions, and who are still suffering from the oppression and injustice of the policy of occupation and colonialism supported by America and its allies.
In 2017, China proposed the "Four Points" initiative with the aim of resolving the Palestinian issue according to a political solution based on international legitimacy decisions, as this Chinese initiative and vision seeks to achieve political support for resolving the Palestinian issue by promoting and embodying the political goals of the Palestinian people, by establishing an independent and independent Palestinian state. Sovereignty and self-determination of the Palestinian people in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions. China is realistic and against the Israeli occupation and with the national rights of the Palestinians, and with the determination of the fate of the Palestinian people. Its policy is firm and moral with those rights, because it suffered from occupation and is well aware of what it means for a people to lose their land and homeland, so China will remain with truth and justice and against occupation and colonialism in reality and truth and not Only in theory. China also believes that the Palestinian issue is the key to security, peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region. Therefore, this comprehensive vision is a serious, constant and continuous effort on the part of China to solve the Palestinian issue, especially in light of the complex circumstances that plague it as a result of the continuation of the unilateral policy of the Israeli occupation towards imposing The policy of the fait accompli on the ground, the refusal to achieve and embody the political and sovereign rights of the Palestinian people, as well as the result of the US administration's disregard for a radical solution to the Palestinian issue and continued support for Israel by all means. Accordingly, China is striving steadfastly and effectively to find a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue with allies, friends and supporters of Palestinian rights, despite the US and Israeli position refusing to resolve this issue.

In 2021, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Egypt, put forward a number of ideas and proposals in order to support and make the political solution to the Palestinian issue a success, the most important of which are: strengthening the influence of the Palestinian National Authority, and achieving and strengthening Palestinian national unity. Chinese-Palestinian relations have been solid and strong for decades, and diplomatic relations, economic cooperation relations, and trade exchange between the two countries have developed significantly and effectively, and there is a development in cultural and media relations and the exchange of ideas and information as well. Therefore, Chinese support is constant and effective with all available means and capabilities towards the Palestinian institution and the Palestinian people. There is no doubt that the Israeli occupation hinders the success of the Chinese development, economic and commercial role towards the Palestinians in the required manner, because there is no actual Palestinian sovereignty over the borders, regions, and so on.

On the Palestinian side, the internal Palestinian division still casts a shadow over the Palestinian arena, which may affect the positions of friendly countries that support the solution of the Palestinian national issue in regional and international forums and events, especially since regional conflicts, alliances and polarizations have become negatively affecting the achievement of Palestinian national unity, in light of The absence of a real Palestinian national will to achieve this.

In April 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the "global security" initiative with the aim of facing challenges that would destabilize security and stability in the whole world, and strive to maintain global security in order to reach mutual benefit and a common destiny for all, and its most important clauses: China calls for the need to adhere to common security Comprehensive and sustainable, by respecting and protecting the security and safety of every country, by promoting cooperation, understanding and joint dialogue, as well as respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all, given that all countries are equal members of the international system, there is no rich or poor, weak or strong, and also everyone must Respect for the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, as the policy of unilateralism contradicts those principles, so it must be rejected and not dealt with, and everyone must preserve the legitimate security interests of all countries, as there is no guarantee of the security of one country at the expense of the security of another, and also dialogue and a peaceful solution must be adhered to between All parties, in the event of a dispute or dispute or the like, wars and sanctions are not an ideal way to resolve disputes, and finally China is committed with all parties in the international system to work seriously to resolve all issues and disputes regional and international, with the aim of preserving a secure, stable and prosperous world.

Accordingly, China has sought with determination and real will to maintain "active diplomacy" towards regional disputes and international issues that still cast a shadow over destabilizing the security and stability of the world as a whole, and the Middle East region in particular.

For example, China recently sponsored a Saudi-Iranian dialogue in Beijing, between 6-10 March, in response to an initiative by President Xi Jinping, inviting the Saudi and Iranian sides to resume dialogue and bilateral relations and build bridges of trust and understanding, for the benefit of the two countries. The two countries and all parties in the region and the Middle East, in a way that serves a solution to all outstanding issues in the region. Accordingly, Riyadh and Tehran agreed to resume official diplomatic relations between them by reopening embassies and representations within two months of the date of signing the agreement, and activating committees in order to consolidate and follow up what was agreed upon, noting that Saudi-Iranian relations have been severed since 2016, which has affected the entire region. At that time, there was a state of contradiction, rivalry, and conflict between different currents, peoples, and states.
In conclusion, we can say that China possesses consistent and effective diplomacy for the sake of a stable and prosperous Middle East. The alliances between China and those countries are based on the political, economic, cultural and media benefits of the people, and are not colonial or imperial alliances with the aim of controlling or conspiring against anyone to achieve unilateral interests at the expense of others. Therefore, the people stand with these collective initiatives and reassure them, because the purpose behind their emergence is to fight the unilateral colonial-imperialist ideology in favor of the oppressed and weak peoples, such as the Palestinian people who are still suffering from occupation, oppression and injustice.

What is required from the Arab world is that the Arab countries accelerate their efforts to support the Chinese position and role in the rapprochement that took place between Iran and Saudi Arabia under Chinese auspices and initiative, with the aim of creating an atmosphere of stability and calm in the Middle East region, especially at that sensitive stage in which the region suffers from many conflicts, contradictions and differences. And also that the Arab countries open a page of dialogue, understanding and joint collective action between all the warring and conflicting Arab parties and poles, in order to create the atmosphere for a joint Arab-Chinese action entitled achieving "security, stability and prosperity". Accordingly, the Arabs must embrace the Palestinian issue again as a central and fundamental issue in the region, and strive seriously with China and its allies to resolve it in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions, and demand the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative, and call on all Arabs not to weave formal or informal relations or contacts with the Israeli occupation state. At the expense of the Palestinian right.

As for the Palestinians, what is required is the completion of the internal Palestinian national reconciliation with the aim of strengthening the firm and effective Chinese position towards resolving the Palestinian issue, as well as completely avoiding betting on the American position, which does not differentiate anything in the colonial and imperialist thought from the occupying thought of Israel. Also, for Palestine to seek immediately to build a strategic alliance with China in all fields and at all levels, its title: joint action and a common destiny.

* Researcher on Chinese affairs and international relations / Institute of Middle East Studies, Shanghai University for International Studies.

Written by: Antoine Shalhat

The "Index of Boys and Youth in Israel" for the year 2022, which the political analyst for Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed some of its data, provides some backgrounds behind what is happening in Israel, which is described as the extreme right-wing government's coup against the established system of government. It is a large-scale indicator that is prepared every six years. The previous one was published in 2016 and the one before that was published in 2010. It is funded by the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation Fund, in cooperation with the Israeli Macro Center for Political Economy. It includes generations from 15 to 24 years old.

Perhaps the first of these backgrounds, and perhaps the most important of them, is that Israeli society itself is qualified for the most part, politically, religiously and culturally, to accept the coup that we are talking about, mainly because of its compatibility, even from a structural point of view, with what it thinks about. It can even be said that it was this adaptation that opened the appetite of the Israeli extreme right, both national and religious, to push this coup to specific borders.

The index also includes Arab boys and youth from the Palestinians of 1948, but this commentary stops exclusively at what it says about Jewish boys and young men. The first thing that catches the eye is that they have become more religious. In the 2016 index, 40% of these boys and men defined themselves as secular (which is similar to those who defined themselves as secular in the 2010 index, while the percentage of those in the 2004 index was about 54%). As for the current indicator, the percentage of those who define themselves as secular is about 34%. The percentage of those who defined themselves as Orthodox Jews in the current index was 22.2% (10% in the 2016 index, 14% in the 2010 index, and 8.5% in the 2004 index). Regarding the percentage of those who defined themselves as national religious (followers of the religious Zionist movement), it reached 26.1% in the current index (15% in the 2016 index, 11% in the 2010 index, and 10.2% in the 2004 index).

With regard to political and party affiliation, the current index showed that 58% of Jewish boys and youth consider themselves to be from the right to extreme right (about 37% in the 2016 index), and that 6.2% consider themselves from left to extreme left (6.3% in the 2016 index). 27.3% consider themselves middle-to-center leaning towards the right (34.2% in the 2016 index), and 8.6% consider themselves middle-to-center leaning to the left (7.9% in the 2026 index).

According to what the index's compiler, Robby Natanzon, told the newspaper, the left no longer exists among the Israeli youth, and it is almost closer to the percentage of error in the index survey than to the actual existence. In addition, the so-called “middle” has declined a lot and is on the verge of extinction.

The index examined the issue of support for gender equality among Israeli society, in order to infer the extent of the penetration of the obscurantist approach based on religious justifications. It showed that the percentage of those who support it among Jewish boys and men is steadily decreasing, and has reached 72.6% in the 2022 index (80.5% in the 2022 index). the 2016 index, and 85% in the 2010 index).

The index also surveyed the extent of the Israeli youth's trust in the legislative (the Knesset) and the judiciary authorities, and showed that the percentage of trust in them deteriorated to less than 30%. On the other hand, there is a noticeable increase in the percentage of trust in the institutions of the religious system, which reflects the strengthening of the trend of religiosity more and more.

These data shed light, first of all, on the true roots of the issue of the rise of the Israeli right, and its continuation of power over decades, not to mention enabling us to foresee where Israel is going, and what is expected from this path, both internally and externally. About "The New Arab"